Corns
A corn is a bruise upon the sole of the foot at the angle between the wall and the bar, and has this resemblance to the corn in the human subject, that it is produced by pressure and results in lameness. It may be caused by contracted feet; cutting away the bars: too thick-heeled shoes or weak, flat feet; dirt getting between the shoe and heel of the foot; or from not having the foot sufficiently pared out.
Symptoms.—The pressure arising from these causes produces an irritation, congestion, soreness, and even extravasation of blood under the horn, with often a reddish appearance and a softer feel than other parts of the sole. The place is painful when pressed upon, the horse flinches and is more or less lame. In bad cases matter may form, and unless a vent is made, may underrun the sole or appear at the coronet in the form of a Quittor.
Treatment.—In most cases, simply apply the Veterinary Oil to the sore place night and morning after having properly cleansed the foot. See that the shoe does not press upon the sore place, but has its bearing upon the outer crust of the hoof. If matter has formed under the corn, the dead horn may be removed and a vent made and a poultice applied to soften and discharge the matter, after which apply the Veterinary Oil until the soreness is removed. Give I.I. mornings and J.K. at night, and keep the Oil applied to the surface. Change the poultice and dressing each night and morning. In a few days the foot will be ready to shoe in the usual way, using, however, a leather sole to keep out the dirt. If a quittor has formed, it should be treated as such.
Prick in the Foot
Sharp substances, such as nails, glass, pointed stones, or similar substances, not unfrequently penetrate the foot in traveling, or the shoe may be partly torn off, and the loosened nail be thrust into the foot, or a nail may go wrong in shoeing.
When a sharp pointed object is picked up on the road, it may enter the toe of the frog and wound the navicular joint, or the flexor, at its insertion into the pedal bone, and let out the “joint oil,” in which case there is danger of permanent injury. The wound may lie further back, and be in the bulbous heels or cushion of the frog; in this case there is less danger.
In shoeing, the nail may be driven too near the laminæ, or even wound them; in the latter case the horse will flinch; in the former he may not feel the nail till he puts his foot to the ground. If on the day after shoeing he walks lame, the foot is hot to the touch, the horse flinches when the crust is tapped with a hammer, especially where there is a nail, it may be assumed that the shoeing is at fault.
Symptoms.—Lameness, with heat in the foot and tenderness on pressure. In some cases, no matter will be found, but in others a black serous or purulent discharge will issue from the wound when opened, and the sole will probably be underrun.
Treatment.—If there is simply heat of the foot and lameness, remove the shoe, see that all nails or parts of nails, or other foreign substance is taken out. Apply and keep the foot wet with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel and give the A.A., once in three hours, to reduce the inflammation. If matter has formed, LET IT OUT. Apply the Veterinary Oil to the hole or orifice, and give A.A. and B.B., in alternation, a dose four times per day, and later the B.B. and I.I., to dry up the discharge. If the horse is required for work before the horn has covered the wound, a leather sole and the Veterinary Oil dressing must be used.