174 NAVIX ox THE HORSE. 



as he walks or trots. His step is short, quick, and light. 

 The least irregularity of the ground bothers him very much, 

 causing him to trip, or even stumble, especially in going 

 down hill. On examination of the foot, it may show a 

 general state of contraction, but generally only across the 

 quarters, or at the heels ; and when the contraction is of the 

 heels, the uj)per borders at the coronet, the middle or the 

 lower border may be the point of greatest contraction. Only 

 one heel, and generally the inner one, may be wired in, or 

 both, but the inner one the most. As before stated, one 

 or both fore-feet may be aifected. The sole will be 

 unnaturally concave or hollowed, and, in recent cases, heat 

 and tenderness may be observed about the hoof. 



Causes. — Few difficulties to which the horse is subject have 

 more causes than contraction; and as these are generally 

 such as proper management will prevent, I shall explain 

 them at considerable length. It is certainly better for a 

 farmer to spend an hour in learning the causes of hoof-bound, 

 and how to avoid them, than to have one case occur among 

 his horses which he could have prevented. 



A low grade of inflammation or irritation in the foot, not 

 amounting to acute founder, is a very common cause of 

 contraction. This irritation may be produced by various 

 causes, but by none more frequently than inaction and high 

 feeding, which bring on a feverish state of the blood, and the 

 feet being the furthest removed from the heart, the blood has 

 a natural tendency to flow to them. This producing of founder 

 or irritation of the foot by overfeeding has some analogy or 

 resemblance to gout in the human. 



Want of proper moisture is another very common cause. 

 Farmers' horses, that are worked every day, are not very 

 subject to it, nor young horses on pasture. But horses that 

 are stabled, should always have their feet "filled," as it is 

 called. A piece of thick felt, or old hat, cut to fit the foot, and 

 soaked in water, is the best filling. 



