DISEASES OF THE FOOT 



165 



contracted and more iipriglit and the frog smaller. If one foot 

 is diseased, it becomes smaller than the opposite foot. 



The following preventive measures may be recommended. 

 We should not use animals having faulty conformation of the 

 feet for breeding, because the offspring of such individuals 

 have an inherent tendency toward navicular and other foot dis- 

 eases. Animals that have '" cofHn-joint "' lameness should be 



Fig. 40. — An improperly shod foot ; note the manner in whicli the wall is cut awaj at the toe 



allowed to run in pasture as much as possible, because natural 

 conditions help to keep down the inflammation and soreness and 

 promote a more healthy condition of the foot. In shoeing the 

 horse it is best to shorten the toe and raise the heel. It is advisa- 

 ble in the more favorable cases to cut the sensory nerves of the 

 foot. This operation destroys the sensation in the foot, and 

 should not be performed on feet with weak heels, or that are 

 wide or spreading. 



Contracted Quarters. — This condition of the feet is charae- 



