Prognosis.—­In giving a prognosis in a case of coronitis, attention should be paid to the manner in which the condition originated, and the extent, when present, of the wound.

When the inflammatory swelling has arisen from bruising alone, without actual division of the skin, when the weather is that of winter, and the swelling showing a marked tendency to spread, then the prognosis must be guarded.  As we have seen, this state of affairs is probably ushering in a condition of spreading suppuration of the coronary cushion, and considerable gangrene and sloughing of the skin.  We have here no intimation as yet of how far the suppurative process may run, nor what important structures it may involve.  Consequently, the guarded prognosis we have mentioned is imperative.

Where an actual wound is to be seen, and where advice is sought early, then a more favourable opinion may be advanced.  In this case antiseptic measures, commenced early and persisted in, may prevent the rise of further mischief.

It goes without saying that, should there arise any other of the complications we have mentioned (viz., Arthritis, Necrosis of the Extensor Pedis, Sand-crack, Quittor, and False Quarter), the fact should be pointed out to the owner, and the prognosis regulated thereby.

Treatment—­Preventive.—­Seeing that at any rate the majority of cases of coronitis result from injuries inflicted by the shoes, we may look at once to that particular for a means of prevention.

Take first the case of ‘treads’.  There is no doubt that they are most common in animals shod with heavy shoes and with high and sharp calkins.  This suggests at once that a preventive is to be found in substituting a calkin that is low and square.

Where the injury is an overreach, and where, on account of the animal’s pace and manner of gait it is in risk of being constantly inflicted, the shoeing should be seen to at once.

We have already pointed out that it is the inner border of the lower surface of the toe of the hind-shoe which, in the act of being drawn backwards, inflicts the injury. (See Fig. 110).

In this case prevention may be brought about either by shoeing with a shoe whose ground surface is wholly concave, or by bevelling off the sharp border (see Fig. 110, a, p. 236).  When the tendency to overreach is not excessive, prevention may in many cases be effected by simply placing the shoe of the hind-foot a trifle further backwards than would ordinarily be correct, thus allowing the horn of the toe to project beyond the shoe.  This at the same time does away with the annoyance of ‘forging’ or ‘clacking,’ which, as a rule, accompanies this condition.

While recognising the value of shoeing in these cases, we must not forget that a great deal may be brought about by careful horsemanship.  The animal should be held together and kept well up to the bit, but should not be allowed to push forward at the top of his pace.  With many animals of fast pace and free action overreach is more an indiscretion of youth than any defect in action or conformation, and his powers should therefore be husbanded by the driver until the animal has settled down into a convenient and steady manner of going.