a well-groomed horse has virtually invisible chestnuts because a  
conscientious  
owner/ groomer keeps them flat and clean.
MA


I never heard the "old toe " was called a chestnut. Must be a  
colloquialism. I did know it was called a toe from reading the history of  the 
horse. { 
Prehistoric's  were supposed to have been the size of a  rabbit}  All the 
farmers around here called them corks.. Any pony or horse  I owned was well 
groomed. Brushed before and after  riding & every  morning & night {when we 
milked the cows.} also did a foot check  too but we never messed with their 
corks.  :-) 
    Actually didn't take the whole thing just  trimmed a bit off the 
outside of each one,  It didn't hurt the horse she  just wondered what the heck 
we 
were doing. I still remember the pain from the  boils & thanked Lady with 
an extra carrot or apple several times.. 
   I never heard of calming a horse that way. I  always put my hands under 
their eyes & talked to them if they got  excited...Lois
  Seems strange that with CS being so old we never  knew about it. But sure 
did use a lot of other cures that worked..{ Which  reminds me I have to 
make a new brew today. My son took the last " swig" out of  the bottle last 
nite... :-)  }