DISEASES OF THE FEET. 4, ' .106 



smith has neglected the necessary paring when removing the 

 shoes, the hoof, especially during rapid motion, is very apt 

 to split in the quarters. This generally takes place on the 

 inside of the hind part of the foot. In this it differs from 

 contraction, which, as we have seen, usually causes the crack 

 to come in front. 



The fore-feet are more subject to cracks than the hind 

 ones. Founder does the mischief here. It is the general 

 cause of brittleness. Brittleness produces contraction, and 

 contraction splits the hoof. All these diseases often exist, 

 and no crack occur. But hoofs thus diseased are much more 

 liable to crack than others, and when cracks do take place 

 in them, we may be certain their true causes are those here 

 indicated. , #► 



Cracks in the front part of the hoof often extend to the 

 top, or the coronary ring. They are not of uniform depth, 

 sometimes penetrating only part way through the hoof. In 

 this case, they do but little harm, and, with a good shoe, 

 the horse will do excellent service for years, if used moder- 

 ately. The only danger seems to be the liability of the crack 

 to deepen to the sensitive part of the foot, when it inevitabl}^ 

 causes lameness. When it is situated in the quarter, it seldom 

 extends more than half way up the hoof, yet it msij be deep 

 and sore. 



TREATMENT. 



There is but little difficulty in effecting a cure, which is 

 only a question of time. Remove the disease which is its 

 cause, and the crack will readily heal over. The former, 

 then, is the first thing to be accomplished, and when this is. 

 effected the crack will generally get well of itself. If the 

 crack is in front, file off its edges nearly to the bottom. 

 Then lay a narrow strip of canvas cloth, about an inch in 

 width, lengthwise over it, and, outside of this, still another, 

 covered with a thick coating of adhesive salve, or of pitch. 

 Care should be taken that no sand or dirt is left in the crack, 

 under the cloth. 



At the top of the crack, if it extends only part way up the 



