ARTIFICIAL REQUIREMENTS. 



17 



This shoe was very satisfactory, and obviated many of the difficul- 

 ties. It was an endeavor to approximate to the teachings of nature, 

 and, like many others, I was ready to shout with the Greek philoso- 

 pher, " I have found it I" It may prove that this is a pattern shoe, 

 and the necessities of domestication require something of the kind. 

 But so far I am convinced that the principle is wrong, and the sim- 

 ple plan is to follow nature literally so far as ai'tificial requirements 



will permit. Before giving the results of late experiments, I will 

 call attention to the following extract by Mr. J. H. Walsh, F. R. 

 C. S. (" Stonehenge'.;) : 



" Before proceeding to describe the various methods adopted in shoe- 

 ing the horse, it will be well to consider whether it is necessary to 

 protect his feet in this way at all. This has been doubted by many, 

 and an attempt has recently been made by Lieutenant Perry to prove 

 that even in this country a horse can work on our roads unshod. His 

 opinion, and that of the few who coincide with him is, that if the 

 foot is gradually accustomed to the friction of the road, it will secrete 



