over the bottom of the coffin bone are con- 

 stantly calling on the navicular bone for action, 

 and when the free articulation of this little 

 bone is interfered with by reason of its cramped 

 condition or position, owing to the contracted 

 heels, it is impossible for it to perform its nat- 

 ural functions. This is not the exact language 

 the dean of the veterinary college would use, 

 but we are trvins^ to tell this little varn in the 

 plainest of language. x\ny pressure, therefore, 

 on the frog causes pain. If the frog is hard 

 and dry, and there is much pressure put on it, 

 the horse will hold the foot off the ground or 

 rest it on the toe. If both front feet are affected 

 he will lie down if allowed to, but that does 

 not free him from the pain. 



Lower the heels and shoe as I have directed 

 for contraction and corns, with springs, pads 

 and bar-shoes. The shoe, should be wide- 

 webbed and thin, and in making the bar, ''set 

 it up" from the foot side, so that there is no 

 possibility of its pressing on the frog. The bar 

 should be wide, as its purpose is to protect the 

 frog from injury and pressure. The foot should 

 be -well poulticed before shoeing and the coron- 

 ary bands well stimulated with a blister or a 

 penetrating liniment after shoeing that will re- 

 move the soreness and keep the foot in a soft 

 and pliable condition. If you can possibly get 

 along without them, do not put any calks on 

 the shoes, and break them over slightly at the 

 toes. 



59 



