INDIVIDUAL HYGIENE 139 



to be broken, and the soles of the feet discoloured, as if from the effects of 

 a severe bruise. From experience, however, it would seem fair to conclude 

 that the brittleness and the discoloration must have been due to other 

 causes. 



Of late years, at any rate since its use has been better understood, 

 nothing has been heard of this objection. 



Some horses exhibit an extraordinary fondness for the straw of their 

 litter, and eat it in large quantities to the neglect of the hay which is 

 placed in the rack for their use. 



In these cases there are alternative means of prevention. One, the 

 employment of a muzzle, and the other the disuse of straw altogether for 

 the litter of the particular animal in favour of one of its substitutes. 



Management Of the feet is a very important part of individual 

 hygiene, and it consists chiefly in a rapid adoption in regard to healthy feet 

 of the policy of non-interference. Hoof 

 ointments, which are supposed to increase 

 the elastic qualities of the hoofs, when 

 they are not injurious by plugging the 

 openings of the horn tubes, many of which 

 terminate, from their somewhat oblique 

 course, on the wall, and all of which so 

 terminate on the horny sole, are at best en- 

 tirely unnecessary. The same thing applies, 



of course, to Stopping the bottom of the Fjg _ 4 g ._Toe-tip for Horses turned to grass 



feet. The most important part of hygienics, 



as applied to the feet, is a careful observation of the condition of the hoofs, 

 and of the position of the shoes, with a view to having the latter renewed 

 when necessary, or removed and reapplied when not sufficiently worn to 

 necessitate the application of new shoes. 



Horses which are kept to rest in loose-boxes — the most successful 

 method, as a rule, of summering hunters — require more than usual care 

 in regard to their feet, The hind shoes are usually altogether removed, 

 and the edge of the crust is rounded off by the rasp, in order to prevent 

 chipping. A light tip would usually be applied to the fore-feet, leaving 

 the heels to come in contact with the ground surface. 



The above remarks may be applied in regard to animals which are 

 turned out to grass. In very dry seasons horses' hoofs, under such circum- 

 stances, become exceedingly dry and brittle, and contract sometimes to a 

 serious extent. This happens just as certainly as it would if the hoofs were 

 removed and placed in a warm place, the only difference being that, in the 

 case of the living animal, the drying occupies a longer time. The only 



