90 MANUAL FOR ARMY HORSESHOERS. 



Symptoms. — A soft, flaky condition of the horn, lameness usually 

 being absent. If there is marked crumbling of the horn with the 

 formation of a cavity between tlie horny and sensitive laminae, 

 lameness may result from injury to the sensitive structures by dirt, 

 and infecti(m and pus formation may occur. 



Treatment. — Remove the unsound horn, clean the cavity, pro- 

 tect the foot by means of a leather pad and apply a dressing of tar 

 and oakum. IJse a bar slioe, well rolled at the toe; no nails should 

 l)e driven in the diseased part, but. instead, side clips should be 

 used, care being exercised that' they bear only on the healthy horn. 

 Stimulate the growth of horn by applying a blister of cantharides 

 or mercury to the coronet. 



NAVICULAR DISEASE. 



88. Navicular disease is a chronic inflammation at the point where 

 the tendon of the deep digital flexor passes over the navicular bone. 



Causes. — Faulty conformation, in which the limb is placed 

 under the body and carries excessive weight; faulty conformation 

 of the feet in which the heels are high and narrow, resulting in ex- 

 cessive concussion; long toes, in which the strain on the deep flexor 

 tendon is increased; standing on inclined surfaces, such as stalls 

 and picket lines with an upward slo]>e, thus increasing the strain. 

 It invaria])ly affects the front feet because the weight upon them is 

 greater than on the hind feet. 



Symptoms.^-Lameness, which is slight at first, but gradually 

 increases in severity. While traveling" the affected leg takes a 

 shorter step and the toe strikes the ground before the heel comes 

 down. In some cases the lameness may disappear for a day or two. 

 When resting, the animal points the toe, and if lame in both feet 

 the limbs are advanced and the feet rested alternately. If kept in 

 a stall with a soft floor a hole is usually dug and the animal stands 

 with the toes in the hole, the heels resting on the edge. This greatly 

 relieves the strain on the diseased area. As a result of the constant 

 standing on the toes the frogs atropliy (waste away) and the heels 

 contract and the wall at the heels becomes higher than normal. 

 Pressure o\er the navicular area with the hoof tester or pincers 

 causes marked pain. Bar shoes also greatly increase the lameness. 



Treatment.— The disease is incurable, and treatment merely 

 serves to diminish the effects, though in the first stages treatment 

 may be beneficial. The inflammation should be reduced by means 

 of cold foot baths and poultices, followed by the application of 



