HORSESHOEING AND HORSES' 

 HOOFS 



As WITH many other subjects relating to 

 horseflesh, there is a wide diversity of opinion as 

 to the treatment of the horse's hoof, particularly 

 as to that phase of it which has to do with shoe- 

 ing. In New York, especially, there is a deeply 

 rooted prejudice in favor of allowing the hoofs 

 to grow out to very considerable proportions. If 

 you ask some of the strong advocates of this 

 practice their reason for it, you get the non- 

 explanatory answer that they like to see a horse 

 with a good foot. The question then naturally 

 presents itself : Does a luxuriant growth of horn 

 constitute a good foot, and is a long hoof con- 

 ducive to the welfare of the foot and that por- 

 tion of the extremity above it? There is no doubt 

 you can .take liberties with a horse's foot with 

 impunity under some circumstances, but if you 

 want a horse to do everyday work, the nearer you 

 get a hoof to its proper dimensions the better for 

 the foot and the leg above it. For ordinary work 

 the hoof should be kept of such dimensions that 

 every part of the lower surface of it shall bear 



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