1T6 



SHOEING. 



tic throughout its whole extent ; and, yielding to the weight of 

 the horse, allows the horny sole to descend, whereby much in- 

 convenient concussion of the internal parts of the foot is avoided. 

 But if a large portion of the circumference of the foot is fettered 

 by iron and nails, it is plain that that portion, at least, cannot 

 expand as before ; and the beautiful and efficient apparatus for 

 effecting this necessary elasticity, being no longer allowed to 

 act by reason of these restraints, becomes altered in structure ; 

 and the continued operation of the same causes, in the end, 

 circumscribes the elasticity to those parts alone where no nails 

 have been driven ; giving rise to a train of consequences de- 

 structive to the soundness of the foot, and fatal to the usefulness 

 of the horse. 



The toe of the fore foot is the thickest and strongest portion 

 of the hoof, and is in consequence less expansive than any othei* 



part, and there^ 

 fore better calcu- 

 lated to resist the 

 effects of the nails 

 and the shoe. The 

 thickness of the 

 horn gradually 

 diminishes to- 

 ward the quarters 

 and heels, particu- 



t. Is.a broad flat mass of born, projecting upward into tbe middle of the elastic cush- 

 , ion, and called "tbe frog stay," b, b. Are two borny projections rising into tbe 

 cavity of the hoof formed by tbe commissures, c. c. Are portions of tbe same projec- 

 tions, and are situated just under the two ends of the navicular bone, and mark tb« 

 point on either side where diminution in the-natural elasticity of the fatty frog would 

 be felt with the greatest severity by the navicular joint ; for under the most favorable 

 circumstances, the quantity of cushion between these points and the navicular joint 

 cannot be very large ; and hence the importance of our doing all we cau to preserve. 

 Us elasticity as long as possible. 



THE HOOP OP THE HORSE. 



