farriers (maréschaux): and yet among these there are some who more frequently think of profit and ease to themselves, than pay any regard to the wants and conveniences of the horses they shoe. So that if the horseman, because of his ignorance, is obliged to submit to the opinion of his maréschal, it will very often happen that he will see his horses lamed (enclouez) or badly shod, or otherwise inconvenienced: things due, as we witness every day, to the carelessness, ignorance, or malice of the farriers. Seeing, then, that the hoofs are the parts which support the whole of the body, and consequently bear all its weight, it is all the more necessary that the cavalier should be careful in having them well shod, and, besides, well attended to.'
Chapter II. contains advice as to the colour of the horn,—pour cognoistre la bonté et malice d'icelle. 'The black horn is the best.'
Chapter III. treats of the differences between the fore and hind feet, and also between the heels and toes of the feet. The heels of the fore-feet are the most sensitive, and need great care because they bear nearly the whole weight and strain. So that in shoeing horses, the nails must not come near them; and for the same reasons care must be taken not to drive the nails near the toes of the hind-feet, which are also the most sensitive parts. To do all in our power to protect them, the shoes applied must neither be too much curved nor yet too flat, but selected with care and good judgment.
Chapter IV. explains the manner in which the fore and hind feet should be armed.
Chapter V. speaks of the calkins (crampons), frost-
