HORSE AILMENTS AND HOW TO DOCTOR THEM. 359 



for it. There are two different operations ; one is called " ex- 

 tirpation of the lens," and the other is called " couching." I 

 consider the former quite useless and the latter of doubtful 

 utility. In either case, none should attempt to perform the 

 operation save an experienced oculist. Perhaps the best thing 

 generally to be done is to give laxative and cooling food, with 

 not too strong light. 



CONTRACTION OF THE FOOT ; OR, HOOF BOUND. 



Contraction in this sense is the drawing in of the heels of 

 the walls of the hoof — the hoof becoming more erect, the 

 lower part or bottom becoming smaller in circumference, and 

 the frog diminished in breadth. It is caused by improper 

 shoeing, founder, or thrush. 



Treatment. To effect a permanent cure there is nothing so 

 good as to remove the shoes, turn the horse to grass, and let 

 nature do the rest ; but in cases where this cannot be afforded, 

 then the next best thing must be done, which is — remove the 

 shoes, thoroughly cleanse the feet with soft soap and warm 

 water and adapt to each a piece of soft sponge just the size of 

 the sole and keep this well saturated Avith tincture of arnica or 

 good liniment. This sponge should be well secured to the foot 

 by proper bandages, and the horse should stand on the ground, 

 should have light and cooling food and bowels kept well open. 



In case the horse with contracted feet must be kept steadily 

 at work, then one must have him shod long and wide at the 

 heels, without calks, and then possibly spread the heels by arti- 

 ficial appliances (although, as a rule, I am a strong opponent to 

 nearly all artificial appliances connected with the horse), and 

 have him, if possible, so shod as to allow the frog to come to 

 the ground. Renew the shoeing as often as once in three 

 weeks, nailing on one side only ; and never, in any case, allow 

 the frog to be interfered with by the shoer. The feet should 

 be stuffed every night with oakum well saturated with tincture 

 of arnica in cold water — eight ounces of arnica to one gallon 

 of water — or this may be profitably alternated with a poultice 



