220 



HOW TO 3H0E A HOESE. 



fettered by iron and nails, it is obvious that that portion, 

 at least, cannot expand as bufore ; and the beautifnl and 

 efficient apparatus for effecting this necessary elasticity, 

 being no longer allowed to act by reason of these restraints, 

 becomes altered in structure : and the continued operation 

 of the same causes, in the end, circumscribes the elasticity 

 to those parts alone where no iiails have been driven, — 

 giving rise to a train of consequences destructive to tha 



Fir.. 9. 



Ik Ib abroad flat mass of horn, projecting upwards intA the middle of the elastic 

 cushion, and is called tlie " frog stay." 



b 6. Are two horny projections rising into the cavity of the hoof formed by the 

 commissures. 



c c. Are portions of the same projections, and are situated just under the two ends of 

 the naviculai- bone, and mark the point on either side where diminution in the 

 natural elasticity of the fatty frog would be felt with the greatest severity by 

 the navicular joint : for under the most favorable circumstances, the quantit.v 

 01 ^;ii8hion between these points and the navicular joint cannot be very large ,■ 

 and hencf the importance of our doing all we can to preserve its elasticity as 

 long as possioio. 



Boundness of the foot, and fatal to the usefulness of th 3 

 horse.* 



The toe of the fore foot is the thickest and strongest 

 portion of the hoof, and is in consequence less expansive 

 than any other part, and therefore better calculated to 

 resist the effect ot tr e nails and shoe. The thickness of 

 the horn gradually diminishes towards the quarters and 



* The horse's foot, and how to keep it sound, v?ith Illustrations, by Wm 

 UUes.Egq 



