S7 



The hoof, however, cannot be said to be per- 

 fectly sound until the crack is completely 

 ^•rown out ; and as this process goes on from 

 the coronet downwards, it frequently requires 

 five or six months before this object is effected. 

 Whoever, therefore, purchases a horse with a 

 sand-crack, may generally calculate on his 

 being of no use to him for the space of time 

 above-mentioned. The disease is also liable to 

 return, if the coronet be injured or divided. 

 On this account, a horse with a sand-crack 

 must be considerably reduced in value, even if 

 he be considered as sound at the time of sale. 

 Previously to purchasing a horse, it is necessary 

 to examine the quarters of the hoof, as a sand- 

 crack may be concealed by covering it with 

 pitch, and colouring the surface in imitation of 

 the hoof. 



A FALSE QUARTER 



Is an irregularity in the surface of the wall of 

 the hoof, occasioned by one part of it project- 

 ing beyond another, in a perpendicular direc- 

 tion ; namely, from the top to the bottom. It is 

 produced by some injury done to the coronet, 

 from whence the hoof issues. Excepting its 

 being somewhat unseemly, it is of little conse- 

 quence, and seldom renders the horse lame. 



