HORSE-SHOEING. 795 



Not the least among the causes of brittle hoofs is disease of the foot. And this may 

 result from injuries inflicted at a distance, as well as from those acting directly on the foot. 

 Of the first class are especially to be named founder from an over-feed of grain, or a drink of 

 cold water when heated and fatigued. In both instances the trouble begins with the stomach 

 and digestive organs, which become congested and irritated by the indigestion, or the reaction 

 from the chilling effect of the cold ; the irritation extends to the skin; and the foot, being 

 that part of the skin which is most abundantly supplied with blood, and most sensitive, is 

 the most severely affected. Such inflammations of the foot may be so severe as to cause 

 shedding of the hoof, extreme distortion of the hoof, or merely drying, hardening, shrinking, 

 contraction, imperfect nourishment, brittleness, and loss of substance. 



The same result sometimes follows on an overdose of purgative medicine, which, prim 

 arily, irritates the stomach and bowels, but, secondarily, implicates the skin and feet by 

 sympathy. 



The perfect integrity of the hoof is only to be obtained in the progeny of a good stock, 

 in which health, growth, and vigor have been persistently secured, by suitable food, air, 

 exercise, and general care; all inflammation or other diseases of the foot must be carefully 

 guarded against by a most watchful attention to this part alike in shoeing, stabling, and 

 exercise. When a foot has suffered in any way, whether from drying after excessive moist 

 ure, from long standing on a dry floor, from freezing in cold weather, from over-driving and 

 concussion, or otherwise, the irritation should be relieved by a soothing application, like a 

 poultice, or a standing place in wet clay, in warm or in cold water, to be followed in every 

 case by a daily, or, at least, a frequent, use of a hoof -ointment. It may be added that the 

 growth of the horn may be hastened by a tar or turpentine ointment, or by the application 

 of a weak solution of cantharides one part of powdered cantharides to 25 or 30 parts of 

 alcohol around the hair at the top of the hoof. When a good firm horn is wanted, this 

 must never be applied so as to induce severe inflammation, which would increase the produc 

 tion of horn, but only of an open, unresisting quality of the same, ready to yield or break 

 under tension or concussion. 



Gentle daily friction, or the application of the above preparation, as often as may be 

 necessary to keep up a free flow of blood to the part, is all that is required. In very weak, 

 brittle feet there is often an advantage in applying a leather sole beneath the shoe, with a 

 layer of tar and tow between it and the sole. This obviates concussion, and favors growth. 

 Again, broken parts of the wall may sometimes be temporarily repaired by filling the breach 

 with a mixture, in equal parts, of gutta percha and gum ammoniac. This will give some 

 support to the part, and a more equal bearing to the shoe, until the hoof- wall has had time to 

 grow down anew.&quot; 



Stopping the feet frequently will obviate brittleness of the hoof, which is sometimes 

 caused by the horse being seldom or irregularly worked, and kept most of the time in a dry 

 stable. 



Stopping the Feet. This consists of filling the entire under portion of the hoof 

 with some substance that will serve to impart moisture to the foot. It will always be found 

 beneficial when the hoofs are dry and brittle, or when there is any tendency to feverishness 

 in the feet. For horses that are confined much of the time in dry stables, this process is 

 almost a necessity, but too often neglected in stable management. Some writers on horse 

 management claim that the feet of all horses should be stopped as often as every other night. 

 The best material for this purpose, and what is always convenient to obtain, is fresh cow- 

 manure, mixed with one-fourth part of clay. Either wet clay or cow-manure alone are also 

 highly recommended for the purpose. Wet oakum and linseed-meal are also very good. 

 Youatt recommends, in case of wounds, cow-manure with a fourth part clay beaten into it, 

 and a little tar added, but says that the use of tar in a common stopping is too stimulating 



