314 ON THE TREATMENT OF HORSES' FEET, 



will occasionally bring on thrushes, whereas the wet 

 tow may be used without fear of its producing such 

 consequences. Indeed this latter can be more conve- 

 niently laid round the sole only — its application need 

 not extend over the frog of the foot, unless when 

 necessary. 



When a horse is dressed and done up after sweating, 

 it may perhaps be as well to moisten the pads and tow 

 for his feet, in the same hot water in which his legs 

 were fomented ; at least, I expect this will be more 

 satisfactory to the groom. 



Although I have had horses go to walking exercise 

 with their feet stopped with tow, and the stopping has 

 remained in until they have returned to the stable ; 

 some horses which are wintering in loose houses, are 

 a})t to i-ange about the loose house and exercise them- 

 selves by walking, trotting, or sometimes even canter- 

 ing round. To prevent the tow from falling out of 

 their feet, on such occasions, a couple of splints may 

 be laid across each other under the shoes. 



The same precautions may be taken with horses that 

 are restless in dressing. I allude to such of them as 

 may stamp, and strike-out with their fore-feet, and 

 range about in the stall. To attend to all that I have 

 here mentioned relative to the application of moisture 

 to the feet of race-horses, will take but a very few 

 minutes in a stable hour. When the boy who looks 

 after a horse is too young to be entrusted with this 

 charge, one of the senior boys or the head lad may do 



