Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-08-07
THE UNsHoD HORSE.


An exchange dilates in this way up.
on horse shoeing Because horses 90
unshod in some parts of Brazil, Aus.
tralia, India and Chinese Tartary, and
appear to be none the worse for it, Ger.
tain late writers on horse topics have
started the inquiry whether all horse
shoeing is not mistake, and whether,
after three or four generations of indu.
ration, horses feet would not adapt
themselves TO the hard and macadam-
lied roads over which they are com.
PEELED 10 travel in most civilized coun-
tries so that iron shoes should thereaf.
ter be unnecessary. The matter has
led TO some discussion, and inquiry has
naturally turned backward TO sec at
what remote time the fashion of horse
shoeing was introduced. The most
ancient known specimen Of an iron
shoe, fastened with nails, was discover
ed in tho tomb Of Childeric, King Of
the Franks. The use of iron shoes by
the northern barbarians of Europe is
accounted for by the reason that the
horn Of the hoof is infirm in cold and
damp countries and the use Of iron was
a necessity. Without this aid they
would not have been able TO accomplish
those harassing migrations with which
they carried the people Of Southern
Europe. A Mahommedan legened des.
cribes the horse of the uncle OF the
Prophet as shod with iron. A late
writer in discussing the matter says
that is highly improbable that an in.
vention which by degrees has been
received into such general favor was
not originally blessing Where it is
otherwise it has become a curse, Just
as our own boots and shoes have be-
come curse, either from too great a
regard for appearances or from the ig-
norance, clumsiness or brutality Of the
workmen by whom either ourselves or
our horses are shod. The invention of
horse.shoeing completed the conquest
of the horse. In shoeing, il is not the
foot only that has to be considered it
is the set Of the limb, the lines, wheth-
er regular or faulty; the nature Of tho
exercise imposed upon colt, and the
condition OF the ground on which he
will gallop. The foot must have suf
ficient protection without overlooking
it with metal, and, while keeping the
shape intact, make allowance for the
elasticity OF the hoof, for the stretching
OF the heels in the course of a strong
gallop, etc. None of these considera-
tions can be safely neglected it may,
therefore be readily imagined how
much experience, observation, ability
and tact a good iarrier must possess.
No sound reasons can be given for
abandoning horse shoes. Their use is
demonstrably recommended by the
practice of centuries among people who
understood how to get the best service
out Of horsehesh, What is wanted is
the careful study and skill which shall
adapt the horses shoe TO the road he
has to travel and tho climate he lives
in. If anything can be devised for the
promotion Of the comfort Of the horse,
If any shoe can be invented, or any
new way of fastening shoe which
shall add to the ease OF travel for the
faithful quadruped, that is the path for
philanthropy. To take off the horses
shoes and drive him unshod over the
loose gravel Of the country or the fix
ed cobblestones of the city would be a
cruelty which hardly admits of expert
ment.