CHAPTER V.

THE HORSE.

In nearly all ages and countries, the horse has been the devoted

servant, and the object of the pride and affection of man. Among the

semi-civilized Tartars of Middle and Northern Asia; the aborigines of

our remote Western prairies, reaching even beyond the Rocky Mountains,

and many other rude nations, his flesh is used for food. Most of the

tribes among the former use the milk for domestic purposes, and

especially when fermented and changed to an unpleasantly sour and

intoxicating beverage. But throughout the civilized world, with some

slight exceptions, the horse is useful only for his labor. For this

purpose he is pre-eminently fitted by his compact, closely-knit frame;

his sinewy, muscular limbs; his easy, rapid stride; his general form,

and entire structure and habits.

He is found in his wild condition in Central Asia, Siberia, and the

interior of Africa; and for 300 years he has been turned loose to follow

his native instincts on the illimitable pampas of South America, and the

wide-spread prairies of Mexico and California. In all these regions he

closely resembles the medium varieties of the domesticated horse; but as

the natural result of his freedom, he possesses more fire and spirit

than any other, except the blood-horse.

Arabia is generally claimed as the original native locality of the

horse, and as the only source from which he is to be derived in the

requisite perfection for the highest improvement of the race. But

Strabo, who wrote more than 1,800 years ago, asserts that the horse did

not then flourish in Arabia, and it was not till some centuries later

that he attained any decided superiority there. Great attention,

however, has been paid in that country, since the era of Mahomet, to

breeding a light, agile, and enduring frame; intelligence and

tractability of character; and the perpetuation of these qualities by

the most scrupulous regard for the purity of blood.

This is equally true of the Barb or pure-bred horse of Morocco, and

those of the northern coast of Africa, in Egypt, among the Turks, and

indeed wherever the followers of the Prophet are to be found. It is

unquestionable, that the influence of the Eastern blood among the

choicest animals of modern Europe, has been followed by great

improvements in racing stock. Yet it is equally certain, that the

race-horse, both of England and the United States, has accomplished what

has never been demonstrated as within the ability of their progenitors;

and on repeated trials with the Eastern horses, he has shown himself

confessedly their superior in speed, strength, and endurance.

In 1825, two English horses ran against the two fleetest Cossacks which

could be found throughout the entire region of their best blood, and in

a continued race of 47 miles, the European took the stakes; Sharper, the

most successful, performing the distance in 2 hours and 48 minutes.

About the same time, Recruit, an English horse of moderate reputation,

easily beat Pyramus, the best Arabian on the Bengal side of India.

The Leeds, the Darley, and the Godolphin Arabian; the Lister and

D'Arcey's White Turk, and other noted Eastern horses, would not compare

in performance with many of their descendants. But these, with some

other choice Arabians, on the best mares, and with every advantage for

obtaining celebrity, have succeeded in establishing a fame as just as it

has been enduring. Yet it must at the same time be remembered, that of

the innumerable other pure-bred horses which have been tried in Europe,

a few only have rescued their names from oblivion.

The experience of Eastern blood in this country, in comparison with the

best English, is decidedly in favor of the latter. We have had one horse

of unsurpassed excellence, which a fortunate accident threw upon our

shores a short time previous to 1770. This was the white Barb _Ranger_,

which was presented by the Emperor of Morocco, as the choice of his

stud, to an English naval officer for some distinguished service. On his

route homeward, the animal was set on shore for exercise at an

intermediate port, where in his gambols he broke three of his legs, and

thinking him worthless, his owner gave him to the commander of a New

England merchantman, then present. He was readily accepted, and placed

in slings on board of his vessel, and recovered.

This animal stood for many years, in the eastern part of Connecticut;

and on their good mares, produced a numerous progeny of unrivalled

cavalry horses, which rendered invaluable services in the troop

commanded by that consummate partisan, Captain (afterwards General) Lee,

of the Revolution. It is said the favorite white field-horse of General

Washington was of the same stock. He was afterwards sold to Captain

Lindsey, as a special favor, and taken, to Virginia, where he produced

some good racers.

Bussorah, a small sorrel horse, brought into this country in 1819, from

the head of the Persian Gulf, got many choice roadsters, though no

racers of celebrity.

The Narraganset pacers, a race belonging to our Northern states, but for

many years almost extinct, possessed for a long time an unrivalled

reputation for spirit, endurance, and easy rapid motion under the

saddle. They are said to have originated from a Spanish horse, many of

which are pure descendants of the Barb.

As an offset to these isolated examples of success in this country, we

have numerous instances of the importation of the best Orientals, which

have been extensively used on some of our superior mares, without any

marked effect. We shall refer to three prominent importations only.

The first consisted of two choice Arabians, or Barbs, selected in Tunis

by General Eaton, and sent to his estate in Massachusetts. The second

was a present of four choice Barbs, from the Emperor of Morocco to our

government, in 1830; and the third consisted of two Arabians, sent by

the Imaum of Muscat, near the Persian Gulf, to our government in 1840.

These were all claimed to be, and no doubt were, of the pure Kochlani,

the unadulterated line royal; yet none have earned any distinguished

reputation, either by their own performances or those of their

descendants.

It is to England we are mainly indebted for the great improvement in our

blood, road, and farm horses. A numerous race of fine horses was reared

on that island, long previous to its authentic history; for, in his

first invasion Julius Caesar took many of them to Rome, where they

immediately became great favorites, although she had already plundered

every region of some of their best breeds.

What might have been the particular merit of the English horse at the

time of the Norman invasion, is not known, but it is certain that the

Saxon cavalry under Harold were speedily overpowered by William, at the

battle of Hastings, which at once secured the throne to the Conqueror.

History first informs us of the improvement of British horses, by

importations from abroad during this reign, which consisted of a number

of Spanish stallions. These were supposed to be strongly imbued with the

Arabian blood, which had been brought over to that country by the Moors,

who had founded the Saracenic empire in the Peninsula, three centuries

before. More than a century later, John made some importations from

Flanders, to give weight and substance to their draught and cavalry

horses. The improvement of their various breeds was afterwards pursued,

with more or less judgment and zeal, by other British monarchs, till

they reached their highest excellence during the middle of the last

century.

Flying Childers, Eclipse, Highflyer, and others on the course, have

probably exceeded in speed anything ever before accomplished; while the

draught-horse, the roadster, the hackney, the cavalry-horse, and the

hunter, attained a merit at that time which some judicious authorities

claim has not been since increased. It is even asserted, that some of

the more serviceable breeds have been seriously injured by too great an

infusion of the blood; while the almost universal absence of long heats

on the turf has tended to the improvement of speed rather than bottom in

the race-horse.

The improvement of the horse in this country has not been a matter of

record or history, till within a comparatively recent period. But it has

silently, and with no little rapidity, been going forward for more than

a century, till we have obtained a race of animals, throughout the

Eastern and Middle states at least, which probably equal those of any

other country for adaptedness to draught, the road, and the saddle. This

improvement has been mainly brought about by the importation of some of

the _best and stoutest of the English blood_. In breeding from these for

purposes of utility, particular reference has been paid to strength,

enduringness, and speed. No horses surpass our best four-mile bloods;

none equal our trotters; and though much inequality exists in those bred

for various other uses, yet for profitable service, it is believed, no

equal number of animals elsewhere can exceed those in the region above

indicated.

