HORSESHOEING. 89 



against drying out of the hoof, are absolutely necessary, because 

 the movements of the different structures within the foot and 

 the changes of form that occur at each step are indispensable in 

 presenting the health of the hoof. Long-continued rest in the 

 stable, drying out of the hoof, and shoeing decrease or alter the 

 physiological movements of the foot, and these lead under cer- 

 tain conditions to foot diseases, ^^^th which the majority of 

 horse owners are entirely unacquainted. 



As an outward, visible indication of the mobility of the 

 quarters upon the shoe Ave may point to the conspicuous, brightly 

 polished, and often sunken spots, or grooves, upon the ends of 

 the branches. They are produced partly by an in-and-out 

 motion of the walls at the quarters, and partly by a forward 

 and backward gliding of the quarters upon the shoe. 



The benefits of these physiological movements within the 

 hoof are manifold : 



1. Through them shock is dispersed and the body protected 

 from the evil consequences of concussion or shock. 



2. These movements increase the elasticity of the entire 

 limb, and in this way contribute much to a light and elegant gait. 



3. They maintain a lively circulation of blood in the vessels 

 of the pododerm, and this insures a rapid growth of horn. 



Since it is a generally accepted fact that shoeing interferes 

 with the physiological movements of the hoof, alters them, in- 

 deed, almost suppresses them, and that all these movements are 

 spontaneous and natural only in sound unshod hoofs, we are 

 justified in regarding shoeing as a necessary evil. However, it 

 is indispensable if we wish to render horses serviceable upon 

 hard artificial roads. If, in shoeing, consideration be given to 

 the structure and functions of the hoof, and particularly to 

 the hoof-surface of the shoe, the ends of the branches being 

 provided with a smooth, level bearing-surface, which allows 

 free play to the elastic horn capsule, in so far as this is not 

 hindered by the nails we need have no fear of subsequent dis- 

 ease of the hoofs, provided the horse is used with reason and 

 receives proper care. 



