SIDE BONES.
Cause.—The chief causes of Side Bones are: Deprivation of frog pressure, injuries, high heeled shoes, the use of which is almost entirely confined to draft horses. A high heeled shoe prevents the frog from resting on the ground which is its natural support.
Symptoms.—Enlargement just above the hoof, usually affecting the front feet, or may affect only one side of one of the feet. The pain which produces the lameness is due to pressure on the soft tissues between the newly formed side bone and the hoof. Sometimes the enlargement has a tendency to spread the hoof. In such a case the lameness is not so severe.
Treatment.—Clip the hair from over the Side Bone and rasp the foot below the enlargement, so that the hoof will be flexible on pressure from the fingers. Then apply the following to both the enlargement and the rasped surface of the hoof: Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams; Pulv. Cantharides, four drams. Mix well in two ounces of Lard and apply every forty-eight hours until three applications have been applied.
If you must work the animal, put it to some easy work where it has soft ground to walk upon.