MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 33 



Tlie horn of the foot requires for its healthy condition to be kept in 

 contact with the ground ; the effect of pressure is remarkable, and 

 cspeciall}^ is this seen in the frog\ 



Pressure also keeps the foot normal in shape and width ; the parts 

 are intended for contact with the ground and pressure, and if the pres- 

 sure is riot obtained the foot atrophies, wastes away; this shrinkage, 

 besides other effects, also means a loss of bearing surface. 



The care of the feet in the stable or on the picket line is comprised 

 in the words "cleanliness and ordinary dryness." Cleanliness to in- 

 sure the horn undergoing no chang-e as the result of the action of 

 urine and faeces, ordinary dryness to avoid the rotting of horn b_y 

 constant exposure to wet. It has been known for ages that horses 

 kept on dry surface have stronger and better feet, more capable of re- 

 sisting injury, than those brought up on filthy and moist ground. 



As the wear is greater than secretion, the excessive wear of tlie foot 

 which results from work necessitates some protection being afforded. 

 and this is given by shoeing. 



In the application of the shoe to the foot the functions of the \'arious 

 parts must be borne in mind. A horse's weight is carried by the A^'all 

 of the foot and that part of the sole adjacent to it, the bars and the 

 frog. All of these parts in an unshod foot are in contact with the 

 ground. The sole being concave, would not rest upon the ground ex- 

 cepting in soft soil, nor is it intended to carry weight excepting where 

 it joins with the wall. 



When a shoe is placed on the foot the natural condition just men- 

 tioned should be complied with, the shoe should rest on the wall, ad- 

 jacent circumference of the sole, and the bars. The frog should rest 

 on the ground ; it is one of the anti-concussion mechanisms and can- 

 not perform this function unless on the ground. This India rubber- 

 like structure acts like a non-skidding, pneumatic tire to the body, 

 excepting that it does not wear out from constant use. 



I wish to draw your attention to an important part of the foot 

 which is greatly ill-treated or neglected in shoeing, and that is the 

 heel. We find that all its patts are constructed with an elastic structure 

 intended to yield, to expand and contract, to act as a buffer or cush-o!i 

 for the lateral cartilages; furthermore the wall is one-third thinner, 

 one-third lower and one-third younger at the heel than at the- toe, 

 all helping- the elastic cushion in its function. AVith this positive 

 knowledge of the rational requirement of this ])art of the foot, it is 

 most essential that Ave should shoe accordingly. That is to retani, as 

 much as it is possible to do, the natural functions of the heel. There 

 is no form of shoeing that prevents and blocks these functions more 

 effectively than the application of calks to shoes, consequently calk 

 shoes are not to be recommended except for winter shoeing when the 

 roads are icy and slippery. At no other time, whether for draft or 

 other purposes, roads hilly or not, should calk shoes be tolerated. 



It is useless to elaborate here and explain the why and wherefore 

 of every point brought out ; it is sufficient to state that every state- 

 ment made is the result of study, observation, and experience. 



