INTRODUCTION 



the various modes of management practised in relation to 

 the horse's foot, to the manner of shoeing, and, in particular, 

 to the way in which the foot is prepared for the shoe.' 



It must he remembered, however, that although harm in 

 the forge may frequently arise from culpable roughness 

 or carelessness, such is not necessarily always the case, and 

 that quite as much injury may result from careful and 

 conscientious workmanship when it is unfortunate enough 

 to be based upon principles wrong in themselves to com- 

 mence with. 



It so happens, too, that shoeing, in itself a necessary 

 evil, may be responsible for injuries in the causation of 

 which the smith can have played no part. Take, for 

 example, the ill effects following upon the animal's atten- 

 dant allowing him to carry his shoes for too long a time. 

 In this case the natural growth of the horn carries the heel 

 of the shoe further beneath the foot than is safe for a cor- 

 rect bearing; in fact, anterior to the point of inflection of 

 the wall. The shoe, at the same time, is greatly thinned 

 from excessive wear. Result, a sharp and easily-bended 

 piece of iron situate immediately under the seat of corn. 

 Pressure of actual cutting of the sole is bound to occur, and 

 the animal is lamed. 



Again, apart from the question of negligence or otherwise 

 on the part of the smith or the animal's attendant, it must 

 be remembered that the nailing on to the foot of a plate of 

 iron is not giving to the animal an easier means of progres- 

 sion. The reverse is the case. In place of the sucker-like 

 face of the natural horn is substituted a smooth, and, with 

 wear, highly-polished surface. Slipping and sliding at- 

 tempts to gain a foothold become frequent, and strains of 

 the tendons and ligaments follow in their wake. 



As, however, this treatise is not intended to deal with 

 the art of shoeing, the reader must be referred to other 

 works for further information. In addition to Fleming's, 

 there may be mentioned, among others. Hunting's ' Art of 

 Horse Shoeing,' and the very excellent volume of Messrs. 

 Dollar and YYheatlev on the same subject. 



