4 PREFACE. 



accused of entering too minutely into matters of detail, m]» 

 answer must be, that I write exclusively for the informa- 

 tion of the uninformed, including those who are unwilling, 

 as well as those who are incompetent to wade through the 

 various elaborate and conflicting treatises already published 

 upon the horse's foot, and who are of necessity compelled 

 to yield implicitly in all such matters to the eocperience of 

 others, — w4iose ex'perience will generally be found to re- 

 solve itself into untiring 'perseverance in one unvaried 

 plan for a series of years. 



My aim has been, by keeping out of view every thing 

 not essential, and presenting only those things that are 

 practical, to render a hitherto difficult and little under- 

 stood subject familiar and easy. If I have in any degree 

 succeeded, I shall feel myself amply repaid for whatever 

 pains it may have cost me. 



