PREPARING THE HOOF. 51 



one of its most essential components. The longer the 

 frog is left untouched by the knife, and allowed to meet 

 the ground, the more developed it becomes ; its horn 

 grows so dense and resisting, yet without losing its spe- 

 cial properties, that it braves the crushing of the roughest 

 roads without suffering in the slightest degree ; it ensures 

 the hoof retaining its proper shape at the heels ; is a 

 valuable supporter of the limb and foot while the animal 

 is standing or moving ; and is an active agent, from its 

 shape and texture, in preventing slipping ; its reduction 

 and removal from the ground, I am perfectly convinced 

 from long observation, have a tendency, directly or indi- 

 rectly, to induce that most painful, frequent, and incurable 

 malady — navicular disease, as well as other affections of 

 this organ. 



The farrier should, therefore, leave the frog also un- 

 touched, unless there be flakes which are useless — though 

 this is extremely rare ; then these ought to be cut off. So 

 particular am I in this respect, however, and so well aware 

 am I of the fondness of the workman to cut into this 

 part, that I never allow any frogs to be interfered with 

 unless I am present. If any gravel has lodged beneath 

 the flakes, at the side, or in the cleft — which is most un- 

 frequent — this is removed by some blunt instrument. 



To show the value of contact with the ground ; when 

 a horse with a diseased frog is brought to me, I at once 

 order the hoof to be so prepared or shod that this part 

 will immediately receive direct pressure — in a brief space 

 the disease .disappears. Cases of what grooms call 

 " thrush," of many years' duration, and which had defied 

 all kinds of favorite dressings, have been cured, and the 

 rotten, wasted frogs have become sound and well devel- 

 oped in a few months. 



Opening-up the Seels. — Having done every thing pos- 

 sible to ruin the sole and the frog, the farrier proceeds to 



