HOESE-SHOEING. I43 



efficiency, but also make this insensitive case a most useful organ of 

 touch. 



The growth of the horn takes place by the deposition of new ma- 

 terial from the secreting surface ; this deposition is effected at the 

 commencement or root of the fibres ; where the horn is jet soft, and 

 its incessant operation causes these fibres to be mechanically extended 

 or pushed downward toward the ground in a mass. Once formed 

 they are submitted to no other change than that of becoming denser, 

 harder, less elastic, and drier, as they recede farther from the surface' 

 from which they originated. 



So regular is this growth generally in every part of the hoof that 

 it would appear that the secreting membrane is endowed with an 

 equal activity throughout. 



But, though this equality in the amount of horn secreted over so 

 wide a surface is an undoubted fact, yet it must not be forgotten 

 that, under the influence of certain conditions, the growth or descent 

 of the corneous material may be effected in an irregular manner, 

 either through a particular portion of the secretory apparatus as' 

 Burning a more energetic activity or being hindered more or less in its 

 function. 



For instance, the way in which the foot is planted on the ground 

 has a most marked influence, not only on the amount of horn 

 secreted, but also on that subjected to wear. 



When the superincumbent weight is equally distributed over the 

 lower face of the hoof, the foot may be said to be properly placed as 

 a basis of support to the limb ; but when, through mismanagement 

 or defective form, this base is uneven— one side higher than the 

 other, for example— the weight must fall on the lowest part to a 

 greater degree than the highest ; thus causing not only disturbance 

 in the direction of the limb and its movements, but considerably 

 modifying the growth of the horn. This growth is diminished at the 

 part subjected to most pressure— in all probability from the smaller 



