FLANNEL BANDAGES. 49 



half-an-hour's rest between, and not oftener than three times a week, 

 will generally be as much as a race horse, rendered infirm by a sprain, 

 can safely stand. If he shows signs of heat or tenderness after a 

 ■' spin," it should not be repeated till these symptoms have disap- 

 peared. The ground on which such " screws " ought to be worked, 

 .-hould be soft, springy, free from inequalities, and up a gentle in- 

 cline. Hard, " holding," or slippery ground is particularly unsuit- 

 able. If the horse is used for heavy draught, he ought to be shod 

 with calkins ; if for light harness or saddle-work, his toes should be 

 kept low and his heels allowed to grow down a little, or he may be 

 shod with thick-heeled shoes, if his heels are naturally weak, so that. 

 in any case, the slope of his fore feet, to the front, may not be less 

 than 50° ; and that of the hind not less than 55*^. 



If the leg " fills " after work, the best means to keep it fine 

 is to hand-rub (p. 666) it well when the horse returns to its stable, 

 and to apply a cotton wadding bandage (p. 45), which should be 

 removed, and the leg again hand-rubbed before the animal is taken 

 out. For further remarks on this subject, see pages 51 and 52. 



FLANNEL BANDAGES.— Flannel bandages are useful for 

 giving pressure, affording support, and keeping up the temjoerature 

 of the part in cases of the sprains which we are considering. For 

 stable use, a bandage should be about 8 ft. long and 4J in. wide. 

 It should be of thick, close material, similar to that used for cricket- 

 ing trousers. Serge should not be employed, as its texture is too 

 harsh. Bandages, specially made, with a selvage on each side, can 

 be obtained from any saddler. They are, however, often too short, 

 too thin, and too wide. A bandage to be ready for immediate use 

 sliould be wound up with the tapes inside. When about to j^ut it 

 on, we should unroll 6 or 8 inches of it, and lay this loose portion 

 obliquely across the outside of the leg, close to the knee, with the 

 end reaching to about the centre of that joint, and the rolled-up part 

 turned to the outside, and directed downwards and forwards. The 

 bandaging should be continued down to, and around the fetlock and 

 upper part of the pastern, and brought close up below the knee. 

 The loose end is then turned down, and the folds of the bandage 

 carried over it. The tapes are tied a little above the centre of the 

 cannon bone. By this method, no twists need be taken in the 

 bandage, which will lie close. 



If a bandage is used at fast work, as in the case of a hunter ot 

 race horse, some nicety of arrangement is requisite in order to 

 prevent the inner end of the bandage working free. This accident 

 is apt to occur, especially with an elastic bandage, when the animal 

 is galloping, if it is put on in the ordinary manrer. When the 

 bandage thus becomes unrolled, and remains attached to the leg 



4 



