The Groiving Stock 



295 



to lead, but if somewhat stubborn, a rope may be passed 

 back through the halter ring, and a loop dropped over the 

 rump and placed so that it will strike the colt in the thighs. 

 If this is pulled upon rather than the halter, the colt 

 will usually walk up without any great trouble. If the 

 colt is tied up, a rope should be passed through its halter, 

 and around the belly, and tied in that manner. Then 

 when he pulls upon it, it will tighten around his belly, 

 and pull there instead of on his head. Very often if 

 this is not done, the head will become bruised when the 

 colt struggles. 



TRIMMING THE HOOFS 



Trimming the colt's hoofs is a task which is often 

 neglected. The horn grows out and part of it breaks off, 



so that the foot sets on the 



ground unevenly and as the 

 bones are soft and cartilagi- 

 nous at this time, a crooked 

 leg or deformed foot results. 

 This may be avoided by trim- 

 ming the hoof occasionally, 

 so that it will set level. To 

 do this, take up the foot, 

 and trim off the surplus horn 

 with a pair of hoof nippers, 

 a heavy knife, or rasp. Round 

 off the edges so that there is 

 less tendency for the hoof 

 to break. Handle the colt 



gently at first, and if he struggles to get his foot down, 

 talk gently to him and pet him, but do not release the 

 foot. If he gets his foot away a few times he will 



Fig. 31. — Tools for Trimming 

 Horse's Feet. 



