INSTRUCTION OF FARRIERS. 105 



The best mode of constructing and repairing our public 

 thoroughfares and highways, with a view not only to 

 economy, but to the safety and comfort of horses, is a 

 matter that deserves serious attention. 



Taken in connection with our subject, it is one that 

 cannot be overlooked. We may preserve and defend 

 the horse's foot to the best of our ability in our forges 

 and stables, but if the roads over which he travels are not 

 adapted to his employment, our exertions on his behalf 

 can only be partially successful. 



INSTRUCTION OF FARRIERS. 



The foregoing instructions relative to shoeing are, in 

 substance, those which I have been in the habit, for sev- 

 eral years, of laying before the farriers in the different 

 regiments in which I have served, and with an amount of 

 success which amply rewarded me for the trouble I took 

 to see that they were carried into practice. Not only have 

 my own duties been considerably lightened in the greatly 

 diminished number of lame and unserviceable horses, but 

 the labors of the farriers have been considerably abbre- 

 viated and simplified, and by their being able to under- 

 stand the reasons for acting as I desired, their intelligence 

 was awakened, and they took an interest in carrying out 

 my views. 



In our army this is not always the case. The subject 

 of farriery is often looked upon much as it is in civil life 

 — as a matter that concerns the farrier only, and tradi- 

 tion and routine extensively prevail. In saying this, 

 however, I do not intend for a moment to insinuate that 

 the army veterinary surgeons are averse to giving their 

 attention to a most important, though it may appear a 

 minor, part of their duty. On the contrary, many of them 



