INTERFEKING 



399 



struck by the hind ones. Jumping on to rising ground, or being suddenly 

 checked when going at racing speed, are not uncommon causes of the 

 mishap. 



As a means of preventing overreach, the hind shoes should be rounded 

 on the inner edge of the toes. If the hind-feet are overgrown, they should 

 be shortened and the shoes well set back behind the margin of the toe. 

 The fore-feet also must be kept within reasonable limits in regard to length. 



FORGING 



This is a defect in the action of the limbs which allows the toe of the 

 hind shoe to strike the under surface of the corresponding fore one. The 



Fig. 407.— Forging 



B, B, Points struck in forging; C, c, Points on Toe of Hind Shoe wliicli strike the Fore Shoe. D, Toe of 



Fore Shoe with inner edge bevelled. 



point struck varies in different cases, and may be anywhere between the 

 toe and the heel. The striking point of the hind shoe is the toe and parts 

 to right and left of it. Besides the loud clacking noise produced l)y this 

 disordered movement, the heel of the fore-foot may suffer injury, the shoes 

 may be pulled off", or the animal may be thrown down by locking of the 

 hind and the fore shoes. 



As in overreach so in forging, conformation must be recognized as a 

 predisposing factor. Leggy horses with short bodies, and others whose 

 hind limbs are too much inclined forward, display a special liability to this 

 defective movement. 



