Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 286, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 December 1913 — Care of the Horse’s Feet. [ARTICLE]

Care of the Horse’s Feet.

If left to nature the foot of a bora* will not always grow out full, strong and perfect in form. When traveling over soil containing stone or gravel the horn wears off as fast as necessary to keep the foot In fair proportions, but on prairie soils which are soft the horn grows rapidly with the result that the feet split, become uneven and indeed the ei> tire bony column is not infrequently altered in form and the animal partially if not wholly ruined. It is due to this fact that so many badfooted horses are seen upon the streets. The farrier gets all,of the blame in fhseny such cases, but the trouble really "began upon the ranch. To grow the feet in the best possible manner l the colt should be driven into the corral once a month and the feet should (be carefully Inspected. Ap a rule it; is necessary to shorten ’ the toes awm this is done with a rasp. When the toes are kept short the quarters/ will as a rule take care of themseflveSr for the frogs will bear upon the ground and keep the feet properly spread. The frog should be particularly noticed for if it gets out oft contact with the bearing surface, the' foot will very rapidly lose its proper shape, the heels will oontract and the walls at the quarters become brittle and weak.—Field and Farm.