18 THE HORSE. 



taken for a good open foot, even though the horny cover- 

 ing is too thin and soft. Such a foot will not stand 

 much work; but if its peculiarities are not the result ot 

 disease, the foot may be considered SOUND. 



PERFECT FOOT. 



The intermediate foot, that is, a foot between the con- 

 tracted and open one, may be deemed perfection; but, as 

 this degree of excellence is rarely met with, we must be 

 satisfied with that which is the nearest approach to it. 



PUMICE SOLE. 



If the sole of the foot is in the slightest degree convex, 

 or lower at the middle than at the sides, it may be 

 inferred that the horse has had inflammation of the foot, 

 which has divided some of the" laminae that attach the 

 inner foot to the horny covering. These laminae, which 

 are one thousand in number, in the healthy foot support 

 the entire weight of the horse, as it were, on springs, 

 instead of letting it rest on the sole alone. In the early 

 stage of inflammation but few of these laminae are injured. 

 The presence of pumice-sole stamps the horse as 



UNSOUND. 



THE KNEES. 



Upon the spotless purity of the knees too much stress 

 is often laid, but security alone is the object to be con- 

 sidered. A properly-formed horse, with his fore and 

 hind quarters proportioned to each other, and his 

 action straight and true, will not fall, except from over 

 fatigue. Here do not deceive yourself, but take care, 



