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A Text-Book of Horseshoeing, for Horseshoers and Veterinarians

Name: A Text-Book of Horseshoeing, for Horseshoers and Veterinarians
Author: A. Lungwitz

by A. Lungwitz

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Horseshoeing

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A Text‑Book of Horseshoeing is a practical manual aimed at both apprentices and veterinary students, presented as a concise, logically ordered guide to the theory and craft of farriery. The opening pages explain the need for a brief, easily understood work in response to new licensing laws, and they outline the author’s intent to strip away superfluous material found in exhaustive treatises. It begins with a detailed introduction to the anatomy of the horse, especially the foot, and proceeds through systematically numbered chapters that cover everything from basic skeletal structure to the nuances of shoe design, winter shoeing, and treatment of hoof diseases. The text is richly illustrated, drawing on earlier German sources and original drawings, and it emphasizes a step‑by‑step approach to learning the trade.

Written in the late‑19th‑ and early‑20th‑century scholarly style of Anton Lungwitz and his American translator, the prose is formal yet instructional, peppered with technical terminology and occasional parenthetical advice. The tone reflects the pedagogical concerns of the era, clarity, brevity, and a strong emphasis on hands‑on apprenticeship. Readers with an interest in historical veterinary practices, students of equine anatomy, or hobbyists seeking a thorough, period‑accurate reference on horseshoeing will find the work both informative and representative of its time.

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4. To cure or improve diseased or defective hoofs or feet.

Horseshoeing, though apparently simple, involves many difficulties, owing to the fact that the hoof is not an unchanging body, but varies much with respect to form, growth, quality, and elasticity. Furthermore, there are such great differences in the character of ground-surfaces and in the nature of horses’ work that shoeing which is not performed with great ability and care induces disease and makes horses lame.

In view of these facts, a thorough training of the young horseshoer in the principles and practice of his trade is not only greatly to be desired, but is really essential to success; unreasoning work does as much harm in this as in any other vocation. A good common-school education is necessary (more will do no harm). Further requisites are a healthy body, not too tall, liking for the work, aptness, an active, reasoning mind, fearlessness, dexterity, a good eye for proportion, and, finally, careful selection of a master-instructor. Theoretically educated, practically experienced and approved masters, in whose shops all kinds of horses are shod, are to be preferred.

During his term of apprenticeship the young apprentice should learn to make drawings of horseshoes, of tools of the trade, and of hoofs of various forms, and should also make one or more model shoes as an indication of his ability. After completing his time he should seek a position in a first-class shop, either at home or abroad. A visit to foreign lands will widen one’s mental horizon and make him a broader, abler man in every respect. Later, opportunity will be given to some (in Germany) to join the cavalry, and thus acquire a good education in shoeing under the patronage of the government. Finally, a course of instruction in a school of horseshoeing will convert an already practical and intelligent horseshoer into a thoughtful, capable, expert workman.

The scope of horseshoeing is by no means so narrow and insignificant as it may appear, and since a knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the horse’s body in general, and of the foot in particular, is necessary, it is evident that the schools of horseshoeing in which one can get the best instruction are those in which there is not only a regularly graded course of instruction, with demonstrations upon dissected material and upon living horses, but also an abundance of daily work at the forge and on the floor in the shoeing of horses. =A course of four to six weeks is not sufficient.=

Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that schools of horseshoeing are not for the purpose of instructing young men in all matters which pertain to the trade, but only in the making of shoes, the critical examination and management of hoofs, and the rational and skilful performance of shoeing. For this reason it is not advisable for young men to attend a school of horseshoeing until they have at least completed their apprenticeship.

HORSESHOEING.

The supporting structure of the horse’s body is the =bony framework= or skeleton (Fig. 1, page 18). We distinguish in the skeleton the bones of the head, trunk, and limbs.

