xii. PREFACE. 



success. If, in what follows, I am accused of entering too 

 minutely into matters of detail, my answer must be, that 

 I write exclusively for the information of the iminformed, in- 

 cluding those, who are unwilling as well, as those, who are 

 incompetent, to wade through the various elaborate and con- 

 flicting treatises, already published upon the horse's foot ; 

 and who are of necessity compelled to yield implicitly in all 

 such matters to the experience of others, whose experience 

 will generally be found to resolve itself into untiring per- 

 severance in one nnvaried 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 understood 

 subject famiUar and easy. If I have in any degree suc- 

 ceeded, I shall feel myself amply repaid, for whatever pains 

 it may have cost me. 



I have drawi the illustrations ujDon the stone myself, 

 thinking it more desirable to secure accuracy of detail, 

 than to risk the loss of it for the doubtful advantage of 

 finer drawing. I must not close tliis short Preface without 

 acknowledging my obligations to Messrs. Rogers for the ready 

 assistance, they have invariably afforded me in carrying out 

 my plans, as also for the unrestrained use of their forge, 

 which with the services of their smiths they kindly placed 

 at my command. 



DixFiELD, Exeter, 



November \itli, 1845. 



