and reefaining' its former state, when the force is withdrawn ; 

 indeed so imperfect is this power of retraction, that a long- 

 continued apjillca.tion of very moderate force is sufficient to 

 destroy it altogetlier ; whereas in the elastic structures of 

 the horse's foot the po-^ser of retracting, and springing back 

 to the former state is so perfect, and so far exceeds the 

 power of yielding, that no force, which could be appHed to 

 it through the medium of the weight, or action of the horse, 

 could overcome, or even derange it. 



The toe of the fore foot is the thickest and strongest por- 

 tion of the hoof, and is in consequence less yielding, than 

 any other part, and therefore better calculated to resist the 

 eflPect of the nails and shoe. Tlie thickness of the horn 

 gradually diminishes towards the quarters and heels, parti- 

 cularly on the inner side of the foot, whereby the power 

 of yielding and expanding to the weight of the horse is 

 proportionably increased, clearly indicating, that those parts 

 cannot be nailed to an unyielding bar of iron without a 

 most mischievous interference with the natural functions of 

 the foot. In the hind foot the greatest thickness of horn 

 will be found in the quarters and heels, and not, as in the 

 fore foot, at the toe. This difference in the thickness of 

 horn is beautifully adapted to the inequality of the weight, 

 which each has to sustain, the force, with which it is ap- 

 plied, and the portions of the hoof, upon which it falls. 

 The toe of the fore foot encoimters the combined force and 

 weight of the forehand and body; and consequently in a 

 state of nature is exposed to considerable wear and tear ; 

 and calls for greater strength and substance of horn, than 



