THE FEET. 29 



convex pumiced toot, it is, of course, worse ; but this 

 is merely like a difference of choice between a wooden 

 leg or crutches. 



Do not neglect to see that both feet are exactly 

 the same size, for this is as often heedlessly passed 

 over as the difference in the size of the eyes. The 

 two hind feet must correspond likewise ; but not 

 being so liable to contraction, they seldom get out of 

 order. If after all this you are still at a loss to com- 

 prehend what constitutes a good foot, keep the heels 

 as open and the foot as hollow as the hind ones ; then 

 you will not be far off the proper form. 



White feet are considered objectionable ; but re- 

 collect, a white foot, properly formed and shaped, is 

 far superior to a black one badly formed, and that 

 white hind feet are not of much consequence.* 



Examine attentively the warmth of the feet ; but 

 this must be done early in the morning, by eight 

 o'clock, before the horse has been exercised, to be of 

 any avail. If one is warm whilst the others are cool, 

 there has been a strain of the coffin joint, or there is 

 something else wrong internally ; but the lameness, 

 in some of these cases, is often so very slight, that 

 you will not discover it till after one or two ridings. 



You should observe also, whilst eating grass in his 

 loose stall, if he places one foot stretched out before 

 the other : if he stands decidedly in this position, one 

 foot too much under tfie body, and the other pointed 

 out nearly a yard in front, you may suspect there is 



* Horses with white feet are more subject to craked heels in wet wea- 

 ther, and if not properly drie<t after washing. Tho crust also is generally 

 more brittle. ED. 



