HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



A well cU^h'IojxhI foot- pad (froi^^) seems to be the best pro- 

 tective of this disease. An attentuated frog is a common 

 accompaniment of na\'iciilar disease, and there can be no doubt 

 that such is a powerful predisposing cause, one of the functions 

 of the frog being to protect the navicular apparatus. 



The following ideas have been propounded as " predis- 

 posing "causes of this disease: (i) Long pasterns, by causing 

 excessive strain upon the tendons ; (2) Small, narrow, upright 

 feet, having arched soles ; (3^ Upright pasterns ; (4) Leaving 

 the toe too long ; (5) A long period of rest, or resting upon the 

 foot constantly ; (6) Lowering of the heels, thus bringing greater 

 strain upon the flexor tendons ; (7) That it is due to a rheumatic 

 predisposition ; (8) Horses which stand " over " on the fore 

 feet ; fg) Destrnction of the frog (foot- pad) through paring, or 

 disease. No doubt there are numerous other views, all of which 

 have their own reasons of advocacy. However, it must be 

 borne in mind that the exciting agent is concussion compression^ 

 or some form of injttrv. 



Symptoms. — (a) Lameness, coming on gradually ; (/j) The 

 animal is very lame when brought out of stable, but this may 

 pass off after a little exercise, though it is quite possible that 

 exercise will increase the lameness. The chest appears drawn 

 together, and the animal has a stilty look when moving. \\'hen 

 horse is in stable, the w^eight is taken off the heel and the toe 

 pointed ; perhaps scraping the floor. The hoof may be smaller 

 than its fellow. If both feet are affected, diminution in size 

 will not be noticed, toj^ether with upright pasterns, contraction 

 of the foot, and shrunken, dry, and wasted frog. Sometimes 

 there is pain shown when the hollow of the heel is pressed. 

 There is a short cat-like step particularly observable when both 



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