74 SCIENTIFIC HORSESHOEING. 



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

 and eqnally-balanced movement, and tlie function of locomotion 

 is performed with }icrfcct 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 toi'ni, dimension and location of foot bearings, 

 whereby certain parts of a linib 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 haiMiiony and lack of 

 balance betrayed by disabled functions and testilied by lameness. 



Emphasizing the Facts. — Tn 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 jjrcjiaration of the foot for 

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

 upon which to rest the whole modus opcravdi, 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 affiyrd 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? 



