MECHANICAL TREATMENT OF LAMENESS. 
31 
association is the great importance of stndying the action of 
horses, both while in action and repose ; to me it is the most in¬ 
teresting study connected with the veterinary profession. 
Perhaps yon think me unduly exercised over this branch of 
the profession ; but when we stop to consider how few of our 
most scientific veterinarians are really experts in lameness, as 
compared to the whole, it must suggest itself to the mind of 
each and every one of us that this branch of veterinary science 
has been sadly neglected. Undoubtedly we all have special 
natural gifts that would enable ns to excel in some particular 
branch of our profession ; nevertheless, there are a few cardinal 
principles connected with the balancing of horses’ feet which 
so determines the future value and usefulness of an animal that 
it certainly should receive our most careful consideration. Who 
would undertake to estimate the financial loss alone, to the 
trotting and pacing horse industry of this country, caused by a 
lack of knowledge upon this subject ? I am perfectly satisfied 
that thousands of fast trotters and pacers annually break down 
that would not had their feet been perfectly balanced. How 
could it be otherwise with our army of trainers, many of them 
very incompetent ; with millions of crude devices to overcome 
faulty actions, without a thought of how it may affect the future 
usefulness of the animal, the only consideration being speed. 
No matter should the device produce friction with its accom¬ 
panying results, namely, early decay, and eventually break 
down ; as long as the poor animal can go—go he must. I have 
seen valuable horses started in races that for the good of the 
horse, and for that matter the owner too, should not have had 
jogging exercise even ; and the only reason I can give for their 
doing so is blank ignorance on the part of the trainer. 
In connection with a properly-balanced foot it is also essen¬ 
tial that we note the proper method of preparing the foot for the 
shoe. First, note the general aspect of the feet while standing 
upon a perfectly level floor; then have the horse walk for a 
short distance and notice partieularly the foot as it lands upon 
the floor. Should the toe be too long and high as compared to 
