268 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



beneficial, but roughness may well be dispensed with — and 

 adjacent tender places should be previously covered with a 

 layer of simple cerate, which will be a wise as well as a 

 merciful precaution. A little at a time, also, of the blister- 

 ing fluid should be rubbed on ; if there is too much it is 

 apt to run upon parts that may be injured by its agency. 

 A blistered horse should be as mercifully cared, and as 

 gently treated during healing time, as a human patient. 

 How earnestly do I wish that I could impress this upon 

 persons who, without really meaning to be cruel, are so, 

 through carelessness, or lack of striving not to be. 



Bleeding is another matter concerning which horse- 

 owners ought to be cautious about placing too much con- 

 fidence in grooms. If the blood-can is made to contain 

 two gallons — which most of them are — the groom will, ten 

 to one, drain the animal to fill it, or very nearly so, whereas 

 the loss of a quart of blood would probably be quite enough 

 for him to sustain. Horses are very generally bled after 

 coming in from grass, when they look fat and full-bellied ; 

 but I do not consider it a wise proceeding. As a ru^e, it is 

 far better not to bleed at all without the advice of a com- 

 petent V.S., and few of the better educated of the profession 

 will be found very often advocating it. 



When a horse must be bled, see that his eyes are 

 efficiently bandaged, in order that he may not start when 

 the wound is about to be given. Make use of a fleam in 

 place of a lancet ; it is better and more effectual, for it does 

 not inflict a cut of unnecessary dimensions, as the lancet (if 

 at all unskilfully handled) occasionally does. When the 



