HEAVY DRAUGHT HORSES 53 



degrees. We merely mention this as indicating that the 

 wall of the hoof should be of a moderate degree of 

 obliquity, free from indents and cracks, healthy in 

 appearance, and the heels well opened out. A concave 

 sole (never fiat) and sound well-developed frogs are most 

 essential. 



Fully 25 per cent of horses have faulty feet, hence the 

 reason why the buyer cannot be too particular. Always 

 have both fore shoes removed when examining the feet, 

 otherwise some serious defect such as separation of the 

 wall and seedy toe may be hidden. 



The fore feet are more liable to disease than the hind 

 ones. Brittle hoof, flat feet, contracted heels, sand- 

 crack, false quarter, corn, canker, thrust, seedy toe, and 

 side-bone are some of the principal troubles to be looked 

 for in connection with the feet, all of which are regarded 

 as a sufficient cause for the rejection of a horse when 

 examined by a veterinary surgeon. 



Feet may be classified as good, bad, and indifferent. 

 Feet of the first category may easily be ruined through 

 bad shoeing, and bad feet made still worse through the 

 same cause, hence the expediency of attending to details 

 of shoeing, both in summer and winter, likewise to the 

 feet of unshod colts. The periodical examinations of the 

 feet of the last-named should be religiously insisted upon, 

 thereby preventing many troubles arising out of unequal 

 distribution of pressure. 



If the feet are muddy, always wash them before pro- 

 ceeding to inspect them, as many defects are sometimes 

 hidden in this manner. 



Heavy horses and vanners are very liable to be troubled 

 with sub-acute (sometimes acute) laminitis or foot 

 founder, which usually causes the sole to drop or become 

 more or less flattened — an irreparable defect. The wall 

 of the hoof also becomes malformed and irregularly 

 ringed (laminitic rings). 



Sandcrack, usually seen at the inner quarters of the 



