DR. LEGEAH'S STOCK BOOK. 161 



SIDE -BONES. 



A side-bone is a bony tumor situated on one or both sides of a 

 horse's foot just above the hoof. It is due to ossification (turn- 

 ing to bone) of the lateral cartileges. The lateral cartileges are 

 pads of cartilege (gristle) one on each side of the foot partially 

 inside the hoof, which are so situated that in their natural state 

 they form a spring to the heel while the horse is traveling. In 

 the healthy foot these cartileges are pliable and will spring on 

 being pressed with the fingers. But when, from some cause, they 

 are turned to bone, they are then called side-bones and are 

 enlarged, hardened, and unpliable. 



Causes. Side-bones are caused by hard and fast work upon 

 hard roads. A horse traveling rapidly upon a hard road strikes 

 the road very hard with his feet, which is apt to bruise the foot. 

 set up inflammation in the lateral cartileges which is very likely 

 to turn them to bone. Side-bones are also caused by punctures, 

 bruises, and injuries, as by one horse stepping on the side of his 

 mate's foot, injuring the lateral cartilege and resulting in side- 

 bone. 



Symptoms. Side-bones very seldom come in the hind feet, 

 but are nearly always seen in the front feet. They are more com- 

 mon in heavy draft horses, but are not nearly so serious as when 

 affecting light horses used for driving or riding. In some cases 

 the cartilege turns to bone and remains the natural size, while 

 in others it becomes very much enlarged, making an ugly appear- 

 ance on the side of the foot. While traveling, the toe of the 

 foot is first brought to the ground, and there is in case both 

 front feet are affected a peculiar stilty action and stiffness of 

 gait. 



