IGO MANUAL OF MODERN FAkRIERY. 



Another source of contractiou proceeds from the manner 

 iu wliicli the animal is treated. Many are over-fed and not 

 sufficiently exercised. Some are permitted to stand in the 

 stable for days together Avithout being taken • out. Sucli 

 norses must consequently be more liable to inflammatory 

 attacks. The lamina3 or little plates of the coffiu-bone are 

 extremely sensible ; they are scarcely lengthened, Avhen, from 

 want of exercise, they begin to diminish. It is natural, 

 therefore, to suppose that if the horse is suddenly and 

 violently exercised, either upon the road or in the field, these 

 exquisitely sensible plates should, from concussion, become 

 rapidly elongated and the whole foot heated, and that in- 

 flammation should follow. The various parts of the foot 

 then undergo an alteration of structure ; and hence a 

 partial separation between the internal and external parts 

 of tlie foot, limited expansion of the quarters, and a con- 

 traction and falling in of the crust takes place, 



SrMrTOMS. — Horses which are lame from rapid or severe 

 contraction always stand in the stable with one foot before 

 the other, the lame foot being placed forward ; but if both 

 feet are affected, then he will change them alternatelj'. 

 When a horse with this complaint is taken out of the stable, 

 it will be detected by the peculiar shortness and quickness 

 of his step, and he will place his feet very gently upon the 

 ground^ and if trotted will hardly clear the surface as he 

 moves along ; so that he is apt to come down by any uneven 

 place on the road, and will be constantly stumbling even 

 with the smallest irregularity of surface. 



Contraction is manifested by the fore feet being consider- 

 ably narrowed across the quarters, and also towards the 

 heels. In some few instances the entire foot will exhibit 

 a contracted appearance, as if it were shrunk ; but in most 

 cases while the heel is narrowed the front will be elongated 



