SPEEDY CUTTING 



89 



whetlier there be any signs — as, for instance, the hair being- 

 nibbed — of the animal having worn a speedy cutting boot. A 

 bony deposit of more or less extent will often be found on and 

 around the spot at which a previous speedy cut has occurred. 



Speedy cutting is not only the cause of disfigiu'ement, but is also 

 extremely dangerous to the rider, especially wlien jumping, and 

 should consequently be a disqualification, as a rule, to a hunter ; 

 although a chaser liable to hit himself in this manner, may be got 

 to do his work by the aid of boots, without accident. 



The preventive measures are of a nature similar to those for 

 brushing. The speedy-cutting boot should come high up on tlie 

 side of the knee, if the defective action is in front, which is 



I'igs- 37 ^nd 38. — Cloth boot to prevent brushing. 



almost always the case in animals given to this fault ; for the 

 bony prominences at the inside of the knee nray get hit with 

 disastrous results to the animal, its rider, or to both. The boot 

 should be of fairly stout leather, and lined with some soft material, 

 such as felt, to take off the jar of the blow. Much can be done in 

 checking the tendency to speedy cut, by good breaking and capable 

 riding, so as to make the horse move in a well-ooUected manner. 

 Sometimes, removing the shoe and adjusting the " bearing " 

 surface, sa.y, every three weeks, will prevent this injury. 

 Lacombe's pad (sold by Willows, Francis and Butler) acts well 

 with horses liable to speedy cut and brush, as it can be made to 

 cover the portion of the shoe that inflicts the blow. 



Young horses which speedy cut may subsequently abandon the 

 habit as they grow older and stronger. 



