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Horse Minor Injuries
These occur where an ill-fitting or loose girth rubs the horse'sside. They may occur in soft, fat animals just up from grass. Theinjured area should be treated with a saline solution or an anti-biotic powder. To prevent repetition the girth must he kept cleanand soft, and should fit the horse without pinching or rubbing andwith the underlying skin being flat and free from wrinkles. Thearea in which girth galls are likely to occur can be hardened by thetopical application of methylated spirit. The horse should not besaddled again until the girth galls are quite healed.
Sore buck
This is sometimes caused by a dirty or ill-fitting saddle ornumnah. It may, on occasions, be caused by bad riding. Thetreatment and prevention is the same as for girth galls withparticular care that both the saddle and numnah, if used, fitcorrectly.
Over-reach
This injury occurs when the heels of the forefeet are struck by thetoes of the hind feet. There are a number of reasons for this but itusually happens when horses are ridden too fast and out ofcontrol, or when the tired horse is galloped through deep ordifficult going. It is of course also sustained as an accident whennone of these conditions is responsible. Prevention is bestachieved by avoiding these circumstances. Surgical shoeing mayhelp and the fitting of over-reach boots is very effective.
Treatment of an over-reach is the same as for any contusedwound.
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