THE HOUSE'S FOOT, 



ETC. 



In describing the various parts, wliicli compose the horse's 

 foot, it shall be my endeavour to avoid as much, as pos- 

 sible, all minute anatomical details and scientific technical 

 terms ; and to confine myself to a plain description of 

 those parts only, a general knowledge of which is essential 

 to the full understanding, of what is right, and what wrong 

 in the formation and application of the horse's shoe. 



The hoof is divided into homy crust or wall, sole, and frog. 



The horny crust is secreted by the numerous blood vessels 

 of that soft, protruding band, which encircles the upper edge 

 of the hoof immediately beneath the termination of the hair ; 

 and is divided into toe, quarters, heels, and bars ;""' its tex- 

 ture is insensible, but elastic throughout its whole extent ; 

 and, yielding to the weight of the horse, allows the horny 

 sole to yield, whereby much inconvenient concussion to the 

 internal parts of the foot is avoided : but if a large portion 

 of the circumference of the foot be fettered by iron and 

 nails, it is obvious, that that portion at least cannot expand, 

 as before ; and the beautiful and efficient apparatus for 

 effecting this necessary elasticity, being no longer allowed to 



* Plate 1. 



