SHOEING BAD FEET. 



Ill 



"bearing-surface, affords only an ingenious instrument of 

 torture. 



In even fhe worst of tliese deformed feet some good, 

 sound horn is to be found at the heels, where an inch or 

 sometimes two can be utilized for level bearing. No 

 matter how much seating is required at the toe and 

 quarters, the heel of the shoe may always be' made level. 



It cannot be too strongly urged that in the prepara- 

 tion of feet Avith bulging soles no horn is to be removed 

 from the sole. The toe is to be shortened, the heels 

 lowered proportionately, and the bearing-surface of the 

 wall made level with a rasp. At no place must the shoe 

 rest on the sole. In nearly every case, the toe is left too 

 long and the bearing taken upon it by the shoe only 

 increases the deformity. In many feet, a large slice 

 might be sawn off the toe with advantage, as the sensi- 

 tive foot is separated from the Avail by a mass of diseased 

 horn which presses the wall at the toe forward. (Fig. 83.) 





Fig. 82. 

 Dei'crniity resulting 

 from laminitis. 



Fig 83.— Section showing 



liow front of wall is separated 



from sensitive laminae. 



Sandcracks. — This is the name given to cracks in 

 the wall, which commence at the coronet and extend 

 downwards. From their position at the toe, or at the 

 side of the hoof, they are sometimes called respectively 

 " toe-cracks " and " quarter- cracks." The crack may be 

 very slight and may exist without causing lameness. It 

 may appear suddenly, accompanied by great lameness 

 and by the issue of blood from between the edges of the 

 divided Avail. These are grave cases Avhich require 

 ^surgical attendance. Sandcracks are most commonly 



