302 



CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



the appearance of a large saucer. In shoeing, the quarters have to be 

 narrowed more than the toe, because they are spread more, and in their 

 expanded condition cannot bear weight on a shoe ; the toe gets broken 

 and worn off, while running, so it never spreads to the same extent as the 

 quarters. 



The cause of the colt's foot being so round and open is, that he has 

 run on the turf without shoes, the feet have gathered so much moisture, 

 been kept so soft, stepping on the earth or into the mud, that they 

 act like a sponge, being compressed w^ien stepped on, and expanding as 

 soon as the weight is relieved, so that the hoof spreads a little every time 

 the foot is raised. Another reason is, the foot being in moisture nearly 

 all the time, the hoof grows faster, and extra fast growth is inclined to 

 spreading, w^hereas a slow growi,h is inclined to contraction ; and as soon 

 as the colt is shod and put to work the slower growth of the hoof begins, 

 and w^ith it contraction. 



Good shoeing will do a great deal towards preventing contraction and 

 keeping the feet in good condition ; and bad shoeing will ruin a foot in 

 very little time. 



n 



There is no more prolific cause 

 than leaving the shoes on six, 

 eight or twelve weeks without being 

 reset, for the shoe, being nailed to the 

 hoof, compels it to grow down in the 

 form prescribed by the shoe. And 

 when it is removed, and the hoof pared 

 down to its natural size, you will find 

 the heels very much contracted. An- 

 other common cause is standing on 

 hard floors, allowing the feet to become all dried up. 



What to do. — When there is no other disease in the foot, and con- 

 traction comes from bad or neglected shoeing, pull off the shoes, pare the 

 feet down liberally, so as to be able to press the sole with the thumb, 

 open the heels right up to the soft parts, rasp off the quarters quite thin, 

 leave the frog as large as possible, in fact do not touch it at all. Then 

 rub in a little fly blister to the coronet, smear the quarters with hoof oint- 

 ment once a day, and turn out to pasture on soft ground. If you do not 

 wish to turn the horse out, the shoes may be put on again ; in doing 

 so, let them be plain shoes with no calks, medium weight, perfectl}" level 

 on the bearing surface, and beveled off to avoid bearing on the sole. 

 Reduce the quarters so as to relieve them of any bearing on the shoe, 



SHOE LEFT ON TOO LONG. 



Causing the hoof to prow over the shoe 

 quarters, and to contract. 



