380 THE HORSE 



lesson, for a fall over high timber may be fraught with 

 serious consequences. 



When schooling horses, especially valuable ones, it is a 

 wise plan to have them bandaged with thick bandages, 

 which saves any blow on the fore sinews with the hind toe 

 from being a serious injury. I often place a shield under- 

 neath the bandage, cut out of a thin felt saddle-cloth, and 

 many a time I have been thankful this precaution had been 

 taken. The shield should extend from just below the knee 

 and cover the fetlock-joint. But I prefer bandages which 

 buckle on with four or five straps, and these can be made of 

 double serge, padded between with cotton-wool, and all 

 sewn together in a diamond pattern. The straps need not 

 be drawn tight, only just enough to prevent the bandage 

 slipping down over the fetlock ; but when bandages are tied 

 on the strings have to be drawn very tight, and many a 

 horse goes short in consequence and a swelling is raised 

 under the ligature. Bandages which are sewn on obviate 

 this, but then there is a temptation to keep them on in the 

 stable on account of the time and trouble required when 

 sewing them on. When a horse needs support they answer 

 the purpose, especially when well padded with cotton-wool 

 underneath. But in a small establishment where labour 

 has to be considered the bandages with straps are far more 

 convenient, and personally I like them better, although they 

 do not appear nearly so neat. 



When a horse first begins galloping after a long rest, in a 

 few days' time all the legs are apt to get gummy and fill, and 

 this is a sign that a dose of aloes is required. Indications of 

 mischief to the tendons are when one leg alone fills and is 

 hot, but when all the legs fill after exercise and get fine 

 again when at work, it is merely a sign that a dose of physic 

 is required. Except under such conditions I am averse to 

 physic being given, and the practice of some trainers of 

 giving strong doses of nitre or other diuretic, once or twice 

 a week, is much to be condemned, for the kidneys cannot 

 be frequently forced without bad results occurring in the 

 end. If a horse has much difficulty in staling the placing of 

 an onion inside the sheath, as already mentioned, almost 



