BLANKE T — BLEEDING 



the enormities committed by unthinking people who do not 

 understand the proper way to bit a horse. It will, however, 

 be sufficient to observe that the mouth of every animal differs, 

 and hence it is the duty of those who are responsible for the 

 safety of those who use a horse and for the well-being of the 

 animal to discover the sort of bit that suits him best. Many 

 a confirmed hard puller or bolter, which appears indifferent 

 to a very severe bit, has been discovered to be quite an 

 amiable, pleasant animal to work in a plain snaffle ; in fact, 

 there is a key to almost every horse's mouth, which it is the 

 business of those who have charge of him to discover. More 

 mouths have been ruined by severe bits, especially in the 

 case of young horses which are being broken, than people 

 imagine, and it should be remembered that when a mouth 

 is once spoiled it requires much time and trouble to remedy 

 matters, even if the mischief can ever be undone. (See Bits, 

 Bolting, Drivings Hands^ Moitth, Riding?) 



Blanket. — See Clothing. 



Blaze. — A broad white streak running down the faces 

 of some horses. (See also Bald Face, Snip, Star.) 



Bleeding. — It is occasionally considered desirable to 

 bleed a horse, in which case the operation should be left to 

 the skill of a professional operator. In cases of bleeding or 

 hemorrhage the result of accident, the trouble in slight cases 

 can usually be stopped by the application of either very cold 

 or very hot water. If the flow from a wound is not checked 

 by this means, or if it is a severe one, an impromptu tourniquet 

 may be applied by the aid of a pocket - handkerchief. In 

 cases of emergency, where a tourniquet cannot be used, a 

 dab of wet linen, or lint, if available, should be placed on 

 the wound, and a smooth stone above this dressing in such 

 a position that when a bandage is applied extra pressure 

 will fall upon the wound. In using a tourniquet, care should 

 be taken to ascertain whether it is an artery or a vein which 



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