FELT, OR LEATHER SOLES 375 



However, long-continued moisture has a tendency 

 to destroy the texture of the frog, as well as the tough 

 elastic property of the hoofs. To obviate this, two 

 days in each week should be appropriated to keeping 

 the boots off, and an unguent of tar applied to the 

 surface of the foot, which should be well rubbed in with 

 the hand. This will completely saturate the horn, and 

 prevent that crumbly tendency which manifests itself 

 when the foot is long kept moist. During this time 

 the horse should have a well-supplied bed of litter to 

 prevent injury to the hoof. 



If during the two days on which the boots have 

 been removed the animal paws with his foot, it is very 

 liable to sustain injury ; to prevent this, the use of a 

 rope-boot will be necessary. See Plate xi, fig. 8. 



FELT, OR LEATHER SOLES. 



In cases of bruised or inflamed feet it has been 

 found of much benefit to insert a strip of leather or 

 felt between the shoe and the crust. The intention 

 of this is to lessen the vibration or shock which is 

 given to the sensible portion of the foot, in conse- 

 quence of the want of elasticity of the iron shoe. 

 This is useful where disease exists, but must by no 

 means be adopted where the feet are sound ; for one 

 reason — the nails can never be so firmly driven in 

 when any substance is interposed between the hoof 

 and the shoe, and by its alternate contraction and 

 expansion with dry or hot weather, it is sure to lessen 

 the security of the shoe ; causing too much play upon 

 the nails, and consequently enlarging the perforations 

 in the crust, and rendering a portion of it liable to be 

 torn away. 



