Declan, I worked for two years in one of the most high profile racing yards in England, (with many Irish employees) and I never heard any of the grooming implements being referred to as "the claw".

And "along my gut" makes me a little dubious as well. Stable hands don't normally run any implement "along the gut" in my experience.

Not to say you are wrong, this could be a usage in Ireland, and I stand prepared to be informed.

I would actually like to know which particular implement MacCarthy meant, if the grooming explanation is correct.