THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 73 



-wliicli it was presiiined the tendenc}^ iu the foot to con- 

 tract would be mechanically prevented, and to promote a 

 disposition to diverge also — the heels of this shoe are 

 bevelled outwards. When this was first brought forward 

 it was like the frog, to do wonders, and the liberty of 

 forging the shoes was sold to smiths to complete the 

 bargain; the liberty of wearing them ought also to be 

 sold ; but this child of adoption appears also doomed to 

 suffer the fate of the former. 



Shoeing 



Is a matter of so much importance, that it cannot be too 

 clearly explained, or too generally understood, conse- 

 quently creates no surprise that so many writers have 

 condescended to offer their sentiments upon a subject of 

 such magnitude ; but it is to be regretted those opinions 

 have been submitted to public inspection in so remote a 

 way, and applies more to the professional conception of 

 individuals than to the standard of general comprehension. 



The various dissertations upon shoeing, or diseases of 

 the feet, have been in general too sublime in their lan- 

 guage, and too much interspersed with anatomical 

 disquisitions and technical jargon, to acquire public 

 patronage and commendation ; to such inconsistency 

 alone may perhaps be justly attributed their consignment 

 to oblivion so soon after publication. The various ani- 

 madversions of different writers under this head, are 

 evidently too closely wrapped in the veil of obscurity, 

 and seem purposely addressed much more to the 

 anatomical judgment of the scientific artist, than to the 

 understandings of the many by whom we are to suppose 

 it should be equally understood. 



An elegant arrangement of words, and ambiguity of 

 expression, may contribute a loftiness of style more 

 pleasing to the gentleman delighting in a judicious 

 display of polished language ; but, in the present in- 

 stance is required such easy flow of plain descriptive 

 matter, as becomes perfectly applicable to the inferior 



