ESSAY ON SHOEING HORSES 129 



meet the requirements of one condition, might prove positively inju- 

 rious in another, as is often the case. 



It is generally understood that the hoof is sufficiently elastic to 

 guard against the jar and concussion which occurs every time the 

 feet are planted on the ground. This elasticity, as observed in a 

 healthy and unfettered hoof, occui's in downward and backward 

 directions. It is scarcely perceptible, yet wisely is it so ordained, for 

 if there was much expansibility, or lateral motion to the hoof, it 

 would prove ruinous to the foot, and the chances of securing a shoe 

 to the same, without positive injury, would be very small. 



It is evident that nature has provided for some slight action of this 

 kind, for the hoof is left open at the heels, between which is inter- 

 posed a soft, elastic substance, known as the frog, which allows of 

 the motions alluded to. Had the intention been otherwise, the hoof 

 might have presented itself in the form of a hollow cylinder. 



The parts within the hoof known as the laminae, or leaves, articu- 

 late with each other, and the extent of their articulation is that of 

 the joint contraction and expansion of the hoof, modified, of course, 

 under the influence of partial or complete pressure while traveling 

 on the road. 



Now, in order to favor this physiological action of the foot, the 

 nails must not be inserted any nearer the heels than the safety of the 

 shoe requires ; for should the shoe be nailed all around, as the say- 

 ing is, the hoof, at its solar border, is fettered ; hence, the action of 

 articulation cannot occur, and the horse soon becomes lame. Three 

 nails on the inside and five on the outside, are all that are needed to 

 secure the shoe to the foot ; provided, however, the nail heads be 

 countersunk, and the points well clinched ; if they are not, the shoe 

 becomes loose, in consequence of the nails being driven upwards by 

 repeated blows on their heads as the horse travels on hard roads and 

 unyielding pavements. 



If possible, the frog should be allowed to come in contact with 

 the ground, for it acts as a pad, and very much lessens jar or con- 

 cussion, which otherwise must necessarily occur ; it thus becomes a 

 wall of defense, and the nature of the ground over which the crea- 

 ture travels, determines the form, character and endurance of the 

 frog. 



Thus, in the unshod colt we usually, in a healthy foot, find the frog 

 well formed, prominent, and callous ; this is the result of the stimu- 

 lating hard knocks it receives when traveling on hard roads. On 

 the other hand, should we examine some animals' feet after they 

 have been long submitted to the evils of domestication, which 

 includes faulty shoeing, we shall find that the frog is often imperfect, 

 both in function and stnicture. 



I would not have the reader infer from these remarks that the 

 blacksmith is always blameable for loss of frog, &c., for in the win- 

 ter season calks seem to be necessary, and, under such circum- 

 stances, it is almost impossible to bring the frog in contact with the 

 ground ; hence, it may deteriorate. Then again, there are various 

 diseases of the foot which interfere with the integrity of the frog as 

 well as that of other parts which enter into the composition of a 

 horse's foot 



9 it.. 



