CHAPTER XXII. 



ON THE TREATMENT OF HORSES' FEET, AND ON 

 SHOEING. 



It is generally understood, that until horses are 

 brought into a stable, their feet require but very little 

 attention. While roving about in a state of nature, 

 they are generally sound and healthy. But it is to be 

 observed, that when a horse is taken up from grass 

 and brought into the stable to be got into condition, a 

 very great change is produced in his constitution by 

 the dry food on which he then almost solely subsists ; 

 but the change will, in a great measure, be corrected by 

 the horse himself; and he will assist (if allowed to do 

 so) the digestion of the dry food he eats, by the quan- 

 tity of water he chooses to drink at different intervals 

 during the day. But he has no power to meet or 

 counteract the very great change which is at the 

 same time taking place in his feet. This must be 

 left partly to the care of the groom who looks after 

 him, and partly to the smith. They should direct 



