COXTRACTIOX, OR HOOF- BOUND. 175 



Thrush (which see) may cause contraction, but it is much 

 more frequently a consequence of it. 



The cutting away of the bars, which some smiths seem to 

 have such an itch for, is a- fruitful source of contraction. 

 TsTature intended these as braces or stays to the foot. 



A neglect of proper paring of the hoof burdens it with a 

 large amount of dry, contracting horn, which prevents its free 

 motions and disposes to contraction. In the state of nature 

 the horse wears off these useless parts, but when domesti- 

 cated, (tamed), he is often deprived of the necessary action, 

 and hence we must resort to artificial means of effectino* 

 the object. In paring the hoof we should imitate nature. 

 Remove such parts only as naturally have a tendency to 

 come off. 



Improper shoeing is among the common causes of hoot- 

 bound. But this subject demands so much attention, that I 

 must refer the reader to the article on "Shoeing" in this 

 work, stating, however, that the proper preparation of the 

 foot for the shoe is a very important matter. Every owner 

 should know how his horse ought to be shod. 



Treatment. — Iso ailment to which the horse is liable requires 

 more careful reference to the cause that gave rise to it than 

 contraction. If it is the result of any other disease of the foot, 

 treat that disease; if of bad management in any way, correct 

 the evil; if of bad shoeing, have the shoes removed and better 

 ones put on. But something may be done, in most cases, to 

 relieve the trouble, and the mischief likely to follow long 

 contraction renders it necessary to attend to the case early. 



The following course of treatment will cure hoof-bound in 

 a comparatively short time : 



The hoof should be neatly and well pared down; all dead 

 horn removed from the sole, and the w^all thinned by rasping. 

 A shoe, long and wide at the heels, with out calkins or corks 

 should be put on, and then spread out at the heels by placing 

 the jaws of the smith's tongs between the heels of the shoe 



