CONTRACTION. 157 



afflicted with this evil, in consequence of the hoofs being 

 kept cool and moist by the grass and occasional showers, by 

 Avhich their natural elastic condition is preserved, and con- 

 sequently its expansive energy. Horses kept in a very dry 

 and heated stable are certain to be liable to dryness of the 

 hoofs, and hence that shrinking of the horny substance. 

 It must therefore be sufficiently evident that some artificial 

 means must be adopted to counteract this. Stopping the 

 feet is the most obvious remedy, and ought to be had 

 recourse to every night. A compound of cow- dung and a 

 small quantity of clay is most commonly resorted to ; but 

 a better one is a piece of thick patent felt, cut the shape of 

 the sole, with a padding above. This should be soaked 

 in water and applied to the foot. A common stopping 

 was a mixture of tar and grease, but this has the tendency 

 of increasing the evil which it is intended to remedy, 

 causing brittleness and dryness in the hoof. 



It has been argued by many that the litter of the stable 

 causes dryness of the hoofs, in consequence of the feet being 

 in a gi'eat degree covered by it ; but I am disposed to 

 think that litter which has been subjected to the pressure 

 of the horse while lying down during the night, or even of 

 his feet, cannot extend high on the hoofs during the day. 

 Many resort to removing the litter entirely in the day-time. 

 This, however, is quite unnecessary, and even objectionable, 

 as it must be less comfortable to the animal ; and by the 

 horse beating on the hard stones, as they are frequently in 

 the habit of doing, the growth of corns is apt to be induced. 

 As we have before noticed, while treating of grease, that 

 keeping the heels of the horse embedded in straw and 

 afterwards sul ejecting them to the cold of an open door may 

 produce grease ; but we have never given credit to the injury 

 wo are now treating of being caused by the same means. 



