364 Care of the Colt in Training 



and the walls at the quarters become brittle, weak 

 and easily split both from above and below. When 

 a split occurs from above, it is especially difficult 

 to stop without blistering or firing; hence it is im- 

 portant to protect the walls. Keep the toes of the 

 proper length, the walls rounded at the ground 

 surface, and the frog prominent. 



It often happens that a piece is broken from the 

 side of the hoof, throwing the weight of the body 

 in such a way as to bring a strain upon the joints 

 of the leg, which often causes deformity and disease. 

 When such a break occurs, the hoof should be leveled 

 with a rasp. Equal distribution of weight-bear- 

 ing and other functional activities is possible only 

 when the form of the foot and the direction of the 

 limbs are correct. Any deviation from the proper 

 standing position will cause a proportionate over- 

 taxing of certain parts, resulting in unsoundness. 



Sound feet are best produced by feeding nutri- 

 tious food. Sudden changes of the food, periods 

 of sickness, exposure to cold, damp weather for 

 months at a time, all have an injurious effect upon 

 the feet. While the food and climate influence 

 the rate of growth of the hoof, on the average it 

 will grow one third of an inch a month. Hind 

 hoofs grow faster than fore hoofs and unshod ones 

 faster than shod. Thus if the top of the hoof is 

 injured at the toe, it will take something like twelve 

 months to grow out, if at the side, six to eight, 



