63 



and this will continue during tHe rest of 

 the summer and the following fall, and 

 the difference in the strength of the two 

 growths will be noticeable. This has given 

 rise to the belief, which is very general, 

 that the hot dry roads of this season of 

 the year have caused the hoof to become 

 weak and brittle, not perceiving that the 

 animal is really wearing upon the weak 

 growth of the previous winter, and its 

 weakness and brittleness are owing to its 

 having been grown in a closed stable, and 

 not to the hot, dry roads. So in the spring 

 and early summer, when the hoof seems 

 stronger and better, its condition is thought 

 to be owing to the coolness and wetness of 

 the roads. It is therefore a common belief 

 that wetness and moist roads are good for 



