THE FEEDING AND CARE OF BULLS 1 19 



When tied in the stall they should be trimmed about 

 once a year. When cattle have full liberty the wear of 

 the hoofs is sufficient to keep them in proper condition. 

 When confined, the tendency in the hoofs is to grow 

 forward and outward at the sides, thus tending to raise 

 the front part of the hoof and lower the rear part. This 

 gives undue slant to the pasterns. These conditions 

 are unfavorable to firmness of tread, which so far mili- 

 tates against effective service. 



By trimming is meant the clipping back of the horn 

 of the hoof all around the outer edge of the same, and 

 paring off a part of the sole. The clipping is done with 

 a pair of pincers, which may be obtained in hardware 

 shops. The sole is pared off until it is on a level with 

 the outer rim of the hoof. Care must be taken to avoid 

 cutting into the quick of the sole. Should this 

 happen to a slight extent, the tenderness will not 

 continue for many days. A little experience under 

 the direction of one who understands such paring 

 will soon enable the operator to know when the paring 

 should cease. 



Four methods have been adopted when trimming the 

 feet of bulls and show cattle. By the first, the paring is 

 done while the animals are lying at rest. This can only 

 Ije done in the case of those that are usually docile, and 

 that carry flesh to the extent of making them in a sense 

 sluggish. This condition is most frequent with show 

 animals. In such instances, if the trimming cannot be 

 completed at once it can be later by watching for the 

 opportunity. 



By the second method the feet are trimmed while 

 the bull is standing. One end of a rope is fastened 

 around the pastern of one foreleg. The other end is 

 passed over the back just behind the withers. One 

 standing beside the bull on the other side draws on the 

 rope until the hoof is raised sufficiently for being 

 trimmed. Similarlv. the other front hoof is trimmed. To 



