206 CONFESSIONS OF A. HOKSE DEA.LEB. 



even experienced persons, and deceive them as to the 

 cause or seat of lameness. 



I have known instances where horses have been. 

 blistered and turned out for shoulder lameness, when 

 the true cause has been corns they are most frequently 

 found in white feet with low heels but they are too 

 often found more or less in all sorts of feet, though not 

 so prevalent as formerly, owing to the great improve- 

 ments made in shoeing. They are caused, in many 

 cases, by the unequal pressure of the shoe, the heel 

 bearing on the thin sole, and consequently bruising the 

 sensible sole, and thus rupturing the blood vessels ; the 

 blood then finds its way into the pores of the horn, and 

 causes the dark red and inflamed appearance, which is 

 visible on removing the shoe and paring the dirty sur- 

 face of the sole. This part is very tender, and any 

 undue pressure upon it causes the most excruciating 

 pain to the poor animal. 



Cart and coach horses are very subject to corns, 

 owing to the prevailing practice of owners having them 

 shod by contract a very false economy, for horses that 

 are shod by contract are rarely well shod; no part of 

 the horse requires so much attention as his feet; if 

 they be unsound from corns or from any disease, the 

 horse will be of very little value, and unsafe to ride or 

 drive. When a horse is afflicted with corns in one foot, 

 and some time has elapsed since they have been pared 

 out, his lameness will at once be apparent on trotting 

 him slowly on a Macadamised road ; but if he be suf- 



