166 ^ MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



and to accomplish this end it is necessary not only to know how 

 to cure ailments to which they are liable, but, better still, how 

 to prevent them. 



Interfering. — This is the name given to the condition when 

 one foot strikes the opposite leg while traveling. The inner 

 surface of the fetlock joint is the part most subject to this injury, 

 although it may happen along the cannon, when it is usually 

 called "speedy cuts." The hind legs are more liable than the 

 fore legs. As a result of interfering the skin and deeper tissues 

 are bruised, which often causes lameness and thickening of the 

 injured parts. It is often caused by faulty conformation ; from 

 the feet growing too long ; from defective shoeing ; from rough 

 or slippery roads; from exhaustion; from high knee action; 

 from fast work ; and because the chest or hips are too narrow. 

 The treatment is often difficult, and perhaps impossible when 

 due to deformity or faulty conformation. When due to fatigue, 

 fetlock- and ankle-boots may be used. Proper shoeing will often 

 prevent interfering. The outside heel and quarter of the foot 

 on the injured leg should be lowered enough to change the posi- 

 tion of the fetlock joint, by bringing it farther away from the 

 center, thereby permitting the other foot to pass by without 

 striking, at the same time setting the shoe that is causing the 

 injury well under the hoof. 



After removing the cause, apply cold water bandage to the 

 injured parts to remove the soreness and swelling in recent 

 cases. In older cases, when the parts have become calloused 

 from long-continued bruising, apply a fly-blister to the parts, 

 repeating in three weeks if necessary. 



Overreaching is the condition when the shoe of the hind foot 

 strikes and injures the heel or quarter of the fore foot. It 

 seldom occurs except when the horse is traveling fast. It is 

 most common in trotting ^nd running horses. Animals 

 that are subject to overreaching should not be driven 

 fast without quarter boots. It can sometimes be remedied 



