Care and Management of Horses 87 
material and kept clean. As soon as the nights begin to get cool, 
the blankets should be resumed, as an early use will arrest to a 
marked degree the growth of hair. This may obviate the necessity 
of clipping. In case the horse is clipped, he should be covered 
with an extra heavy blanket, or with two blankets, for a time. 
152. Outdoor blanket. — The use of the outdoor blanket is as 
important as the use of the stable blanket. If the horse is allowed 
to stand out doors, either for a short or for a long time, he should 
be well blanketed. If one is going to stop but a short time, the 
temptation is strong not to blanket the animal. The horse cools 
off rapidly and may chill, so that it is best to blanket if only for a 
moment. In the spring when the weather is fair, one is likely to 
think that no ill will result from leaving the animal unblanketed. 
It is best at all times, on stopping the animal, to see that he is 
well protected. 
153. Care of the feet. — Because of the great importance of 
the foot, it should be carefully cared for throughout the active career 
of the horse. Each evening, after the horse returns from work as 
well as in the morning before he is sent out, the sole of the foot 
should be examined and all foreign materials removed. For this 
purpose.a small hay hook with the point sharpened is excellent. 
It is very common to find foreign bodies, such as nails and stones, 
either driven into the wall or sole of the foot, or collected in the 
clefts along the frog, and it is very essential that they be removed 
if the hoof is to remain in healthy condition. 
Occasionally the hoofs have a tendency to dry out, thus becom- 
ing hard and brittle. Such hoofs should be oiled with some good 
oil, such as linseed or olive oil, or with hoof ointment, of which there 
are many kinds on the market. This will soften the wall of the 
hoof and make it less likely to crack or break. It often happens 
that a piece is worn or broken from the side of the hoof, which 
throws the weight of the body in such a way as to bring a strain 
upon the joints of the leg, causing deformity and disease. When 
such break occurs, the hoof should be leveled with a rasp. When 
