INJURY TO HORSES ON A SEA-PASSAGE. 
261 
beam overhead. This plan is, I fear, to be considered more 
cruel than useful. The system I generally pursue is to place 
the mare (if the case is at all likely to be protracted) under 
an open shed, tying her head to the manger or rack, and 
supporting her by two sacks, with ropes attached, under the 
belly, the latter being fastened to a beam. I prefer to have 
a partition on the off side, to prevent swerving, the assistant 
being placed on the near side. I then put immediately behind 
her a strong, four-post, wooden cow-crib, which admirably 
answers many purposes. First, it keeps the mare from 
backing, and second, by the operator standing in it he is 
perfectly safe during his manipulations from injury. 
I was first induced to try this when in attendance on a very 
vicious mare, and prefer it to the use of the hobbles, especially 
as it forms an excellent elevator for those who, like myself, 
do not rejoice in lofty stature, which, with tall mares, is an 
important consideration. It also forms a very convenient 
stage for placing at your feet any cords, instruments, medical 
agents, or other et ceieras that may be required, for it is too 
often the case, if these are committed to the care of bvstand- 
ers, they are not to be found when wanted. 
INJURY TO HORSES ON A SEA-PASSAGE.— 
FRACTURE OF THE OCCIPITAL BONE. 
By H. W. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford. 
On the 7th of last month the steamer cs Gipsy” arrived here 
from Bristol, having on board the No. 8 Battery of Royal Artil¬ 
lery, amountingto about ahundred horses. The passage across 
the Channel was one of the most tempestuous ever known. As 
many of the horses were on deck, these were necessarily 
more exposed to the violence of the storm than those placed 
in the hold of the ship, while those stationed forward” were 
of course worse off than their neighbours in midships. 
During the passage the temporary board roofing which 
sheltered the animals forward was blown off, and many of 
them became restive and got loose. I was told that as many 
as thirty horses were untied and knocking about the deck. 
Two unfortunately became so much injured that they were 
incapable of resuming the position generally maintained on 
board ship. This caused them to struggle violently, during 
which their heads became frightfully injured, and also their 
bodies, arising from their efforts to rise and the trampling of 
their comrades. 
