72 MODERN FARRIEH. 



46. Contraction of the Foot. 



Sijmptoms. — This is a very common disease, and 

 generally affects the heels. The contraction comes 

 on gradually. It is frequently attended with corns 

 of a soft and red appearance, which render the foot 

 very tender and painfvd. 



Causes. — Some horses have a tendency to this 

 disease, from the thickness and strength of the wall 

 of the hoof. It may also proceed from some pre- 

 vious disorder in the internal parts of the foot, from 

 the pavement of the stall sloping too much, or from 

 bad shoeing, or the want of suflicient moisture in 

 the horn. 



Cure. — Many barbarous, foolish, and dangerous 

 remedies are recommended for this troublesome dis- 

 order. The best and safest way to stop the progress 

 of contraction in the hoof, is to turn the horse into 

 the straw-yards perfectly barefoot, or rather, when 

 possible, out into a soft and moist pasture. Pre- 

 vious to this, cut off the hair close round the cornet, 

 and apply a mild blister, composed of two drachms 

 of cantharides powdered, with sweet oil sufficient to 

 make it the consistence of treacle. During the first 

 day, the horse's head must be tied up ; after which, 

 the part may be dressed every third day with hog's 

 lard. Currying and clothing, in the mean time, to 

 be gradually left off, preparatory to his being turned 

 out. 



Before he is turned out, it wiU likewise be neces- 

 sary to pare the hoof as thin as possible, especially 

 at the heels, and to shorten the toe and rasp the 

 quarters. 



The pumied sole is a disease just the reverse of 

 the above, and is often produced by an inflammation 

 of the foot. The treatment ought to be exactly 

 similar to the preceding case; only the quarter 

 should not be rasped down, while the toe should be 



