114 HORSES: 



working of the traditionary system leaves the horse a 

 wreck almost before he has reached his prime, if the 

 lessening of the weight of iron and of the number of 

 nails used in fixing the iron has been followed by 

 direct and important benefits in every instance, if 

 even those who hold that a horse must be shod have 

 discovered that that which they look on as a protec- 

 tion to the fore feet is merely harmful to the hind 

 feet, is it possible to stifle the suspicion that this in- 

 significant remnant of a system so fruitful in mischief 

 may have no magic power, and, in short, that the 

 horse may do just as well without them ? 



This conclusion has been courageously avowed and 

 most ably enforced by a writer calling himself " Free 

 Lance " in his recently published work on " Horses 

 and Roads "; and to say the least, it is time that the 

 whole question should be fully and impartially con- 

 sidered. It affects the wealth of the nation, and on it 

 depend both the usefulness and the comfort of a race 

 of noble animals which are indispensable to our pros- 

 perity. The force of prejudice 'may be great, and a 

 widespread traditional system may not be soon or easily 

 overthrown ; but it can not for a moment be supposed 

 that Englishmen generally will assume with reference 

 to it an attitude of unreasoning and obstinate antago- 

 nism. Fear probably will be found to supply a restrain- 

 ing motive more powerful than open ill-will. Many 

 who think that the new theory may look well enough 

 on paper will doubt its value in practice, and will re- 

 gard their own horses as exceptions to which it can 

 not apply. With a strange ignorance of fact, they 



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