THE FOOT OF THE HORSE. 63 



CATECHISM ON THE ANATOMY OF THE HORSE'S 



FOOT AND LEG. 



Adapted from (he subject-matter of this chapter. 



No Foot, no Horse. 



The following questions and answers relating to the foot and 

 leg of the horse illustrate the main points with which the farrier 

 should be familiar. In introducing them, it is believed that they 

 will aid materially in rendering the illustrations intelligible. 



Q. 1. What bones are included in the wall of the foot proper? 



A. The coffin and navicular bones, together with about one- 

 fourth of the lower jDastern, making altogether two and one-fourth 

 bones. See Fig. 5, p. 52. 



Q. 2. What office do the coffin bones perform? 



A. They bear and support the weight of the horse. See Fig. 

 2, p. 86. 



Q. 3. What office does the navicular or nut l)one perform? 



A. It acts as a fulcrum, underneath which moves the flexor 

 perforans attached to the coffin bone, and is movable with every 

 action of' the foot. See Fig. 5, p. 52. 



Q. 4. What office does the insensitive sole of the foot perform? 



A. It protects the sensitive sole from external injuries. See 

 Fig. 10, p. (52. 



Q. 5. What office does the insensitive frog perform? 



A. It serves as a cushion and prevents concussion upon the 

 sensitive parts of the foot. See Fig. 14, p. 01. 



Q. 6. What office does the cleft of the frog perform? 



A. It is the means of folding and unfolding the frog, as the 

 foot expands and contracts. See A, Fig. 28, p. 97. 



Q. 7. Of what use are the bars or binders of the foot? 



A. .They keep the foot in its proper expansion in a natural 

 foot. The fissure inside serves to support the sensitive frog. See 

 Fig. 24. p. 98. 



