8 



defence. It may, however, not be amiss just to observe in tliis place, that 

 those who are sincerely desirous of forwarding genuine horse knowledge, 

 will do well in ihe present state of the art to conti ne themselves to single 

 objects of lesearch; for great obstruction to knowledge is made by works 

 embracing too much — general treatises at present are a mere abuse of the 

 public. 



On a view of the matter b^ore nie, I believe it will usefully admit of 

 being divided into two sections or chapters. The first respects the rearing 

 or bringing up the natural foot, in order to obtain its greatest beauty, 

 perfection, and strength : the other respects the defence of it, in the best 

 manner, without impairing these qualities. 



Sect. 1. The Horse s H.ooJ\ at its origin, or if we say at the birth of the 

 foal, may be corapared to an half-expanded rose bud, all the parts of 

 the future foot existing in different degrees of developement; the forward- 

 ness of some in preference to others depending upon the necessities of 

 the animal, tili the vvhole by a gradual process become unfolded and 

 brought to their strength. 



The Wall, or upright part of the hoof, is first in readiness for its oiBce 

 at the exit of the foal, and is sufficient for his support. It envelopes 

 the foot in a very collapsed state, and alone performs nearly all the 

 business of the foot ; for, when first foaled, the young animal has a very 

 light carcase: that this part has not to sustain any very considerable 

 weight or pressure, except when his own inclinations lead hira to display 

 in playful tricks before his dam his extraordinary suppleness and activity; 

 the length of his limbs and small body give him a swiftness and spriuging, 

 easy carriage, that is not surpassed at any period of his life — his bounds 

 are such as one might imagine of some fairy being, hardly doomed to 

 tread the earthy soil. His fetlocks straight or upright, must make his 

 going to be very much on the toe or front parts of the foot. 



The wall of the hoof at this period is somewhat pointed in fiont, and 

 contracted below, being largest about the Coronet: as the body grows 

 more weighty, the lower surface of the foot expands to receive it, ob- 

 viously necessary in longer continued exertions. The Sole from a stout 

 niembrane becomes an horny covering, and dilating the hoof, makes way 

 for the softer frag to form, and at length the frog-stay completes the 

 machinery; these parts not acquiriug their füll expansion and solidity 

 before the fifth, or more probably not until the eighth year, along with the 



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