14 TREATMENT. 



site), as always to preserve a thorough circula- 

 tion of the natural fluids, and a sensitiveness 

 and elasticity in the heel. 



The hoof is flexible, notwithstanding its 

 apparent solidity, and expands and contracts 

 alternately at the heel whenever the horse 

 stands upon or lifts it up; the shoe should 

 not, therefore, be nailed within tw r o inches of 

 the heel, and should, also, be sufficiently wide 

 at this part to allow that natural and neces- , 

 sary expansion the mark of which may be 

 recognised upon old shoes. 



The frog of the hoof should never be cut 

 in the solid part, as is too frequently and 

 erroneously done, because it contracts the 

 hoof and the tendon, and ultimately, the 

 limb itself, which effect is often ascribed to 

 hard work. The frog naturally continues 

 to grow and discharge itself by wear ; never- 

 theless, when the frog is overgrown and be- 

 come ragged, the ragged or fringy parts only 

 may be cut off, without injury, whenever shoes 

 are to be removed. It is a mistaken notion 

 that the frog of the foot must not touch the 



