SHOEING. 



669 



drawn together, and a corresponding elevation of the sole. Fig. 

 494 shows extreme contraction of the quarters, now perpendicu- 

 lar, with the arch of the sole correspondingly acute and elevated. 

 The points before referred to, noticed inside the heels in this con- 

 dition, are crowded together as well as upward, so that in extreme 

 contraction they press upward severely against the great tendon, 

 where it passes over the navicular bone. This, in connection with 

 the strong upward pressure of the sole against the bottom of the 

 coffin-bone, forces the whole internal structure upward, as it were, 



FIG. 489. The effect of 

 contraction and soreness. 



FIG. 490. A bad case of 

 contraction and soreness. 



out of the hoof, thereby seriously interfering with, or obstructing, 

 the circulation, as well as locking the whole machinery of the foot. 

 Consequently the whole foot is tied and cramped, by such unnat- 

 ural pressure upon the soft parts, so that walking, or even stand- 

 ing, becomes painful. In this condition the horse will stand first 

 upon one foot, then upon the other, or put the worst one forward, 

 to ease the pain and pressure upon it. In traveling he will try to 

 shield the feet all he can from concussion. 



For over two hundred years there has been great effort made 

 to prevent and cure contraction. I give a few illustrations, mainly 

 from the French, out of a large number coming into my posses- 



