210 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



Corns. 



A corn is really a bruise of the lining membrane covering 

 the bones of the foot, immediately beneath the horny sole, and 

 may occur at any part of this ; though it is most frequently 

 observed at the inside heel, in the angle between the frog and 

 the bar, where the sole is thinnest and the pressure is greatest. 

 It is manifested by the blood-stained horn, which is sometimes 

 quite soft and spongy, and increasing in this, on being pared 

 down to the sensitive part. In other cases the stain is yellow 

 and red ; and in other cases, again, it is quite superficial, and 

 can be removed. Certain kinds of feet are more predisposed 

 to corns than others, those with weak heels, or very strong 

 ones, being most liable. The kind of work has also something 

 to do with their production, fast pace and hard roads very 

 often causing them ; but perhaps the most frequent cause is 

 paring and rasping in shoeing, and faulty shape, or bad appli- 

 cation, of the shoe, or allowing the shoe to remain too long on. 

 In slight cases lameness may not be present, and even ap- 

 parently bad corns do not always produce lameness. 



If there is pain when the horse is standing, he usually 

 " points " the foot ; and a tap with a hammer on the wall 

 adjoining the seat of the corn will make him wince or exhibit 

 uneasiness. 



Treatment. The prevention of corns largely depends upon 

 a proper method of shoeing ; this has already been touched upon. 

 If there is a natural tendency to them, the horse should either 

 be shod with periplantar shoes, with tips, or with three-quarter 

 shoes. In all cases the frog should be allowed to come on the 

 ground, if possible. If there is lameness, the shoe should be 

 removed, and the seat of corn pared out to ascertain the 

 amount of damage ; and if there be matter, to allow it to 

 escape. Afterwards foment and poultice until the pain and 

 lameness have disappeared ; then apply a shoe which will not 



