in Smith’s Operation for Side-bones
      (viewed from the Side).
149.  Foot showing the Grooves made in Smith’s Operation for Side-bones
      (viewed from Below).
150.  Periostitis involving the Pedal and Navicular Bones. (Litt) 151.  Periostitis involving the Pedal and Navicular Bones. (Litt) 152.  Effects of Periostitis on the Os Pedis. (Smith) 153.  Effects of Periostitis on the Os Pedis. (Smith) 154.  Effects of Periostitis on the Os Pedis. (Jones) 155.  Effects of Periostitis on the Os Pedis. (Jones) 156.  Case of Buttress Foot. (Routledge) 157.  Foot showing Fracture of the Pyramidal Process in a Case of Buttress
      Foot. (Routledge)
158.  Fracture of the Os Coronae. (Crawford) 159.  Fracture of the Os Coronae. (Crawford) 160.  Fractured Os Pedis. (Freeman) 161.  Navicular Bone showing Lesions of Navicular Disease.
      (Gutenacker)
162.  Foot with the Seat of Navicular Disease exposed (showing Lesions).
      (Gutenacker)
163.  Navicular Bone showing Lesions of Navicular Disease (a Case of
      Long-standing). (Gutenacker)
164.  Frog Seton Needle. 165.  Diagram showing Course of the Needle in Setoning the Frog.

DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The importance of that branch of veterinary surgery dealing with diseases of the horse’s foot can hardly be overestimated.  That the animal’s usefulness is dependent upon his possession of four good feet is a fact that has long been recognised.  Who, indeed, is there to be found entirely unacquainted with one or other of such well-known aphorisms as:  ’Whoever hath charge of a horse’s foot has the care of his whole body’; ’As well a horse with no head as a horse with no foot’; or the perhaps better known, and certainly more epigrammatic, ‘No foot, no horse.’

Without taking these sayings literally, it will be admitted by almost everyone that they contain a vast amount of actual truth.  This allowed, it at once becomes clear that a ready understanding of the diseases to which the foot is liable, the means of holding them in check, and the correct methods of treating them should figure largely in the knowledge at the command of the veterinary surgeon.

In the very great majority of instances the horse’s ability to perform labour is the one thing that justifies his existence, and to that end the presence of four good, sound feet is an almost indispensable qualification.  And yet how many circumstances do we see tending to militate against that one essential.

Even in colthood the foot, if neglected, may become a source of trouble.  Unless periodically examined and properly trimmed, its shape is liable to serious alteration.  From that in which it is best calculated to withstand the effects of the wear it will be called upon to endure in after life, it may become so changed for the worse as to seriously affect the animal’s value.