532 AET OF SHOEING. 



It is believed that, much as principles are required to be 

 laid down and spread on all that relates to horse-shoeing and 

 the management of horses' feet, that in this place good will 

 be derived by our trying to make the subject plain for popular 

 reading, rather than elaborate. A first move in a right direc- 

 tion, constitutes the extent of our aim in this work. 



With reference to the organization of the foot and its 

 functions, so far as these essential details are discussed, it will 

 be sought to make the inner movements apparent from an 

 external view, as most of the phenomena which form links 

 in the chain of facts, the understanding of which is necessary 

 for the establishment of a successful practice of shoeing, may 

 be seen in the way alluded to. 



We are of opinion that the ancients drew their conclusions 

 on the movements of the horse from observing his external 

 appearances chiefly, and most of what is best understood on 

 the horse's foot at the present time has been acquired by men 

 who have observed carefully, and at the same time handled 

 the parts contemplated most industriously; thus making the 

 two gates of knowledge which constitute the most effectual 

 channels, the rational means for the attainment of an end. 



While contemplating the foot with reference to the adap- 

 tation of systematic rules on shoeing, we must take account 

 of the innermost structures, find out the course of bearing as 

 it is transmitted from the longer shafts to the coronary and 

 pedal bones, and how this last disperses the weight over the 

 hoof, and through it to the ground; we find, as is the case 

 from the knee and hock downwards, that at the extreme 

 point the greater solidity exists in front, whilst the structures 

 are all yielding posteriorly; the cartilages on either side 

 commence where the extensor tendon and the branches from 

 the carpo-pedal ligament are inserted into the prominent 

 pyramidal process of the coffin bone; these may then be 



