F0K3I OF HOOF AS RELATED TO CONFORMATION. 



18- 



points outwards, the foot is not brought level to the ground 

 but with the outer wall of the toe first. 



When the toes are turned in (as in fig. 146) a somewhat 

 similar, but less pronounced, form of hoof is developed. The 

 inner wall is less oblique than the outer, as is best seen at the 

 quarters (figs. 162 and 163). The lower outer margin more 

 nearly resembles that of the ordinary hoof, but the wall of 

 the inner quarter and heel describes a somewhat greater curve. 

 Not infrequently the outer heel wall appears contracted. This 

 form of hoof is commonest in horses which bring the foot to 



i'lG. 177.— Eight fore-foot (out-turneil toe). 



Fig. 17S.— Kight fore-foot (iu-tiuued toe). 



the ground toe first. Front feet are almost invariably round 

 at the toe. 



The foreo'oino- remarks as to the influence of limb conforma- 

 tion in determining shape of hoof apply in most respects t<:> 

 hind as well as to fore feet. The hind-foot (fig. 179) is not 

 round, but elongated or oval at the toe. Its greatest width is 

 at the commencement of the posterior third. The sole is 

 usually more concave and the wall, seen from the side, some- 

 what more upright than the corresponding parts of the front 

 hoof; the angle which the toe forms with the ground varies 

 between 50^ and 55". 



At times, moreover, one sees unusuallv wide or narrow feet, 

 the shape of which is not due to the position of the limbs, but 

 to inborn peculiarities of the various breeds. 



The ' wide ' hoof (fig. 180) is broad, almost circular ; its 



