167 



True ring-bone is the term applied to a deposit of bone in either of two 

 situations. When the deposit of bone involves the pastern joint, that is the 

 joint between the two pastern bones, it is termed high ring-bone. This is 

 the variety most commonly met with. 



When the deposit affects the coffin-bone joint, that is the joint between 

 the small pastern and the coffin-bone, it is termed low ring-bone. 



Although this latter form is necessarily the more grave variety of 

 ring-bone, yet it must be remembered that true ring-bone in either situation 

 always constitutes unsoundness, as it occasions very inveterate and often 

 incurable lameness. In some instances, both high and low ring-bone 

 coexist at the same time. 



fiir^ 



In this figure X shows the position of low ring-bone. 



Speaking of the nature of side-bone, we showed that it is a disease of 

 the side cartilages of the coffin-bone ; and it will therefore be^seen that it 

 is of a totally different character from true ring-bone, which [isl a^fbony 

 deposit around the ends of the bones forming the pastern and coffin joint. 

 When the deposit involves the latter joint, which our readers will remember 

 is within the upper part of the hoof, the lameness is 'often very severe ; 

 because the horn, although elastic, nevertheless, fitting closely, presses upon 

 the new growing bone. 



Ring-bones vary greatly in size and shape. They are generally 

 confined to the sides and front of the bones ; but sometimes they extend to 

 the back of the joints, forming a complete "ring." Hence the name has 

 been derived. Sometimes only the sides of the bones are affected, [and 

 sometimes only the front parts of the joints are invaded by the bony growth. 

 When the front part of the bone is affected, the lameness is necessarily very 

 severe. Yet it must not be thought that the degree of lameness depends 



