34 THE SHOEING OF HORSES. 



feet, and the horse may be disabled in consequence. When 

 the clenches are left long, the feet require fnore frequent exami- 

 nation. 



Plate XL 



Shoes for Cuttings Striking, Speedy-Cut. — Striking one limb 

 against its opposite is a common defect in horses. In some in- 

 stances it arises from debility ; in others, from malformation of the 

 feet and limbs. It is common alike to fore and hind limbs. When 

 the defect is confined to the hind limbs, it is called " cutting" or 

 " striking;" if confined to the fore limbs, " speedy cut." Speedy 

 cut is far more dangerous that cutting or striking ; it is more dan- 

 gerous inasmuch, as when it occurs, both horse and rider may be 

 brought in a moment with violence to the ground. The defect, 

 whether existing in the fore or hind limbs, requires a similar 

 course of management ; so that what is stated respecting the 

 remedy is to be regarded, in a general way, as applicable to both. 



Before proceeding to remedy the defect, by any alteration of 

 shoe, it will be well to know the precise part of the foot which 

 may inflict the blow upon its opposite. To ascertain this, adopt 

 the following simple method : first, wash the legs and feet care- 

 fully, and when the hair is dry, rub upon that part of the limb 

 injured a portion of chalk, after which briskly exercise the animal 

 over clean level ground ; and, in a short time, observe if the strik- 

 ing foot be marked at any particular part with the chalk.* A 



* White ch.alk for dark-coloured legs ; red for light ones. 



