EANDCBACK.J 



THE HOESE, AND 



[SANDCRACK. 



These, also, should be anointed. To dress the 

 feet neatly, great care should be taken that 

 the tow does not hang out, as it may catch 

 objects, and thereby be drawn out. To pre- 

 vent this more effectually, take a good-sized 

 piece of tow, and place it over the frog, fasten- 

 ing it with two thin pieces of wood, laid across 

 each other. If the case is a bad one, renew 

 the dressing every day ; but should it not be 

 so, every second day; always observing the 

 stoppage of tow, to prevent dirt and moisture 

 from getting in. 



"When a horse is affected with thrush, he 

 should, in no case, be turned out; for the 

 night- dews, besides other liabilities to come in 

 contact with moisture, will inevitably undo all 

 that has been done towards eradicating the 

 disease. Hunters, that have what is called a 

 summer's run at grass, rarely come up to 

 stable, but some of them have got thrush, evi- 

 dently from the moisture. The groom, pro- 

 bably, thinks this of little importance at the 

 time ; though coming into a warm stable, &c., 

 with such an affection, soon proves that the 

 foundation of contraction is laid. 



A great many, on this account, assert that 

 thrush is the cause of contraction. In the 

 above case we would strongly recommend the 

 bar- shoe, shouldered down from the quarters. 



SANDCRACK. 



SandcracJc may be termed a division of the 

 horny fibres of the hoof, in a direction from 

 the coronet downwards. It is more common 

 to the fore than the hind feet. "When the bind 

 feet are affected, it is chiefly amongst cart- 

 horses, but not from the same cause as the 

 fore feet of other horses. Cart-horses, with 

 their immense high-heeled shoes, are apt, from 

 the least irritability, to rub one foot, or the 

 heel of one foot, against the front of the other, 

 thereby causing a sore at the coronet, which 

 splits the hoof downwards, and becomes what 

 is termed sandcrack. 



In the fore feet of horses, the disease fre- 

 quently attacks the quarters, as well as the 

 front of the hoof, especially if this is hard and 

 dry naturally. It may also be brought on by 

 injuries done to the coronet; such as those 

 which arise from stubs, bruises, &c. 



The fissure, or cleft, is not always of the same 

 depth ; and is sometimes of such a trifling na- 

 314 



ture as not even to penetrate the horn, where 

 it causes very little inconvenience. This is the 

 state in which sandcrack should be looked to 

 • — that is, in its early stage — when the curative 

 process will be much milder, and the disease 

 brought quicker to a termination. At other 

 times it goes through the horn, but does not 

 divide any of the sensitive parts underneath. 

 However, neglect, and continued work, will 

 commonly bring any case from the slightest 

 to the most aggravated state. "When the 

 crack has completely penetrated the hoof, it 

 becomes a most painful affection, and produces 

 extreme lameness. Tliis pain arises princi- 

 pally from the edges of the horn pressing upon 

 the soft parts, whenever the foot is put to the 

 ground. 



In treating for sandcrack, different methods, 

 according to the nature of the disease, must 

 be adopted. In the first place, having exam- 

 ined the foot well, the sole should be par- 

 tially pared out, and the heels lowered, and a 

 shoe put on, laid off the quarters moderately, 

 if the crack is in front. Tour next attention 

 must now be given to the cleft or fissure. 

 Not the least particle of dirt should be suf- 

 fered to remain in it ; but should there appear 

 fungus or proud flesh, the probe should be used 

 to feel whether sinuses have been formed. If 

 so, all horn that may cover them, must be re- 

 moved with a fine drawing-knife, and laid com- 

 pletely bare, to prevent their going further. 

 Touch the fungus then with lunar caustic, and 

 fill the fissure up with tow, saturated in com- 

 pound tincture of myrrh, first pouring the 

 sinuses full, if there be any, and covering the 

 whole with another piece of tow. This done, 

 bind the whole on with a piece of well-tarred 

 twine. Let this dressing be carefully applied 

 for two or three days, when, if the fissure is 

 going on well, take a firing-iron, and draw it 

 aci-oss it, both at the top and bottom. This 

 will prevent its extending either way. Draw 

 your lines almost to the quick, but not through. 

 After this, dress the foot again, binding well up, 

 as before directed. On a second examination, 

 if the parts do not suppurate, they will be found 

 dry, and looking kindly. If this is the case, 

 take a fine drawing-knife, and pare down the 

 edges of the fissure, taking care not to draw 

 blood ; and observe if there appear any oozing 

 at the edtres. If so, apply a little of the solu- 



