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CHAPTER XV.
progress of the art of farriery. futile attempts to improve it. disadvantages of shoeing. functions of the foot to be studied. advantages of the ancient system. german shoeing and hoof-paring. its evil results. traditional shoeing. routine. erroneous theories. maltreatment of the horse's foot. lafosse's teaching. requirements of good shoeing. structure and functions of the hoof. bad shoeing. rules to be observed. best form of shoe, and method of application. hereditary diseases. shoeing in america and arabia. effects of european shoeing. dangers of improper shoeing. scientific application of the farrier's art. an appeal to horsemen.
There are probably few arts which have been known and practised for so long a period, which have been found of such general utility, and yet have undergone so little modification or real improvement as this of horse-shoeing. The earliest model of an iron shoe we can discover differs but little in form from those now in everyday use; and perhaps there are not many arts which have attracted a larger share of attention and experiment by men who had made the subject their profound study, and others who had not, and knew but little of the theoretical principles which should govern its practice. Books have been written by scores, promulgating new methods; patents innumerable have thrown their aegis over inventions
