The Stable Handbook 



to the use of embrocations they have their place 

 in stable economy, but they should never be used 

 while there is the slightest inflammation or heat in 

 the leg. When we find one leg is hot to the touch, 

 and somewhat tender, the best plan is to heat some 

 water, and, getting two sets of flannel bandages, 

 to place one of them in the water as hot as the 

 hand can bear it. The bandage should be wrung 

 out as dry as possible. Over the wet hot bandage 

 a dry one should be placed. Then the horse should 

 be left for about two hours, when the bandages 

 are removed. The upper bandage will be quite 

 wet, and the leg will be found quite dry and 

 cool. At all events the inflammation will be much 

 reduced. The bandages may be put on the next 

 day, or simply in bad cases renewed, until the 

 inflammation or heat has gone. Now we may 

 put on our favourite embrocation. I have never 

 quite made up my mind whether it is the rubbing 

 or the embrocation that does the good, but still 

 there is no doubt that benefit does arise, and it is 

 probable that when the inflammation is reduced 

 the restorative activity of the parts involved is 

 stimulated by the application. I have for many 

 years used hot water bandages for hunters or 

 harness horses after a very hard day's work, and 

 we adopted the same plan with benefit for the 

 racing ponies in India after their morning gallops, 

 when the ground was hard. Simple cuts, wounds 

 and bruises, include all the ailments that can be 

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