FORM AND ACTION OF THE FOOT. 



23 



we have a firm surface for attacliment, and with, cartilage 

 at the back, we have an equally firm attachment, but 

 one that will yield to blows or pressure and thus better 

 protect the internal parts. These cartilages extend above ■ 

 the level of the hoof, and may be easily felt in the living 

 horse at the back part of the coronet. (Fig. 15.) Be- 

 tween them, and behind the body of the coffin bone is a . 

 large space which is filled up by a mass of soft tissue, to 

 which various names have been given, such as plantar- 

 cushion, frog-pad, etc. 



The Frog-Pad is the name under which we shall 

 notice it. It forms the bulbs of the heels and is the soft 

 basis upon which is spread the sensitive frog. It extends 

 from side to side of the foot between the two lateral 

 cartilages, and fills up all the space within the hoof 

 behind the body of the coffin bone. The structure of this 

 pad may be described roughly as consisting of a network 

 of fibrous bands, having the interstices filled up with 

 elastic tissue. (Fig. 16.) Down the centre of the j)ad 



Fig. 16.— Seciloa of Foot showing the Frog-Pad and at each side 

 the cut edge of the Lateral Cartilage 



runs a vertical partition of inelastic fibres; from this, 

 strong, fibrous bands pass to each cartilage, and so the 

 whole of the back part of the foot is tied together. The 

 heels and quarters maj'- be pressed together to some 

 extent, but they are prevented from being forced asunder 

 by the fibrous connections of the frog-pad. During pro- 



