ANATOMY OF THE FOOT; 173 



horses in a state of nature, or not improperly 

 shoed, are nearly of the same shape ; and sure- 

 ly no one will dispute that this form, which the 

 Creator has given it, is the most perfect, and 

 far better adapted to all the purposes for which 

 the animal was designed, than any that can 

 be given by the most ingenious farrier. 



A person unacquainted with the anatomy of 

 the horse's foot would naturally suppose, that 

 the internal parts are simply enclosed by the 

 hoof, and that by its hardness it seiTed to pro- 

 tect them from the blows and pressure to 

 which they would otherwise be constantly ex- 

 posed; but very little rejection would con- 

 vince him how incomplete and inadequate 

 5uch a protection vvouid be. Let him be con- 

 vinced that those internal parts are replete 

 with blood-vessels and nerves, and possessed 

 of a high degree of sensibility ; let him con- 

 sider, also, what an immense weight is thrown 

 upon them at every step, and v*-hat painful 

 concussion must be occasioned to the animal, 

 were this the only safeguard ao-ainst external in- 

 jiny. Nature, ever provident, has so con- 

 structed this part, as to obviate these inconve- 

 niences. If we examine any part of the animal 

 econom}-, we are astonished at the infinite 

 wdsdom that is displayed in it. It is not hou- 



