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is more common in the town than in the country, occurring most 

 frequently on the inner quarters of the fore feet, and at times extending 

 from the top of the hoof to the bottom. When sHght, it causes Httle 

 or no inconvenience ; but when the fissure extends into the sensitive 

 parts, and any dirt gets in, inflammation sets up, and matter or pus is 

 formed. This must be liberated by cutting each side of the crack, 

 dressing with carbolic oil, and applymg poultices ; after getting rid of 

 this, a nick should be made with a hot fire-iron across the top of 

 the crack, or in the shape of an inverted V, close against the hair, 

 and the fissure dressed with tar ointment and tow {see Appendix). 

 Then a tarred rope may be wound round the hoof, or a leather 

 strap used, or, even in some cases, a specially constructed clasp may 

 be advisable. The shoe must be eased below the crack, while cold 

 water cloths, or swabs, put round the hoof every night, have the best 

 effect of anything, that I know of, in making the hoof grow. To 

 counteract the brittle nature of the hoof, a mixture of one part of 

 green tar, and three parts hard fat, or palm oil, melted together (see 

 Appendix), and applied round the top of the hoof twice a week, will 

 also be found to answer admirably. A great many writers are against 

 this application, but, from my own experience, I recommend its use. 



195. Seedy Toe. — This arises from a morbid action of the secreting 

 surface of the sensitive laminae, inducing the formation of degenerate 

 horn (which has a crumbling, sawdust appearance, or when moist, is 

 of a cheese-like nature), and causing a separation of the laminae from 

 the outer wall of the hoof, along with, when extensive, a bulging out 

 of the wall at the part. It is due to some injury done to the foot — • 

 such as laminitis, or too much pressure by the clip of the shoe — and 

 is mostly found at the toe of the fore foot, but may occur at other parts 

 of the hoof as well. The hind foot may also be affected. When 

 seedy toe is suspected, the shoe should be removed, and all the 

 degenerate horn cleared out with a fine-pointed shoeing knife, then 

 some stimulating dressing should be applied, nothing being better than 

 the tar ointment recommended for Sandcrack (par. 194). Tar, by 

 itself, must never be used, as it is too stimulating, and causes a 



