FAULTY CONFORMATION 155 
The body-weight is transferred from the heels to the 
anterior parts of the foot, and the shoe shows undue signs 
of wear at the toe. 
Causes.—Upright hoof is undoubtedly hereditary, and is 
even seen as a natural conformation in the feet of asses 
and mules. When hereditary in the horse, however, it is 
certainly a defect, and is associated commonly with an 
upright limb, and a short, upright pastern (see Fig. 83). 
Among other causes, we may enumerate sprains or 
wounds of the flexor tendons, or any disease of the limbs 
for a long time preventing extension of the fetlock-joint, 
such as sprains or injuries of the posterior ligaments of the 
limb, splints or ringbones so placed as to interfere with the 
movements of the flexor tendons, or, in the hind-limb, 
spavin, keeping for some months the fetlock in a state of 
flexion. In the very young animal the condition may be 
induced by an improper paring of the foot—cutting away 
too much at the toe, and allowing the heels to remain. 
Treatment.—When the condition is congenital, no treat- 
ment at all is indicated. It might, in fact, be said that 
interference would tend rather to minimize than enhance 
the animal’s usefulness ; for, in this case, the club-shaped 
feet are in all probability due to faulty conformation above. 
In other words, the upright hoof is in this instance but a 
natural result of the animal’s build, with which useful 
interference is impossible. 
Where the upright hoof is a consequence of excessive 
paring of the toe, or insufficient removal of the heels, the 
condition may be remedied by directing attention to those 
particulars, and preventing their continuance. At the same 
time, a greater obliquity of the limb axis may be given by 
the use of a suitable shoe. The shoe indicated is a short 
one, with thin heels and a thick toe. In some cases the 
abnormality may be remedied by the use of a tip. What- 
ever method is adopted, care must be taken not to attempt 
too positive a change in the direction of the limb at one 
operation. The process must be gradual. 
In cases where the abnormality has been brought about 
