RING-BONE— NA VICULAR DISEASE 157 



a serious evil, and its removal by blistering, or even 

 at times firing, becomes necessary. Rest, cooling 

 applications, and laxative diet will in most cases effect 

 a cure, provided the treatment is administered in time. 

 Young horses, more especially those which are under- 

 bred, are more subject to contract splints when put to 

 work which is too severe for them, particularly road- 

 work. 



Where splints do not interfere with the other bones 

 or the action of the horse, if fully formed and hardened, 

 they are only an eyesore, and are better left alone. 



Ring-bone is also similar in its character to splint, 

 but more serious. Like splint, it is due to concussion, 

 and is a formation of bony matter at the coronet. The 

 same treatment may be used as for splint. In severe 

 cases, however, the lameness, if not cured in its earlier 

 stages, renders the horse unfit for any work save 

 ploughing and such-like labour. 



Navicular disease is a disease of the navicular bone, 

 and of all such diseases that which may be most 

 dreaded, inasmuch as it is absolutely incurable. The 

 bone itself becomes ulcerated, and caries ensues. It 

 is possible by an operation termed * unnerving ' to 

 remove all sensation of pain ; indeed, all sensation of 

 any kind is thus removed from the foot. Its presence 

 is indicated by the very varying and unequal tempera- 

 ture of the feet, and also by the horse invariably 

 pointing his leg forward when standing at rest in the 

 stable. As may be inferred, it is steadily progressive, 

 and sooner or later there is nothing for it but to destroy 

 the animal. Horses unnerved may last and work for 

 several years, but for hunting purposes can hardly be 

 considered safe, especially in a bank country. The best 



