CONTRACTION. 
157 
afflicted with this evil, in consequence of the hoofs being 
kept cool and moist by the grass and occasional showers, by 
which their natural elastic condition is preserved, and con¬ 
sequently its expansive energy. Horses kept in a very dry 
and heated stable are certain to be liable to dryness of the 
hoofs, and hence that shrinking of the horny substance. 
It must therefore be sufficiently evident that some artificial 
means must be adopted to counteract this. Stopping the 
feet is the most obvious remedy, and ought to be had 
recourse to every night. A compound of cow-dung and a 
small quantity of clay is most commonly resorted to; but 
a better one is a piece of thick patent felt, cut the shape of 
the sole, with a padding above. This should be soaked 
in water and applied to the foot. A common stopping 
was a mixture of tar and grease, but this has the tendency 
of increasing the evil which it is intended to remedy, 
causing brittleness and dryness in the hoof. 
It has been argued by many that the litter of the stable 
causes dryness of the hoofs, in consequence of the feet being 
in a great degree covered by it; but I am disposed to 
think that litter which has been subjected to the pressure 
of the horse while lying down during the night, or even of 
his feet, cannot extend high on the hoofs during the day. 
Many resort to removing the litter entirely in the day-time. 
This, however, is quite unnecessary, and even objectionable, 
as it must be less comfortable to the animal; and by the 
horse beating on the hard stones, as they are frequently in 
the habit of doing, the growth of corns is apt to be induced. 
As we have before noticed, while treating of grease, that 
keeping the heels of the horse embedded in straw and 
afterwards subjecting them to the cold of an open door may 
produce grease ; but we have never given credit to the injurv 
we are now treating of being caused by the same means 
