168 A HUNTING CATECHISM 



developed, and then is frequently mistaken for a 

 case of ringbone. The position of the enlarge- 

 ment, and the fact that both the pasterns are alike 

 in this respect (are a pair, in fact), should be 

 a guide to prevent this error of judgment being 

 made. 



Sometimes an obscure case of lameness is 

 caused by a deposit taking place at the back of 

 the pastern ; in a difficult case a careful examina- 

 tion should invariably be made of this part, 

 which often is overlooked. 



Cracked heels sometimes extend to the back 

 of the fetlock. They are caused partly by the 

 leg not being dried after being wet through 

 washing or otherwise, and partly by the horse 

 being gross. A horse subject to them should 

 never have his heels wetted if it can be helped. 

 Zinc ointment may be applied to them to allay 

 the irritation, and a dose of 



Epsom salts ... ... ... 2 oz. 



Common salt ^ oz. 



given twice a week in a mash, until improvement 

 is effected. Before going out to work a horse 

 should have plenty of vaseline rubbed into the 

 cracked heel to soften the skin, or the cracks 

 will be made worse. 



Q. We have now arrived at the feet. Surely 

 they must be difficult to keep in good order ? 



A. This is quite true, and neglect can soon 

 cause the soundest feet to go wrong. When it 

 is considered what an inelastic box of horn the 

 outer covering consists of, it is obvious that if any 

 swelling takes place inside from inflammation, 

 congestion, or suppuration, the pain inseparable 



