37 



to weaken it so much, as to render it very insecure ; and 

 this is a common cause of shoes beins: cast. 



The only reason, wliich I have ever heard assigned for 

 rasping the clenches, is the air of careful finish, which it 

 gives to the foot, implying that nothing has been neglected, 

 or overlooked ; but, if the essentials have been attended to, 

 this ill-judged finish may very well be dispensed with, 

 especially as the first cUrt, the horse steps into after quitting 

 the forge, will dispose of all, that is ornamental about it, 

 and leave only the insecurity, to mark the difference between 

 clenches, that have thus been polished by the rasp, and 

 those, which have been merely turned down by tlie 

 hammer. 



Having shown, in what manner a shoe should be attached 

 to the foot, I may pei-haps be excused for adding a few 

 passing remarks upon the causes, which sometimes prema- 

 turely displace it ; and also upon the unphllosophlcal and 

 cruel practice, which has immediate recourse to extra nails, 

 as the only effectutd remedy against the recurrence of the 

 evil ; whereby the poor beast is made to atone by pain and 

 suffering for the negligence and ignorance of those, whose 

 bounden duty it is in return fur his valuable services to 

 minister to his comfort, and shield him from harm. 



Whenever a shoe has been properly fitted to the foot, 

 and secured by five well formed nails, driven into sound 

 horn, and firmly clenched down, it is impossible for it to 

 be cast, except as the result of most reprehensible negli- 

 gence in leaving it on, until the nail heads have been worn 

 away ; when indeed it would be marvellous, if it did not 



