IRON AND HORN. 53 



ground, the hoof expands, and consequently gives a 

 wider bearing, so that the foot does not sink so far, 

 and necessarily makes a larger hole. Then, as the 

 hoof contracts as soon as the weight is taken off, it 

 conies easily out of the hole, and so there is but little 

 risk of snapping the pastern. 



Even on hard ground, the disadvantage of inter- 

 ference with nature is equally shown. Mr. Miles, who 

 has already been mentioned, writes as follows : — 



4 When a hunter is shod in the usual manner with 

 seven or eight nails, some are always, for the sake of 

 security, placed in the inner quarter, which is the 

 most expansive portion of the hoof. Let a horse so 

 circumstanced be called upon to leap from a high 

 bank into a hard road, and what happens ? 



' The weight of the horse and its rider is thrown 

 with an impetus, which greatly increases that of both, 

 upon the bones of the feet, both sides of which are 

 so fettered that neither can yield to make room for 

 them. Consequently, they squeeze the exquisitely 

 sensitive lining of the hoof between their own hard 

 substance, the unyielding horn, and the shanks of 

 one, two, or three nails, as the case may be.' 



That the heel comes first to the ground, is followed 

 by the frog, and that the toe only comes on the 

 ground when the horse is standing still, or when it 

 lifts the foot from the ground, has been conclusively 



