THE ART OF THE FARRIER. 233 



THE ART OF THE FARRIER. 



By Daniel Dennison Slade, M. D. 



[From the Bulletin of the Busaey Institution.] 



There is no portion of the animal frame that exhibits a more 

 wonderful adaptation of means to the ends proposed, than the 

 horse's foot ; and it is only by careful observation and study that 

 we can appreciate the wisdom therein displayed. 



In a state of nature, the growth and wear of the hoof are main- 

 tained in perfect equilibrium. When, however, the animal is sub- 

 jected to the service of man, this equilibrium is destroyed and the 

 wear exceeds the growth ; a condition which of course necessi- 

 tates the protection of those parts which are exposed to this undue 

 wear. This very protection, however, again destroys the balance 

 between the growth and the wear, for the former soon exceeds the 

 latter, requiring the removal of the protecting shoe and the reduc- 

 tion of the growth of horn either by natural wear, or by artificial 

 raeans. This simple operation constituted the art of the farrier in 

 the earliest ages ; and such would it have continued, had not this 

 simplicity been interfered with by numerous whims and supersti- 

 tions which, gradually creeping in from generation to generation, 

 have greatly obscured the original purpose of the art, and have 

 converted a beneficial operation into one which, in many cases, is 

 fraught with serious injury to the health and usefulness of the 

 animal. 



While much may be accomplished, by the publication of books 

 and essays upon Farriery, to diffuse useful information upon this 

 subject, it is evident that, if it is desirable that a sure and steady 

 progress should be made in all that pertains to the art, those who 

 practise it must be instructed by others who have made the organ- 

 ization of the foot their study, and can base their teaching upon 

 knowledge thus obtained. 



Inasmuch as in the natural condition all parts of the foot come 

 to the ground, the hoof of the young animal, which is brought to 

 the forge for the first time, requires little or no preparation, be- 

 yond rendering the ground surface of the wall or crust perfectly 

 level to receive the web of the shoe. The entire foot is in that 



