PREFACE, 



This little book is written for three classes of readers: 

 for horse-owners who may interest themselves in the 

 subject, for farriers who are open to conviction, and for 

 veterinary students who have to be examined. 



The method joursued lias been, to first describe the 

 form and action of the foot, next the preparation of the 

 foot for shoeing. Then the form of a shoe is treated of 

 and the details to be observed in making it. The selec- 

 tion of shoes for varieties of feet or for special kinds of 

 work follows, and aftei"wards the fitting and nailing-ou 

 are considered. Other chapters are devoted to "roughing," 

 shoeing defective feet, accidents, the use of leathers and 

 pads. 



Throughout an endeavor has been made to be as 

 simple and clear as possible in expression, to lay down 

 correct general i)rinciples and to point out the technical 

 details which are essential to good shoeing. On all theso 

 points authorities are not agreed, and I trust those who 

 differ from me will pardon any too dogmatic expressions 

 of opinion in these pages. 



The illustrations will be of assistance in making 

 clear the text. Some of tliese are copied from books, 

 some are drawn from models or preparations, and some 

 are diagramatic. The books I am indebted to are: 

 "Anatomy of the Domestic Animals," by Gamgee and 

 Law; " On the Horse's Foot," by Bracy Clark; Bouley^s 

 " Atlas of the Foot, ' ' r.nd Goyau's ' ' Mar^chalerie. " i 



Above all, I am indebted to the late Professor JosepH 

 Gamgee, who first gave me an interest in horse-shoeing 

 and to whose teachings and writings I trace whatever 

 ideas I now possess. 



William Hunting. 



