1O2 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERtf 



tude are the most effectual means of removing sprain 

 of this joint ; and afterwards plastic bandages should 

 be used* 



CUTTING OF THE FETLOCK. 



The inside of the fetlock-joint is frequently bruised 

 or cut by the shoe of the opposite foot. This depends 

 sometimes upon natural defects in the form of the leg 

 and foot ; and in such a case it is seldom that a 

 remedy can be devised ; such as when the limbs are 

 placed too near each other, or when the feet have an 

 inward or outward inclination. Some horses are sub- 

 ject to this when much fatigued, arising, no doubt, 

 from a relaxation of the joint ; and it is not unfrequent 

 for colts to cut when they have not attained their full 

 strength. 



REMEDIES. Many plans have been tried to remedy 

 this defect, such as raising or lowering the inside and 

 outside of the heel, as the case might require it. In 

 some instances it has succeeded, and in others failed. 

 In fact no principle can be laid down whereby to guide an 

 operation for this defect. The most successful remedy 

 hitherto discovered is to use a shoe of uniform thick- 

 ness from heel to toe, so that the bearing may be 

 perfectly level, and to put but one nail in, and that 

 situated near the toe, inside of the shoe ; this shoe to 

 be applied to that foot which strikes the other. The 

 greatest care must be exercised to prevent the shoe 

 from extending beyond the hoof, besides having the 

 crust a little rasped off the inside of the hoof. Great 

 care must be taken that the shoe be equal in thickness 

 on both sides, and also at the heel and toe, so as to 

 equalise the bearing on both sides. Another method 

 which sometimes succeeds when other methods fail is 

 shoeing the animal with light plain shoes, having a 



