66 SCIENTIFIC HOKSESHOEING. 



CHAPTER IV. 

 PRACTICAL HORSESHOEING 



METHODS OF SCIENCE, ART, AND COMMON SENSE. 



Necessity of Shoeing. — Since the employment of the 

 horse in many pursuits renders it necessary that an artiiicial pro- 

 tection be employed to preserve his feet from injurious wear, it 

 becomes a consideration of the first importance to know the 

 proper method of doing this without seriously interfering with 

 or destroying the functions of the foot, and so as in the least, 

 to constrain its natural gestures while employing its fullest 

 powers. 



The eftects of applying an iron defense to the horse's foot 

 and securing it to the hoof with nails, are no doubt a source of 

 injury to that organ, and even with the best of care a few of 

 them are unavoidable ; but they are increased in number and 

 heightened in intensity, when the shoe is badly constructed and 

 .attached, whereas a right understanding of the subject will 

 teach that those evils which are unavoidable may at least be 

 greatly mitigated. 



There are some points on the question of shoeing notori- 

 ously at issue between writers and shoers, theorists, and prac- 

 titioners, so that hardly any agreement can be found to exist 

 even on essential principles, and this diversity of opinion will 

 probably continue until the known human artifices shall have 

 been superseded by unknown or natural agencies. 



All agree, however, that some artificial shield to the horse's 

 foot is necessary, for employed as he is, his hoofs are unable to 

 withstand the severe demands imposed upon them : the wear 

 more than exceeds the growth. 



