4W POINTS. 



ent, — at what time, whether recently or long ago, of what nature, whether 

 structural or functional, the examiner cannot tell : he, however, assumes 

 lameness has existed, has endured for some period, and he fears that the 

 organ which has been afflicted may retain a liability to repeated visita- 

 tions of a similar misfortune. 



The so-called model foot is very liable to change, and not less likely 

 to exhibit disease. It is very pretty to look at ; but it does not, as a 

 rule, undergo much work without alteration. This opinion, however, 

 must be regarded only as announcing a general law ; for though the in- 

 telligent Mr. Bracy Clarke puts forth engravings illustrative of the effects 

 which work produces upon the model foot, nevertheless the writer of the 

 present volume has seen hoofs of this description which have, without 

 apparent injury, endured constant shoeing, as well as perpetual battering 

 upon the dreaded London pavement. 



The slanting crust, weak heels, and low soles are, however, not to be 

 commended. These are among the worst points which the equine form 

 can present, and they are too commonly the forerunners of sad internal 

 disease, as ossified cartilages, sand crack, pumice foot, etc. 



After long reflection, the author must express a preference for the high 

 or the stubborn hoof. When doing this, he is consciously opposing his 

 unsupported opinion against the firmly and repeatedly expressed judg- 

 ment of his professional brethren. He therefore can ask no man to 

 agree with his decision ; but he humbly requests the reader to peruse 

 the grounds of his conviction, before hastily condemning its declaration. 



The horse is a native of a dry and an arid soil. Such a region in- 

 duces that which the inhabitants of this country stigmatize as an excess 

 of horn or an abnormally high sole. This kind of hoof therefore would 

 appear to be natural to the animal : at all events, such a foot must have 

 been general before the invention of iron shoes. Moreover, when the 

 immense weight of the creature's carcass is considered, and the manner 

 in which bearing is increased by speed is also properly regarded, a 

 necessity for the stoutest hoof must be fully apparent. 



In addition to the above inferences, the author may advance his own 

 observation, carefully made through a number of years : that all animals 

 exhibiting strong crusts are not, necessarily, cripples; but that the 

 creature with such a development of horn is in consequence less, infi- 

 nitely less, liable to pedal derangements. The contrary conclusion has 

 been upheld, because most men thought the excess of horn must check 

 expansion, and also severely pinch the internal structures. With regard 

 to the last deduction, all outward developments are produced by and are 

 governed by the inward organs which these shelter. The secreting 

 member may be soft, and the secreted substance may be hard ; still, by 



