59 



have one hoof more contracted than the othef, 

 it gives just cause for suspicion, that the horse 

 has been lame in the coffin joint at some formea* 

 period. 



At the same time it will be proper to state, 

 that a contracted hoof may sometimes arise 

 from the foot not being equally pressed upon, 

 in consequence of lameness in any other part 

 of the leg. 



If, therefore, a horse have one hoof more 

 contracted than the other, and if the pastern 

 of that leg be more upright and less pliable 

 than the other, he certainly cannot be deemed 

 a sound horse. 



OSSIFICATION of the CARTILAGES 

 of the FOOT. 



On each side of the hoof, just above the 

 coronet, are two cartilaginous or gristly sub- 

 stances, issuing from the upper edge of the 

 coffin bone. These cartilages are elastic in 

 their liealthy state. They lie immediately over 

 the large blood vessels which run into the foot, 

 and furnish a defence to them from external 

 injury ; they contribute also to the elastic ex- 

 pansion of the heels. From some cause, not 

 thoroughly understood, they sometimes become 

 ossified, or converted into bone. This change 



