112 UNASKED ADVICE. 



which hunters are specially liable, and which may be very 

 well treated by a groom of ordinary intelligence (by this 

 I do not mean every strapper who fancies that he knows 

 "all about it"). 



Perhaps one of the most common causes for hunters 

 being laid up is a blow on the leg. Indeed, it is rather a 

 wonder that more horses are not lamed in this way, or that 

 any horse should do a day's hunting without an accident 

 of this description. Bangs and blows are either on the 

 shin or on the sinew. In the former case applications of 

 hot vinegar and water will take out the soreness as 

 quickly as anything. A blow on the shin often leaves its 

 mark in the shape of a permanent bony enlargement, 

 which is a blemish, of course, but not otherwise objec- 

 tionable, unless it be meddled with under pretence of 

 removing it. Such an attempt is likely to produce 

 most acute lameness. Blows on the sinews are more 

 serious affairs. They may either be caused by the contact 

 of a stake, &c., or by the opposite foot. A heavy shoe is 

 a very common, indeed the most common, cause of this 

 accident in the case of horses which do not hit themselves 

 habitually. A blow on the sinew may lay a horse up for 

 the season, or he may be lamed by it " on and off" that 

 is, being sound after one day's work and lame after the 

 next. Whether he has been lame or sound, there will be 

 a certain amount of thickening over the seat of injury at 

 the end of the season. At the end of a month's rest, 

 however, the swelling will be reduced enough for an 

 opinion to be formed concerning the extent of the injury. 

 If this be plainly trifling, cold applications and rest will 

 meet the requirements of the case. If there appear to 

 be any likelihood of a callous enlargement forming, a 

 mild absorbent blister will be useful ; in bad cases firing 



