DISEASES OF THE HORSE 41 



FOUNDER 



Cause: Overeating or drinking — in fact, any irrita- 

 tion of the stomach or intestines is liable to be followed 

 by Founder, owing to the similarity in the sensitive 

 structure of the foot, skin, and mucous membranes. 

 Horses with weak feet are predisposed to Founder, but 

 it may also occur in strong-footed animals. Founder is 

 also produced by driving an animal on a hot summer day 

 and then placing in the stable where the sweat is sud- 

 denly checked by drafts, etc. 



Symptoms: The horse is stiff, and moves with great 

 difficulty; he will generally, though not always, remain 

 standing. Throws weight upon the heel of the foot to 

 relieve the toe, and if an effort is made to back him he 

 wdll drag his feet. Excessive heat is present at the top 

 of the hoof, and a throbbing of the arteries may be felt 

 When the fore feet only are affected, the horse will re- 

 lieve them of as much weight as possible when walking 

 by placing the hind feet well under the body, which 

 results in a peculiar jumping motion. Founder may oc- 

 cur in all four feet, but the fore feet are more often 

 affected than the hind ones. Mares sometimes founder 

 after giving birth to a colt, due to inflammation of the 

 w^omb ; symptoms correspond to those of common Foun- 

 der. Founder may be mistaken for disease of the lungs 

 or kidneys, owing to the standing position and arched 

 back. Veterinarians have been known to mistake it for 

 lung fever ; tlie services of such men are dangerous and 

 should be avoided. 



Treatment : In all cases of Founder, administer Po- 

 tassi Iodide, one ounce ; Soda Bicarbonate, four ounces ; 

 Potassi Nitrate, four ounces. Mix and give one table- 

 spoonful in drinking water every six hours. If the 

 animal will not take it in its water, place in gelatin cap- 

 sule and give with capsule gun. 



Find out the true cause of the disease, if possible, and 

 perhaps a physic will be indicated, containing Aloin, 



