The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-06-23
Diseases Of Horses Foot.

In a former number we mentioned
that during spring and the hot months
OF summer injuries and diseases of
the horses foot are very common in
deed. As a consequence of fast driy-
ing and o~yerheating, the sensitive lam
ina frequently becomes inf1amed, and
gives rise to to very alarming and
painful symptoms. The horse is sud-
denly attacked, he suffers extreme
pain, and when forced to move he
does SO with the greatest reluctance
he stands with his fore feet placed
well forwards, and he brings his hind
legs well under his body, SO as to
take the weight off the front feet
and from the position in which he pla-
ces himself for relief the casual OBJ.
server is apt to think that the loins
are the seat of the disease; whereas
the complaint is entirely in his front
feet. Theipulse is quickened, and in
many cases the breathing is heavy and
laboureG; there is increased heat
around the coronet, and the arteries
going to the foot will be found to be
throbbing violently. When made to
back, the horse pulls his fore feet
along the ground. and endeavors to
throw the greater part of his weight
upon hishfndquarters. Those urgent
symptoms require immediate treat
ment, for if relief is not afforded in
three or four days from the commence
ment Of the attack, the disease is apt
to terminate in permanent lameness,
The shoes should be removed without
delay and the feet enveloped in large
poultices of bran or linseed meal; wet
bandages should also be applied to the
legs as high as the k~neejoint; the
horse should be placed in a loose box
Or roomy stall, and allowed plenty of
clean beddIng,:as the more he lies the
more favorable it is fer his complaint.
A plentiful allowance of bedding will
prevent chatting of the loins and sides
during the hot weather. He should
also have a moderate dose of purga-
Live medicine, and if the fever is great,
ten drops of the tincture of aconite,
every three or four hours, will afford
relief. When the stiffness disappears
and the horse walks freely, the shoes
should be re-applied, and he may be
kept standing in moistened clay for
three or four hours daily.
As another result, OF extreme heat q
solution of continuity between some of
the fibres of the hoof is a frequent oc-
c%urrence, and this is known as sand
crack, and so called because it is said
to be most common amongst horses
raised in hot sandy districts, the heat
of which tends to give the feet a pre-
disposition to this disease. Sand-crack
s ofterner met with in the fore feet
than the hind ones, and in the former
the crack is usually situated in the
quarters, whilst in the latter it gener-
ally occurs in the front of the hoof.-
In either case the crack may COM
Pletely penetrate the thickness of the
hoOf, and rs a consequence the sensi-
tive parts underneath are injured and
the affection becomes very painful,
and Of course gives rise to extreme
lameness The crack may extend from
the coronet to the sole, or it may be
confined to one-half of the wall. Sand
crack is very easily detected. At first
a small crack will appear at the coro-
net, and will gradually extend down
wards, becoming larger and larger,
and frequently, after rapid exercise,
blood will noticed oozing through the
crack, and there is considerable mo-
ton between the divided edges when
the foot comes on the ground, thus
setting up irritation, and frequently
matter will form, which if not allowed
to escape, will give rise to quitta. A
complete crack in the hoof will not re-
unite; but the new formed horn must
grow from the coronet. In the treat
ment of this ailment, the shoe should
be removed, and the divided edges
pared. If matter has formed it must
be allowed a free exit, and a poultice
of linseed meal should be applied
When all irritation is removed, apply
a shoe, so as not to press upon the af-
fected quarter, and therefore, in many
instances a bar shoe is most suitable.
The growth of horn is also fastened
by the application of a blister on the
.cornnet. above the injured Dart.-dnaer.