THE FOOT OF THE HORSE. 65 



Q. 18. Of what use are the splint bones? 



A. They are attached to the cannon bone, one on each side, 

 being larger at the top, and support the two outer carpal bones. 

 See Fig. 2, p. 36. 



The Arteries, Veins and Nerves. 

 (See Figs. 4 to 14, pp. 51 to 62.) 



Q. 14. What office does the plantar artery perform? 



A. It supi^lies the foot with blood. 



Q. 15. What office does the plantar vein perforin? 



A. It carries the blood from the foot. 



Q. 16. What office does the j)lantar nerve perform? 



A. It conveys the sensation of feeling to the foot. 



Q. 17. What is scientific horseshoeing? 



A. It is a noble, artificial skill of man, working in conjunc- 

 tion with nature, to keep the foot in its natural formation. The 

 shoe is to protect the foot from external injuries. 



Q. 18. How many acts are there to be performed l:»efore the 

 foot is properly shod? 



A. There are three acts required: First, to remove all the 

 surplus growth, and properly shape the foot to its natural form 

 and size; second, to select a bar of iron or steel, make a shoe of 

 suita])leweight, such as the foot and leg require for the work the 

 horse has to perform, and fit the same properly to the foot ; third, 

 to nail the shoe to the foot. Each of these operations must work 

 in entire harmony with the rest ; otherwise one would undo the 

 others. Thus, the shoe must be properly adjusted and accurately 

 driven on the foot, or else the foot will be unbalanced and the 

 utility of the combined operations destroyed or crippled. 

 5 



