Corn
In equine terms a corn is an area of bruised horn. It occurs in the sole at the angle of either or both heels of the foot.
Cause
In the majority of cases the bruising is caused by an ill-fitting shoe causing pressure on the sole rather than on the wall of the hoof. Another cause is pressure from a foreign body such as a stone trapped between the sole and the shoe.
Symptoms
The horse is lame, but the lameless may be intermittent, or it may be only visible when the horse is turning. When detecting the site, confirmation comes from paring the hoof and seeing the yellowish or reddened horn.
Treatment
The shoe must be removed at once and the corn trimmed out. The foot can be either poulticed or tubbed for 48 hours. Great care must be taken in shoeing the horse subsequently.
