334 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



a boarded partition as high as the back of the 

 horse. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE FEET. 



The feet of a horse should be examined with great 

 care every morning, for the purpose of ascertaining, in 

 the first place, if the shoes are all firm, and that none 

 of the clenches are raised, which might wound the 

 limbs. A worn shoe is also liable to press on the sole 

 or heel, and prove injurious. 



One of the first things to be attended to after a 

 horse has come off a journey, or has ceased from his 

 day's labour, is that his heels should be thoroughly 

 brushed out. If an agricultural or cart-horse, it will 

 be better to apply the hand than washing, as the long 

 hair with which the heels are generally invested will 

 take a considerable time to dry, especially during 

 winter, which may occasion grease. The feet should 

 then be stopped, after the picker has been used to 

 remove all stones or clay between the hoofs and shoes. 

 With other horses, the feet may be washed w^ith a 

 brush. The shoes should be removed at least once a 

 month. 



LIGHT. 



It is surprising that in many parts of the country, 

 farmers' stables, and indeed those of other individuals, 

 have no other light than probably what is admitted by 

 a few panes of glass over the door ; or some have an 

 open window closed by a shutter, which is only occa- 

 sionally opened. To this cause may be attributed 

 many of the diseases to which the eyes of horses are 

 liable, and ultimately blindness itself. It is easy to 

 imagine what the animal must feel, and the conse- 

 quences which are likely to be the result, from our own 



