162 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



not alter nature ; we can only bring art to remedy, to a 

 certain degree, the natural defect. 



Smiths are very apt, on being told or seeing that a horse 

 cuts, to shoe him, as it is termed, "thick-heeled" on the 

 inside, or to make his shoe altogether thicker on the inside 

 than the out. They tell you that by this mode they turn 

 or twist the ankle farther out of the way of the passing leg. 

 They do ; but they are nob aware that if they do remove 

 the ankle of the standing leg — say an inch farther out of 

 the way — they bring by this method the passing leg three 

 inches nearer the standing one. 



" Harry Hieover " tells us of the success of an exactly 

 opposite practice. He had a horse with this failing shod 

 with a shoe thick on the outside. This did not remove the 

 standing leg farther out of the way, but gave the passing 

 one a direciion far away from the one it formerly struck. 

 It succeeded, and three or four other horses that cut in the 

 same way were shod, with similar beneficial results. 



We doubt if this plan would have any efficiency in the 

 case of cutting by the hinder foot. 



To the above gossiping but sound remarks of " Harry 

 Hieover" we may add that the remedy of making a shoe 

 with a narrower web on the inside, so as to leave a portion 

 of the sole overhanging, is merely temporary in its effects. 

 When the cutting or " interference " is from a defect of 

 structure, the cure is only apparent. When on wet roads, 

 you will quickly find that the portion unprotected by the 

 iron will be worn and spread, and that rawness will ensue. 



If you suspect inflammation in the foot, a simple plan 

 may detect its presence. Wet the hoofs thoroughly, and 

 watch whether the suspected foot does not dry more rapidly 

 than the others. If there is inflammation, the anected foot 

 will always dry first, and resume its unnatural warmth in 

 a few minutes ; the sound foot will dry cool. Should a 

 disposition to rest the heated foot be observed, let it be care- 

 fully looked to. Never neglect stopping the feet every 

 night. Clay and cow-dung is the readiest and most generally 

 available substance. 



We have already spoken of the expediency of giving 

 gruel or bran mash to the tired horse ; but occasionally, 

 if the animal has been too severely taxed, cordials may be 

 administered with advantage. Should your animal exhibit 

 signs of being " done up " by exertion, do not hesitate to 



