CABE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES 131 



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. 



Outdoor blanket. — The use of the outdoor blanket is as im- 

 portant as the use of the stable blanket. If the horse is allowed 

 to stand outdoors, 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. Again, in the spring when the weather is fair, one is 

 likely to think that no ill will result from leaving the animal un- 

 blanketed ; and yet he may chill as before. It is best, on stop- 

 ping the animal, to see that he is well protected at all times. 



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 returning from work as well as in the morning 

 before being 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 be- 

 coming hard and brittle. Such hoofs should be oiled with some 

 good oil, 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, which often causes deformity 

 and disease. When such break occurs, the hoof should be leveled 



