382 



THE HORSE. 



bind together those various substances which are collected at the coronet. 

 It resembles, more than any thing else, the strip of skin which surrounds 

 the root of the human nail, and which is placed there to strengthen the 

 union of the nail with the substance from which it proceeds. 



a The external crust Been at 

 the quarter. 



b The coronary ring-. 



c The little horny plates lining 

 the crust. 



d The same continued over the 

 bars. 



e e The two concave surfaces 

 of the inside of the horny frog. 



y That which externally is the 

 y7 cleft of the frog'. 



g The bars. 



h The rounded part of the 

 heels, belonging to the frog. 



The crust is composed of numerous fibres running at the toe in a 

 straight direction from the coronet to the ground, but at the quarters, 

 taking an oblique direction from the heel forwards. This construction 

 is best calculated to enable the foot to expand when it comes in contact 

 with the ground, and by that expansion, permitting the gradual descent of 

 the bones of the foot, and obviating much concussion. The crust is thinner 

 at the quarters and towards the heels, because those are the parts at which 

 the principal expansion must take place. These fibres are held together 

 by a glutinous substance, but in such a manner as to permit a slight degree 

 of separation, or to bestow the power of expansion on the foot ; and when 

 recently separated from the foot, it is an exceedingly elastic substance, and 

 very tough, that it may not chip and break with the violence to which it is 

 often exposed. 



In the absurd method of stable management, to which we shall have 

 occasion again and again to refer, it sometimes loses much of this tough- 

 ness, and becomes brittle and liable to chip and break. Inflammation of 

 the internal part of the foot, by the increased heat which is produced, 

 will cause brittleness of the hoof; deficiency of moisture and neglect of 

 stopping will produce the same effect. Many horses are peculiarly liable 

 to brittle hoofs during the summer; this is a very serious defect, and in 

 some cases so much of the hoof is gradually broken away, that there is no 

 hold left for the nails. A mixture of one part of oil of tar, and two of 

 common fish oil, well rubbed into the crust and the hoof, will restore the 

 natural pliancy and toughness of the horn, and very much contribute to the 

 quickness of its growth. 



The wall of the hoof should be smooth and level : protuberances or rings 

 round the crust indicate that the horse has had fever in the feet ; and that 

 to such a degree as to produce an unequal growth of horn, and probably to 

 leave some injurious consequences in the internal part of the foot. If there 

 be a depression or hollow in the front of the foot, it betrays a sinking of 

 the coffin-bone, and a flat or pumiced sole ; if the hollow be at the quarter^ 

 it is the worst system of bad contraction. 



