270 i^E house-keeper's guide. 



iial part of flio hoof, such as a deposition of lymph be- 

 tween the horny and cartilaginous processes, whirh con- 

 nect tlie foot and hoof together. If there is any depress- 

 ion or hollt)\v, it betrays separation of the foot from the 

 lioof, and sinking of the colhn bowl, and the sole will be 

 found bulging. 



No man should trust to a superficial judgment of the 

 foot ; for though he may see the form and shape of the 

 foot to be pr»)mising, yet there are other things to be con- 

 sidered. It may be well fonned, yet thin and weak ; and 

 those feet, externally the most perfect, are sometimes con- 

 tracted intcT-nally, and are liable to the insidious affection ter- 

 med navicular, or joint capsular disease. Contraction is a 

 serious defect ; it is apparent and general, or occult (hidden) 

 and partial. 



When apparent externally, which is very common a- 

 mong high bred horses, with light heads and necks, high in 

 the withers with sloping shoulders, and that go near the 

 gi'ound, the foot presents more an oblong than a circular 

 shape ; the cui-ved Une towards the heels becoming straight, 

 and the heels approaching each other. The frog is hard, 

 dry, and compressed ; the foot small, and the heels up- 

 rin-ht: altoo-ether, the foot more resembles that of a mule 

 than ahorse. 



But though a contracted foot is often an indication of 

 past disease, and there is a diminution of elasticity, it 

 by no means follows that it is an unsoundness, or incapaci- 

 tates a horse from work. With care, such feet will work 

 soundly to the end of their lives ; for this change in shape 

 has been effected by gradual and slow abs<.)rption and de- 

 posite; so that nature has had tinte to adapt the internal 

 parts, and accommodate itself to the change ; for elongation 

 of the foot has taken place. When such feet feel hotter 

 than ordinary, distrust should be awakened, more especially 

 if t-iere is a marked difference between the temperature of 

 one and the other. If there is indisputable pointing, then 

 the horse is unsound. 



Occult or partial contraction is not obvious exteraally, 

 but there is diminished cnvity of the horny box from in- 

 crease of the sole in thickness. In this case we usually 

 find the foot of a circular figure, more upright than nat- 

 ural, and displaying unusual appearance of compactness 

 of force and strenrrth, the soles unusually hard and thuk 



