592 SHOEING. 



C. The natural hoof is not only flexible, as is affirmed by 

 Lafosse, but perfectly elastic, since it recoils on itself after having 

 been lightly opened behind. Open behind by nature evidently 

 with intention, for nature does nothing in vain when the plantar 

 cushion comes to be compressed, and bears upon the lateral cartil- 

 ages of the bones of the foot, these cartilages transmit the pressure 

 received to the quarters and heels of the wall, which yield and 

 open slightly, drawing with them in their movement the branches 

 of the sole, which itself, pressed also by the plantar cushion, sinks 

 a little ; at the same time the frog, in direct contact on its superior 

 surface with the plantar cushion, lodged in part in its folds, opens 

 them, unfolds them a little, and forces the branches to open also. 

 All these movements are certainly very slight, much less sensible 

 than Bracy-Clark affirms, but nevertheless very perceptible, when 

 studied on young subjects which have not as yet been shod, and 

 in which the diverse functions of the foot are yet complete. The 

 older the subject, the more obscure they become. 



It is to these diverse motions of flexion and extension of the 

 phalangeal arrangement, the spreading and retraction of the 

 plantar cushion and the horny case, that is owing the deadening 

 and extinction of the forces transmitted by the limbs, or of the 

 shocks of the ground ; and they are the combined result of func- 

 tions which it is necessary to preserve in their fullest integrity. 



As an organ of touch, the foot of the horse is, in spite of its 

 horny envelope, a very delicate organ. This is proved by the 

 great number of nerves which anatomy shows to enter into its 

 organization, the knowledge which it possesses of the condition of 

 the ground over which it moves, and on which it preserves its 

 equilibrium at different paces, whatever may be the form of the 

 ground, its consistency, its inequalities, or the obstacles with 

 which it is strewn. 



