THE HORSE. 21 



decided a cure effected as that the horse may be pro- 

 nounced sound. If the contraction arose from a disease 

 that has been cured, and the horse has been roing the 

 work of horses of his clas" for six week' vvlshout incon- 

 venience or extraordinary care, then he is^ SOUND. 



Lameness from contraction is preferable to the lame- 

 ness consequent upon convex or pumice sole ; the latter 

 unfitting the horse for any but slow or moderate work. 



In order that I may not be misunderstood in treating 

 of artificial contraction, I should mention the exception 

 to the rule, though I do not think that contraction 

 which comes on gradually, and without injury from 

 a secondary natural cause, should be considered artificial. 

 For instance, if from want of exercise the frog receives 

 no pressure, the inside of the foot has less work to 

 perform, and gradually shrinks or wastes, and the horn 

 contracts. Where this takes place gradually, without 

 inflammation, and without causing lameness or incon- 

 venience, the horse is SOUND. 



CORNS. 



Corns are an unsoundness. They are mostly on the 

 inside heel, looking like a bruise or extravasated blood. 

 They are more or less troublesome, according to the 

 nature of the foot. In the low-heeled, thin, and brittle 

 hoof, they are the worst and most troublesome ; in the 

 stronger hoof they are of less consequence ; provided they 



