14 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
that is, a little higher before than behind. There are 
some excellent horses rather low before ; they are fre- 
quently strong and suited to draft, but not travellers, A 
full nmne and tail indicate a strong constitution. A good 
horse will stand well ; if he be unexceptionable, he will 
stand on all four feet, if allowed to remain sometime alone, 
without resting either. If he be a good mover, he will 
carry one foot immediately after another. Such a horse 
is apt to be a good traveller ; if he be not over fast, he 
will endure a long time. Some horses, with a powerful 
effort, throw their feet far beyond their bodies. Such 
horses may be fast, but are apt to tire. Give me the horse 
that keeps his feet well under him, shakes his body but 
little, holds his head up, and raises his feet sufhciently 
high not to stumble. 
Now, I have not so frequently found the characteristics 
of a good horse to exist in the race-horse as in the North- 
ern trotter, and instead of believing that our horses are 
improved by raising from race-horses, I think our horses 
would be better for the plow, for the gear and the saddle, 
by raising from horses of shorteiTegs, larger bodies, and 
more compact in form than the race stock. The latter is 
better adapted to the turf, but not so well adapted to ordi- 
nary purposes. We need a horse of power, of endurance, 
of good performance, and not a horse remarkable only for 
his swiftness. Many horses are active, sportive and 
easily kept, and yet unmixed with the race-horse. I have 
seen some very superior and excellent Canadians. The 
Morgan horse and Northern trotters are worthy of all 
praise. Some of the most inferior geldings I have ever 
owned were said to be of the race stock. Their fine and 
glossy hair, long legs, lank and gaunt abdomen, seem to 
indicate their descent from a race of “illustrious ancestors.” 
These views, I know, are in opposition to the current 
opinion of the day, but facts are stubborn realities that 
cannot be easily controverted ; and my opinion is based 
upon my own observation and experience— an experience 
based upon daily use for more than thirty years. And 
when I desire to purchase a horse, to recommend him as 
of the race stock is rather an objectk n to me. I am fully 
satisfied that the race stock has beei a source of injury to 
the horses of Virginia, for such hoi oos as we need for 
work, for the saddle or for harness, So ne people read 
and take it for granted ; others weigh an(5 consider. Some 
adopt opinions that their fathers entertained: others think 
for themselves and form opinions accordingly. 
A Physician, 
. {in Southern Planter. 
BRITTLE HOOFS. 
Very many horses, which are confined much in the 
stable, are troubled with brittle hoofs. The crust of the 
hoof seems unable to withstand the least blow withont 
breaking, and in some cases it is almost impossible to 
keep on a shoe: the driving of the nails often splitting open 
the hoof. 
This complaint is entirely the result of improper treat- 
ment, and is unknown to the horse in the wild state. It 
is owing mainly to too close confinement upon a hard, 
dry, floor, want of sufficient exercise, and high feed. In 
a state of nature, the hoofs of the horse are often wet, 
and absorb a great deal of moisture from contact with the 
damp ^rth. This absorption of moisture, as was wisely 
ordained, is indispensably necessary to the healthy de- 
velopment of the hoof, and it cannot be long kept dry 
without injury. 
Want of exercise and high feeding are also injurious to 
the feer, as well as to the general health. Exercise is 
necessary to promote a vigorous circulation in the limbs 
and feet, and the want of it predisposes the animal to all 
kinds of diseases of these important organs. High feed- 
ing combined with want of exercise is often the cause of 
many diseases, the tendency being to promote congestion 
and inflammatory action. Many valuable horses are 
foundered in this way, while the owner never for a mo- 
ment mistrusts the real difficulty. 
If your horse’s hoofs are inclined to be hard and brittle, 
put him at once upon a floor of loose earth, and see that 
it be kept constantly damp, but not wet. His stall should 
be six or eight feet wide, so that he can move about a 
little. If the soil is very loose, a pail of v/ater sprinkled 
on the floor after the bedding has been removed every 
morning, will be sufficient. If possible, it is better to turn 
him into a damp pasture, after taking off his shoes. 
If the hoofs are so brittle that the nails split them in 
driving, you will do well to attend personally to the shoe- 
ing, The nails should be as small as possible, and the 
shoe light. When the shoe is fitted, have the smith mark 
the places for the nails, and then bore with a small gimb- 
let about one-third of the distance through, there will then 
be no difficulty in driving the nails without breaking the 
hoof. If you are obliged to use your horse upon a dry 
road, you will find it of great service to pack the feet with 
tow, and pour a little water on them two or three times 
during the day. Some recommend oiling the hoofs, and 
this may be of service when properly performed, but it 
requires much judgment to do it at the proper time. If 
the foot is moist, oiling tends to prevent the escape of the 
moisture — but if the foot is dry, the effect of the oiling 
will be to malfe it worse, by preventing the natural ab- 
sorption of moisture. 
If you observe carefully these simple directions, you 
will not often have any difficulty with brittle feet. 
There is, however, one important exception to the course 
of treatment recommended above, and that is, in cases 
where the hoofs are not only brittle, but are thin or flat. 
It is very difficult to do anything with such feet, and if 
your horse is in other respects very valuable, you had 
better consult a veterinary surgeon. C., 
\in Vermont Slock JovjnoJ. 
FAMILY PEACE. 
1. Remember that our will is likely to be crossed every 
day, so prepare for it. 
2. Every body in the house has an evil nature as well 
a; ourselves, and, therefore, we are not to expect too 
much. 
3. To learn the different temper of each individual. 
4. To look upon each member of the family as one for 
whom Christ died. 
5. When any good happens to any one to rejoice at it. 
6. When inclined to give an angry answer, to lift up 
the heart in prayer. 
7. If from sickness, pain or infirmity, we feel irritable, 
to keep a very strict watch over ourselves. 
8. To observe when others are so suffering, and drop a 
word of kindness and sympathy suited to them. 
9. To wait for little opportunities of pleasing, and to put 
little annoyances out of the way, 
10. To take a cheerful view of everything — of the 
weather, and encourage hope. 
11. To speak kindly to the servants, to praise them for 
little things when you can. 
12. In all little pleasures that may occur to put self last. 
13. To try for “the soft answer which turneth away 
wrath.” 
14. When we have been pained by an unkind word or 
deed, to ask ourselves, “Have I not often done the same 
and been forgiven V’ 
15. In conversation not to exalt ourselves, but to bring 
others forward. x 
16. To be very gentle with the young ones, and treat 
them with respect. 
17. Never to judge one another, but to attribute a good 
motive when you can. 
