606 
CARE OF THE TROOP HORSE. 
useful remedy in all such cases, and I have found it excellent in cases 
of sprains. 
Cracked Cracked heels give trouble at times, they come from draughts in 
ee8 ' stables on badly dried heels, and rarely happen when horses are 
picketed out; they should be kept clean and fomented, then dried up 
with a little astringent lotion, ointments are greasy and pick up dust. 
If the cracks become inflamed and appear greasy, poultice for two or 
three nights to get out the inflammation, and then dress. A carrot 
poultice is the best for this, carrots are very soothing. Treat rope galls 
in the same way. Grease in general means neglect and dirt. 
Sore Backs. Sore backs should but very rarely occur with the present saddles and 
blankets; in India, syces exercising horses will give them sore backs from 
riding bare back. This should not be allowed, they should always be 
made to fold a blanket in four, or use the numnahs. 
If saddles be properly fitted and valise properly packed, or kits 
rolled and put in an arch and not flat, the centre straps being well 
taken up, sore backs can but very rarely occur. 
Fitting Sore withers may occur if saddles are badly fitted, and saddle fitting 
Saddles. ^ ag a ru ] e ^ not properly carried out. To fit a saddle the rider must be 
mounted in the saddle, the officer fitting the saddle should stand in 
front, and the horse's fore legs should be brought forward with the 
knees bent one after the other. The hand should then be passed 
under the front of the side bars of the saddle and gullet to feel if there 
be any great pressure; if there be, change the saddle, for this pressure, 
if on the withers, will give a sore wither, if at the points of the 
shoulders, will check the action of the shoulders and cause the horse to 
fall. Horses will change very much in a year at the withers, and all 
saddles should be refitted yearly or half-yearly; saddles are issued of 
different sizes at the gullet. 
Girth galls, except in the case of horses malformed, or with very round 
ribs like Arabs, will rarely occur when horses are fit and in good con¬ 
dition, but often when they are soft. 
Girths. No horse can, as a rule, be properly girthed up in the stable when 
the saddle is first put on, added to which all horses empty themselves 
when they first come out, therefore all girths should be re-adjusted after 
the first 10 or 15 minutes drill or march. Leather girths should be 
systematically dubbed every fortnight, and a few cape girths should be 
carried in every troop, to be used when necessary ; when the cape girths 
are used don't forget to leave off the surcingle, or the remedy will be 
worse than the ill. 
Collar Gails Collar galls and harness galls will not often give trouble if horses be 
and cSS e88 hard and fit. A few pads of different sizes, with ties attached, should 
be carried always ready. If at every halt all horses are really well 
examined, but few bad galls can happen, and all ranks should see to 
this. 
Harness should be kept as soft and pliable as possible, nose-bags, 
shoe pockets, and T bits are very liable to rub, but by taking up or 
letting out a hole at the halt you can easily save the chafe before any 
great damage is done; neither on service would you probably carry 
nose-bags or "f bits rolled. 
