THE 



ART OF HORSE^SHOEING 



A MANUAL FOR FARRIERS 



CHAPTER I. 



Farriery is the art of shoeing horses, and can only 

 "be properly learned by a long practical experience in the 

 shoeing-forge. If the foot of the horse were not a living 

 object perhaps the training obtained in the forge would 

 be all that was necessary for efficient workmanship. As, 

 however, the hoof is constantly growing, it is constantly 

 changing its form. The duty of a farrier therefore is 

 not merely to fix a shoe upon the hoof but to reduce the 

 hoof to proper proportions before doing so. Now, as the 

 hoof is only the outer covering of a complex and sensi- 

 tive foot, damage to the exterior surface may injure the 

 structures within. Injury does frequently result, and 

 not always from carelessness. Perhaps as much injury 

 follows careful work, based upon wrong principles, as 

 slovenly work carried out in perfect ignorance of any 

 principle. The injury to feet resulting from shoeing 

 may not be apparent at once. It may be, and often is, 

 of a slow and gradual nature, and not credited to its true 

 cause until the horse is rendered an incurable cripple. 



It seems evident then that to do justice to a horse a 

 farrier should not only possess manipulative skill, but 

 should have a correct idea of the structures and functions 

 of the foot, as well as a thorough knowledge of the form, 

 and variations of the hoof. 



