258 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



it is well to poultice the purls for a day or two, after which 

 apply our Healing Lotion (see Appendix) and put on a roller 

 bandage. 



INTERFERING. 



Interfering in animals is where one foot strikes the opposite 

 leg, as it passes by, while traveling. The inner surface of the fet- 

 lock joint is usually the part injured, and is seen more often in 

 the hind than in the fore legs. 



Causes. The principal causes are faulty conformation, allow- 

 the feet to grow too long, improper shoeing, weakness from ex- 

 haustive labor, etc. 



Treatment. It may in some cases be difficult to overcome. 

 See that the foot is perfectly level and properly balanced be- 

 fore nailing on the shoe. If this does not stop it, lower the 

 inside quarter by rasping down the .wall, and then put on the 

 shoe; or weight the shoe on the outside web, to widen his action. 

 (Fig. 2, Plate VII.) Bear in mind that what will overcome inter- 

 fering in one animal will not in another. So the success of the 

 horseshoer will depend much upon the horse's construction. A 

 glance from the front or rear, or from the side, will tell the 

 man of experience why the horse strikes, or if he is likely to. 

 In very stubborn cases let a natural angle of the foot be ob- 

 tained, and adjust a tip, which will give the horse the most nat- 

 ural footing. Light shoes are the best in every case to prevent 

 interfering, for they will serve to give the horse confidence, 

 which weight frequently destroys. 



When the injury produced by interfering is made on the in- 

 side of the fore leg, just below the knee, it is called "speedy cut," 

 and requires about the same treatment as for any ordinary wound 

 in the same region. 



