8 July, 1907, 



Lame>iess in Horses. 



415 



LAMEXESS IN HORSES. 



{Co)itiiiiicd from page 380.) 

 S. S. Caiiierou, M .R.C.V .S., Chief Veterinary Officer. 



Corns. 



Bruises of the sensitive structures underlying the sole in the angle 

 formed by the bar and wall of the hoof at the heel, are termed corns 

 (see Fig. 54, seat of corns). The sole corn is very thin at this part, and 

 is therefore less able to protect the sensitive structures underneath against 

 injury from pressure of the shoe or other violence. The bruisei is evidenced 

 b\ the blood-staining, softness and sponginess of the horn of the part, 

 which will be moist or may even discharge matter if the bruise has been 

 a severe one. 



It is onl\' in rare instances that corns are found on the hind feet, which 

 ha\e seldom the flat conformation of the fore feet. The heels are stronger, 

 the soles more arched and the wall is therefore better able to support the 

 shoe without the necessity of allowing it to rest partly on the bars. Thi 

 inner heels of the fore feet are the most frequent seat of corns on account 



Fig. 54. — Ground surface of hoof. 

 a. Seat of "Corns." b. Horny bar. 



Fk 



-Ilodf sIkkI for corns 

 three-quarter shoe. 



ith 



mainly of the horn on the inner heel being weaker than that of the outer. 

 The practice of fitting the inner web of the shoe to the wall whereby part 

 of its bearing is on the seat of corns is also responsible in some degree. 

 This practice is adopted presumably to prevent brushing, but it is un- 

 necessary, as in brushing a horse does not touch with the heel but with 

 the quarter or toe. 



Causes. — Corns are seldom seen in bush horses in Australia, and as 

 the majority of horses in the country are never shod it is not unreasonable 

 to conclude that the disease is associated with the practice of shoeing. 

 It mav be not altogether the fault of the shoeing-smith either, for the 

 owner,' by neglect to have the shoeing attended to at reasonably frequent 

 intervals, often contributes in large measure to the causation of corns. 

 On this subject the remarks of the late Captain \l. H. Hayes, F.R.C.V.S.. 

 who is widely experienced in regard to it, are so apposite and informative 

 that the liberty is taken of quoting him at length. He says: " ^i-- 



The 



