t t 



and the more so considering the fact that the great weight 

 he has behind him increases his torture when pricked by 

 a carelessly driven nail, and adds to the difficulty of 

 keeping upon his feet in slippery weather, particularly 

 when the roughing is neglected or improperly done ; 

 because, in the first instance, the substance of the shoe 

 adds to the pressure upon the nail and forces it into the 

 sensitive part of the foot, while in the latter, when once 

 the animal slips, the weight of the load forces it down, 

 whereas a horse with a light load and safe shoes might, if 

 he stumbled, recover its footing without falling. 



The foot-gear of the horse should — as the motto 

 heading these lines expresses it — " Fit as easy as an old 

 shoe," and in the event of its being otherwise, the results 

 to both the animal and the man may be, and oftimes 

 are, serious. 



