A Text-Book of Horseshoeing, for Horseshoers and Veterinarians

CHAPTER I.. The Gross Anatomy of the Horse.

THE GROSS ANATOMY OF THE HORSE.

BONES OF THE HEAD—BONES OF THE TRUNK 17 THE SPINAL COLUMN—BONES OF THE THORAX 17-19 BONES OF THE PELVIS—BONES OF THE LIMBS 19-21 JOINTS—MUSCLES—TENDON SHEATHS 21-24

THE FOOT. =A. The Bones of the Foot= 24 The Cannon—The Long Pastern—The Sesamoid Bones—The Short Pastern—The Pedal Bone— The Navicular Bone 24-28 =B. The Articulations of the Foot= 28 I. THE FETLOCK-JOINT 28 The Suspensory Ligament 29 The Inferior Sesamoid Ligament 30 II. THE CORONARY JOINT 31 III. THE PEDAL ARTICULATION (COFFIN JOINT) 31 =C. The Locomotory Organs of the Foot= 32 The Anterior Extensor Tendon of the Phalanges— The Perforatus Tendon—The Perforans Tendon 32-35 =Mucous Bursæ and Tendon Sheaths= 35 =Altering the Relative Tension of the Flexor Tendons and Suspensory Ligament of the Fetlock-Joint= 36 =D. The Elastic Parts of the Foot= 38 The Lateral Cartilages—The Plantar Cushion 39, 40 =E. The Blood-Vessels and Nerves= 41 The Arteries of the Foot—The Veins of the Foot— The Nerves of the Foot 41-44 =F. The Protective Organs of the Foot= 44 (a) THE HAIR-SKIN 44 1. The Epidermis 45 2. The Dermis 45 3. The Subcutaneous Tissue 45 (b) THE HOOF-SKIN, OR PODODERM 45, 46 1. The Perioplic Band 47 2. The Coronary Band 47 3. The Fleshy Wall 48 The Fleshy Leaves (Podophyllous Tissue) 48, 49 4. The Velvety Tissue of the Sole 49 5. The Velvety Tissue of the Frog 49 (c) THE HORN CAPSULE OR HOOF 50-53 The Wall 50-53 The Bars 51, 52 The Layers of the Wall: 1. The Periople. 2. The Middle or Protective Layer. 3. The Leafy Layer (Keraphyllous Layer) 53-55 The Sole 55, 56 The Frog 57, 58 The Minute Structure of the Horn 58 Hard and Soft Horn 59

CHAPTER II.. The Foot in Its Relation to the Entire Limb.

THE FOOT IN ITS RELATION TO THE ENTIRE LIMB. =A. Standing Positions of the Limbs= 62 (a) THE POSITIONS OF A FORE-LIMB VIEWED FROM IN FRONT AND IN PROFILE 62-67 (b) THE POSITIONS OF A HIND LIMB VIEWED FROM BEHIND AND IN PROFILE 67-69 =B. Forms of Feet, viewed from in Front, from Behind, and in Profile= 69-72 =C. Lines of Flight of Hoofs in Motion= 72-75 =D. Influence of Weight upon Lines, of Flight of Hoofs= 75, 76 =E. Forms of Hoofs= 77 The Hoof of the Regular Position—The Hoof of the Base-Wide Position—The Hoof of the Base-Narrow Position—Forms of Hind Hoofs— The Wide and the Narrow Hoof—The Characteristics of Healthy Hoofs 77-82 =F. Growth of the Hoof and Wear of the Hoof and Shoe= 82-86 =G. Physiological Movements of the Hoof= 86-89

PART II.. Chapter Iii.

CHAPTER III. SHOEING HEALTHY HOOFS. =A. Examination of a Horse Preliminary to Shoeing= 90 =B. Raising and holding the Feet of the Horse to be Shod= 92 =C. Removing the Old Shoes= 97 =D. Preparing the Hoof for the Shoe= 98 =E. Preparing the Hoof for going Barefoot= 102 =F. Making Shoes= 103 The Podometer—Making Front Shoes—Making Hind Shoes—General Characteristics of Shoes—A Shoe with Heel-Calks—A Shoe with Toe- and Heel-Calks—Special Characteristics of Shoes 103-116 =G. Choosing the Shoe= 116 =H. Shaping and Fitting Shoes—General Considerations= 117 =Shaping and Fitting Shoes—Special Considerations= 120 =Fitting Shoes to Saddlers and Hunters= 122 =Fitting Shoes to Runners= 123 =Fitting Shoes to Trotters and Pacers= 124 =Fitting Shoes to Heavy Draft-Horses= 125 =I. Nailing the Shoe, Horseshoe-Nails= 128 =K. Machine Shoes= 132 =L. Rubber Pads= 135

CHAPTER IV.. Shoeing Horses That Forge and Interfere.

SHOEING HORSES THAT FORGE AND INTERFERE. =A. Forging—Cross-firing= 138, 140 =B. Interfering= 142

CHAPTER V. WINTER SHOEING. 1. ICE-NAILS (FROST-NAILS) 146 2. SHARP TOE- AND HEEL-CALKS 146 3. SCREW-CALKS 148, 155 4. PEG HEEL-CALKS 150 5. PEG TOE-CALKS 152 6. REMOVABLE HEEL-CALKS, THAT DO NOT REQUIRE SHARPENING 154

CHAPTER VI.. Hoof Nurture.

