348 DEFORMITIES AND DISEASES OF THE HOOF. 



grass or, if this be impracticable, regularly exercised in a large- 

 shed. Light saddle or draught work on soft ground is useful. 



In horses with well-marked unilateral contraction, turning 

 out to grass is inadvisable and it is better to trust to proper 

 shoeing. 



2. The use of tips produces a somewhat similar effect to- 

 turning out to grass, and can be recommended when the animal 

 cannot be rested or when, on account of the condition of the 

 ground, the hoof tends to contract in spite of light work. Two 

 kinds of tips may be distinguished : the ordinary and the 

 modified Charlier ; both are well adapted for feet of the upright 

 and ordinary shapes, but less for oblique feet. 



The methods given under 1 and 2 have the advantage of 

 producing a more rapid growth of horn because of the natural 

 distribution of weight in all parts of the ground surface of the 

 hoof, which favours the normal movement of the parts and the 

 circulation of blood. The final result is to increase the width 

 and strength of the hoof at its posterior half. 



3. Shoes with thinned heels can be used both for upright 

 feet and those of normal angle, but are less desirable in flat 

 feet. They act by allowing the frog to come to the ground 

 and bear a certain proportion of weight. 



4 Heelless shoes with or without leather soles are sufficient 

 in all cases of moderate contraction if the frog is strong enough 

 to touch the ground, and their effect is more marked the more 

 faulty the previous treatment and shoeing. AVhere the sole 

 and bars have been weakened and the seating out of the sho& 

 has been continued to the heels, it is sufficient to round the 

 toe and to apply a shoe with a perfectly horizontal bearing 

 surface at the heels to produce in two or three shoeings a 

 marked improvement. The application of a leather sole will 

 hasten recovery. 



5. Ear shoes, with or without leather soles. Where the 

 frog is healthy and the bar can take a bearing on it, a leather 

 sole is scarcely required. Should the bearing surface of the 

 hoof be defective or broken away, or should corns or sand- 

 cracks co-exist with contraction, the ordinary, or the three- 

 quarter bar shoe, is perhaps to be preferred. It is fitted close 

 at the toe and quarter and slightly ' sprung ' at the heels. 

 Expansion of the hoof is greatly assisted by carefully filling 



