230 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



I know not any other organ in the whole frame of a 

 horse so easily and quickly understood as the foot. It 

 is comparatively simple in its formation, and the mutual 

 adjustment of its several parts is quickly mastered. 

 It is, therefore, not to a mysterious subject, but to one 

 easily understood, that I now invite your attention. 

 The subject is the horse's foot^ and how to shoe it 



One of the greatest obstacles in the way of reforma- 

 tion — for nearly all admit that our system of caring 

 for and shoeing the horse's foot is simply atrocious — 

 is to be found in the ignorance of the average 

 smith. I would not speak disrespectfully of any man, 

 or class of men, who earn their living by the sweat 

 of their brow ; for their industry commends them to 

 courteous mention : but it is a fact, that the average 

 horse-shoer of the country is distinguished chiefly by 

 what he does not know, rather than by what he does 

 understand, of the principles and uses of his craft. 

 The only excuse that can be urged in his favor — 

 and, to any candid and thoughtful person, it will, 

 I doubt not, seem ample — is this: No one has ever 

 taught him any thing. There has been literally no 

 avenue of knowledge open to him. In ancient times, 

 veterinary surgeons were the smiths ; and by them 

 gentlemen were taught how to shoe their own horses. 

 It was the duty of the veterinary to do this. The edu- 

 cation of no knight was regarded adequate for a mar- 

 tial career until he was thoroughly instructed in the 

 principles and practice of fiirriery. It was not beneath 



