HORSE-TRAINING MADE EASY. 97 



CLIPS UPON THE SHOE. 



These should not be used, as they are the 

 frequent cause of an obscure lameness, often 

 giving rise to much trouble. The growth of the 

 horn being from above downwards, the clip offers 

 an obstruction to the growth of the hoof, which 

 cannot be overcome ; hence it is turned inwards 

 upon the soft structures of the foot. This is 

 readily seen after death, in the hoof of a horse 

 which has been shod several years with the clip. 

 Removal of the cause will enable the animal to 

 get entirely over the lameness in two or three 

 months. I have restored horses to perfect sound- 

 ness in this way very frequently, even after a 

 lameness of two and three years' standing. When 

 it is thought necessary to use a clip, one of the 

 smallest kind should be employed. 



INTERFERING. 



Many horses are in the habit of interfering 

 and many ingenious methods have from time to 

 time been devised to prevent this troublesome 

 habit. Both the hind and fore legs are subject 

 to cutting or striking, usually about the fetlock 

 joint. In the front feet, however, we sometimes 

 find them striking just below the knee-joint, 

 producing an enlargement known as a speedy 

 cut. We should, when this habit exists, first 

 ascertain the cause as nearly as possible, and the 

 part which strikes, whether the shoe or the foot. 

 Many horses interfere only when leg-weary. Par- 

 9 G 



