70 THE HORSE. 



shrivelled, from the want of occasional stopping while 

 the horse is standing in the stable, there will be a 

 general hardening of the foot, which is by no means 

 conducive to its health ; but if from being constantly 

 exposed to moisture, either on damp pasture-land or in 

 a filthy stable, it is kept too soft, it will be affected by 

 thrushes, which, from their nature, must interfere with 

 the proper growth and nourishment of the foot. The 

 owner of the horse should take no excuse for the exist- 

 ence of thrushes, as they always supervene upon negli- 

 gence and bad management. 



The frog should be neatly dressed, but not much 

 pared away, during the operation of shoeing. It is 

 probably intended by nature as an elastic cushion to 

 break the force of the shock which otherwise would 

 come on the sensible parts above it during the various 

 movements of the animal. Still I think the full extent 

 of its office is not very clearly understood. There is a 

 general opinion amongst the old Veterinarians, that it 

 materially assists in expanding the foot ; but I am sure 

 they are astray on this point. The opinion, perhaps, 

 originated from the wedge-shaped appearance of the 

 frog. White says, " It resembles a wedge ; but to- 

 wards the heel, where it becomes wide and expanded, 

 there is a separation in the middle, which is continued 

 to the heel. When the frog receives the pressure of 

 the horse's weight, this separation is increased, and 

 consequently becomes wider ; and, as it is connected 



