46 TREATISE OX HORSE- SHOEING. 



to set the question at rest, supposing any doubt 

 still to exist as to the capability of three nails to 

 hold a shoe. The horse I allude to is twenty- 

 eight years old; he is a high stepper, and im- 

 petuous in company, and has large flat feet, which 

 grow horn very sparingly, so that it is quite 

 necessary to protect his feet by a stout shoe with 

 felt and stopping under it. He happens to be a 

 particularly nice lady's horse for one who has 

 plenty of nerve and can ride well; and I lent 

 him to join in a large riding party of ladies and 

 gentlemen, on a visit at a friend's house, who took 

 long daily rides in a very hilly district, regardless 

 of pace, over commons covered with heath, furze, 

 and stones, through rough stony lanes, and in 

 every variety of ground; and, although his shoes 

 had been on ten days when I sent him aAvay, 

 he returned to me at the end of ^ve weeks with 

 his shoes worn out certainly, but firm on his feet 

 and the clenches all close. I mention this last 

 circumstance because it is a proof that his shoes 

 had been put on with proper care; for whenever 



