HUNTERS 



NAVICULAR ARTHRITIS 



This is an incurable disease implicating the 

 navicular bone, the bursa, the cartilage covering 

 the bone, and the tendon playing over it, any 

 of which, or the whole, are liable to participate 

 in this disease. It is not anything like so 

 common in hunters as in horses of the lighter 

 kind working on hard roads. One, or both 

 fore-feet may be affected, and the lameness 

 indicative of this trouble is characterised by 

 pointing of the foot, the toe being brought to 

 the ground first, so that the shoe usually 

 becomes excessively worn at this point. In 

 addition to this, the step is very short, in fact 

 the short cat-like action in front is very 

 significant of this affection. The lameness is 

 particularly marked when the animal comes out 

 of the stable, but passes off as it warms to its 

 work. The foot is usually contracted at the 

 heel, in addition to which, there are other 

 signs, all more or less significant to the 

 veterinarian, but not of much value to the 

 layman. A hunter having a trouble of this 

 kind is, needless to say, of no commercial 



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