AND MALFORMATIONS OF THE FEET. 77 



ably leads to shrinking and imperfect development 

 of the part so saved. 



It must be borne in mind that it is not neces- 

 sary that the pain or disease should be in the foot. 

 It may be in some portion of the frame only in- 

 directly connected with it. For example, a strain 

 of the tendons of the leg or an injury of the 

 shoulder will cause the horse to save the foot on 

 the side so affected, just as much as if the disease 

 had been in the foot, and contraction will equally 

 be the result. 



At the time of the occurrence of the disease it 

 is of course easy enough to ascertain whether it is 

 in the foot or elsewhere. When, however, the dis- 

 ease has passed away, but the contraction remains, 

 it is often difficult to say whether its origin has 

 been in the foot or elsewhere. 



According to the causes from which it arises, 

 contraction may show itself in one or both fore 

 feet, or similarly in the hind feet, or, again, it may 

 appear in only one part of a foot or feet. Disease, 

 for instance, in the posterior portion of the foot 

 will cause the horse to save as far as possible that 

 part, and the heels will in consequence become con- 

 tracted. In seedy toe, on the other hand, the an- 

 terior portion of the foot will be favoured, and 

 contraction in that part will result. 



In some few cases the action of the horse is such 

 that he brings one foot to the ground with greater 



