Rational Horse-Shoeing | Page 9

adds to the efficiency of the horse greatly
enhances the general prosperity.
[Illustration: PERFECT SHOE AND HOOF.]
[Illustration: IMPERFECT SHOE AND HOOF.]
It is an old English saying, that "a good horse will wear out two sets of
feet." The meaning of this adage is obvious: a good horse's feet are
useless at the time when his other powers are in the prime. Mr. Edward
Cottam, of London, in his "Observations upon the Goodenough

System," states that London omnibus-owners use up a young horse in
four years; that is, a horse of seven years of age goes to the knackers at
eleven, pabulum Acherontis; and the only noticeable cause of their
failure is from diseases of the feet. A horse properly shod and cared for
should endure five times as long. In this country horses fail in the feet,
and are called old at an age when they should be in the fullest activity.
This is a double loss, for every horseman of experience knows that if an
old horse is sound and vigorous he has some great advantages over a
young one. He is safer in every respect, "way-wise," seasoned, steady,
and reliable. He and his owner are old friends and companions and can
not part but with a pang of regret. A good horse, well cared for, should
work cheerfully until he is thirty years of age; yet how few are able to
perform genteel service after fifteen! It is a sad sight that of the
high-mettled, noble animal, once the petted darling of wealth, caressed
by ladies and children, and guarded so that even the winds of heaven
might not visit him too roughly, fallen through the successive grades of
equine degradation, until at last he hobbles before a clam-wagon or a
swill-cart--a sorry relic of better days.
The question is so plain that we hesitate to argue with intelligent people
to prove that, if the old system of shoeing destroys the value of a horse
in middle life, half his money value is sacrificed to ignorance--a waste
that might be saved were nature's laws regarded. That part of the
argument which demands that the faithful, devoted servant merits
humane treatment and the best intelligence of the master in securing his
health and comfort can not be forgotten and need not be urged upon the
attention of the true horseman.

FINAL OBSERVATIONS.
To be rational in any course of action is, primarily, to follow the
leading of reason, and by that guidance to arrive at correct conclusions.
It is the opposite to the method which is irrational--regardless of
reason, and therefore leading to conclusions erroneous and absurd.
Rationalism is opposed to ultraism, to vehement, officious and extreme

measures--while it would seek more excellent ways, it holds fast to that
which is good.
Rationalism in medicine is the method which recognises nature as the
great agent in the cure of disease, and employs art as an auxiliary to be
resorted to when useful or necessary, and avoided when prejudicial.
In our treatment of the hoof, we would seek to know the cause of the
horse's troubles, firmly believing that he is endowed by nature with
strength to perform the service man demands of him, and that he is not
necessarily a helpless prey to torturing diseases of the minor organs;
and, indeed, subject only to that final, unavoidable sentence, which in
some form nature holds suspended over all animate existence.
Having by the aid of reason ascertained the cause of defects, we would
assist nature to relieve them; we have therefore called this little
hand-book of suggestions from our experience, RATIONAL
HORSE-SHOEING.
OPPOSING FORCES.
Having taken upon ourselves to reform evils, rooted deep in old
customs, and to abolish abuses older than our civilization, we have to
meet with discouragement and opposition in various forms.
Even the enlightened and well-intentioned hold back incredulous. This
form of opposition finally examines, being led thereto from motives of
economy and the promptings of humanity; it usually approves and
assists, but is often carried back by indolence, when it discovers that it
must join us in the loud battle we are forced to wage all along the line
against fierce interests and bitter prejudices.
We attack with slender array, but unflinching purpose, the gloomy
powers of ignorance that are allied to doubt and indifference. These
contend under the prestige of a thousand years of possession.
Ignorance and Prejudice are twin giants that renew their life upon each
other; they are as old as chaos, and are invulnerable to the weapons of

ordinary warfare. Like the fallen angels, they are--
"Vital in every part, And can but by annihilation die."
One of the Greek fables, typifying the struggle of man against
circumstances, was a story of the battle between Hercules and Antæus,
son of the