114 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 



and commence a little below the knee or hock, winding it 

 carefully, so that there are no creases, till you reach the 

 coronet ; then go back with another fold, till you come 

 back above the place where you commence, and tie with 

 the same care, keeping the strings Hat as they cross over 

 each other, and fasten. 



The uses of bandages when at work are to support the 

 ligaments and tendons, enabling you to keep a horse in 

 train that would otherwise have to be thrown up, and to 

 recover from a strain that might become serious if he was 

 exercised without their support. That there is danger of 

 needing them when the horse becomes well, I think is 

 unfounded, if their use is discontinued as soon as the leg 

 has regained its normal condition. I broke the covering 

 of one of the small ligaments in my hand, the sinew 

 puffing up to the size of a hazel-nut, and my fingers 

 almost completely paralyzed. I could not have lifted ten 

 pounds. I immediately applied a bandage, with a small 

 flannel compress over the rupture. The relief was instan- 

 taneous, and I kept at niy work, nearly as if nothing had 

 happened. I wore the bandage for some time, and on 

 removing it, found no inconvenience for the want of the 

 support. When there is much tumefaction, the pressure 

 can be increased by tightening the bandage. This assists 

 the absorbing vessels to take up the matter that causes 

 the swelling, and expels it through the natural channels. 

 As the application, in actual practice, is a far better method 

 of learning than either oral or written instructions, you 

 will become familiar with my bandaging system before the 

 season is through. 



The clothing of horses is also a subject on which there 

 is much difference of opinion ; the advocates of either 

 extreme being confident in the wisdom of the plan they 

 follow. While I differ from both, I must say, if compelled 

 to adopt either, I would go with those who discard the 



