80 



I should have observed before, that a dark hoof 

 is preferable to a white one; the latter is more 

 porous in its structure, and more liable to become 

 dry and brittle. This is easily demonstrated by 

 soaking two hoofs of opposite colours and equal 

 weight, in water : the white hoof will become 

 heavier than the other when saturated with water, 

 and will become dry again far sooner. It is also 

 quite notorious among farriers, that when a horse 

 is lame, having one foot white and the other black, 

 the disease is generally found in the white foot. 

 So common is this prepossession against white feet, 

 that I have known instances of the hoof being 

 stained by chaunters ; but while I admit that a 

 preference is due to the dark hoof, I cannot say 

 that I would reject a horse for the want of it. 



