$62 ON THE ART OF SHOEING. 



hi* bow. The nag being fhod, according to or- 

 cer, is mounted by his fanguine and delighted 

 mailer, who now fuppofes all his troubles at an 

 end ; but, alas ! he has only made an exchange 

 of errors, his horfe goes like a cat in pattens, 

 he can't trot a yard. The poor animal, as if 

 he were in fault, is now checked with the curb, 

 fpurred, curled, abufed, and rode home again. 

 Another meeting takes place with the farrier, 

 who now afTumes airs of confequence, on ac- 

 count of his fuperior (kill and fore- knowledge 

 of what had happened. They both join in ri- 

 diculing book-knowledge in the art of (hoeing, 

 and the folly of authors who pretend to /hoe 

 all horfes by one common Jlandard. The nag is 

 fhod again in the old way, goes better imme- 

 diately in confequence of the change ; but in a 

 very fhort time, having no feet to go upon, is 

 fold for a iVw pounds to the mail coaches, 

 where they are made to go, whether they can 

 or not. 



The error lies in fuppofing a horfe able to 

 go well in proper fhoes, or indeed any fnoes at 

 all, whofe (bles, frogs, and heels are fo reduced, 

 as to be fcarce able to bear his own weight. 

 In fuch cafe, the only remedy is to turn him 

 inftantly to grafs, with narrow plates upon the 

 walls of his hoofs, to prevent their being 

 broken, until his heels and frogs (hall have 

 grown to their natural flate, and then to put 



him 



