Beaked shoe for stilt-foot.
Causes.—1. The upright hoof is peculiar to the “standing under” position ([Fig. 53], page 66) and to the so-called bear-foot ([Fig. 70], page 72).
2. It arises also as a result of all those alterations in the direction of the limbs which tend to remove the quarters from contact with the ground (contraction of the flexor tendons, spavin,—[Fig. 202]).
3. It may arise gradually from neglect of the hoofs of horses running barefoot.
4. It may arise from excessive shortening of the toe in relation to the quarters.
Shoeing.—The forms of hoofs mentioned in class 1 should be left as they are. The hoofs that fall under class 2 should be dressed and shod until a more natural setting down of the foot is secured. This is brought about by sparing the quarters, and applying a shoe with thickened branches or with heel-calks. Where the service of the animal is exacting and upon hard streets, the toes, especially of the hind shoes, may be made more durable by welding in steel plates. Besides, the shoe should be moderately base-wide around the toe,—that is, should be bevelled downward and outward, should have a strong toe-clip, and should be quite concave at the toe and rolled. ([Figs. 203] and [204]). Should the hoof tip forward whenever the weight is thrown upon the limb, a shoe with a spur projecting from the centre of the toe, and turning back and pressing upon the wall just underneath the coronary band, will be of service ([Fig. 202]).
Fig. 203.
Fig. 204.
