74 SCIEXTIFIC HORSESHOEING. 



of the coffin-, pastern-, and fetlock joints, in a smooth, even, 

 and equally -balanced movement, and the function of locomotion 

 is performed with perfect and efficient activity. But let any 

 change or irregularity, however slight or obscure, occur among 

 the elements of the case, whether in the relations of co-opera- 

 ting parts, or of form, dimension and location of foot bearings, 

 whereby certain parts of a limb are forced to accept the portion 

 of the weight which belongs to others ; in short, whatever tends 

 to defeat the purpose of nature in organizing the locomotory 

 apparatus by interfering with or misdirecting its normal move- 

 ment will ultimately result in that loss of harmony and lack of 

 balance betrayed by disabled functions and testified by lameness. 



Emphasizing the Facts. — In thus digressing it is only to 

 establish certain primary facts relating to the main subject, in 

 the hope of drawing attention to the necessity of every horse- 

 man and farrier clearly comprehending this branch of it be- 

 fore entering upon its sequel — the preparation of the foot for 

 the shoe — in order to prove that without it as a foundation 

 upon which to rest the whole modus operandi, and as a final 

 resource to fall back upon in all cases where accurate judgment 

 is required, there can be no permanently favorable results 

 secured from any treatment instituted, howsoever skillful or 

 experienced the operator may otherwise be. The value of 

 appreciating this and of knowing the natural formation of the 

 foot, is, practically to know when the foot is losing that natural 

 form, so that it may be shaped and shod to assist nature in re- 

 storing it. How, then, shall we shoe a horse to preserve intact 

 the normal conditions of the feet and legs, so as to afford them 

 the necessary protection in the performance of their varied func- 

 tions under the most exacting conditions which civilization can 

 impose, enabling all to act together in perfect harmony and 

 with absolute efficiency? 



