*#» 



528 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



down, if he can. This is never to be permitted, but the 

 owner should, as soon as possible after the accident is dis- 

 covered, make arrangements to furnish him support, or he 

 may lie down upon the fractured limb and break it worse 

 than before. The salt and water, made strong with the 

 golden seal, and as hot as he can bear it, should be applied 

 to the entire limb, from the body to the foot, wetting the 

 bandages thoroughly. This should be done four or five times 

 a day, during the first four or five days, and then gradually 

 slackened, until it is not used at all. The bandages must be 

 taken off and re-applied, every other day ; and if the wound 

 appears to swell, and the horse shows signs of pain, (which 

 will be indicated bj^ his restlessness,) the bandages should 

 remain only a few hours, and then be loosened ; and when 

 the bandage is off, let the hot bathing be well applied. 

 * In the case of compound fractures, th« horse will gener- 

 ally get down on his side, and must be raised to his feet. 

 It will take some time to make the necessary preparations 

 for this, and they will be attended with some little trouble 

 and expense. 



As this is the first and most important step, a clear de- 

 scription of the different arrangements for raising the horse 

 will be necessary. The first and best is the Sling. This may 

 be used in either simple or compound fracture. If the horse 

 is still on his feet, and near the stable, he may be led into 

 it, and a couple of very stong hooks put into the beam 

 above, or into the sides of his stall, if strong enough, and 

 the sling suspended to those on either side. 



The cut on next page conveys a good idea of a sling (Com- 

 plete in all its parts; but one of simpler construction will 

 answer the purpose when one so elaborate can not be had. 

 It may be made of either bagging or sail cloth. Four yards 

 of the cloth will be sufficient. Sew the ends of the cloth 

 together very strongly. This, when doubled, will be about 

 six feet in length. Two round sticks of very hard, strong 

 wood to put through the cloth ; to these attach strong ropes, 

 fastened to each end of the sticks, so that they will each 



