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THE WALL 



i 



is that portion of the hoof which is visible when the horse is 

 'standing. The different portions of the wall, viewed exter- 

 nally, are respectively denominated the toe, the inner or outer 

 toe, the quarters and the heels; terms sufficiently self-explan- 

 atory. 



COMPOSITION 1 OF THE WALL. 



The great body of the wall is composed of a dense fibrous 

 mass, the fibres being bound together by a glutinous material 

 •called the horny matrix. The internal surface consists wholly 

 of the horny matrix, and is laminated. 



FORM OF THE WALL. 



The wall presents some peculiarities of form, which it is not 

 unimportant to be familiar with. These are noticed by Turner 

 in the following paragraph : 



" On inspecting the unshod foot of a four-year-old colt (which 

 is fully developed at that period of life), it has been the fashion 

 for veterinary writers to consider its ground surface as a circle. 

 To this I have much objection, having always been struck by 

 the great inequality of its two sides, not only as to the addi- 

 tional thickness of the wall of the outer quarter in comparison 

 to the inner, but the still greater difference in compass or cir- 

 cularity ; the outer quarter furnishing far more than is neces- 

 sary to form the half-circle, while the inside is generally much 

 less than a semi-circle. This bulge, or fine luxuriant growth 

 of the outside quarter is generally most apparent toward the 

 heel, not only forming a much broader basis of support for the 

 superstructure than the inside, but also one of immense 

 strength. The inside column of wall being less strong, and 

 yet placed more immediately under the centre of gravity, it 

 appears to me quite obvious that Nature intended the outer 

 quarter should serve as the main prop of support, whilst the 

 inside quarter, in proportion to the weight and speed of the 

 animal, should expand and oppose concussion." 



