THE GREASE. 73 



As the horse is generally costive in the 

 stable, mild aperients will undoubtedly prove 

 serviceable ; but drastic purges generally increase 

 the costiveness after their effects have subsided. 

 If the horse has proper exercise, diuretics will, 

 in general, remove the complaint. 



But antecedent to pointing out the mode of 

 cure, it will be expedient to enquire into the 

 consequences of the practice of cutting the hair 

 off the heels. 



So arbitrary is custom, that it frequently oc- 

 curs that practices are persisted in, which, by a 

 proper investigation, would be found to be 

 most directly contrary to truth. Under this 

 head we may class the foregoing. The com- 

 mon opinion upon this subject is, that the hair 

 harbours dirt, and prevents the legs from being 

 properly cleaned. Under this position, its re- 

 moval certainly would appear necessary. But 

 when it can be proved that this hair does not 



harbour 



