128 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



always sleep standing. This is a very tiresome 

 habit, probably due to the horse having been 

 cast at some time. At least that is the only 

 cause which suggests itself to me. A horse that 

 sleeps standing wears his legs unnecessarily 

 and he is also liable to fall and injure himself. 

 The habit is easily cured. Tie a 7 lb. weight to 

 the tail taking care that it hangs some two or 

 three inches above the hocks. If a 7 lb. weight 

 is not sufficient try a 14 lb. one. That is sure 

 to succeed. When the heavier weight is successful 

 give it up and try the lighter one — and if 7 lb. 

 is found to be sufficient to induce the horse to 

 lie down reduce the weight to 3 lb. 



Another very tiresome trick which some 

 horses have in the stable is to lie in such a position 

 that the elbow rests on the foot, the result being 

 that unsightly protuberance known as capped 

 elbow. And sometimes the inflammation from 

 capped elbow becomes so acute as to necessitate 

 the destruction of the horse. One cure is to 

 alter the shoeing to the Charlier or some similar 

 system, but it will be found that if a large circular 

 pad of soft leather is buckled round the fetlock 

 the horse will not be able to hurt himself. 



Some horses are difficult to lead into a door- 

 way. The reason of this is obvious. At some 

 time or other they have hurt themselves or 

 been frightened when going through a door. 

 It is curious that most men who have a horse 

 of this kind in their charge are careful to do 

 exactly what they ought not to do. They walk 



