238 THE HORSE 



disease. A very fat horse, who does not receive suf- 

 ficient exercise, is subject to scratches, and so is an 

 overworked, run-down horse — in each case the blood 

 being In poor condition. 



Trotting horses sometimes have what are called 

 '' speed-scratches," due to over-heating of the blood. 

 It Is difficult to train some horses without producing this 

 condition. The skin of a high-bred horse Is thin, and 

 especially so at the heels on the inside, from the coronet 

 to the pastern joint. Says E. C. Hathaway: 



This particular point seems to be the one place where all 

 sorts of dirt and scurf find lodgment, and it further appears to 

 have a secretion of its own, especially when in a fevered con- 

 dition. 



This Is the reason why the " swipe" who has charge 

 of a trotter ties towels loosely around the pastern when 

 his charge comes to the stable after a race or a "work- 

 out" — to prevent the salt sweat which runs down the 

 leg from touching this particular part. 



Mr. Hathaway further says on this subject: 



One will find heels with a tendency to crack that are helped 

 by ointments containing grease, vaseline, etc., while others are 

 poisoned by the slightest particle of greasy matter of any 

 kind. . . . The first requisite in both varieties of sore heels 

 is to keep them clean. For this purpose nothing has been 

 found that touches pure castile soap and warm water, not to be 

 applied in the usual perfunctory way by the sponge or by the 

 swipe's hand, but by use of a fairly stiff brush, such as is com- 

 monly used at home for washing the hands. 



To prevent scratches, put glycerine or vaseline on 



