102 SPLINT. 



months, which cause the heels to grow together, pinch- 

 ing and confining the coronet. 



The cure is simple, though tedious. Have his shoes 

 taken off and his feet cut down as small as possible, 

 without injuring the quick ; then turn him out upon a 

 marsh or low ground, where his hoofs may be con- 

 stantly moist for three or four months, and his heels 

 will expand, his hoofs again assume their natural shape, 

 and the horse will be fit for any kind of service. 



^9* 



SPLINT. 



The splint is a hard lump or excrescence that grows 

 upon the fore legs of a horse between the fetlock and 

 the knee. It is unpleasant to the eye, but seldom does 

 injury, unless situated on the back of the leg and im- 

 mediately under the large tendons, in which case 

 lameness is always produced, and the cure rendered 

 difficult. 



When the splint is situated in the usual place, and 

 grows so large as to be unfavourable to beauty — to 

 remove it, bathe the part with hot vinegar twice a day, 

 and have the knot or splint rubbed with a smooth round 

 stick, after bathing for ten or fifteen minutes ; by the 

 expiration of a week the knot will perceptibly decrease 

 in size, and finally, in a short time will disappear. — 

 But should such means not have the desired effect, 

 shave off the hair over the lump, and apply a blister of 

 Spanish flies, which in a short time will effectually 

 remove it. 