It would be a superfluous task to attempt enumerating all the imported

horses that have contributed to this improvement. Each good animal has

done something. But among the earlier horses which may be named with

distinction, as having effected much for our useful beasts, are Lath,

Wildair, Slender, Sourkrout, Tallyho, Figure, Bay Richmond, Expedition,

Baronet, and a host of others.

Pre-eminent among these, was imported Messenger. He was foaled in 1780,

imported in 1788, and died in 1808. He stood in different places in New

Jersey, and in Dutchess, Westchester, and Queens counties in New York;

and upon the mares derived from the foregoing and other good horses, he

got a numerous progeny of illustrious descendants. Of these we may name

those capital stallions, Potomac, Hamlintonian, Bay Figure, Engineer,

Mambrino, Tippoo Saib, Columbus, Gunn's, and Bushe's Messenger, and many

others, which were extensively disseminated over the Northern and Middle

states; and he has the credit of imparting a large share of his merits

to that nonpareil of horses, his grandson, American Eclipse. His

posterity were so numerous and widely spread, that it may be safely

asserted, that of the best horses bred in the above states, scarcely one

can now be found which does not trace one or more crosses to this

distinguished sire. His success in producing roadsters, besides his

blood qualities of speed and endurance, consisted in his great strength,

and the peculiar formation of his limbs, large forehand and deep

quarters, in which he excelled any other of the imported bloods.

As an illustration of what may be accomplished by judicious breeding

with the present materials in our hands, we mention one family of the

American roadster, which is strongly tinctured with blood, and which has

attained an enviable notoriety among the choicest of the Northern

horses. They are derived from the _Morgan horse_ of Vermont, that was

foaled in Springfield, Mass., in 1793. He was got by True Britton,

supposed to have been bred by Gen. Delancey of New York, and got by

imported Wildair, (or one of his sons,) a horse of such distinguished

excellence, as to have been re-exported to England, for the benefit of

his stock.

The Morgan horse stood in Vermont from 1795 till his death, at an

advanced age. From him and the choice mares of Vermont, descended many

excellent colts; and his merits were inherited in an eminent degree by

three of his sons, which stood in the same state and continued the

career of improvement commenced by the sire. The result has been the

production of a family of roadsters, of much similarity of

appearance[3] and uniformity of character, unsurpassed by any others

for serviceable qualities.

[3] Many of the Morgan horses have the steep rump and heavy breast and

neck, which indicate a Norman cross on the side of their dams. These

have been largely imparted through the French horse in the adjoining

Canadian settlements, but none of these are said to have characterized

the founder of the race.

They are of medium size, from 131/2 to 15 hands high; with a well-formed

head and neck; high withers; deep chest; round body; short back; long

quarters; broad flat legs; moderately small feet; long wavy mane and

tail; presenting altogether the beau ideal of the road horse. They are

spirited, docile, hardy, and easily kept. They have an easy, rapid trot,

and glide along with a good load, without clatter or apparent effort, at

the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour.

This family of horses has not of course been bred long enough within

themselves, to have attained to the eminence of a distinct breed. They

are mentioned, merely as a type of what the serviceable roadster ought

to be, and what he may become by the use of the proper instruments for

breeding. And if the materials already in our hands are intelligently

and perseveringly used, we can produce all we require of horse-flesh.

Besides our unsurpassed blood-horses, we have others derived from

various sources, and especially from the different English breeds, all

of which are variously compounded, with the first and with each other.

On our northeastern frontier, the _Canadian_ prevails, a bastard but not

degenerate race, made up of the French Norman and the English or

American. At the extreme South and West, we have the _horse of Spanish

origin_, obtained in his domestic state in Florida and Louisiana; and

from another branch of the Spanish, are descended the wild horses of

Mexico and the more northern prairies. These are diversified in

character, and generally possess medium size and merit.

The _Conestoga_, a heavy roadster, is principally reared in

Pennsylvania, and is used for the team and truck. He is an amalgamation

of several breeds, but probably owes a share of his character to the

Flemish horse, for which there was a decided partiality among the

numerous German emigrants of that state.

Several varieties of _ponies_ are to be found in different sections, but

principally among the French, the half-breed, and the Indians upon the

frontiers, who have bred a stunted race from the Canadian or wild-horse,

and such others as could survive the hard usage and scanty winter food

afforded by nature and their rude husbandry. Many of these have

considerable beauty and symmetry, and are fleet, hardy, and spirited.

[Illustration: Fig. 27.

Norman Horse.]

The _modern Norman_, or mixture of the old French Norman draught-horse,

(heavy-framed, big-limbed, but stout and hardy,) and the Andalusian, a

descendant of the Moorish barbs, has been introduced within a few years,

and will unquestionably become a very popular horse for many purposes.

He exhibits the qualities of both ancestry in the proper proportions for

farm service. He has a thick head; lively, prick ears; short, heavy

neck; large breast and shoulders; strong limbs; well-knit back; large

quarters, with much wavy mane, tail, and fetlock. Like his French

progenitor, he frequently stands low in the withers, which enables him

to throw great weight into the collar; and the diminished, flattened

leg, the wind and game derived from his Moorish blood, give him much of

the capacity and endurance of the thorough-bred.

The _English cart-horse_ has for a long time made up some of the best,

heavy dray-horses in the country, and late importations have refreshed

the breed with additional choice specimens. The _Cleveland bay_ has been

introduced of late, and promises good carriage-horses from our

well-spread, sizeable mares. The _Norfolk trotter Belfounder_ was

imported many years since, and with our high-bred mares, has produced

many choice roadsters and trotters.

The remainder of our horse-flesh deserving of any notice, is chiefly

composed of such as are superior in point of blood. The improvement in

the American horse, from this source, is conspicuous and decided.

Judicious breeders still look for qualities in the descendants, which

they sought for in their imported sires, and the infusion of some of the

stoutest of the blood is rapidly gaining an ascendency in the general

stock. Our intelligent agriculturists should look to this subject

closely, and not permit this system to proceed to an extent that may be

prejudicial to their value as draught-horses, as has been done in some

portions of England and our Southern states.

There is no danger from excess of blood, if it be of the right kind; but

it is seldom found combining that fulness and stoutness, and that

docility and tractableness of disposition, which are essential to the

gig-horse or the horse of all work. Yorke says truly, that "the

road-horse may possess different degrees of blood, according to the

nature of the country and the work required of him. [He might have added

with propriety, _and according to the character of the blood_.] His legs

will be too slender; his feet too small; his stride too long, and he

will rarely be able to trot. Three parts, or half, and for the horse of

all work, even less than that, will make a good and useful animal." For

the saddle only, the high-bred, if not disposed to be vicious, is never

objectionable to an enterprising and accomplished rider. His long

elastic pasterns, giving easy, flexible motions; his quick and almost

electrical obedience when under thorough discipline; his habitual canter

and high spirit, always commend him for this purpose.

[Illustration: Fig. 28.

Points of a Horse.

1. Muzzle.--2. Race.--3. Forehead.--4. Poll.--5. Crest.--6. Withers.--7.

Back.--8. Loins.--9. Hip.--10. Croup.--11. Dock.--12. Quarter.--13.

Thigh, or Gaskin.--14. Ham-string.--15. Point of the Hock.--16.

Cannon.--17. Fetlock.--18. Large Pastern.--19. Small Pastern.--20.

Hoof.--21. Coronet.--22. Ham, or Hock.--23. Sheath.--24. Flank.--25.

