BALLS AND DBENCHES. 207 



fering from corns in both fore-feet, the lameness will 

 not be so perceptible, though the experienced eye will 

 have little difficulty in detecting their existence by the 

 shuffling gait and an evident fear in putting down his 

 feet with that vigour and firmness exhibited by a horse 

 with thoroughly sound feet; both feet being alike 

 afflicted, the tyro in horse- flesh will not observe the de- 

 cided lameness which really exists. 



With the knowledge of this result unprincipled copers 

 insert pebbles or beans between the shoe and sole of a 

 sound foot, to disguise the lameness in the other. All 

 doubt may, however, be removed by having the fore- 

 shoes taken off and the sole pared, when the red ap- 

 pearance, above described, will at once be seen on the 

 sole. The hoofs of a horse suffering from corns will be 

 unnaturally hot, and a slight tap upon them or the sole 

 with a hammer or stone will cause the horse to flinch 

 as if suffering intense agony. I have rarely known 

 this troublesome disord er completely cured j but great 

 relief to the horse, and consequent convenience to the 

 owner, results from cutting down the crust, bar, and 

 sole, and applying a bar shoe, to take off the pressure 

 on the afflicted part ; and when unnatural heat exists 

 in the feet they should be kept cool and moist while 

 standing in the stable with wet cloths round the hoof 

 and coronet woollen or linen several times folded, 

 and kept wet by frequently pouring water upon them. 



When corns are neglected the horse suffers the most 

 intense pain, and soon becomes useless. I have seen 



