Chapter IX 



THE FOOT AND ITS TREATMENT 



IT is inevitable, if you keep horses for any 

 length of time, and really take interest in 

 them, that you should develop a fad in 

 connection with shoeing, and the care of 

 the feet. It is earnestly advised that when this 

 period arrives, you read carefully all the books 

 treating of such matters available ; then select 

 your fad, and stick to it through thick and thin, 

 saving thereby much discomfort and probable 

 injury to your animal and possible loss to 

 yourself. 



" Well, come, now," you may say to the writer 

 " what is your fad ? " And to this the reply will 

 be made that it is the use of tips where any shoes 

 are to be worn ; but that probably the " fad genu- 

 ine " in this case is the unshod and bare foot and 

 the use of no protection of any kind. This is 

 not the result of theory, but of practice extending 

 over many years, and applied to many animals. 



"5 