Girth.--26. Elbow.--27. Heel.--28. Hoof.--29. Small Pastern.--30. Large

Pastern.--31. Fetlock.--32. Cannon.--33. Knee.--34. Arm.--35. Breast, or

Bosom.--36. Point of the Shoulder.--37. Windpipe.--38. Gullet.--39.

Jowl.]

Some of the prominent external points of a fine Saddle or Gig Horse,

Are, a moderately small head, free from fleshiness; fine muzzle and

expansive nostrils; broad at the throat and wide between the eyes, which

denotes intelligence and courage; a dished face indicates high breeding,

and sometimes viciousness; a convex or Roman nose frequently betokens

the reverse; the ears rather long, yet so finely formed as to appear

small, and playing quickly like those of a deer; the eyes clear, full,

and confident, with a steady forward look. Glancing them backward or

askance with a sinister expression, and with none or only a slight

movement of the head, is indicative of a mischievous temper.

The neck should be handsomely arched, and fine at the junction with the

head, while the lower extremity must be full and muscular, and well

expanded at the breast and shoulders. The latter ought to be high and

run well back; the withers strong, firmly knit, and smooth; the breast

neither too prominent nor retreating, too wide nor too narrow, and

supported by a pair of straight fore-legs, standing well apart. The

chest should be deep, and the girth large; the body full, and not drawn

up too much in the flank; the back short, and the hips gathered well

towards the withers; the loins wide and rising above the spine; the ribs

springing nearly at right angles from the back, giving roundness to the

body. The hips ought to be long to the root of the tail, and the latter

may approach to near the line of the back, which is a mark of good

breeding.

Both the thigh and hock should be large and muscular; and between the

hock or knee and pastern, the legs should be broad, flat, and short; the

hind legs properly bent, and all well placed under the body; the

pasterns of moderate length, and standing slightly oblique; the hoof

hard, smooth, round before, and wide at the heel; the frog large and

sound; and the sole firm and concave. A white hoof is generally tender,

easy to fracture and to lame, and difficult to hold a shoe.

The _draught-horse_ ought to differ from the foregoing, in possessing a

heavier and shorter neck; a wider and stouter breast, and low withers,

so as to throw the utmost weight into the collar; a heavier body and

quarters; larger legs and feet; and more upright shoulders and pasterns.

Considerations which affect the Value of the Horse.

The color is not material, provided it be not pied or mealy. No better

color for horses can be found than the dark bay or brown, with black

mane, tail, and legs. But most of the other colors are frequently found

with the best horses.

Hard-mouthed horses, when accompanied with great spirit, are

objectionable, as they require peculiar bitting and the utmost

vigilance.

The paces and action of a horse are important, for if good they give a

much greater capacity for performance. Some of these depend on form and

structure, and are unchangeable; others are the result of breaking. All

horses should be taught to walk fast, as it is their easiest and most

economical pace, and it will help them over a great deal of ground in a

day, even with a heavy load, and with comparatively little effort. A

horse that steps short and digs his toes into the ground, is worthless

as a traveller, and suited only to a ferry-boat or bark-mill.

It is important that a horse be good-tempered. If inclined to

viciousness, he should be gently yet firmly managed when it is first

apparent. A resort to great severity will be justified, if necessary to

conquer him; for if once allowed to become a habit, it will be difficult

to cure him. Grooms and mischievous stable-boys, frequently do much

injury by their idle tricks with horses; and when detected, they should

be discharged at once.

Some horses are nervous, easily excited, and start at every unusual

noise or object. Others are restive and fretful, and ever anxious to be

on the move. Kindness, and firm, yet mild treatment, by which their

motions and will are at all times controlled, and their confidence

secured, are the only remedies.

Others are inclined to sluggishness. These should have stimulating food,

and never be overloaded or overworked, and then kept well to their

paces. Whatever they are capable of performing, can be got from them in

this way only. Habit has great influence with animals, as with man; and

when within the compass of his ability, he may be habituated to any

reasonable physical exertion.

Breeding.

Agreeably to the general principles before enumerated, such animals

should be selected, as most eminently possess those points which it is

desired to propagate, and these, they should not only exhibit in

themselves, but should inherit as far as possible, from a long line of

ancestry. For the perpetuation of particular points in progeny, it would

be safer to rely on the latter quality than the former.

The selection of a mare, relatively larger than the horse, is an

important rule in breeding, and it is believed that much of the success

of Arabian and other Eastern horses as stock-getters, has resulted from

the application of this principle. They possess valuable traits, but

condensed within too small a compass. When such an animal is put to a

well-bred, larger mare, the f[oe]tus has abundance of room and

nourishment to develop and perfect the circumscribed outlines of the

male parent, and acquire for itself increased volume and character.

The horse ought not to be less than four or five, and the mare one year

older, before being put to breeding. It would be still better to defer

it for two or three years, or till the frame is fully matured.

The Gestation of the Mare

Sometimes varies from 44 to 56 weeks, but she usually goes with young

from 47 to 50; and it is advisable she should take the horse at a time

which will ensure the foaling when the weather is settled, and there is

a fresh growth of grass. She will be the better for light working till

near the time of foaling, if well, but not too abundantly fed. In a few

days after this, she may resume moderate labor; and if not in the way or

troublesome, the foal may run with her; but if she is exposed to

heating, it should be confined till she cools, as suckling then is

decidedly injurious to it.

The mare is in danger of slinking her foal from blows and over-exertion,

the use of smutty grain, foul hay, or offensive objects or smell; and

when this has once occurred, which happens usually in the fourth or

fifth month, she should afterwards be generously fed at that period, and

only moderately worked, to prevent a recurrence of the casualty. When

liable to slinking, the mare should be removed from others in foal, lest

a peculiar sympathy should excite an epidemic.

The Mare comes in Heat

From nine to eleven days after foaling, when she should be put to the

horse, if it be desirable to have a colt the following season. She comes

round at intervals of about nine days.

Management of the Colt.

The colt may be weaned when five to seven months old; and preparatory to

this, while with the mare, may be taught to feed on fine hay, meal, or

oats. When taken away, he should be confined beyond a hearing distance

of the dam, and plentifully supplied with rowen or aftermath hay,

crushed oats, or wheat shorts. It is economy to provide a warm shelter

through the inclement season for all animals, and especially for colts,

which, with all other young, should have an abundance of nutritious

food. They will thus grow evenly and rapidly, and attain a size and

stamina at two years old, they would not otherwise have acquired at

three.

Castrating.

The colt should be altered at about one year, but if thin in the neck

and light before, the operation may be deferred to such time as the

requisite development is secured. Few of the French diligence and farm

horses, and scarcely any of the Oriental, are ever castrated. They are

thought to be more hardy and enduring; but the slight advantage they may

possibly possess in this respect, would hardly compensate for the

trouble and inconvenience too frequently arising from their management.

The operation should be performed late in the spring or early in autumn,

while the weather is mild. If in high condition, the animal must first

be bled and physicked. If large and fractious, he must be cast. Some

back him into the angle of a worm fence, where he is firmly held by the

head with a bridle, and the operator accomplishes the object without any

trouble or material restiveness from the animal while standing. The

scrotum should be opened on both sides, and the testicles cut, or rather

the cord scraped off, which prevents much bleeding. The wound may be

dressed with a little lard; then turn him loose in a pasture which has a

shelter from sun, wind, or rain. Another method of castrating is by

_torsion_, or twisting.

