CHAPTER V. 



THE SHOEING OF MULES AND ASSES. 



Mules and asses used on htird roads, either in draught or 

 under the saddle, must necessarily be shod. In these animals 

 the formation and functions of the hoof are precisely similar to 

 those of the horse, the form alone dififering somewhat. The 

 mule's hoof is long' and narrow, round at the toe, possesses 

 somewhat upright quarters and a concave sole. In the ass the 

 elongated form is still more pronounced. The horn of the wall 

 is thick, the entire frog well developed, especially in its 



Fig. 306.— Hind-foot of ass, 

 seen from below. 



Fig. 307.— Fore-foot of ass, 

 seen from below. 



Fig. 308.— Fore-foot of mule, 

 seen from below. 



limbs, and, therefore, the posterior portion of the hoof is com- 

 paratively wide (see fig. 306). In both animals the horn is 

 very tough. In proportion to the size of the hoof, and com- 

 pared with small equine hoofs, the thickness of the wall in 

 mules and asses is very marked. In mules the hoof at the 

 toe is from |^ inch to i inch, at the quarters -^ inch less, and 

 at the heels about \ inch in thickness. In asses the thickness 



