214 HORSE-SHOEING. 



siortally with a blunt picker, though if sound this is scarcely 

 required. 



Nothing more is needed, so far as the every-day stable manage- 

 ment of the foot is concerned, except to caution the groom 

 against cutting away the hair immediately above the coronet, as 

 this acts like a thatch in preserving the frog-band at its com- 

 mencement from the effects of perspiration and moisture. 



Much harm is done to horses' legs and feet by the somewhat 

 cruel custom of keeping them, while in the stable, constantly 

 tied up in one position in stalls with sloping floors. This fashion 

 is not only entirely opposed to the animal's natural habits — for 

 the horse loves to move about and change his attitude — but the 

 limbs and feet, more especially the front ones, are, instead of 

 being rested, greatly fatigued ; and this brings about alterations 

 which may be none the less serious because they are not imme- 

 diate in their effects. 



A. loose box, even if no larger than a stall, with a level floor, is 

 infinitely preferable, and by all means to be commended to those 

 who place some value on the soundness of body, eyesight, and 

 limbs of their horses, as well as on their comfort. 



STREETS AND ROADS. 



The roads over which horses travel have also much influence 

 for good or evil on the condition of the feet and legs. In the 

 majority of the towns and cities in Great Britain, it would most 

 certainly appear that considerations for the safety, comfort, or 

 efficiency of the thousands of horses in daily use were altogether 

 lost sight of or neglected in constructing the public thorough- 

 fares. 



Masses of the hardest and closest-grained stone are laid 

 down in most streets in such a fashion that they seem as if pur- 

 posely designed to afford an insecure foothold, and present the 



