466 CHAPTER 62. 



brought into their natural prouiinciice by use and pressure, especially if 

 the horse be shod with tips. 



949. The Sole. 



Supposin<^ the crust to have been properly treated and cared for in the 

 manner above described, the sole needs nothing except to be let alone 

 (a, fig. 6, ulso 15, fig. 1). This is a very sinijile and easy mode of treat- 

 ment, and anyone can follow it. 



But, before going further, I nmst earnestly caution my readers that 

 this natural treatment of the sole is only applicable to feet in which the 

 crust is good and has not been mutilated or otherwise abused. If the 

 crust be mutilated, the sole must also be mutilated, as otherwise lame- 

 ness will ensue. The reason for this will be explained hereafter. 



Having given this caution, I now proceed to consider the structure of 

 the sole and the reasons arising therefrom, which under the circumstances 

 of a naturally good and well-preserved crust render advisable the negative 

 treatment recommended above. 



The sole is not constructed for sustaining weight excej)t at its junction 

 with the crust or wall, where it is thickest and strongest. Its fibres are 

 composed of softer horn cells than those of the crust. Nor is it intended 

 for sustaining pressure, except at this particular part. It is a recessed 

 surface ; recessed surfaces are never intended to be exposed to pressure. 

 Whilst the crust is worn away by friction with the ground, the sole — 

 which from its recessed position is not exposed to any such w^ear — of its 

 own accord, from some jieculiarity in the material composing its fibres, 

 exfoliates in flakes, when its outer surface becomes effete. 



The sole consists of two layers, an outer and insensitive, and an upper 

 and sensitive layer. Immediately above the upper sensitive layer is the 

 cofhn bone or os pedis. Hence it will be seen that the sensitive sole is 

 ])laced between two hard substances, namely, the lower insensitive layer 

 and the bone of the foot (d, fig. 1). Hence, if undue pressure comes on 

 the lower layer, the upper and sensitive layer will be crushed between the 

 two hard substances, and great pain and perhaps inflammation will ensue. 



Undue pressure may come on the sensitive sole from two causes: — 

 1st, from })aring away the outer or insensitive layer, which renders it 

 incapable of duly protecting the sensitive sole ; and 2ndly, from mutila- 

 tion of the crust and frog. 



950. Of undue pressure on the Sensitive Sole as a result of paring. 



A fallacy exists among many horsemen and farriers, namely, that the 

 insensitive sole, if not pared away, will unduly accumulate, and so cause 

 pressure on the sensitive sole. Hence farriers cut it away — with good 

 intent, no doubt, but in ignorance of its structure. For reasons given ' 

 above, connected with its structure, the sole will never, except in disease, 

 unduly accumulate. At the proper time it will exfoliate in flakes. 



Another fallacy also commonly exists, namely that the outer or ground 

 surface of the sole will, if not pared out, become very hard, and will then 



