In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 69 



proportion of weight than the outer one, hence it is 

 more liable to injuries and inflammation, consequently 

 inducing this bony deposit which has been termed 

 splint. The inner bone supports the entire weight 

 which is transmitted to one of the small knee bones ; it 

 is the only support of that bone, while but a portion of 

 the weight is sustained by the outer splint bone, and 

 the pressure is divided between it and the cannon bone. 

 Many smiths, who are but imperfectly acquainted with 

 their profession, most absurdly elevate the outer heel of 

 the shoe, which throws an additional weight on the 

 inner splint bone. Splints very often are the result of a 

 blow given with the inside of the foot, and when a splint 

 is suspected, that part of the leg should be rubbed for 

 three or four days with strong mercurial ointment ; this 

 will soften the tumour and make it porous; then it 

 should be blistered with Mr. Gregory's famed vesico 

 sudorific, which will speedily remove the splint by 



absorption Overreaches are the result of 



the horse placing the toe of the hind foot upon the heel 

 of the fore foot, long hind-legged horses are very guilty 

 of doing this when jumping into heavy land; they cannot 

 get their fore feet out of the way soon enough, and the 

 toe of the hind foot, striking the heel with great force, 

 sometimes will cut the heel nearly off. If the wound is 

 large, it is often troublesome. The first thing to do with 

 an overreach is to wash clean with warm water, examine 

 carefully and make sure there is no foreign substance in 

 the wound. If the piece cut down with the foot is nearly 

 off, and is only of a horny substance, do not hesitate to 

 cut it off, for it will heal much sooner with it off than 



