44 



HOOF, ITS SHAPE AND MAKE ; [BOOK I. 



at the hoof, always rises in a direct line from the 

 hoof, both being about 45 degrees for saddle-horses, 

 [see fig. 5.] and the large pastern is then several 



\ 





degrees nearer to upright. These hoofs stand 

 of an oval shape, and have small well-marked 

 frogs. But some, as draught horses, have large 

 frogs, the hoof round, and more upright by nearly 

 ten degrees in early life, as marked in the an- 

 nexed scale, in which case they are liable, if no 

 change takes place, and they get older and weaker 

 in the joints, to "knuckle over;" but, getting aged, 

 and the supply of nutriment for repairing wear 

 and waste falling short, the heels contract, and 

 the horse becomes pomm ice footed. The wall or 

 crust is then lower ; and, as the bottom of the foot 

 grows convex, causing the animal to slip about, so 

 the front of the hoof becomes concave in time, the 

 toe almost turning upwards, or cracking. Such 

 horses pull no more than their own proper weighty 

 and nothing by their muscular powers, being in- 

 capable of making a purchase with their toes. 



