SHOEING. 



123 



A better plan is to procure a piece of cloth which matches the coJor 

 of the animal, and to fold this round the leg, ultimately tying it at tne 

 top and the bottom. Such a contrivance cannot be displaced, and is less 

 likely to attract attention than the leathern flap recently alluded to. 

 However, it must be tightly wrapped round the shin or it will bag and 

 appear unsightly, as it is represented in the previous illustration. Still, 

 such a resort affords but a partial protection, cloth being unable to stay 

 the entire consequences of a blow ; nor can it be regarded as exercising 

 a curative influence. 



That which appears better is a leathern boot, of the color of the skin, 

 or made of prepared horse skin, 

 having the hair on, and laced upon 

 the member. Over the seat of in- 

 jury a concave piece of stout leather 

 is let into the covering, and the hol- 

 low thus formed, which acts as a 

 protection, can also receive a por- 

 tion of lint saturated in th6 lotion, 

 prepared by adding one grain of 

 chloride of zinc to an ounce of water. 

 Thus, while the sore is spared a re- 

 newal of the cause, curative treat- 

 ment is not stayed. 



The chloride of zinc lotion is the 

 only remedy which an ordinary case 

 of cutting would require ; "but aggravated instances of this annoyance 

 will also be benefited by rest and a course of restoratives to amend the 

 constitutional debility. Other matters consist in a warm lodging, an 

 ample bed, prepared food, walking exercise, a loose box, and, above all 

 things, no work. Should the animal be changing its coat, which is gen- 

 erally a period of weakness, throw it up till the operation is completed ; 

 give extra nourishment and one ounce of liquor arsenicalis, each day, to 

 assist nature. Never turn out to grass ; for numerous are the examples 

 of flagging quadrupeds which, after the supposed invigoration of a 

 month's "run," have been taken up in a condition which disabled them 

 for labor ever afterward. 



Such an animal should enjoy the very best of softened food — beans in 

 excess — and should be retained at the homestead. It should be hand- 

 led, not ridden, to exercise, of which it can hardly have too much, pro- 

 vided the motion does not excite perspiration or cause evident fatigue, 

 neither of which states is desirable. Should the horse sweat in the 

 stable, remove all clothing, open the door, and pour over the body several 



A LEATHERN BOOT. 



