^56 FOUNDER IN THE FEET. 



strength, so as to enable the horse to bear his 

 own weight, he may be turned out into a straw- 

 yard ; or if it be in the spring of the year, on 

 some low grounds. 



Horses that have been foundered a long time, 

 generally have their feet pared down, and the 

 soles of their feet drawn thin, every time they are 

 shod, in order to cool the feet ; this may give 

 relief for a short time, but in the end will bring 

 on a permanent lameness ; the air, by its pene- 

 trating and drying effect on feet so reduced, causes 

 them very rapidly to contract or grow less, and 

 there is no method that can be used to any advan- 

 tage, in order to throw out the foot, excepting 

 that used for narrow heels (see chap. XLIX. 

 p. 215), one half of the foot must be fired at once, 

 and the other half in six or eight weeks after, and 

 treated as there directed. The sole, being the 

 main support of the horse's foot, very seldom 

 requires more to be pared off than the loose or 

 shelly parts. If the horse's feet be ever so strong 

 or good, the constantly thinning of the sole every 

 time he is shod, will make him tender-footed, and 

 in time will bring on this disease. 