The =bones of the head= are numerous and, excepting the lower jaw, are solidly united with one another. In general, we distinguish in the head only the upper and lower jaws (1 and 1′). Both form various cavities; for example, the cranial cavity, in which the brain lies, the orbital cavities (eye-sockets), the nasal passages, and the mouth. Besides, the teeth are set in the jaws.

The =trunk= comprises the bones of the spinal column, thorax, and pelvis.

The spinal or vertebral column (2 to 6), which bears the head at its anterior end, is the chief support, of the entire skeleton. It consists of from fifty-two to fifty-four single and irregular bones called vertebræ, placed in the upper part of the median vertical plane of the body. Each vertebra, with the exception of those of the tail (coccygeal or caudal vertebræ), is traversed by a large opening called the vertebral foramen. The vertebræ are placed end to end in a row, and through them runs a continuous large canal called the vertebral or spinal canal, in which lies the spinal cord. The horse has seven cervical, eighteen dorsal, six lumbar, five sacral, and sixteen to eighteen caudal vertebræ. The sacral vertebræ are grown together to form one piece called the sacrum.

SKELETON OF THE HORSE.—1, bones of the head; 1′, lower jaw; 2, cervical vertebræ; 3, dorsal vertebræ; 4, lumbar vertebræ; 5, sacral vertebræ (sacrum); 6, coccygeal vertebræ; 7, ribs; 8, sternum (breast-bone); 9, pelvis; 9′, ilium; 9″, ischium; 10, scapula (shoulder-blade); 11, humerus; 12, radius; 13, ulna; 14, carpus (knee); 15, large metacarpal bone (cannon); 16, rudimentary metacarpal bones (splint-bones); 17, os suffraginis (long pastern); 18, os coronæ (short pastern); 19, os pedis (hoof-bone); 20, sesamoid bones; 21, femur; 22, patella (knee-pan, stifle); 23, tibia; 24, fibula; 25, tarsus, or hock; 26, large metatarsal bone (cannon); 27, rudimentary metatarsals (splint-bones); 28, os suffraginis (long pastern); 29, os coronæ (short pastern); 30, os pedis (hoof-bone, “coffin bone”); 31, sesamoid bones.]

The thorax is formed by the ribs and the breast-bone or sternum. The horse has eighteen ribs on each side (7), and all articulate with the dorsal vertebræ. The first eight pairs unite by their lower ends directly to the sternum or breast-bone, and are therefore called true ribs, while the last ten pairs are only indirectly attached to the sternum, and are consequently called false ribs. The sternum (8) lies between the forelegs, and helps to form the floor of the chest cavity. The space enclosed by the bones of the thorax is called the thoracic, pulmonary, or chest cavity, and contains the heart and lungs. The bones of the pelvis form a complete circle or girdle. The upper part, called the ilium (9′), articulates on its inner side with the sacrum (5), while its outer side is prolonged to form a prominent angle, which is the support of the hip, and is called the “point of the hip.” The posterior part of the pelvis is called the ischium (9″), and that part lying between the ilium and the ischium and forming part of the floor of the pelvis is called the pubis.

The space between the thorax and the pelvis, bounded above by the lumbar vertebræ and shut in below and on the sides by the skin and muscular walls of the belly (abdomen), is called the abdominal cavity. This cavity opens directly into the pelvic cavity, and contains the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and a part of the generative organs. The thoracic and abdominal cavities are separated by a muscular partition, the diaphragm.

The =bones of the limbs= may be likened to columns, upon which the body rests; they articulate with one another at various angles, are tubular in structure, and strong.

