320 THE HORSE 



high as to result in severe heel concussion, and so 

 narrow as to restrict the elastic play of the frog, 

 which normally greatly modifies and alleviates the 

 concussion of the foot when the horse is in rapid 

 motion. If this elastic cushion becomes hard and 

 somewhat unresponsive, it will not be long before the 

 other members of the foot will suffer. If the trouble 

 is not alleviated quickly, the heel contracts and the 

 non- sensitive envelope of the foot becomes too small 

 for the internal sensitive portions. Horses with high, 

 narrow heels should be shod frequently, and a liberal 

 portion of the hoof should be pared away. 



The foot may be but slightly affected, in which case 

 a spirited horse will not limp when driven. It is not 

 an uncommon thing for horsemen to dispose of their 

 horses before the unsoundness can be detected by the 

 inexperienced purchaser. However, even if the animal 

 be but slightly affected, if it be left entirely quiet for a 

 little time, it usually thrusts out one front foot ahead 

 of the other, thus relieving the foot of some of its 

 normal weight. If both feet are affected, the horse 

 may ease first one and then the other. 



In this work- a -day world, it matters little to the 

 commoner whether a horse trots a mile in three min- 

 utes, or three minutes and forty and one-half seconds, 

 but the character of the feet does matter. In addition 

 to good inherited feet, see to it that the horse is not 

 ignorantly driven, and that his feet receive appropriate 

 attention in the stable. Having seen to all this, we 

 may approach the blacksmith shop with a clear con- 

 science. 



