466 HORSESHOEING. 



This moisture should be applied at least two 

 hours before the horse is used. This will render 

 the foot elastic, and prevent abuse from traveling 

 over rough roads. 



By reference to accompanying plate, No. 12, 

 the difference will be observed between a natural 

 and a contracted foot The quarters growing 

 toward each other in the contracted, cause the 

 coffin-bone to lose its proper shape, and forcing 

 the sensitive frog upwards from its proper place, 

 causes scratches and thrush. 



Treatment of contraction, briefly speaking, is 

 expansion. The foot should be thoroughly pre- 

 , pared in the following manner: If the horse is 

 lame, the farrier should shorten the toe, lower 

 the foot all around, and open the heels back 

 until the blood is drawn. The sole of the foot 

 should be pared as closely as possible on each 

 side of the frog, in the manner shown by the 

 illustration on Plate No. 12, " natural foot." The 

 frog should be lowered, but the side should not 

 be cut. A groove should be made with a rasp 

 just under and parallel with the coronet on each 



