Fig. 76.—Toe of Hind Shoe showing rounded inside border.
Speedy-cut.
This is an injury inflicted on the inner surface of the lower part of the knee joint by a blow from the toe of the shoe of the opposite foot. It occurs at a trot, and very seldom except when a horse is tired or over-paced. A horse that has once "speedy-cut" is apt to do so again and it may cause him to fall. Such horses should be shod "close" on the inside, and care should be taken that the heels of the foot which strikes should be kept low. In some cases a three-quarter shoe (see [Fig. 73]) on the offending foot prevents injury.
"Forging" or "Clacking."
This is not an injury but an annoyance. It is the noise made by the striking of the hind shoe against the front as the horse is trotting. Horses "forge" when young and green, when out of condition or tired. As a rule, a horse that makes this noise is a slovenly goer, and will cease to annoy when he gets strength and goes up to his bit. Shoeing makes a difference, and in some cases at once stops it. The part of the front shoe struck is the inner border round the toe. ([Fig. 77]). The part of the hind shoe that strikes is the outer border at the inside and outside toe. ([Fig. 78]).
Fig. 77.—Toe of Fore Shoe. The arrows mark the place struck in "forging."