The bones of the =fore-limbs= do not articulate directly with the bones of the trunk, but are attached to the body by means of the skin and muscles. From above to below we distinguish the following bones:

1. The scapula, or shoulder-blade (10), a flat, triangular bone, prolonged at its upper border by a flat, very elastic cartilage, called the scapular cartilage. At its lower end the scapula articulates with—

2. The upper end of the humerus (11), forming the shoulder-joint (scapulo-humeral articulation). The humerus articulates at its lower end with—

3. The radius (12) and the ulna (13), to form the elbow joint. These two bones are the basis of the forearm. The ulna, smaller and weaker than the radius, lies behind and projects above it to form the point of the elbow. The lower end of the radius articulates with—

4. The carpus, or knee (14), which comprises seven small, cubical bones disposed in two horizontal rows, one above the other. The upper row comprises four bones and the lower row three. The lower row rests upon—

5. The large metacarpal or cannon bone, and the two rudimentary metacarpal or splint-bones. The lower end of the radius, the upper ends of the metacarpal bones, and the small carpal bones together form the carpal or knee-joint (wrist of man). Of the metacarpals, the middle one is the largest, longest, strongest, and most important, and is called the large metacarpal, cannon, or shin-bone (15). It articulates at its lower end with the os suffraginis, or long pastern (17), and with the two small sesamoid bones (20). On each side of the upper part of its posterior surface lie the two long, slender splint-bones (16). The inner splint-bone is sometimes affected with bony thickenings (exostoses) called “splints.”

6. The bones of the phalanges (all bones below the cannon) will be fully described in another place.

The bones of the =hind limbs= articulate directly with the pelvis at the hip-joint. They are stronger than the bones of the anterior limbs. We distinguish the following bones in the hind legs:

1. The highest bone in the hind limb is the femur (21). It is the strongest bone in the entire body. It lies in an oblique direction downward and forward, and at its lower end articulates with—

2. The patella (22), the tibia (23), and the fibula (24), to form the stifle-joint (knee of man). The patella plays over the anterior surface of the lower end of the femur. The fibula is small, and lies against the upper and outer side of the tibia. The latter at its lower end articulates with—

3. The bones of the tarsus, or hock (25), which are six small, irregular bones disposed in three rows, one above another. The os calcis, or heel-bone, and the astragalus are in the uppermost row, and are the most important. The former projects above the true hock-joint from behind, to form a long lever, the upper end of which is called the “point of the hock,” and the latter articulates with the tibia. The tarsal (hock) bones articulate below with—

4. The metatarsal bones (26 and 27), which are longer, and the cannon narrower from side to side, than the corresponding metacarpal bones, but are otherwise similar.

5. The phalanges of a hind limb (28 to 31) are also narrower than those of a fore-limb, but are nearly alike in other respects.

All the horse’s bones present small, but more or less distinct openings (nutrient foramina) for the passage of blood-vessels and nerves. Many bones possess roughened elevations and depressions, to which ligaments, tendons, or muscles are attached. With the exception of the os pedis, all bones are enveloped in a sort of “bone-skin” called =periosteum=. The bones unite among themselves to form either movable or immovable unions. A movable union between two or more bones is termed a “joint,” or =articulation=. The articulating ends of the bones, presenting on one side a convex surface (head or condyle) and on the other a corresponding concave surface (glenoid or cotyloid cavity), are covered with elastic articular cartilage. The bones are bound together by means of =ligaments=, which are tough, fibrous, cord-like, or sheet-like structures. Ligaments are either (1) capsular or (2) funicular (cord-like). Every articulation in the limbs possesses a capsular ligament, and all, except the shoulder-joint, have several funicular (cord-like) ligaments. The capsular ligaments are lined upon their inner face with a delicate membrane (synovial membrane) which secretes the synovia, or “joint-water,” whose function is to lubricate the joint and prevent friction; they enclose the joint in a sort of air-tight cuff or sack. The funicular ligaments are very strong and often large, and are the chief means of union of the bones. The immovable articulations are termed sutures; they are found principally in the head. The mixed joints are found between the bodies of the vertebræ, each two of which are united by an elastic fibro-cartilage which, in the form of a pad, lies between them, and by its elasticity allows of very slight movement, though the spinal column as a whole can execute manifold and wide movements, as shown by the neck and tail.

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