HORSES' HOOFS 31 



(the part freshly secreted by the quick) is moist, 

 and as you proceed to the surface of the sole it 

 gradually gets dryer, the outer part being almost 

 entirely free from moisture and admirably adapt- 

 ed to protect the inner and moister part until it 

 is gradually forced outward by fresh growth 

 from within and becomes in its turn a " stopping' * 

 for the inner and freshly formed layer of sole. 

 What happens if the knife is used instead of 

 nature being allowed to go on with its own pro- 

 cess of desquamation? Why, the deeper parts of 

 the sole become exposed to the action of the air 

 before they are prepared for it by a gradual pro- 

 cess of drying, and abruptly dry and contract. 

 This is what causes the sole to become increased- 

 ly cupped, and the hoof to become contracted in 

 a great measure. The stopping of horses' hoofs 

 is not always necessary if the sole is left, as it 

 should be, in an unmutilated condition, unless 

 horses are made to stand a great deal upon dry 

 floors. Much of the fuss and waste of time and 

 material involved in the stopping of horses' hoofs 

 are based on error. All that is necessary to re- 

 move the sole in a normal foot is accomplished 

 when the rasp is flatly applied to the lower sur- 

 face of the wall in reducing it to its proper dimen- 

 sions. The thicker the sole the better, provided it 

 does not project below the wall, or receive too 

 much pressure from the shoe. One can readily 



