10 ! ' 



and that the perfection of shoeing would consist in the disclosure of this — 

 unwelcome therefore would be the intelligence, that in the very principle 

 therewas a defect that was the cause of bad going- and which, niust be 

 overcome also as the only sure road to geneial improvenient. I am led to 

 believe there is about to spread itself a more correct and more simple 

 way of viewingthese affairs of horses which will be greatly to the public 

 advantage and relief of the aninial: bis ser\ices will be more gratefully 

 feit, and he will be brought into more extensive use; and his life will be pro- 

 tracted to a longer period, in greater comfort, and freedom froni violence, 

 and the simplicity of his nianagement be universally admitted; for no 

 animal can be more tractable or willing in performing his labors than 

 he is generally when entirely fi-ee from undue restraints or the persecu- 

 tion of destructive artifices, which entail the most vicious consequences. 



Some persons have been led to appreheud, that as the modern shoe 

 was proved to be defective, it was the design of the author, that all horses 

 should go entirely without defence; an idea never entertained by him, 

 on the contrary it is believed by him, that the defence of the feet of horses, 

 when done upon good and sound principles, will afford to all posterity 

 a usefiil brauch of profit to the industrious mechanic, as the niaking of 

 human shoes does at present and is likely long to continue so to do. 



ON MAKING THE COMMON HORSE SHOE. 



Whether the present mode of shoeing shall be continued hereafter, or 

 shall give way to improvements more congenial to the character of the 

 foot, it is essential in a treatise on the art, that the actual mode of its Per- 

 formance should be described, slight differences will prevail in diflerent 

 places and by different workmen, but the general manner of doing it 

 will be the same, and which it is my purpose briefly to notice. 



On Forging the Common Shoe. The Forge of the Smith for this 

 purpose should be provided with iron in bars of various thickness, that 

 he may by selecting such as come nearestto the size and strength required, 

 fit the foot with as little labour and loss of fuel as may be : at other times 

 economy also renders it expedieut to form them out of the old shoes, both 

 of which processes we shall succinctly describe. 



It is also a convenience to have a large assortment of Shoes ready 

 made, either hanging to view upon the wall, or disposed on horizontal bars 



