68 STABLE MANAGEMENT. 



indiarubber in the middle, to allow of its giving 

 with the motion of the limb. If there is not this 

 indiarubber spring, when the top strap is buckled 

 tight enough to prevent the cap slipping down, the 

 motion will cause it to rub the skin at the back of 

 the knee ; and I have seen some bad abrasions, that 

 caused temporary lameness, from this cause. If the 

 top strap is buckled loose enough to avoid this chaf- 

 ing, then the knee-cap won't stay up in its proper 

 place, if it has no spring. The country-made knee- 

 caps sold by the native saddlers seldom are fitted 

 with it; and if they are they cannot be relied on, 

 as generally the indiarubber is bad and perished. 

 The lower strap of the knee-cap should be buckled 

 quite loose, it being only required to keep it down 

 and prevent it flapping about ; but " syces " are very 

 apt to draw it tight also, and if they do, it is 

 pretty certain to cut the skin. 



