24 THE HOUbK. 



which, pel haps, neither man nor horse would have 

 voluntarily selected with reference to the animal's 

 feet. 



If, however, there be a remedy for this, cr other 

 evils, relating to the horse, it behooves us to adopt it, 

 in gratitude for the many services rendered to us by 

 that useful animal. We ought to save him, not only 

 all the pain we can, but as much as possible of in- 

 convenience. This we have the means of doing to 

 a considerable extent in the particular case before 

 us, and the mode of relief is pointed out by the horse 

 itself, when in a state of nature. Having in that 

 state travelled over hot dry ground some distance, 

 he will stand with his feet for a short period in the 

 first water he can find ; he will then remove to some 

 plot of cool grass, on which li^ will abide until all 

 heat (inflammation) in his feet has evaporated. Now, 

 what is the general treatment on a burning day, 

 when the animal has arrived at the stable door, to 

 which his feet are subjected 1 It is this. They are 

 often just damped over, sometimes merely wiped, 

 in order to take off the dirt, with a wet sponge, and 

 he is then led to his stall, to remain there, until he is 

 again wanted, on hot, dry litter. Once or twice a 

 week his feet are stuffed with cow-dung or clay ; 

 the litter is commonly very bad, as it gets dry be- 

 tween evening and morning, and it then hurts the 

 feet; particularly if any of it, however small the 

 quantity, be allowed to remain between the shoe 

 and the sole of the foot, inasmuch as it will prevent 

 firm descent of the sole, and is sure to cause lame- 

 ness. Cow-dung repeated too often causes thrushes ; 

 but we may use ad libitum that which the horse him- 

 self has pointed out, namely, water, which can 

 never do any harm. The best way of using it is as 

 follows : — Get a piece of serge about eight inches 

 deep and twelve long, for each fore-foot ; soak the 

 serge well in water, and then apply it, while spread 



