crepance /interferance

Question
QUESTION: I've run across an odd word - "crepance," defined in some old dictionaries as

a wound on a horse's hind ankle-joint, caused by the shoe of the other hind-foot


http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/crepance

http://www.crosswordman.com/chambers.html


Is there a current word for such an injury?  And why would ankle injuries from a horseshoe be limited to the rear legs?

Thanks,

Janet

ANSWER: Janet,

The current term for this is "interferance", and a lot of horses do it.  It is not limited to just the hind legs by any means.  Nor is it caused only by a horse wearing shoes.  I have a National Show Horse (Arab/Saddlebred) who whacks himself on all four ankles regardless whether he's wearing shoes or is barefoot.  He's very narrow and unless ridden by someone who will keep him together will interfere.  He wears protective boots both front and back when he goes out for that reason.  In his case, it's a conformation problem.  Other times interferance can be caused by poorly balanced shoeing.  

There are lots of injuries horses sustain when they hit themselves with their own feet.  Standardbred trotters can cut themselves high on the inside of their hind legs when racing.  It's called "speedy cutting".  Shoeing can correct some of the issues with horses who interfere but if the horse is simply very narrow based then it's just about inevitable.  

You are right, that's a very old, English term.
Lyn

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much!   Is the wound itself called "an interference," or is interference the cause of the injury?

If it's the cause rather than the wound, would the injury just be called a bruise or a cut or whatever?

best,

Janet

Answer
Janet,

Interference is used to describe both the action of the horse hitting himself and the resulting wounds themselves.  You usually hear someone say "the horse shouw signs of interference" then indicate which leg(s), when describing them.  It is only used to describe injuries caused by the horse hitting himself.  If he's just banged an ankle on a stump or something it's an ankle injury not interference.  

Hope this clears it up for you.

Lyn