368 SOLUTIONS OF CONTINUITY IN THE HORN. 



band burnt with a special iron. The band is then inserted 

 from above in the grooves and driven downwards to close the 

 crack. This band holds exceedingly well, and in consequence 

 of the toothed edge it never slips back ; nevertheless, it some- 

 times has a tendency to produce fresh splits in the horn at the 

 spot where the grooves have been burnt. 



5. By means of sandcrack straps (fig. 350). These are 

 intended to hold the edges of the crack firmly together. The 

 broad, enlarged, and concave portion of the strap lies around 

 the coronet. A mass of tow moistened with some fatty 

 material is placed below it and the whole drawn together. 

 The strap is removed every three or four days, the crack 



Fig. 350.— Sandcrack strap. 



•cleansed and a fresh tampon of tow applied. The advantages 

 stated by Schleg are: (1) it allows of permanent application of 

 fatty materials, which render the horn more elastic, and assist 

 the normal growth from the coronet, while it prevents the 

 separation of the edges ; (2) it can be used along with any other 

 method of fixation ; and (3) it can be used as a preventive on 

 brittle hoofs. It is, however, difficult to draw it sufficiently 

 tisfht. 



6. By means of broad linen tape. After applying a mass of 

 tow moistened with tar, fat, or oil to the coronet, the tape is 

 moistened and wound firmly round the upper part of the hoof. 

 The ends are tied or sewn together, and the whole is then 

 smeared with tar. This dressing, which acts somewhat like 

 the strap, remains in position until the next shoeing. 



7. To check the continued opening and closing of the crack, 

 a shoe with ' bar-clips,' fitted closely to the bar of the foot on 

 either side, has been successfully employed. By diminishing 

 expansion at the heels, this shoe lessens movement in all other 

 parts and prevents the sensitive tissues being nipped between 

 •the margins of the crack. 



