406 INFLAMMATION OF STRUCTURES ENCLOSED BY THE HOOF. 



In shoeing animals with side bone it is important to know 

 whether the condition is uni- or bi-lateral. In side bone of the 

 outer heel the wall of that side is comparatively immobile, and 

 the corresponding quarter and heel of the shoe is excessively 

 worn. On removing the shoe the outer wall is found much 

 higher than the inner. The external heel of the shoe is thin, 

 the internal comparatively little worn. The hoof is either 

 unchanged in form or the wall of the outer heel is contracted, 

 and sometimes covered with rings (fig. 383). The outer por- 

 tion of the coronet is more prominent, and the outer limb of 

 the frog smaller than the inner. Bruises or strains in the 

 wall not infrequently exist. 



The shoe should be flat, the outer limb broader than 

 usual, the seatinsj out should terminate behind the last nail 

 hole, so that the entire breadth of the heel surface may form 

 a horizontal plane (fig. 384). The outer wall should be lowered 

 more than the inner, and the shoe so formed that its inner 

 limb fits as close as possible, the outer being left sufficiently 

 wide to meet a perpendicular line dropped from the coronet. 

 The supporting surface is thus widened towards the outside, 

 and, in consequence of the level tread, more even wearing of 

 the shoe produced. 



When both lateral cartilages are ossified, a thick leather 

 sole materially assists in diminishing shock. Special deeply- 

 fullered shoes with rope inlay are also of value, but pads and 

 bar shoes seem (in theory at least) contra-indicated, and, at 

 first, cause pain by pressing on the frog and so tending to 

 thrust asunder parts that are now unyielding. 



Side bones are often accompanied by corns, which are 

 usually extremely persistent. As, however, these are not 

 primary but secondary conditions, they deserve less attention 

 when choosing and fitting the shoe than the ossification. 

 Under these circumstances ' springing ' the heels, which is 

 frequently practised in order to relieve corns, produces local 

 strain and pain, and should be avoided. 



Treatment consists in applications which soften and cool 

 the hoof. In work, the hoof should be moistened daily, and 

 afterwards smeared with some fat or ointment so as to 

 preserve the elasticity of the horn. 



