CUTTING OF THE FETLOCK IO3 



small heel on the outside turned out thus, and no nails 

 on the inside quarter. 



When the defect arises from natural 

 malformation of the setting on of the 

 feet, many experiments have been tried 

 to remedy this, as above stated ; but 

 the most ingenious of these were in- 

 stituted by Mr Moorcroft, by which he adopted a 

 contrary practice to that above; he says, "If the 

 inside of the foot be raised and the outside lowered, 

 the supporting leg when in action will bring the 

 body, and consequently the moving leg more to the 

 side of the supporting leg, and hence more liable to 

 be struck. On the other hand, if the outside of the 

 foot be raised, the supporting leg will throw the body 

 off that leg, consequently the moving leg will be 

 further off the supporting leg, and hence less liable 

 to strike." These arguments are good ; but still 

 there have been cases where the practice of these 

 suggestions has failed to produce the desired effect. 



But cutting does not always arise from natural 

 defects, as it is often the consequence of unskilful 

 shoeing. When this is the case, we usually find the 

 upper edge, or that part which comes in contact with 

 the crust, to be hammered inwards, leaving the lower 

 edge on the ground side wider than the hoof, and pro- 

 jecting beyond it. 



In purchasing a horse which manifests marks of 

 cutting by callous thickening on the inside of the 

 fetlock, it is safest to avoid the purchase, as it is most 

 difficult to ascertain the true cause by inspection, 

 unless the throwing outwards or inwards of the toes be 

 considerable. Besides, as above stated, some horses 

 will cut when tired, and others from a weakness of the 

 fetlock. 



