220 HORSE -SHOEING. 



These are the only means "by which, I believe, the art of 

 farriery can be improved in this country, where nearly all im- 

 provement is left to private enterprize. A profound knowledge 

 of the anatomy and physiology of the horse's foot is not absolutely 

 necessary to the farrier. What I have sketched out on these 

 subjects in this essay, I have generally found sufficient to enable 

 my farriers to comprehend the character of the organ they were 

 called upon to protect and preserve, and this much was easily 

 taught them in a short time. I have always had more difficulty 

 in making them unlearn their unreasonable practices than 

 acquiring those which 'were novel, though easier ; and my chief 

 antagonists in all improvements have been the ignorant 

 grooms and coachmen — the lovers of well-pared and rasped hoofs, 

 oiled or blacked like a boot ; hot stables ; physic ; bearing reins ; 

 blinkers ; cruppers ; powerful bits ; and everything, in fact, 

 unnatural and injurious to the horse. 



