84 
MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG HORSES. 
to almost what form you please. By careful and judicious 
treatment many defects may be relieved or corrected, if at- 
tacked in the earliest stage, before the parts have assumed an 
unyielding texture. Many of the imperfections to which 
the form of the leg is susceptible, may be traced to a portion 
of the hoof having been broken, worn away, or chipped off. 
In the event of such an accident, the opposite side of the 
foot grows more luxuriantly, and the weakest portion, or 
lower side, having to sustain an increased weight, an uneven 
bearing for the foot is established. This will assuredly 
cause the leg to grow crooked, and very probably occasion 
a turning in or out of the toe. The irregularity of shape is 
often seen in one leg, while the other is well formed. The 
pastern joints, in many cases, evince a disposition to grow 
too upright, or, on the other hand, to assume too much ob- 
liquity. The same principle which accidentally causes a 
limb to take an unfavorable growth or form may be adopted 
to restore it to its proper shape, providing it is attended to in 
time. Thus, if the inside of the near fore foot of a colt or 
young horse be broken off or worn down, it will cause the 
animal to tread more heavily on the. inside than on the out, 
and the leg will become bent in consequence. To correct 
this it is only necessary to reduce the superabundant portion 
of the foot with a drawing knife or carp, so that the limb may 
have an even bearing. When the pasterns grow too upright, 
the heels require to be lowered ; and the toes of those which 
are too oblique must be shortened. The texture of the hoof 
varies considerably in different animals. In some measure it 
is constitutional ; and it is likewise affected by the state or 
condition of the land upon which the animal is reared. Be- 
fore shoes are applied, if the land be dry, the hoof is very 
liable to be broken off at the edges ; and, if neglected, they 
will shell off, and frequently occasion soreness — sometimes 
even inflammation. To obviate this, the part should be 
rounded a little with a rasp, and the foot dressed with oint- 
ment composed of tallow, fat, or lard two parts, tar one part, 
and treacle half an equivalent of the latter. These being 
melted together, and applied warm on the soles and hoofs of 
horses at any age, will be found to promote the growth and 
toughen the parts effectively. If the land be very dry, it is 
advisable to throw water on some particular spot, where the 
animals may be induced to stand occasionally in order to 
keep their feet in a healthy state. 
By adopting a regular system, and examining the legs and 
feet of every horse, young or old, once a month, attention to 
these little matters becomes habitual. When the vast im- 
portance of healthy feet is considered, the trifling item of 
