68 ON SHOEING. 



on the fore feet. 2ndly. The weight of the rider 

 and the additional concussion caused by that weight, 

 falls more on the forehand than on the hind quarters. 

 3rdly. The sole of the hind foot is more concave 

 than that of the fore, and is, therefore, less liable 

 to suffer from undue pressure and those diseases 

 which have their origin in that cause. 4thly. The 

 crust of the hind foot is thicker than that of the 

 fore, and is, therefore, less susceptible of injury. 

 Sthly. The hind foot is in general less maltreated 

 by rasping and inordinate paring; and lastly and 

 chiefly, the form of the hind shoe in ordinary use 

 is better suited to the foot. It gives a level and 

 natural bearing to the whole foot, and thereby 

 throws a fair amount of pressure and work on 

 the heels, and thus lessens the tendency to con- 

 traction and other diseases. 



Import- 65. Some people are pleased to ignore the subject 



fiabject. of shoeing, and consider it as unworthy of any 

 serious attention, as unimportant, as a mere farrier's 

 art. The actual practice of shoeing is, no doubt, 

 mechanical, but its theory and principles must rest 

 on Imowledge of the structure of the horse and 

 his foot. Further, that the subject is not unworthy 

 of attention, is sufficiently proved by the fact, which 

 has been stated above, that the great majority of 

 horses lame before, are lame in the feet. 



Almost all diseases of the feet have theijr origin. 



