94 
A. Z UN DEL. 
them sometimes produce the same results. This does not mean 
that a reasonable application of ointment is not necessary; but to 
act favorably it is essential that one coat should be carefully re¬ 
moved before the application of another. Otherwise, the new 
will fail of its proper effect, and on the contrary, the old coat, by 
its alteration, will give rise to a deterioration of the hoof, espec¬ 
ially in affecting the substance which unites the horny elements, 
and would reduce it to fine powder. And, again, ordinarily it is 
only the wall which is greased, the hoof of the sole and of the 
frog being left without, though they may be in equal need of it. 
The best hoof ointment is made of lard, a small quantity of wax 
or turpentine, sometimes mixed with tar. Glycerine is very use¬ 
ful, to give the hoof suppleness when it has become hard ; it is 
applied by friction, after the foot has been well washed and dried. 
In the majority of cases it is preferable to poultices, to mucilagi¬ 
nous baths, or to keratophylous ointments. 
Greasing is necessary for horses which are much exposed to 
dampness, and is as good for the sole and frog as for the wall. It 
is applicable, also, to feet which have to stand on dry bedding 
Feet which, on account of diseased conditions, require to be fre¬ 
quently soaked or poulticed, ought also be greased. Bedding of 
fine sand and of sawdust has been recommended. It is well, also, 
to place horses upon marshy lands. All these measures may be 
advantageous if the feet are properly shod. 
Good shoeing is the essential prophylaxy of hoof-bound; we 
must avoid all improper practices likely to promote desiccation 
and contraction of the foot, such as abuse of the rasp ; too long 
application of the heated shoe when fitting it to the foot; the 
lowering of the heels; the excessive paring of the frog or of the 
bars ; the bad fitting of the shoe; useless caulks ; too many nails 
in the quarter or near the heels—all these errors must be care¬ 
fully avoided. The foot, moreover, must not be allowed to grow 
too long. The shoeing should be renewed at least monthly, even 
if the shoe is not worn. And lastly, the horse must not be al¬ 
lowed too long periods of inactivity. 
It has been proposed to abolish the custom of shoeing, but in 
the present conditions and modes of using the horse this is jm= 
