Shoeing and the Feet 275 



trials of speed, in the late fall of their yearling form. 

 These were ridden daily two hours or more over the 

 race-track and roads, carrying about 125 pounds 

 each ; and although in work from June until the end 

 of October, were never shod ( save in one or two 

 cases where the feet proved weak in the quarters). 

 A smith levelled the feet every month — that was all. 

 The general prophecy was that this practice would 

 work ruin to them, but on the contrary their feet 

 continued perfectly proportioned, and their legs 

 remained clean and cool even in the hardest work. 

 A saddle-hack was kept barefooted for eight 

 years ; hacked hard all winter and hunted in summer, 

 yet never wore a shoe. Road-horses have been used 

 thus for months, and horses of all kinds tested thor- 

 oughly under these systems. The saving in expense 

 by these methods applied to numbers of horses is 

 very handsome. Smiths, professionals, grooms, 

 etc.. will frown it down because bills and various 

 perquisites are thus materially lessened. Try it, 

 however, and be satisfied with no one's recommen- 

 dation or discouragement; if not on the front feet, 



