120 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



especially noticeable by the descent of the fetlock 

 joints. 



3. Approximation of the ends of the bones which 

 form the shoulder, elbow, fetlock, and the two postern 

 joints. We may see this settling down of the bones 

 in the joints illustrated in our own cases ; for if we 

 have ourselves measured in the morning and also in 

 the evening, we shall find that we were taller in the 

 former time than in the latter. 



Agreeably to these principles we find that long con- 

 tinued standing, fatigue, starvation, deprivation of 

 water, and the administration of purgatives and 

 sedatives will tend to cause a marked diminution of a 

 pony's height. The production of a maximum effect 

 will require a course of two or three months, during 

 which time the animal, when he is in the stall, would 

 be tied up, so that he might not lie down. Some 

 operators advise that while the pony is tied up, the 

 ground upon which his fore-feet rest should be some- 

 what lower than that upon which the hind feet are 

 placed. He is also walked a long distance every day. 

 The food he gets is only just sufficient to keep him on 

 his legs. Some give the patient a quarter of a pound 

 of Epsom salts every day, in order to keep him in a 

 nauseated and debilitated condition. It is considered 

 advisable to walk the pony all night before bringing 

 him up for measurement, and to give him about an 

 ounce of chloral hydrate not less than half-an-hour 

 before he is to be placed under the standard. Prior to 

 doing this, it is well to keep him standing for at least 

 half-an-hour, so that he may " settle down." The final 

 touches have to be given with a considerable amount 



