In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 190 



irritant such as a preparation of black hellebore j 

 turpentine, iodine, euphorbium, &c. A peculiar 

 system sometimes employed successfully in spavin 

 is the introduction of a thread, medicated in this way, 

 deeply into the soft parts over the seat of the bony 

 tumour. This is chiefly recommended by the fact 

 that if well managed it leaves no bluish marks on the 

 hock. 



SORE BACKS. 



In most cases these are attributable to two causes, 

 ignorance and a want of cleanliness. The skin of the 

 horse is subject to many diseases, and is very sensitive ; 

 the cuticle or outer skin is often subject to injury through 

 careless and ill-fitting harness, especially cart saddles, 

 which are the chief cause of bad backs, coupled with 

 unskilful loading. Everyone knows that it is necessary 

 to load a cart forward to enable a horse to draw a load 

 up-hill ; but how few do we see who shift the load back- 

 ward when the horse has to go down-hill. The carters 

 in Scotland are very particular in these matters, and 

 when carrying stone from quarries will always have some 

 large stones which they can move to balance the load. 

 Another thing they always use, plenty of grease to the 

 backhand or chain which runs through the saddle, to 

 enable it to run easily through, as the shafts vibrate 

 from side to side over the inequalities of the road. 

 These things are often neglected, especially in Kent, and 

 consequently the load, bearing with undue weight upon 

 the horse's back, and the backhand not being greased, 

 every time the cart vibrates the saddle rocks upon the 



