THE SOAKING TUB. 271 



have cut off the ends of the tubes, the natural guards 

 are rendered unless, and water is freely admitted. The 

 tube is softened, the material which gave it elasticity 

 and strength is replaced by that which has neither 

 property ; and, w^hen that is dispersed, there is a col- 

 lapse of the tubes, and, per consequence, contraction. 

 This is the result of soakino- so far as the wall is con- 

 cerned. . . . The injurious effects of hot water on 

 the wall can be summarized briefly, as follows : Exclu- 

 sion of the natural material for keeping the tubes in 

 proper shape ; replacing that by a fluid which is 

 rapidly evaporated by heat, and which has a tendency 

 to change the texture of the horn from a tough, 

 strong body to one that it makes hard and brittle." 

 The idea that soaking in hot water is necessarv to 

 keep the hoof in the tough, elastic natural condi- 

 tion is erroneous. Cleansino: and washino: the foot 

 in cold water will not interfere with the hoof, and 

 will have a cooling, grateful effect. The natural 

 secretions of a healthy foot afford all the "moisture" 

 necessarv to keep it in normal condition when the 

 horse is kept in a proper manner. Xo one is more 

 opposed to allowing horses' feet to become unnaturally 

 dry than I am ; and for that very reason I have 

 insisted that our California summers are difficult 

 periods in which to keep horses in training sound and 

 well of foot. But the remedy is not in the soaking 

 tub. It is inexcusable with a well, sound horse. The 

 normal foot that is washed and cleaned as I have 

 directed, and that often feels the damp, cool earth, and 

 the dewy grasses, will need nothing else to keep it 

 healthy. 



