The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-04-03
IFroln the Scientific Americana
Clacking and 0ver-Reaching in Horses.

Common as are these two faults, they
are frequently misunderstood. An over
reach is looked upon as an unavoidable
accident and clacking is treated by ira
tional alterations of the hind feet shoes.
We couple them together because they
present some common features. Both
consist of interference 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 1T Is sometimes
called forging" is the name given to the
sound produced by the hind shoe striking
the fore one in progression. 1t is usual
1y heard at the trot, and seldom noticed
in adult horses. 1t is most common in
young horses out of condition and espec-
tally noticeable when they are tired. The
noise is produced by the hind shoe stri-
king the under surface of the fore one
just behind the toe, not at the heels
When the blow has been repeated SO as
to leave an impression, 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 removal of the part where
striking occurs. Removal of this edge is
equivalent to making shoe concave IN
stead of fat on the ground surface, and
such a shoe is found to effectually pre-
vent recurrence of. the objectionable
noise The ordinary hunting shoe. es-
pecially the narrow one made in a
Ftoress,' is the best possible form. For
harness horses, where more substance is
required for wear the ordinary shoe sea-
ted on the outside instead of the inside
is usually sufficient. A case may be met
with in which this alteration is not eff
fective We must then alter the hind
shoes, making them square at the-tee
with two clips-one on eithor slde-and
Hh,.a -
set back little ON the 1901. ne ne. wan at a
the toe elrou1d not be rasped off but al
lowed to protrude little. Too often the
hind shoes are the first to suffer altera-
ton, sometimes of a very Objectionable
kind for instance, we have seen the toe
of 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 most irrational and some
what dangerous expedient 1t leaves the
offending part of the fore shoe untouch-
ed, and fayors the infiction of injury to
the foot. Even when the hind shoe is
only made short and placed back on the
foot, there Is 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 pow
ers of progression.
If a horse "clacks," rest contented at
first with altering the first shoes as we
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 a bruise. but more often lacera
ted wound, a small round portion of Skin
being left hanging, nearly detached from
the heel The offending part of the hino
shoe is its inner circumference or edge
so that the injury must be caused by the
hind foot being in the heel, and the
skin caught as the footis retFacted. The
inner edge at the toe of a hind shoe be
comes very sharp after a few days wear
and will cut like knife AS in "clack
ing" the indication for prevention is tc
remove the-offending edge. This cannot
be thoroughly done with the file, but
when the shoe is hot, the edge behind
the toe can be cut out with the fuller
so as to leave the shoe concave. As over
reaching is an uccident peculiar to the
gallop, it is well always to shoe hunters
SO as to guard against the occurrence
The neatest and best hind shoe for
hunter is made. like the fore one, IN
''cress," and presents concave grounC
surface and round edges.
When heel is injured, it is alway
well to try and save the piece of skin. |
should not be cut off until it is certain
that it will not reunite to the tissues be
meath One good fomenting on reachin
the stable is enough; after that use tn
simplest water dressing, and under n
circumstances use poultices, which onl
increase the chances of a slough and re
tard the healing process. Should healln
seem slow, apply mild stimulant sue
as a piece of lint wet with q mixture {
carbolic acid. one part, TO glyeerin, twe1
ty parts.