GR£AS£. 291 



These are known by the name of grapes. A fastid and very j; b 

 culiar exudation proceeds from nearly the whole of the imnatural 

 substance. The horse evidently suffers much, and is gradually 

 worn down by the discharge. The assistance of a veterinary sur 

 geon is here indispensable. 



Some horses are more subject to grease than others, particu- 

 larly draft horses, both heavy and Ught, but especially the former, 

 and if they have no degree of blood in them. It was the experi- 

 ence of this which partly contributed to the gradual change ol 

 coach and other draught horses to those of a lighter breed. In 

 the great majority of cases, grease arises from mismanagement 

 and neglect. 



"Want of exercise, high feeding and want of exercise, want of 

 cleanliness, and dirty stables are among the causes of it. The 

 absurd practice of washing the feet and legs of horses when they 

 come from their work, and either carelessly sponging them down 

 afterwards, or leaving them to dry as they may, is, however, the 

 most common oiigin of grease. 



When the horse is warmed by his work, and the heels share 

 in the warmth, the momentary cold of washing may noi be inju- 

 rious, if the animal is immediately rubbed dry ; yet even this 

 would be better avoided : but to wash out the heeis, and then 

 leave them partially dry or perfectly wet, and suffering from the 

 extreme cold that is produced by evaporation from a moist and 

 wet surface, is the most absurd, dangerous, and injurious practice 

 that can be imagined. It is worse when the post-horse or the 

 plough-horse is plunged up to his belly in the river or pond, 

 immediately after his work. The owner is little aware how 

 many cases of inflammation of the lungs, and bowels, and feet, 

 and heels follow. After they have been suffered to stand for 

 twenty minutes in the stable, during which time the horse-keeper 

 or the carter may be employed in taking care of the harness, oi 

 carriage, or beginning to dress the horse, the greater part of the 

 dirt which had collected about the heels may be got rid of with 

 a dry brush ; and the rest wUl disappear a quarter of an hour 

 afterwards under the operation of a second brushing. The trouble 

 will not be great, and the heels will not be chilled and subject to 

 inflammation. 



Their has been some dispute as to the propriety of cutting the 

 hair from the heels. Custom has very properly retained the hair 

 on our farm-horses. Nature would not have given it, had it not 

 been useful. It guards the heel from being injured by the in- 

 equahties of the pjoughed field ; it prevents the dirt in which the 

 heels are constantly enveloped, from reaching and caking on, 

 and irritating the skin ; it hinders the usual moisture which b 

 mixed with the clay and mould from reaching the skin, and it 



