FAULTY CONFORMATION 151 



and ' groggy,' and the utmost care is required in the shoeing 

 to keep the animal at work. 



Causes. — To a very great extent the condition is heredi- 

 tary, and is observed frequently in animals of the short, 

 * cobby ' type. In ponies bred in the Welsh and New 

 Forest droves the condition is not uncommon, especially 

 in the smaller animals. Animals who have had their feet 

 much in water — as, for instance, those bred and reared on 

 marshy soils— and afterwards transferred to the constant 

 dryness of stable bedding, are also particularly liable to 

 this condition. It is noticed, too, following the excessive 

 use of unsuitable hoof-dressings, more especially in cases 

 where coat after coat of the dressing is applied without 

 occasionally removing the previous applications. 



Treatment. — As a prophylactic, a good hoof-dressing is 

 indicated. It should not consist solely of grease, but should 

 have mixed with it either wax, turpentine, or tar. 



Above all, careful shoeing should be insisted on, and the 

 owner of an animal with feet such as these will be well 

 advised if he is recommended to have the shoeing super- 

 intended by one well competent to direct it rightly. The 

 foot should be trimmed but lightly, always remembering 

 that in a foot of this description the horn, in addition to 

 being brittle, is generally abnormally thin. Jagged or 

 partly broken pieces should be removed, and the bearing 

 surface rendered as level as possible. The foot should be 

 carefully examined before punching the nail-holes in the 

 shoe, and the nail-holes afterwards placed so as to come 

 opposite the soundest portions of horn. The nails them- 

 selves should be as thin as is consistent with durability, 

 and should be driven as high up as possible. 



On the least sign of undue wear the shoes should be re- 

 moved, never, as is too often done, allowing them to remain 

 on so long that a portion breaks away. If, with the laud- 

 able idea of not interfering with the horn more than is 

 possible, this is practised, the portion of the shoe breaking 

 off is bound to tear away with it more or less of the brittle 

 horn to which it is attached. 



