. CHAPTER 65. 



Steady work, careful riding, and more practice in carrying weight on 

 their backs will often in due time remedy the defect. 



It is very seldom advisable, though there may be cases in which it 

 may be necessary, to remove the prominence of the hoof by the rasp. 



As soon as the horse is observed to brush, it is advisable, unless the 

 cause is obvious and at once removable, such as a projecting clench, to 

 put on a boot, until it is ascertained that the remedy applied has been 

 effectual. If this precaution is neglected, the fetlocks may become per- 

 manently enlarged. In all cases, where the fetlocks have become sore or 

 enlarged, the horse should be rested until the parts have regained their 

 natural size. If, however, all these remedies fail, a boot must be worn 

 permanently. 



1000. Speedy-cut. 



Speedy-cut is a far more serious evil than brushing. It is an injury 

 caused by collision of one or other foot with the leg immediately below 

 the knee. It is due to peculiarity of action, but it may be aggravated or 

 possibly caused by any or some of the causes mentioned above in regard 

 to brushing. It is, however, generally incurable. It is most common in 

 impetuous horses with exaggerated action and which carry their heads 

 high. A boot may be tried, but the pain caused by the collision is often 

 so severe that this shield fails to afford the necessary protection, and 

 then the horse comes down suddenly. 



A horse with a mark on the seat of speedy-cut should not be purchased. 

 Such a horse is unsafe to ride. At best he is only fit for slow harness 

 work in a four-wheeled carriage, when the nuisance of his coming down 

 will not be very serious. The animal should be driven very quietly and 

 in a snaffle. For seat of Speedy-cut see Plate 25 X. 



1001. Clicking or Forging. 



The noise known as Clicking or Forging is produced by the toe of the 

 hind shoe striking against the under inner or posterior edge of the toe of 

 the fore-shoe, when the feet are raised in action. Primarily it arises 

 from a quicker action of the hind quarters than the corresponding motion 

 of the fore-quarters. The remedy as regards shoeing is to shorten the 

 toes of the hind feet, and to bevel off the posterior edge of the toe of the 

 fore-shoe. Shortening the toes of the fore-feet and turning up the shoes 

 will also assist in decreasing the evil, because these measures will enable 

 the horse to raise his fore-band more easily and more quickly, and so 

 avoid collision with the hind feet. The noise, though not the actual 

 collision, will be decreased by setting back the toe of the hind shoe 

 behind the toe of the foot. The noise is also greatly diminished 

 and frequently is entirely stopped by the application of Charlier shoes. 

 Good riding, holding the horse together, and making him step out quickly 

 and lively are, however, the truer remedies. Again, many horses which 



