THE IMPROVE]) ART OF FARRIERY. 3 1 9 



wall or crust, (which is the part issuing from the pas- 

 tern to the ground) , the sole, and the frog. At its 

 uppermost part, which is called the coronet, the hoof 

 begins, either by a gradual change of the skin into the 

 horn, or by some peculiar vessels which produce the 

 transformation. The coronet, therefore, is softer, more 

 flexible, and more sensible, than the lower part of the 

 hoof, which increases in density and insensibility as it 

 approaches nearer the toe. 



The horse's hoof may be said to be partially cleft, 

 as the heels are divided from each other, the interme- 

 diate space being filled up by an elastic substance 

 called the frog. From this arrangement, the heels 

 possess, in a small degree, the power of expansion and 

 contraction, but which action is almost totally pre- 

 vented by the confinement occasioned by the shoe. 



The difference of shape between the foot of the horse, 

 and that of all other quadrupeds of the herbiverous 

 tribe, is well worthy the attention of the naturalist, as 

 it very distinctly points outs the purposes for w^hich 

 he was created. Hence, had the hoof been clo- 

 ven throughout, like that of the ox, the deer, the 

 sheep, or the goat, he would not have been so well 

 adapted for carrying burthens, nor for drawing heavy 

 substances, as he is by its solid and circular form in 

 front, which affords him a greater point of resistance 

 than he could have obtained from the more flexible and 

 yielding motion of the cleft hoof. 



The sole is composed of the same horny material as 

 the wall, but it is somewhat more elastic. It would 

 be partially worn away by friction against the ground, 

 if the animal were unshod, but it would be re-produced 

 by its own natural growth in the same manner as is 

 the case with the wall. A moderate degree of friction 

 and pressure against the earth is essential to its healthy 



