LAMENESS AND DISEASES, ETC. 133 



the first and last object of attention — the source and center of 

 success in farrierj^ — is to bring the feet to a perfectly level bear- 

 ing, 80 that they will point straight and true in line with the 

 limbs, and the action of locomotion will be performed with easy 

 continuous regularity like the movement of a pendulum. By 

 keeping this principle steadily in view, I feel assured that I have 

 done more for the improvement of the strength and perfection 

 of the horse's foot than could have been done by learning all 

 the mysteries of the veterinary school. Without it, all the soak- 

 ing tubs, bandages, liniments, etc., are so much time and money 

 wasted. 



Though the first condition of incipient trouble has thus been 

 pointed out and evidently proved, the matter does not end here, 

 for an uneven and unbalanced hoof — high heels or long toes or 

 inequalities in height of wall, which displace the natural angle 

 of the foot — is, after all, not difficult to detect when knowing 

 how and where to look for them, and may easily be regulated by 

 any one who will attentively consider the principles of adjust- 

 ment as defined in connection with the use of the instruments, 

 Chapter IV. 



If the heels are allowed to grow too high the greater part' 

 of the weight is thrown forward upon the toe and bony struct- 

 ures of the limb, and the bones of the foot are forced forward 

 against the wall in front. Inflammation of the foot and soreness 

 in the joints and bones soon follow. If the toes, on the contrary, 

 are allowed to grow too long, then the excess of weight is thrown 

 upon the back part of the foot and the flexor tendons become 

 sore, strained or ruptured. If one heel or quarter is permitted 

 to grow higher than the other, the high side will receive the first 

 jar in landing, which bruises the heel on that side and causes 

 inflammation and corns. The hoofs, therefore, must be pared 

 or dressed in such a way that the weight of the animal will be 

 equally distributed upon the ball of the foot between the bones 



