112 



rough/ taking care that there is a sufficient covering of litter — or 

 what is better, tan — upon the floor of the box, to prevent the hoofs 

 being broken. 



" When the presence of some local affection renders it undesirable 

 to exercise the animal, the feet, again, are likely to suffer from 

 inattention ; and, in addition, it may happen that one foot is com- 

 pelled to support an undue share of the weight of the body, in 

 consequence of the disease in the opposite limb preventing the 

 proper exercise of its function. In this case it becomes necessary 

 to arrange the shoes so as to equalize the pressure as much as 

 possible. This may often be done by putting a high-heeled shoe 

 on the foot of the diseased extremity, while the shoe is either 

 removed from the other foot, or reduced to a mere tip. 



"In cases of disease affecting the feet, very great care in the treat- 

 ment of these organs, irrespective of the medical or surgical means 

 employed, will be called for. Many cases of disease of the foot 

 are incurable, and the horse can only be kept in working condition 

 by means of palliative measures. These principally consist in 

 keeping the feet cool, carefully removing all foreign bodies which 

 might injuriously press upon a tender sole, preserving the pliability 

 of the horn, and adjusting the shoe in such a manner as to afford 

 protection and avoid pressure upon parts which are not capable of 

 supporting it. The most simple plan of keeping the feet cool and 

 moist is by means of wet swabs tied round the coronet. 



" During the time that animals are under treatment for foot-lame- 

 ness, it must be recollected that the hoofs are still growing, and that 

 if left for a long period untouched it will be difficult to get them 

 into proper shape again. Therefore the attention of the farrier 

 should be called to them at least once every month or six weeks, in 

 order that the heels may be lowered and the toes shortened ; other- 

 wise, in consequence of the rapidity of the growth of the horn, the 

 feet will become upright, and the frogs, being removed thus from 

 pressure, and kept in constant contact with the wet manure which 

 accumulates in the feet, will become rotten. The use of tar both 

 to the wall and sole is as necessary while the horse is lying idle as 

 when he is employed in active service ; even when he is turned out 

 to grass the feet require attention, particularly when the ground is 

 soft and wet. The difficulty under such circumstances is to get 

 the hoof to grow in the right direction ; there will be plenty of 

 material formed, but it will require frequent trimming and train- 

 ing or the very luxuriance of the growth will be a source of embar- 

 rassment." 



