THE MULE. 103 



the animal is in a natiiral state ; but when brought into 

 domestic use, it requires the good sense of man, whose 

 servant he is, to artificially employ those means which 

 nature has provided, to keep it perfectly healthy. 



When, then, the foot is in a healthy state, ^vet it at 

 least twice a day ; and do not be content with merely 

 throwing cold water on the outside, for the foot takes 

 in very little if any moisture through the wall. In shoit, 

 it absorbs moisture most through the frog and sole, 

 particularly in the region where the sole joins the wall. 

 This, if covered by a tight shoe, closes the medium, and 

 prevents the proper supply. Horses that are shod 

 should be allowed to stand in moist places as much as 

 possible. Use clay or loam floors, especially if the 

 horse has to stand much of his time. Stone or brick is 

 the next best, as the foot of the animal will absorb 

 moisture from either of these. Dry pine planks are 

 the very worst, because they attract moisture from the 

 horse's foot. Where animals have to stand idle much 

 of the time, keep their feet well stuffed with cow ma- 

 nure at night. Tiiat is the best and cheapest preserva- 

 tive of the feet that you can use. 



ADVICE TO BLACKSMITHS. 



Let me enjoin you, for humanity's sake, that when 

 j'ou first undertake to shoe a young animal, you will 

 not forget the value of kind treatment. Keep its head 

 turned away from the glaring fire, the clinking anvil, 

 &c., &c. Let the man whom he has been accustomed 

 to, the groom or owner, stand at his head, and talk to 

 him kindly. When yon approach him fur the first 



