TPIE HORSE 275 



and more elastic. The more broken and bruised the straw is, 

 the less bulk and elasticity it has; hence a greater ciuantity is 

 needed. 



Care of the teeth. — Occasionally a horse is found that does 

 not feed well owing to irregular growth of his teeth. If the 

 first, or milk, teeth are not looked after, they are likely to remain, 

 causing the second, or permanent, teeth to grow in crooked. The 

 mouth of a young horse should be watched closely and the per- 

 sistent milk teeth should be removed ^^ath forceps. It must be 

 remembered also that the upper jaw is somewhat wider than 

 the lower, and, from the fact that the teeth are not exactly oppo- 

 site, a sharp edge is left unworn on the inside of the lower 

 molars and on the outside of the upper, which may cut the tongue 

 and the cheeks. If this condition exists the edge can readily bo 

 felt by the hand, and such sharp edges, when found, should be 

 rasped down by a guarded rasp; otherwise the tongue and the 

 cheeks become sore food irritates them, and the horse will not 

 feed well. 



When a horse quids his food, when he drivels, or when he 

 evinces pain in mastication as shown by holding the head to one 

 side while che\\dng, the teeth should be carefully examined. In 

 addition to not feeding well, a horse whose teeth have unduly 

 shari^ edges is likely to drive badly, to pull to one side, not to 

 bear on the bit or to bear on too hard, to toss the head, and to 

 start suddenly Avhen a tender spot is touched. 



Care of the feet. — Because of the great importance of the feet 

 they should be carefully watched throughout the active career 

 of the horse. Each evening after returning from work, as well 

 as in the morning before being sent out, the sole of the foot 

 should be examined and all foreign materials should be removed. 

 For this purpose a small hay hook, with the point sharpened, is 

 excellent. Frequently foreign bodies, such as nails or stones, 

 either are driven into the sole of the foot or collect in the cleft 

 along the frog, and it is very essential that these be removed if 

 the hoof is to remain in a healthy condition. Occasionally a 

 hoof has a tendency to dry out and thus become hard and brittle. 

 Such a hoof should be oiled with good oil or hoof ointment. This 

 will soften the sole and make it less likely to crack or break. 

 Again, it often happens that a piece is worn or broken from the 

 side of the hoof; this throws the weight of the body in such a 

 manner as to bring a strain on the joints, which may cause 

 deformity. A^^len such breaks occur the hoof should be leveled 

 mth a rasp. AMien horses are too closely confined in the stable 



