CARE OF THE FEET 89 



there were not a deficiency of natural oil in it. Such a 

 foot, moreover, is almost always more or less feverish; 

 and therefore I believe that the best treatment is the 

 application of cool water in some form (dew for ex- 

 ample) followed by the application of oil or ointment. 



It is often said, but probably the remark originated 

 with some person who had hoof ointment to sell: " Do 

 not use a greasy oil or preparation on your horse's 

 hoof, for it will clog up the pores, and prevent the 

 entrance of natural moisture." But there is no possible 

 danger of this kind. In the first place all oils, oint- 

 ments, and hoof-dressings are more or less "greasy"; 

 and in the second place the hoof of the horse is prac- 

 tically without pores. Little or no oil or moisture of 

 any kind can enter either through the outside of the 

 hoof, or through the wall of the foot. This is a fact 

 not generally understood. It can do no harm to apply 

 oil or moisture to the outside of the hoof, but it will 

 not do much good. Moisture, whether it be oil or 

 water, to be effective must be applied either around the 

 coronet, or over and around the frog, and in the cleft 

 of the heels just above the frog. The manner of 

 applying it has already been described. 



But how can a man tell when his horse's foot Is too 

 hard? A simple test is the following: Pinch the frog 

 of the foot with your thumb and finger, and if the 

 frog does not yield a little to the pressure, the foot is 

 too hard. If you are In doubt, ask the blacksmith, 

 when your horse Is shod, If the animal's feet are too 

 hard, and take measures to soften them If he thinks It 

 necessary or advisable. 



