CONTRACTED FEET 



393 



swelling appearing in the hollow of the heel, by which it is rendered convex 

 instead of concave. At the same time the toe shows a disposition to turn 

 up in consequence of the tendon having broken away from the pedal-boue. 



CONTRACTED FEET 



It is not far from the truth to state that there are few horses in active 

 work whose feet are not more or less contracted. In saying so much, we 

 are not overlooking the fact that horses' feet vary considerably in form and 

 size in different individuals. Some are large, low at the heels, and other- 

 wise weak, while others are narrow and deep and upright, with great 

 strength and thickness of horn. Among the latter are found examples 

 conspicuous for their length from before backward (mule feet), and also for 

 their narrowness. 

 Animals having feet 

 of this conformation 

 are not infrequently 

 regarded with sus- 

 picion, and are even 

 sometimes con- 



demned as being the 

 subjects of disease 

 and consequent de- 

 formity. It is, how- 

 ever, the opinion of 

 most experienced 



men that feet of this character and conformation, i.e. resembling those 

 of the mule, are of all kinds the best and most enduring. As, however, 

 we have previously observed, all, whether they be of one description or 

 another, become more or less contracted under the influence of domesti- 

 cation and the abuses of shoeing (fig. 404). 



It must be recognized that a certain mea.sure of contraction is quite 

 consistent with freedom from lameness and disease; but there can be no 

 doubt that the persistence of such a state, and the conditions by which it is 

 fostered, will sooner or later impair the general function of the foot and lay 

 the foundation for structural change. 



It needs hardly to be observed that in a state of nature the unshod 

 foot enjoys the fullest liberty, and every part is free to act in unison with 

 every other; indeed, under these circumstances the natural form and 

 dimensions are maintained by a just proportion in the waste and repair of 

 the healthy parts; but when, as in domestication, the balance of these two 



Normal Hoof and Contracted Hoof 



