ARTISTIC HORSE -SHOEING. 23 



" The sole is more or less concave from its junction with 

 the wall; nevertheless, even on moderately firm ground, a 

 portion of its circumference, wiiich is generally the thick- 

 ness of the wall, takes a share in relieving- the latter of 

 pressure. This is also a fact to be borne in mind. In soft 

 g-round, the Avhole of its lower surface is made to aid in 

 sustaining the weight and prevent the foot sinking. But 

 it must be noted that the pressure of the lower face of the 

 pedal bone on the upper surface of the sole can never be 

 very great, else the sensitive membrane between them 

 w^ould be seriously injured. This injury is prevented by 

 the coronary, and, to a lesser extent, by the plantar cush- 

 ion, which largely retard the descent of the bone on the 

 floor of the horn}^ box. 



"The frog, on both hard and soft ground, is an essential 

 portion of the weight-bearing face. In the unshod, healthy 

 foot it alwa3'S projects beyond the level of the sole, and sel- 

 dom below that of the wall at the heels; indeed, it is found, 

 in the majorit}^ of hoofs, either on a level with the circum- 

 ference of this part, or be^^ond it, so that its contact wath 

 the ground is assured. Hence its utility in obviating con- 

 cussion, supporting the tendons, and, on slippery ground, 

 in preventing falls. In pulling up a horse sharply in the 

 gallop, or in descending a steep hill, the frog, together with 

 the angular recess formed by the bar and wall at the heel 

 of the hoof, are eminently serviceable in checking the tend- 

 ency to slip; the animal instinctively^ plants the posterior 

 portions of the foot exclusively on the ground. 



" Dark hoofs are generally the best ; they owe their color 

 to the presence of minute particles of black pigment, which 



