78 PEEYEl^TTIOlS- Or SORE BACKS. 



Peeveftion oe Soee Backs. — When horses enter the 

 stable hot and perspiring from being severely ridden, as a 

 general rule it is not advisable to remove the saddle immediately. 

 The admission of cold air to the skin, at a time when it 

 may be in a state approaching that of being parboiled, is 

 all but certain to cause a severe soreness of the back. The 

 best preventive of this, is simply to slacken the girths, and 

 allow the saddle to remain upon the horse for at least half an 

 hour after he enters the stable. This cannot, however, on all 

 occasions be done, particularly when the animal is to be 

 washed in the manner I have detailed. The best substitute for 

 the saddle upon such occasions, is an old saddle pannel, applied 

 well warmed to the back, and buckled firmly down with a 

 surcingle. The application of the pannel in the way suggested, 

 and allowing it to remain for about half an hoiu' afterwards, will 

 generally be found to answer the end required. 



In conclusion, I have merely to observe, that the medical 

 treatment necessary to check Superpurgation, and the surgical 

 and medical treatment best to pursue with Sore Backs, the 

 reader will find fully detailed, under their proper headings, in 

 Part II. of the present volume. 



I have also to observe, that Section YI. will relate to the 

 hygienic treatment of the sick horse, in which the reader will 

 find many observations of a special and general kind, all 

 applicable to the subject treated upon in tliis section. The 

 two sections, in fact, are intimately associated, inasmuch as 

 they treat upon subjects of like nature and equally important. 



