THE FARRIER'S HANDIWORK. 



107 



I possess another hoof still retaining the shoe. 

 On looking at the interior of the hoof, it may be seen 

 that one of the nails has passed through the linea 

 alba, or quick of the nail, so that the pain which 

 the horse must have suffered can hardly be ima- 

 gined. 



I have here assumed that the farrier is putting a 

 shoe on a hoof that has not been touched by the 

 knife. Even in such a case, the 

 greatest care is required in order 

 to avoid accidents. But, sup- 

 pose that even the most skilful 

 farrier in the world were re- 

 quired to put a shoe on such a 

 hoof as that which is shown in 

 the accompanying illustration, he 

 would find the task almost im- 

 possible. 



Some persons might say that 

 this drawing was heightened by the artist in order 

 to produce more effect. 



Now, there is nothing more abhorrent, even to 

 a novice in any branch of science, than ' heightening ' 

 or ' colouring ' a statement. But, in order to avoid 

 even the suspicion of colouring, the drawing is an 

 exact copy of a photograph which was sent to me 

 by the late Mr. A. F. Astley, who also furnished me 



HOOF OF MR. HERBERT 

 SMITH'S HORSE. 



(See page 188.) 



