HUNTERS 175 



bits of hair or horn cut away. The next day 

 a little iodoform may be dusted over the place, 

 or other antiseptic applied, if there is an open 

 wound ; but if it is merely a bruise, nothing 

 better can be applied than the old nursery oint- 

 ment " pomade divine." 



Corns are a bruise upon the sole of the foot, 

 at the angle between the wall and the bar. They 

 are usually caused from the shoe being nailed on 

 too tight, so that as the horn grows the shoe 

 becomes imbedded in it, and cannot " give " at 

 all, when the weight of the body comes upon the 

 foot. Another cause is dirt or grit getting in 

 between the shoe and the foot. Cutting away 

 the bars, so as to give the appearance of a more 

 broad and open foot, is also a cause. This is 

 a mischievous practice, for the bars are Nature's 

 plan to prevent the heels from contracting, and 

 every care should be taken to preserve them 

 intact. 



Pressure with the smith's pincers will speedily 

 disclose the presence of corns, for the horse will 

 flinch at once if they exist. They should be at 

 once cut out, and the cavity filled with a little 

 tow and tar ointment. If matter has formed a 

 free vent must be made, and a poultice applied, 

 or a quittor may form and under-run the sole, or 

 make its appearance at the coronet. 



Q. If the heels should begin to contract, how 

 can this be prevented ? 



A. By either shoeing the horse with three- 

 quarter tips ; or what is still better by putting on 

 short Charlier shoes. The object is to bring 

 pressure upon the frog and heels. 



