HORSESHOEING. 125 



hind feet. If front hoofs are washed once a day, sufficient moist- 

 ure will penetrate the horn to give it that degree of suppleness 

 (elasticity) which is possessed by an unshod hoof, and which 

 contributes to a proper expansion of the hoof when the body- 

 weight is placed upon it. In order to prevent a hoof from again 

 drying out, the entire hoof should receive a thorough application 

 of an oil or ointment (hoof-salve). The object of greasing the 

 horn is to prevent evaporation of the moisture that has pene- 

 trated the horn. Specially compounded hoof-salves are not 

 necessary. Melted horse-grease, pork-fat, or any other fat that 

 is not rancid is sufficient. Cosmoline is an excellent hoof-salve. 



Abundant but not excessive exercise is more necessary than 

 anything else to the preservation of the health of the hoof. It 

 aids the circulation of blood within the foot, and, therefore, the 

 growth of the horn. Horses which perform hard, regular work 

 have, as a rule, better hoofs than those which stand the greater 

 part of the time in the stable. Poulticing hoofs with clay, bran, 

 linseed-meal, sawdust, or standing them in water is unnecessary 

 if they have had proper care, but will sometimes be of benefit 

 when the hoofs have been neglected, and especially so for front 

 hoofs. The latter are more exposed to drying influences, and 

 the shoes prevent the moistening process by keeping the hoofs 

 partially or completely removed from contact with the earth. 

 Oiling alone is not sufficient to soften horn, but must always be 

 preceded by permeation of the horn with water. Oiling- with- 

 out first cleansing the hoof is useless, because this soon pro- 

 duces a greasy crust underneath which the horn is crisp and 

 brittle. 



The surest sign of cleanhness of a hoof is the appearance of 

 the natural color of the horn, the latter appearing translucent 

 even after the hoof-ointment has been applied ; therefore, black- 

 ened hoof-ointments should not be used. When hoofs are ex- 

 posed to too much moisture (muddy roads, melting snow, etc.) 

 an addition of wax or common yellow rosin to the hoof-oint- 

 ment is recommended to prevent too great softening of the horn. 



