AND MALFORMATIONS OF THE FEET. Ill 



the inflammation is generally severe and fast work. 

 Wind-galls are therefore as we might expect, 

 most frequently found in old horses that have been 

 much knocked about. Horses of defective forma- 

 tion are more predisposed than others to suffer 

 from such causes. 



Shoeing on the principles already advocated, by 

 diminishing concussion and lessening the strain on 

 the tendons and ligaments, will decrease the liability 

 to wind-galls and the diseases of a similar class. 



88. Ring-bone is an ossific deposit, extending in Eing-bone. 

 a ring-like form round the pastern bone. A pre- 

 disposition to it appears to exist in horses with 

 short and straight pasterns, and also in those 

 with the opposite formation of long and oblique 

 pasterns. 



In the first-named cases, it is supposed to be 

 due mainly to the effect of concussion ; and any 

 system of shoeing which diminishes concussion, 

 will also diminish the predisposition to ring- 

 bone. 



In the latter cases, the deposit of bone is 

 evidently an effort of nature to strengthen a 

 weak formation. Shortening of the toes and 

 the maintenance of a due and natural bearing 

 all over the foot will diminish the chances of 

 strain, and, therefore, also of ring-bone. In other 

 cases, the osseous deposit arises from strain, and 



