486 
ON SHOEING HORSES. 
ciple of the “ spring then, why not adopt the use of steel springs 
instead of these subterfuges, the cost of which is just as much] 
As far back as April 1837, vol. x. No. 52, of The Veterinarian, 
the use of steel springs is supported by the following :— 
“ It would be a very easy matter to give instances of the ad¬ 
vantage derived from springs by calculating assumed cases; but 
they seem to be quite unnecessary, since the general principle of 
changing percussion into increase of pressure must, by its very 
annunciation, give evidence of its immense importance.”— D. Gil¬ 
bert, Esq., M.P. , on the Construction of Mail Coaches. 
“ So great is the advantage of springs, that they almost anni¬ 
hilate the resistance which that part of the load which rests on 
them would encounter without them, upon stony roads or rough 
pavement. From the whole of these experiments, it appears that 
the advantage of springs increases with the increased velocity of 
carriages.”— R. L. Edgeworth , Esq.; E.R.S., M.R.I.A ., Essay on 
the Construction of Roads and Carriages, 2d edition, p. 118. 
Now all this is proved by Mr. Gloag, as regards the “ spring” of 
the horse’s feet, not only negatively, but positively. We have 
not increased the advantage of springs with the increased velocity 
of the animal, excepting the few trifling shifts. Now, although a 
carriage is used on wood pavement, or the level rail, it is supplied 
with springs; no expence is spared to secure from injury things 
which, when put into competition with a race horse, is compara¬ 
tively valueless. The consideration of the subject only renders it 
still more incomprehensible, for who, my mates, are the artisans in 
both cases ] I can tell you more places than one, in and near the 
metropolis, where the spring-smith is also a shoeing-smith. One 
would suppose they, at least, would apply springs to the animal, 
as well as to other machines. Where are their wits ] Some of 
our masters have shewn us what we ought to do, and the sooner 
for our own credit the better. 
Mr. Percivall writes in the leader, “concussion” is guarded 
against by “springs;” and in the 6th and 18th experiments re¬ 
ference is made to this gentleman’s opinion of the spring of the 
horse’s foot. 
Springs. —“They convert all percussion into mere increase of 
pressure; that is, the collision of two hard bodies is changed by 
the interposition of one that is elastic into a mere accession of 
weight.”— Gilbert. 
Now what in future are we to interpose between the hard heels 
of the hoof and shoe 1—Space only, fresh leather, cloth, felt, or 
steel spring and space, between it and the shoe or ground 1 —This, 
an open question, well worthy the attention of the artisan and me¬ 
chanic, I have endeavoured, my mates, to fairly lay before you, 
