72 



THE ART OF HOUSE-SHOEING 



Freedom of 

 expansion en- 

 joyed by the 

 unshod foot. 



descent of the coffin bone and liorny sole to which 

 I am anxious to draw your attention. 



It is quite obvious that the unshod horse in a 

 state of nature exercises equally the whole five 

 hundred laminae or elastic springs; by their elonga- 

 tion the coffin bone descends within the crust, 

 under the impression of weight, from which pres- 

 sure on the horny sole its arch sinks, and spreads 

 uniformly in all directions, toe as much as heel, 

 whilst every portion of the coffin bone w hich is in 

 contact with the wall or crust also assists in dilat- 

 ing the base of the fool, and expanding the toe 

 as well as the heels. The weight being removed, 

 all these parts, by virtue of their own elasticity, 

 instantly return to their former position, in readi- 

 ness for renewed action ; and undoubtedly the 

 elasticity of the crust, the flexibility of the sole, 

 frog, and bars, together with the expanded form of 

 foot, are mainly preserved by this mechanical 

 up-and-down motion, which, it should be remem- 

 bered, with a horse left in his natural state is almost 

 perpetual. 



From the moment the colt is shod and nailed in 

 the general way, on both sides, just so much of the 

 coffin bone as is embraced by the portion of crust 

 or wall which has received the nails, is limited in 

 its descent, and a corresponding number of the 

 elastic laminae have their action also curtailed ; but 

 daily experience shews their office is not altogether 



