242 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK 



dry floors, with no care being taken of tin 1 feet, arc liable to 

 have the trouble. Kvery horse that is worked or ridden during 

 the dry summer should be stood in water for an hour at a time 

 two or three times a week. This cools out the feet and keeps tin- 

 hoofs moist, pliable and healthy. 



Symptoms. The crack can generally be plainly seen, but at 

 first it may be very small, but still cause lameness. The crack 

 may be very small and just beginning at the top, but it is sore 

 and painful, and causes blood to ooze out. A toe-crack in the 

 hind foot is generally a very serious trouble. Dishonest traders 

 or dealers sometimes fill up the crack with tar, hoof ointment, 

 guttapercha, etc., or walk a horse through the mud to conceal 

 the crack before trading. A horse may have an extensive toe- 

 crack or quarter-crack and not be lame at all. It constitutes an 

 unsoundness, and should be looked upon with suspicion. 



Treatment. Give the animal rest, pare the foot under the 

 crack, and put on a shoe to take pressure off the affected quarter 

 or part of the toe. There are several forms of treatment used in 

 this trouble, all of which are very good if properly carried out. 

 The form of treatment we prefer is to take out a piece of the 

 hoof the shape of the leter V with the base upwards, and right 

 at the top border of the hoof and the point comes into the crack. 

 Have each side of this letter V about one inch long. By taking 

 out a piece of the hoof right across where the crack begins will 

 let the hoof grow solid when it grows in. A good blister of our 

 Spavin Cure should be applied in the hair just above where the 

 crack was after operating on it, to stimulate a more strong ami 

 healthy growth of hoof. After blistering, grease well every day 

 with sweet oil. Keep the horse quiet for a couple of weeks dur- 

 ing treatment, and then turn him to grass for two or three 

 months, when a cure is generally complete. Another form of 

 treatment is to put on a nice, light brass pl;ii- or clim-h to pre- 



