412 Types and Market Classes of Liv6 Stock 



so that a straight-edge laid against the wall from coronet to ground 

 parallel to the direction of the horn tubules will touch at every point. 

 The wall should be covered with the outer varnish-like layer of horn 

 and should show no cracks or clefts. Every hoof shows "ring forma- 

 tion," but the rings should not be strongly marked and should always 

 run parallel to the coronet. Strongly marked rings are evidence of a 

 weak hoof, and when limited to a part of the wall are evidence of 

 previous local inflammation. The bulbs of the heels should be full, 

 rounded, and of equal height. The sole should be well hollowed out, 

 the frog well developed, the cleft of the frog broad and shallow, the 

 spaces between the bars and the frog wide and shallow, the bars straight 

 from buttress toward the point of the frog, and the buttresses them- 

 selves so far apart as not to press against the frog. The lateral -car- 

 tilages should yield readily to finger pressure. Some horsemen object 

 to a white hoof, believing it to be less durable, but a white hoof is as 

 good as a dark-colored one. Horn of good quality is fine grained and 

 tough, while poor horn is coarse grained and either too mellow and 

 friable or hard and brittle. 



