INTERFERING 



397 



feet is generally less marked than that between the fore-feet " ; but Ave are 

 of opinion that this is not the only cause of the difference. The hind limbs 

 being more especially engaged in propulsion, are more likely to have their 

 line of action disturbed in acting upon the ground than the fore ones, which 

 are more essentially supports, and it is not unlikely that the existence of 

 calkins on the hind feet tends still further to misdirect the movements of 

 the limbs. 



Horses whose legs are long and set close together on a narrow trunk are 

 frequently the subjects of brushing and cutting, as are also others whose 

 feet are brought close to each other by the inward tendency of their limbs. 



Cutting may also result from the accidental 

 displacement of a shoe, or when the clinches 

 are badly laid down. 



However well balanced a horse's move- 

 ments may be, he is often induced to cut 

 when travelling over slippery roads. 



The more serious effects of brushing and 

 cutting are: — (l) Injury to the plantar nerve 

 as it passes over the fetlock -joint; (2) bruises 

 to the sesamoid bones, which may pro\'oke 

 an ossific growth ; (3) destructive cellulitis, 

 resulting from the introduction of septic 

 matter into the wounded skin. 



Any attempt to mitigate or overcome this defect must be based upon a 

 consideration of the cause out of which it arises. Where defective confor- 

 mation is the cause, some attempt must be made to alter the direction of 

 movement by the employment of a specially-formed shoe; what particular 

 shape it should take is a question which has often to be decided by experi- 

 ment. Before anything is done in this connection, the feet should in all 

 cases be carefully examined without the shoes. It will then be seen whether 

 there is any difference in the height of the inner as compared with the 

 outer quarter of the wall, and whether the foot is taking a regular bearing 

 all round. 



Any disparity in the first point should be rectified, and the crust made 

 level from heel to toe and from side to side. AVhere these conditions have 

 been provided, a shoe should be tried whose inner branch is somewhat 

 straight, and fitted well under the edge of the hoof (fig. 105). If this has 

 not the desired effect, the edge of the crust of the inner quarter must be 

 rasped do\vn, the inner branch of the shoe made narrow, deep, rounded 

 off at the edge, and fitted well under the crust. 



The blow is usually inflicted by the inside toe, but may also be caused 



Fig. 405. — Shoe to remedy "cutting" 



