this task, shoeing them was thought the most 

 efficient plan, and was adopted to enable them 

 to perform tlieir dilTerent labours, and to sup- 

 port their bodies and loads with more facility. 

 Shoeing, therefore, having become absolutely- 

 necessary, it is incumbent on man, for whom 

 these useful animals toil, as well as administer 

 to his pleasures, requiring nothing in return 

 but sustenance, to exert every effort of his 

 genius to afford them the greatest ease and 

 comfort, not only in this, but in every other 

 requisite for the performance of their work. 

 In preparing the foot for the shoe, as little as 

 possible of the horny substance should be 

 pared away ; indeed nothing more should bs 

 removed than the inequalities which prevent 

 the shoe from sitting fair and even ; and any 

 sand which may have penetrated the hoof 

 ought to be carefully picked out; for if it be 

 suffered to. remain, by the pressure of the foot 

 against the shoe it would work deeper in. 

 The frog and bars ought not to be cut down 

 to the quick by ignorant farriers, which they 

 call opening their heels; a practice too gene- 

 rally adopted. Paring away the heels, the 

 bar, and the frog is the operation that puts a 



