CONTRACTION. 
15 5 
mine whether or not it is of such a nature as to render the 
horse unserviceable, as this can only be ascertained by his 
action and manner of placing his feet on the ground while 
in progressive motion. When contraction first commences, 
it is for the most part accompanied by a slight degree of 
lameness ; and when it is making rapid advancement, it is 
always attended with lameness, but it does not invariably 
exist when the process of wiring in is slow, or is of long 
standing. 
Causes. —If the owners of studs would look carefully 
into their general stable management, their horses would be 
afflicted with fewer diseases, and many of them would be 
prevented or ameliorated by a little personal attention to 
the stable. One of the chief causes of contraction in the 
hoofs is neglect of paring. The crust of the hoof, like all 
other horny parts of the animal system, is continually grow¬ 
ing, and consequently lengthens, while the sole becomes 
thicker. As Nature never intended that horses should be 
shod, this is a beautiful provision for the wear and tear of 
the hoofs. But when the hoof is protected by a shoe, it is 
prevented from being worn down by the friction of coming 
in contact with the ground; the consequence is, that the 
hoof gets high in front, and the sole becomes thick as the 
expansion and descent of the sole and heel are interrupted, 
and thus contraction is induced. To obviate this the smith 
ought carefully to pare the sole and lower the heel each 
time the horse is shod. No doubt the thinning of the sole 
is attended with considerable labour, and without this is 
attended to, lowering of the heels cannot be accomplished, 
so that in avoiding the first both are neglected. In many 
instances, however, a prejudice is entertained by owners of 
horses that cutting away the hoof is injurious. Certainly, 
mischief may be done by overdoing cutting, and by carrying 
