24 



STIFLE. 



The stifle joint is above the inside bend of 

 the hough or gambrel ; its use is much the same 

 as the knee-pan in man. If the stifle is only- 

 strained, bathe it with the'ointment prescribed for 

 strains in the hip ; which will soon cure it. If 

 it is dislocated, or out of place, make a stifle 

 shoe, in form of a cone — let a natural shoe be 

 the base ; then, with three pieces of iron, one 

 from the toe, the other two from the sides of the 

 shoe, to meet in a point three inches from the 

 base. Put this upon the well foot, that the horse 

 may stand upon the lame one four or five days ; 

 that will keep the joint in place — and in the mean 

 time bathe the part with the ointment above men- 

 tioned. Note — The stifle shoe is preferable to 

 straping the well leg, for straping hinders the cir- 

 culation, brings off the iiair, and often lames the 

 well leg. 



STRAINS IN THE HIP. 

 Horses are frequently lame in the hip ; this 

 is occasioned by the ligament which holds the 

 thigh bone into the socket, being overstretched. 

 To effect a cure, the horse must have but little 

 exercise, and the joint should be bathed three 

 times a day, with three parts of brandy, and one 

 of oil of spike, to be heat in by a chafing-dish of 

 coals ; this will contract and strcfjgthen the liga- 

 ment, and if a recent lameness, will prove a cer- 

 tain remedy. 



HIPED AND HALF HIPED. 



When the bones of the hip fall so low as to 

 be called hiped, the horse beccmes useless ; but 

 when tiiey are only half- hiped, or hip-shot, the 

 hip may be strengihened, and the horse (though 

 disfigured) may perform much labour. 



