CHAPTER XIV. 



IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING HORSES' FEET IN GOOD CON- 

 DITION—PROPER WAY TO SHOE HORSES TO COR- 

 RECT CERTAIN DEFECTS— WHEN PADS SHOULD 

 BE USED AND THE PROPER KINDS FOR DIFFERENT 

 HORSES. 



GENTLEMEN of experience do not need to be 

 told that the foot is about the most important 

 part of the anatomy that a horse carries to 

 the race track ; hence, what I am about to say is not 

 intended for their enlightenment ; but, as this book will 

 probably be read by some who are just commencing to 

 learn the art of properly caring for horses, I deem it 

 proper to say that the old adage of ** no foot no 

 horse " is as true to-day as when it was first promul- 

 gated generations ago ; and that, as effect follows cause 

 in any case, poor shoeing and want of proper atten- 

 tion to the feet will produce a worthless race horse 

 more effectually than the want of sufficient feed and 

 grooming. The suggestions contained in this chapter 

 are based upon my personal experience, and, if followed, 

 will, I think, produce satisfactory results. 



A great many trotters, both colts and old horses, 

 will forge and scalp when jogging. When they do this, 

 I always use a square-toed shoe in front, also bevel the 

 shoe on the outer edge near the toe from the hoof to 

 the ground surface. Do not file off the hoof at the toe 

 when it projects over the square of the shoe, only re- 

 move the edge of the hoof with the rasp. You will 



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