THE HORSE. 27 



DISEASES AND HURTS OF THE FEET. 



Horses are oftener injured in the feet than anywhere 

 else. Hurts are often received from the blacksmith ; 

 sometimes a nail with a flaw in it will cause a great in- 

 jury. Again ; occasionally a nail, from not being prop 

 erly pointed, goes into the tender part of the hoof, which 

 (although it may be withdrawn at the time) may occasion 

 a lameness, the cause of which it is difficult to ascertain, 

 as the blacksmith will not always own his fault. Some- 

 times lameness is occasioned by the hoofs being pared 

 'Into the quick. No old stumps or pieces ought to be left 

 in the hoof. Care should be taken to pare off the fore- 

 part of the hoof instead of the heel, when shoeing ; from a 

 want of attention to this, tenderness of the foot and gravel 

 often result. When the horse shows tenderness in his 

 feet, examine carefully the cause ; if it be the gravel, the 

 hoof will need searching, and every particle of sand or 

 gravel removed, or it will continue to operate until it 

 may take months to cure him. After removing every 

 gravelly substance, take common tar, adding a little lard, 

 and apply it to the part affected, so as to preserve the 

 place from further injury. Sometimes corns in the heel 

 produce lameness ; cut them out carefully, and dress the 

 part with aquafoAis. 



HOOF-BOUND. 



This appears from the hoofs being dry and hard, with 

 strait heels, which pinch the quick and cause much pain. 

 Pare the hoof thin, and open the foot near the hair (if 

 the horse can be spared from work for a few days), and 

 the hoof will spread sufficiently. In the meantime, keep 

 it well oiled with goose or skunk's grease ; after which, 

 put on a thin shoe for two weeks. 



CRACKED HOOFS. 



This commences on the outside of the hoof, and pro- 

 gresses inwardly. When first noticed, rasp the hoof 

 thoroughly, which will generally effect a cure. If it is 

 deep, it must be thoroughly examined, and all dirt re- 

 moved ; after which take lint made of linen cloth, and 

 balsam of fir, and fill the crack, keeping a flannel cloth 

 wrapped round the fetlock, wet with vinegar. 



