722 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



feet are affected, the weight will be frequently shifted from one 

 foot to the other. The animal travels better on soft ground, 

 and a rider or other weight on his back increases the pain. He 

 sometimes knuckles at the fetlock ; this misleads many. When 

 the shoe is removed and the foot pared at the heel, redness can 

 sometimes be seen, but sometimes there is lameness without 

 redness. 



TREATMENT. Remove the shoe, cut down the heel, and toe 

 too, if necessary, in order to put the foot into proper shape. 

 Do not cut to the quick unless matter is present, but cut just 

 enough to relieve the pressure, and replace the shoe in such a 

 manner that it will not press upon the bruised place. If there 

 is much soreness it is sometimes necessary to poultice the foot, 

 or keep it standing in water. If matter is formed, cut down to 

 it, and let it out. If it is not let out it will work its way out 

 at the top of the hoof. 



Punctures. By this is meant any injury from nails, snags, 

 etc., passing through the bottom of the foot. If it is in the 

 frog it is more liable to become serious than if nearer the toe. 



SYMPTOMS. If the injury can not be seen, the action of the 

 animal must be a guide. If it is in a hind-foot the fetlock will 

 knuckle when he is first started, after a rest. If it is in a fore 

 foot, the affected foot will be rested in front of the sound one ; 

 and in either case, when weight is thrown on the sore foot, it 

 is suddenly shifted back to the sound one. In examining, take 

 up the foot and tap it with a light hammer, and when the sore 

 part is struck he will flinch. Pare the bottom of the foot down 

 until all dirt and old horn is removed, and the point of injury 

 may then be seen. 



TREATMENT. First, satisfy yourself that no piece of the of- 

 fending body remains in the foot. Rest the animal, and if the 

 hole be too small to allow the blood and matter to escape, cut 

 the hoof away until you make a free opening. Then, by 

 means of a sack large enough to admit the foot, apply a poultice 

 bran, hops, or flax-seed meal is good and tie the sack around 

 the leg. Sometimes the entire frog comes loose ; it then becomes 

 necessary to cut it away and allow a new one to grow in. 



