CUTTING. 155 



CUTTING, 



Though certainly a habit, I should more pro- 

 perly terra a failing, and is, in my estimation, an 

 insurmountable objection to any horse. It arises, 

 be the cause what it may, from bad, or, at least, 

 untrue action in some way ; it leaves a very un- 

 sightly scar on the ankle^, and, if carried to any 

 extent, we can hardly keep such a horse sound, 

 for w^e must either allow him to hit so hard, or cut 

 so deep, as to lame himself by injury to the legs ; 

 or, in our endeavours to save them by peculiar 

 shoeing (and which, by the by, will not in all 

 cases effect the purpose), we bid fair to cripple 

 him in his feet ; added to this, a blow harder than 

 is usual, is very likely to bring him down on his 

 knees. Of all cutting, the speedy cut is the most 

 dangerous to the rider : such a horse will come 

 down as if he was shot, and it is very rarely that 

 any mode of shoeing will be effectual as a pre- 

 ventive ; and the unsightly kind of shield that 

 is made to save the leg, renders a horse quite 

 unfit for a gentleman's use. 



With colts, their mode of going, and the posi- 

 tion of their feet, and lower joints will generally, 

 to an experienced eye, indicate the probability of 

 cutting when put to work. When the horse has 

 been used, the state of his legs will show any one 

 v.'hether he is in the habit of doinsi: so or not. 



