HORSES. 59 



Prevention. — Feather-edged shoes, and frequent examination 

 of them to see that there is no overlapping, and that the clenches 

 are kept down. A so-called "knocked-up" shoe is best. Short 

 journeys only should be taken by young horses, and they should 

 be bandaged at home as long as the tendency to brush remains. 



SPEEDY CUXriNG. 



Defective action is the common cause, and, as the name 

 implies, it occurs only in the fast paces. 



The lower and inside border of the knee is the part struck by 

 the shoe of the opposite foot, or in some horses by the hoof itself. 



Treatment. — Dab on Elliman's and rub it all round, to draw 

 away the swelling and prevent a lump from forming. 



Prevention. — In the case of young animals, they sometimes 

 grow out of it with careful drivers; but there is, practically, no 

 means of prevention except by wearing a boot or protective 

 substance. 



A speedy-cutter is so dangerous an animal that it is well to 

 find him a job at his ow^n pace. Some speedy-cutters may be 

 made to do useful work, but at a fast pace they are always 

 liable to come down. 



THORNS AND OTHER FOREIGN BODIES* 



When a thorn, splinter, or other substance pierces the skin 

 it is not always observed at the time, but lameness and swelling 

 of a tendon or other structure often takes place next day. 



In the case of hunters, in particular, the attendant should 

 keep the possibility of thorns specially in mind: their presence 

 is often mistaken for sprain. The greater tenderness over some 

 small spot should excite suspicion, and cause a search to be made. 



Treatment. — Close cHp the affected part, or even go to the 

 extent of shaving it, in order to find the foreign body. Enlarge 

 the opening with a lancet and extract the offender. Apply the 

 Elliman's to the wound as well as all round it, and, if it is not 

 distinctly relieved next day, put on poultices to induce the 

 remainder of the thorn to come out. If all is got out at the 

 first attempt it will need no other treatment than the Elliman's. 



