QUARTER (False.)
—The DEFECT so called in the hoof of a HORSE, is the renovated part of what has been by some accident previously destroyed; and this effort of nature being inadequate, in its regeneration, to the original formation, the quarter of the heel, in its growth, acquires a kind of spongy puffiness or elasticity, accompanied by a CLEFT or CRACK, which prevents a perfect and undivided union with that part of the hoof uninjured, constituting a tender weakness, as well as a permanent blemish, not to be obliterated during the life of the horse. Notwithstanding which, much depends upon the management during the time the original injury remains in its infant state. A wanton destruction of parts, by the too hasty and injudicious interposition of CAUSTICS and CUTTING KNIVES, frequently does more mischief in twelve hours, than Nature, with all her powerful endeavours, can repair in as many months. When by these, or other means, a false quarter cannot be avoided, it should be occasionally attended to during the progress of its growth: the uneven prominencies should, when becoming luxuriant and irregular, be kept down by gentle erasions with the RASP, and the surface, the cleft, and surrounding part, be plentifully moistened with FRIAR'S BALSAM, TINCTURE of MYRRH, or some such applicable substitute, as may give it a gradational hardening, and effectually reduce the irritability of the parts affected. To relieve the ill-effect of this inconvenience to a certain degree, a BAR-SHOE may be so carefully constructed, as to shield the tender and weaker part of the hoof from PRESSURE; and this can only be done by forming the shoe of such thickness, as to admit of its taking its bearing equally from the sound parts of the hoof, about an inch or two on each side the seat of injury, with strength sufficient to prevent a chance of its indentation upon the tender part intended to be protected.