284- COMPENDIUM OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



When a horse returns from exercise or 

 work, his feet should be carefully picked 

 out and vvaslied ; and if the hoof be dry and 

 brittle, feeling hot, and appearing contracted, 

 a mixture of cow-dung and soft clay should 

 be applied to the soles. The horse's heels 

 also require attention ; and if any small ulcer 

 or crack, as it is termed, be observed, or if 

 they be tender, swollen, or smell offensively, 

 the proper remedies should be immediately 

 applied. These things, however, very rarely 

 happen when the groom does his duty. It 

 should be remembered, that when a horse is 

 chano-incr his coat, that is, about the latter 

 end of September, and beginning of Oc- 

 tober, he is more susceptible of cold than 

 at any other time ; and as the coat then 

 falls off so readily, the curry-comb should 

 be laid aside, and the horse exposed as little 

 ^s possible to cold or rain. Moderately warm 

 clothing, and frequent hand-rubbing to the 

 legs, will be found highly useful at this time. 

 When these precautions are neglected, horses 

 often become weak and unlit for much work, 

 sweating profusely from moderate exercise, 

 and sometimes purging: troublesome cough 

 and staring coat generally accompany these 



