ON THE FOOT 127 



loses a shoe in the field. They are made to fasten 

 under the flap of the saddle till wanted. They buckle 

 around the fetlock joint, and the bottom of them is 

 shod with iron.i 



Shoeing horses is not now universally practised, 

 as in many of the eastern countries they are still 

 ridden bare-footed. It is most probable that the 

 practice of shoeing became more general as gravel 

 was used for roads ; for, although paved roads were 

 in use in very early times, they were not so injurious 

 to feet as sharp flinty gravel. I have read that 

 William the Conqueror introduced horse-shoes into 

 England, and that Henry de Ferrers, who came over 

 with him, got that surname because he was entrusted 

 with the inspection of the farriers, and that his de- 

 scendants still bear six horse-shoes in their arms. 

 It is further added, that that Sovereign gave the town 

 of Northampton to some person as a fief, in considera- 

 tion of his paying a stated sum yearly for the shoeing 

 of horses. 



Nature is seldom defective in her work ; but, with- 

 out proper consideration, we might be induced to 

 think that she had been so with respect to the hoofs 

 of horses and the teeth of human beings. Before, 



1 Of the " horse-sandal or removable horse-shoe," invented by Mr 

 Percivall in 1830, that gentleman says, " I am not merely a reviver 

 or restorer, but ' an original inventor,' since this is the first thing 

 of its kind which has appeared before the public with any chance 

 of success." The sandal consists of two parts : the shoe — the iron 

 part, or that which defends the bottom of the foot and sustains the 

 wear ; and the straps, composed of web, whereby the shoe is fastened 

 to the foot. It is not only light {its weight not exceeding half a 

 pound) and conveniently portable, but strong and protective. 



