TREATMENT AFTER WORK. 337 



tightly ; the strings should admit the finger after tying. The 

 bandages, one to each leg, are used sometimes wet and some- 

 times dry. 



Dry Bandages are necessary only when the legs are wet or 

 cold, or likely to become cold ; they confine heat, and absorb 

 moisture. After they have done all they are wanted to do, 

 they should be removed, and the legs hand-rubbed for a little. 

 Some horses will not lie with their legs bandaged. They 

 must be taken off before night, or they should not be put on ; 

 the legs may be dried and warmed by hand-rubbing. A dry 

 bandage should always be quite loose, just tight enough 

 to keep its place. When firmly applied, it does not retain 

 the heat so well. 



Wet Bandages are of more service than stableman are 

 generally aware of They retain heat, reduce and prevent 

 swelling, and abate inflammation. When the horse is subject 

 to swelled legs, to tenderness and tumefaction about the joints 

 and sinews after severe work, warm wet bandages help greatly 

 to preserve the legs. If fomentation can be well and quickly 

 performed, it may ; if not, it is better not attempted. The 

 bandage may be dipped in warm water, and applied rather 

 more firmly than a dry bandage. The heat and the moisture 

 operating together, produce gentle and continued perspiration. 

 The effect is nearly, or quite the same as if the legs were in 

 a warm poultice. If the horse will lie with them, the bandages 

 may be kept on all night ; but they must be kept wet. The 

 legs may be dipped into a pail of warm water at shutting up 

 the stables ; or the bandages may be so long and thick that 

 they will remain moist till it is time to remove them. A dry 

 bandage to an inflamed leg does more harm than good. It re- 

 tains the heat without producing the perspiration which abates 

 inflammation. The hind-legs rarely need wet bandages. 



WATER, The tired horse is usually disposed to drink more 

 at one time than is good for him. The water should be tepid, 

 and given every fifteen or twenty minutes, till the horse re- 

 fuses more. He may have a couple of quarts whenever his 

 work is done. Gruel or hay-tea may be given when the horse 

 needs nourishment, and refuses solid food. He will not take 

 either till it is nearly cold. 



FOOD. Fatigue destroys the appetite of some horses very 

 readily. Carrots, ooiled barley, malt, or any article which 

 the horse is known to prefer, may be offered in small quantity. 

 After a severe day, the food should be rather laxative, for hard 



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