1 88 Common Diseases of the Horse 



should be exercised in estimating the size of the foot as to whether 

 they are small or merely broken through lack of attention. In 

 many young horses a ringed condition, just below the coronet, will 

 be found, but this is comparatively common, and indicates a growth 

 of new horn. It appears to overlap the smooth horn below it, and 

 shows that the foot is spreading out. Sometimes the wall is allowed 

 to grow much too long and the sole is neglected. Until it is cut down 

 and removed to the level of the sole, one may easily be deceived 

 and imagine that separation existed, because numerous cavities will 

 be found. They all disappear with the use of knife and rasp, and 

 perfectly sound condition is found. 



The frog may also be thrown out of use by overgrowth of the 

 wall, and appear small and undeveloped. With proper attention, 

 and allowing it to come in contact with the ground, it will soon 

 become restored in shape and size. 



Treatment. — Seedy toe or seedy feet should be dealt with as 

 soon as detected. The whole of the unsound horn should be re- 

 moved and the cheesy material cut away until not a trace of it 

 remains. To do this, it may be necessary to remove a very great 

 deal of the crust of the wall ; in some cases it seems almost like 

 removing all the outside wall of the foot. This, no doubt, appears 

 drastic treatment, but it will undoubtedly pay better in the end. 



In removing the unsound horn the operator must cut away 

 until all the horn is perfectly sound, and for this purpose he will 

 require to almost draw blood. This will, however, not be quite 

 necessary, as he will recognize the sound material by its elastic 

 nature. The whole of the parts operated upon must be then well 

 dressed with a lo per cent solution of carbolic acid. A light bar 

 shoe should then be put on if it is possible to find room for nails; 

 if not, a leather boot will be necessary, and a smart blister is to be 

 applied round the coronet. This may be repeated two or three 

 times, and afterwards the coronet and hoof may be dressed with 

 common castor oil. 



Such treatment, together with careful attention, should result in 

 the foot growing down quite sound. 



Contracted foot may be treated by several methods. If it is 

 caused by improper shoeing, it will usually assume its natural 

 proportion with appropriate methods. If, on the other hand, it is 

 contracted from disease, surgical treatment is necessary. Some 

 veterinary practitioners fire the coronet deeply all round, afterwards 

 blistering and putting on a bar shoe, but unless the firing goes very 

 deeply into the coronet little relief will be given to the squeezed-in 

 contents of the back part of the foot. 



