SPLIT HOOF. 



183 



sumably on hard ground, commences on the grovnid surface of the 

 foot at the bottom of the groove that sepai-ates the lieel, at either 

 side, from the frog, and extends through the horn, more or less up 

 to the coronet at the back of the i)astern. 



If there be himeness, poultice the foot for a couple of days ; open 

 out the fissure freely with a fine drawing knife or searcher ; lower 

 the heels so as to take pressure off them ; ajiply a laar shoe which 

 will throw weight on the frog (Fig. 51 or Fig. 5:2) ; and rub a little 

 weak blistering ointment (cantharides, 1 to 2i of lard) into that 

 part of the coronet immediately above the crack, every second day 

 or so, in order to stimulate it to secrete strong horn. 



The opening out of tlie fissure is done to prevent the sensitive 

 parts underneath from becoming pinched, when the horse places 

 his foot on tlie ground. 



Fig. 57 — ( laspm^ 1 andciicl « iLh a nail. 



2. The wall of the hoof sometimes splits at its lower extremity, 

 thus forming a sort of spurious sandcrack. This fissure rarely ex- 

 tends higher up than a couple of inches. Treat as for sandcrack 

 which does not extend up to the coronet. 



3. A horizontal division of the horn which, generally commenc- 

 ing a little above the heels, extends in a forward and slightly 

 upward direction. Beyond carefully cutting it out, it will not 

 require any special treatment. 



i. The horn at the coronet sometimes separates horizontally for 

 a little distance, and forms a cavity in which water and dust may 

 lodge. Every part of the detached horn should be cut away witli 

 the drawing knife, and the coronet above the fissure should be 

 stimulated with cantharides as before descr'ibed. 



Acute Liaminitis {Congestion and Inflammation of the Feet). 

 Founder is the old name by which this disease was known. 



