STOPFIXG THE FEET, ETC. 431 



to avoid it), we often see a man hunting for his currycomb and brush, or any 

 article he uses, under the manger, under the straw close to the standings, 

 and in his various other hiding-places ; all this at once shows bad manage- 

 ment somewhere, and looks most unstableman-like." — Charles Brindley, 

 " Pocket afid the Stud," p. gi. 



The limited accommodations of the average city and coun- 

 try stable have resulted in the habit of horses being groomed 

 in their stalls or in the passageway at the rear. Practically 

 considered this is very much like having carpets or rugs 

 beaten in the living rooms of a dwelling. Whatever dirt is 

 removed from the horse's coat lodges on the blankets and 

 exposed parts of the other horses, and a part is taken into 

 the lungs of both man and beast. For this reason when- 

 ever it is possible the grooming should be done in another 

 part of the stable or in the open air. 



STOPPING THE FEET, ETC. 



In consequence of the feet becoming unnaturally hard 

 as a result of the horse being stood on flooring which lacks 

 the cooling and softening qualities of earth, the custom 

 has developed of keeping the feet in a good condition by 

 applying moisture in various forms. When this is done 

 in moderation and in a proper manner much benefit is 

 derived; but when ignorance and senseless tradition rule 

 supreme much more harm than good results. In the first 

 place the horn of the hoof should not be kept so wet as to 

 stimulate a rapid and unsound growth or to an extent that 

 renders the existing growth weak. The horse's foot, kept 

 in a constant state of dampness, rots and decays. The 

 other point on which stablemen frequently err is in the use 

 of such filthy substances as cow dung, etc., for softening the 



