PREFACE. IX 



My object, therefore, in offering the following 

 remarks, is not to trench upon the sphere of the 

 professional veterinary surgeon or riding-master, 

 but to render horse-proprietors independent of the 

 dictation of ignorant farriers and grooms. In- 

 tending this little work merely as a useful manual, 

 I have purposely avoided technicalities, as belong- 

 ing exclusively to the professional man, and en- 

 deavoured to present my dissertations on disease 

 in the most comprehensive terms possible, propos- 

 ing only simple remedies as far as they go; though, 

 for the satisfaction of my readers, I may mention 

 that, as an amateur, I have myself devoted much 

 time and thought to the study of anatomy, and 

 that any treatment of disease herein recommended 

 has been carefully perused and approved by a 

 veterinary surgeon. Theories are excluded, and I 

 confine myself simply to practical rules founded on 

 my own experience. 



Hints and remarks are here offered to the general 

 public, which, to practical men, will appear trifling 

 and unnecessary ; but keen and extended observa- 

 tion, carried on as opportunity offered, amongst all 

 classes and in many countries and climates, has 

 given me an insight into the want of reasoning 



