284 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



toe, takes on an increased growth. The same thing we 

 have already indicated as happening at the toe, though in 

 lesser degree. Taken together, this increased growth of 

 horn at the toe and at the heels has the result of lengthen- 

 ing the diameter of the foot from before backwards, the 

 transverse diameter remaining more or less normal. The 

 hoof thus loses its circular build, and comes to approach 

 nearer an elongated oval. 



At this stage, too, the pathological ' ribbing ' of the hoof 

 is observable. The outer surface of the wall becomes 

 marked wtih a series of ridges encircling the hoof from 



Fig. 122. — Foot badly deformed as a Result of Chronic 

 Laminitis. 



heel to feel (see Fig. 81, which illustrates a moderate de- 

 formity of the hoof occurring after laminitis). In the 

 badly laminitic hoof, however, this deformity is largely 

 increased, until in some cases the shapeless mass can hardly 

 be likened to a foot at all (see Fig. 122). 



The inferior or solar surface of the foot also offers cer- 

 tain changes for our consideration. The first thing that 

 strikes one is the convexity of the sole. This, as we have 

 already pointed out, is due to descent of the os pedis, and 

 the highest point of the convex portion is that immediately 

 in front of the apex of the frog. Here the horn is some- 

 times found to be quite yielding to the finger, is excessively 



