DKIVIHG FALCON. 401 



of bandages will lessen the liability. Glycerine will in- 

 corporate with water, and when I want the bandages to 

 remain damp as long as possible, I always mix it with the 

 water I wet them with. I have had horses that could 

 hardly be worked fast without cracks opening in the heels, 

 till at times the blood would issue. Since using this, 

 I have been successful in curing them by washing the legs 

 with warm water, letting them absorb what moisture could 

 be readily taken up with the sponge, applying plenty of 

 glycerine, and placing a loose bandage from the hoof to 

 the knee. The skin by this treatment acquires more sup- 

 pleness, which renders it less likely to crack. The band- 

 ages must envelop the foot so as to exclude the air, and 

 the folds be numerous though loose. 



I see you have the harness on the Falcon, so I suppose 

 he is the first one to be exercised; and as they are harrow- 

 ing the track, it will be as well not to drive Never Mind 

 until you can give him his work on the soft portion. The 

 Falcon you can jog three miles the reverse way of the 

 track. When you turn him, increase his speed to a three- 

 minute gait, driving him as fast as you can on the back 

 stretch, come round the turn easier, gradually increasing 

 the rate till half way down the stretch, when you can send 

 him along till you get by the stand. Keep up as fast a 

 gait for the next mile as you can drive him without break- 

 ing, and this time he can come the whole length of the 

 stretch as fast as he can go, hurrying him till he breaks ; 

 half way round the turn take him up, turn him around, 

 and go the reverse way of the track a three-and-a-half gait, 

 when you can bring him to the barn. 



That was very well done. Give him a swallow or two of 

 water to rinse out his mouth, scrape him, rub out his poll, 

 straighten his hair, throw a long blanket on him, and 

 walk him till he is cool. You can continue to give him 

 the same amount of work you did this morning twice a 



