126 HORSE-SIIOEING. 



rnents of this organ ? It must be admitted that he cannot do so ; 

 and it is from neglect of this fundamental consideration that so 

 much improper and vicious shoeing prevails, and that so many horses 

 are crippled and prematurely worn out. By the majority of farriers 

 the foot of the horse is looked upon as little, if anything, more than 

 an insensible block of horn which they may carve and mutilate with 

 impunity and as suit? their fancy, and for which nothing more 

 is necessary than the attachment, by an unreasonable number of 

 nails, of a clumsy mass of iron that may not only be unsuitable for its 

 requirements, but positively injurious to it and the other parts of 

 the limb. The art of farriery in this country has never received a 

 scientific development, but has ever been a mere affair of routine and 

 tradition. Such should not be the case ; and allusion is only made 

 to this matter here in order to urge most strenuously the necessity 

 for farriers being properly instructed in the elements of their art, and 

 made to comprehend as much as may be required of the construction 

 and functions of the very important organ upon which they are 

 destined to exercise their skill. 



The horse's foot may be said, for practical purposes, to be 

 intended not only as an organ of support and defence (or offence), 

 but also as that part of the limb in which the efforts created 

 elsewhere are concentrated, and as the instrument through which 

 propulsion and progression may be mainly effected. It is also largely 

 endowed, in a natural state, with the sense of touch, which enables 

 the animal to travel with safety and confidence on rough as well as 

 even, and on soft as well as hard ground. 



When we come to examine it in a methodical and careful 

 manner, we find that it has for its basis the last three bones of the 

 limb — the small pastern, navicular, and coffin or pedal bone. The 

 latter is more particularly the foundation of the foot, and is the 

 nucleus on which the hoof is moulded, and which in shape it much 