Docking

Is practised by many, but merely to gratify an absurd and cruel caprice,

without a single advantage, and the animal is better in every respect

with the tail unmutilated. If done at all, it should be when young, and

with a single stroke of the knife, or chisel and mallet; and if the

weather be favorable, no further attention is necessary.

Nicking.

This inhuman custom is now getting unfashionable, and we omit any

description of it.

Breaking.

While feeding in the stable, the colt should be gently treated, and

accustomed to the halter and bit, which prepares him for breaking. If

permitted to run with the others while at work, he becomes familiarized

to it, and when harnessed by the side of some of his well-trained mates,

he seems to consider his discipline rather a privilege than a task. The

colt may be taken in hand for breaking at three years of age, and

thoroughly broken to light work at four, but should not be put to hard

service till six or eight. A due regard to humanity and sound judgment,

in thus limiting the burden in his early years, would save much disease

and suffering to the animal, and profit to the owner, by his unimpaired

strength and prolonged life. The annual loss from neglecting this

precaution is enormous, which might be entirely avoided by less

eagerness to grasp the substance, while as yet the shadow only is within

reach. Many animals are thus broken down at twelve, and are in their

dotage at fifteen, while others of good constitution, if well treated,

perform hard service till thirty.

Longevity of the Horse.

Mr. Percival mentions one that died at 62. Mr. Mauran, of New York, has

a fine gig and saddle horse, now in his 45th year, sound, spirited, and

playful as a kitten. He is of a dark brown, with a tanned nose. We never

yet saw a horse with a buff or bear muzzle, that had not great

endurance.

American Eclipse was successfully covering mares in Kentucky at the age

of 32, the result of late and light service till his sinews became fully

matured. We have frequently seen a large, compact, flea-bitten horse at

work, dragging a heavy load in a single cart, which was formerly used as

one of Governor Maitland's coach-horses, and though upwards of 30, he

was apparently as sound and vigorous as an overtasked colt of seven or

eight.

Feeding.

The vigor and duration of the horse depend much on proper feeding. Like

the cow and sheep, he may be made to subsist on animal food, fish, and

almost every species of nutritious vegetable. But his natural and proper

aliment is the grasses, grain, and roots. In the middle and northern

sections of this country, his dry forage is almost invariably good

meadow-hay, generally timothy, which is the richest of the cultivated

grasses. At the South, this is often supplied by the blades of Indian

corn. But in all the states, a great variety of the grasses and clover

are used.

When put to hard labor, grain ought always to accompany hay in some

form. Of the different kinds of grain, oats are peculiarly the horse's

food, and they are always safe, digestible, and nutritive. Barley is the

best substitute for it. Wheat and Indian corn are sometimes given, but

both are unsuitable; the first is too concentrated, and the last too

heating. They ought to be sparingly used, and only when ground and mixed

with chaff. The offal of wheat is never objectionable.

Grain is always more advantageously fed when ground or crushed, and wet

some time previous to eating; and it is still better when cooked. On

both sides of the Mediterranean, in the Barbary States, in Spain,

France, and Italy, much of the food is given in small baked cakes, and

the saving in this way is much greater than the expense of preparing it.

When confined to dry food, roots or apples fed once a day are always

beneficial. They keep the bowels open, the appetite and general health

good, and contribute largely to the nutriment of the animal. Carrots are

the best of the roots, as besides giving muscle and working power, they,

more than any other, improve the wind and prevent all tendency to

heaves. They have even been found effectual in removing an obstinate

cough. By many of the keepers of livery stables, they are always used,

for which purpose they command the same price as oats. Potatoes,

parsnips, beets, and Swedes turnips, in the order mentioned, are next to

be preferred. Potatoes are improved by cooking.

Mixtures of food are best, as of cut hay, meal, and roots. Old horses,

or such as are put to hard labor, will do much better if their food be

given in the form easiest of digestion. No inconsiderable part of the

vital power is exhausted by the digestion of dry, raw food.

Horses ought to be fed, and if possible, exercised or worked regularly,

but never on a full stomach. This is a frequent cause of disease, and

especially of broken wind. If their food is given at the proper time,

and the horse be allowed to finish it at once, without expecting more,

he will lie down quietly and digest it. This will be much more

refreshing to him, than to stand at the rack or trough, nibbling

continually at his hay or oats. What remains after he has done feeding,

should be at once withdrawn.

They should have water in summer three times, and in winter twice a day.

Soft or running water is much the best. While working, and they are not

too warm, they may have it as often as they desire. Neither should they

be fed when heated, as the stomach is then fatigued and slightly

inflamed, and is not prepared for digestion till the animal is again

cool. Salt should always be within reach, and we have found an

occasional handful of clean wood-ashes, a preventive of disease and an

assistance to the bowels and appetite.

[Illustration: Fig. 29.

Skeleton of a Horse.

A The Head.--_a_ The posterior maxillary or under jaw.--_b_ The superior

maxillary or upper jaw. A little lower down than the letter is a

foramen, through which pass the nerves and blood-vessels which chiefly

supply the lower part of the face.--_c_ The orbit, or cavity containing

the eye.--_d_ The nasal bones, or bones of the nose.--_e_ The suture

dividing the parietal bones below from the occipital bones above.--_f_

The inferior maxillary bone, containing the upper incisor teeth.--B The

Seven Cervical Vertebrae, or bones of the neck.--C The Eighteen Dorsal

Vertebrae, or bones of the back.--D The Six Lumbar Vertebrae, or bones of

the loins.--E The Five Sacral Vertebrae, or bones of the haunch.--F The

Caudal Vertebrae, or bones of the tail, generally about fifteen.--G The

Scapula, or shoulder-blade.--H The Sternum, or fore-part of the

chest.--I The Costae or ribs, seven or eight articulating with the

sternum, and called the _true ribs_; and ten or eleven united together

by cartilage, called the _false ribs_.--J The Humerus, or upper bone of

the arm.--K The Radius, or upper bone of the arm.--L The Ulna, or elbow.

The point of the elbow is called the Olecranon.--M The Carpus, or knee,

consisting of seven bones.--N The metacarpal bones. The larger

metacarpal or cannon or shank in front, and the smaller metacarpal or

splint bone behind.--_g_ The fore pastern and foot, consisting of the Os

Suffraginis, or the upper and larger pastern bone, with the sesamoid

bones behind, articulating with the cannon and greater pastern; the Os

Coronae, or lesser pastern; the Os Pedis, or coffin-bone; and the Os

Naviculare, or navicular, or shuttle-bone, not seen, and articulating

with the smaller pastern and coffin-bones.--_h_ The corresponding bones

of the hind-feet.--O The Haunch, consisting of three portions: the

Ilium, the Ischium, and the Pubis.--P The Femur, or thigh.--Q The stifle

joint with the Patella.--R The Tibia, or proper leg bone; behind is a

small bone called the fibula--S The Tarsus, or hock, composed of six

bones. The prominent part is the Os Calcis, or point of the Hock.--T The

Metatarsals of the hind leg.]

DISEASES.

The list is long and fearful, and even the brief one subjoined, will be

found sufficiently great to inculcate the utmost caution in their

management. The horse in his natural condition is subject to few

ailments. It is only in his intensely artificial state, and when made

the slave of man, that he becomes a prey to disease in almost every

shape. A careful and judicious attention to his diet, water, exercise,

stable, and general management, will prevent many of those to which he

is subject.

Glanders.

