HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



point. It must be done, otlicrwise it is not a bit of use. 

 The matter must have free exit. Xow soak the foot iu hot 

 water. Put on a hot bran j)()ultice, to which some hnseed meal 

 has been added. If the puncture has just been done, and there 

 is no matter fpus^'i formed, a cokl bran poultice can be put on. 

 Rest ; green food, if possible ; dose of physic. 



SIDE-BONE. 



The pedal bone is enclosed by the hoof. Attached to the 

 backward processes or wings of this bone are two flexible plates 

 of cartilage or gristle. These plates project a little above the 

 hoof, just at the upper border of the heels. When they are 

 perfectly free from disease they will be found to yield when the 

 thumb is pressed against them from the side, or, in other words, 

 have an elastic feel. The functions of these triangular pieces 

 of cartilage appear to be that of {a) allowing the soft structures 

 at this part of the foot to expand when the latter comes to the 

 ground ; (b) to conserve energy by a reversal of this process 

 when the foot is off the ground. 



This explanation will enable the reader to understand the 

 reason why any alteration, whereby the elasticity of the cartilages 

 is diminished, will cause defective action in this part of the foot, 

 probably culminating in lameness. Now, the term side hone 

 is applied to these cartilages when they have become either 

 partially or completely converted into bone. Horses used for 

 heavy draught are those generally affected. Indeed, a very 

 large proportion of these animals have side bones after having 

 done two or three years' work in town, or upon hard roads. Of 

 course, the lighter bred horse is not exempt. \n him it is a 

 serious defect at ah times, because he is liable, particularly so, 



