348 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTINGi 



false shoe, which just serves to save a horse's hoof, whert 

 he loses a shoe, till it can be put on again. In some 

 countries you see them loaded with saws, hatchets, &c. 

 1 am glad that the country in which I hunt does not re-* 

 quire them. In the book that I have just quoted, you will 

 find the shoeing of horses treated of very much at large. I 

 beg leave, therefore, if you want further information on that 

 head, to refer you to it. 



Having declared my disapprobation of summer-htint- 



pies laid down by the best masters : — The shoe should be flat, and not 

 turned up at the heel, or reach beyond that or the toe ; but the middle 

 part should extend rather beyond the outward edge of the hoof, that the 

 hoof may not be contrafled ; the outward part of which may be pared, to 

 bring it down to an even surface, to fit it for the fixing on of the shoe* 

 if the foot be too long, the toe may be pared, or rasped down ; which, 

 in many cases, may even be necessary to preserve the proper shape of the 

 hoof, and bring the foot to a stroke and bearing the most natural and ad- 

 vantageous. Neither the horny soal, or frog (meant by Nature for the 

 guard of the foot and safety of the horsej, are upon any account to be 

 pared, or cut away. The small, loose, ragged parts that at times appear, 

 should be cut off with a pen-knife ; .but*^hat destruftive instrument 

 called the butteris, which, in the hands of stubborn ignorance, has done 

 more injury to the feet, of horses tHan all the chases of the world, should 

 be banished for cvex. 



