HORN OF THE HOOF — HORSE SHOWS 



calculated to injure the foot by extracting the oil, and so 

 making the horn brittle ; whilst rasping the outside walls to 

 impart a smooth appearance is equally prejudicial to the well- 

 being of the hoof. The latter should be a constant source of 

 care to all who have the charge of horses, and will be much 

 benefited by a periodical dressing of goose grease, or the 

 ointment made out of melted mutton fat, which not only 

 improves the appearance of the walls but promotes the 

 growth of horn. The hoofs should match each other in size 

 and shape, the hind pair being longer and narrower than 

 the front ones, and the latter should be of a good size, and 

 free from blemishes, dark-coloured horn being considered 

 to wear better than that of a lighter shade, (See Bars, 

 Corns, False Quarter, Foot, Frog, Lanwiitis, Navicular 

 Disease, Sand Cracks, Shoeing, Thrush.) 



Horn of the Hoof. — See Foot, Hoofs. 



Horse Shows. — The object of such institutions was 

 originally, and still in many cases undoubtedly is, to aid 

 and encourage breeders in their efforts to produce the best 

 possible horses. Thanks, moreover, to the good work that 

 has been performed during the past quarter of a century by 

 the various horse-breeders' societies, the laudable aspirations 

 of their members have been attended by a very considerable 

 measure of success, which has, however, to some extent been 

 neutralised by the increase in number of the pleasure shows, 

 which are conducted upon purely money-earning principles. 

 At many of these institutions a considerable laxity prevails 

 in carrying out the rules. The appointment of the judges is 

 not always satisfactory to the main body of exhibitors, and 

 entries which fail to give the names and proper descriptions 

 of horses are accepted, the result being a direct benefit to 

 unscrupulous persons, who are enabled to ring the changes 

 to their own advantage. That a properly-conducted pleasure 

 show is of great benefit to breeders, as well as a genuine 

 source of pleasure to exhibitors and the public, there can be 



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