THE HORSE. 73 



tell me all, and, perhaps, more than he knew, not 

 forgetting his lineal descent from Snape, farrier to 

 Charles the First. Examining the mare, and de- 

 ceived by the good form and colour of her hoofs, he 

 readily engaged to make her perfectly sound, on 

 being allowed a premium of five guineas, exclusive 

 of his usual charge for shoes. I catched at such an 

 offer. However, though he failed to make her per- 

 fectly sound, he greatly improved her feet, encourag- 

 ing the growth of the horn and frogs by the use of 

 a very judiciously forged bar-shoe, with which I rode 

 her, both on the road and in the field, with the utmost 

 safety and ease to her feet. I used the bar-shoe 

 advantageously with other tender footed hacks, and 

 fully concur with Mr. Goodwin, that such horses 

 should ever be allowed that defence for their feet. 

 The reluctance to use this shoe can claim no relation- 

 ship with reason or sound practice. Its use ought 

 to be oreneral when needful. It even rivals La Fosse's 

 half-moon shoes, as a support to the tendon. 



Grass Shoes, or tips. — These should be narrow 

 webbed, only sufficiently wide to defend the crust, 

 and of the usual length. They are absolutely neces- 

 sary for the security of the hoof upon hard grounds ; 

 and although, in the moist seasons, horses are usually 

 turned off without shoes, yet, with some feet, it is 

 preferable to tip them. A monthly attendance is 

 necessary to remove or renew the shoes,. and pare the 

 hoofs from excrescences, that they may not grow out 

 of form, or to encourage the growth of horn. 



The hunting and racing shoe, or plate. — Both 

 these should be made of the best Swedish iron, and 



e 



