244 Common Diseases of the Horse 



ing band will, therefore, interfere with the growth of the wall below 

 it. At the heels the wall, now known as the bars, makes a half-circle 

 turn and is reflected inwardly on the ground surface, embracing a 

 portion of the sole, and running down the sides of the frog. (2) The 

 sole, which forms the greater portion of the floor of the foot. In 

 the hinder portion it shows a triangular cleft in which the frog is 

 inserted. (3) The frog completes the floor of the foot. It is 

 triangular in shape, and divided longitudinally into two portions by 

 a fissure known as the cleft. On each side there is a fissure which 

 separates it from the bars. It is an elastic structure, and its pur- 

 pose is to prevent concussion and enable the foot to take a firm 

 grip upon the ground; the cleft and fissure enable expansion to 

 take place without injuring the sensitive part inside, or by unduly 

 forcing apart the sides of the foot, which would otherwise happen 

 when it is upon the ground and bearing the horse's weight. Under- 

 neath the wall, and above the sole and frog, the foot is composed of 

 dense layers of fibrous tissue finely interlaced with bloodvessels 

 and nerves; it is commonly known as the "quick ", and is extremely 

 sensitive. Any injury to it causes very great pain. 



The wall, sole, frog, and other sensitive membranes are all 

 solidly welded together and take their part in bearing the weight 

 of the body. The wall, or bars, of the hoof grows downwards at 

 the rate of about an inch in three months, and apparently grows 

 more quickly at the toe, on account of the horn fibres having an 

 oblique direction. The sole does not grow as quickly as the wall, 

 and appears to detach the old horn by throwing it off in dry flakes. 

 The frog, when allowed to share its burden of weight, wears off, 

 but if raised from the ground and thrown out of function, it more oi' 

 less shrivels up. 



Preparation of the Foot 



Having briefly explained the structure of the foot, we may now 

 consider how to prepare it to receive the shoe for the full benefit of 

 the horse, and so that no ill effects may follow. 



The proper bearing surface is the rim of the wall, that part of 

 the sole immediately abutting thereon, and the bars. These parts 

 should each take a perfectly level bearing upon the shoe, and at the 

 same time the frog should just come in contact with the ground. 

 To bring this about it is necessary to lower the wall until it reaches 

 the level of the natural growth of the sole. In a foot considerably 

 overgrown this is usually done with a toe-knife, but the final level- 

 ling should be made with a rasp, or one may find that the knife 

 has taken too much away in a particular part, which wiU necessitate 



