When the condition becomes sub-horny, however, and particularly when it is situated in the region of the quarters, ease is afforded to the diseased parts by removing the bearing of the shoe in that position.

Should there be no dependent opening at the sole, then the best shoe for the purpose is an ordinary bar shoe (Fig. 68), with the bearing eased under the affected quarter.

If, however, there is a dependent orifice, or one is expected, then it will be necessary either to leave the animal unshod or to provide him with a shoe that admits of dressing the lesion.  In the latter case the most suitable shoe will be found to be either a three-quarter shoe (Fig. 102) or a three-quarter bar shoe (Fig. 103).  Many operators, however, keep the animal unshod.  We must say ourselves that we consider a shoe useful after either of the operations for removal of the cartilage, if only to assist in maintaining the bandages and dressings in position.

In this case a very useful shoe will be the three-quarter bar shoe.  With a little manipulation the bandages are easily run under the bar portion of the shoe, and a few of their turns every now and again wrapped round the bar in order to keep the whole firmly in position.

In connection with tendinous quittor, when septic matter has gained the sheath of the flexor tendons, there is, for a long time after healing of the fistula, a marked tendency for the animal to go on his toe.  To a large extent we judge this to be due to slight adhesions between the two tendons brought about by the growth of inflammatory fibrous tissue.  In such cases benefit is sometimes derived from the application of a shoe with an extended toe-piece (see Figs. 84 and 108).

C. OSSIFICATION OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGES, OR SIDE-BONES.

Definition.—­An abnormal condition of the lateral cartilages, in which the substance of the cartilage becomes gradually removed and bone formed in its place.

[Illustration:  FIG. 143.—­OSSIFIED LATERAL CARTILAGES (SIDE-BONES).]

Symptoms and Diagnosis.—­Side-bones are nearly always met with in heavy draught animals, and are rarely seen in the feet of nags.  They are, moreover, nearly always confined to the fore-feet.  In the ordinary way little need be said concerning their characteristics, and the way in which they may be detected.  Neither need any concern be ordinarily manifested with regard to the effect they may have on the animal’s gait and future usefulness.  Seeing, however, that side-bone constitutes one of the recognised hereditary diseases, and that at the various agricultural and horse shows its existence or otherwise in a certain animal is a matter of great importance, some little attention must be given to these two points.