MANUAL FOR STABLE SERGEANTS. 153 



applied to the coronet above the crack to stimulate a new growth of 

 horn. Toe cracks are treated in the same way. 



456. Contracted feet. An unnatural narrowing of the feet at 

 the quarters and heels. Most frequently seen in the front feet. 



Causes. Lack of frog pressure; lack of exercise; excessive dry ness 

 of the feet; concaving of the bearing surface of the shoe back to the 

 heels; cutting away the bars, and opening the heels with the knife. 



Symptoms. The foot, instead of being wide at the quarters and 

 circular in shape, becomes narrow at the heels, which in very 

 severe cases may overlap. The frog atrophies and is often affected 

 with thrush. Lameness may be present as a result of the pinching 

 of the sensitive structures by the walls of the hoof. 



Treatment. Frog pressure is essential. This may be obtained 

 by the use of a bar shoe, with leather pad, tar, and oakum, or by 

 letting the animal run barefoot for several months on soft ground. 

 Faults in shoeing must be corrected. If the foot is hard and dry it 

 must be softened by soaking or poulticing. 



457. Dry feet. A troublesome condition occurring most fre- 

 quently in dry weather. 



Causes. Lack of exercise; lack of frog pressure; dry weather; 

 and rasping away the periople. 



Symptoms. A hard, dry, and inelastic condition of the horn. 

 This increases concussion and frequently causes inflammation of the 

 foot corium and produces lameness. 



Treatment. Soften the feet by poultices or by foot baths and 

 then apply an oily covering to the wall surface; or, pack the cavity 

 between the branches of the shoe with wet clay two or three times a, 

 week. This is preferable to soaking in water as it supplies moisture 

 to the foot and does not macerate the periople. Work the animal on- 

 soft ground whenever possible. Oils and ointments do not soften, 

 the hoof. They are only useful to prevent drying out after the foot 

 has been moistened. 



458. Navicular disease. A chronic inflammation at the point 

 where the tendon of the deep digital flexor passes over the navicular 

 bone. The disease is confined almost exclusively to the front feet 

 and to light horses and mules used for fast work. 



Causes. Concussion; violent strains thrown upon the deep flexor 

 tendon; improper preparation of the foot in shoeing i. e. , leaving the 

 toe too long or excessive lowering of the heels. 



Symptoms. In the early stages there is little to indicate the nature 

 of the disease. There is lameness which may be slight at first, but 

 which gradually increases in severity. When resting the animal 



