HORSES' HOOFS 27 



Besides Jiaving the toes too long, the heels are 

 allowed to grow down, taking all the pressure 

 off the frog. Nature intended the frog to bear 

 its proper proportion of weight, and, if it doesn't 

 do so, it shrinks, the heels contract, and the inner 

 quarter curls in and acts as a wedge between the 

 shoe and the quick, and is thereby another cause 

 of corns. Too long a hoof hastens fatigue, as 

 the increased exertion necessary in raising and 

 advancing the foot in progression augments the 

 expenditure of force. The tendency to "inter- 

 fere" is also much increased. 



This prejudice in favor of keeping the hoofs 

 long has been brought about and encouraged 

 largely by the example and expressed opinions of 

 dealers. A dealer sells a horse with long hoofs, 

 and the purchaser sends him to the forge. The 

 shoer, unless he has been otherwise definitely in- 

 structed, and if he understands what is best for 

 the horse's legs and feet, will reduce the hoofs to 

 their normal proportions. When the owner 

 drives or rides his new purchase again, he finds 

 the action curtailed, and thinks the horse is going 

 sore. He applies to the seller of the horse, who 

 tells him that he has had his feet cut away so 

 much that it has made him sore. This might be 

 the case in exceptional instances, but very 

 rarely. 



In addition to reduction of the hoofs in size, 



