76 THE HORSE. 



per period for removing them. This they are allowed 

 to do by way of economy, but it is an ill-timed at- 

 tempt at saving. 



I have a great objection to what is called removing 

 the shoes. It is far better to have a new set than to 

 re-apply the old ones. It is impossible to re-adjust 

 the old shoes to the feet with sufficient accuracy, without 

 taking nearly as much trouble as would suffice for the 

 making of a new set. Hence it will be found that 

 horses never travel comfortably with them on. They 

 are not properly adapted to the feet, and consequently 

 the animal must suffer more or less pain from their ap- 

 plication. 



When a horse is judiciously and suitably shod, he 

 will go with ease and comfort immediately after he has 

 come from the forge. It is only an excuse for bad 

 workmanship to say, he will improve in his action after 

 his shoes are worn awhile. Instead of requiring time to 

 bring the hoof to the shape of the shoe, the shoe 

 should have been accm*ately adapted to the shape of 

 the foot at the first. 



As it is not always possible to obtain the services of 

 a first-rate smith, it is a good plan to have a horse 

 shod at least a fortnight before he is e:S:posed for sale, 

 or is submitted to the inspection of a Veterinary Sur- 

 geon. I have often seen horses with perfectly sound 

 feet showing lameness, or short action, at the very 

 critical moment, in consequence of some blunder in the 



