318 



INFLAMMATION OF THE HOOF. 



sink towards the sound .side. In short, the horse nods. Once 

 the lame limb is discovered the foot may be examined. 



The painful spot may be only of small size, and, therefore, 

 the examination should be thorough. Specially formed tongs 

 have been made for this purpose, the smaller of which (fig. 310) 

 is for the examination of parts close to the circumference of 

 the sole, the larger for parts further removed and for the 

 examination of the joint and navicular bone. The farrier's 

 ordinary pincers serve every purpose, however. 



It requires considerable care to distinguish between the 

 natural sensitiveness of the horse and the pain caused by 

 disease. Rough, violent use of the pincers must always be 



Figs. 310, 311. — Special pincers for examining diseased feet, 



avoided, for severe pressure will produce pain even in the 

 soundest hoof. The same force must be applied at each spot, 

 the hoof being tested at short intervals over its entire surface, 

 as the diseased spot and corresponding area of tenderness are 

 often very restricted. 



The degree of pressure should be adapted to the condition of 

 the sole. When the parts are thin and yielding, very little 

 pressure produces pain, and the tender spot is quite sufficiently 

 indicated by slight quivering of the muscles of the shoulder 

 and upper limb. 



Sometimes the pincers fail; the suspected spot may then be 

 tested by light blows with the hammer. Increased local 

 warmth sometimes gives information, which can be confirmed 



