220 HOW TO SHOE A HORSE. 



fettered by iron and nails, it is obvious that that portion, 

 at least, cannot expand as before ; and the beautifal and 

 efficient apparatus for effecting this necessary elasticity, 

 being no longer allowed to act by reason of these restraints, 

 becomes altered in structure : and the continued operation 

 of the same causes, in the end, circumscribes the elasticity 

 to those parts alone where no nails have been driven, — 

 giving rise to a train of consequences destructive to the 



a. Is a broad flat mass of horn, projecting upwards into the middle of the elastic 

 cushion, and is called the " frog stay." 



b h. Are two horny projections rising into the cavity of the hoof formed by the 

 commissures. 



c c. Are portions of the same projections, and are situated just under the two ends of 

 the navicular bone, and mark the point on either side where diminution in the 

 natural elasticity of the fatty frog would be felt with the greatest severity by 

 the navicular joint : for under the most favorable circumstances, the quantity 

 of cushion between these points and the navicular joint cannot be very large ; 

 and hence the importance of our doing all we can to preserve its elasticity as 

 long as possible. 



soundness of the foot, and fatal to the usefulness of the 

 horse.* 



The toe of the fore foot is the thickest and strongest 

 portion of the hoof, and is in consequence less expansive 

 than any other part, and therefore better calculated to 

 resist the effect of the nails and shoe. The thickness of 

 the horn gradually diminishes towards the quarters and 



* The horse's foot, and how to keep it sound, with illustrations, by Wra 

 Miles, Esq. 



