72 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



as a cushion in diminishing shock, and it also prevents 

 slipping. The frog is composed of elastic fibrous horn, 

 and breaks off in flakes. It should always be on the 

 ground, and never pared or cut. This cushion, always 

 resting on the ground, keeps the feet sound. The more 

 the frog is exposed the sounder it becomes. The sole 

 and frog need no protection, and the loose flakes act as 

 springs when walking on stones. 



The fore foot of the horse is the most important, as it 

 supports more weight and is exposed to more wear. 



THE WALL 



The wall or crust sustains weight, is 



fibrous, and extends from the skin to the 



ground. The front is called the toe and the back the 

 heel. It is about one-half inch thick 

 in front and about one-quarter inch at 

 the back. The wall grows very rap- 

 idly. Horses, that are unshod, keep 

 the wall worn down, but shod horses 

 beIn ON Too^oNG. should frcqucutly have the shoes taken 

 oflf, that the excessive growth can be 

 removed. The wall, on account of its fibrous nature, is 

 well adapted to hold the nails used in shoeing, and, 

 when looked at from the side, should form an angle of 

 45^ to 50° with the line of the sole. 



