210 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



skin. If desired, clipping may be done in the fall, thus doing 

 away with the necessity of this operation in spring. 



Blanketing the horse is customary in winter in cold cli- 

 mates when the animal is unduly exposed. Special made 

 horse blankets are used in cold stables, although these 

 should not be necessary where the building is properly ven- 

 tilated and drafts do not occur. Humane societies require 

 the blanketing of horses in some localities, when exposed on 

 the streets. A blanket keeps the coat of hair more sleek 

 than when it is not used. In summer very light, durable 

 blankets or nets are frequently used to give animals protec- 

 tion from flies. The man who blankets his horse to give 

 protection from either cold or flies is no doubt kindly of 

 nature and seeks to make his animals comfortable. 



The care of the feet of the horse is of much importance. 

 The foot of the horse is discussed on page 167. Its care is 

 another matter. The hoofs should have a uniform de- 

 velopment, and not lose their shape. Long toes, lack of 

 uniformity of length of hoof on opposite sides, and low flat 

 heels, any one of these result in defective feet and improper 

 gait. The hoof should be kept trimmed so as to secure a 

 natural, uniform shape, with strong walls. The frog should 

 never be cut, only the tag ends trimmed off, so that it may 

 serve as a buffer when the foot hits the ground. The bars 

 should not be cut down, and the sole made concave, a process 

 which weakens the foot and narrows the heel, giving a more 

 or less contracted foot. It is desirable to clean out each 

 hoof with a pick every day and brush out all foreign matter. 



If a horse stands on foul soil or manure, a disease called 

 thrush may develop in the frog, and lameness result. Thrush 

 appears as a dark colored pus of foul odor in the cleft of the 

 frog, which presents a somewhat open appearance when it 

 should be dry and close. For treatment the loose parts of 

 the frog should be trimmed away, and the foot well cleaned 

 and sterilized, after which copper sulphate may be packed 



