AND MALFORMATIONS OF THE FEET. 113 



them, and, consequently, no motion takes place in 

 the lateral cartilages. Now cartilage has been 

 substituted by nature for bone at this particular 

 portion of the foot, in order to allow of play or 

 motion. If, however, by an unnatural system of 

 shoeing these cartilages are deprived of their pro- 

 per functions, they, in accordance with the usual 

 rule of nature in similar structures, ossify and 

 become useless. A like process of solidification, 

 as is well known, takes place in joints, if long 

 deprived of use and motion. 



When cartilage is once converted into bone, 

 nature never re-supplies the cartilaginous forma- 

 tion, and, therefore, there is not and cannot be any 

 cure for this disease. As soon, however, as the 

 bony deposit is perfectly solidified, the lameness 

 ceases, and the animal, though strictly speaking 

 unsound, is nevertheless perfectly serviceable. The 

 only effect in fact is, that the tread is less elastic 

 than before. 



90. In all cases of injury behind, great advantage injuries 

 will be found to arise from making the horse's bed 

 considerably higher behind than before, in order 

 to give support and ease to the injured part. 



The worst and shortest litter from the dung 

 heap, if properly dried, forms the best and most 

 substantial bed. Good fresh straw does not answer 

 for this purpose, because the feet sink through it, 



8 



