SHOEING. 



55 



it will bear without producing soreness, or about a quarter of an 

 inch. This done, fill the crack with a little melted resin or tallow, 

 over which put a little tow to prevent gravel or dirt from working 

 into the quick. It is next advisable to stimulate the growth of 

 tough, healthy horn. This can be done with hoof liniment, which 

 should be put on, as explained, two or three times a week. The 

 hoof should not be permitted to become dry or hard, which can be 

 easily prevented by stopping with flaxseed-meal and tying two or 

 three thicknesses of blanket around the foot, and keeping wet while 

 standing in the stable. The horse, if necessary, can be put to work 

 as usual. In the course of a few days, spread a little more, or as 



Fig. 5.38. Fig. 539. 



Forms of Spring Used for Spreading the Quarters. 



much as may be necessary to make the hoof sufficiently wide to re- 

 move all pressure from the weak part. When grown down, the 

 cause will be removed. 



If an ordinary case, with but little drawing in of the quarters, 

 simply lower the inside quarter a little so as to remove pressure from 

 the upper edge of the wall, and put on a level shoe. Next, with a 

 firing-iron burn a slight crease across the upper edge of the wall, 

 keeping the foot soft, and stimulating the growth by applications 

 of hoof liniment. This will enable growing the wall down without 

 its splitting back. But if the quarter is drawn in perceptibly, then 

 in addition to the creasing, the quarter must be given entire freedom, 

 by cutting down between the bar and frog. The details of a very in- 

 teresting case, and explanations of how I learned this method of treat- 

 ment, and its success, will be found in connection with this part of 

 treatment in my special work on the horse. 



