562 BUKEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



slanting tlian the outer, the inner half of the sole wider than the outer, 

 and the inner quarter more curved than the outer. The outer quarter 

 is often flattened and drawn in at the bottom. The weight falls largely 

 into the outer half of the hoof. In motion the hoof breaks over the 

 outer toe, is carried forward and outward at some distance from the 

 supporting leg, thence forward and inward to the ground, which it 

 generallj'^ meets with the outer toe. The foot thus moves in a circle 

 whose convexity is outward, a manner of flight called "paddling." A 

 base-narrow horse whose toes point straight ahead frequently "inter- 

 feres," while a toe-narrow (pigeon-toed) animal seldom does. 



A regular hoof (fig. 55), viewed from one side, has a straight foot- 

 axis inclined to the horizon at an angle of 45° to 50°. The weight falls 

 near the center of the foot and there is moderate expansion of the 

 quarters. 



An acute-angled hoof (fig. 5a) has a straight foot-axis inclined at an 

 angle less than 45° to the horizon. The weight falls more largel}^ in 

 the back half of the hoof and there is greater length of hoof in contact 

 with the ground and greater expansion of the heels than in the regular 

 hoof. 



In the ujprlght, or stampy, hoof (fig. 5c) the foot-axis is straight and 

 more than 55° steep. The hoof is relatively short from toe to heel, 

 the weight falls farther forward and there is less expansion of the heels 

 than in the regular hoof. 



Finally, there are wide hoofs and narrow hoofs, dependent solely 

 upon race and breeding. The wide hoof is almost circular on the 

 ground surface, the sole but little concave, the frog large, and the 

 quality of the horn coarse. The narrow hoof has a strongly " cu,.^,.,^" 

 sole, a small frog, nearly perpendicular side walls, and fine-grained, 

 tough horn. 



Jllnd hoofs are influenced in shape by different directions of their 

 pasterns much as front feet are. A hind hoof is not round at the toe 

 as a front hoof is, but is more pointed. Its greatest width is two-thirds 

 of the way back from toe to heel, the sole is more concave, the heels 

 relativel}'^ wider, and the toe about 10° steeper than in front hooi 



EXAMINATION PRELIMINARY TO SHOEING. 



The object of the examination is to ascertain the direction and posi- 

 tion of the limbs, the shape, character, and quality of the hoofs, the 

 form, length, position, and wear of the shoe, the number, distribu- 

 tion, and direction of the nails, the manner in which the hoof leaves 

 the ground, its line of flight, the manner in which it is set to the 

 ground, and all other peculiarities, that at the next and subsequent 

 shoeings proper allowances may be made and observed faults corrected. 

 The animal must, therefore, be observed both at rest and in motion. 



