CKACKED HEELS. 303 



chronically subject to the trouble. Whatever the 

 cause may be, cracked heels seriously interfere with 

 training. The heels become inflamed and tender ; the 

 skin cracks, and these sometimes exude blood ; and in 

 bad cases there is swelling and extreme sensitiveness, 

 especially when the fetlock joint is called into action. 

 Of course the horse shortens his stride, and is dainty 

 with the legs so affected. The treatment I have found 

 most efficacious is an application composed of equal 

 parts of Goulard's Exact, glycerine, and olive oil. 



The parts must be kept clean and dry, and, as much 

 as possible, the sweat should be prevented from running 

 down over them. The application should, after wiping 

 dry, be rubbed in. This ointment was used effectually 

 on Goldsmith Maid, and I have found it good. Citric 

 ointment is also sometimes used, and a mixture of 

 equal parts of olive oil and ether is good. I have cured 

 chronic cases with this. The following application I 

 have also found good, and it is recommended by my 

 friend James A. Dustin, of track renown : 



Lard | poun-<. 



Sulphur 4 ounces. 



Cainplior , ^ ounce. 



Tannin 1 ounce. 



Goulard's Extract ^ ounce. 



Charcoal 2 ounces. 



Mix. 



Of course the horse's bowels should be kept in a 

 normally free condition, but it must be remembered 

 that the trouble is chiefly local and must be locally 

 treated. It does not follow that the same treatment 

 will relieve all cases; indeed, I have found the one 



