SHOEING 91 



horses' feet, like people's, vary in build, some because 

 Nature made them so and some from ill-usage, 

 neglect, or a long course of bad shoeing. Here again 

 I must mention lameness. A horse is sometimes 

 returned by the smith lame all round. The gait is 

 peculiar because it is caused by the shoes being too 

 small or tight. It has been likened to skating, and 

 a very good term it is to apply. Again I quote the 

 late Edward Mayhew, M.R.C.V.S.L. : 



' The horse was, a short time since, sent to the forge a 

 sound animal, and it has been returned a positive cripple. 



' It is lamentable to remark the number of horses which 

 are driven through the streets of Lcndon in a disabled 

 condition. People appear to be without feelings or recogni- 

 tions when the sufferings of horseflesh are before them. 

 An animal with scarcely a sound limb, or else " hopping 

 lame," may frequently be seen in broad daylight attached 

 to some gentleman's carriage or tradesman's cart, to a hired 

 vehicle, or a costermonger's "all sorts." From the highest 

 to the lowest, all are equally disgraced ; the toil of a life 

 seems incapable of purchasing a day's commiseration. A 

 little forbearance might be a profitable investment in these 

 cases, but no person seems able to keep a horse and to 

 allow the animal a day of rest. So long as it can crawl, so 

 long must patience work ! 



' No human lamentation could embody the deep sorrow 

 which the crippled condition of one leg occasions to the 

 horse. The creature is deprived of the power which alone 

 made life pleasant. Progression is laborious, and even rest 

 is painful. The quadruped thus disabled stands motionless 

 (when possible), the head is lowered, the eyes dejected, the 

 breathing fitful, and the entire frame is apparently resigned 

 to a huge sense of degradation. All the pride of life is lost ; 

 in its own conviction the animal feels useless and disgraced. 

 A horse in such a state is indeed a melancholy spectacle ; 

 and the feelings of that man who, understanding, can con- 

 template it unmoved, are not to be envied. Still, for how 

 many years has such a sight been before the eyes of man- 



