THE FOOT. 329 



or less sensitive. It is particularly seen in the meridional races, upon 

 very active and energetic subjects. It is the more defective as it is 

 more disproportionate with the volume of the body and the height of 

 the animal. 



A semi-covered shoe with a good garniture that is to say, pro- 

 jecting beyond the border of the wall more than usual externally and 

 internally eases the foot much. 1 



Narrow Foot. This variety of foot differs from the preceding 

 by the meagre development of its transverse diameter as compared to 

 its antero-posterior diameter. Its toe acquires an exaggerated length, 

 which augments, consequently, that of the pastern to the detriment of 

 the tendons, as we have already seen. (See Pastern, page 301.) It 

 is also, like the small foot, subject to contraction, that is to say, ap- 

 proximation or narrowing of its posterior parts ; its shoeing is similar 

 to that of the small foot. 



Unequal Feet. The inequality of the volume of the feet 

 would be, without doubt, more rationally studied in the chapter on the 

 diseases, for it is rarely congenital. Be it as it may, such a conforma- 

 tion should be considered grave by reason of its cause. It is always 

 the smallest foot which, in this case, is the first to become diseased on 

 account of its relative weakness. Among the diseases of which it may 

 be the seat, contraction of the quarters and the heels occupies, without 

 contradiction, the first rank. It can be obviated in a certain measure 

 by applying a more covered (wider- webbed) but lighter shoe to which is 

 given garniture proportional to the reduction of the volume of the 

 hoof; it will be advisable to employ small nails. 



2. Defects of Conformation. 



Flat Foot. This foot is thus named on account of the flatness of 

 its plantar surface. It is ordinarily large, spreading, with an oblique 

 wall, low heels, very inclined bars, and a voluminous frog. It offers 

 more difficulties in shoeing than one is tempted to believe. The farrier 

 should apply a covered shoe sufficiently light and concave, in order 

 that it may not press on the sole, always very little arched ; he will 

 spare the heels and dress the frog only superficially ; the toe should be 

 well raised up and the heel flat, never thickened ; besides, the farrier 

 should drive the nails at a suitable inclination, so that they may not be 



1 The French system of shoeing is entirely different from and, it would seem, inferior to 

 the American. 



