16 THE PRACTICAL HORSESHOER. 



which should not remain, and if not shed should be cut 

 out, such feet are subjected to pressure which must cause 

 excessive pain and produce coi'ns and sore, shortened 

 action. 



To compensate for the change from the cool, soft turf, 

 with the morning- dew upon the grass, and the occasional 

 wade in the brook or through the marsh which the horse 

 finds in pasturage, to the hard, dry roads, with the dust, 

 heated in summer to blistering, and the dry, unyielding 

 floor of the stable, there must be some moistening or soften- 

 ing agency applied to the feet at times or there will be con- 

 traction, corns, uncertain, tender- footed action, and finally 

 downright lameness. *^ Yes, give them a good soaldng out 

 in hot water two or three times a week, and stuff them over 

 night with linseed meal and wheat bran." No, not till such 

 treatment is necessary, and with proper care it need not 

 become necessary. Keep a soaking tub or box, and, with 

 as much clean, cool water as will reach above the coronet, 

 let the horse stand with fore-feet immersed for a few min- 

 utes, or an hour, once in a few daj^s, or weeks, or every day, 

 as the drjmess of the roads or the condition of the particu- 

 lar feet in question demands. This, with the application of 

 a good hoof ointment in some cases, will do much good. 

 Aim to keep the feet cool, with the frogs in an elastic con- 

 dition. Make a soaking box 18 inches long, 12 inches wide, 

 and 7 inches deep inside, by having the sides the same 

 length of the bottom, and nailing them to the bottom, then 

 nailing the end pieces to the sides and bottom, the bottom 

 board being inside. Such a box will hold water as well as 

 a tub, is lighter, and takes up less room. Make it of pine 

 from full 1 inch to 1^ inches thick. 



When a horse comes in from a drive, clean his feet out 

 with some sensible kind of hoof -pick which will get the 

 gravel from between the sole and web of the shoe, then 

 with a sponge and pail of water wash each foot clean, 



