34 Horses and Horsemastership. 



for it; indeed, so far from there being abnormal heat, 

 the warmth of the limb will probably be subnormal. 

 The trouble is due to an effusion of serum into the limb, 

 arising from imperfect action of the kidneys, Arc, which 

 may be caused by improper feeding — the error, as a rule, 

 being on the too liberal side — want of regular exercise, 

 and so on. In minor cases the swelling will disappear 

 on the horse being exercised, which has the effect of 

 restoring the vitality of the absorbents, but where the 

 trouble arises from debility a course of tonic 

 medicine may be necessary. In any event a mild 

 diuretic, such as an ounce of nitre in a mash at night, 

 should be given, and horses which are predisposed to the 

 trouble should always have their legs bandaged. 



URIXE, RETENTION OF.— Horses, on returning 

 from the day's outing, always should be encouraged to 

 stale (i.e., pass water). Many horses will not stale 

 while out at work, and if the dav has been a long one 

 the bladder may have become over-distended and in- 

 flammation set up. The horse may display restlessness 

 and anxiety, and now and then will stand stretched out 

 as if trying to relieve himself. 



In minor cases the shaking about of fresh straw under 

 him, hand-rubbing of the belly, or the hand passed 

 through the anus, and gentle pressure on the fundus of 

 the bladder (which can be quite plainly felt), may bring 



