SEEDY-TOE. 



201 



or structure of a foot which would indicate that the horse had 

 suffered from laminitis, is an unsoundness. 



Seedy=Toe 



is the term applied to a cavity formed within the wall of the hoof 

 and extending from the ground surface in the direction of the 

 coronet. It is usually best marked at the toe, but may also extend 

 round the quarters. 



Fig. 64. — Healihy ring of horn. 



CAUSES.— It may be due (1) to laminitis (p. 185); or (2) to 

 causes, apparently, unconnected with that disease. 



In cases coming under the second heading, very little displace- 

 ment of the pedal bone seems to take place, and, generally, there 

 is no suspicion of the existence of the cavity, until it is discovered 

 by the shoeing smith. The cavity is partly filled with a soft, dry, 

 cheesy material, which crumbles away on being rubbed between 

 the fingers. 



It is possible that seedy-toe may be brought on by long-continued 

 strain on the feet Which was not sufficient to produce actual lami- 



