294 ON SHOEING. 



Neurotomy consists in the removal of a portion of 

 the nerves of the leg ; and, of course, it can only be 

 performed by a regular practitioner. When, however, 

 the foot has been properly selected, and the operation 

 has not been too long delayed, the horse after it has 

 been enabled to hunt for years ; in certain instances 

 the lameness has never returned. In some animals, 

 however, sensation has been restored so rapidly, that 

 the lameness reappeared before the treatment was con- 

 cluded ; but these last cases are rare ; and in confirmed 

 navicular disease, as neurotomy holds out the only 

 hope of rendering the horse free from torture, it ought 

 always to be tried. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



ON SHOEING. 



The principle of shoeing is to afford a secure defence 

 for the foot without interfering more than is necessary 

 with its functions. In ancient times horses went 

 unshod. The roads, where there were any, were pro- 

 bably as rough as they possibly could be ; but a de- 

 fence for the foot, though then much desired, was not 

 invented beyond a leathern case for the hoof. Our 

 horses have for many centuries been shod ; and shoe- 

 ing has become a necessary evil among us. We ob- 

 tain by means of the shoe a defence for the horse's 

 foot against the hard and flinty roads ; over which a 

 great portion of his work must be performed : but, 

 the crust being fettered through the nails, we lose 



