Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-12-11
0fericIIhlral department
SORE SHOULDERS IN HORSES.

Some horses have very tender skins.
which are exeOriSted BY the slightest
friction; these animals. if not carefully
watched. will suffer from sore shoulders.
saddle-galls. and. in fact. will display
raw places in various parts Of the body
which come in contact with the harness.
The carter does not see the necessity
for keeping she animal in the stable be-
cause he has. in hOrsemans parlance,
''lost leather" to slight extent He
knows that be would not be allowed to
skulk himself under such circumstances.
and. therefore. the horse is put to work.
the abraded part being protected by
pad Of some sort ; an old handkerchief
or rubber folded Is often made to do
duty for more appropriate material.
During the movements Of the animal
the wound is most probably made more
extensive. little bleeding occurs. and
a very unpleasant appearance Is eOnse-
quently presented to the locker On-an
ugly wound in the shoulder or elsewhere
and a rough bandage round the collar
or other part Of the harness, and smear
ed with blood. In such . case it Is not
difficult TO prove that the horse was
cruelty treated. and both the driver and
the owner are eensured or hned.- and
perhaps they deserve it only as a pun
ishment for their want Of care and at
tention to the feelings Of q sensitive
public. With proper management. we'll
fitting collars and harness. and to the
use occasionally Of a little sstringent
lotion. the abrasions which are so CON-
mon and so unsightly in working horses
need never reach a condition to attract
attention or interfere with the ANIMAL
comfort in his work. A properly fitted
collar and harness are. Of coarse, abso-
lutely essential; but it will happen DOW
and then. in spite Of care. that abrasions
occur At first the injury is very slight
the shoulder OF vithers are ''vrung a
little" aud nothing is thought Of the
matter until the injury IS repeated. anC
the results become more apparent Cor
respondents frequently inquire what
remedies are most effective. not only il
the treatment Of sore shoulders AM
similar injuries. but also for their pre-
vention. same horses are PARTICULAR,
prone to suffer excoriatiOn on the slight
est provocation. and 10 care in arrang
ing the harness will suffice at times {
prevent the occurrence. In such case
the daily use Of hardening duid t
the most exposed parts Of the skin wi
: be beneficial. aud for the purpose moth
ing is better than Sir William Burnett
" disinfecting fluid, Chloride of zinc
? diluted with fifty parts Of water.
soft brush or piece Of sponge tied on
y stick will he convenient instrumer
= with which to apply the lotion.
Very slight sbrasions Of the should'
= or other parts MAJ be treated success
fully with the same lotion; but if Il
" injury Ia. been severe. and the part
swollen and tender. lamentations
e warm water must be employed in Il
~ first instance. and when the tumefacti,
NC has subsidized the astringent lotion shOu
- be used.
-- 10 all cases some means must be d
> devised to prevent pressure on the abra
- ed part until healing is perfectly col
= pleted. IL this cannot be done the hor
- must be rested. or put to work viii
" does not necessitate the use Of harnt
in contact with the seat Of injury duri
the cure.-Agrieultlfral Gazette.