HOOF NURTURE. =A. Care of Unshod Hoofs= 157 =B. Care of Shod Hoofs= 159 Greasing and Soaking the Hoof 159

PART III.

CHAPTER VII. GENERAL REMARKS CONCERNING THE SHOEING OF DEFECTIVE HOOFS AND LAME HORSES. GENERAL REMARKS 161-165 CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES OF THE HOOF 165

CHAPTER VIII.. Inflammations of the Pododerm (pododermatitis).

INFLAMMATIONS OF THE PODODERM (PODODERMATITIS). 1. NAILING 166 2. STREET-NAIL 170 3. CALK-WOUNDS OF THE CORONET 173 4. CORNS 174 5. INFLAMMATION OF THE HEELS 176 6. LAMINITIS (FOUNDER) 177 7. KERAPHYLLOCELE (HORN TUMOR) 181

CHAPTER IX.. Defects of the Hoof.

DEFECTS OF THE HOOF. =A. Changes of Form= 182 1. THE FLAT AND THE FULL HOOF 182 2. THE UPRIGHT OR STUMPY HOOF 184 3. THE CONTRACTED HOOF 185 (a) The Contraction of Wide Hoofs 189 (b) Contraction of the Sole 189 4. THE WRY HOOF 190 5. THE CROOKED HOOF 192 6. OSSIFICATION OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGE (SIDE-BONE) 194 =B. Disturbances of Continuity of Hoof= 195 1. CRACKS 195 2. CLEFTS 203 3. LOOSE WALL 204 4. HOLLOW WALL 205 5. THRUSH OF THE FROG 206

CHAPTER X.. Shoeing Mules, Asses, and Oxen.

SHOEING MULES, ASSES, AND OXEN. 1. THE SHOEING OF MULES AND ASSES 207 2. THE SHOEING OF OXEN 207

INTRODUCTION.

Horseshoeing is an industry which requires, in equal degree, knowledge and skill.

The word “horseshoeing” embraces various acts, especially preparing the iron sole, the horseshoe; forming it and fitting it to the hoof, whose ground-surface has been previously dressed in accordance with the direction of the limb, and fastening it to the hoof by means of nails.

Owing to the complicated structure of the hoof, success in the practice of horseshoeing requires a knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the horse’s body in general and of the foot in particular.

The object of shoeing is,—

1. To protect the hoof from excessive wear, and thus render the horse continuously serviceable upon our hard roads.

2. To prevent slipping and falling during the winter season.

3. To so far remove the disadvantages of faulty positions of the limbs that horses may render good service, and, in some cases,

4. To cure or improve diseased or defective hoofs or feet.

Horseshoeing, though apparently simple, involves many difficulties, owing to the fact that the hoof is not an unchanging body, but varies much with respect to form, growth, quality, and elasticity. Furthermore, there are such great differences in the character of ground-surfaces and in the nature of horses’ work that shoeing which is not performed with great ability and care induces disease and makes horses lame.

In view of these facts, a thorough training of the young horseshoer in the principles and practice of his trade is not only greatly to be desired, but is really essential to success; unreasoning work does as much harm in this as in any other vocation. A good common-school education is necessary (more will do no harm). Further requisites are a healthy body, not too tall, liking for the work, aptness, an active, reasoning mind, fearlessness, dexterity, a good eye for proportion, and, finally, careful selection of a master-instructor. Theoretically educated, practically experienced and approved masters, in whose shops all kinds of horses are shod, are to be preferred.

During his term of apprenticeship the young apprentice should learn to make drawings of horseshoes, of tools of the trade, and of hoofs of various forms, and should also make one or more model shoes as an indication of his ability. After completing his time he should seek a position in a first-class shop, either at home or abroad. A visit to foreign lands will widen one’s mental horizon and make him a broader, abler man in every respect. Later, opportunity will be given to some (in Germany) to join the cavalry, and thus acquire a good education in shoeing under the patronage of the government. Finally, a course of instruction in a school of horseshoeing will convert an already practical and intelligent horseshoer into a thoughtful, capable, expert workman.

The scope of horseshoeing is by no means so narrow and insignificant as it may appear, and since a knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the horse’s body in general, and of the foot in particular, is necessary, it is evident that the schools of horseshoeing in which one can get the best instruction are those in which there is not only a regularly graded course of instruction, with demonstrations upon dissected material and upon living horses, but also an abundance of daily work at the forge and on the floor in the shoeing of horses. =A course of four to six weeks is not sufficient.=

Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that schools of horseshoeing are not for the purpose of instructing young men in all matters which pertain to the trade, but only in the making of shoes, the critical examination and management of hoofs, and the rational and skilful performance of shoeing. For this reason it is not advisable for young men to attend a school of horseshoeing until they have at least completed their apprenticeship.

HORSESHOEING.

PART I.

CHAPTER I. THE GROSS ANATOMY OF THE HORSE.

The supporting structure of the horse’s body is the =bony framework= or skeleton (Fig. 1, page 18). We distinguish in the skeleton the bones of the head, trunk, and limbs.

The =bones of the head= are numerous and, excepting the lower jaw, are solidly united with one another. In general, we distinguish in the head only the upper and lower jaws (1 and 1′). Both form various cavities; for example, the cranial cavity, in which the brain lies, the orbital cavities (eye-sockets), the nasal passages, and the mouth. Besides, the teeth are set in the jaws.

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