360 DEFORMITIES AND DISEASES OF THE HOOF. 



regarded as a modification of ordinary contraction, for the main 

 differences between them are — the former affects flat, spreading 

 feet and only the extreme posterior part of the heel region, 

 whilst ordinary contraction is commonest in upright feet and 

 affects both quarters and heels. Many other sub-divisions of 

 contracted hoof are described by German writers but have 

 little interest for English readers, the practical advantages of 

 such classification being almost nil. 



5. The Laterally Distorted Hoof 



is produced by one quarter and heel being upright, while the 

 other takes a slanting direction. Such a hoof, therefore, when 

 cut through its longer diameter consists of two unequal portions. 

 It has previously been remarked that oblique limbs usually 

 have oblique hoofs, which may, therefore, be termed normal 

 oblique hoofs and which should not be regarded as pathological. 

 In determining whether a hoof of this description really is 

 pathological, attention should be paid to the direction of the 

 walls when viewed from behind and the width of the back of 

 the hoof. When one-half of the wall runs from above down- 

 wards and inwards, i.e., towards the middle line of the hoof, and 

 the corresponding half of the frog is smaller than its fellow, the 

 hoof is abnormal. The condition, in fact, may be regarded 

 as imilateral contraction. Similar distortion is produced by 

 faulty paring of the hoof. 



Causes. — Whilst in normal oblique hoofs the primary cause 

 is almost always bad conformation of the limb, and consequent 

 unequal distribution of weight, in pathological oblique hoofs the 

 same unequal distribution of weight is aided by excessive par- 

 ing or wear of the upright half of the wall. All faults in 

 shoeing which favour contraction promote this condition, 

 especially when they affect the upright wall. One of the 

 most fertile causes is neglect of the hoof during the first year& 

 of life. 



The degree to which this malformation may be developed 

 varies immensely. In some, the upright wall is drawn inwards, 

 and the corresponding limb of the frog almost entirely atrophied * 

 in others, the (previously) normal wall may be affected as well, 

 being bent outwards and exhibiting a convex surface. 



