312 



THE HORSE. 



as wide at the heel as the frog- will permit, in order to cover the seat of 



corn. 



On the foot side it is seated. The outer part of it is accurately flat, and 

 of the width of the crust, and designed to support the crust, and the 

 crust only, for it has already been proved that by the crust alone, or rather 

 by the union between the numerous little plates'proceeding from the crust 

 and the covering of the coffin-bone, the whole weight of the horse is sup- 

 ported. Towards the heel this flattened part is wider and occupies the 

 whole breadth of the web, to support (see page 283) the heel of the 

 crust and its reflected part the bar: thus, while ^ it defends the horn in- 

 cluded within this angle from injury, it gives that equal pressure upon the 

 bar and the crust, which is the best preventive against corn, and a powerful 

 obstacle to contraction. 



It is fastened to the foot by nine nails, five on the outside, and four on 

 the inner side of the shoe; those on the outside extending a little farther 

 down towards the heel, because the outside heel is thicker and stronger, 

 and there is more nail-hold ; the last nail on the inner quarter being farther 

 from the heel on account of the weakness of that quarter. For feet not too 

 large, and where moderate work only is required from the horse, four nails 

 on the outside, and three on the inside, will be sufficient ; and the last nail 

 being Air from the heels, will allow more expansion there. 



The inside part of the web is bevelled ofi; or rendered concave, that it 

 may not press upon the sole. Notwithstanding our iron fetter, the sole 

 does, although to a very inconsiderable extent, descend when the foot of 

 the horse is put on the ground. It is unable to bear constant or even 

 occasional pressure, and if it came in contact with the shoe, the sensible 

 sole, between the horny sole and the coffin-bone, would be bruised, and 

 lameness would ensue. Many of our horses, from too early and undue 

 work, have the natural concave sole flattened, and the disposition to de- 

 scend and the degree of descent are thereby increased. The concave shoe 

 prevents, even in this case, the possibility of injury, because the sole can 

 never descend in the degree in which the shoe is bevelled. A shoe bevelled 

 still further is necessary to protect the projecting or pumiced foot. 



