FOOT DISEASES. 75 



sound for ten or fifteen years without in the least being 

 contracted. So long as we have strong hoofed horses, 

 and shod with an inflexible iron ring to prevent its wear 

 and tear, and the blacksmith neglecting to have taken off 

 of each hoof at the shoeing as much horn as the horse 

 would have worn, if he had been in the natural state and 

 not shod. 



Treatment, — Cut down the hoof and shorten the toe, 

 and make the hard and inelastic foot one that will ex- 

 pand at its heels every time the weight of the animal 

 puts his foot to the ground. 



One sided nailing is an excellent preventative as well 

 as an assistant in the cure of contracted feet. What is 

 meant by one sided nailing is, that nails are to be con- 

 fined to the outside toe of the foot, so as to allow free 

 expansion for the heels. This cannot be done with the 

 shoe being nailed on by nails placed at each side. To 

 illustrate this point, place a small horse shoe flat in the 

 palm of the hand with the fingers close to one another ; 

 then tie with a piece of cord, the little finger to one side 

 of the shoe, and the thumb to the other side; then you 

 will realize to what extent you can expand the fingers so 

 secured. So it is just with the foot of a horse with the 

 shoe nailed on at each side. Remove the cord from one 

 finger, and the whole hand is free to expand. So like- 

 wise the foot of the horse by one sided nailing. 



(3.) Corns.— This is a red spot on the inner portion 

 of the heel of the foot, causing lameness, and consists of 

 a bruise from the shoe pressing upon the part, the shoes 

 having shifted from their proper position, or never 

 having been placed there. In general, the production 

 of corns may be laid to the charge of the horse-shoer, 

 and sometimes to the owner allowing the horse to go too 



