194 PEECEPT AND PEACTICE. 



I have seen horses with their ankles very close toge- 

 ther, who did not in any way interfere in any pace ; 

 but when this is the case, it will be found on in- 

 spection their feet stand perfectly straight : close as 

 the joints may be together, there is still space for the 

 foot to pass when thus rightly directed, without 

 striking the supporting ankle. 



Horses with' their toes pointing in, seldom cut, 

 though we might anticipate they would do so ; when 

 they do, it is usually in a fast pace. They will then, 

 as it is termed, *' cut speedy." 



The next thing to be attended to, as regards cutting, 

 is the horse's action. If he goes near the ground, so 

 that the uplifted foot does not rise higher than the 

 ankle of the stationary one, ten to one he will cut. 

 Again, if his fore legs are unduly long, they are apt to 

 produce a dwelling sort of action that will cause him 

 to strike the inside of the leg above the ancle. 



Indolence, producing a lazy style of going, fre- 

 quently causes horses permitted to go in such a way as 

 to cut their legs severely ; this is to be easily proved 

 when it is the case. In technical phrase, ** catch 



