SECTIOjN^ II. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE FOOT IN ITS RELATION TO THE ENTIRE LIMB. 



The shape of the horse's hoof is so largely influenced by the 

 conformation of the limb to which it is attached, that, before 

 proceeding to more closely study the former, it will be helpful 

 to devote a short space to the limb itself. The variations in 

 conformation of the limb largely determine the style of going, 

 the form of the hoof, and the distribution of weight. These 

 factors deserve our best consideration, for in shoeing sometimes 

 one, sometimes another, and sometimes all three become of 

 very great importance, and, broadly speaking, neither the trim- 

 ming of the feet nor the selection and fitting of the shoe can 

 be correctly performed without an intelligent appreciation of 

 the conformation of the limb and its action. The necessary 

 knowledge cannot be learnt from books. More can be gained 

 from the study of large diagrams ; but without much practice 

 and steady observation of living horses, both at rest and in 

 motion^ printed instructions are of little value. The best means 

 of all is study under the direction of a competent teacher, who 

 will amplify his lectures by demonstrations on the living 

 animal. 



1. Conformation of the Limbs. 



The conformation of the limbs depends upon the varying 

 lengths of the individual bones, and upon the angles which 

 they make one with another. Horses, however, do not always 

 move as one might anticipate, and the observer, before coming 

 to an opinion, should view the horse both at rest and in motion. 