This is one of the most alarming. The first and most marked symptom is a

discharge from the nostrils of a peculiar character. The disease

produces inflammation there and in the windpipe, and in aggravated cases

passes down to the lungs, which are soon destroyed.

_It is propagated_ by contagion, by exposure in humid stables, and is

induced by hereditary indisposition and great exhaustion. Youatt says,

there is not a disease which may not lay the foundation for glanders.

The poison resides in the nasal discharge, not in the breath. When

exposed to it, the mangers should be thoroughly scraped, washed with

soap and water, and afterwards with chloride of lime. All the clothing

and harness, which may have received any of the contagious matter, must

be thoroughly cleansed and baked.

_The best preventives_ are dry, clean, and well-ventilated stables,

proper exercise, green food in summer, and roots in winter.

_The disease may be arrested_ in its early stages, by turning the animal

on a dry pasture, but it is liable to return on subsequent confinement.

Iodine has lately been announced as a remedy, but of the certainty of

its effects, we are not aware.

It is generally considered incurable, and when thoroughly seated, it may

be deemed an act both of humanity and economy to terminate the existence

of its victim at once. This course becomes a duty, from the fact that

many grooms, by their attendance on glandered horses, have been

affected, and though the disease is, in their case, more manageable, yet

it is frequently fatal.

Farcy.

This is intimately connected with glanders, and the diseases frequently

run into each other.

Lampas.

This consists in the swelling of the bars of the mouth to a level or

even above the teeth. It may occur from inflammation of the gums;

shedding of the teeth; a febrile tendency, and from over-feeding or want

of exercise. It will generally subside by low dieting and proper

exercise; or it may be at once relieved by lancing the bars with a sharp

penknife.

Poll-evil.

This arises from some contusion or injury to the head, which produces a

swelling that eventually suppurates. The inflammation may be abated, in

its earliest stages, by a blister; and in its later, by bleeding,

physic, and cold lotions applied to the part. If these are ineffectual,

and the swelling continues, it should be hastened by poultices, and

warm, stimulating lotions; and when fully formed, the tumor must be

opened, so as to permit all the matter to run out. Repeated applications

of salt will sometimes cure it.

Heaves.

All those affections, distinguished in the English veterinary works as

_pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs_, _chronic cough_, _thick and

broken wind_, _consumption_, _&c._, are popularly designated as

_heaves_. To some or all of these the horse may have an hereditary or

constitutional tendency. Their incipient stages are also induced by a

sudden transition from heat to cold, and sometimes from cold to close

and hot stables; and by a chilly wind or damp stables, especially after

severe exercise. Feeding on musty, dry hay, or on straw, will produce an

irritation which may lead to heaves.

_Inflammation of the lungs_ is frequently dangerous, and requires the

immediate and full use of the lancet. After the inflammation is

decidedly allayed, by copious bleeding, small doses of aloes may be

given, and frequent injections of warm soap and water, which should be

omitted the moment the feces become soft and approaching to the fluid

state. Blistering the sides and brisket, to be often repeated if

otherwise ineffectual, must be resorted to. Convalescence should be

followed with sedative medicines, and during all the severe stages of

the disease, withhold all food, except light gruels after protracted

abstinence. As health returns, put the animal out to grass.

Inflammation of the lungs is sometimes succeeded by a _chronic cough_,

and the other maladies enumerated. When firmly seated, it is incapable

of removal. Its effects can be alleviated, and with suitable food and

treatment, the horse may be made to do much moderate labor for many

years, but he can never become sound or sustain great exertion. Equal

and proper temperature, moist, stimulating food, and especially carrots

or potatoes, and moderate exercise, (but never on a full stomach,) and

dry, clean stables, are all the remedies that can be prescribed.

Catarrh or Horse Distemper.

This sometimes attacks the horse in the spring or fall, and is shown by

soreness and swelling in the glands of the throat, a cough; difficulty

of swallowing; discharging at the nose; and general prostration. It is

seldom fatal, if properly managed. Give light bran-mashes, purge

thoroughly, and keep warm. If he is violently attacked, he may be bled

while fever exists; and blisters or setons may be applied, to reduce the

swelling, if extreme. The disease is contagious, and the animal should

be at once placed where he cannot communicate it.

Spasmodic Colic.

_Symptoms._--The attack of colic is usually very sudden. There is often

not the slightest warning. The horse begins to shift his posture, look

round at his flanks, paw violently, strike his belly with his feet, and

crouch in a peculiar manner, advancing his hind limbs under him; he will

then suddenly lie, or rather fall down, and balance himself upon his

back, with his feet resting on his belly. The pain now seems to cease

for a little while, and he gets up and shakes himself, and begins to

feed; the respite, however, is but short--the spasm returns more

violently--every indication of pain is increased--he heaves at the

flanks, breaks out into a profuse perspiration, and throws himself more

recklessly about. In the space of an hour or two, either the spasms

begin to relax, and the remissions are of longer duration, or the

torture is augmented at every paroxysm; the intervals of ease are fewer

and less marked, and inflammation and death supervene. The pulse is but

little affected at the commencement, but it soon becomes frequent and

contracted, and at length is scarcely tangible.

Among the _causes_ of colic are, the drinking of cold water when the

horse is heated. There is not a surer origin of violent spasm than this.

Hard water is very apt to produce this effect. Colic will sometimes

follow the exposure of a horse to the cold air or a cold wind after

strong exercise. Green food, although, generally speaking, most

beneficial to the horse, yet, given in too large a quantity, or when he

is hot, will frequently produce gripes. Doses of aloes, both large and

small, are not unfrequent causes of colic.

In some horses there seems to be a constitutional predisposition to

colic. They cannot be hardly worked, or exposed to unusual cold, without

a fit of it. In many cases, when these horses have died, calculi have

been found in some part of the alimentary canal. Habitual costiveness

and the presence of calculi, are frequent causes of spasmodic colic. The

seat of colic is occasionally the duodenum, but oftener the ileum or the

jejunum; sometimes, however, both the caecum and colon are affected.

Fortunately, we are acquainted with several medicines that allay these

spasms; and the disease often ceases as suddenly as it appeared.

_Remedies._--Turpentine is one of the most powerful remedies, especially

in union with opium, and in good warm ale. A solution of aloes will be

advantageously added to the turpentine and opium. If relief is not

obtained in half an hour, it will be prudent to bleed, for the

continuance of violent spasm may produce inflammation. Some

practitioners bleed at first, and it is far from bad practice; for

although the majority of cases will yield to turpentine, opium, and

aloes, an early bleeding may occasionally prevent the recurrence of

inflammation, or at least mitigate it. If it is clearly a case of colic,

half of the first dose may be repeated, with aloes dissolved in warm

water. The stimulus produced on the inner surface of the bowels by the

purgative, may counteract the irritation that caused the spasm.

The belly should be well rubbed with a brush or warm cloth, but not

bruised and injured by the broom-handle rubbed over it, with all their

strength, by two great fellows. The horse should be walked about or

trotted moderately. The motion thus produced in the bowels, and the

friction of one intestine over the other, may relax the spasm, but the

hasty gallop might speedily cause inflammation to succeed to colic.

Clysters of warm water, or containing a solution of aloes, should be

injected. The patent syringe will here be exceedingly useful. A clyster

of tobacco-smoke may be thrown up as a last resort.

When relief has been obtained, the clothing of the horse, saturated with

perspiration, should be removed, and fresh and dry clothes substituted.

