Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1898 — THE HORSE’S FOOT. [ARTICLE]

THE HORSE’S FOOT.

It It la Not Kept la an Excellent Condition the Animal Will Soon Be Practically Uaeleaa. In a horse a strong foot has the fibers of the hoof very distinct, so much so that they resemble in appearance those of easily split timber. But a hoof of this kind, if not kept moist and pliable, soon becomes almost as hard as iron and is liable to render the foot lame and tender, without revealing the cause of the lameness. When it is hurt and locally inflamed, troublesome eruptions around the coronet are liable to appear. A “thin hoof” is one which has a thin wall. It may be perfectly shaped in every way, but is peculiarly liable to get cut qf order either from attaching the shoe, traveling on hard ground or during excessive drought in summer or of moist ure in winter. In nearly all cases the bottom of a thin hoof is ragged, and when the shoe is removed the whole verge is seen to be thin. A narrow-heeled foot is. in some cases, reasonably good, but in others is inclined to various bad conditions, and when tampered with, as is so often done by blacksmiths in shoeing, is almost certain to become hoofbound. A hoof of disproportionately large size is in most cases accompanied by a slenderness and comparative weakness of limb and is a good indication of inability for brisk or vigorous action. A horse with a high-heeled foot is subject to unsteadiness of action and is liable to stumble and to sprains in the coffin or pastern joints, while a low-heeled hoof renders the animal a bad traveler. A flat foot, shaped like an oyster, usually has many rings or wrinkles, and usually requires a hollow-shaped shoe. In many cases, for want of a sufficiently strong wall, much difficulty is occasioned in shoeing in securing proper fastening for the shoe, and often renders the animal unfit for fast work or work on hard, stony roads. When a hoof is smooth and tough, of a medium size, neither too hard and brittle nor too soft, without wrinkles, upth the heel firm anid in no way rotten or spongy, with the frog horny and dry, with the sole somewhat hollow, like the inside of a dish, let the color be what it may—such a foot will nearly always turn out good, although good judges object to too many white feet, preferring dark or black hoofs. —St. Louis Republic.