ABNORMAL FOOT OF HORSE. 



289 



ligament. If we agree in considering the working of the laws 

 of nature to be perfect, we cannot accept the theory of special 

 creation ; but must regard the body of the horse, like that of 

 other animals, to be in a transition state ; in that it is con- 

 stantly, though slowly, accommodating itself to the conditions 

 of life in which it finds itself. While indulging in the present 

 train of thought, the first question which the inquirer after 

 knowledge will probably ask will be : The splint-bones being 

 in a state of transition, what was their previous form and 



Fig. 375.— Fore Foot of Pig (|th real length). 



functions, and what conditions have reduced them to their 

 present rudimentary state ? I shall now try to suggest 

 answers to these questions. 



On rare occasions we find in the horse that one or two 

 of the splint-bones have the character of the cannon-bone, 

 in that they are provided with a more or less perfect pastern 

 and hoof. From time to time there have been well-authenti- 

 cated instances of horses which were so completely furnished 

 in this respect on their front feet, that, instead of having 

 been shod on only four feet, they carried iron on eight. I 

 need hardly say that the four supplementary shoes were 

 applied merely for exhibition purposes. Such a digit is well 

 shown in Fig. 290, which is a reproduction of a photograph 



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