FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



speedily recognized and accepted modern methods. 

 Just at present the fad runs to a long toe in front 

 because certain show horses which had a tendency 

 to " mix " needed such balancing to square them 

 away, and to attain the high action sought. For 

 use, however, such methods are to be condemned, 

 and no one can imagine how much this system 

 has to do with the premature disablement of 

 numbers of our fast trotters and high-stepping 

 horses. Weight in heel or toe according to need 

 will improve a horse's high stepping, but, for 

 every-day work, an ordinary light shoe is all that 

 should be used, and it must be remembered that 

 the heavy shoes are never kept upon show horses 

 for more than a few days, or they lose all their 

 effect. The rubber pads, now in such general 

 use, are an excellent thing and almost a necessity, 

 but they will often make a horse go sore and 

 short, especially those with naturally weak quarters 

 and heels, while some few, already inclined to go 

 "groggy," they will benefit by relieving the con- 

 cussion. For country work, tips properly applied 

 (mind, properly applied) all round are as good a 

 protection as can be used, but one must not 

 expect to find them immediately successful upon 

 an animal whose feet have for years been accus- 



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