THE HORSE ON A JOURNEY 1G9 



from exercise, and suffering them afterwards to dry ; the 

 consequent reaction after the application of cold being 

 excessive, and running into inflammation. Nature then 

 seeks to relieve the gorged vessels by a discharge of ichorous 

 matter from the inflamed part. Bringing a horse into a hot 

 stable in the winter, when his legs are chilled with standing 

 some time, perhaps in the snow, will produce a similar 

 effect. These ills are easily to be avoided with a little 

 careful supervision : by accustoming your groom to pay 

 particular attention to rubbing the heels dry at all times, 

 and keeping them perfectly clean. 



When the disease has appeared, all causes inducing it 

 must be avoided ; and of these we may mention draughts 

 of air blowing upon a horse from behind ; and if the pain 

 and heat of the part be great, warm and soft poultices must 

 be applied in the first instance. 



As soon as stimulating remedies are applicable, you can 

 use nothing better or cleaner than a solution of nitrate of 

 silver in distilled water, beginning with eight or ten grains 

 to the ounce. Sometimes, however, the diseased parts will 

 require a change of stimulants, and you may then apply a 

 solution of blue-stone in a strong decoction of oak bark. A 

 stick of nitrate of silver or lunar caustic may be lightly 

 passed over the cracked part occasionally with great 

 advantage. But there is one circumstance which, although 

 in every case neglected, you must not overlook. The motion 

 of the diseased part must, as much as possible, be controlled. 

 Every time the horse bends the fetlock-joint, he disturbs the 

 process of nature in effecting a cure ; and as it is necessary 

 to prevent the crack in the heel from being disturbed, you 

 will find that any moderately soft substance, as bees'-wax 

 or putty, placed over and close to the diseased part, will, by 

 taking its form and accurately making pressure upon each 

 portion of it, materially conduce to the cure. It must be 

 applied directly after the lotions recommended, and must 

 not only be kept on by a neatly-applied bandage, but the 

 hollow in the back part of the fetlock-joint must also be 

 previously filled up by a pad of tow, or some other soft 

 substance, in order that the joint may thereby be rendered 

 less capable of motion. 



The heels being the farthest removed from the heart, the 

 circulation of the blood in them is less active and vigorous 

 than elsewhere, and consequently their restoration to a 



