300 
ANNUAL MEETING OT THE 
that contraction of the hoof was the cause of lameness in almost 
all cases, &c., &c. 
There is more or less absurdity in all of such statements, but 
without stating any reasons myself why this class of horses work 
better with light shoes and frog-pressure, I have considered it im¬ 
portant to notice the fact, and hope to hear an expression of 
opinion from the gentlemen present, as the subject is one of 
great importance, and an interesting one at all times. 
I will remark, that in practice, I have found it to vvork badly 
to attempt any such radieal changes as are made sometimes by 
exponents of the so-called “ Goodenough ”' system. I have 
known animals to be lame for a long time, because their heels 
have been cut down immoderately and the frog brought to 
the ground injudiciously, when a gradual accomplishment of the 
same object would have been attended with good results; and, 
therefore, I would suggest that such radical and sudden changes 
are inadvisable. 
I desire to call attention to the fact, that lameness in the hind 
feet of road horses is much more common than is generally sup¬ 
posed, which fact has been brought to my notice recently in a 
number of instances. 
Usually, we have not paid much attention to the feet, in diag¬ 
nosing lameness of the hind extremities, particularly if there 
existed on the hock or other parts of the affected limb an enlarge¬ 
ment, supposed to be the seat of lameness. Latterly I have been 
more careful in making examinations for lameness in the hind 
limbs, and with more satisfaction to myself, for I have not in¬ 
frequently found the lameness to proceed from the foot, which 
at first appeared to come from enlargement indicating disease of 
other parts. 
We all know that it is rarely that a perfect hock is met with, 
and that a large number of horses having curb, or spavin, are 
never lame, and for this reason I believe it to be unsafe to state 
that an animal is lame from curb or spavin simply because such 
defects are apparent on examination. I say this, because I have 
made such mistakes, and can remember more than one instance 
where I have located lameness in the hock or fetlock, when fur^ 
