LAMENESS. 331 
place around it, and noting every triviality whenever any unusual move- 
ment gives intimation to the animal that something is about to be at- 
tempted, will readily allow the need there is for excessive caution. The 
horse may comprehend nothing, but it is not, therefore, the less to be 
propitiated. Its terror has to be soothed and its confidence has to be 
gained; the last is soonest won by avoiding anything which possibly 
might excite the first. 
Always have the heat of the water ascertained by a thermometer. 
Sensation is only a relative test with regard to the presence or absence 
of warmth; were it not so, the coarse hand of a groom, nevertheless, 
might easily endure that degree of temperature which should pain the 
foot and leg of a horse. Let the fluid in the first instance stand at 70°; 
after the animal has entered the bath, gradually and without noise in- 
crease the temperature up to 90°. 
At that standard the water ought to be maintained; the hoof should 
remain soaking from four to six hours at each operation; the groom, 
doubtless, will complain of having frequently to fetch warm water, and 
when not so employed, of being obliged to watch a thermometer; but 
the present book is not written to please the likings of any individual. 
To contribute to the welfare of the horse is the object of the writer; 
that he has not unnecessarily imposed an irksome duty upon any human 
being, the purpose for which the bath is introduced into the stable should 
be sufficient evidence. 
The horse’s hoof is of considerable thickness; it is far from unusual 
with stablemen to saturate the healthy hoof with various greasy prep- 
arations; therefore it will require some time before the heat and water 
can soften that which is, as it were, prepared to resist their action. The 
hoof should be rendered perceptibly soft when the object is to relieve a 
painful lameness; the warmth and moisture should not only saturate 
the covering to the foot, but should also soothe the internal structures. 
The pressure of the horn may thus be mitigated, and the deep-seated 
inflammation likewise be ameliorated. 
When the bath is removed, the foot should not be left exposed to the 
air, as the horn then quickly dries; it soon becomes harsh and brittle. 
In this condition, it is likely to do more injury to the sensitive parts 
than good was anticipated as the consequence of its immersion. The 
hoof, when taken from the water, should be incased in warm and air- 
proof bandages—the intention being to retain the heat, while evapora- 
tion ig prevented. The bandages likewise answer another purpose; 
they protect the foot, which, being without a shoe, and covered by horn 
that has been deprived of its resistant property, is therefore much ex- 
posed to accidents. 
