278 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



inflammatory action being started, They may have 

 their origin in a blow : but I think we may safely 

 conclude that, as hunters are more subject to them 

 than any other description of horse, they generally 

 proceed from violent exertion of the hinder legs 

 in carrying weight (sprain) at a rapid pace, 

 through deep ground, and also from the effect of 

 leaping.! 



Curbs are produced by inflammation, followed by 

 effusion. Common sense or reason would naturally 

 prescribe repellent lotions, physic, etc. ; but these 

 are only auxiliaries. The plan I have always adopted 

 has been — first, a dose of physic, then immediately 

 to blister (mildly), and repeat the blister as soon and 

 as often as circumstances will admit. The late Mr W. 

 Percivall recommends a patten-shoe being put upon 

 the foot of the affected limb, in order to relax the 

 extensor muscles of the hock. I have had, as may be 

 expected, several cases of curbs in my stable ; but 

 I have generally found them yield to repeated blister- 

 ing. I have occasionally worked horses whilst the 

 disease existed, and still they have progressed towards 

 soundness. It is an excellent plan to fire curbs and 

 blister in a few days afterwards. By this, however, 

 I do not mean to say that curbs are to be made light 

 of — for, on the contrary, they are very much to be 

 dreaded ; and I never rode a good run, over a deep 

 country, that I did not expect to be favoured with 

 one : and the very best formed hocks are not exempt. 



^ There can be no doubt that curb is frequently produced in 

 this manner. — Editor. 



