CRACKED HEELS. 65 



bandage itself, it must be still worse in the narrow 

 fold of the tape. The joint, therefore, seems to 

 me to be the best and proper place for the tape to 

 be tied, being less susceptible of pressure than the 

 tendons. 



This method of tying bandages was shown me 

 many years ago by a friend whose opinion on such 

 matters is worth having. It is, however, but 

 rarely that one sees it adopted. It is no easy 

 matter to put on a bandage properly and neatly, 

 and requires care and practice. 



After exercise, woollen bandages should always 

 be put on for a time, and should be rolled well into 

 the hollow of the heel, thus serving to absorb any 

 sweat, as well as any damp, which may remain if 

 the legs are wet or have been washed, which latter, 

 by-the-bye, they never should be. 



Horses' heels are more or less damp after 

 exercise, and sweat very readily runs into the hollows 

 and collects there, and is liable, if left to dry 

 itself, to cause cracked heels, which are difficult 

 and troublesome to cure. 



I do not, of course, wish it to be supposed that 

 bandaging should take the place of drying by hand, 

 but only as an additional precaution against 

 cracked heels. Some horses are very predisposed 

 to cracked heels, but thoroughbred horses are, 



5 



