HORSESHOEING. 71 



the frog,— that is, contraction of the heels. The horn of the 

 branches of the sole in the buttresses and in their proximity 

 should show no red staining. The lateral cartilages should be 

 elastic. No part of the foot should be weakened at the cost of 

 other parts. By firm union of all strong parts the strength 

 and vigor of the hoof is in no sense disturbed. If one desires 

 to ascertain the exact form and state of health of the hoof, it must 

 never he inspected and judged alone, but in connection with the 

 entire limb. 



E. Growth of the Hoof and Wear of the Hoof and Shoe. 



All parts of the horn of the hoof grow downward and for- 

 ward, the material for this growth being furnished by the re- 

 markably large quantity of blood which flows to the pododerm. 

 The growth of the hoof is regulated by the nerves. 



As a rule, the hoof grows uniformly, — ^that is, one section of 

 the wall grows just as rapidly as another. A visible indication 

 of growth is the increase in height and width of the hoof from 

 colthood to maturity. 



The rapidity of growth of the wall varies, amounting in a 

 month to from one-sixth to one-half of an inch. The average 

 monthly growth in both shod and unshod horses of both sexes 

 is, according to my own experiments, one-third of an inch. 

 Hind hoofs grow faster than front hoofs, and unshod faster than 

 shod. The hoofs of stallions grow more slowly than those of 

 mares and geldings. 



Abundant exercise, proper grooming (flexibility and moist- 

 ness of the horn), regular dressing of the wall, and running' 

 barefoot from time to time favor growiih; while little or no 

 exercise, dryness, and excessive length of the hoof hinder growth. 



The time required for the horn to grow from the coronet to 

 the ground is, therefore, equally variable, and is, moreover, de- 

 pendent upon the height (length of toe) of the hoof At the toe 

 the horn grows down in from eleven to thirteen months, at the 

 mammae or sides in from six to eight months, and at the quarters 



