SHOEING. 



709 



suddenly lamed, it is probably caused b}^ straining the coffin- joint, 

 which would be indicated by its being unable to bear pressure 

 upon the frog. In such 

 a case the horse 

 go decidedly worse on 

 rough, stony roads or 

 down hill, where there is 

 liability to severe inci- 

 dental p r e s s u )• e being 

 brought against the frog. 

 For such a condition of 

 lameness, the shoe should 

 be made with high heels 

 and rounding toe — no toe 

 calks. The calks should 

 be gradually shortened 

 as there is improvement. 

 If the lameness came on 

 graduall}^, and especially 



if it set in at a time ^^^' ^^y- -I^'nu of shoe that may be used. 



when the feet were very dry and hard, it was probably caused by 

 some slight inflammation, the result of contraction and fever • 

 becau.se when the feet are very dry and feverish, the hoof becomes 



smaller, causing increased pres- 

 sure upon the soft parts and lat- 

 eral cartilages. There may be 

 also some inflammation or a mor- 

 bid condition of the coffin-joint. 

 If any contraction is noticeable, 

 the feet should be softened and 

 treated as explained under that 

 head. 



If, however, the object is to 

 shoe the horse for present use, 

 simply raise the heels a lit- 

 . tie and round the toe. If there 



IS but httle soreness or want of mobility, then let the shoe be an 

 ordmary flat one, with the toe turned up like that of an old shoe 

 considerably worn. Gr^at care should be used in taking off" and 



Fig. 554. — Form of shoe for covering 

 a weak, thin sole. 



