250 



THE PRACTICAL HORSESHOER. 



ism that enables the animal to attain his flig-ht of speed. 

 This cramping- of the wall or crust brings about numerous 

 diseases, the most prevalent of which is that known as con- 

 traction, of which an example is shown in Fig*. 153. This 

 the reader ma^^ compare with the healthy foot shown in 

 Fig. 154. In its natural state the horse's foot is nearly 

 round and slightl^^ wider than it is long. Shoeing- has the 

 effect of changing this natural shape by elongating the hoof 

 and by keeping the heel from spreading-, causing the con- 

 traction above referred to, the hete noir of every horseman 

 and the chief enemy of every horse that has worn shoes. 

 Other common ailments from the same cause are corns. 



Fig. 153— Bad Case of Contraction. 



produced by the pressure on the heel, and quarter cracks, 

 which result from the bursting or splitting of the wall of 

 the foot owing to the unusual thinness of the horn, w^hich 

 being bound by the shoe is not strong enough to withstand 

 the pressure from within. 



It is claimed by many practical horsemen that a radical 

 remedy has been found for these and kindred diseases that 

 come from the stereotyped method of shoeing. This is the 

 use of what are knowm as tips, which are nothing more 



