BRITTLE HOOF — ITS TREATMENT. 93 



scurfy appearance it had hitherto presented, to 

 assume one of plumpness, roundness, fulness, and 

 glossiness, which appearance shows that some impor- 

 tant change is taking place. It (the coronary band) 

 is now becoming restored to a healthy condition, and 

 fit and able to secrete healthy horn, which it will 

 straightway set about doing. The exercise on hard 

 roads should now be daily increased — the applica- 

 tion of the wet flannel still be continued. 



The groom will not like the look of the coronary 

 band, as he is so unaccustomed to look upon a healthy 

 one. But he will be still more disgusted when he sees, 

 a few days later on, that the shiny appearance which 

 he so much distrusts is extending itself down the 

 hoof, and then he will be ' sure as them feet is a rottin' 

 off.' Grooms have been heard to say so, with the 

 addition of a few words not exactly complimentary 

 to their masters. 



The coronary band has been restored to health, 

 and the proper secreting power has been recovered, 

 the removal of the shoe having permitted freedom 

 of circulation, which has been further encouraged 

 and stimulated by exercise, whilst heat has been 

 kept down by the cold water. This plentiful supply 

 of healthy blood is assimilated by the coronary band, 

 in its passage through which it is by 'the won- 

 derful chemistry of Nature ' converted into plasma, 

 which afterwards becomes hard horn. The treatment 

 must be continued until the shiny horn reaches the 

 ground. 



Brittle horn cannot be satisfactorily repaired ; 



