(b) Full Hoof (Dropped Sole).—A full hoof is one whose sole instead of being concave is convex,—that is, bulges beyond the bearing-surface of the wall. It either arises gradually from a flat hoof or is the result of laminitis (founder). In full hoofs the lower surface of the os pedis is of the same shape as the horny sole.
The preparation of a full hoof for the shoe consists merely in removing all loose horn. In case the dropping of the sole is very pronounced, the bearing-surface of the wall should be built up artificially with Defay’s hoof cement. The shoe should be light, but broad in the web, and furnished with a more or less deep concaving, which extends from the inner edge of the web to the outer edge of the shoe, and corresponds in shape to the bulging of the sole. By reason of the deficiency of the wall, the bar-shoe deserves the preference over an open shoe. It is frequently necessary to apply toe- and heel-calks to remove the hoof from contact with the ground. The nails should he thinner and longer than usual, and a more secure position of the shoe may be secured without injury to the hoof by drawing up two side-clips.
Flat and full hoofs are incurable. Shoeing is of benefit only in rendering such horses serviceable. Soles that are soft and sensitive should he smeared with crude turpentine or pine-tar, though unusual sensitiveness calls for a leather sole. Horses with full hoofs should not be driven faster than a walk over hard roads. During long-continued spells of wet weather softening of these hoofs should be prevented by smearing the soles with a hoof-ointment containing resin.
2. The Upright or Stumpy Hoof.
The upright or stumpy hoof is that form in which the quarters, with relation to the toe, are too long (too high). The wall at the toe stands very steep, in some cases perpendicular, and is strongly worn away by standing and travelling.
Fig. 201.
Upright or stumpy hoof,
shod with a “tip.”
Fig. 202.
