176 NAVIN OX THE HORSE. 



and spreading the handles apart. The entire hoof should be 

 well soaked with the following liniment, twice a day: 



Take — Linseed oil 4 ounces. 



Saltpeter 4 ounces. 



Oil of spike 2 ounces. 



Aqua ammonia 2 ounces. 



Mix, and shake well before using. 



The shoe should be removed every three weeks. The horse 

 should stand on soft ground. 



SAND-CRACK, OR SPLIT-HOOF. 



Sand-crack is a crack in the wall of the hoof, running in the 

 direction of its grain, or up and down, occurring either at the 

 quarters or at the toe. The former is sometimes called 

 quarter-crack; the latter, toe-crack — quarter-crack most fre- 

 quently occurring in the fore-feet, and at the inner quarter; 

 toe crack in the hind feet. The crack may commence at the 

 lower border of the wall or tread, and extend but a little way 

 up it ; or it may neither reach the coronet nor the lower 

 border ; or it may extend the full length of the hoof, from the 

 coronet to the lower border or tread. It also may vary in 

 depth ; sometimes seen only part of the way through the wall, 

 and, in other cases, entirely through, completely separating the 

 wall from the coronet to the tread. 



Symptoms. — The simple description above given will enable 

 any person to tell a case of split-hoof, and whether it is toe- 

 crack or quarter-crack, and also the length of the crack ; but, 

 to determine the depth, a more careful examination is necessary. 

 Each side of the crack should be pared away until the depth is 

 ascertained, for the treatment to be adopted depends mainly on 

 tlie depth of the crack. 



If the crack goes through the wall there may be considerable 

 lameness, and bloody matter may ooze out through the split. 

 Fungus or proud-flesh may also shoot up from the sensitive 

 parts below in the hoof. 



