THE FOOT AND ITS TREATMENT 



wiped over, when going to the door, with a damp 

 sponge, but do not defile them with grease or 

 blacking which will not keep clean for ten steps 

 and will cover your hands and gloves with filth 

 if you touch them. Such applications close all 

 the pores, and prevent the entrance of moisture 

 thereby ; besides which, the equine foot perspires 

 and should be allowed to do so unchecked. 



The savage travels barefooted over the rough- 

 est and most stony ground, and so will that horse 

 which has never been shod, — especially if he is 

 protected for the first time by tips. Shoes and 

 boots render soft the savage's leathern sole, how- 

 ever, and so do the refinements of civilization 

 cause the horse to seem to demand similar assist- 

 ance. As the one foot can be toughened so can 

 the other. 



Certain fast trotters need — so far as experi- 

 ment has gone — an extremely long toe, and 

 various forms and weights of shoes to so balance 

 them that they can reach and maintain the limit 

 of their speed. Many celebrated show horses 

 require similar appliances to display that high and 

 stately action which catches the attention of the 

 crowd, and draws the approval of the judges. 

 The pleasure animal, the '' common or garden " 



119 



