SHOEINO. 



17t 



larly on the inner side of the foot, whereby the power of yield- 

 ing and expanding to the weight of the horse is proportionably 

 increased, clearly indicating that those parts cannot be nailed 

 to an unyielding bar of iron, without a most mischievous inter- 

 ference with the natural functions of the foot. In the hind foot, 

 greater thickness of horn will be found at the quarters and heels, 

 than in the fore foot. This difference in the thickness of horn 

 is beautifully adapted to the inequality of the weight which 

 each has to sustain, the force with which it is applied, and the 

 portions of the hoof upon which it falls. 



The toe of the fore foot encounters the combined force and 

 weight of the fore hand and body, and consequently in a state 

 of nature is exposed to considerable wear and tear, and calls 

 for greater strength and substance of horn than is needed by 

 any portion of the hind foot, where the duty of supporting tho 

 hinder parts alone is distributed on the quarters and heels of 

 both sides of the foot. 



The bars are 

 continuations of 

 the wall, reflected 

 at the heel towards 

 the centre of the 

 foot, where they 

 meet in a point, 

 leaving a triangu- 

 lar space between 

 A SECTION OF THE FOOT. thcm for thc frog. 



I. The coronet bone. 2. The coffia bone. 3. The navicular bone. a. The wall. b. 

 The sole. c. The cleft of the frog. d. d. The frog. e. e. The fatty frog, or elastic 

 cushion. /. The sensitive sole. g. The sensitive frog. h. h. h. Tendons of the mus- 

 cles which bend the foot. i. Part of the pastern bone. fe. k. Tendons of the inascles 

 Which extend the foot. t. The coffin joint, m. The navicular joint, n. The coronary 

 Bubstauce. o. The sensible laminae, or covering of the coffia boae. 



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