800 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



In the breeding of horses the question of the shape and 

 strength of the foot should receive more attention. 



The feet of the stabled horse bear eloquent testimony to 

 the class of stable management which is in vogue. Clean- 

 liness is an all-important feature; under the influence of 

 manure and urine the horn of the foot is very liable to 

 suffer, the urine acts chemically by its alkaline nature, in 

 which horn is more or less soluble. 



This corrosive action is particularly evident in the matter 

 of the sole and foot pad, especially the latter, where in con- 

 junction with wet and filth inflammatory trouble is set up 

 in the sweat glands of the pad, with destruction of horn 

 and loss of function. 



The horn of the foot requires for its healthy condition 

 to be kept in contact with the ground ; the effect of pres- 

 sure is remarkable, and especially is this seen in the 

 foot pad ; but any part of the foot will demonstrate the 

 same thing. Take, for example, the unshod foot of a 

 young animal, and observe how tough and close of grain 

 the horn of the wall is, so hard, in fact, that this class 

 of foot will frequently resist the passage of a nail through 

 the wall. 



Pressure also keeps the foot normal in shape and width ; 

 the parts are intended for contact with the ground and 

 pressure, and if this pressure is not obtained the foot 

 atrophies ; this shrinkage, besides other effects, also means 

 a loss of bearing surface. 



Though the horn of the wall and that of the foot pad 

 appear to the eye as totally different, yet as a matter of fact 

 in structure they are practically identical, the difference in 

 their consistence being a question of the amount of water 

 in the horn fibres and intertubular structure. All horn 

 requires moisture to maintain its elasticity ; anything which 

 interferes with the supply of this from the blood, or that 

 causes its undue evaporation from the surface of the hoof, 

 leads to a brittle condition of horn which is not compatible 

 with a healthy foot. 



Constant evaporation is occurring from the horn of the 



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