136 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 01* 



tow. To treat this requires patience and perseverance, and you may 

 subdue the fungus growths and produce a healthy growth. 



Sand Cracks, or Qaarter Cracks. — Called quarter, perhaps, be- 

 cause the quarter is most likely to be affected. The crack extends 

 down the wall, parallel with the fibres. It is called sand cracks 

 because it is common in horses kept upon hot sandy soil — a horse 

 raised upon moist land has a larger and flatter foot than those raised 

 on dry land. Sand crack is oftenest seen on the inside quarter of the 

 fore foot, and in front of the hind foot, but may appear on any part. 



Causes. — Some breeds and certain usage predispose to it, and shoeing 

 with high heels and" toes, high condition and irregular exercise, dry 

 weather, etc., before the crack makes its appearance. I think there is 

 impaired secretion and a slight irritation, but it may appear in a 

 healthy foot. At first it is generally just a small crack at the top of 

 the hoof, and extends into the sensitive parts, or it may only extend 

 through the horny part and not into the sensitive parts. The crack 

 contracts when stepped upon, and expands when raised. This bruises 

 the sensitive parts, and causes irritation, inflammation, and suppura- 

 tion, and, if the animal is still kept at work, severe consequences may 

 result. The hoof will not reunite, but must grow from the top, and 

 takes a long time. It is, generally speaking, unsoundness, but if 

 properly used it does not interfere much with his usefulness. 



Treatment. — When lame remove the shoe. Cut down the wall im- 

 mediately under the crack, then allay the irritation. Bathe or im- 

 merse in warm poultices, etc., then endeavour to promote the growth 

 of horn — a blister around the coronet stimulates the growth — and 

 when it grows down about an inch then a little exercise is beneficial. 

 Cold water is also a stimulant for the growth of horn. If the horse 

 must work, cut down the parts, and endeavour to keep the sides of the 

 crack together by means of clamps, using the necessary hot iron to 

 give a hold, and if in a strong hoof there is but little trouble — in thin 

 walls you might wound the sensitive structures or a nail may be 

 inserted in the form of a clinch in a heavy hoof, or a brass plate put on 

 with screws. The firing iron is often used, and is sometimes benefi- 

 cial. If the crack extends half-way down, then you must bottom the 

 crack, as it is called, then fire in a sort of a V shave to weaken the 

 attachment. Some strip off the horn entirely and allow new horn to 

 grow. Shoe with long shoes, and give frog pressure. The cold of 

 winter as well as the heat of summer predisposes to it. In examining 

 for soundness it is generally easily detected, but if the hair is long it 

 may be overlooked, and some honest (?) people fill the cracks with 

 gutta percha. A bar or round shoe is a good kind of shoe for sand 

 crack. 



Tread, Over-reach and Calk are common in winter, especially 

 when high sharp shoes are used. Even if very trivial, and neglected, 

 they may prove very serious. 



Treatment. — If it penetrates some little distance, the horse is kept 

 at work and suppuration results. The animal will be very lame ; 

 tapping slightly gives pain. It is sometimes advisable to remove the 

 shoe ; cleanse the parts ; rasp the wall down ; cut down carefully ; 

 remove any hair, etc. Then apply a nice light poultice, and then 

 astringents. If not attended to the matter burrows and it becomes a 

 serious trouble, and may even result in a quittor. Do not use any 

 powerful remedies. Equal parts of oil of tar, tincture of benzoin and 

 linseed oil is a good application. The lateral cartilages may be out in 



