302 THE FORE LIMB. 



from friction with the ground), and gradually gets thinner 

 as it approaches the heels. 



From many careful measurements, I have come to the 

 conclusion that the slope of a well-formed fore foot, at 

 the toe, will vary from about 47° (Fig. 380) to 57° 

 (Fig. 378) ; and that of a well-formed hind foot, from 

 about 53° (Fig. 381) to 63° (Fig. 379). 



As the hind limb is concerned more in propulsion 

 than in resisting the evil effects of concussion ; its 

 pastern and hoof should be more upright, than that of 

 the fore leg. The hind hoof, as compared to its length, 

 is generally narrower ; the ground surfaces of its quarters 

 are straighter, and their respective curvatures differ less 

 from each other, than those of the fore extremity. The 

 horn at the toe is not so thick ; and the sole is more 

 concave. Especially, in shod horses, the frog is narrower 

 and less developed ; and the heels are higher and closer 

 together, than in the fore foot. 



The slope of the hoof will conform somewhat to that 

 of the pastern. The outside surface of the hoof should 

 be naturally smooth, and should be straight from the 

 coronet to the ground ; because undue roughness, bulging- 

 out, or concavity of surface will indicate the probable 

 presence or previous existence of disease. The heels 

 should be strong and the " bars " well developed, so 

 that the proper slope of the foot may be maintained, 

 and that the liability to '' corns " or to contraction 

 of the heels, may be lessened. One effect of shoeing 

 is to cause the heels to be subjected to more wear 

 than the toes ; for, at the latter part, the position 

 of the iron with regard to the wall is fixed ; but at 

 the former there is a certain amount of " play " 

 between the shoe and the horn. Consequently, the 

 tendency of the shod foot will be to acquire a less 

 slope than it ought to have at the toe. This difficulty 

 in preserving the proper shape of the hoof is a trouble- 

 some one to every careful and competent shoeing smith. 



