100 EAISIKG THE HEELS. 



These several matters I shall briefly consider in the order 

 stated ; and then conclude the present section with such remarks 

 and observations with respect to the general treatment of the 

 foot, as the subject may require. 



Eaising the Heels. — The advantages which attend the 

 use of caulkens to the heels of the hind feet shoes, will become 

 obvious to the reader, if he reflects upon the difference of form 

 and structure between the fore and hind limbs ; and also upon 

 the different duties they are constituted and adapted for. 



The limbs of a horse are not only columns for support, but 

 they are also a series of levers and fulcrums. The bones of the 

 limbs are so placed as to present to the eye of an observer, a 

 succession of beautiful and ever varying angles and curves. 

 The bones of the fore limbs are for the most part placed at 

 angles of an obtuse character ; while those of the hind limbs 

 are acute, or more abrupt in their general appearance. The 

 fore limbs during the act of locomotion are engaged in receiving, 

 supporting, and carrying forward the weight, which the hind 

 limbs are engaged in lifting and propelling onward; and it is 

 this difference in their duties that constitutes the necessity for 

 the component parts of each being differently arranged. The 

 levers are the muscles and the tendons ; the fulcrums are the 

 bones, both as they exist in their single state, or arranged as 

 they are to form joints. Now amongst the principal fulcrums 

 or centres of motion belonging to the hind limbs, are the hock 

 and the fetlock joints ; and experience has proved that these 

 joints, and the levers in connection with them, are the parts 

 most liable to injury from over exertion. The common con- 

 sequences of which (particularly if aided by predisposition 

 arising from imperfection of structure, and bad formation of the 

 joints) are sprains, curbs, and spavins ; consequences which to 

 a certain extent are preventable, or where in existence, -can 



