SPECIAL AND GENERAL SHOEING. 127 



the hoofs under consideration, it will be seen that the advan- 

 tages arising from the plain and simple processes recommended 

 are, that the free action of the extremities in going with ease is 

 preserved, by not setting on any more iron than is necessary; 

 iind that in not removing the frog, the foot rests more evenly 

 from toe to heel, thus multiplying its points of support and 

 giving it a stronger and more adherent landing, without lessen- 

 ing the surface of ground tread nor yet increasing its friction 

 or fatio-uino: the stride. 



It is observable that a horse goes easy or escapes soon being 

 jaded if the frog receives a certain amount of pressure, as it is 

 the supporting cushion to the back tendons, also defending the 

 sensitive sole against many inconvenient bruises, so that if it is 

 kept at a distance from the ground by high heels or by paring 

 it away, an inordinate distension of the tendons will happen, 

 causing relaxations, swellings and soreness, which are occasioned 

 more by paring the sole and frog than by hard driving or the 

 distance traveled. Experience has shown that the frog, being 

 of a soft, flexible substance, by its natural elasticity, yields to the 

 weight of the horse the instant his foot touches the ground, and 

 immediately recovers itself again, thus giving a natural expan- 

 sion to the foot with every step taken. When contracted feet 

 have to be expanded, the most simple, safe, and at the same 

 time, ett'ective means of attaining that end is to be found in this 

 action of the frog. An overgrowth of hoof, that is, high heels 

 and long toes, displaces the normal balance of the foot and bear- 

 ings of the joints, and causes contraction, weakness and a curl 

 under at one or both sides of the heels, forcing the foot bones 

 upward — twisting the coronet — producing malformation of the 

 wall and an atrophied condition of the internal parts from de- 

 fect of nourishment and loss of strength caused by pressure of 

 the hoof; all of which defections may be entirely averted if the 

 foot is properly dressed as directed. Or before becoming perma- 

 nently established, they may be overcome if the foot is leveled 



