270 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



his feet. The breeching for this should be very strong 

 and broad, and the belt well stuffed, and stitched like a 



mattress. 



Fomentations are usually not half carried out by grooms. 

 If, say, a leg is to be fomented, d^ pailful of thoroughly hot 

 water ought to be employed, and the horse's foot put down 

 into it ; the water should then be laved through a large 

 sponge, as high as the shoulder, and allowed to run down 

 over the entire limb. This process should be carried on for 

 at least half an hour, renewing the water as quickly as it 

 cools. If a poultice or bandage is to be applied after the 

 fomentation, it should be done immediately, before the leg 

 has time to grow cold. 



Poultices should be large, moist, and' warm, and ought 

 never to be tied too tightly on the affected part. A good 

 poultice will not need to be changed for twenty-four hours. 



Having thus described a few appliances for remedying 

 sickness and wounds, I proceed to say a word or two about 

 the commoner forms of ailments — such, for instance, as are 

 most calculated to need amateur doctoring, and to bring 

 the foregoing remedies into requisition. 



By far the greater number of stable sicknesses are 

 brought about by a persistent giving of indigestible food, 

 while the remainder are, as a rule, due to exposure, cold, 

 and chills. Indigestion can only be cured by careful 

 dietino-, and by giving water (if that liquid is, as is customary, 

 administered at stated intervals) before instead of after each 

 meal. By this method the gastric juices are given fair 

 play, which by any other can not be the case. 



