41 () FALSE QUARTER. 



This unpleasant noise arises from tlie toe of tlie liind-slioe knocking 

 against the toe of the shoe of the fore-foot. In the trot, one fore-leg and 

 the opposite hind leg are first hfted from the gTOUnd and moved forward, 

 the other fore-leg and the opposite liind-leg remaining fixed; but, to keep 

 the centre of gravity within the base, and as the stride, or space passed 

 over by these legs, is often greater than the distance between the fore and 

 hind-feet, it is necessary that the fore-feet should be alternately moved out 

 of the way for the hind ones to descend. Then, as occasionally happens 

 ■with horses not perfectly broken, and that have not been taught their 

 paces, and especially if they have high hinder quarters and low fore ones, if 

 the fore-feet are not raised in time the hind-feet will strike them. The fore- 

 foot will generally be caught when it has just begun to be raised, and the 

 toe of the hind- foot will meet the middle of the bottom of the fore-foot. 

 It is an unpleasant noise, and not altogether free from danger ; for it may 

 so happen that a horse, the action of whose feet generally so much inter- 

 feres with each other, may advance the hind-foot a little more rapidly, or 

 raise the fore one a little more slowly, so that the blow may fall on the 

 heel of the shoe, and loosen or displace it ; or the two shoes may be 

 locked together, and the animal may be thrown ; or the contusion may be 

 received even higher, and on the tendons of the leg, and considerable 

 swelling and lameness may follow them ; these, however, are rare 

 occurrences. 



If the animal is young, the action of the horse may be materially im- 

 proved ; otherwise nothing can be done, except to keep the toe of the hind- 

 foot as short and as square as it can safely be, removing the clip from the 

 toe and placing two smaller ones, one on each side of it ; and to bevel off 

 and round the toe of the shoe, lilsie that which has been worn by a stumbler 

 for a fortnight, and perhaps a Httle to lower the heel of the fore-foot. 



A blow received on the heel of the fore-foot in this manner has not nn- 

 frequently, and especially if neglected, been followed by quittor. 



FALSE QUARTEE. 



If the coronary ligament, by which the horn of the crust is secreted, is 

 divided by some cut or bruise, or eaten through by any caustic, there will 

 occasionally be a division in the horn as it grows down, either in the form 

 of a permanent sand-crack, or one portion of the horn overlapping the 

 other. It occasionally follows neglected sand-crack, or it may be the con- 

 sequence of quittor. This is exteriorly an evident fissure in the horn, 

 and extending from the coronet to the sole, but not always penetrating to 

 the laminte. It is a very serious defect, and exceedingly difficult to 

 remedy ; for occasionally, if the horse is over- weighted or hurried on his 

 journey, the fissure will open and bleed, and very serious inconvenience 

 and lameness may ensue. Grit and dirt may insinuate itself into the 

 aperture, and penetrate to the sensitive laminae. Inflammation will al- 

 most of necessity be produced; and much mischief wiU be efiected. While 

 the energies of the animal are not severely taxed, he may not experience 

 much inconvenience or pain ; but the slightest exertion wiU sometimes 

 cause the fissure to expand, and painful lameness to follow. 



This is not only a very serious defect, but one exceedingly difficult to 

 remedy. The coronary ligament must be restored to its perfect state, or 

 at least to the discharge of its perfect function. Much danger would 

 attend the apphcation of the caustic in order to efiect this. A blister, 

 sufficiently active, apphed to the coronet at the injured part, affords the 

 best chance of success ; but when any portion of the secreting surface 

 has been destroyed, there is no remedy mil restore it — the edges of the 

 horn on either side of the crack may be thinned, the hoof supported — and 



