The feet of some horses require particular attention. They are liable to injuries and to diseases, of which one or two may be prevented by a little care.

Picking the Feet is among the first things a good stable man attends to when the horse comes off his work. Very often a stone is wedged between the shoe and the frog; if permitted to remain there till next day, or even for a few hours, the foot may be bruised, and the horse lamed. This seldom happens to the hind feet. But both the fore and the hind feet of all horses should be examined after work, to see that no stone, nail, splinter of wood, nor broken glass, be sticking in the sole. The mud and clay may be picked out or washed away, and the feet examined in about three minutes, and this work of three minutes may often prevent a lameness of as many months. All horses that have flat soles low and weak heels, are easily lamed by sand and gravel accumulating between the sole and the shoe. Every time the horse comes from work this should be entirely removed, by carrying the picker all round. Strong-footed cart-horses do not require this care, but in a gentleman's stable, cleanliness demands it, whether the feet be weak or strong.