HOW TO KNOW HIM. 43 



ably upright, nearly circular, mule-shaped. I commend 

 these suggestions to those who are forever crying "con- 

 tracted feet " against a horse, unless he has a foot large 

 and flat as an old-fashioned frying-pan. 



Touching the shape of the foot, I would say, the hoof 

 should be longer on its ground-surface than broad ; and 

 the breadth should be greatest directly across its centre, 

 lessening gradually both toward the heel and toe. 

 Avoid a very high heel, and also a very low one. 

 Either extreme is objectionable. 



The outer surface of the foot should be smooth, and 

 of fine texture ; free from rings, depressions, or protru- 

 berances. Brittle hoofs shun ; and select the fine- 

 grained, tough-looking hoof 



The slant of the hoof on its ground-surface deserves 

 close attention. The true and proper angle is about 

 fifty degrees. If less than this, and the hoof is very 

 deep at the heels, it is predisposed to contraction, 

 and likely to become inflamed. If, on the other hand, 

 the reverse is the case, the sole is likely to be too flat, 

 the heels too much exposed; and internal weakness 

 follows. A low heel in connection with a very sloping 

 pastern is to be especially avoided. 



The frog should be large, elastic, and healthy in 

 appearance. It should not be allowed to become too 

 dry ; nor, on the other hand, to be too spongy and soft. 

 It is probably intended by Nature as a kind of elastic 

 cushion, and should never be tampered with. Let it 

 grow as large as Nature permits ; knowing well, that, in 



