THE HORSE. 71 



both sound at starting, their legs universally fail 

 before their feet. There is no risk in the assertion, 

 since facts, to its full extent, have ever been multi- 

 tudinous, that a naturally sound and tough hoof, 

 rationally shod, is a good fundamental estate for life 

 to a labouring horse, and he goes comfortably and 

 well upon it, presenting a hoof more neat and hand- 

 some than in its natural state ; devoid, indeed, of the 

 possibility of external expansion, but enjoying the 

 benefit of the internal, or that action and reaction 

 which result from the natural structure of the hoof. 

 There is no doubt of a lateral and longitudinal external 

 expansion and extension of the hoof of the colt, or of 

 the unshod grazing horse ; and the same fact applies 

 to the feet of poor shoeless children, whose feet, how- 

 ever, never pine after the said expansion when, sub- 

 sequently and fortunately, they become bounded and 

 confined by a good and tight fitting shoe. I conceive 

 that neither Childers nor Eclipse were deprived of a 

 single atom, either of their speed or powers of conti- 

 nuance, in consequence of their hoofs being bound by 

 iron shoes. To speak seriously, ridicule can be ap- 

 plicable or available only against our genuine system 

 mongers, with whom inventions, novelty, and notoriety 

 are all in all. With respect to those worthy, sedulous, 

 and indefatigable scientific artists of the profession, 

 who, adhering to sound, fundamental, and established 

 principles, using their exertions and ingenuity in 

 anomalous and difficult cases, wherein these princi- 

 ples must be departed from, and doing all in their 

 power for the safety and comfort of the noble slave 

 intrusted to their care, and imparting the' results of 



