OYER-EEACHES. 



83 



in a " collected " manner, both with the " long reins " and when 

 mounted. We should carry out the same principle when riding or 

 driving the animal. In this endeavour, we should stimulate him to 

 go on, and at the same time hold him in, so that the movements of 

 his fore legs being checked in a forward direction, will be increased 

 in an upward one. 



As jjrecautio-ns in shoeing, we may get the inner edges of the hind 

 shoes, at the toes on the ground surface, bevelled off ; and the hind 

 toes made " square " by putting square-toed shoes, with side clips, 

 on the hind lioofs, the toes of which are then rasped flush with the 



Pig. 34. — Over-reaching boots on horse. 



toes of the shoes. Many American authorities recommend for 

 trotters that over-reach, the use of heavier shoes in front than 

 behind, say, ones of 14 oz. and 6 oz. respectively. Their employ- 

 ment often improves the action so much, that ordinar}^ shoes can 

 be resumed later on. Blackwell's india-rubber guards (Fig. 33), 

 which are made to encircle the pastern and hang down over the 

 part liable to injury, are very useful for preventing over-reaching 

 on the heels. The emplo}mient of bandages or boots is self- 

 suggestive to every careful horseman, when practising a horse 

 at jumping water, especially if the ground on the landing side 

 is soft. For this purpose a good pattern of strong leather boot, 

 which should be lined with cloth, is shown in Figs. 34 and 35. 



