EXAMINATION FOR UNSOUNDNESS 55 



very similar to sand cracks excepting that they are seen on 

 the quarters of the hoof. They extend from the coronary 

 band or the hoof head to about the middle of the hoof in 

 cases of ordinary severity. Looking at the bottom of the 

 foot there should be no cracks running from the bars to the 

 top of the hoof. Large cracks here are very common owing 

 to the general practice of cutting out the heels in shoeing. 



100. Corns. These are generally located in the corner 

 of the heels and their presence may be more or less indicated 

 by the way a horse wiL shrink when the sole of the foot is 

 hit in that region with the handle of a knife. 



101. Thrush and Scratches. Thrush is a diseased condi- 

 tion of the foot in the region of the frog and invariably makes 

 its presence known by the disagreeable odor that comes from 

 it. Scratches occur in the back part of the pastern, and, 

 while not properly an unsoundness, they cause the animal 

 affected a great deal of pain and annoyance. It is a condi- 

 tion due to the filthiness of this part and will generally dis- 

 appear before cleanliness and antiseptic lotions. 



102. Locating Lameness. In locating lameness in the 

 leg, it should be borne in mind that it is the sound limb that 

 the horse puts down with the most confidence and when the 

 ailing leg comes to the ground an effort to ease it is made 

 by throwing the head up. When a horse shows lameness 

 in the front legs, if the trouble is in the shoulder the leg will 

 usually be flexed at the knee when standing at ease; but 

 when the sprain or lameness is below the knee the affected 

 limb will be extended. When sore on both front feet they 

 will be extended as far as convenient, 



103. Thoroughpin. In detecting diseases in the region of 

 the hock or in fact in any other part, it is absolutely neces- 

 sary to first know the outlines of the perfect structure. This 

 has special application to the diseases of this region; for 

 there are many that may show but a very slight variation 

 from the normal condition and thoroughpin is one of these. 



