90 MY HORSE ; MY LOVE 



making an effectual recess between the hoof and shoe for 

 the accumulation of dirt and even small pebbles. These 

 foreign substances, if not at once carefully removed, will 

 soon produce corns, which if in turn grow too high will 

 develop quitor, which is a species of tumour. Then an 

 operation must be made by cutting this tumour open, 

 when suppuration will follow and the corn can be per- 

 manently removed.' 



Then horses who have never worn shoes do not have 

 corns ? 



'Certainly not. Corns are the inevitable result of 

 careless shoeing. Many other evils also follow upon 

 the indifferent, not to say cruel, handiwork of the black- 

 smith. I have seen the crust of a horse's foot perforated 

 like a sponge, nail upon nail having been driven into it. 

 Every nail more than is absolutely necessary not only 

 helps to impede the horse's progress, but causes him 

 often great suffering. Nobody should own a horse who 

 cannot afford to have him properly shod, or who will 

 permit him to wear a worn-out shoe simply because it 

 still clings to the hoof. The lamina is exceedingly 

 sensitive, and iron nails pressing close against it are a 

 frequent cause of lameness. The shoe should be nailed 

 neither too high nor too close to the heel. All owners 

 of horses, whether for the saddle, the carriage or the 

 plough, should look to it that no false economy^ — in the 

 matter of proper shoeing and frequent renewals — should 

 tempt them to reduce the value of their animals, as well 

 as to cause to them great pain and suffering.' 



Have you seen many horses made lame by imperfect 

 shoeing ? 



It is only too common a fault. Only lately a physician 



