Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-09-18

Plank Floors Injurious to Horses.

Why are elevated plank floors in stables injuri-
GUS to horses feeti
LIST. Because they deprive the hoof of receiving
certain assistance, which they require for their well
being and which in a state Of nature they receive
by mosture--the hoofs OF horses are horny, elias
tic, porous substance, capable Of receiving moist
ure, which is indispensably necessary to their well
being; in natural state they receive ii, and in
domesticated state they might, il men would heark-
to the mandates Of nature the evils of domeslica-
ton to the horse are recognized by many intelligent
observers and admirers of the horse in proportion
as we vary in our treatment to the horse from his
natural way ofliying, in the ratio does disease
and lameness exist; It's solemn fact start not at
the dea that the diseases of horses are induced by
the deeds of men candid observation will prove
the truth of this assertion The horses natural
floor the earth, is the best and only suitable floor
for him; on that his hoofs receive requisite moist
ure on plank floors they do not whyl because il
is not there. The plank floors are generally (a-
ways believe when they are made fashionable,)
made higher at the fore-part, than the hind part
consequently, what little moisture there may be
from the dung, or urine, is drawn away from the
fore-feet the effect is, the horse becomes lame in
the hind feet remain sound and healthy why be-
cause the hind feet receive moisture from the dung,
urine, &C., when the fore feet fail to receive il it
will be found upon examination that nine-tenths Of
the horses that lame, are so in the fore feet
stage, carriage, road and hackney horses, that are
stabbed all the time Except when in use) are gen.
orally the subjects Of such lameness majority
of writer's aud farriers, acknowledge and deplore
the prevalence of ameness in the fore feet and it is
easier to cut knot than unite it, they say that bad
shoeing is the ofa this ameness SO blind are
they to cause and effect, that they appear TO me to
know not what they say they have got the boot on
the wrong leg, and will show it, Backsmi,hs
are like other men, they have their faings and
may perhaps lame horses occasionally but because
of this, must they bear the blame OF all other mems
misdeeds? No, no. they should not, nor will not,
if we would only seek for the true cause of all this
lameness. l am blacksmith, stand good for the
defence of mysef& brethren when falsely accused
The same cause will produce the same effect hors-
es that are kept up are generally shod all round by
the same man. and in the same manner; well now,
ifbad shoeing lanes the fore feet, why will it not
lame the hind ones in the same mannerl Tell us
why, you fault-fnders who falsely accuse horse
shoersl or else desist look at the effects of your
own bad management, niceness and false phiIoso-
ply and you will find that your dry plank floors are
the cause of so much lameness, and not bad shoeng
Another evil attending upon making the stalls
higher at the front, is that it compels horse TO
stand in an unnatural position, which is certainly
improper; when horse stands in such manner.
the muscles and arteries of the hind legs are kept
on the stretch; frequently producing
windgals, &c. These ideas, if true, may suggest
the idea of level stable floors; and of the impor-
lance of moisture to the hoof which may be i'm
parted by washing with water, daily, the legs of the
horse, with water that must of necessity be kept in
The stable Western CahipatOr.
The evils spoken of above may, in measure, be
'emeded by keeping the floor covered with loan.
When the keeper has sufficient room, it is well to
occupy two stalls one thus covered with vegetable
Mould for the horse to stand upon during the day.
md another with bedding for the night The ad-
iitional amount of manure thus made will more
nan Compensate for the trouble.