AND MALFORMATIONS OF THE FEET. 117 



heavy draught horses are very likely to produce 

 this, as well as other diseases of the hock. 



95. In the treatment of the injuries and diseases Shoes to be 

 above discussed, such frequent reference has been 



made to the advantage gained by the use of three- 

 quarter shoes, or of shoes raised at the heels, or at 

 one heel only, that we must, before concluding, 

 guard ourselves against being supposed to recom- 

 mend such shoes, except in special cases. 



A natural bearing and a natural tread is a matter 

 of primary importance to the horse. All that 

 interferes with it is an evil, although in some cases 

 necessary. 



96. The shape of a good foot at its lower or Shape of 

 ground surface nearly approaches that of the circle, 



with the crust growing down at an angle of 

 about 45°. 



The ground surface of the foot has doubtless 

 been made circular, because that form aifords 

 within a given circumference a greater weight- 

 bearing space than any other. Other circum- 

 stances, however, require a slight modification of 

 this form. The continuity of the circle is somewhat 

 broken at the heels by the insertion of the wedge- 

 like frog, and in front it is slightly squared off by 

 the wearing away of the toes. Again, the circular 

 form is less perfect on the inner than on the outer 



