OR, The Turn Out. 3/ 



stead of this, it has a prominent edge all round, which takes 

 a firm hold of the ground and obviates the difficulty. 

 Further, this hoof is somewhat elastic, and on the weight of 

 the horse being fully thrown upon it, allows the ianer soft 

 cushion or frog to descend, and press firmly and tightly on 

 the earth. Thus two ends are wonderfully and completely 

 attained ; firmness in the tread, insuring the horse's safety, 

 and a regularity of pressure, which obviates the jarring that 

 would be so painful and prejudicial. 



" When the animal is in a state of nature, its hoof is strong 

 enough to need no artificial protection ; but on the hard and 

 stony roads common in all civilized countries, it has been 

 found necessary to fit something to the foot, to protect it from 

 the great wear and tear which is unavoidably incurred. For this 

 purpose nothing has been found so effectual as what is termed 

 shoeing , or affixing a thin plate of iron round the outer hard 

 and horny edge of the hoof — a practice known in Britain 

 during the time of the Romans. When done with judgment, 

 the proper action of the foot goes on nearly as usual ; but if 

 injudiciously performed, the action of the horse is impeded, 

 lameness is caused, and temporary or permanent diseases are 

 brought on. 



" Many persons, from an idea of saving time, desire the 

 smith to come and shoe their horses, instead of sending them 

 to the forge. This should never be done. For when the 

 workman is by his fire, if the shoe should not quite fit (as is 

 nearly certain to be the case) he can easily heat and alter it; 

 but if at a distance, in the farmer's or gentleman's stable, he 

 has not the opportunity of doing so, and can only make foot 

 and shoe match by cutting away the wall of the hoof — a most 

 dangerous practice. 



" To those who consider the matter, it must be obvious that 

 this tender and important organ ought not to be left to the 

 care of an ignorant, and too often brutal, smith without 

 supervision. His trade requires judgment and discretion ; 

 and there are no better means of ensuring careful shoeing 

 than for the horse-proprietor to visit the forge while his 

 horse is being shod, and observe the proceedings. More 

 depends on the preparation of the foot than on the affixing 

 the shoe ; for the latter will hardly do much damage, unless 

 made outrageously bad, or nailed on in a most clumsy manner; 

 but it should be constantly kept in mind that a horse may 

 be easily lamed from rash and ignorant paring of his hoofs. 



