138 ELEMENTS OF HIPPOLOGY. 



are the most distressing, and are almost sure to produce incurable 

 lameness. Those on the side of the bone, or high up on the 

 upper pastern, are sometimes called false ringbones, and do not 

 always cause lameness. A ringbone is difficult to diagnose in 

 its early stages, but in its full growth can be easily seen and felt. 

 The treatment for ringbone is the same as for spavin. If the 

 ringbone interferes with the action of the extensor tendon or the 

 navicular joint, recovery is impossible. A horse suffering from 

 ringbone in front points his foot by resting it on the heel. 



Founder, or laminitis, is inflammation of the sensitive 

 laminae of the foot. Like all inflammation in soft tissues, it is 

 accompanied by congestion. The excess of blood fluids causes 

 great pressure to be brought on the outer face of the coffin-bone, 

 sufficient in very severe attacks to force that bone through the 

 sole, causing dropped sole. In acute attacks the horse gives 

 every evidence of suffering great pain. He is very lame, the 

 pulse and temperature rise rapidly. He breathes rapidly, with 

 nostrils open and heaving sides. He refuses food, but drinks 

 copiously. The coronets and ankles are hot and dry, and the 

 artery of the fetlock throbs noticeably. 



If only one front foot is affected, he relieves that foot of as 

 much weight as possible by advancing it and resting it on its heel. 

 When urged forward, he either carries the lame foot in the air, 

 hopping from the other, or he puts it carefully forward on its 

 heel and quickly advances the other of the pair. He has great 

 difficulty in turning towards the side of the lame foot. 



If both front feet are aflfected, the animal will be very hard 

 to move. He advances by cautiously planting the fore feet and 

 then quickly brings his hind feet well forward. When standing, 

 he rests his head on the manger or hangs it down nearly to the 

 floor.* 



*The discussion of founder is condensed from Dr. A. A. Hol- 

 combe's article on Diseases of the Fetlock, Ankle, and Foot, " Diseases 

 of the Horse," p. 417, et seq. 



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