al regions. (See Plate XXVI.) The
name is appropriate, because the growth extends quite around the
coronet, which it encircles in the manner of a ring, or perhaps because
it often forms upon the back of that bone a regular osseous arch,
through which the back tendons obtain a passage. The places where these
growths are usually developed have caused their subdivision and
classification into three varieties, with the designations of high,
middle, and low, though much can be said as to the importance of the
distinction. It is true that the ringbone or phalangeal exostosis may be
found at various points on the foot, in one case forming a large bunch
on the upper part and quite close to the fetlock joint; in another
around the upper border of the hoof, or perhaps on the extreme front or
on the very back of the coronet. The shape in which they commonly appear
is favorable to their easy discovery, their form when near the fetlock
usually varying too much from the natural outlines of the part when
compared with those of the opposite side to admit of error in the
matter. (See also page 439.)

A ringbone, when on the front of the foot, even when not very largely
developed, assumes the form of a diffused convex swelling. If situated
on the lower part, it will form a thick ring, encircling that portion of
the foot immediately above the hoof; when found on the posterior part, a
small, sharp osseous growth somewhat projecting, sometimes on the inside
and sometimes on the outside of the coronet, may comprise the entire
manifestation.

_Cause._--As with splints, ringbones may result from severe labor in
early life, before the process of ossification has been fully perfected;
or they may be referred to bruises, blows, sprains, or other violence;
injuries of tendons, ligaments, or joints also may be among the
accountable causes.

It is certain that they may commonly be traced to diseases and traumatic
lesions of the foot, and their appearance may be reasonably expected
among the sequelae of an abscess of the coronet; or the cause may be a
severe contusion resulting from calking, or a deep-punctured wound from
picking up a nail or stepping upon any hard object of sufficiently
irregular form to penetrate the sole.

Moreover, a ringbone may originate in heredity. This is a fact of no
little importance in its relation to questions connected with the
extensive interests of the stock breeder and purchaser.

That the hereditary transmissi