THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. ,#«^ 



Thus a horse with corns should be thoroughly examined for injury to the 

 bones of the hoof, rotten hoof, etc. 



Causes. — ^ bruise on the sole below the bars and the wall at the heel, 

 producing a horny tumor or hardening, which presses on the quick. 

 Sometimes there is inflammation, owing to the formation of matter 

 which works out either at the top of the hoof or at the toe, from the 

 formation of a fistula. Then it is Quittor. They may be found on 

 either side of the heel, but usually on the inner or weaker side. 



How to know it, — There will be flinching when the walls of the hoof 

 and sole are seized and strained with the pincers ; thus revealing on 

 which side and the locality of the corn. The toe will be pointed, when 

 at rest, and with the heel slightly raised. In motion the gait will be 

 short and stumbling. If it has proceeded to suppuration, the pain will 

 be so extreme that the horse will fear to put the foot to the ground. If 

 there is a horny tumor forming, it may be known upon paring the hoof 

 by the evident appearance of a white, spongy, horny formation, as in sand 

 ^rack. 



What to do — ^If the corns proceed from other disease, causing con- 

 traction and other disabilities of the hoof, remove these causes and the 

 corns will disappear. If the corns proceed from a simple and recent 

 bruise, remove the shoe and rasp down the bearing surface of the heels, 

 so there may be no pressure. That is, the heels should be rasped lower 

 than the other bearing surfaces. If there is inflammation, let the hoofs 

 rest in cold water, or keep them moist with a wet cloth and the sole with 

 a soft sponge, or the w^hole hoof may be enveloped in a large sponge cut 

 to fit. The animal should wear a bar shoe, arranged to avoid pressure 

 on the parts affected. When the foot ceases to be tender, keep the hoof 

 and sole smeared with the following ointment, to render it soft and pro- 

 mote healthy growth : 



No. 192. yi Ounce tallow, 



1 Ounce oil of turpentine, 

 4 Ounces beeswax. 



Use the horse at light w'ork until entirely recovered. 



If the difficulty be found to be a suppurating corn (one containing 

 matter), the hoof must be cut down to let all the matter escape: cut 

 away all the horn that has become separated from the quick, and pare 

 away all the horn around the parts to a thin edge. Poultice the part 

 with a linseed poultice, renewed until there is no longer tenderness, and 

 the surface is smooth and healthy. Then put on a bar shoe with a 

 leather sole, and fill the space from behind with tar held in place with a 



