S H O E I N G. 171 



from their hold, but that the clinches prevent 

 their being withdrawn : in this ftate the horfe, 

 though not abfolutely lame, limps in perpe- 

 tual uneaiinefs, till the clenches of the nails 

 are {o relaxed as to bring the center nearly to 

 a level with the reft of the foot, where it 

 frequently forms an additional caufe to the 

 original ill, by coming into clofe contad; with 

 the fole, which prcffing upon with any degree 

 of fe verity, occafions a flight lamenefs that 

 becomes immediately perceptible. 



Another very common caufe of lamenefs 

 with horfes of this defcription originates in 

 the fhoes being formed too fiort and narrow 

 at the heel, by which means, in lefs than a 

 week's conftant wear, the hoof (or *' cruji,^^ 

 fome writers have termed it for the fake of 

 refinement) being alfo narrow, the heels of 

 the fhoes make gradual impreffion and con- 

 ftitute a palpable indentation upon the edge 

 of the fole, direcflly over its articulation with 

 the hoof, producing to a certainty, if perfe- 

 vered in, the foundation of corns, or a tem- 

 porary lamenefs, that is generally removed by 

 jremoving the flioe. 



A few 



