530 SHOEING. 



the blood would be driven from the vessels under the hoof 

 into those above it, with a force which, of itself, would 

 render assistance needless ; and it is these alternate states, 

 leading to this result, which proves to us that the horse 

 was designed to be in constant motion. If further argu- 

 ment be wanting, surely it might be found in the frolics 

 and gambols of these animals. When they are happiest, 

 then they are most active, for there is not a surer symptom 

 of disease than inactivity. The horse that is very ill will 

 stand quiet enough ; but the animal that is in health requires 

 space to run about in and to enjoy himself. 



After knowing this, and also perceiving the manner in 

 which man treats his servant, can it be wondered at that 

 the foot gives way, when thrown out of use and totally 

 perverted ? Does it require we should blame the smith, or 

 reproach the shoe, as the primary or even the ex.citing 

 cause of the injury ? In the country, horses are treated less 

 systematically, and there, although they may be roughly 

 shod, they rarely become lame. It is in the stables of the 

 gentleman, of him who has education to teach him better, 

 and wealth to enable him to build proper lodgings for his 

 beast, that the great majority of horses are injured. 



The shoes we do not pretend to say are no evil ; but 

 they are one which cannot be got rid of, and for which all 

 has probably been done that the necessary shape admits of. 

 The iron which composes a shoe may be twisted this way, 

 and turned that. It may be puffed as a new invention, and 

 recommended as a patent, but after all it will be a semi- 

 circular piece of iron nailed to the bottom of a horse's foot ; 

 there it will continue, and man can make nothing more of 

 it. As to all newfangled shapes, or additions, or abstrac- 

 tions, he who cares for his horse had better have nothing 

 whatever to do with them. They are generally expensive, 

 and though meant to do good, they mostly do harm. Let 

 the man who values the animals Providence has entrusted 

 to his care, know the shoe is, and must be under any pos- 

 sible form, an injury. Let him accept it as a necessary 

 evil, and seek not to improve what appears to have reached 

 very near to perfection ; but let him yield a slight portion of 

 his notions with regard to propriety. Let him cast off 

 some of his prejudices concerning a glossy coat. Let him 



