140 HOBSE-SHOEING. 



force of the weight and movement ; and, in both cases, not only with 

 impunity, but with advantage to the interior of the foot, as well as 

 the limb. The horn on this face is, as has been said, dense, tough 

 and springy to a degree varying with the parts of which it is com- 

 posed ; while its fibres are not only admirably disposed to support 

 weight, secure a firm grasp of the ground, and aid the movements of 

 the limbs, but are also an excellent medium for modifying concussion 

 or jar to the sensitive and vascular structure in their vicinity. 



• The whole circumference of the wall meets the ground, and from 

 the disposition of its fibres, the arrangement of the cells which enter 

 into their composition, and its rigidity, it is admirably fitted to resist 

 wear and sustain pressure. It projects more or less beyond the level 

 of the sole, and the space measured between the white zone within it 

 and its outer surface gives its exact thickness. This is a fact not 

 without interest to the farrier in the operation of attaching the shoe 

 by nails, as these have to be driven only through this dense horn 

 — which in good hoofs cannot be said to much exceed half an inch in 

 thickness — and in proportion to its thinness is the necessity for care- 

 fulness and address on his part, in order to guard against wounding 

 or bruising the sensitive textures. 



The sole is more or less concave from its junction with the wall ; 

 nevertheless, even on moderately firm ground, a portion of its circum* 

 ference, which is generally the thickness of the wall, takes a share in 

 relieving the latter of pressure. This is also a fact to be borne in mind. 

 In soft ground, the whole of its lower surface is made to aid in sus- 

 taining the weight and prevent the foot sinking. But it must be 

 noted that the pressure of the lower face of the pedal bone on 

 the upper surface of the sole can never be very great, else the 

 sensitive membrane between them would be seriously injured. 



