^36 ON NICKING. 



This is all that is requisite in docking a horse : 

 sometimes, however, it happens, among heavy- 

 waggon, or coach-horses, when docked too near 

 the rump, that an inflammation and gangrene 

 may succeed, especially if the tail be fleshy. In 

 this case no time must be lost : foment the part, 

 therefore, two or three times a day with (No. 123, 

 p. 161 ), then rub all over the same the blistering 

 oils (No. 124, p. 162), and let this be done till the 

 inflammation abates. His body must be treated 

 in the same manner as for inflammatory fever.* 

 These rules must be persevered in until his appetite 

 returns, and the feverish symptoms entirely dis- 

 iippear. 



CHAP. LVIII. 



NICKING 



Is an operation designed to make the horse 

 carry his tail neatly and elegantly. It should not 

 be performed when the weather is either too hot or 

 too cold, but in a mild and temperate atmosphere. 



First, let the horse be thrown down on some 

 convenient spot, then, according to the length of 

 bis tail, let four or five nicks be cut across on the 



* See chap. xvii. p. 92 and fol. 



