20'2 COMPENDIUM OF THE VETERINARlf ART. 



them, and let the horse stand upon a flat sur- 

 face, without shoes, by which means they will 

 he rendered thicker and more firm ; and when 

 he is rode let the concave shoe be made use 

 of. When thrushes or rottenness of the frog 

 are the cause of the ttuderness, cut away the 

 diseased parts, apply tar with a pledget of tow, 

 and upon this place the artificial frog — the 

 natural frog will in consequence soon become 

 firm and solid, and the tenderness will be in 

 great measure removed : if the thrashes be 

 occasioned by a contraction of the heels, which 

 is frequently the case, it v/illthen be necessar}'- 

 to rasp the quarters moderately ; and should 

 they appear to be too strong, wanting a proper 

 degree of elasticity, keep the hoof constantly 

 moist. Horses that travel during the winter 

 are very liable to have their heels inflamed and 

 rracked, as it is termed, unless great attention 

 is paid to them in the stable. In cases where 

 the heels are already thus affected, the}' should 

 be washed with moderately warm water as soon 

 as the horse gets in, and afterward carefully 

 wiped dry with a soft cloth; if much inflamed, 

 the astringent lotion is to be applied ; and if 

 there be any ulcei'^ or cracks, use the astrin- 

 gent ointment, and let the alterative powder, 



