THE POINTS OF THE HORSE 181 



very severe. When standing, the horse, as a rule, reaches 

 the feet somewhat forward, resting the weight upon the 

 heel. The hind feet, which carry most of the weight, are 

 placed well under the body. The more perfect the foot, the 

 less liable the horse is to suffer from founder. A very flat 

 foot, or one with very high hoof walls, or a foot that is quite 

 contracted, is liable to be affected with this trouble. 



Navicular disease is an inflammation that occurs in the 

 foot also, affecting the sesamoid sheath and the navicular 

 bone. This occurs most commonly with race horses and 

 those having great knee action. Usually but one forefoot 

 suffers from the disease, which is caused by concussion and 

 shock to the affected parts. The early stages of the disease 

 are not commonly noticed. Attention is first directed to 

 the "pointing" of the foot, which is extended forward, the 

 weight resting on the toe, and, as the trouble develops, lame- 

 ness is noticed, which increases with use of the horse. But 

 few cases of navicular disease recover. 



Cocked ankle, or knuckling, is a partial dislocation of 

 the pastern or fetlock joint, in which case the pastern be- 

 comes more perpendicular than usual, throwing the joint for- 

 ward out of natural position. This is not always an 

 unsoundness, but is a defect, in that it causes stumbling 

 and clumsy action. 



There are some other forms of unsoundness that are 

 not especially common. There are also some diseases that 

 become chronic as external features, such as fistula and poll 

 evil. These two are manifested by swelling and finally 

 running sores at the withers or poll, as the case may be. 

 When these two diseases are well established as running 

 sores, they are difficult to cure, and frequently, in spite of 

 medical treatment, extend over a long period of time. 

 The various forms of unsoundness described, however, are 

 those of common occurrence, and are most likely to attract 

 attention. 



