112 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



other; the lower parts of the heel turn in, or, it may be, 

 benxi outward, or the toes are elongated beyond all propor- 

 tion. In all these cases, the hoof is being burnt up with 

 fever, and, like a crisped horn, twists about in a variety of 

 shapes. 



TREATMENT. 



■ We know of nothing which can properly be called a 

 remedy; contraction will cease when the disease that caused 

 it has been cured. Paring may, perhaps, be of some advan- 

 tage. Of all the forms of shoeing recommended, none are of 

 any practical benefit. 



The horse's usefulness is not always essentially impaired 

 by contraction of the hoof. Though incapacitated for rapid 

 motion, he may still do very good work, perhaps, in the 

 plow or wagon. 



INJURIES TO THE FROG. 



The frog is a part of the horse's foot peculiarly exposed to 

 injury. From its location, it is continually brought into con- 

 tact with many hard substances — sharp stones, or sticks, 

 roots, nails, points of frozen earth, and the like. 



It is a soft, elastic substance, capable of considerable ex- 

 pansion and contraction, and acts as a protection to the 

 important bones and tendons of the heel — principally the 

 shuttle, or navicular bone, and the flexor tendon, that gives 

 motion to the foot. Upon the surface it is insensible, but, by 

 paring it away, the sensible part is soon reached. It is the 

 latter which receives the hurt from the sharp substances 

 above referred to. Fever and soreness spread through the 

 adjacent parts, terminating frequently in deep-seated and ob- 

 stinate ulcers. Lameness may exist for some time before its 

 location and cause are discovered. The frog should be kept 

 well pared. Its natural appearance is very much like that 

 of India-rubber — dark brown in color, and without cavities, 

 splits, or fissures of any kind. If any dark spots are de- 

 tected in the horny substance of it, it is an evidence of stonei 

 bruise. 



