9 TREATMENT OF CURBS. 



on no account ridden. And if, after a fortnight's break- 

 ing, they do not seem inclined to disappear, a pair of 

 high-heeled shoes should be put on, two doses of physic 

 given with entire rest, and a cold wet sponge encased 

 in a bandage of oiled silk placed immediately over the 

 curb. Continue this treatment for a fortnight, during 

 which time give no corn, but merely bran and hay or 

 grass. He will now be in a fit condition to fire, and if 

 the operation can be performed without casting so much 

 the better, since very frequently a great deal of in- 

 flammation is caused. And sometimes a great curb is 

 thrown out through struggling, when of course firing 

 merely adds to the mischief by increasing the inflam- 

 mation, and a permanent enlargement and blemish may 

 be the consequence. 



Firing should always be performed for curbs at this 

 stage, since it saves much trouble, expense, and dis- 

 appointment. He will require, after the operation, at 

 least three or four months' run at grass, the expiration 

 of which will bring us into August, when he should 

 again be taken up, bitted and longed quietly for a 

 week ; and after having been well prepared for and had 

 a dose of physic, the sooner he is ridden the better. 



He should be walked and trotted about through 

 September for about two hours daily, after which he 

 should commence longer walks and stronger work 

 generally through October, so as to be prepared for 

 one day a week with hounds from November 1st, 

 which after two months' careful preparation he will be 

 well fitted for, if he be a highly-bred one. Badly-bred 



