48 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



are the ones that are likely to escape the not in- 

 frequent consequences of defective formation of 

 limb. The exciting causes of interfering are nu- 

 merous, but the one most frequently heard 

 spoken of is defective shoeing, and it is no doubt 

 sometimes a cause, but not nearly so frequently 

 as is sometimes supposed. The unfortunate 

 shoer is frequently maligned for what is no fault 

 of his. It does not matter how some horses are 

 shod, or whether they are shod or not, they will 

 interfere under some circumstances. 



The best that we can do in the way of shoeing 

 is to use a good, rational shoe, properly applied 

 on a suitably prepared foot. Too heavy a shoe 

 will sometimes act as a cause from the excessive 

 weight taxing the muscular control of the limb 

 unduly, so that during quick movements and 

 sharp turns, "striking" is particularly apt to 

 occur. Leaving the hoofs too large is sometimes 

 a cause, from the simple consequence of its bring- 

 ing the hoof closer to the opposite leg. Not only 

 that, but the increased length of toe resulting 

 from too large a hoof intensifies the tendency to 

 winding either in or out in progression, and con- 

 sequently increases the tendency to "cut." 



The first step, then, in the attempt to prevent 

 striking, is to reduce the wall to reasonable di- 

 mensions with the rasp. Defects of the form and 

 direction of hoof may sometimes be remedied in 



