342 REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 



Why the weight bearing portion of the horse should be so 

 systematically reduced is a principle which certainly has no 

 analogy in art or science. Tf he kept his feet on soft carpets or 

 straw, moved only as the wants of nature dictated, and had no 

 weights to draw or carry, no trotting or galloping on hard stones 

 and roads to do, then we might attempt to " improve nature." 

 In his case, as at present viewed, it is destruction to the hoof, 

 and indirectly to the animalhimself, by the production of collateral 

 states, which end in causing him to be useless. 



Corns are the precursors to more serious states, and is a 

 warning which, if taken in time and acted upon, saves the 

 animal, and prolongs his usefulness. Neglect them a while, or 

 maltreat them by paring, and we have all the results to be found 

 in a worthless animal. 



Certain shapes of hoof are stated to be pre-disposing causes. 

 Granted ! But ninety per cent, of such pre-disposing causes 

 would never take effect if a proper system of shoeing was carried 

 out. 



Etngbones and Sidebones are deposits of bony matter, usually 

 described as efforts of nature to strengthen the parts. The 

 former are present round the pastern and fetlock front ; the 

 latter are ossified cartilages of the hoof. In my own candid 

 opinion these are nothing more or less than the results of action 

 which nature has been compelled to carry out. It is no effort to 

 strengthen, but a consequence of diseased action, arising from 

 modified influences brought about by hard work, bad shoeing, 

 &c, hereditary taint probably facilitating the occurrence. Horses 

 badly shod suffer more readily from these affections than farm 

 horses, or others even doing hard work on stones, whose feet are 

 well attended to and preserved. Concussion no doubt has its 

 potent influences, but if our horses' feet were more cared for it 

 would have less. 



Thrush consists of an ichorous and offensively smelling 

 discharge from the fissure or cleft of the frog — a discharge arising 

 from a local inflammatory action of sub-acute and low vitality 

 in the sensitive frog, indicated by a slight degree of pain, and 

 sometimes lameness. 



Causes. — Neglect in shoeing, heels becoming too high, and 

 thus taking the parts from natural and healthy stimulus pressure. 



Treatment. — Lower heels, so as to bring foot nearer to the 

 ground, or run barefoot at grass for some time : otherwise, if the 

 animal can be spared, in a clean loose box ; and press into the 

 crack each morning a little alum powder, or drop in a few drops 

 of spirits of salt. A diuretic ball should be given once during 

 the case. In a few days or weeks all will be well. 



Neglected thrushes are forerunners to other diseases, by 

 involving other structures and lessening their vitality. 



