276 THE HANDBOOK FOE PEACTICAL FAEMERS 



the hoof grows out long and, if not trimmed, will often deform 

 the limb and make traveling difficult. It is important, therefore, 

 that such a foot receive proper attention. 



The rate of growth of the hoof is of much importance, for it 

 enables the owner to know hoAV long it will take a crack — such 

 as a quarter crack, side crack, toe crack, cleft, or calk — to dis- 

 appear. AMien the rate of growth of the hoof is known approxi- 

 mately, the length of time required for such an injury to grow 

 out is easily estimated. On the average, the hoof grows a third 

 of an inch in a month. Hind hoofs grow faster than front hoofs, 

 and unshod hoofs grow faster than those that are shod. AVhile 

 influenced to some extent by work, exercise, climate, moisture, 

 and food, the time required for the horn to grow from the coro- 

 net to the ground varies in proportion to the distance of the 

 coronet from the ground. The toe, therefore, grows down in 

 ten to thirteen months (depending on its height), the side in 

 six to eight months, and the heel in three to five months. 



Adjustment of the harness. — Since the horse receives com- 

 mands and accomplishes his work by means of the harness, a 

 perfectly adjusted harness adds much to his comfort and in- 

 creases his usefulness. Unequal pressure due to poorly fitting 

 harness is likely to abrade the flesh and leave an impression with 

 the horse that he is being punished, which may cause him to 

 develop vicious habits. This is illustrated b}^ the fact that a 

 sore mouth produced by a poorly fitted bridle or bit may induce 

 the horse to run away; often a sore neck or shoulder resulting 

 from an ill-fitting collar makes a horse balk; and often a sore 

 tail produced by an improperly adjusted crupper causes a horse 

 to kick. Since not only the usefulness of the horse, but his safety 

 as well, depends largely on the adjustment of the harness, much 

 careful consideration should be given to this matter. 



Fitting collar. — Since the service of the horse is largely 

 accomplished by means of the collar, it is of the utmost impor- 

 tance that this fit the neck and shoulder perfectly ; and since the 

 shoulders of no two horses are exactly alike, each should have 

 his own collar. Unequal pressure due to a poorly fitting collar 

 causes the horse much pain and often results in a sore neck or 

 sore shoulders. In order to avoid such sores, the collar should be 

 properly adjusted. Leather collars are so firm and stiff that it 

 is often difficult to adjust them to the neck and shoulders. In 

 order to overcome this difficulty the poorly fitting collar, whether 

 new or old, should be w^rapped round and round with thoroughly 

 wet sacking and allowed to remain so wrapped overnight. In 



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