588 



SHOEING. 



Such are, in their entirety, the complex functions of wKlch the 

 foot of the horse is the seat. 



As an organ of support, the foot has an essential duty, since 

 it is through it that the entire machine is put in connection with 



the ground, 

 while the point 

 at which it is 

 placed is in fact 

 the fulcrum of 

 the levers the 

 limbs-on which 

 all the locomo- 

 tive agencies 

 work. 



As an organ 

 of elasticity, its 

 duty is no less 

 important when 

 it is considered 

 what enormous 

 forces, the result 

 of the weight of 

 the animal com- 

 bined with its 

 powerful mus- 

 cular contrac- 

 tions, all bear 



on that apparatus, and that it is the means of neutralizing the con- 

 cussions which, without it, would be fatal to the entire mechan- 

 ism, and particularly so to the limbs. The elastic apparatus 

 furnished by the foot of the horse is very complex, for the greater 

 part of the elements of which it is made up are conducive to this 

 purpose. 



A. The three phalanges obliquely inclined on the metacarpals 

 or metatarsals, and sustained behind by the ligamentary and ten- 

 donous apparatus which has been mentioned, constitute an admir- 

 able means of neutralizing the weight of the body. At each step 

 it is seen to yield and spring back like a bow that is bent and re- 



FIG. 375. Foot with lateral cartilage in place, with 



outlines of nerves, ligaments, etc. 



Drawn from Manikin. 



