New Ulm review., 1913-03-05
Trimming Colts Feet.
By DR.. c. c. LIPP, University
Farm, St. Paul.
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Experience has demonstrated over
and over again the truthfulness OF the
old saying, mo foot no horse" Good
feet in mature horses are the result
of the proper selection of breeding
animals, as we'll as the result of prop
er soil conditions, exercise, and dill
gent care from colthood to maturity.
1t is impossible to change the breed
ing of the colts already on the farm.
or the soil conditions that help make
good strong bone and hoof, but when
the necessity for trimming is fully
recognized as means for guiding
the development of the hoofs, it comes
as properly within the range of the
careful horseraiser's activities as
pruning becomes part of the intelli-
gent nurseryman's work.
The process of trimming involves
the judicious use of common sense,
as we'll as the use of good sharp tools.
Two of the latter are necessity and
third is often convenient, namely:
Hoofrasp and hoofknife, and where
the hoofs are very long, hoofpincers
are great time savers.
When growth is faster than wear
the hoof wall projects beyond the sole
and because Of its thinness it breaks
easily. During all that part of the
year when the ground is not covered
with snow, wear may be equal to
growth, and very little trimming Of
this part of the hoof will be needed.
This does not mean that vigilance is
to be relaxed during the summer time;
indeed it must be kept up throughout
the entire year if we'll formed feet are
desired
A hoofrasp is the best tool to use
for this purpose. Remove only enough
to make the wall of the hoof even
with the edge of the sole; not so much
as to allow the frog to bear all the
body weight. There must be even
pressure on both wall and frog. The
amount to be removed will depend on
the condition of the foot, and can best
be determined by the observing eye
of the owner. When the wall is
trimmed very close in the winter,
danger OF slipping is increased. On
the other hand, when left too long,
contact with rough or frozen ground
is more likely to break it.
Growth of the sole increases its
thickness. When this reaches a Ger.
tain degree, the outer layers become
fiaky or powdery and fall OF. BY this
means contact with grass in the pas
ture or with bare ground are usually
enough to keep the sole clean. When
the powdery horn is continuously sat
urated with liquids it may be retained
on the sole and attain to considerable
thickness. Should it become saturat-
ed with liquid manure, putrefaction
soon begins and the sole of the foot
becomes quite foul. For this reason
colts kept in the stable during the
winter without ample contact with
ground or snow, should have their
feet cleaned out at least once weekly.
The curved end of the hoofknife IS
the best tool to use. but a piece Of
pointed iron, bent like the letter l.,
will answer. 1t is never advisable to
pare away any more than the loose
flaky horn from the sole, or to inter-
fere with its arch upward.
The frog, like the sole, grows in
thickness from above. It's use is to
act as cushion to lessen the jars OF
conclusion and help distribute the ami
mails weight over larger area when
the foot is placed on the ground. TO
accomplish this purpose the frog
should touch the ground at every step.
If it is trimmed so that it no longer
touches the ground its function will
be completely destroyed, and the out
come will be a permanently injured
hoof. 1t is better to leave the frog
untrimmed than to run the risk of do
ing irremediable damage by excessive
trimming.