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Rarely, navicular disease may be due to injury of the foot caused by’ 
nails or bruises. Finally, slanting pavements are believed by some to favour 
the production of disease of this bone. 
When lameness comes on gradually in a horse six or seven years old or 
more, and the animal points his foot in the stable, we have strong grounds 
for suspecting commencing navicular disease. It is of importance to be able 
to recognise this affection in its early stages, before the disease becomes 
chronic ; for not unfrequently therapeutic measures may be taken to prevent 
the progress of the inflammation. This form of lameness, although usually 
affecting animals of six years old and upwards, is not very uncommon in 
younger horses from three to four years old. When the disease first begins, 
there may be but little to attract attention beyond the pointing of one or 
both fore feet in the stable, an abnormal warmth of the hoofs, and a scarcely 
perceptible lameness, perhaps only manifested at times, and disappearing after’. 
exercise. As the disease progresses, the lameness increases, and is more 
marked after-rest ; especially when this is preceded by a journey of seven or 
eight miles sharp trotting on hard ground. If the foot be examined, it is 
sometimes found to be‘hotter than normally, and as a result of the disease 
of the navicular bone it: becomes contracted ; but it may be pointed out 
that contraction is not always present in navicular disease, nor is every: 
contracted foot necessarily accompanied by this affection of the bone. 
CONTRACTED Foot. 
Unless the case be somewhat advanced, the animal generally walks 
sound; but betrays his disease by his short groggy steps when trotted, 
especially when going at a sharp pace over hard stones. The horse digs his 
toes in the ground in order to obviate the pain, which would be caused by 
bringing the heels firmly down. The iron at the toes of one or both shoés. 
becomes worn away in consequence. The habit of pointing the fore feet, 
which is done by the animal to ease pressure on the heel, is a characteristic 
