BUYING A HORSE 51 



parts ; such as a deposition of lymph between the horny 

 and cartilaginous processes which connect the foot and hoof 

 together. If there be any depression or cavity, it betrays 

 separation of the foot from the hoof and shrinking of the 

 coffin bone ; the sole will then be found bulging. 



A superficial examination of the foot is not sufficient ; 

 the shape of the foot may be good, yet there are other 

 things to be considered. It may be well formed, yet thin 

 and weak ; and those feet, externally the most perfect, are 

 sometimes contracted internally, and liable to the insidious 

 affection termed navicular disease. Contraction is a serious 

 defect ; it is apparent and general, or hidden and partial. 



When apparent externally, which is common among 

 high-bred horses, with light heads and necks, high in the 

 withers, with sloping shoulders, and that go near the ground, 

 the foot presents an oblong rather than a circular shape ; 

 the curved line towards the heels becoming straight, and 

 the heels approaching each other. The frog is hard, dry, and 

 compressed, the foot small, and the heels upright ; altogether 

 the foot much resembles that of the mule. 



Contraction. — But though a contracted foot is often an 

 indicator of past disease, and there is a diminution of 

 elasticity, it is not necessarily consequent that it is such 

 unsoundness as incapacitates a horse from work. With 

 care, such feet will work soundly to the end of life ; for 

 this change in shape has been effected by gradual and slow 

 absorption and deposit ; so that nature has had time to 

 adapt the internal parts, and accommodate itself to the 

 change, and elongation of the foot has taken place. When 

 such feet feel hotter than ordinary, suspicion should be 

 awakened, more especially if there is a marked difierence 

 between the temperature of one and the other. If there is 

 indisputable pointing, then the horse is unsound. 



Occult or partial contraction is not obvious externally, 

 but there is diminished cavity of the horny box, from 

 increase of the sole in thickness. In this case we usually 

 find the foot of a circular figure more upright than natural, 

 and displaying an unusual appearance of compactness and 

 strength, the soles unusually hard and thick ; and if you 

 have a firm, unyielding sole, in a circular foot, it is 

 dangerous as the forerunner of navicular disease. 



Sand-crack. — The inner quarters of the hoof must be 

 most minutely inspected for sand-crack; and it is not 



