CONTRACTION. 267 



the growth of horn, which the natural wear of the foot 

 cannot get rid of, should be pared off; the toe should 

 be shortened, the sole should be thinned, and the heels 

 lowered." 



The heat of the stable, and the fettering of the shoe, 

 will increase the disposition to contraction ; but the 

 main cause of it is disease of the internal part of the 

 foot, however produced. 



It is easy to conceive that when the foot is rested in 

 the stable and the horse favours it by going lame, 

 the want of the natural pressure must speedily oc- 

 casion still further contraction. The disease with 

 which it is mostly connected is the navicular-joint dis- 

 ease, which remains to be considered. 



The treatment will consist in removing the causes 

 of contraction. Should this be ascertained to be pro- 

 duced by general irritability, inducing a fumbling gait, 

 rather than a downright lameness, something may be 

 done, providing the owner is willing to make the trial. 

 The sole must be pared all round, until the blood 

 starts as from so many little pin-holes. The strength 

 of horn must be weakened where the pressure is 

 greatest. Carefully avoiding to wound the coronary 

 ring, the quarters must be well rasped. 



When evident, but too often temporary, relief is 

 thus afforded ; tips should be tacked on ; while the 

 horse should be allowed a loose box and never forced 

 to stagnate in a stall. There, he should remain until 

 the quarters are grown down ; his sole pared out and 

 his feet generally attended to once in three weeks, and 

 his food consisting of the very best. 



If the case is not sufficiently severe to require or to 

 n 2 



