238 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



— that which is destined to come into contact with the 

 ground, and to encounter its inequalities, and which, 

 more than any other part, requires to be efficiently 

 shielded — is at once "ruthlessly denuded of its protec- 

 tion, and exposed to the most serious injury. The im- 

 mature horn, suddenly stripped of its outer covering, 

 immediately begins to experience the evil effects of ex- 

 ternal influences. It loses its moisture, dries, hardens, 

 and shrivels up. It also occupies a smaller space ; and, 

 in doing so, the sole becomes more concave, drawing 

 after it the wall, — for it must be remembered that the 

 sole is a strong stay against contraction of the lower 

 margin of the hoof, — and the consequence is, that the 

 foot gradually decreases in size, and the quarters and 

 heels narrow. The animal goes ' tender,' even on 

 smooth ground; but, if he chance to put his mutilated 

 sole on a stone, what pain must he experience ! This 

 tenderness on even ground or smoothly-paved roads 

 arises from the fact, that not only is the entire sensitive 

 surface compressed, irritated, or inflamed, by the hard, 

 contracting envelope, and the unnatural exposure to 

 sudden changes of heat and cold, but the little sensitive 

 processes contained at the upper end of each of the horn- 

 fibrcs are painfully crushed in their greatly-diminished 

 tubes; and, instead of being organs of secretion and the 

 most delicate touch, they arc now scarcely more than 

 instruments of torture to the unfortunate animal. Not 

 only is pain or uneasiness experienced during progres- 

 sion, but, even in the stable, the horse whose soles have 



