THE HOOF. 27 



will be observed to have the same degree of slope as the 

 front face. In height, the heels are usually a little more 

 than one-half that of the toe ; both heels are equal in 

 height. 



These features, as will be seen hereafter, are sufficiently 

 important to be constantly remembered. The other char- 

 acteristics are to be found on the lower or ground face of 

 the hoof — the most important, so far as the farrier's art is 

 concerned. 



In a natural condition, the whole, or nearly the whole 

 of this face comes into contact with the ground, each part 

 participating more or less in sustaining the weight thrown 

 upon the limb. On soft or uneven soil, the entire lower 

 border of the wall, the sole, bars, and frog, are subjected 

 to contact ; Nature intended them to meet the ground, and 

 there to sustain the animal's weight, as well as the force 

 of its impelling powers. But on hard or rocky land with 

 a level surface, only the dense, tough crust and bars, the 

 thick portion of the sole surrounded by them, and the 

 elastic, retentive frog, meet the force of the weight and 

 movement ; and, in both cases, not only with impunity, 

 but with advantage to the interior of the foot, as well as 

 the limb. The horn on this face is, as has been said, 

 dense, tough, and springy to a degree varying with the 

 parts of which it is composed; while its fibres are not 

 only admirably disposed to support weight, secure a firm 

 grasp of the ground, and aid the movements of the limbs, 

 but are also an excellent medium for modifying concussion 

 or jar to the sensitive and vascular structure in their vi- 

 cinity. 



The whole circumference of the wall meets the ground, 

 and from the disposition of its fibres, the arrangement of 

 the cells which enter into their composition, and its rigid- 

 ity, it is admirably fitted to resist wear and sustain press- 

 ure. It projects more or less beyond the level of the sole, 



