70 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



CHAPTER IX. 



SHOEING AND CARE OF THE FEET. 



More money is annually spent in doctoring horses' 

 feet than for any other ailment of 

 their bodies, consequently the neces- 

 sity of sound feet in all horses is ap- 

 parent. This member, though seem- 

 ingly hard and callous, is in reality 

 delicate and sensitive. It is won- 

 derfully made and particularly 

 m oe] ( ^ ' \ ^ f I "^ jlf'*'*'^ adapted for the service it is intended 

 to perform. The foot consists of a 

 case or box, enclosing the soft deli- 

 HORSE's FOOT. catc parts. It is capable of a lim- 

 ited amount of elasticity; it resists shocks and is a bad 

 conductor of heat. 



The covering of the foot consists of the wall ot 

 crust, sole and frog, and each has its particular function. 

 The foot is easily affected by hard work and improper 

 shoeing. 



I The sole is at the bottom of the foot and 

 THE SOLE 



I has a V-shaped opening at the back for 



the froof. The thickness varies, but in most horses it is 

 about one-sixth of an inch. It is concave. The sole is 



