28 ON THE EXTERNyVL CONFORMATION, 

 tcrlor part of the hoof. Its form is wedgc-hkc, 

 with its point terminating in the center of the 

 sole, and is admirably adapted to give stability 

 to the foot by its resistance to slipping. It is 

 softer than the rest of the hoof, and serves as an 

 elastic cushion for the terminating point of the 

 ilexor tendon of the foot. 



The heels constitute the posterior part of 

 the hoof, and are composed of the reduplica- 

 tion of the wall, forming a ridge to the side of 

 the frog. This part is called the bar or binder 

 of the foot, and tends considerably to keep the 

 heels apart from each other. 



The foot of a colt, antecedently to being 

 shod, describes nearly a circle, of which the 

 heels constitute the widest part [vide plate 6, 

 Jig. 2). The hoof contains the lesser pastern 

 bone, the coffin bone, and the navicular bone. 

 The coffin bone occupies the largest part of the 

 cavity of the hoof as closely as the kernel of a 



nut 



