STUD BOOK. 75 



Of the age to which the horse would naturally arrive it is 

 also impossible to say anything satisf actory. Many have ex- 

 ceeded thirty, and some even forty years; but, from ill usage 

 and over-exertion, many come to their end before they have 

 seen nine or ten years. 



Another part of the horse must not be passed over with- 

 out especial notice, namely his foot. This is a truly admir- 

 able piece of mechanism, and deserves to be well understood. 

 It simply consists of a homy case or covering for the protec- 

 tion of the sensitive parts within, and extends from the ter- 

 mination of the hair to the ground. It is deepest in front, 

 where it is called the toe, lower at the sides, or quarters, and 

 of least extent behind at the heel. It is placed in a sloping or 

 slanting position, forming an angle, which, in the healthy foot 

 is about 45 degrees. Any deviation from this is considered a 

 defect. If it is more oblique than this, it indicates a flatness 

 of the sole, or even a protrusion of it downwards, constituting 

 a pumiced or convex foot a very great evil, as it exposes the 

 sole to bruises or undue pressure. If the crust or box is too 

 upright, it indicates a tendency to contraction, thrush, and 

 inflammation, an upright pastern, and jolting unpleasant pace. 

 These are serious deviations from a natural state of the foot, 

 and should be immediately recognized by the observer. The 

 crust is thickest in front, and becomes gradually thinner 

 towards the quarters and heels. This thinness is greatest on 

 the inner quarter, or inner portion of the crust, and more 

 weight is thrown upon it than upon the outer quarter. This 

 may seem at first view to be rather singular, but it is a wise 

 provision of Nature, in order that the elasticity of that part 

 may be brought more into play, and dangerous concussion 

 lessened or avoided. The nails are often driven too close on 

 the inner quarter, the consequence of which are corns, con- 

 traction, and sand-crack. 



The foot often varies greatly in magnitude in proportion 

 to the general bulk of the horse. This is a considerable 

 evil A large foot not unfrequently becomes objectionable 

 from its striking the opposite leg; on the other hand, the 

 large foot will not sink so readily into soft ground, and con- 

 sequently not demand so great an effort of strength to extri- 

 cate it. In general broad and flat-footed horses possess the 

 greatest strength; small and narrow-footed ones have supe- 

 rior speed. Both, within certain limits, possess their respective 

 advantages and disadvantages. Large bulky hoofs are weaker 

 than others, in consequence of being composed of a thin, soft, 

 porous horn. Small feet generally possess a close-woven 



