SOME OBSERVATIONS ON SHOEING. 
577 
licular plan, nor to shut ourselves up exclusively in our own. I 
venture to repeat, that a right knowledge of the art of shoeing 
will always be found to consist rather in the judicious applica¬ 
tion of all, than in an obstinate adherence to any one form of 
shoe with which the ingenuity of man has furnished us. Some 
of the older veterinary writers have made this remark long since. 
Osmer has observed, that “ no particular method of shoeing 
whatever can take place. And this will happen from the different 
nature, form, and texture of horses’ feet. But the prejudices of 
mankind on all these occasions may be worth remarking. One 
man invents a piece of machinery, which he finds to be very 
useful in many respects. His pride and vanity would fain have 
it extend to all purposes. In this light he recommends it to his 
neighbour, who tries it, and, having found it not answer his 
particular purpose, he falls into the opposite, and declares it good 
for nothing. Hence, that which may contain many virtues, when 
used with judgement, becomes neglected, and is, perhaps, totally 
thrown aside, and hence the perfection of some arts is less ex¬ 
tensive.” Another of these older authors, Mr. John Clark, of 
Edinburgh, who has also written very sensibly on the subject of 
shoeing, says, “ But it is extremely difficult to lay down fixed 
rules with respect to the proper method to be observed in treat¬ 
ing the hoofs of different horses. This will be obvious to every 
judicious practitioner, from the various contractions of their feet, 
from disease, and other causes that may occur. So that a great 
deal must always depend upon the judgment and discretion of 
the operator,” &c. 
Perhaps in England, as relates to shoeing, we are not suffici¬ 
ently minute in our classification of feet. We are apt to say 
generally, strong feet and weak feet, or flat feet and upright feet. 
Our neighbours the French have been far more discriminating in 
this respect. Professor Girard, in his excellent and scientific 
treatise on the feet of domestic animals, has enumerated not less 
than twenty-one varieties, either of form and character, or so 
many different defects and deformities, commonly to be met with 
in the feet of horses; some of which are to be remedied by 
shoeing, whilst others either impair the foot permanently, or 
render it unfit for much service. 
Although M. Girard’s arrangement may appear somewhat 
prolix, yet, as it is the only attempt of the kind that I know 
of, and as it is intimately connected with shoeing, I shall take 
leave here briefly to recapitulate it. 
1. The large foot ( pied grand) n , c ,, , 
. rpi a ? c w • 7 9 ' f beet of the same character, 
2. 1 he fiat loot (pied plat) > , . • . . . ’ 
c \ J i /1 \ \ but in different states. 
3. lhe convex foot ( pied comole ) J 
