360 TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 



and should always run parallel to the coronet. Strongly marked 

 rings are evidence of a weak hoof, but when limited to a part of 

 the wall are evidence of previous local inflammation. The 

 bulbs of the heels should be full, rounded, and of equal height. 

 The sole should be well hollowed out, the frog well developed, 

 the cleft of the frog broad and shallow, the spaces between the 

 bars and the frog wide and shallow, the bars straight from buttress 

 toward the point of the frog, and the buttresses themselves so 

 far apart as not to press against the frog. A hoof cannot be 

 considered healthy if it presents reddish, discolored horn, cracks 

 in the wall, bars, or frog, thrush of the frog, contraction or dis- 

 placement of the heels. The lateral cartilages should yield 

 readily to finger pressure. Some horsemen object to a white 

 hoof, believing it to be less durable, but a white hoof is as good 

 as a dark-colored one. Horn of good quality is fine grained 

 and tough, while poor horn is coarse grained and either too 

 mellow and friable or hard and brittle. 



