COMMON ACCIDENTS. 17 



bring it to the proper consistency, and care tiken not to put 

 it on too hot. This will be found an admirable support to 

 the damaged limb. In the very worst cases of breakdown, 

 the limb must be fired ; but, of course, be it thoroughly 

 understood, in every instance, that neither embrocations, 

 blistering, nor firing should be resorted to until long after 

 all heat has been removed by cooling the horse — internally by 

 feeding, and externally by lotions, cold-water bandages, &c., 

 as recommended above. 



An old enlargement of the back sinews may be reduced by 

 painting with tincture of iodine daily, until the outer skin 

 peels. When this takes place, leave off the painting, and do 

 not resume it for a week. 



Over-reach is caused by the horse bringing his hind feet too 

 quickly under him, to give the fore feet a chance of getting 

 away. Another way of over-reaching is when, in landing over 

 a jump, or in galloping, the hind toe strikes into the heel of 

 the fore foot. On the road, a horse with a tendency to over- 

 reach will " click " his fore and hind shoes together in trotting, 

 and this becomes especially noticeable when the animal is 

 tired. Very frequently the tendency disappears with increasing 

 age ; and good handling, whether in riding or driving, will 

 make a great difference in this annoying and sometimes dan- 

 gerous habit. When a wound has been caused by actual over- 

 reach, it should be thoroughly but gently cleansed, then 

 tincture of arnica and water, in about equal parts, applied, by 

 soaking a piece of linen and tying it round the foot. Rest 

 the horse for a few days, till the wound has closed over. 



Ahscesse< occasionally form under the saddle. When this 

 is the case, they must be opened with the lancet, which, 

 however, few amateurs can be trusted to use. 



Galls, either made by saddle or harness, are very simple,, 

 and only require time to cure them, pressure, of course, being- 

 entirely taken off the place injured. There is practically- 

 nothing to be done, except to use a 1 >tion of Goulard water. 

 Nature must be trusted to do the rest. 



Fractures and Dislocations are best left alone by non-pro- 

 fessional men. The best available veterinary aid should be 

 secured immediately. If anything, beyond keeping the animal 

 quiet, is done by the amateur, the probable result will be 

 to cause exquisite suffering to the poor beast, and greatly to 

 aggravate the mischief. As a matter of fact, the cleverest 







