DISEASES OP THE FOOT. 493 



in all horses which "toe," that the shoe is much worn in front. Now 

 take the old shoe for your guide, and make the new shoe like it in form. 

 Probably at the end of the month you will find that the toe of the shoe 

 is still unduly worn. Well, make the new shoe again like the now old 

 shoe, and so again in the succeeding month. At the end of a few months 

 you will have found out how much that particular horse requires to have 

 his toes shortened and his shoes turned up, in order to enable him to 

 travel safely and comfortably. 



It has been often noticed that horses which " toe," do so much more 

 when newly shod, than afterwards. The reason is obvious enough. My 

 attention was first called to the need of shortening the toe and turning 

 up the shoe by noticing this fact. 



999. Brushing, Cutting, and Interfering. 



The above are different names given to an injury of the fetlock, either 

 fore or hind, from its being struck by the opposite foot. 



In the outset it is important to ascertain the exact part which comes 

 into collision with the fetlock. It will then enable us at once to detect 

 and remedy the cause. With this view a wet pipe-clayed bandage should 

 be put round the' part struck, and a mark will be left on the part which 

 strikes it. As a general rule, the part which strikes the opposite fetlock 

 is the anterior portion of the quarter, about half-way up. It is very 

 generally supposed that the contact is with the side of the foot; but 

 such is not usually the case. 



Having ascertained the exact part which comes in collision with the 

 fetlock, we have still to ascertain the cause in each particular case. 



The cause of collision may arise from carelessness in shoeing, such as 

 the clenches not being properly turned down, or from the shoes being too 

 wide. Such cases admit of easy remedy. 



More difficulty occurs where the collision is due to some peculiarity in 

 the shape of the foot or leg, especially if combined with peculiarity of 

 action or from the toes being turned out. In these cases the best plan 

 is to try the effect of increasing the height of the shoe on the inside, or, 

 what amounts to much the same thing, to apply a j-shoe on the outside ; 

 and in severe cases both remedies may be tried. The result of this 

 change will be to slightly alter the action, and by throwing the parts 

 outward to cause avoidance of collision. If this fails, the opposite 

 remedy, viz. raising the outer side of the shoe, may be tried. The appli- 

 cation of Charlier shoes will frequently prevent brushing from this cause. 



But there is yet another cause, namely weakness and want of condition. 

 As a temporary measure, alterations in the shoeing are useful. The real 

 remedy, however, in these cases will be found in good feeding, in better 

 grooming, and in increasing the constitutional stamina. When the horse 

 acquires a more lively or more steady gait, collision will often cease. 

 Most owners of horses must have noticed that brushing and cutting are 

 common when a horse gets tired and leg-weary in a long day's work, 

 although at other times the injury does not occur. 



Young horses sometimes brush or rut from throwing their legs about. 



