HORSE-SHOEING. 199 



withdrawn one by one. Particular care must be taken that no 

 clenches or broken nails remain in the hoof , as these are likely to 

 turn the points of the succeeding nails into the living parts of the 

 foot. 



Such, then, on the one hand, is shoeing as it is usually prac- 

 ticed, to the great injury of the horse ; and, on the other hand, 

 shoeing as it ought to be performed, so as to maintain the comfort 

 and efficiency of this noble and invaluable animal. 



It will be observed that no claim is here made to any wonderful 

 novelty or discovery in the way of a shoe that will answer every 

 purpose, and keep every horse wearing it in a state of health. 

 Such an invention must be left to those whose practical experi- 

 ence is of the most limited character, and who fancy that the evils 

 of shoeing are concentrated in the metal plate alone. It may be 

 sufficient to say, in this place, that, so far as the comfort, utility, 

 and well-being of the horse are concerned, the preservation of the 

 foot in health by abstaining from mutilating and deforming it 

 with knife and rasp, is of the highest importance. If this be 

 done, the shoe most appropriate for certain purposes demands 

 some attention, but is really a matter of minor consideration. 



Preserve the hoof intact and strong, and the animal will travel 

 long and soundly in a very uncouth foot armature ; pare and rasp 

 it according to " improved principles/' and the most labored, 

 expensive, and artistic device in the form of a shoe will not pre- 

 vent discomfort, unsoundness, disease, and premature useless- 

 ness. 



At an early period of my professional career, I was much dis- 

 satisried with the results of shoeing as it is practised in ordinary 

 forges, and with the unreasonableness of the fashion of depriving 

 the foot of its natural and most efficient protection, and was soon 



