PKEPAEATION OF THE FOOT. 



725 



2nd. The sole is thick, strong and arched. 



3rd. On level ground, the weight-bearing surface of the foot 

 is composed of the frog, wall, bars, and the outer portion of the 

 sole. 



4th. The slope of the fore foot, viewed in profile, will as a 

 rule be about 50° ; and that of the hind feet will be from 55° 

 to 60°. This difference in obliquity between the hoofs of the 

 different extremities, is due to the fact, that the hind feet are 

 chiefly required for propelling the animal, and the fore feet for 

 supporting his weight; hence, the wear of the former, at the 

 toes, is greater than that of the latter. The slopes which I have 

 taken for both fore and hind hoofs, are an average of those I 

 have observed, from time to time, among a number of unshod 



—si, 



coronet 



Sensitive lamina 

 PedalBone. _ 

 PlanlarcitsMOi 



Jfanvy sole 



Shoe _ 



Fig. 1 86. — Vertical and transverse section of a hoof, the shoe of which 

 is concave on the right side, and " seated " on the left side. 



- - Shcrt pasiem hone 

 ... WaUofhcof 



..Sensitive lamince 

 Sensitive sole 

 _ - Horryy frog 



horses ; for I have felt justified in assuming that, as the unpro- 

 tected hoof readily wears down by friction with the ground, it 

 will assume the slope best fitted for performinp^ its functions. 

 5th. In the unshod foot the toe is rounded, as a result of 



wear. 



Preparation of the Foot. 



As the shoe ought to be employed simply as a protection 

 against excessive wear of horn ; it should be applied in such a 

 manner that it will interfere, as little as possible, with the natural 

 shape and uses of the foot. Hence, previous to its being put on, 

 the hoof should be brought into a natural shape, as regards its 

 slope and weight-bearing surfaces ; except that the wall and outer 

 portion of the sole should be reduced so as to allow for the 

 thickness of the shoe. Although the horn of the hoof grows 

 at about the same rate all round ; still, when the animal is shod, 



