48 A B C OF THE HORSE 



and that it does not smell. If there is 

 any unpleasant smell arising from the 

 sole it may be safely assumed that the 

 animal is suffering from thrush, which 

 is a difficult disease to cure, and which, 

 if not taken in time, soon plays havoc 

 with the foot. The heels should be 

 open, and in no ways contracted. Look 

 also for sandcrack, but perhaps it would 

 be as well to reserve a more detailed 

 examination of the foot until the animal 

 is outside in the broad glare of daylight. 

 When the horse has been taken out- 

 side the stable, let it be slowly trotted 

 upon hard ground. Lameness, if 

 present, will then be apparent ; and as a 



