Appendix I.
Horse-Shoeing.
Sir,—I cannot thank ‘Free Lance’ too much for his ‘tip,’ and I strongly advise every one who owns a horse to follow the advice he has given. I have done so sooner, perhaps, than most others, because some years ago, in South America, I had the benefit of seeing and using unshod horses, and therefore knew what a horse’s foot could do. If people could only be got to know the amount of trouble and expense which they would dispense with by following out this system, they would be surprised. But no, my ancestors nailed lumps of metal on to their horses’ feet, and were never pleased with the result, and therefore I do likewise.
The farriers must not be consulted on the subject at all: turn a deaf ear to all they say. One gravely informed my groom that he thought the frog would wear through! and this after he had seen the horse running ten weeks on his own soles. My concluding advice is, follow out exactly what ‘Free Lance’ says about getting the foot ready, and persevere steadily, and you will find, like me, that perfect success will follow. Never again will I shoe a horse on the old plan, and am just rather doubtful if I put anything on some.
Appendix K.
Horse-Shoeing.
Sir,—Allow me to thank ‘Free Lance’ for laying before us the absurdities of the present system of horse-shoeing;