He should be well littered down in a warm stable or box, and have bran

mashes and lukewarm water for the two or three next days. Some persons

give gin, or gin and pepper, or even spirit of pimento, in cases of

gripes. This course of proceeding is, however, exceedingly

objectionable. It may be useful, or even sufficient, in ordinary cases

of colic; but if there should be any inflammation, or tendency to

inflammation, it cannot fail to be highly injurious.

Flatulent Colic.

This is altogether a different disease from the former. It is not spasm

of the bowels, but inflation of them, from the presence of gas emitted

by undigested food. Whether collected in the stomach, or small or large

intestines, all kinds of vegetable matter are liable to ferment. In

consequence of this fermentation gas is evolved to a greater or less

extent--perhaps to twenty or thirty times the bulk of the food. This may

take place in the stomach; and if so, the life of the horse is in

immediate danger, for the animal has no power to expel this dangerous

flatus by eructation.

_The symptoms_, according to Professor Stewart, are, "The horse suddenly

slackening his pace, preparing to lie down, or falling down, as if he

were shot. In the stable he paws the ground with his fore-feet, lies

down, rolls, starts up all at once, and throws himself down again with

great violence, looking wistfully at his flanks, and making many

fruitless attempts to void his urine."

_The treatment_ is considerably different from that of spasmodic colic.

The spirit of pimento would be here allowed, or the turpentine and opium

drink; but if the pain, and especially the swelling, do not abate, the

gas, which is the cause of it, must be got rid of, or the animal is

inevitably lost. This is usually, or almost invariably, a combination

of hydrogen with some other gas. It has a strong affinity for chlorine.

Then if some compound of chlorine--the chloride of lime--dissolved in

water, is administered in the form of a drink, the chlorine separates

from the lime as soon as it comes in contact with the hydrogen, and

muriatic gas is formed. This gas, having a strong affinity for water, is

absorbed by any fluid that may be present, and, quitting its gaseous

form, either disappears, or does not retain a thousandth part of its

former bulk. All this may be very rapidly accomplished, for the fluid is

quickly conveyed from the mouth to every part of the intestinal canal.

Where these two medicines are not at hand, and the danger is imminent,

the _trochar_ may be used, in order to open a way for the escape of the

gas. The trochar should be small, but longer than that which is used for

the cow, and the puncture should be made in the middle of the right

flank, for there the large intestines are most easily reached. It is

only when the practitioner despairs of otherwise saving the life of the

animal, that this operation should be attempted. Much of the danger

would be avoided by using a very small trochar, and by withdrawing it as

soon as the gas has escaped. The wound in the intestines will then

probably close, from the innate elasticity of the parts.

Inflammation of the Bowels.

There are two varieties of this malady. The first is inflammation of the

external coats of the intestines, accompanied by considerable fever, and

usually costiveness. The second is that of the internal or mucous coat,

and almost invariably connected with purging. The muscular coat is that

which is oftenest affected. Inflammation of the external coats of the

stomach, whether the peritoneal or muscular, or both, is a very frequent

and fatal disease. It speedily runs its course, and it is of great

consequence that its early symptoms should be known.

_Symptoms._--If the horse has been carefully observed, restlessness and

fever will have been seen to precede the attack. In many cases a direct

shivering fit will occur; the mouth will be hot, and the nose red. The

animal will soon express the most dreadful pain by pawing, striking at

his belly, looking wildly at his flanks, groaning, and rolling. The

pulse will be quickened and small; the ears and legs cold; the belly

tender, and sometimes hot; the breathing quickened; the bowels costive;

and the animal becoming rapidly and fearfully weak.

_The causes_ of this disease are, first of all and most frequently,

sudden exposure to cold. If a horse that has been highly fed, carefully

groomed, and kept in a warm stable, is heated with exercise, and has

been during some hours without food, and in this state of exhaustion is

suffered to drink freely of cold water, or is drenched with rain, or

have his legs and belly washed with cold water, an attack of

inflammation of the bowels will often follow. An overfed horse,

subjected to severe and long-continued exertion, if his lungs were

previously weak, will probably be attacked by inflammation of them; but

if the lungs were sound, the bowels will on the following day be the

seat of disease. Stones in the intestines are an occasional cause of

inflammation, and colic neglected or wrongly treated will terminate in

it.

_Remedies._--The treatment of inflammation of the bowels, like that of

the lungs, should be prompt and energetic. The first and most powerful

means of cure will be bleeding. From six to eight or ten quarts of

blood, in fact as much as the horse can bear, should be abstracted as

soon as possible; and the bleeding repeated to the extent of four or

five quarts more, if the pain is not relieved and the pulse has not

become rounder and fuller. The speedy weakness that accompanies this

disease, should not deter from bleeding largely. That weakness is the

consequence of violent inflammation of these parts; and if that

inflammation is subdued by the loss of blood, the weakness will

disappear. The bleeding should be effected on the first appearance of

the disease, for there is no malady that more quickly runs its course.

A strong solution of aloes should immediately follow the bleeding, but,

considering the irritable state of the intestines at this period,

guarded by opium. This should be quickly followed by back-raking, and

injections consisting of warm water, or very thin gruel, in which Epsom

salts or aloes have been dissolved; and too much fluid can scarcely be

thrown up.

The horse should likewise be encouraged to drink plentifully of warm

water or thin gruel; and draughts, each containing a couple of drachms

of dissolved aloes, with a little opium, should be given every six

hours, until the bowels are freely opened. It will now be prudent to

endeavor to excite considerable external inflammation, as near as

possible to the seat of internal disease, and therefore the whole of the

belly should be blistered.

In a well-marked case of this disease, no time should be lost in

applying fomentations, but the blister at once resorted to. The tincture

of Spanish flies, whether made with spirits of wine or turpentine,

should be thoroughly rubbed in. The legs should be well bandaged, in

order to restore the circulation in them, and thus lessen the flow of

blood to the inflamed part; and, for the same reason, the horse should

be warmly clothed, but the air of the stable or box should be cool.

No grain or hay should be allowed during the disease, but bran mashes,

and green food if it can be procured. The latter will be the best, and

may be given without the slightest apprehension of danger. When the

horse begins to recover, a handful of grain may be given two or three

times in the day; and, if the weather is warm, he may be turned into a

paddock for a few hours in the middle of the day. Clysters of gruel

should be continued for three or four days after the inflammation is

beginning to subside, and good hand-rubbing applied to the legs.

The second variety of Inflammation of the Bowels

Affects the internal or mucous coat, and is generally the consequence of

physic in too great quantity, or of an improper kind. The purging is

more violent and continues longer than was intended; the animal shows

that he is suffering great pain; he frequently looks round at his

flanks; his breathing is laborious, and the pulse is quick and small,

and the mouth is hot and the legs and ears are warm.

_Remedies._--Unless the purging is excessive, and the pain and distress

great, the surgeon should hesitate at giving any astringent medicine at

first; but he should plentifully administer gruel or thin starch, or

arrow-root, by the mouth and by clyster, removing all hay and grain, and

particularly green food. He should thus endeavor to soothe the irritated

surface of the bowels, while he permits all remains of the purgative to

be carried off. If, however, twelve hours have passed, and the purging

and the pain remain undiminished, he should continue the gruel, adding

to it chalk, catechu, and opium, repeated every six hours. As soon as

the purging begins to subside, the astringent medicine should be

lessened in quantity, and gradually discontinued.

