Horses and Horsemastership. 19 



standing, will endeavour to favour his toes by throwing 

 his weight on the heels. All four feet ma}^ be involved, 

 but it is usually the fore ones which are affected. The 

 pulse is greatly accelerated, and the breathing appears, 

 laboured. 



The animal shows a disinclination to move, and in 

 very severe cases he will be found lying down, and can 

 only be got up with the greatest difficulty. The hoofs 

 feel very hot, and, indeed, the whole appearance of the 

 animal indicates the great pain he suffers. 



The outer wall develops a series of irregular rings or 

 grooves; in fact, the whole hoof may be thrown out of 

 shape. The horse trots on his heels in a most palpable 

 fashion, and the knee action becomes impaired. 



This disease is a common source of '" Seedy Toe." 



In all cases of lameness, when the trouble is either 

 in the feet or the fetlock joints, the shoe or shoes should 

 be removed. 



SHOEING. 



When the old shoe is removed any excessive downward 

 growth of the wall should be rasped away from the 

 ground surface of the foot until, as stated elsewhere, 

 the angle of the hoof approximates 50 deg. Under no 

 circumstances should the rasp be applied to the outer 

 surface of the wall when healthy. The excess of growth 

 is usually at the toe. The sole and frog should be left 

 severely alone, and if I had my way the farrier's instru- 



