172 HOESES AND EIDIXG. 



same size as the drawing or tliereabotits, and the 

 round marks in the shoe indicating the holes (fig. 26). 



I also give a sketch showing the appearance of a 

 fore leg that has given way, in order to enable my 

 readers to recognise one when they see one. The 

 drawing represents a very bad case of breakdown, 

 but a horse might be practically broken down which 

 did not show nearly such a curve as I have drawn 

 (fig. 27). 



The next species of unsoundness is fever in the 

 feet; this cannot be detected by looking at the feet, 

 but only by observing the horse as he stands in the 

 stable, and by feeling his feet, which will be much 

 hotter than if they were all right. 



Navicular lameness is the worst and most in- 

 sidious unsoundness which horses are troubled with. 

 It is imperceptible to the eye as far as an examina- 

 tion of the horse's feet go, and in the earlier stages 

 is difficult to detect in his action, if both feet are 

 equally affected . It is perfectly incurable, and renders 

 the horse eventually useless. It is said to be caused 

 by riding a horse too far and too fast, when not 

 accustomed to it, but it is also said to be hereditary. 

 There is nothing much to be said about this species 

 of lameness in the way of description, which will 

 enable any unaccustomed person to recognise it. 



If a horse is lame in his fore feet without 

 having received any blow or injury, and without 



