Peg toe-calk shoeing after
Fisher-Renker, of Dresden.
Fig. 174.
Peg-calk (shovel-calk) after
Kunze-Klotzsche-Königswald,
of Dresden.
The best forms in use are the quadrangular heads, with oval, half-round ([Figs. 171] and [172]), and with two taps ([Figs. 173] and [174]).
In several European countries the peg toe-calks with half-round tap and with two round taps are in use. To make good peg toe-calk shoes and fit the calks properly requires more than ordinary knowledge and skill. Poor work does much harm. Therefore, work carefully and get well paid for it.
6. Removable Heel-Calks that do not Require Sharpening.—The undeniable fact that all chisel-shaped or pyramid-shaped sharp calks become dull in time, and must then either be sharpened or replaced by new calks, renders shoeing not only costly, but injurious to the hoofs and annoying to the owner. This drawback is most pronounced in large cities, where the snow never lies long upon the streets, and the horse just sharp-shod is soon obliged to travel upon bare pavements. Attempts have been made to lessen this annoyance by the use of calks that do not require sharpening, and yet which will prevent slipping even after they have been used for a long time upon bare pavements. It cannot be denied that such calks have considerable value, and, except when the ground is covered with ice, many of these calks render excellent service. Just as the ordinary sharp calks are satisfactory and very durable outside of the large cities, so now for the first time a few of these recently invented sharp calks seem to be worthy of recommendation for city use. The following are the best:
Fig. 175.
Screw-calk with H-formed
cross-section.