THE BARS. 283 



The colour of the hoof is a matter of some consequence. The»e is a 

 common, and we believe a well-founded prejudice against white feet, and 

 especially whiteness of the near foot. VVhite horn is said to be weaker 

 than that of tiie usual dark colour; the sjle is almost uniformly flat, and 

 the quarters are weak. 



The inside of the crust is covered by numerous thin horny leaves, 

 extending all round it, and reaching from the coronary ring to the toe. 

 They are about 500 in number, broadest at their base, and terminating in 

 the most delicate expansion of hoi'n. They very much resemble the inner 

 surface of a mushroom. In front they run in a direction from the coronet 

 to the toe, and towards the quarters they are more slanting from behind 

 forward. They correspond with similar cartilaginous and fleshy leaves 

 on the surface of the coffin-bone, called, from their construction, sensible 

 laminse, or lamellcz, (little leaves that have feeling,) and the one being 

 received within the other, they form together a most elastic body, by which 

 ihe whole weight of the horse is supported. 



THE BARS. 



a a The frog-. 



b The sole. 



c c The bars. 



d d The crust. 



At tne back part of the foot, the wall of the hoof, instead of being con- 

 tinned round, and forming a circle, is suddenly bent in, as in the accom- 

 panying cut, where d represents the base of the crust, and c this inflexion 

 or bending of it. The cut will show that we do not refer to that bend, 

 which forms the cleft of the frog, but to a more sudden one, constituting 

 the commencement of the bars. The bars are, in fact, a continuation of 

 the crust, forming an acute angle, and meeting at a point at the toe of the 

 frog a : and the inside of the bars, like the inside of the crust (see the pre- 

 ceding cut), presents a continuance of the horny leaves wiiich we have 

 just described, showing that it is a part of the same substance, and helping 

 to discharge the same ottice. 



It needs only the slightest consideration of the cut, or of the natural 

 hoof, to show the importance of the bars. The arch which they form on 

 either K>ide, between the frog and the quarters is admirably contrived, both 

 to admit of, and to limit to its proper extent, the expansion of the foot. 

 When the foot is placed on the ground, and the weight of the animal is 

 thrown on the little leaves, of which we have just spoken, we can 

 miagine these arches shortening and widening, in order to admit oi' the 

 expansion of the quarters; and we can see again the bow returning to its 

 natural curve, and powerfully assisting the foot in regaining its usual form. 

 We can also perceive what protection these bars must form against the 

 contraction, or wiring in of the quarters. If they are taken away, there 

 will be nothing to resist the falling of the quarters when the foot is exposed 

 to any disease or bad management which would induce it to contract. 

 Again, we see the security wliich they afford the frog a; and the effectual 

 protection which they give against the pressure of tiie lateral or side parts 

 ot the foot. Then appears the necessity of sparing and leaving them prom- 

 inent when the foot is pared for shoeing. It is the custom with too many 



