Spxa/ats. 589 



to avoid washing altogether. Remove as much of the dirt as possible by scraping and the brisk 

 appHcation of a wisp of straw, then place on the legs a set of woollen bandages kept for the 

 purpose, and allow the animal to remain until he is dry ; the remainder may then be removed 

 by brushing. The groom will say, " But how about the white legs ? " These may be easily and 

 as well cleaned — indeed, rendered spotless — by the use the next morning of a damp sponge 

 and clean towel. This method has been found efifectual when other means of prevention have 

 failed. It is a very common practice with grooms to wash horses' legs after a journey, even 

 when they have but little mud upon them, but it is a most blameable one, and one which is 

 a fruitful cause of many evils that occur to horses' legs and feet. A case of mud fever may 

 be recognised in the early stage by the appearance of the hair underneath the belly, in 

 front of the thighs, and at the back of the arms — it is seen to stand on end ; on passing the 

 hand over these parts an eruption may be felt, there is an unusual amount of heat, and the 

 parts are tender; unless the malady is checked, the skin will become denuded, and sores 

 will form. 



The horse should be rested, aperient medicine should be given, and a liniment, consisting 

 of liquor plumbi and olive oil, or glycerine, one part to four. [Instead of glycerine the jelly 

 of petroleum has recently been used with good effect. It is advertised as Veterinary 

 Vaseline. — S. S.] 



CRACKED HEELS. 



A sore and cracked condition of the skin of the heels, which not unfrequently is attendant 

 upon, and arises from, the same causes which induce attacks of mud fever, although there 

 are other causes which will give rise to it. It more frequently appears in the hind than the 

 fore legs, and is usually ushered in by a hot, tender, and swollen state of the skin at the 

 back of the pastern ; the horse when first brought out of the stable is noticed to be lame, 

 but improves with exercise, shallow transverse fissures are noticed in the hollow of the heel, 

 from which probably a little blood is oozing. If the case is not now promptly attended to, 

 death of a portion of the skin will take place, and a very troublesome, tedious wound will 

 result. 



Some horses are much predisposed to this tiresome malady ; indeed, even when treated 

 with the utmost possible care will become affected. With a view to prevent attacks, all 

 washing should be avoided, the legs should be well hand-rubbed, and dry woollen bandages 

 placed on when not at work. When an attack occurs, administer medicines that will act on 

 the bowels and kidneys, and apply linseed-meal or oatmeal poultices to the parts until the 

 inflammation subsides ; the sores should then be dressed with an ointment of alum and lard, 

 one part to four. 



SPRAINS OF TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS. 



These are accidents which usually happen to the limbs. Sprain nearly always occurs to 

 the tendons of the flexor muscles, on account of their having to assist very materially in 

 supporting the weight of the body, as well as to help to bring about its movements, even 

 when undergoing violent e.xertion. It arises commonly from some unusual eftbrt, as in taking 

 a large fence, being urged beyond ordinary speed, or travelling at a great rate for a long 

 distance ; suddenly imposing the whole way of the body on to the limbs, as when landing 

 over a " drop fence," or from slipping or making a false step, and come few other accidental 



