DISEASES AFFECTING THE FEET 



secretion of horn, and as the wall is thinner in 

 consequence, it predisposes to the development 

 of sandcrack, therefore, is regarded as sufficient 

 cause for rejection during examination as to 

 soundness. 



CONTRACTED HEEL 



When an organ or tissue ceases to perform 

 its functions, either temporarily or permanently, 

 partially or completely, it decreases in volume, 

 in other words contracts, and this is precisely 

 what happens to a horse's foot when the 

 functional power of the limb has been diminished, 

 as in most cases of lameness. In some instances 

 contracted heel is the result of lameness. One 

 or both heels may be contracted, whilst the 

 degree of contraction varies. The hoof becomes 

 narrowed at the heels, whereas in reality it ought 

 to be well opened in that situation. Mention 

 ought to have been made of a rather frequent 

 cause of contraction of the heel, namely, that of 

 paring away the foot-pad or frog, the full 

 development of which is one of the best safe- 

 guards against contracted heels. Once this 



177 M 



