156 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



often 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 also occurs 

 in the foot, 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 becomes 

 more perpendicular than usual, throwing the joint forward 

 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 swellings and finally 

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

 unsoundnesses described, however, are those of common 

 occurrence, and are most likely to attract attention. 



