THE horse's foot, AND HOW TO SHOE IT. 239 



been so barbarously treated exhibits tenderness in his 

 feet by resting them ; and, if felt, a great increase of 

 temperature will be perceived. 



" Owing to the secreting apparatus of the sole being 

 deranged through this senseless paring, the formation 

 of new horn takes place slowly ; and it is not until a 

 certain quantity has been provided to compensate in 

 some degree for that removed that the horse begins to 

 stand easier and travel better. Scarcely, however, has 

 the restorative process advanced to this stage, before it 

 is time for him to be reshod ; when this part must again 

 submit to be robbed of its horn. 



^' The sole having been pared too thin and concave 

 leaves the circumference of the hoof standing much 

 higher than if it had been left intact, and apparently 

 too long : so the wall must be still more reduced. 

 This is done ; and we now have the whole ground-face 

 of the hoof so wasted and mutilated, that, should the 

 horse chance to lose a shoe soon after being shod, the 

 impoverished foot cannot bear the rude contact of 

 the ground for more than a few yards, and the poor 

 creature is lame and useless. 



*' The tenderness and lameness arising from this mal- 

 treatment are usually ascribed to every thing but the 

 right cause ; and the most popular is concussion. To 

 avert this, and protect the defenceless sole, a most 

 absurd shoe is required ; and, still more absurd, the 

 natural covering is attempted to be replaced by a plate 

 of leather interposed between the ground and the sole, 



