150 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



from a particularly irritating ailment. It is also 

 as well not to clip horses' legs. 



In case a horse should have a touch of either 

 it is desirable to give him a purgative — perhaps 

 as good as anything would be a couple of ounces 

 of Epsom salts in his mash for two or three nights 

 running. The quantity of corn must be reduced 

 and no beans must be given, and carrots and 

 other green food should be given where they can 

 be obtained. In cases of cracked heels an oz. of 

 Sulphur should be added to the salts. The heels 

 and legs should be dressed with Glycerine — one 

 part to 20 parts of water — or Zinc Ointment. 

 Personally I prefer Zinc Ointment. 



Another of those diseases which are generally 

 so easily preventible is Thrush or Running Thrush 

 as it is sometimes called. There is no difficulty 

 in diagnosing Thrush ; your nose will tell you of 

 its existence the moment you enter the stable. 

 It is inflammation of the sensible frog from the 

 cleft of which comes an exceedingly offensive 

 discharge. The cause, as in many of the small 

 ailments to which inmates of the stable are liable, 

 is in the main due to the negligence of dirty 

 grooms. Horses standing in wet litter or with 

 their feet unpicked are sure to develop Thrush 

 in a few days. Another cause of Thrush is 

 absence of pressure, which is necessary to keep 

 the frog in a healthy state, but dirt and neglect 

 are far more frequently to be blamed. Preven- 

 tion of course is better than cure and if horses 

 are kept on dry litter with their feet well picked 



