26 THE ART OF HORSE-SHOEING. 



to take a bearing for whicli it is not adapted. There is- 

 only one part of the sole which should act as a bearing- 

 surface, viz., that outer border whicli is firmlj' joined to 

 the wall. This part — the abutment of the arch — is des- 

 tined by nature to take a bearing, and through it the 

 ■whole of the sole supports its share of weight. 



The frog takes a bearing on the ground, but it has a 

 weight-sustaining function quite secondary to the harder 

 and firmer jiarts of the hoof. It is formed of a softer 

 horn, and it has above it only soft tissues which permit 

 yielding. The frog, then, when weight is placed upon it- 

 by the standing horse, recedes from, pressuro and leaves 

 the heels (wall and bars) to sustain the primarj^ weight. 

 "Wall, sole and frog, each take their share in supporting- 

 weight, but this function is distributed over them in dif- 

 ferent degrees, a.nd it is f uliilled by each in a varying 

 manner. During progression, the foot is repeatedly 

 raised from and replaced on the ground. It has not 

 only to support weight, but to sustain the effects of con- 

 tact with the ground at each stop, and the effects of 

 being tlie point of resistance when the body is carried 

 for\7ard and the foot is again raised from the ground. 



What part of the foot comes first to the ground?' 

 Many different answers have been given to this ques- 

 tion. It has been said by some that the toe first touches 

 the ground; by others, that the foot is laid fi.it down; 

 and by a few, that the heel is the first part to come in 

 contact with the ground. Fortunately, it is not now 

 necessary to argue this question on a purely theoretical 

 basis. Instantaneous photograpy has shown that on 

 level ground, at all paces, the horse touches the ground 

 first with the heel. This fact gives significance to tho 

 structural differences we find between the front and back 

 portions of the foot. At the back part of the foot, we 

 liave the wall thinner than elsewhere, we have the 

 moveable and elastic frog, the lateral cartilages, and the 

 frog-pad. We have, in fact, a whole series of soft and 

 elastic structures so arranged as to provide a mechanism 

 best adapted to meet shock and to avoid concussion. 

 Whilst drawing heavy loads, or ascending or descending: 



