204 THE STRUCTURE OF THE HORSE. 



the hands of ignorant mechanics, by whose obstinate 

 adhesion to routine and ancient custom all the at- 

 tempts of those who have endeavored to introduce a 

 more rational system are constantly foiled. This 

 subject, however, though of immense practical im- 

 portance, is beyond the domain of natural history, 

 except in so far that a knowledge of the structure and 

 action of the foot in its natural state ought to be a 

 guide to those whose duty it is to counteract the un- 

 natural conditions to which we subject it .* 



* Among many other works, see a small pamphlet on The 

 Structure of the Horse's Foot, and the Principles of Shoeing, by- 

 Prof. G. T. Brown, C.B., reprinted from the Journal of the 

 Royal Agricultural Society of England (1888), and the larger 

 work of Dr. George Fleming, C.B. on Horse Shoes and Horse 

 Shoeing, 1889. 



