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. 
