CONCRE TE — CONDI TION 



Concrete is not infrequently used as a flooring for stables, 

 but it is not a good pavement for horses to walk upon, as 

 its surface, being smooth, affords a poor foothold, and if the 

 surface is made rough it soon crumbles away. On the other 

 hand concrete possesses the great advantage of allowing 

 water to run off it quickly. (See Floors.) 



Concussion is the direct result of fast work on hard roads, 

 and hence cart-horses are rarely attacked by it. The heat and 

 tenderness with which it is associated usually produce severe 

 lameness, which frequently develops into navicular disease, 

 and therefore concussion should be dealt with promptly. 



Treatment. — If there is much heat the shoes should be 

 removed and the feet placed in cold bandages, which must 

 be kept constantly damp, for a few hours. A mild purgative 

 may be administered, and the horse should be kept on a 

 cooling diet of mashes and green meat in order to reduce 

 the inflammation. In bad cases he may subsequently be 

 shod with a strip of sponge about h inch thick between the 

 wall of his foot and the shoe in order to reduce the concus- 

 sion. (See Lameness, Navicular Disease, Prescriptions, Shoeing, 

 Sponge Pad.) 



Condition. — A horse, to be in proper condition, should 

 be at his very best both as regards his looks and his health. 

 For racing or hunting purposes he is naturally expected 

 to carry less flesh than if all that is required of him is easy 

 work at a more moderate pace ; but in any instance he must 

 show plenty of muscle, and feel hard to the touch when the 

 hand is run along his crest and neck, or placed against his 

 sides. Condition can only be produced by proper attention 

 to details of management, and it may be added that a fat 

 horse carrying a mass of blubber on his frame instead of 

 muscle presents a most deplorable object to the expert. 

 The expression " proper attention " is used above advisedly, 

 as it is, unfortunately, a by no means uncommon practice 

 amongst horse owners and their servants to make use of 



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