418 AGRICULTURE AND THE HORSE. 



bring mj remarks to a close. I might say much upon 

 the structure of the stable ; but I trust the hints I have 

 dropped on this topic, as I have dealt with others, will 

 answer the purpose at this time. I should like to discuss 

 the subject of shoeing : but I am aware how much has 

 been said, and how little taught, on this matter already ; 

 and I should be sorry to add my share to the stock of 

 speculation already existing, and which, when we con- 

 sider the thousands of horses who wear the various 

 shoes designed by Turk and Arab and Italian and Rus- 

 sian and Frenchman and Englishmen and American, 

 must be largely mere speculation ; otherwise myriads of 

 horses would be unable to stand or step. It has been 

 my special desire to satisfy those of you who have lis- 

 tened to me so long, that the subject of hippology 

 needs no extravagant elaboration, but is in all its prin- 

 ciples, whether dealing with health or disease, so sim- 

 ple to a practical farmer, that no man need err therein. 

 I am satisfied that it is not half so difficult to select a 

 good horse as some suppose, if you will only see ex- 

 actly what is before your eyes, and not allow yourself 

 to be misled either by your own imagination, or by 

 the persuasive words of him, who, finding you in want 

 of a horse, feels that it is his mission to see that you 

 are speedily supplied. I have observed that the pur- 

 chasers of horses deceive themselves much oftener than 

 they are deceived by the dealers. It requires no great 

 keenness to discover a spavin as big as a hen's egg, or 

 a broken wind heaving the sides like a blacksmith's 



