Chapter I: Preface: To the First Edition

The inauguration of the law requiring horseshoers to be examined emphasizes the need of a brief and easily understood text-book on theoretical and practical horseshoeing. At the request of the _Royal Veterinary Commission_, in charge of the Royal Veterinary School in Dresden, and many interested individuals, I have attempted to meet this need by condensing within the narrowest possible limits all that is essential to the horseshoer in the practice of his profession. The subject-matter has been cast into a logically arranged course of instruction; all that is superfluous and is found only in exhaustive treatises on shoeing has been omitted.

In order to make this elementary text-book more easy to understand, numerous instructive illustrations have been incorporated, which were taken partly from “Der Fuss des Pferdes,” by Leisering & Hartmann, fifth edition, Dresden, 1882; partly from the journal _Der Hufschmied_, and partly from drawings made specially for this work.

With the desire that this little book may find many friends and supply them with valuable information, it is herewith given to the public.

A. LUNGWITZ.
DRESDEN, September, 1884.

TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.

During the past nine years in which it has been my privilege to teach horseshoeing to students of veterinary medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, and to classes of horseshoers under the auspices of the Master Horseshoers’ National Protective Association of America, I have been forcibly impressed with the urgent need of a text-book of horseshoeing that is adapted to the needs of beginners. In my opinion, such a work must present a detailed description of the anatomy and physiology of the legs below the middle of the cannons, and must emphasize in unmistakable terms the definite relations which exist between certain well-defined forms of the hoof and certain well-defined standing positions of the limb. Only on this sure foundation can a thoroughly scientific system of shoeing be based. Furthermore, the teachings must be eminently practical, logically arranged, as brief as is consistent with clearness, easy of comprehension by persons who are unfamiliar with technical language, profusely illustrated, and moderate in price.

Through the kindness of my respected friend and former teacher, Professor A. Lungwitz, one of the highest authorities in all matters pertaining to shoeing, and for many years a teacher in and the Director of what I believe to be the best school of shoeing in the world, I am enabled to present to the public this translation of his text-book for students of shoeing. Written to meet requirements identical with those existing today in the United States, and in scope and arrangement exactly suited to both student and teacher, I am confident that it will meet the favor that it merits.

THE TRANSLATOR.
PHILADELPHIA, 1904.