The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-05-09
Clacking and Overlooking in
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are frequently misunderstood. An
over-reach is looked upon as an uu-
avoidable accident, and clacking is
treated by irrational alterations of the
hind feet shoes. We couple them to-
gether because they present some com
mon features. Both consist with inter
ference with the fore foot by the hind
one, both are due to some temporary
defect in the action, and both can be
prevented by altering the form of shoe.
Clacking or. as it is sometimes called
g Forging" is the name given to the
sound produced by the hind shoe strik-
ing the fore one in progression. It is
usually heard at the trot, and seldom
noticed in adult horses. 1t is most
common in young horses out of condi-
ton and especially noticeable when
they are tired. The noise is produced
by the hind shoe striking the under sur
face of the fore shoe Just behind the
toe, not at the heels. When the blow
has been repeated so as to leave an i'm
preston, the marks are found on the
inner edge of the fore shoe. This is
important, as it shows US that the
length of the shoe is not at fault, and
it suggests the renewal of the part
where the striking occurs. Removal of
this edge is equivalent to making a shoe
concave instead of fiat on the ground
surface, and such a shoe is found to
effectually prevent a recurrence of
the Objectionable noise. The ordin-
airy hunting-shoe, especially the mar
row one made in a "cress," is the
best possible form. For harness horses,
where more substance is required for
wear, the ordinary shoe seated on the
outside instead of the inside is usually
sufficient. A case may be met with in
which this alteration is not effective.
We must then alter the hind shoes,
making them square at the toe, with
two clips-one on either side-and set
back little on the foot. The wall at
toe should not be rasped off, but allow
ed to protrude a little. Too often the
hind shoes are to suffer alteration.
sometimes of very Objectionable kind;
for instance, we have seen the toe of a
hind shoe made diamond shaped and
prominent, so as to come in contact
with the sole of the forefoot instead of
the shoe. This is a most irrational and
somewhat dangerous expedient. 1t
leaves the offending part of the fore
shoe untouched, and favors the infic-
ton of injury to the foot. Even when
the hind shoe is only made short and
placed back on the foot, there is a risk
of the horn at the toe being unduly
worn, and there is a shortening of the
leverage of the foot which must more
or less affect the powers of progression.
If horse " clacks," rest contented
at first with altering the fore shoes as
we have described improve his con-
dition, and ride him up to the bit, but
not past his pace.
Over-reaching," is an injury to the
heel of the fore foot. 1t is sometimes
merely bruise, but more often LAGER
ated wound, small round portion of
skin left hanging, nearly detached from
the heel. The offending part of the
hind shoe is its inner circumference or
edge, so that the iAiury must be caused
by the hind foot being in the heel, and
the skin caught as the foot is retracted
The inner edge of the toe of the hind
shoe becomes very sharp after a few
days wear, and will cut like a knife.
As in clacking," the Indication for
prevention is to remove the offending
edge. This cannot be thoroughly done
with file, but when the shoe is hot,
the edge behind the toe can be cut ont
with the "fuller" so as to leave the
shoe concave. As overwhelming is an
accident peculiar to the gallop, it is
we'll always to shoe hunters so as to
guard against the occurrence. The neat
est and best hind shoe for a hunter is
made, like the fore one, in cress,
and presents a concave ground surface
and rounded edges.
When heel is injured, it is always
we'll to try and save the piece of skin.
It should not be cut off until it is GER
tain that it will not reunite to the
tissues beneath. One good fomenting
on reaching the stable is enough; after
the use the simplest water dressing,
and under no circumstances use poul-
tees, which only increase the chances
of a slough and retard the healing pro-
cess. Should healing slow, apply
a mild stimulant, such ..s q. piece of lint
wet with a mixture of carbolic acid, one
part, to glycerine, twenty parts.
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