141 



Rarely, navicular disease may be due to injury of the foot caused by 

 nails or bruises. Fin;illy, slanting pavements are believed by some to favour 

 the production of disease of this bqne. 



When lameness comes on gradually in a horse six or seven years old or 

 more, and the animal points his foot in the stable, we have strong grounds- 

 for suspecting commencing navicular disease. It is of importance to be able 

 to recognise this affection in its early stages, before the disease becomes^ 

 chronic ; for not unfrecjuently therapeutic measures may be taken to prevent 

 the progress of the inflammation. This form of lameness, although usually 

 affecting animals of six years old and upwards, is not very uncommon in- 

 younger horses from three to four years old. When the disease first begins,- 

 there may be but little to attract attention beyond the pointing of one or 

 both fore feet in the stable, an abnormal warmth of the hoofs, and a scarcely 

 perceptible lameness, perhaps only manifested at times, and disappearing after 

 exercise. As the disease progresses, the lameness increases, and is more 

 marked after rest ; especially when this is preceded by a journey of seven or 

 eight miles sharp trotting on hard ground. If the foot be examined, it is 

 sometimes found to be hotter than normally, and as a result of the disease 

 of the navicular bone it becomes contracted ; but it may be pointed out 

 that contraction is not always present in navicular disease, nor is every 

 contracted foot necessarily accompanied by this affection of the bone. 



Contracted Foot. 



Unless the case be somewhat advanced, the animal generally walks 

 sound ; but betrays his disease by his short groggy steps when trotted, 

 especially when going at a sharp pace over hard stones. The horse digs his 

 toes in the ground in order to obviate the pain, which would be caused by 

 bringing the heels firmly down. The iron at the toes of one or both shoes 

 becomes worn away in consequence. The habit of pointing the fore feet,. 

 which is done by the animal to ease pressure on the heel, is a characteristic 



