SANDCRACK. 253 



As sandcracks are indicative of a weak foot, the 

 growth of horn will probably be somewhat slower 

 than in a healthy one, and it may be probably four 

 or five months before it grows out. Where a sand- 

 crack is a bad one, veterinarv assistance must be 

 procured ; where but slight, a weak ointment of 

 iodine, or some such preparation, occasionally rubbed 

 into the coronet, will help to stimulate and promote 

 the more rapid growth of horn. There are many 

 horses which, when ridden, invariably suffer from 

 sandcracks, but which will go in harness and keep 

 sound. 



Sandcrack may be caused by an injury to the 

 coronet, such as a cut or tread. In such cases, 

 though the same care and treatment is necessary, 

 still the same anxiety need not be felt, since it by 

 no means follows, unless the injury be very severe, 

 that the horse will be likely to suffer from another, 

 as would be the case if it had arisen from weakness 

 of feet. Where a horse is naturally predisposed to 

 suffer from them, the best plan is to sell him, unless 

 he can be utilized for harness work alone, and will 

 stand sound under such work. 



Hoof-ointment may be used with advantage 

 where horses suffer from weak or brittle feet. 

 Glycerine is good, but it is rather expensive for 

 stable use. What is called ' veterinary vaseline ' 



