OVER-KEACH. 593 



tween the wall and the lower margin of the pedal bone. 

 This condition of the foot is dependent on some previous 

 injury, sustained by the organised structures to the coffin- 

 bone or tissues covering it, implying destruction more 

 or less of the secreting surface at the part. These condi- 

 tions may be of a temporary character, or, as is more 

 frequently the case, become, to some extent, permanent 

 deformities ; when extensive, there is usually some bulging 

 of the wall at the part affected this occurs most frequently 

 at the outside toe and quarter. There is commonly a want 

 of the arched form or concavity of sole in connection with 

 these conditions, and there is a corresponding flatness by 

 absorption, of the coffin-bone. Horses with these defects are 

 not necessarily lame, although it more frequently happens 

 that they are so, and a want of full energy of action must 

 always be a consequent state in the subject so affected ; 

 good shoeing and general care of the feet are the means 

 to be adopted, 



OVER-REACH. 



This consists of a contused wound over the soft bulbs of 

 the heels, usually on one side only, and is caused by the 

 hind foot, whilst in action, over-reaching the parallel fore 

 one ; it usually takes place with young horses, especially 

 before they become accustomed to their work in the hunting 

 field. It is only through some false movement that the 

 horse over-reaches. It happens when galloping in deep 

 ground, or when taking a small leap in his stride ; it never 

 occurs in the fair gallop ; hence the accident is not often 

 met with in race-horses, either in training or whilst run- 

 ning. The injury sustained in over-reaching is not com- 

 monly so great as it at first appears to be. The wound. 



