304 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



the tables, and the alteration (together with its sub- 

 sequent obliteration) in the shape of the " mark " 

 (bean). This mark is practically worn out at twelve 

 years. For a full description of the age of the horse, 

 the reader must refer to some book on dentition of 

 animals, such as that by F. T. Barton, M.R.C.V.S. 



SALT 



In my younger days the grand specific for a bad 

 sprain in a horse's sinews was a cataplasm made of 

 common salt and white of egg mixed with vinegar and 

 oatmeal. Salt is now, however, put to other purposes 

 and given internally to all sorts of cattle with very 

 excellent effect ; and appears likely to be as much 

 esteemed among the essentials to the well-doing of 

 the brute race in our day, as it was formerly of the 

 human. I really think it a good alterative — par- 

 ticularly in the cart-horse stable, where I have ex- 

 perienced its good effects, by increasing the urinary 

 secretions and preventing humours. When applied 

 to horses' legs in the way in which I have before 

 spoken of it, it will be found beyond expectation 

 efficacious : I mean, bathing legs in cold salt and 

 water, to promote absorption, and to reduce enlarge- 

 ments from blows, sprains, etc. 



SAND-CRACK 



It is somewhat curious that the only instance of 

 sand-crack that ever happened to my stud was to 

 a new hoof — never shod — on a mare that had been 



