9 



of the deraugenieiit of the foot, for some go wholly on the toe, with short 

 Steps. 



It Avill hardly be necessary to observe, that such feet as are foundered 

 should be carefuUy avoided, in purchasing horses, or such as are likely 

 to become so. The cylindrical form of the hoof, it must be obvious, more 

 firmly enibraces the iiicluded foot than the conical shape, so the hoof of 

 this form should be avoided, as communicating a greater tendency to this 

 complaint from slighter causes.* 



Various other forms do the hoofs assume, which to enumerate would 

 be tedious. One of these, however, is worthy of notice, being very 

 frequent, " the rtmning to Toe," as the smiths call it, that is, when the 

 anterior parts of the hoof acquire an uudue strength and growth at 

 the expence, as it were, of the sides and posterior parts: it may be 

 accounted for, perhaps, that these front parts in shoeing are left more at 

 liberty, having no nails in them, than the quarters, and therefore do not 

 equally suffer. This defect is apt to increase very much by exposure at 

 grass without shoes. The inflections also with these feet are often 

 drawn forwards and shelving under the foot. 



* As Foundcr is not uiifiequent, llie reader may pciliaps be desirous of laiowing what treatment «c 

 havefnund tobe most suecessful. In a very extreme case, such a onc as is represcnted in Plate I. 

 Fig, 1. the ßrst and least loss would be in destroying the animal; but w here the bone has not been so 

 entirely separated, as in Fig. 3. we should recommend from experieucc the follo« ing treatment. We 

 applv to tlie foot a ciicular or bar-shoe of more than ordinary width, protecling the sole, and taking an 

 extensive beariog on the ground, which appears togive great relief to the animal; an opening sufficiently 

 largc is left in the centre convenicntly to admit the stopping, or about the bigness of an hen's egg. 



The stopping 1 nsc, is coarse herds or tow, soaked in water, theo smeared w ith tiu ; it supplcs and 

 cools the l:orn, and, by using a moderate pressure, Supports the sole, which grcatly relieves, especially 

 after the (irsf slage. The stopping should be removed daily, that it may not got too dry, and also to 

 prevent aiiy casual pressure, that may become painfui if long continued. The exterior of the hoof 

 and the Coronet shuiild be smeared with Iwof-oirUment, a cumpositiou of Tallow, Tar, and Bees Wax, 

 such as I (orineily rccommended in Sand Craclis; it keeps the hoof elastic and from becoming too dry 

 and bard, as great heat attcnds this disorder. Bleeding from the Coronet, as well as generally from 

 the System, and giiitle physic, in a reccnt case, is also necessary. Frequently immersing the foot in 

 warm or cold waiei, or tyiug the foot in a bag, containing a poultice made of bran, or bran and 6g dust 

 raixed, addiu" a lilllc grcase of any kind, isusefui: However, relaxation I believe may be carried too 

 far and thi- Separation be rendered more extensive byitthanis necessary; that the PouUice should 

 be uscd witli discretioii. Alsu. in very rtcent eascs, opening the sole to let out any confincd lymph or 

 blood is advisable ; w hieb will also pievcnt the bom of the sole from being forced dowu. 



The foot thns supported wili recover ilself in a remarkable degree, and I have sccn horses rendered 

 serviccablc to an extcnt, that would hardly be iniagined. Ali sudden transitions of tempcruture 

 »nd violent cxercise, with fcct so circumstanced, should be avoided, für nature wonderfully accom- 

 modales hcrscif to her new coiidition. If a more si ienlific tcrm for this complaint wcre desirable, nts 

 mjght call it Pedicida; and whcn partial only, Pedimota. 



