POINTS. 4ia 



structures are so connected one with the other that neither can be 

 independent, for the direction of the pastern, of course, determines the 

 nature of the weight imposed upon the foot. Thus, should the foot re- 

 ceive more than a normal pressure, this circumstance, by throwing the 

 weight upon the bones, occasions the muscles to contract, and produces 

 upright or overshot fetlock-joint. Nevertheless, the hoof is operated 

 upon by other agency. Diseased action will also interfere with the 

 growth of its outward covering. The member may, under such injurious 

 excitement, when long continued, eventually become deformed. 



The place of birth also influences the horn. Thus, a quadruped brought 

 up on the fens of Lincolnshire, generally displays a flat sole, a weak, a 

 low, and a slanting crust. The horse whose native land is dry or sandy, 

 mostly exhibits the hoof high in the quarter and thick in its incasement. 

 The creature with feet of the intermediate sort, which a few years ago 

 were esteemed the model form, is generally the inhabitant of a moist, 

 but not of a wet district. The horn, therefore, is indirect evidence of 

 the rearing ; and the author has now to consider how far its condition 

 can, by itself, be regarded as a positive proof of any other fact. 



There is one defect not generally observed, but which should always 

 be studied in every examination of the feet. It may surprise the reader, 

 when the autljor declares it to be very far from an uncommon circum- 

 stance to encounter a horse with odd hoofs, or with feet of different sizes. 

 Such a peculiarity is totally independent of the defective inclination of 

 the toes, and may be seen' in horn of any possible condition, or in feet 

 of any variety of form. 



An animal becomes lame in the foot. If the lameness is removed in 

 reasonable time, the affection disappears, and leaves no trace behind it. 

 But let it continue for months, and during such a period the sufferer will 

 throw little or no weight upon the diseased member. The part will be 

 rested. The purpose or function of the organ will be counteracted by 

 the will of the animal. The consequence of long disuse will be a pro- 

 portionate decrease in size. Upon recovery, the loss of bulk is seldom 

 restored ; for if the foot is then employed, so also is the sound one ; and 

 the action being equal, of course it does not particularly affect one ex- 

 tremity, but operates on both alike. 



The difference in the feet may not be so startling as to enforce atten- 

 tion to the deformity. It is seldom of this nature. Most probably it 

 will require some discrimination to detect it. In the last engraving, the 

 author endeavored to depict the defect as it was generally exhibited. 

 None of the hoofs there delineated positively match, though very prob- 

 ably the reader had not remarked their differences. However, the 

 slightest disagreement is an accepted proof that disease has been pres- 



