THE SKELETON. 75 



Avails of tlie hoof. Such horses are uufit for any- 

 work, as the sole becomes very thiu, causiup; the 

 auimal great pain at step. Such poor sufferer* 

 ought to be shot for mercy's sake. 



Contracted Feet. Wiiile the sole of the soniul 

 front hoof has a somewhat round shape, the con- 

 tracted hoof has shrunken, presenting an irregular 

 oval shape narrowed in at the heels, the inner wall 

 of the hoof lookiug as if crushed in. It is produced 

 b}- inflammation, arising from various causes, but, iu 

 most cases, by bad shoeing. The frog becomes nar- 

 row and hard and has an unhealthy appearance. 

 Contracted feet produce corns and frecpieutly con- 

 siderable lameness. 



