144 HOESE-SHOEIXG. 



quantity of blood allowed to be circulated through the secretory 

 surface ; while to the side which is subjected to the least compression 

 the blood is abundantly supplied, and the formation of horn is con- 

 sequently augmented. This is a fact of much importance and 

 practical interest in farriery, as it demonstrates that an irregularity 

 in the distribution of the weight of the body on the foot has a 

 prejudicial effect on the secreting apparatus of the organ, and, as 

 a result, on the form of the hoof. 



When the weight is evenly imposed on the foot, this apparatus, 

 being uniformly compressed throughout its extent, receives every- 

 where an equal quantity of the horn-producing material. 



It is the same with the ivear of the hoof. A just disposition of 

 the weight is a necessary condition of the regularity of wear. While 

 the animal is standing on unshod hoofs the wear of horn is slight ; 

 it is in movement that it becomes increased, and this increase is 

 generally in proportion to the speed, the weight carried, nature of the 

 ground, and whether its surface be wet or dry. Each portion of tfie 

 lower face of the hoof — wall, sole, bars and frog — should take its 

 share of wear and strain ; but it will be readily understood that this 

 cannot be properly effected if the weight is thrown more upon one 

 side than the other. That part which receives the largest share will 

 be subjected to the greatest amount of loss from wear, and this, with 

 the diminished secretion of horn, will tend to distort foot and limb 

 still more. 



In a well-formed leg and foot the degrees of resistance of the 

 different parts of the hoof are so well apportioned to the amount of 

 wear to be sustained, that all are equally reduced by contact with the 

 ground, and the whole is maintained in a perfect condition as regards 

 growth and wear. 



The amount of growth, even in a well-proportioned foot, varies 

 considerably in different animals, according to the activity prevailing 



