126 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 



THE MULE. 



As this '' drudg'e of all servants" is of a different variety 

 of the same species as the horse, his foot also [partakes of 

 the difference. Upon examining- it, we find that in front 

 the mule's foot is round and full. From the quarters to 

 the heels, however, the difference in its shape appears, 

 instead of inclining- at an ang-le equal with the face — as is 

 the case in the horse's hoof at the heels — it is nearly per- 

 pendicular. 



Care must be taken that the foot does not grow too long* 

 or too high at the heels or toe, as the outer frog- would 

 thus be prevented from touching- the g-round. The tendency 

 then would be for the hoof to contract on its g-round sur- 

 face. I have seen the walls at the feet come tog-ether, 

 from coronet to ground surface, until the foot was hardl}^ 

 more than half its natural diameter. The heels overlap- 

 ping each other, had crowded the bars and frog- out of 

 sight, raising the inner spur and bars as high as the 

 coronary band. As the crowding of the bars thus necessi- 

 tates a displacement of tlie internal structure of the coffin- 

 bone being raised behind, the weight presses it forward 

 against the laminae. The laminae in this part being- over- 

 tasked, soreness and finally lameness ensues. 



In many instances the mule is treated for lameness or 

 strains, when the proper remedy was to have had his feet 

 properly dressed and suitably shod. Bo not permit the 

 heels to g-row to an extreme height; pare them down as 

 much as can be safely done, and reset the shoes every three 



