260 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



the hoof, where it is thin, and extends downward. 

 It will gap a little when the foot comes in contact 

 with the ground, and close again when the foot 

 is elevated; on this account sometimes the sensi- 

 tive tissue gets into the crack and gets squeezed, 

 causing blood to issue from the crack. In this 

 case the animal suffers great pain, and often in- 

 flammation sets in, and matter may form as a 

 result. 



Treatment: Poultice the foot for a few days to 

 remove any inflammation that may be present 

 and to soften the hoof; then put on a bar shoe 

 so that it will not rest on the wall where the crack 

 is, and take a sharp drawing knife and pare out a 

 piece of the hoof at the top, separating it com- 

 pletely from the coronary band, about three- 

 fourths of an inch on each side of the crack, down 

 to the quick. This part can be filled with tar to 

 keep out the dirt. A cantharides blister should be 

 rubbed around the coronary band every third 

 week. When the pressure of the old hoof is re- 

 moved by this cutting the new one grows out 

 sound, having nothing to interfere with it; but if 

 this is not done properly as soon as a little of the 

 new hoof grows out it splits as at first. I have 

 made some good cures and kept the horse at work 

 by the use of the bar shoe, and an occasional poul- 

 tice at night if there was any fever in the foot. 

 Clasps and nails put through the edges of the 

 crack are of no practical value and should not be 

 used. Sand-crack can nearly always be prevented 

 by proper shoeing and keeping the feet cool. If 



