INJURIES AND DISEASES OF THE FEET. 215 



fast pace on hard roads, particularly if the feet are badly shod 

 and the frog is not allowed to reach the ground. In some cases 

 there is supposed to be a natural predisposition to the disease. 

 The fore-feet are, it may be said, exclusively affected. 



The feet are, as a rule, contracted at the heels, and hot- 

 ter than usual. In the stable, or when at rest^ the horse 

 "points" the affected foot {i.e. he places it forward with the 

 heel slightly raised), as that position gives it relief ; if both 

 feet are affected, he rests first one and then the other foot. In 

 movement, unless the disease is very advanced, he may walk 

 sound, or nearly so ; it is in trotting, and especially on hard 

 ground, and more particularly with a rider on his back, that 

 he manifests lameness — stepping short, and going more espe- 

 cially on his toes. Because of this manner of going, the shoes 

 are most worn towards the toes. The animal stumbles badly, 

 and goes down hill with much discomfort ; after working 

 some time, the lameness passes off to a certain extent. Tapping 

 on the sole, on each side of the frog, will produce pain, and 

 pressure made by the thumb deep in the hollow of the heel 

 .vill also cause pain and increase the lameness. 



Treatment. — Even in the earliest stage, treatment of this 

 disease is seldom satisfactory. The wall of the hoof should be 

 lowered as much as possible, so as to allow the frogs to rest on 

 the ground ; and, to this end, periplantar shoeing answ^ers very 

 well. Cold applications (such as poultices) to the feet, or 

 compelling the animal to stand in cold water, a running 

 stream, or in clay tempered with salt and water, may be re- 

 sorted to. The stall or loose box in which he rests should b© 

 laid with peat, tan, or moss litter; and the food should be 

 light, such as green forage, sloppy mashes, etc. 



After a week or two of this treatment, a blister should be 

 applied around the coronet, and especially in the hollow of 

 the heel. Turning out on a damp meadow for a month or 

 two may produce very beneficial effects. If the lameness still 



