CHAPTER VI. 



HOOF NURTURE. 



Hoof nurture comprises all those measures whicli are em- 

 ployed to keep hoofs healthy, elastic, and serviceable. 



A. Care of Unshod Hoofs. 



The care of the hoofs of colts is of special importance. 

 Abundant exercise upon dry ground which is not too stony is 

 most beneficial. Such exercise will cause the hoofs to wear 

 gradually, and it will only be necessary from time to time to 

 observe whether the wear „ .„„ 



is taking place uni- 

 formly, and if not, to 

 correct the uneven wear 

 with the rasp. 



If colts are reared 

 in the stable, the horn 



^ ^ Twisted left front long pastern of colt, viewed from 



does not undergo Suffi- the upper articular surface. The lower end has been 



"^ twisted toward the left: a, transverse axis of lower 



Cient wear, and changes articularsurface;6, transverse axis of the upper artlc- 



. /» J? xi 1 ir 1 ular surface. 



in form of the hoof, and 



even permanent distortions of the bones of the foot gradu- 

 ally occur. The wall becomes too long and bends or some- 

 times separates from the sole and keraphyllous layer. Weak 

 quarters bend (curl) inward and encroach upon the space 

 occupied by the frog (contracted feet of colts). The toe be- 

 comes too long, and this gives rise to too steep a position 

 of the pastern and causes an insecure and diffident gait ; there- 

 fore tlie hoofs must be shortened from time to time. The in- 

 curved quai*ters should be removed with the hoof-knife, and 

 the outer edge of the plantar border of the wall well rounded 



157 



