THE ARABIAN HORSE. 



oilinefs which is fo confpicuous on paring the fole of the foot. In 

 proportion as this moiflure is more or lefs abundant, the hoof either 

 continues fupple, or becomes hard, dry, and fubject to cracks and 

 inequalities : when the hoof is become thus dry, the ufual method of 

 relieving the complaint, is to turn the Horfe into wet marmy ground, which 

 fbon reftores the hoof to its original Hate of fupplenefs. It is alfo worthy of 

 remark, that Horfes accuftomed to go in marmy ground, are never liable to 

 have their hoofs crack, but have always the tougheft and moll fupple feet. 

 Now, the application of hot iron to the hoof cannot fail of having a direct 

 contrary effect ; it actually dries up the furface, and even renders it friable ; 

 and, it is evident from the ftrong foetid fmell which proceeds from the hoof, 

 during the time it is burning, that the oily nutritious juice is efcaping from 

 it in great abundance, and the fupply of it is prevented from returning to the 

 hoof, at lean 1 for fome time, by the veffels containing it being corrugated and 

 deltroyed by the action of the hot iron ; the hoof is likewife confiderably 

 contracted and leffened by a frequent repetition of this cruel operation. Thus 

 the poor animal, whom benevolent nature has kindly furnifhed with feet of 

 an elaftic, tough fubfiance, well adapted to the different places it is to tread on, 

 is forced, by the ignorance of man, to hobble along on hoofs rendered almoft 

 as hard as a Hone. It is in general remarked, that a Horfe goes awkwardly 

 when he is firft lhod, and it is no wonder, when we reflect how much his 

 hoof has fuffered and been cramped by the action of the hot iron, which 

 effect gradually goes off, in fome meafure, as the hoof begins to recover its 

 elaflicity, and the gait of the Horfe recovers alfo in the fame proportion. 



But the evil does not end here. The foot of the Horfe is not the only 

 part which is hurt by this ignorant and cruel practice; the joints, the wind, 

 the eyes fuffer, and, in fhort, the general ftate of health is more or lefs injured 

 by it, as will evidently appear, if we confider the fituation and ffructure of a 

 Horfe's foot. It is the moft depending part of the animal, and confequently 

 the receptacle for the more grofs and heavy humours of the body, whole 

 weight naturally difpofes them to gravitate downwards. Now, the foot is of 

 a foft fpongy contexture, full of exCrementory pores or velfels, and is fo 



