PREFACE 



f n^^e, bren induced, at the solicitation of several 

 friends, who have deplored to me their total want of any- 

 thing like useful or practical knowledge upon the subject 

 of shoeing, to embody for their guidance some rough notes 

 which I had made upon soundness of the horse's foot in 

 general, and on shoeing in particular. In offering them to 

 the public, I beg to premise that I have not the smallest 

 intention of what is called writing a book, — least of all, a 

 scientific book. My sole object is to communicate, in the 

 most familiar language the subject will admit of, the result 

 of several years' observation, and of much tedious experi- 

 ment, undertaken w^ith a view of ascertaining what mode 

 of shoeing, system of stabling, and quantity of exercise, 

 promised the fairest prospect of preserving the foot of the 

 horse in soundness and comfort to himself, and usefulness 

 to his owner for the longest period. 



I disclaim all pretension to any nev/ discovery in th.e art 

 of shoeing ; — amateurs' discoveries are, for the most part, 

 of small value. I have preferred unscrupulously availing 

 myself of the labors of professional and practical men, — - 

 by carefully examining their systems — trying their plans 

 — and ultimately adopting that which appeared the best 

 calculated to ensure success. If, in what follows, I am 



