332 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



must, however, be employed, for the toe is not as long as it might 

 appear. The latter should be shortened as much as possible. The 

 shoe should be closely fitted at the toe and well sunk into the wall at 

 this point ; its extremities also must be kept somewhat long. Plates 

 of leather under the heels or the English patents, by tilting the hoof 

 forward, will contribute to re-establish its normal axis. 



Low and sloping heels are phenomena peculiar to the fore-feet. 



3. Defects of the Axis. 



Outbow-footed. The outbowed foot is that in which the 

 toe is turned outward ; it is more frequently observed in the posterior 

 members than in the anterior. We have already seen that this confor- 

 mation is associated in most instances with a deviation of the part of 

 the member below the knee or the hock ; but it may also be due to a 

 mere change in the axis of the foot. In either case the hoof will soon 

 show the effects of this vicious direction of its axis. The internal 

 quarter, pressed towards the median line, and consequently more sur- 

 charged, has a tendency to contract and press upon the living tissues 

 below. The animal, besides, almost invariably strikes the opposite 

 member with this quarter, as is well known. This is the principal 

 accident which the farrier is called upon to prevent. Paring the 

 external quarter more will ease the internal, which is always weaker ; 

 the axis will thus be regulated in the greatest measure possible. The 

 shoe must not project beyond the wall at the external mamma or at 

 the internal quarter ; the heels should be of equal length and width. 

 It is only after several shoeings that certain feet may be straightened. 1 



Parrot-toed Foot, Cross-footed. This is a defect diametri- 

 cally opposed to the preceding, and has inverse deformities. Here it 

 is the toe which is turned inward, and much more frequently in the 

 fore- than in the hind-foot, The internal quarter is stronger and rela- 

 tively more prominent than the external, the heel of which is contracted 

 and bruised quite easily. The horse, in this case, interferes with the 

 mamma. Hence, before the shoe is adjusted, the internal mamma and 

 the anterior part of the corresponding quarter must be well rasped off, 

 so as to lower that side of the foot. The shoe will have to be close- 

 fitting on the inside, well " garnished" and slightly covered on the out- 

 side ; the garniture of its heels should be equal on both sides. 



Crooked Foot. The crooked foot is that in which the hoof is 



1 This defect is so obstinate to treatment by shoeing because it is often dependent upon 

 anatomical alterations of the phalanges and their articular surfaces, which cannot be modified. 



