CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



The hoof as distinct from the foot — Dependence of one part on the 

 others — Skeleton of the horse — Story of ' Orlando ' — Use of 

 scientific language — The spine and the limbs — The legs of the 

 horse compared with the limbs of man — Gradual development 

 of the horse — The anchitherium and hipparion — Structure of 

 the fore-limb, or arm — Rotation of the fore- arm prevented — 

 Small size of the original horse — An eight-hoofed horse — 

 Hind legs of the horse compared with the legs of man — The 

 true knee of the horse — Elasticity of the structure . . . 



CHAPTER II. 



Connection between the foot and the hoof — Extent of the foot — 

 "What is horn ? — Original dwelling-place of the horse — Climb- 

 ing powers of the horse — Requisites of the hoof — Strength, 

 because it has to bear the weight of so heavy an animal — 

 Lightness, lest the horse should have to lift needless weight 

 — The ' coffin ' bone and its structure — Hardness, to endure 

 contact with bad ground — Sharpness, round edge to enable 

 the horse to climb — Clinging, to suit smooth and slippery 

 ground — Self-repairing, for restoration of worn material : 

 the Wall, Frog, and Sole — Structure of the wall — The horny 

 laminae — Their origin and mode of growth — Over-grown hoofs 

 — Elasticity begins with angle of pastern — The prog, its posi- 

 tion, structure, and office — Analogies between Nature and 

 human inventions — The sole : its structure and double office . 22 



