SHOEING COLTS. 97 



First Trip to the Blacksmith. 



When the colt arrives at the age of two months 

 its feet should be examined carefully. If dressing 

 is needed feet should be attended to at this time. 

 Just as a human baby becomes bow-legged, the colt 

 is liable to be foaled with, or acquire, a faulty con- 

 formation. If the toes are excessively long, they 

 must be shortened ; if the heels are abnormally 

 high, they must be cut down : and if the foot 

 shows more growth on one side than the other, 

 the high side should be trimmed down far enough 

 so that the lower side will also receive its share 

 of the weight and bearing. If the colt shows the 

 slightest inclination of being deformed, knock- 

 kneed, or toes out, we must dress down the out- 

 side of the hoof, especially the outside toe, and it 

 is also advisable, in cases of thfs kind, to rasp ofT 

 the edges of the wall at the outer toe, enough to 

 reduce it to the same thicknes:. as the inner one. 

 By following these instructions, at least once a 

 month, one can work wonders with a foot of this 

 type. Under no consideration :?hould one apply a 

 knife to the sole, bars or frog of the foot. Ex- 

 cessive cleaning out of the fet t is not advisable, 

 either ; naturally we must lool. after the cleanli- 

 ness of the feet, but, unless there are positive 

 signs of thrush, one must not gu to extremes, such 

 as the free use of the foot pi 'k, which is often 

 the cause of forcing filth int*; the cleft of the 

 frog and the bars, whereas, if the parts are left 



