Mti THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



" That hair is a protection to the heels, may be 

 easily ascertained by laying aside and examining the 

 surface of the skin, which in that case will be found 

 clean and dry, even after travelling the whole of the 

 day through the dirtiest roads. The thorough-bred 

 horse, it is true, has but Uttle hair on his heels ; but it 

 should be remembered that he is originally a native of 

 a hot climate, where the soil is hght and sandy, and 

 free from moisture. 



" Horse-dealers know so well the utility of leaving 

 hair on the heels of horses that work hard, that they 

 never trim their own hackneys which they ride to fairs; 

 and coach-masters and inn-keepers would find it bene- 

 ficial to adopt the same plan." 



It is necessary, however, in this case, to use the 

 brush to or hand-rub the heels, using little or no water. 

 The horses used for riding or driving are now entirely 

 stripped of the hair about the heels ; fashion has or- 

 dained it so •, and, indeed, the improved state of our 

 modern roads and streets render such a defence unne- 

 cessary. The brush will easily remove all the dirt tliat 

 usually gathers, and if the heels must be washed, the 

 groom is not generally so over-burdened with work to 

 prevent him spending a few extra moments drying and 

 hand-rubbing these parts, as the water left there is one 

 sure method of bringing on grease. 



Symptoms. — When this disease first appears, the 

 skin of the heel is very dry, and there is much scurf 

 about the hair ; this is accompanied with redness and 

 heat, which produces considerable irritation and itchi- 

 ness. If allowed to increase, the part becomes ulce- 

 rated, and a discharge takes place : when the cellular 

 membrane under the skin is inflamed through it, con- 

 siderable lameness and pain ensues. In some cases the 



