FOXES FOXHOUNDS & FOX-HUNTING 



causes the weight to fall upon the fore part of the 

 bones of the foot, so that the hound stands on his 

 toes. In order to increase the power of resistance, 

 and bring the weight into line with the leg, the 

 foot must be shortened. When this happens, 

 the pad is deepened, becoming thick and fleshy, 

 in order to afford sufficient surface to support the 

 weight. The joints of the foot being short, there 

 is no play or spring, thus the toes have a tendency 

 to expand in a lateral direction. In order to 

 save himself sore heels, the hound uses the fore 

 and inner portion of the toe pad, which causes 

 the toe to increase its lateral expansion. The 

 result of this is the muscle controlling the toes 

 breaks down, and the weight falls on the nails 

 which soon become tender. The hound is then 

 compelled to use the heel alone, which likewise 

 soon becomes bruised and sore, and eventually 

 the whole foot flattens out and becomes prac- 

 tically useless. The breaking down of the muscle 

 controlling the toes affects the band of muscle 

 round the knee, slackening it, and thus allowing 

 the joint to knuckle forward. When this happens 

 the bearings of the joint become rough, thus 

 greatly handicapping movement, and causing 

 pain or at any rate severe discomfort to the 

 hound. Seeing that both muscles and bones are 

 reduced to an abnormal state, the nervous system 

 suffers in like ratio, and the hound's brain is 

 affected by the concussion. With such formation 

 below the knee, even the best of shoulders are 

 unable to counteract the jar and vibration, so 

 the hound becomes a skirter, and is thus valueless 

 as a member of the pack. On the sound, level 

 grass of the Shires, he may run up for three or 

 four seasons, whereas in a really rough country 

 such as the fells he will do well if he gets through 

 one season without endless foot trouble. 



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