HORSE-SHOEING. 159 



The newly-formed torn is soft and spongy, and incapable of 

 resisting exposure to the air, but as it is pushed further away 

 from this surface by successive deposits of fresh material, it 

 becomes old horn, loses its moisture, and in doing so acquire^ 

 hardness and rigidity sufficient to withstand external influences ; 

 then it is subjected to wear, and if this be insufficient to reduce it 

 sufficiently, it falls off in scales. But the process of exfoliation is 

 not a rapid one ; the flakes remain attached to the solid horn 

 beneath, more or less firmly, until it in turn commences to loosen 

 on the surface, and yield new flakes, when the old ones separate. 

 This natural diminution in the excess of horn of the sole is a 

 most beneficial process for the hoof. Horn is a slow conductor of 

 heat and cold, and when thick, retains moisture for a long period. 

 These flakes, then, act as a natural " stopping" to the hoof, by 

 accumulating and relating moisture beneath, and this not only 

 keeps the foot cool as it slowly evaporates, but ensures for the 

 solid and growing horn its toughness, elasticity and proper 

 development. In addition to this, every flake acts more or less 

 as a spring in warding off bruises or other injuries to the sole ; 

 and thus the floor of the horny box is protected from injury, 

 externally and internally. 



What occurs when the farrier, following out the routine of his 

 craft, or obeying the injunctions of those as ignorant as himself, 

 or so prejudiced as not to be able to reason, pares the sole until it 

 springs to the pressure of his thumb ? Why, the lower surface of 

 the foot — that which is destined to come into contact with the 

 around, and to encounter its inequalities, and which more than 

 any other part requires to be efficiently shielded — is at once 

 ruthlessly denuded of its protection, and exposed to the most 

 serious injury. The immature horn, stripped of its outer cover- 

 ing, immediately begins to experience the evil effects of external 



