HORSES. 167 



hoof soft and in good condition. It will penetrate the 

 hoof better than oil, and other oleaginous preparations 

 for this purpose. In warm wea her, moisten the feet 

 often in water. 



Hoof -Bound. The hoofs are dry and hard, and con- 

 tracted at the top so as to pinch the quick, and prevent a 

 free circulation. 



Remedy. Keep the hoof cool and moist, as a preven- 

 tive ; and for a cure, open the hoof a little at the edge of 

 the hair, that it may spread. Then grease it daily with 

 any soft grease, such as that of woodchucks, skunks, 

 dogs, or geese. 



Wash for the Hoofs. The following wash is excel- 

 lent for softening and toughening the hoofs: — Spirits 

 of turpentine, four ounces ; tar, four ounces ; whale 

 oil, eight ounces ; mix, and brush over the hoofs often. 



This is a disease of the frog of the foot. At first 

 there is a discharge from the cleft of this protuberance. 

 It is caused by frequent, long continued, and extensive 

 application of moisture. A plethoric state of the body is 

 a predisposing cause ; but too much water is the princi- 

 pal cause. 



It is sometimes produced by standing constantly in 

 moist dung. Stopping, or frequent wetting the feet in 

 water, as a remedy for brittle hoofs, when carried to the 

 extreme, will produce thrush. 



If thrush be neglected, it spreads, affecting the whole 

 foot. The horn becomes ragged and irregular ; the frog 

 shrinks, and the foot contracts. The horse is disposed 

 to go on his toes to favor his heels. Rut generally, he 

 shows no lameness until the disease is much advanced, 

 except when the frog comes on a stone, or is pressed in 

 rough or deep ground. 



Preventive. To prevent thrush in feet predisposed to 

 it, keep the frog dry ; and if the sole needs moisture, 

 stopping may be applied, first covering the frog in pitch. 



Remedy. Clean thoroughly the cleft of the frog, and 

 all the moist crevices, and fill them with pledgets of tow 

 dipped in warm tar, every day, and keep the foot dry. 



