52 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



always easy, without minute scrutiny, to detect sank-crack, 

 where an attempt has been made to conceal it. A month's 

 run in marshy ground will close it up ; and low dealers, 

 particularly at fairs and markets, and others who gain a 

 livelihood by dealing in '' screws," have a knack of neatly 

 covering the crack with pitch, and oiling the foot to conceal 

 the crack. Any oily appearance about the hoof should 

 excite suspicion, and any fissure at all resembling sand- 

 crack should cause the horse to be peremptorily rejected. 

 Cracks indicate a drj^ and brittle hoof. The heels should 

 be examined for any cracks, or appearance of heat and 

 tenderness, as they are exceedingly troublesome to cure. 



The Frog — Thrush. — The healthy frog is firm, yet 

 pliable and elastic. Should there be a faint smell, or if on 

 squeezing the frog matter exudes, there is thrush. By 

 many people thrush is considered of little importance ; but 

 when it is remembered that where there is purulent matter 

 there must have been inflammation, and that when a horse 

 with a thrush steps on a stone he frequently drops with the 

 pain, to the peril of his rider and the ruin of his knees, it 

 must be admitted it is a serious objection in a saddle horse. 

 If it can be ascertained that it is not of long standing, or 

 that the horse has been placed in a situation to favour its 

 approach — such as confinement on hot, moist litter — it is of 

 no more consequence than so much diminution in his price 

 as will cover the expense of keep and attendance while 

 healing ; but when thrush accompanies a foot smaller than 

 usual, the heels bend in, and the frog is soft, he will not 

 long remain sound. 



The Sole. — The sole should be subject to close examina- 

 tion. In its healthy and natural state it is inclined to be 

 concave, but if in connection with high heels an extra- 

 ordinary concavity is present, it is a sign of internal 

 contraction. If the sole is unusually thick, and does not 

 give way during exertion, the elasticity of the foot must 

 be diminished. If the sole is less concave than natural, 

 or approaching to flat, the foot is weak. 



Undue Faring. — If the foot appears to have been 

 lately cut unusually deep at the angle where the shoe 

 meets the inside heel, or if there is a peculiarity of shoeing 

 at that part, the examiner may infer that all is not right, 

 and that he has corns ; send for the farrier to remove the 

 shoe. 



