FLANK— FLEXING THE HOCKS 



out, leaves very little trace behind it, but cross lines or 

 diamond firing invariably leave ugly marks, owing to the 

 scabs sloughing off in flakes. As it is the practice of some 

 owners to fire their horses as a precautionary measure, this 

 operation must not invariably be regarded as a proof of the 

 animal having broken down. (See Back Tendon, Spavin.^ 



Flank is the part of the body situated behind the ribs 

 and below the loins, extending down to the belly. 



Flap. — The flap of a saddle is the outside part which 

 extends from the skirt and seat to the lowest extremity above 

 the stirrups. (See Saddle, Seat, Skirt.) 



Flat Foot. — A flat foot is one that is low at the heel, and 

 is usually associated with a large, soft frog and brittle horn. 

 Horses bred on damp soil are more' commonly flat-footed 

 than those raised on other land. (See Foot^ 



Flat-footed. — A horse is said to go flat-footed when, 

 owing to the lowness of the walls of his hoofs, he goes upon 

 his heels more than on the toes, instead of putting his feet 

 squarely and evenly on the ground. 



Flat Sides. — When a horse's ribs are not rounded as they 

 should be, he is described as flat-sided. The formation is 

 an objectionable one, as owing to the ribs not being convex 

 there is a reduction of space for the heart and lungs to 

 work in. 



Flatulence, or Wind, is generally caused by indigestion. 



Treatment. — First give a purge to clear away any 

 internal obstructions, and then give small doses of bicarbonate 

 of soda twice a day for a week. Avoid beans or peas as 

 food. (See also Indigestion) 



Flexing the Hocks is a term which explains itself; it 



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