SHOEING. 



677 



Contraction may be divided into three different classes : 1. 

 A general compression or drawing in of the wall upon the vascu- 

 lar structure. 2. When but one or 

 both quarters are drawn in. 3. 

 When the heels are curled in, or 

 pushed forward under the foot. 

 Hence the prevention and cure of 

 contraction must depend upon re- 

 moving excess of horn, frog-pressure, 

 freedom of the quarters, or, if nec- 

 essary, opening them mechanically 

 as desired, and upon moisture. Any 

 of these conditions lacking, there 

 must in serious cases be partial or 

 entire failure, no matter what the 

 means or methods used. If the feet 

 could have conditions that would 

 afford natural moisture, and the 



FIG. 505. The foot after the inflam- 

 mation subsided, growing down 

 nearly a quarter of an inch 

 larger. 



shoes made so thin that the frog 

 and sole could have reasonable con- 

 tact with tho ground, the quarters 

 so free that they could expand with 

 the grov.-th of the feet, there could 

 be but little if any contraction. 

 We see that in all cases where there 

 is reasonable frog pressure, it be- 

 comes larger, firmer, and more elas- 

 tic ; while raising the frog from con- 

 tact, causes it to become small and 

 hard, the quarters to draw in, and 

 the whole foot to diminish more or 

 less in size. But if not accustomed 

 to pressure, it should be given grad- 

 ually, in connection with keeping 

 the feet thoroughly softened, so as 



FIG. 506. The foot drawn in and 

 deformed from long-continued in- 

 flammation caused by a nail be- 

 ing driven into the foot. The 

 hoof growing about half an 

 inch larger after the in- 

 flammation subaided. 



