THE BARS. 283 



The colour of the hoof is a matter of some consequence. There is 

 a common, and we believe a well-founded prejudice against white feet, and 

 especially whiteness of the near foot. White horn is said to be weaker than 

 that of the usual dark colour ; the sole is almost uniformly flat, and the 



quarters are weak. ,, . , 



The inside of the crust is covered by numerous thm horny leaves, ex- 

 tending- all round it, and reaching from the coronary ring to the toe. 

 They are about 500 in number, broadest at their base, and terminating 

 in the most delicate expansion of horn. They very much resemble the 

 inner surface of a mushroom. In front they run in a direction from 

 the coronet to the toe, and towards the quarters they .are more slanting 

 from behind forward. They correspond with similar cartilaginous and 

 fleshy leaves on the surface of the cofRn-bone, called, from their con- 

 struction, sensible laminae, or lamellce (little leaves that have feeling), and 

 the one being received within the other, they form together a most elastic 

 body, by which the whole weight of the horse is supported. 



THE BARS. 



a a The frog. 

 b The sole, 

 c c The bars, 

 (/r/ The crust. 



At the back part of the foot, the wall of the hoof, instead of ^ being 

 continued round, and forming a circle, is suddenly bent in, as in the 

 accompanying cut, where d represents the base of the crust, and c this 

 inflexion or bending of it. The cut will shew that we do not refer to that 

 bend, which forms the cleft of the frog, but to a more sudden one, con- 

 stituting the commencement of the bars. The bars are, in fact, a 

 continuation of the crust, forming an acute angle, and meeting at a point 

 at the toe of the frog a : and the inside of the bars, like the inside of the 

 crust (see the preceding cut), presents a continuance of the horny leaves 

 which we have just described, shewing that it is a part of the same sub- 

 stance, and helping to discharge the same office. 



It needs only the slightest consideration of the cut, or of the natural 

 hoof, to shew the importance of the bars. The arch which they form on 

 either side, between the frog and the quarters, is admirably contrived, both 

 to admit of, and to limit to its proper extent, the expansion of the foot. 

 When the foot is placed on the ground, and the weight of the animal is 

 thrown on the little leaves, of which we have just spoken, we can imagine 

 these arches shortening and widening, in order to admit of the expansion 

 of the quarters ; and we can see again the bow returning to its natural 

 curve, and powerfully assisting the foot in regaining its usual form. We 

 can also perceive what protection these bars must form against the con- 

 traction, or wiring in of the quarters. If they are taken away, there 

 will be nothing to resist the falling of the quarters when the foot is exposed 

 to any disease or bad management which would induce it to contract. 

 Again, we see the security which they afford to the frog a ; and the 

 effectual protection which they give against the pressure of the lateral or 

 side parts of the foot. Then appears the necessity of sparing and leaving 

 them prominent when the foot is pared for shoeing. It is the custom with 



