HORSESHOEING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1899, 26 June 1890, Page 8

HORSESHOEING.

In connection with the exhibition of ancient and modern horseshoes which is being held at the Animals' Institute, Kinnerton street, Belgrave square, several conferences have taken place between veterinary surgeons, farriers, and others interested, with a view of settling, amongst other things, the much - disputed question as to the cheapest, most serviceable, and comfortable shoe to recommend for adoption. The last of these gatherings took place on the 29th March, when the experts who discussed the matter came to the conclusion that in regard to shoeing it was better not to interfere with the hoof by cutting it in any way, except to remove any protuberances which might interfere with the "fit" of the shoej and that it was more humane to leave all the natural horn on the sole and around the frog instead of paring it down to the sensitive lamina. Various forms of shoes wei a examined from among the many kinds on view at the exhibition, and finally the choice fell on one which had a narrow rim, level on the surface attached to the foot, but with slight depros sions on the under Bide, bo as to allow of the fullest amount of "frog pressure." The Bhoe is already in use, and several horses which have been shod with it were insi ected. Con siderable discussion took place as to the nailless Bhnes, the majority of those present not favouring this form. Too following are the resolutions passed :— 1. Tbe;foot should have only bo much horn removed fiom it at each shoeing as is necessary for the proper iitting of the shoe and no more. 2. Tbe frog should take a bearing on the ground, but no other part of the frog should be weakened to give this healthy action 3. Shoes cannot be too tight if they give sufficient wear. 4 The width of a shoe need be no more than is necessary to cover the bearing surface. 5. Nails are the most secure and bimple fastening for horseshoi'B, and a properly driven nail never does any harm. 6. The most important requisite in horseshoeinu is the adoption of a correct system, not the use of any special form of shoe. 7. All shoes should have a level bparing on the ground extending from the toe to the heel. 8. The ground surf.ice of a slice should follow the form of the ground surface ot au unshed foot which has travelled rn:i level road. 9. No better foim of shoe .exists thau a narrow one made rather thicker nt the quarters thau at the heel and toe. 10. The recent proposal (o affix shoes to feet (without naila), by broad projections into the hoof, and by prea«ure round the wall, is impracticable and iu*urious. 11. No advantage follows the retention of shoes on a foot for more that four weeks, a3 the growth of the horn in that time produces a disproportionnte hoof. If in this time a shoe is not worn out, it should bf removed.