362 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



been rendered lame for life, and even have had their legs 

 broken, from the kicks of quarrelsome horses. If it is abso- 

 lutely necessary that such a construction must be adopted, 

 then there ought to be at least a free passage of about eight 

 feet. Every stall should be at least six feet wide, and 

 ought always to be divided by a boarded partition as high 

 as the back of the horse. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE FEET. 



The feet of a horse should be examined with great care 

 every morning, for the purpose of ascertaining, in the first 

 place, if the shoes are all firm, and that none of the clenches 

 are raised, which might wound the limbs. A worn shoe is 

 also liable to press on the sole or heel, and prove injurious. 



One of the first things to be attended to after a horse 

 has come off a journey, or has ceased from his day's labour, 

 is that his heels should be thoroughly brushed out. If an 

 agricultural or cart-horse, it will be better to apply the 

 hand than washing, as the long hair with which the heels 

 are generally invested will take a considerable time to dry, 

 especially during winter, which may occasion grease. The 

 feet should then be stopped, after the picker has been used 

 to remove all stones or clay between the hoofs and shoes. 

 Cow-dung makes the best stopping, and keeps the feet cool, 

 and the soles elastic. With other horses, the feet may be 

 washed with a brush. The shoes should be removed at least 

 once a month. 



LIGHT. 



It is surprising that in many parts of the country, 

 farmers' stables, and indeed those of other individuals, have 

 no other light than probably what is admitted by a few 

 panes of glass over the door ; or some have an open window 



