160 HORSESHOEING. 



that has penetrated the horn. Specially compounded hoof- 

 salves are not necessary. Melted horse-grease, pork-fat, or any 

 other fat that is not rancid is sufficient. Cosmoline is an 

 excellent hoof-salve. 



Abundant but not excessive exercise is more necessary than 

 anything else to the preservation of the health of the hoof. It 

 aids the circulation of blood mthin the foot, and, therefore, 

 the growth of the horn. Horses which perform hard, regular 

 work have, as a rule, better hoofs than those which stand the 

 greater part of the time in the stable. Poulticing hoofs with 

 day, bran, linseed-meal, or white-rock, or standing them in 

 water is unnecessary if they have had proper care, but will 

 sometimes be of benefit when the hoofs have been neglected, 

 and especially so for front hoofs. The latter are more exposed 

 to drying influences, and the shoes prevent the moistening 

 process by keeping the hoofs partially or completely removed 

 from contact with the earth. Oiling alone is not sufficient to 

 soften horn, but must always be preceded by permeation of the 

 horn with water. Oiling without first cleansing the hoof is 

 useless, because this soon produces a greasy crust underneath 

 which the horn is crisp and brittle. 



The surest sign of cleanliness of a hoof is the appearance of 

 the natural color of the horn, the latter appearing translucent 

 even after the hoof -ointment has been applied ; therefore, black- 

 ened hoof-ointments should not be used. When hoofs are ex- 

 posed to too much moisture (muddy roads, melting snow, etc.) 

 an addition of wax or common yellow rosin to the hoof -oint- 

 ment is recommended to prevent too great softening of the horn. 

 No hoof-ointment has any direct influence upon the growth of 

 the horn. 



Inasmuch as it is a fact that the very best shoeing injures 

 the hoof, it is advisable to allow horses to go barefoot whenever 

 it is possible. This applies especially to horses that from any 

 cause are thrown out of service, presupposing, of course, that 

 the nature of the hoofs will allow them to go barefoot. 



