124 MAls^UAL OF MODERN FARRIElEtt. 



other, or when the feet have an inward or outward inclina- 

 tion Some horses are subject to this when much fatigued, 

 arising, no doubt, from a relaxation of the joint ; and it 

 is not unfrequent for colts to cut when thej have not 

 attained their full strength. 



Remedies. — Many plans have been tried to remedy this 

 defect, such as raising or lowering the inside and outside of 

 the heel, as the case might require it. In some instances it 

 has succeeded, and in others failed. In fact no principle can 

 be laid down whereby to guide an operation for this defect. 

 The most successful remedy hitherto discovered is to use a 

 shoe of uniform thickness from heel to toe, so that the 

 bearing may be perfectly level, and to put but one nail in, 

 and that situated near the toe, inside of the shoe ; this 

 shoe to be applied to that foot which strikes the other. 

 The greatest care must be exercised to prevent the shoe 

 from extending beyond the hoof, besides having the crust 

 a little rasped off the inside of the hoof. This part of the 

 hoof being destitute of the nails will expand when it comes 

 in contact' with the ground, and contract when raised, and 

 relieved from the weight of the body. Great care must be 

 taken that the shoe be equal in thickness on both sides, and 

 also at the heel and toe, so as to equalize the bearing on 

 both sides. 



When the defetit arises from natural malformation of 

 the setting on of the feet, many experiments have been 

 tried to remedy this, as above stated ; but the most ingenious 

 of these were instituted by Mr. Moorcroft, by which he 

 adopted a contrary practice to that above ; he says, " If the 

 inside of the foot be raised, and the outside lowered, the 

 supporting leg when in action will bring the body, and 

 consequently the moving leg more to the side of the sup- 

 porting leg, and hence more liable to be struck. On the 



