it. When there is merely tenderness without any abrasion of the skin, it should in the first place be well fomented with water as hot as can be borne, which will speedily reduce inflammation; after which, strong salt and water are the best thing, to which a small quantity of vinegar may be added. Should the injury unfortunately occur in such a part as to preclude the possibility of" chambering," there is, of course, nothing for it but to give rest from the saddle for a few days: it would be bad policy to run the risk of rendering a horse unfit for work for a month or two, or possibly for the remainder of the season, for the sake of one or two days' hunting. Those horses whose shoulders are not sufficiently well-formed to keep the saddle quite free from motion are much more subject to sore backs than others; but those saddles which are fabricated by first-rate makers, and are always well dried and brushed after use, will very rarely cause any injury.

SPEEDY CUT.

Like

Speedy cut, like cutting, is an injury inflicted on one leg in consequence of its being struck by the opposite foot; it is, however, much less frequently met with, and is proportionably more dangerous, and its consequences more to be dreaded when it does occur. cutting, it is commonly a sign either of defective formation of the limbs, or weakness, or both. A horse that has once been guilty of it should always have the part protected for the future, as, like all other wounds, when once established, the least thing will keep it going, and a callous substance is easily formed on that part. The best form of boot is an elastic one, to lace up the leg from the fetlock joint to the knee, with a stout piece of leather extending upwards on the inside of the leg, for the purpose of affording protection to that side of the knee joint.

STRAINS.

These are frequently very serious injuries, requiring a length of time attending, with proper medical treatment, to get rid of. Indeed, it often happens that a perfect cure cannot be established without having recourse to blisters, or even the actual cautery. It is at times no easy matter to tell how or when the injury has been done, as it will not become apparent till the horse begins to get cool. I had a strong instance of this one day with a horse of my own. I had gone into a house for the purpose of obtaining some luncheon, after having had a run with hounds, leaving my horse with a countryman, with instructions to lead him about during the time; and at that moment I would have warranted him sound. Upon looking out of the window, however, a few minutes afterwards, I perceived to my astonishment that my horse was almost reduced to three legs. I became considerably alarmed, as upon minute examination I could discover no difference between the legs, which would lead me to suppose that anything was amiss there, nor was I at that time able to perceive any heat or swelling about the affected one. Upon arriving at home (from whence fortunately I was only about three miles distant) I immediately dispatched a messenger for the nearest veterinary surgeon, by which time, as the horse had had time to become thoroughly cool, it was apparent that the fetlock joint of one of the fore legs had

received a violent strain. The first object naturally must be to reduce the inflammation, which will be very considerable in the neighbourhood of the injured part. To this end, our old ally, fomentation, long continued and oft repeated, must be called into requisition; and a poultice may be applied, if the situation will admit of its being adjusted. Some persons also make use of local bleeding; it can do no harm, and I am disposed to doubt its doing much good. A dose of physic may be given with manifest advantage, as it will have a tendency to cool the general habit. Cooling applications must next be made use of freely, as nothing further can be effected till the inflammation has completely subsided; after which it will be seen whether it be necessary to resort to stimulants or not. Should the lameness have disappeared without them, the limb must be allowed some little time to regain its accustomed strength, before the horse is again put to hard work. A bandage kept constantly moist with strong salt and water will materially assist in this.

Weakness of the back sinews is in some measure allied to strains, and must be subjected to something like the same description of treatment. Salt and water bandages will be of essential service, as indeed they will in all cases of weakness or enlargement of the legs. Firing I believe to be the only radical cure; but I only profess to treat of what may be effected by stable management. An elastic boot, of much the same description as has been already recommended, when speaking of speedy cut, will assist the leg materially. After all what is the chief benefit to be derived from firing in these cases, except that it forms a natural and permanent bandage, by causing a certain contraction of the skin over the weak part? Consequently, whatever will act in the same way cannot but be attended with some virtue. The thing principally needed is additional support to the debilitated sinews and muscles of the legs: moderate and equal pressure is what they are mostly in want of; and this can be obtained by the use of an elastic boot, reaching from the knee to the fetlock, and lacing up the outside of the leg. I do not offer this as a substitute for firing, when a horse can be thrown on one side for any considerable length of time, but simply as a means by which many may be kept on in their work, or it may be applied with good effect even after that operation has been performed.

STUBS AND THORNS

May be ranked amongst the most common sources of lameness to which hunters are liable. I need hardly say that when they are found, and no pains should be spared in searching for them, they should forthwith be taken out. Should it, however, prove very difficult to extract them at night, it may be as well not to harass the animal when wearied by his day's work, as by applying a poultice they will probably come out more easily in the morning; and when they are once out, the cure follows with ease and expedition. It not unfrequently happens, however, that the most minute search is unable to discover any thorn, and the horse is set down as irrecoverably lame, to the no small chagrin of his owner. After the lapse of some months a gathering will be observed, for which no cause can be assigned, and eventually a large thorn will be ejected, putting the

disconsolate owner at rest, if he has not been induced to part with the animal previously in despair. It should be remembered that these gatherings often form several times before the cause of them makes its appearance. When, therefore, they occur, they had better be encouraged as much as possible by the application of poultices, &c. When thorns or stubs are very deeply seated, or much in the vicinity of veins, sinews, &c., the safest plan is to call in the assistance of the veterinary surgeon, as a knowledge of anatomy may be required. The stubs from their size are more formidable, and will oftener stand in need of veterinary science than thorns. In some countries, especially those where many hop poles are cut, the most surprising thing is, that every horse is not lamed by them. I believe the best method at such times is to permit the horse to pick his own way as much as possible; this, however, requires considerable nerve.

THICK WIND.

This is an ailment which is not very frequently met with among the superior descriptions of horses, except when an accompaniment of chronic cough. Horses, whose pipes are not quite so clear as could be desired, should be treated in much the same manner as has already been laid down for that complaint. Linseed, either mixed whole with the oats or made into tea, will be found beneficial in most instances. They must of course be kept more than usually short of water before going with hounds.

WEAKNESS OF THE HOUGHS.

By this is to be understood any injuries of a minor description which may affect this joint, and which for the most part partake more or less of the nature of thorough-pin. I have experienced some benefit by causing the heel of the shoe to be made as thick again as the toe, or raising the heels by means of a strong calking. I have also made use of bandages of sufficient length to admit of their being swathed round the houghs as well as the lower part of the legs, only taking care to leave the point of the joint at liberty, so as not to incommode the horse in lying down, and fancy that they have been productive of benefit. The plan of raising the heel may also be used in cases of weakness of the back sinews.

PLATE II.

SHOOTING ON THE MOORS.

ENGRAVED BY J. B. SCOTT, FROM A PAINTING BY A. COOPER, R.a.

There is scarcely a viler character in existence than a pot-hunting sportsman; at least, that is to say, in the way of parenthesis, if such a designation does not carry with it the chorus of the old comic song, "a plump contradiction;" for, be it known, that a dog and gun, per se, no more constitute a real sportsman, than gold or silver do a