408 INFLAMMATION OF STRUCTURES ENCLOSED BY THE . HOOF. 



to it than those with flat hoofs. Compared with other forms 

 of lameness it may be said to be rare. 



Symptoms. — The first symptoms are slight tenderness on 

 starting ; the animal goes rather short or stumbles, but this 

 soon wears off. Next, the foot or feet are ' rested ' after any 

 considerable exertion, but in many cases it is only after 

 months that the symptoms become distinct. The foot is then 

 extended and directed slightly towards the side, the fetlock is 

 more upright in order to minimise tension on the flexor pedis 

 perforans tendon, the gait becomes clumsy and difiicult, 

 especially at the beginning of movement and on hard, uneven 

 ground. When only one hoof suffers, there is distinct 

 lameness, but when both are affected, the gait is short and 

 cramped, and the animal seems to suffer most at the moment 

 when weight falls .on the limb. Where the disease is well 

 developed, the fore-limb is advanced with the toe first, and the 

 pace comes to resemble a run. Attention to the feet and rest 

 diminish the symptoms. The lameness is most marked on 

 leaving the stable, but diminishes as the animal moves; after 

 some considerable time, liowever, especially if the pace be 

 rapid, lameness returns. 



In old standing cases the hoof is contracted. On compress- 

 ing the heels or the body of the frog pain is evinced. Increased 

 pulsation of the digital arteries and increased warmth of the 

 hoof are seldom present, but pain and thickening of the flexor 

 tendons in the depression of the heel can sometimes be noted. 

 When the foot is oblique contraction soon sets in. Slight 

 rings sometimes form on the horny wall. Any considerable 

 weight thrown on the diseased hoof causes pain, especially 

 when the horse has prominent frogs and is unshod. Sometimes 

 there is atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder and fore-arm. 



The causes are severe strains, due to severe rapid work on 

 hard, rough, or frozen streets. The lameness is most frequent 

 in riding horses. 



The prognosis is unfavourable, for even when the diseased 

 process can be checked the freedom of movement never com- 

 pletely returns, because the destructive changes which have 

 taken place are permanent. The animal's worth is thus 

 greatly diminished. 



Treatment, strictly speaking, is only palliative. Attempts 



