100 MANUAL FOR STABLE SERGEANTS. 



dirty, and containing sand , burrs, splinters, thorns, etc., in its folds. 

 3, Improper adjustment of the equipment, and unequal distribution 

 of weight. 4. Drawing the cincha too tight and imj)roper adjust- 

 ment of the cincha and quarter straps. 5. Poor riding, i. e., lounging 

 in the saddle and shifting from one side to the other. 6. Improper 

 adjustment of the stirrup strap, i. e., too long or too short or unequal 

 in length. 7. Long continuous work under the saddle. 8. rro- 

 fused sweating and rain. 



Symptoms. — Hard, hot, painful swellings, appearing usually 

 within an hour after unsaddling. These lesions are best detected 

 by passing the hand over the back, when swelling and tenderness 

 may be discovered. 



As a result of continuous pressure the skin often becomes bloodless, 

 dies, dries up, and gets hard and leatherlike. This dead piece of 

 skin is called a sitfast. Later, if the animal is continued in use, the 

 skin sloughs off, leaving raw sores of various sizes and depths. In- 

 juries to the withers or along the top of the spine, frequently ter- 

 minate in abscesses. (See Abscess.) 



Treatment. — Ascertain and remove the cause, if possible. In fresh 

 cases, apply cold irrigations or baths with gentle hand rubbing. 

 This is to be foUc^wed by the application of cold in the form of packs 

 saturated and kept wet with cold water and held gently in position 

 by means of a surcingle or bandage. The pad may be oi oakum, 

 or it may be made by folding a gunny sack three or four times. Ice 

 packs or cold lotions may also be used. 



Injuries to the withers and ridge ofthe spine should be irrigated 

 or bathed with cold water, but without pressure and without massage. 



WTien sitfasts appear, apply warm baths or warm linseed poultices 

 until the dead skiii becomes loose; itis then removed with the forceps 

 and a knife, after which the injury is treated with tincture of iodine 

 or an antiseptic powder. 



Slight galls, chafes, or abrasions (spots rubbed bare) are treated 

 with white lotion, zinc oxide ointment, powdered boracic acid, or a 

 solution of tannic acid 1 ounce in a pint of ivitchhazel or alcohol. 



Prevention. — Adjust carefully and properly the saddle, the blanket, 

 and the equipment; keep the blanket clean, dry, and free from for- 

 eign material; sit properly in the saddle, and dismount frequently 

 and walk. 



After long marches, loosen the cincha slightly and leave the saddle 

 on for from 30 minutes to an hour after dismounting, ^^^lere an 

 injury has occurred, the blood vessels are compressed and almost 

 bloodless. If pressure be now suddenly and completely removed, 



