SHOEING. 



17 



deeper and more correct knowledge of it than doubtless any man 



of his time.* 



At any rate, I was now led to 

 study the subject in an entire- 

 ly different light, and though 

 far from being able to give the 

 instruction on this subject I 

 would like to do, for want of 

 the requisite knowledge, I 

 have done the best I could 

 to make the instructions so 

 simple and practical that they 

 will at least serve to correct 

 some of the wretchedly bad 

 treatment practiced by sho- 

 ers. I have tried also to in- 

 clude such illustrations of the 



Fig. 430. — Lateral View of Horse's Fool afler 

 Removal of the Hoof. 



structure of the foot as would show its 

 various parts most clearly, with other 

 features of most interest to shoers. 



The bones of the foot are so nicely 

 adjusted and balanced by the ligaments 

 and tendons of the limb, that there is 

 no unequal strain brought upon any 

 joint, but each assists in supporting the 

 others. But if the heels are raised too 

 high, or the toe left too long, there will 

 be correspondingly increased strain 

 brought upon the ligaments and ten- 

 dons supporting the back or front part. 

 In like manner, raising or lowering the 



Fig. 431. — Inferior View of Foot 

 with Hoof Removed. 



* Indeed, this is conceded now by even the leading members of the veterinary- 

 prof ession, as will be seen by the following statement by Dr. Going, formerly vet- 

 erinary editor of the Spirit of the Times, which I copy from his Veterinary Diction- 

 ary. He says : — 



" It is said that no man has ever yet reached perfection in any branch of art, 

 science, literature, industry, etc.; but while I am unprepared to join issue with the 

 assertion^ I can safely say that the nearest approach which has ever been made in 

 this connection (horse-shoeing and the study of the horse's foot) has been made by 

 Robert Bonner, Esq., of New York, who, had not the Ledger already made him fa- 

 mous, would undoubtedly have obtained widespread renown through his almost su- 

 perhuman knowledge in this department. I have had the pleasure of conversing 

 with him on this subject, and am pleased to have an opportunity of stating the im- 

 pression the conversation made ujion me." 



