says: ‘By the ruggedness of roads, and long journeys, the hoofs of animals are worn out, and hinder their walking. (Animallum ungulæ asperitate ac longitudine itinerum deteruntur et impediunt incessum, etc.) From a twisting or contusion also, if horses or mules be forced to gallop or run on a rugged or stony road, bruises and chafings arise; lastly, though no cause has preceded, when they stand idle in the stables, they begin to halt and go lame. . . . . You shall foment the feet that are bruised and worn underneath with warm water.’[1] After a journey, it is recommended that the horses' feet ‘be carefully washed and examined, lest any clay or mud remain about their joints and soles. They must also be rubbed with ointment, that their hoofs may be nourished, and that what horn the journey has worn away may, through the virtue of the medicament, grow up again.’ He then gives various prescriptions for applications which nourish the hoofs and make them firm. These were to be rubbed in around the coronets and over the feet. At the wane of the moon ‘the soles and hoofs of the animals must be trimmed with a paring iron, which allows the heat to escape, cools and refreshes them, and makes their hoofs the stronger.’[2] ‘It is a more prudent counsel to preserve the soundness of horses' feet, than to cure any disorder in them; but
- ↑ Vegetii Renati. Artis Veterinariæ. Lib. ii. cap. 55. Basil, 1528.
- ↑ Lib. i. cap. 56.
have been written in the seventh or eighth century. The codex of Corbey belongs to the ninth century. From the quotations afforded above, it will be seen that he could not have known anything regarding shoeing with nails, otherwise he could not avoid mentioning it. As will be noticed hereafter, this art was practised at Constantinople before 945.
