64 , THE CANADIAK HOESE 



Treatment — It is incurable ; but by care in shoeing, he 

 may be useful on the farm. The hoof must be carefully 

 preserved,. the soles well "picked" every night, to prevent 

 sand or dirt accumulating under the shoe. The feet should 

 be regularly dressed with tar or hoof-ointment. 



A bar-shoe is indispensable ; the seating must be broad, 

 and the web wide and well hollowed out, so as to cover the 

 sole, without the risk of bruising if. The nail-holes must 

 be placed all round, so as to enable the farrier to get sound 

 "holds" for the nails, which is sometimes diflBcult to do, 

 owing to the thinness and softness of the hoof. The shoes 

 must not remain too long on, as the soles or heels are apt to 

 get bruised. 



NAVICULAR DISEASE, OR " GEOGGY LAMEKESS." 



Navicular disease is very common in this province. By 

 farmers and farriers it is usually known as " CofiBn-joint 

 Lameness," which, of course, is a misnomer. 



It consists (as remarked at page 45) in sprain of the 

 flexor tendon, or its sheath, as it passes over the navicular 

 or ^huttle-bone, inflammation being thereby set up, which 

 extends to the capsule, spreading to the joint, and not unfre- 

 quently involving the bone in ulceration, thus producing a 

 serious and often incurable lameness. 



It is notoriously hereditary, but also occurs from external ' 

 causes. The most common cause is, allowing the feet to 

 grow too long, thereby increasing the leverage on the tendon, 

 and of course the liability to sprain. 



Symptoms. — It sometimes occurs in an instant, at others 

 its progress is slow ; some peculiar formations of the foot are 

 more subje&t to it than others. When it comes on gradually, 

 a slight tenderness is observed, particularly at startino-, 

 which goes off with exercise. This gradually increases, the 



