HOESES CTJTTIJfG. 197 



shoe cuts ; but if, on the contrary, they have high 

 upright mule-hke feet, they frequently hit with some 

 part of the hoof, and bruise without absolutely 

 cutting. 



It is sometimes very difficult to decide with what 

 part of the hoof or shoe the horse strikes the standing 

 leg — that is, it is difficult to judge by the sight only ; 

 but it is to be accurately ascertained by a very simple 

 and short process. 



Take the horse into some clean place — a hard dry 

 road is the best ; smear his hoof and shoe with a 

 little white paint if the legs are black, with black 

 paint if of any other colour ; cause him to be walked 

 for a quarter of an hour ; if he has struck, or even 

 brushed either leg, the paint will be disturbed or 

 wiped off from the precise part he hits with, and it 

 will further show (in cases where he does not actually 

 cut) the spot he hits, for on it the paint rubbed off 

 the other leg will be visible. If during his walk the 

 paint remains undisturbed, we may fairly infer it is 

 not in that pace he hits his legs. Trot him ; if he 

 hits, you will see where the offending leg has struck, 



