IXTRODUCTIOW. 



As the value of the Horse is daily beeoming more mani 

 fes% it is presumdd that any attempt to reduce mto a sys- 

 tem, the art of preservmg it in health and of removing dis- 

 eases will not be unacceptable. 



It is certain that at no period in the history of this coun- 

 try, has the horse stood so high in general estimation, or 

 by the display of his various powers, rendered himself an 

 object more worthy of our consideration. 



As greater attention is now paid to the breeding of horses 

 ior theditferent purposes of the turf, the road, &c. ; so should 

 our anxiety for their preservation increase. 



The object of this publication, is to render as plain and fa- 

 miliar as possible, a subject that has for a length of tunc 

 remained in obscurity: the want of a work possessing prac- 

 tical facts and illustrations, has long been severely felt and 

 acknowledged. 



Under this conviction I am induced to lend my aid, in 

 bringing forth the present volume, with such alterations 

 and additions as an extensive practice in this city may 

 warrant. 



To remove long standing prejudices, I am aware is a dif- 

 ficult task; still 1 venture to hope, that a careful perusal of 

 these pages will excite in some degree, the feelings of hu- 

 manity, in respect to the many sufferings to which the 

 generous animal is frequently hable from unmerited cruel- 

 ty and injudicious treatment, and that mankind may be in- 

 duced to view his sufferings with an eye of sympathy and 

 tenderness, and have recourse to a rational mode of prac- 

 tice, when accident or disease may require it. 



1 am not aware of any publication having issued from the 

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