544 AET OF SHOEING. 



remains the same, so long as all the organs are maintained in 

 health, it is not affected by the growth of the hoof, all excess 

 of which becomes a store against excessive exertion and con- 

 sumption, which at irregular intervals is occurring to the 

 horse in his natural state. 



The plantar or ground surface of the hoof is endowed 

 with great strength and properties the most effective to resist 

 wear, that is, when horses' feet are preserved and managed 

 as Xenophon directed they should be, viz., kept dry, and 

 accustomed to bear on the hard stones, the texture of the 

 hoof is tough and elastic, yet sufficiently resistant, and its 

 arches are adapted to support their burden. 



The large proportion of the hoof which is situated below the 

 organized structure has most important functions to perform, 

 and of course its perfection in form and condition is of impor- 

 tance relative to that of its important offices. If this part 

 be imperfectly developed, as is invariably the case, under bad 

 management in breeding and keeping horses, or if it be re- 

 duced by knife and rasp, no amount of iron work can stand 

 in its stead ; and, on the other hand, if the hoof is grown 

 to excess, or unequally, and out of proportion, the horse's 

 action, speed, and power become directly affected, even before 

 obvious lameness may necessarily be the result. 



The first step in the practice of shoeing to be attended 

 to, is the preparation of the foot. Before removing any 

 part of the hoof, it should be known that the workman 

 is master of his art, and sees at a glance whether any is 

 required to be removed, and, if so, from what part of the 

 hoof. It often happens that a horse comes to us with his 

 foot denuded of its horn, so that there is too little altogether; 

 and yet it may have been so reduced in parts, as to render 

 it necessary that we should give some little adjusting touches ; 

 and by removing inequalities, we are often able to give a 



