CHAPTER IX 



DEFECTS OF THE HOOF. 



A. Changes of Form. 



1. The Flat and the Full Hoof (Dropped Sole). 



(a) Flat Hoof. — A flat hoof is one whose toe and side walls 

 are inclined very obliquely to the ground surface, and whose 

 sole is on a level with the bearing-surface of the wall. 



It exists most often in horses bred in low-lying, marshy 

 countries. 



Frequently the frog is well developed, and projects con- 

 siderably beyond the level of the wall. The branches of the 

 sole sink perceptibly under the weight of the body, much more 

 than in better-formed hoofs. 



Preparing the Hoof for the Shoe. — The rule is to spare the 

 plantar surface of the foot. After removing from the sole 



what little loose horn there 

 may be, level the usually defi- 

 cient bearing-surface of the 

 wall with the rasp. The outer 

 border of the wall, especially 

 at the toe, should be rounded 

 off rather more strongly than 

 usual, because the toe requires 

 and will bear considerable 

 shortening. Outward bend- 

 insufficient height of bearing-edge of wall and Jj^^g ^f ^^^ Jo^gj. border of the 

 therefore a corresponding downward and in- " 



ward inclination of the bearing-surface of wall should bc rcmOVed aS far 

 the shoe. . . • i i 



as it IS practicable to do so. 

 The shoe, which should be rather wider in the web and 

 thicker than usual, should have its bearing-surface shaped to 

 182 



Cross-section of a shod flat foot: 

 ciently high bearing-edge of wall, and a 

 horizontal bearing-surface on the shoe; b, 



