ANATOMY. 47 



stream from the vein. Great injury to the foot results from starting 

 the horse off suddenly at a fiist gait on a hard road after he lias heen 

 standing for some time or when he first comes out of the stable. The 

 circulation (just explained) and the structures of the foot should 

 have time to gradually adapt themselves to the change from rest to 

 severe work. 



Moisture. 



The wall of the healthy hoof, is, by weight, about one-fourth water, 

 the sole more than one-third, and the frog almost one-half. This 

 water is supplied by the blood and preserves the horn in a tough and 

 elastic condition. The hoof, particularly the frog, is capable of 

 absorbing moisture from the ground. The periople, which covers 

 the wall, prevents the evaporation of water, and therefore should 

 never be rasped. As there is no similar covering for the sole and 

 the frog, the layers of horn on their exposed surfaces dry out and 

 die. The dead layers are hard and brittle, and gradually fall or flake 

 off; but, as they preserve the moisture in the layers of live horn 

 beneath, they should not be removed in preparing the hoof for 

 shoeing. _ 



^ Shoeing. 



Shewing is a necessaiy evil, but by remembeiing the functioi\s of 

 the various parts of the foot the damage resulting may be limited to 

 a comparatively small amount. 



The following rules may serve as a guide for the shoeing of healthy 

 feet: 



1. The wall, being the weight bearer, should be rasped perfectly 

 level or the foot will be thrown out of its true position, causing extra 

 strain on some of the ligaments. 



2. Fit the shoe accurately to the outline of the foot; do not alter 

 the latter to fit the shoe. Rasping away the exterior of the crust to 

 fit the shoe not only renders the horn brittle but is so much loss of 

 bearing surface. 



3. The sole should not be touched with the knife; loose flakes 

 may be removed with a blunt instrument. 



4. The bars should not be cut away; they are a part of the wall 

 and intended to caiTy weight. The shoe should rest on them. 



'). The frog should not be cut, but left to attain its full growth. 

 No frog can perform its functions unless on a level with the ground 

 surface of the shoe. 



6. The shoe should have a true and level bearing and rest well 

 and firmly on the wall and bars. 



A plain light-weight shoe is the best — plain on both ground and 

 foot surface. 



7. High nailing is injurious; do not use any more nails than are 

 absolutely necessary, as the nails destroy the horn. 