Bleeding will rarely be necessary, unless the inflammation is very

great, and attended by symptoms of general fever. The horse should be

warmly clothed, and placed in a comfortable stable, and his legs should

be hand-rubbed and bandaged.

_Violent purging_, and attended with much inflammation and fever, will

occur from other causes. Green food will frequently purge; and a horse

worked hard upon it will sometimes scour.

The _remedy_ is change of diet, or less labor. Young horses will often

be strongly purged, without any apparent cause. Astringents should be

used with much caution here. It is probably an effort of nature to get

rid of something that offends. A few doses of gruel will assist in

effecting this purpose, and the purging will cease without astringent

medicine.

Many horses that are not _well ribbed home_ (having too great space

between the last rib and the hip-bone) are subject to purging, if more

than usual exertion is required from them. They are recognised by the

term of _washy_ horses. They are often free and fleet, but destitute of

continuance. They should have rather more than the usual allowance of

grain, with beans, when at work. A cordial ball, with catechu and opium,

will often be serviceable either before or after a journey.

Physicking.

When a horse comes from grass to dry food, or from the cool, open air to

a heated stable, a dose, or even two doses, of physic may be useful to

prevent the tendency to inflammation, which is the necessary consequence

of so sudden and great a change. To a horse that is becoming too fat, or

has surfeit, grease, or mange, or that is out of condition from

inactivity of the digestive organs, a dose of physic is often most

serviceable. A horse should be carefully prepared for the action of

physic. Two or three bran mashes given on that or the preceding day, are

far from sufficient when a horse is about to be physicked, whether to

promote his condition, or in obedience to custom. Mashes should be given

until the dung becomes softened. A less quantity of physic will then

suffice, and it will more quickly pass through the intestines, and be

more readily diffused over them.

Five drachms of aloes, given when the dung has thus been softened, will

act more effectually and much more safely than seven drachms, when the

lower intestines are obstructed by hardened feces. On the day on which

the physic is given, the horse should have walking exercise, or may be

gently trotted for a quarter of an hour twice in the day; but after the

physic begins to work, he should not be moved from his stall. Exercise

would then produce gripes, irritation, and, possibly, dangerous

inflammation. A little hay may be put into the rack. As much mash should

be given as the horse will eat, and as much water, with the coldness of

it taken off, as he will drink. If, however, he obstinately refuses to

drink warm water, it is better that he should have it cold, than to

continue without taking any fluid; but in such case he should not be

suffered to take more than a quart at a time, with an interval of at

least an hour between each draught.

When the purging has ceased, or _the physic is set_, a mash should be

given once or twice every day until the next dose is taken, between

which and the _setting_ of the first, there should be an interval of a

week. The horse should recover from the languor and debility occasioned

by the first dose, before he is harassed by a second. Eight or ten

tolerably copious motions, will be perfectly sufficient to answer every

good purpose, although the groom may not be satisfied unless double the

quantity are procured. The consequence of too strong purgation will be,

that weakness will hang about the animal for several days or weeks, and

inflammation will often ensue from the over-irritation of the intestinal

canal.

Long-continued custom has made ALOES the almost invariable purgative of

the horse, and very properly so; for there is no other at once so sure

and so safe. The Barbadoes aloes, although sometimes very dear, should

alone be used. The dose, with a horse properly prepared, will vary from

four to seven drachms. Custom has assigned the form of a ball to physic,

but good sense will in due time introduce the solution of aloes, as

acting more speedily, effectually, and safely.

The only other purgative on which dependence can be placed is the

CROTON. The farina or meal of the nut is generally used; but from its

acrimony it should be given in the form of ball, with linseed meal. The

dose varies from a scruple to half a drachm. It acts more speedily than

the aloes, and without the nausea which they produce; but it causes more

watery stools, and, consequently, more debility.

LINSEED OIL is an uncertain but safe purgative, in doses from a pound to

a pound and a half. OLIVE OIL is more uncertain, but safe; but CASTOR

OIL, that mild aperient in the human being, is both uncertain and

unsafe. EPSOM SALTS are inefficacious, except in the immense dose of a

pound and a half, and then they are not always safe.

Worms.

The long white worm (_lumbricus teres_) much resembles the common

earth-worm, and being from six to ten inches in length, inhabits the

small intestines. It is a formidable looking animal; and if there are

many of them, they may consume more than can be spared of the nutritive

part of the food, or the mucus of the bowels. A tight skin, and rough

coat, and tucked-up belly, are sometimes connected with their presence.

They are then, however, voided in large quantities.

_Remedies._--A dose of physic will sometimes bring away almost

incredible quantities of them. Calomel is frequently given as a

vermifuge. The seldomer this drug is administered to the horse, the

better. When the horse can be spared, a strong dose of physic is an

excellent vermifuge, so far as the long round worm is concerned. But a

better medicine, and not interfering with either the feeding or work of

the horse, is emetic tartar, with ginger, made into a ball with linseed

meal and treacle, and given every morning, half an hour before the horse

is fed.

A smaller, darker colored worm, called the needle-worm, or _ascaris_,

inhabits the larger intestines. Hundreds of them sometimes descend into

the rectum, and immense quantities have been found in the c[oe]cum.

These are a more serious nuisance than the former, for they cause a very

troublesome irritation about the fundament, which sometimes sadly annoys

the horse. Their existence can generally be discovered by a small

portion of mucus, which, hardening, is found adhering to the anus.

_Remedies._--Physic will sometimes bring away great numbers of these

worms; but when there is much irritation about the tail, and much of

this mucus, indicating that they have descended into the rectum, an

injection of linseed oil, or of aloes dissolved in warm water, will be a

more effectual remedy. The tape-worm is seldom found in the horse.

Bots.

While they inhabit the stomach of the horse, cannot give the animal any

pain, for they have fastened on the cuticular and insensible coat. They

cannot stimulate the stomach and increase its digestive power, for they

are not on the digestive portion of the stomach. They cannot, by their

roughness, assist the trituration or rubbing down of the food, for no

such office is performed in that part of the stomach--the food is

softened, not rubbed down. They cannot be injurious to the horse, for he

enjoys the most perfect health when the cuticular part of his stomach is

filled with them, and their presence is not even suspected until they

appear at the anus.

They cannot be removed by medicine, because they are not in that part of

the stomach in which medicine is usually conveyed; and if they were,

their mouths are too deeply buried in the mucus for any medicine, that

can be safely administered, to affect them; and, last of all, in due

course of time they detach themselves, and come away. Therefore, the

wise man will leave them to themselves, or content himself with picking

them off when they collect under the tail and annoy the animal.

Wind-galls.

In the neighborhood of the fetlock, there are occasionally found

considerable enlargements, oftener on the hind-leg than the fore one,

which are denominated _wind-galls_. Between the tendons and other parts,

and wherever the tendons are exposed to pressure or friction, and

particularly about their extremities, little bags or sacs are placed,

containing and suffering to ooze slowly from them, a mucous fluid to

lubricate the parts. From undue pressure, and that most frequently

caused by violent action and straining of the tendons, or often from

some predisposition about the horse, these little sacs are injured. They

take on inflammation, and sometimes become large and indurated. There

are few horses perfectly free from them. When they first appear, and

until the inflammation subsides, they may be accompanied by some degree

of lameness; but otherwise, except when they attain a great size, they

do not interfere with the action of the animal, or cause any

considerable unsoundness. The farriers used to suppose that they

contained wind--hence their name, wind-galls; and hence the practice of

opening them, by which dreadful inflammation was often produced, and

many a valuable horse destroyed.

