74 THE HORSE : ITS KEEP AND MANAGEMENT. 



farrier to have some more put on, not thinking whether the 

 foot is in a healthy state or not. I will not say they do not 

 care whether this is the case, because they really do not give 

 it a thought. As long as the horse does not go lame and 

 does its work alright, not more than five out of every 

 twenty persons who keep horses ever examine the hoof or 

 foot. Of course, as soon as the animal begins to limp and 

 show symptoms of lameness, or tenderness in stepping, then 

 the owner at once examines the horse in the legs, shoulders 

 and feet, to see what is wrong. I always say, " prevention 

 is better than cure," though it is not always thought so. 

 Horses costing from 40 to ^150 go wrong for want of a 

 little care and attention to their feet. I do not say one here 

 and there is spoiled, but hundreds every year, besides many 

 others of smaller value, viz., those belonging to butchers, 

 greengrocers, costermongers, &c. If only these little things 

 were seen in time how many valuable animals might be 

 saved. 



As soon as a horse begins to go wrong in the feet, 

 or have what is called fever in the feet, the veterinary 

 surgeon advises the owner to sell it as soon as possible. 

 This may be all very well in some cases, but in others it is 

 very unwise. I saw one splendid carriage horse sold for 

 ^9, and another hunter sold for ^15, only during the last 

 eighteen months. With care both of these animals have 

 got round, and are now splendid goers and show no signs of 

 any tenderness in their feet either when running or at work. 

 Neither of the owners would part with them now under a 

 long figure. I happen to know both the gentlemen who 



