STUFFINa FEET. 51 



occupies room, and besides excluding the pure air, affords a 

 nidus for the generation of filth. 



The floor of the stalls, and the paint of the wood work, 

 ought to be regularly washed and cleansed. The walls and 

 ceiling, ought occasionally to be white-washed, and the cobwebs 

 swept away. The hay seeds which accumulate behind the hay 

 racks, ought from time to time to be removed. The mangers 

 frequently scoured. The drains kept open. The glass of the 

 windows mantained whole and clean, so as to exclude currents 

 of air, and admit the light. The loose boxes ought always to 

 be clean, and when not in use, ready for service. In short 

 cleanliness and order within a stable are just as essential to 

 the health and comfort of horses, as cleanliness and order within 

 a dwelling are essential to the health and comfort of civilized 

 beings. 



Before describing the process of grooming, I may allude to 

 a few of the stable requisites enumerated in the list at page 49. 



Cow DuiTG Box. — This is an article with which every 

 stable should be provided. Cow's dung is the best substance 

 to use as a stuffing to the feet of horses. The process is only 

 required to the fore feet. From the animal standing upon dry 

 litter, travelling upon hard, dry roads, and exposure to the hot 

 sun, the hoofs become hard and unyielding; in which state 

 they are very liable to split, and lameness to ensue as a con- 

 sequence. The best preventive to this drying and splitting, is 

 to stufi" the feet with a material containing both body and mois- 

 ture — qualities which are found in the substance in question. 

 Many other substances have been tried, and various expedients 

 resorted to ; but cow's dung after all is the best available agent 

 for the purpose. Pads made of felt are used in some establish- 

 ments. These pads are soaked in water, and (while wet) are 

 firmly packed to the foot, within the rim of the shoe. The 



