120 HORSE SENSE. 



Fig. 4 represents the foot in a very badly contracted condition, from 

 a similar cause, and to* such a degree that it renders the horse compara- 

 tively worthless in his work, to say nothing of the constant suffering he 

 must endure from the violation of the general laws to which he has been 

 subjected at the hands of his owner, groom or blacksmith. Cut No. 52. 



Figs. 5 and 6 show the sole (or plantar surface) and wall of the 

 foundered foot. This, again, is no inherent fault of the horse, but is 

 usually the result of bad handling, hard driving, standing when hot, ex- 

 posed to draughts of air, drinking cold water when heated, etc. 



The front feet should be a trifle larger than the hind ones, and on 

 no account should one be permitted to grow out of proportion to its 

 mate. Cut No. 53. 



CARE IN THE EARLY LIFE OF THE HORSE IS A GREAT 

 ADVANTAGE. 



Attention to the horse's feet should commence in very early colt- 

 hood, and continue through life. The wall of the foot should be fre- 

 quently rasped down even with the sole, and kept level, to maintain per- 

 fectly sound feet and unblemished limbs. If the wall of the foot is kept 

 shortened to its union with the sole there will be no necessity for cutting 

 the bars, trimming the frog, or gouging out the sole; the horse will have 

 a perfect bearing for the column of bones of every limb, stand firm, with 

 his feet well under him, and move off unfalteringly. 



KEEP THE COLTS FEET LEVEL. 



The colt's feet should be handled from the day of foaling, so that he 

 will have no more hesitation in permitting his feet handled than to have 

 the halter put upon his head; and as the horse without good feet is but a 

 poor excuse at best, then why should not this m.ost important part of his 

 anatomy not have the very closest attention, particularly when his feet 

 can be trimmed as quickly as a good job of grooming can be given his 

 body? 



TRIM THE COLTS FEET OFTEN. 



The work of trimming should be repeated once every two weeks, and 

 on no account postponed longer than a month. A little work upon the 

 feet, and often, will be more readily submitted to by the colt or horse 

 (and not so much dreaded by his owner) than if let go until the horse has 

 almost forgotten that he ever had his feet trimmed; and the owner will 

 not be worn out before the job is completed. 



The horse that has had his feet properly cared for in early life will re- 

 quire less shoeing and be more profitable to his owner. 



