STABLE MANAGEMENT. 97 



188. Bandages to joints. 



It is difficult to bandage any joint, except the fetlock, so as to give 

 pressure or restrain motion. If it be desired to prevent motion, as in 

 some cases of broken knee, the better plan is to apply splints ; or to 

 blister lightly the neighbouring parts with a view of making them tender 

 and stiff, so that the patient may be disinclined to move. 



As a general rule, where joints are bandaged, it is essential that the 

 horse be tied up by the head to the rack to prevent his lying down. The 

 patient, in the act of lying down or getting up, nearly always bursts a 

 tight bandage. 



If the object of the bandage be only to maintain warmth in the part 

 after fomentation, as in cases of sprain in the hock, or on the other hand 

 to reduce the heat of the part, it may be conveniently effected by a 

 covering made of felt or of several plies of flannel cut to the requisite 

 shape and sewn together, with a hole for the point of the os calcis, and 

 fastened in front with a number of straps. This covering may be kept 

 moist with hot or cold water according to circumstances. 



189. Persistent coldness of legs. 



When, in spite of friction and bandages, the legs remain persistently 

 cold, as is often the case in various debilitating diseases, a mustard 

 embrocation or ammonia liniment may be advantageously rubbed on the 

 parts, and the bandages may then be reapplied. Some further directions 

 on this subject, which is connected with disease rather than with stable 

 management, will be found in succeeding chapters. 



190. Feet. 



Feet, if the shoeing is good, as a general rule require nothing but 

 cleanliness to keep them in health. They should be picked out and 

 washed clean every morning and again after exercise. 



191. Arrangement of horses in the stable. 



The arrangement of horses in a stable, especially where bales only are 

 used, is a matter of some importance. Some horses take a special dis- 

 like to others, and will constantly bite, kick at, or fight with them ; 

 whilst they will stand quiet next to particular animals. A vicious horse 

 should be put in a corner stall, and if possible, should have a spare stall 

 next to him. A horse which is given to bite his neighbours, may, if put 

 in a corner stall, be still further restrained by passing the collar rein 

 through a ring driven into the side wall instead of through the ordinary 

 ring in the centre of the manger. Again, any horse that feeds slowly 

 may advantageously be placed in a corner stall ; and his more voracious 

 neighbour should be tied up short as soon as he has done feeding. 



7 



