120 Veterinary Elements. 



leave the laminae bare, those leaves seem to grow rap- 

 idly; it has been said that these laminae are sensitive; 

 such being the case, the severe pain shown when a horse 

 is foundered (laminitis) is thus accounted for. The 

 hoof is developed from the skin, the horny material com- 

 ing from the superficial layer of the skin, the sensitive 

 structures from the deep layer, such being the case it is 

 readily understood how the hoof and skin are alike in 

 color. The hoof is made up of fibres resembling hairs, 

 stuck together, with a downward and forward direction. 

 It seems to be the accepted opinion that white hoofs are 

 more delicate, porous and prone to disease than are dark 

 colored ones. The growth of the hoof downwards and 

 forwards is uniform in the healthy foot, the rate of 

 growth is about a third of an inch a month; hind hoofs 

 grow faster than front ones, and unshod faster than shod. 

 The conditions favoring growths are exercise, moisture 

 and barefootedness; the time required for the hoof to 

 grow from the coronet to the ground at the toe is 12 

 months, at the quarters 6 to 8 months, and at the heels 

 3 to 5 months. 



Hoof ointments do not affect the horn already secreted, 

 but may stimulate the growth of horn from the coronet. 

 When weight is put on the foot there is a widening out 

 at the quarters, top and bottom, the height thus being 

 lessened, and the sole becomes flatter; weight is then 

 thrown on the lower bones, which sink down and back, 

 the corona (short pastern bone) presses down the fatty 

 cushion, which in turn pushes out the lateral cartilages, 

 and if movable, these cartilages push out the wall at the 

 quarters; the pressure brougnt to bear upon the frog due 



