SITFASTS, AND .SADDLE C.'.U.I.^^. 2:;3 



Tha poinfs of tlie tree should clip or embrace tlio sides without piuching 

 tliem, or so standing outward tliat the pressure is all downwards, and upon 

 one place, instead of being in a direction inwards as well as downwards, so 

 as to be distributed uniformly over every part of the point that touches the 

 side. Horses that have low and thick withers are most likely to have them 

 injured, in consequence of the continual riding forAvard of the saddle, and 

 its consequent pressure upon them. Fleshy and fat shoulders and sides are 

 also subject to become hurt by the points of the trees either piiiching them 

 from being too narrow in the arch, or from the bearing being directly 

 doTvmward upon them. 



Iniury occasionally results from the interruption Avhich a too forward 

 saddle presents to the working or motion of the shoulder, and the conse- 

 quent friction the soft parts sustain between the shoulder-blade inwardly 

 and the points of the saddle-tree outwardly. 



SITFASTS, AND SADDLE GALLS. 



On other parts of the back tumours and very troublesome ulcers may be 

 produced by the same cause. Those resulting from the pressure of the 

 saddle are called saddle galls, and, when they ulcerate, they frequently 

 become siffasfs. Saddle galls are small circular bruises, or extravasations 

 of blood, where there has been an undue pressure of the saddle or harness. 

 If a horse is subject to these tumours, the saddle should remain on him 

 two or three hours after he has returned to the stable. It is only for a 

 certain time, however, that this will perfectly succeed, for by the frequent 

 application of the pressure the skin and the cellular substance are bruised 

 or otherwise injured, and a permanent sore or tumour, of a rerj annoying 

 description, takes place. The centre of the sore gradually loses its vitality. 

 A separation takes place from the surrounding integument, and there is a 

 circular piece of dried and hard skin remaining in the centre ; by removing 

 this with the knife, more is done in a few minutes than days Avill effect in 

 the old routine of poulticing and bHstering ; and the wound will readily 

 heal by the use of turpentine dressings, more or less stimulating, according 

 to circumstances. 



With regard, however, to all these tumours and excoriations, the humane 

 man wiU have the saddle eased and padded as soon as it begins to be of the 

 least inconvenience to the horse. 



DROPSY OF THE SKIN OF THE CHEST. 



Dropsical swellings often appear between the fore legs and on the chest. 

 They are effusions of fluid underneath the skin. They accompany various 

 diseases, particularly when the animal is weakened by them, and sometimes 

 appear when there is no other disease than the debility, which, in the spring 

 and fall of the year, accompanies the changing of the coat. The treatment 

 will vary with the cause of the affection or the accompanying disease. Small 

 punctures with the lancet Tvdll seldom do harm ; friction of the part, if it 

 can be borne, Avill be serviceable ; mild exercise should be used ; diuretics 

 given, mixed with some cordial, as carrots, malt mashes, and occasionally 

 a very mild dose of physic, and that followed by tonics and cordials, with 

 diuretics. The vegetable tonics, as gentian and columbo with ginger, will . 

 be most effectual. 



