FAULTY CONFORMATION 117 



in others it may be noticed equally bad in both. It is a 

 matter of common knowledge that contraction is usually 

 seen in the fore-feet, while the hind seldom or never suffer 

 from it, a fact which, to our minds, seems difficult of 

 adequate explanation. Zundel explains this by stating 

 that contraction is principally observed in the fore-feet, by 

 reason of the fact that when lameness arises from it altera- 

 tion in action will more readily be detected in front than 

 behind. Percival, on the other hand, suggests that the 

 greater expansive powers of the hind-foot, by reason of 

 the impetus of its action, is able to overcome any influence 

 operating towards contraction. It may be, however, that 

 given a cause for contraction, such as the removal of the 

 frog's counter-pressure with the ground by faulty shoeing 

 or excessive paring, the fore-feet, by reason of their being 

 called upon to bear the greater part of the body-weight, 

 are the first to suffer. 



Flat feet with weak heels are those most frequently 

 affected, and, as we have already intimated, the conditio! 

 may exist with or without other disease of the foot. 



Depending upon its degree, contracted foot may vary 

 from a simple abnormality, non-inflammatory and painless, 

 to a condition in which it becomes a veritable disease, 

 giving rise to a bad form of lameness, and bringing about 

 a withered and sometimes discharging and cankerous 

 affection of the frog. 



Symptoms. — In its early stages contraction is difBcult of 

 detection, and where both feet are affected may for some 

 time go unsuspected. With only one foot undergoing 

 change, the early stages may the more readily be marked, 

 for in this case comparison with the other and sound foot 

 will at once reveal the alteration in shape. If lameness in 

 the suspected foot is present, then any lingering doubt will 

 be quickly dispelled. 



When far advanced, contraction offers signs that cannot 



well be missed. The converging of the heels narrows the 



V-shaped indentation in the sole for the reception of the 



frog. As a consequence of this, the frog itself becomes 



