52 HOESE CLOTHING MNEN BANDAGES. 



Many other substances have been tried, and various expedients 

 resorted to ; but cow's dung after all is tte best available agent 

 for the purpose. Pads made of felt are used in some establish- 

 ments. These pads are soaked in water, and (while wet) are 

 firmly packed to the foot, within the rim of the shoe. The 

 plan, however, is not a good one. The wet from the pads is 

 absorbed too quickly; and instead of the hoofs being made 

 pliable and tough, the evaporation goes on with such rapidity, 

 that the horn is left brittle, and iu some respects worse than 

 before. Moist felt pads are occasionally of service applied to 

 the feet, when those organs are iaflamed, and the application of 

 water as a fomentation is necessary. 



During the summer season, the fore feet of horses should 

 be stuffed every second night ; and during the winter season, 

 twice a week. Prior to shoeing the animal, the feet should be 

 stuffed at least two nights in succession. 



Horse Clothing. — Horse clothing in part comprises woollen 

 rugs, surcingle, and woollen bandages. In every full-appointed 

 stable, however, suits of properly fitting clothing will be found 

 in addition to the articles named. A complete suit of clothing 

 for a horse, consists of hood, breast cloth, body cloth, or body 

 sheet, pad for ditto, surcingle, and knee caps. Whether these 

 several articles are procured or not, it is at least necessary to 

 have for every horse, two large woollen rugs, one surcingle, one 

 set of woollen bandages, and one set of linen bandages ; while, 

 during the winter season, a small wooUen rug or two in addition 

 will at times prove of signal service. In short, where a good 

 groom is kept, plenty of horse clothing will always be carefully 

 used, as well as held in readiness for extra occasions. 



Linen Bandages. — Linen bandages are indispensable where 

 one or more horses are kept. They are beneficial when soaked 

 in cold water, and while wet, folded around the limbs. Wet 



