heres amethod apicked up in north wales, go to the pharmacy and get blue crystals and white vinger mixed them together just enough to cover the bottom of the feet, and it will harden the feet and it will stop the tearing of the feet you can even do it with tears in the feet, it will harden the cut and they wont go lame. we used the on lurchers and hunting hounds and theyed hunt on slate hill all day.
hope this helps.