lO 



ing the hair, is termed the coronet. The sole 

 is attached to the frog in the middle, the bars 

 on each side forming an acute angle, and join- 

 ing the quarters at the heels. The whole ex- 

 terior horny substance, as well as the sole, 

 incloses the sensible foot, and is called the hoof 

 or coffin. 



Some horses, as before observed, have nar- 

 row heels : these, though not desirable, are 

 better than when they become close by mis- 

 management, disease, or a failure of the 

 moisture which should flow from the sensible 

 foot through the small nerves, pores, and art- 

 eries, for the nourishment of the horny and 

 elastic substance which protects the sensible 

 foot. "When this nourishment fails, on ac- 

 count of the horse becoming disordered in his 

 limbs, or from the feet being kept too dry, it 

 hardens the crust too much ; and by not re- 

 ceiving proper nourishment, the heels become 

 contracted. If the hoof be taken from the 

 foot of a horse as soon as he is dead, and hung 

 up, it will contract, particularly at the heels 

 or extremes of the quarters 5 whereas, if kept 

 moist, it will retain its natural form and elas- 

 ticity. This proves that th.e heels contract for 



