CONTRACTION. 30& 



horse's foot, must have S(3eu that in proportion to its height oi 

 neglected growth, it contracts and closes round the coronet. A 

 low-lieeled horse might have other serious defects, of which it 

 will be our duty to speak, but he has seldom a contracted 

 foot. 



Another source of contraction is the want of natural moisture. 

 The hoof of tlie stable-horse kept from moisture becomes dry and 

 unelastic, and, consequently, is rendered more subject to this dis- 

 ease. Hence the propriety of stopping the feet where there is 

 the least tendency to contraction. The intelligent and careliil 

 groom will not omit it a single night. Cow-dung, with a small 

 portion of clay to give it consistence, is a common and very good 

 stopping. A better one is a piece of thick felt, cut to the shape 

 of the sole, and soaked in water. The common stopping of tar 

 and grease is peculiarly objectionable, for it closes the pores of 

 the feet, and ultimately increases the dryness and brittleness 

 Avhich it was designed to remedy. 



Thrushes aid sometimes in producing contraction, but they are 

 much oftener the consequence than the cause. 



The removal of the bars takes away a main impediment 

 to contraction. Their use in assisting the expansion of the foot 

 has been already stated, and should a disposition to contraction 

 be produced by any other cause, the cutting away of the bars 

 would hasten and aggravate the evil ; but the loss of the bar 

 would not of itself produce contraction. 



The contraction, hoAvever, that is connected with permanent 

 lameness, although increased by the circumstances which we 

 have mentioned, usually derives its origin from a different source, 

 and from one that acts violently and suddenly. Inflammation 

 of the little plates covering the cofHn-bone is the most usual 

 cause ; and a degree of inflammation not sufficiently intense to 

 be characterized as acute founder, but quickly leading to sad re- 

 sults, may and does spring from causes almost unsuspected. 

 Something may depend upon the breed. Blood-horses are partic- 

 ularly liable to contraction. Not only is the foot naturally small, 

 but it is disposed to become narrower at the heels. On the other 

 hand, the broad, flat foot of the cart-horse is subject to diseases 

 enough, but contraction is seldom one of the number. In horses 

 of equal blood, not a little seems to depend upon the color, and 

 the dark chestnut is proverbially prone to contraction. 



Whatever is the cause of that rapid contraction or narrowing 

 of the heels which is accompanied by severe lameness, the symp- 

 toms may oe easily distinguished. While standing in the stable, 

 the horse will point with, or place forward, the contracted foot ; 

 or il both feet are affected, he will alternately place one before 

 the- other. When he is taken out of the stable, his step will \^ 



