viii PREFACE. ' 



and up to our own lime, the principal kinds of shoeing introduced, and 

 their various defects, have been noticed in detail. 



The importance of the farrier's art to civilization, and to the welfare 

 of the horse, with its evils and how to remedy them, have been con- 

 sidered in separate chapters. It is, perhaps, scarcely necessary to assert, 

 that if the progress of this craft, as it has been practised in Europe, had 

 been carefully studied, and the teachings of its most notable exponents 

 kept in view, the modern patent offices would have been much less 

 patronized, the equine species would have been benefited to an extent 

 which those who abhor cruelty to animals little dream of, and a large 

 saving in horse-power and horse-life would have been the result. It is 

 to be hoped that the investigations now published may prove useful in 

 this respect, and that the latter portions of the work may attract atten- 

 tion to the great injury done to the horse by the barbarous treatment 

 its feet are generally subjected to, so that the lessons afforded by history 

 may not be without advantage to the noble animal and his master. 



For many years the anatomy, functions, and management of the 

 horse's limbs and feet have been made the object of careful observa- 

 tion. The present treatise contains a portion of the results arrived at ; 

 the remainder will appear, I trust, at no distant day. 



The assignment of the diversely-shaped antique shoes to certain 

 ages — a matter of much difficulty — resulted from the examination and 

 comparison of specimens found in various parts of Great Britain and 

 the Continent of Europe, and the remains discovered with them. 



Nothing has been omitted, so far as I am aware, that might prove 

 useful or interesting in this inquiry into the origin, progress, traditions, 

 and utility of an art to which our "Western civilization owes so much. 

 The drawings have been most carefully prepared to illustrate its various 

 phases, and, whenever possible, photography has been resorted to for 

 greater correctness. 



For obliging assistance in my labours, I gratefully beg to acknow- 

 ledge the kind services of Messrs Mayer, F.S.A., Morgan, Moor, and 

 Picton, of Liverpool, in furnishing me with information relative to 

 specimens in the free Museum of that city ; Mr C. Roach Smith, 

 F.S.A,, Strood, for much assistance in obtaining specimens, and in aid- 

 ing me in every possible way 5 Mr Murray, British Museum j and M. 

 Megnin, veterinary surgeon to the Horse Artillery of the Imperial Guard, 

 at Versailles, for a copy of his excellent treatise on French farriery. 



Bi-otnpton Barracks, 



Chatham, yiine j, 1869. 



