In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 119 



consequence. In this, however, they will be sadly 

 mistaken, for the most serious mischief lurks within, 

 and the difficulty of removing it is extremely great. In 

 this state of the disease, although the fistula is of very 

 small dimensions, the effect of this confined matter will 

 have extended almost all over the entire quarter, and 

 the horny sole may be separated from the foot. The 

 matter may have penetrated and lodged beneath the 

 ligaments and cartilages of the coffin-joint; and besides 

 the pressure of the matter, wherever it has forced its 

 way to, will have formed ulcerations which are most 

 difficult to heal, and the horn which has been separated 

 from the sensible parts below will never unite with them 

 again, thus producing an evil of the worst description. 

 Quittor often proceeds from neglected bruises and 

 injuries to the sole of the foot. When horses have flat 

 feet, and are ridden over a rough, uneven, stony road, 

 the feet are very liable to be injured, and especially by 

 getting a small stone under a shoe, between it and the 

 sole where broad web shoes are used, to give what the 

 smith calls "cover" to the sole, which he has pared away, 

 leaving only the sixth of an inch of horn on the sole to 

 protect it against stones, so that the poor animal 

 cannot step upon a stone without seriously bruising 

 the foot. Animals also shod with the broad web 

 shoe are much more likely to get stones fast between 

 the frog and the shoe, and are by some men driven long 

 journeys with a stone in the shoe, because they either 

 do not see it or are too lazy to get down and take it 

 out. When narrow web shoes are used, we are told 

 by the smith that the horse is sure to hurt its feet on 



