42 



SHOEIXG. 



Fi(i. 496.— Mobility entirely 

 Destroyed in Rigtit Foot. 



healthy condition of circulation and 

 strength of parts. The first important 

 step in the treatment is to thoroughly 

 soften the feet. The simplest way of do- 

 ing this in the stables is by tying two or 

 three thicknesses of blanket around the 

 feet and keeping them wet about twenty- 

 four hours ; or better, fill two small 

 bags with bran, put a foot into each, and 

 tie a string loosely around the top of the 

 bag and leg above the fetlock. Put 

 each foot into a bucket of water, and 

 afterward pour on water to keep wet ; 

 or the horse can be made to stand in 

 mud till the feet are soft. 



There is usually a large accumulation 

 of horn, especially at the heel, all of 

 which must be removed, and the wall 

 leveled down to its proper dimensions. 

 Next, with the drawing-knife pare out 

 the sole ; not enough to make it bend to pressure, but more than 

 beyond the removal of the old horn. Then with a small knife, 

 which should be made expressly for the purpose, — let the blade be 

 made straight, with a cutting edge on both sides, and the end turned 



about a quarter of an 

 i n c h, tempered and 

 ground down to a keen 

 edge, so as not to cut 

 a channel much more 

 than one eighth to 

 three sixteenths of an 

 inch wide, — weaken 

 the wall between the 

 bars and frog, by scrap- 

 ing or cutting out the 

 bottom of the channel 

 back to the point of the 

 heel so much that when pressure is brought upon the heels outward, 

 there will be no impediment to their opening freely at their upper 

 edge. To do this, commence well forward near the point of the 

 frog, and cut back, following the line of the arch carefully. Particu- 



FiG. 497. — Siiowing Great Excess of Horn. 



