372 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



The sensitive laminse, are thin plates of soft tissue, covering the 

 entire anterior surface of the coffinbone. They are present in great 

 numbers, and by fitting into corresponding grooves on the inner sur 

 face of the horn of the wall the union of the soft and horn}^ tissues is 

 made complete. (Plate XXIX, fig. 1.) 



The i^lantar cushion is a thick pad of fibrous tissue placed behind 

 and under the navicular and cofiinbones, and resting on the sole and 

 frog, for the purpose of receiving the downward pressure of the 

 column of bones and to destroy shock. (Plate XXIX, fig. 4.) 



The lateral cartilages are attached, one on either side, to the wings 

 of the coffinbone by their inferio*!' borders. Thcj" are thin plates of 

 fibro-cartilage, and their function is to assist the frog and adjacent 

 structures to regain their proper position after having been displaced 

 b}' the weight of the bod}^ while the foot rested on the ground. (Plate 

 XXIX, fig. 2.) 



FAULTS OF CONFORMATION. 



A large percentage of horses have feet which are not f)erfect in 

 conformation, and, as a consequence of these imperfections, they are 

 especially predisposed to certain injuries and diseases. 



Flatfoot is that condition in which the sole has little or no con- 

 vexity. It is a peculiarity common to some breeds, especiallj^ heavy, 

 lymphatic animals raised on low, marshy soils. It is confined to the 

 fore feet, which are generally broad, low heeled, and with a wall less 

 upright than is seen in the perfect foot. 



In flatfoot there can be little or no elasticity in the sole, for the 

 reason that it has no arch, and the weight of the animal is received 

 on the entire plantar surface, as it rests upon the ground instead of on 

 the wall. For these reasons such feet are particularly liable to bruises 

 of the sole, corns, pumiced sole, and excessive suppuration when the 

 process is once established. Horses with flatfoot should be shod 

 with a shoe having a wide web, pressing on the wall only; while the 

 heels and frog are never to be pared. Flatfoot generally has weak 

 walls, and, as a consequence, the nails of the shoe are readily loosened 

 and the shoe cast. 



Clubfoot is a term applied to such feet as have the wall set nearl}^ 

 perpendicular. When this condition is present the heels are high, 

 the fetlock joint is thrown forward, or knuckles, and the weight of 

 the animal is received on the toes. Manj^ mules are clubfootcd, 

 especially behind, where it seems to cause little or no inconvenience. 

 Clubfoot may be cured by cutting the tendons in severe cases; but, as 

 a rule, special shoeing is the oxAy measure of relief that can be adopted. 

 The toe should not be pared, but the heels are to be lowered as much 

 as possible, and a shoe put on with a long projecting toe piece, slightly 

 turned up, while the heels of the shoe are to be made thin. 



