FARRIERY. 
heels is a most destructive practice, except 
in case of absolute excrescence in those 
parts ; nor should the bars, (or diagonal 
ridges) that extend from the heels to the 
frog, or central projection, ever be cut 
more than is absolutely proper for the pur- 
pose of keeping them in a clean and healthy 
state. When it is considered how much 
the elastic power of the heels depends on 
the bars, which act as a spring between 
them and the frog, it must appear unrea- 
sonable that they should be shaved away, 
as is too often done by farriers, under the 
idea of preventing corns ; though by such a 
process corns are created. A good open 
lieel is the indication of a powerful foot ; 
hence the sides of shoes ought not to be 
much contracted. When the heels are ten- 
der, what is called a bar-shoe, ought to be 
applied. By this simple contrivance, which 
saves them from pressure on uneven sur- 
faces, many a horse has been found service- 
able that must else have been condemned 
to the slaughter-house. 
The frog appears to be the part on which 
the horse chiefly depends for a spring, or 
resistance, at the bottom of his foot. If 
this part does not touch the ground, the 
whole motion will be derived from the up- 
per parts of the limb, and a very uneasy 
gait will inevitably follow. This points out 
the necessity for leaving it fully at liberty 
to come in contact with the ground. 
Some horses have been ruined by inatten- 
tion to this point, and some few have natu- 
rally a defect in that part. To provide 
against such circumstances, Mr. Coleman 
uses an artificial frog, which receives the 
pressure, and gives the greatest firmness to 
the tread. It is usually but a temporary 
expedient, as the frog commonly grows and 
renders the substitute unnecessary. 
Having given a general, but very correct 
outline of the process of shoeing, we shall 
proceed to a brief statement of the various 
diseases, &c. which usually come within 
the farrier’s notice, in their alphabetical 
order. 
Anarsarca, or dropsy of the skin, is gene- 
rally called the water farcy, owing to the 
fluid being dispersed through the cellular 
membrane of the skin. It is known by 
pits remaining after the skin has been press- 
ed by the finger; and, usually, proceeds 
from a deficiency of the absorbents, or an 
excess in the inhalents ; from jaundice, 
bydatides, or previous inflammation. The 
cure is usually effected by stimulant ap- 
plications, and by diuretics ; smart friction, 
and gentle exercise, if long continued* 
are highly serviceable ; the food should be 
nourishing. When only the lower extre- 
mities are diseased, rollers dipt in spirits, 
or in oil of turpentine, will generally re- 
move the complaint. Horses are most sub- 
ject to anasarca at spring and fall : when 
shedding their coats. If eruptions take 
place the cure is much facilitated : but 
they ought to be mildly treated, and suffer- 
ed to heal voluntarily. 
Ascites, or dropsy of the belly, may be 
known by the local swelling, which when 
gently struck undulates so as to be sensibly 
felt by the hand. This complaint arises 
from the causes just described, and oc- 
casions considerable thirst, short breath, 
and an obvious diminution of urinary dis- 
charge. To cure this complaint, every 
means should be used for strengthening, and 
accelerating, the secretion in general, and for 
promoting the circulation of the blood and 
fluids. Drastic purges, diuretics, sweating, 
and in some cases mercury, rarely fail to 
render important service. This disease, 
however, is apt to recur, unless the con- 
stitution be completely fortified, and the 
general habit brought into due state. 
Bleeding, or blood-letting, should be per- 
formed with a lancet of a suitable size; 
the fleam being very uncertain on large 
rolling veins ; and in the thigh, &c. ab- 
solutely dangerous : often producing vio- 
lent inflammation, and sometimes incurable 
lameness. The jugular-vein is usually open- 
ed in common cases ; especially when the 
head is the seat of disease : in other in- 
stances the plate-vein, or that within the 
thigh. In the first case a piece of thin 
cord should be passed round the horse’s 
neck a little above the withers, and the 
part be wetted, so as to shew the vein. 
The quantity must depend on the case ; 
but one or two quarts for periodical 
bleeding are enough to be drawn from a 
full-sized horse in good condition : in some 
cases much greater quantities must be 
taken. When the bleeding is to be stopped 
slacken the line, and pass a pin through 
the lips of the orifice ; then taking a few 
hairs from the tail or mane, or a piece of 
thread, pass over the head arid point of the 
pin therewith, in an alternate (i. e. a figure 
of 8) direction, and make fast. 
Breaking down, as it is usually called, 
proceeds from a rupture of the suspensory 
ligaments, and chiefly happens to young 
horses in training. In this instance the 
fetlock nearly touches the ground, but the 