_Remedies._--A slight wind-gall will scarcely be subjected to treatment;

but if these tumors are numerous and large, and seem to impede the

motion of the limb, they may be attacked first by bandage. The roller

should be of flannel, and soft pads should be placed on each of the

enlargements, and bound down tightly upon them. The bandage should also

be wetted with warm water, two or three times a day, for half an hour

each time. The wind-gall will often diminish or disappear by this

treatment, but will too frequently return, when the horse is again

hardly worked.

A blister is a more effectual, but too often temporary remedy. _Firing_

is still more certain, if the tumors are sufficiently large and annoying

to justify our having recourse to measures so severe; for it will not

only effect the immediate absorption of the fluid, and the reduction of

the swelling, but, by contracting the skin, will act as a permanent

bandage, and therefore prevent the reappearance of the tumor. The iodine

and mercurial ointments have occasionally been used with advantage, in

the proportion of three parts of the former to two of the latter.

Inflammation of the Fetlock.

The fetlock-joint is a very complicated one, and from the stress which

is laid on it, and its being the principal seat of motion below the

knee, it is particularly subject to injury. There are not many cases of

sprain of the back-sinew, that are not accompanied by inflammation of

the ligaments of this joint; and numerous supposed cases of sprain

higher up, are simple affections of the fetlock. It requires a great

deal of care, and some experience, to distinguish the one from the

other. The heat about the part, and the point at which the horse least

endures the pressure of the finger, will be the principal guides.

_Remedy._--Occasionally, by the application of cooling lotions, the

inflammation may be subdued, but at other times, the horse suffers

dreadfully, and is unable to stand. A serious affection of the

fetlock-joint demands prompt treatment.

Cutting.

The inside of the fetlock is often bruised by the shoe or the hoof of

the opposite foot. Many expedients used to be tried to remove this; the

inside heel has been raised and lowered, and the outside raised and

lowered; and sometimes one operation has succeeded, and sometimes the

contrary; and there was no point so involved in obscurity or so

destitute of principles to guide the practitioner.

_Remedy._--The most successful remedy and that which in the great

majority of cases supersedes all others, is Mr. Turner's shoe, of equal

thickness from heel to toe, and having but one nail, and that near the

toe, on the inside of the shoe; care being taken that the shoe shall not

extend beyond the edge of the crust, and that the crust shall be rasped

a little at the quarters.

Sprain of the Coffin-Joint.

The proof of this is when the lameness is sudden, and the heat and

tenderness are principally felt round the coronet.

_Remedy._--Bleeding at the toe, physic, fomentation, and blisters, are

the usual means adopted. This lameness is not easily removed, even by a

blister; and if removed, like sprains of the fetlock and of the

back-sinews, it is apt to return, and finally produce a great deal of

disorganization and mischief in the foot. Sprain of the coffin-joint

sometimes becomes a very serious affair. Not being always attended by

any external swelling, and being detected only by heat round the

coronet, the seat of the lameness is often overlooked by the groom and

the farrier; and the disease is suffered to become confirmed before its

nature is discovered.

Ringbone.

This is a deposite of bony matter in one of the pasterns, and usually

near the joint. It rapidly spreads, and involves not only the

pastern-bones, but the cartilages of the foot, and spreading around the

pasterns and cartilages, thus derives its name. When the first deposite

is on the lower pastern, and on both sides of it, and produced by

violent inflammation of the ligaments of the joints, it is recognised by

a slight enlargement, or bony tumor on each side of the foot, and just

above the coronet.

Horses with short upright joints, and with small feet and high action,

are oftenest, as may be supposed, the subjects of this disease, which is

the consequence either of concussion or sprain of the pastern-joints. It

is also more frequent in the hind foot than the fore, because, from the

violent action of the hind legs in propelling the horse forward, the

pasterns are more subject to ligamentary injury behind than before; yet

the lameness is not so great there, because the disease is confined

principally to the ligaments, and the bones have not been injured by

concussion; while, from the position of the fore limbs, there will

generally be in them injury of the bones to be added to that of the

ligaments.

_Remedy._--In its early stage, and when recognised only by a bony

enlargement on both sides of the pastern-joint, or in a few cases on one

side only, the lameness is not very considerable, and it is not

impossible to remove the disease by active blistering, or by the

application of the cautery; but there is so much wear and tear in this

part of the animal, that the inflammation and the disposition to the

formation of bone rapidly spread. The pasterns first become connected

together by bone instead of ligament, and thence results what is called

an anchylosed or fixed joint. From this joint the disease proceeds to

the cartilages of the foot, and to the union between the lower pastern,

and the coffin and navicular bones. The motion of these parts likewise

is impeded or lost, and the whole of the foot becomes one mass of spongy

bone.

Enlargement of the Hock.

First, there is inflammation, or _sprain of the hock-joint generally_,

arising from sudden violent concussion, by some check at speed, or

over-weight, and attended with enlargement of the whole joint, and great

tenderness and lameness.

_Remedy._--This, however, like all other diffused inflammations, is not

so untractable as an intense one of a more circumscribed nature, and by

rest and fomentation, or, perchance, firing, the limb recovers its

action, and the horse becomes fit for ordinary work. The swelling,

however, does not always subside. Enlargement, spread over the whole of

the hock-joint, remains.

A horse with an enlarged hock must always be regarded with suspicion. In

truth, he is unsound. The parts, altered in structure, must be to a

certain degree weakened. The animal may discharge his usual work during

a long period, without return of lameness; but if one of those

emergencies should occur when all his energies require to be exerted,

the disorganized and weakened part will fail. He may be ridden or driven

moderately for many a year without inconvenience, yet one extra hard

day's work may lame him forever.

Curb.

There are often injuries of particular parts of the hock-joint. _Curb_

is an affection of this kind. It is an enlargement at the back of the

hock, three or four inches below its point. It is either a strain of the

ring-like ligament which binds the tendons in their place, or of the

sheath of the tendons; oftener, however, of the ligament than of the

sheath. Any sudden action of the limb of more than usual violence may

produce it, and therefore horses are found to throw out curbs after a

hardly-contested race, an extraordinary leap, a severe gallop over heavy

ground, or a sudden check in the gallop.

Young horses are particularly liable to it, and horses that are

_cow-hocked_, whose hocks and legs resemble those of the cow, the hocks

being turned inwards, and legs forming a considerable angle outwards.

This is intelligible enough; for in hocks so formed, the annular

ligament must be continually on the stretch, in order to confine the

tendon. Curbs are generally accompanied by considerable lameness at

their first appearance, but the swelling is not always great. They are

best detected by observing the leg sidewise.

_Remedies._--The first object in attempting the cure, is to abate

inflammation, and this will be most readily accomplished by cold

evaporating lotions, frequently applied to the part. Equal portions of

spirit of wine, water, and vinegar, will afford an excellent

application. It will be almost impossible to keep a bandage on. If the

heat and lameness are considerable, it will be prudent to give a dose of

physic, and to bleed from the subcutaneous vein, whose course is near

it; and whether the injury is of the annular ligament, or the sheath of

the tendon, more active means will be necessary to perfect a cure.

Either a liquid blister should be rubbed on the part, consisting of a

vinus or turpentine tincture of cantharides, and this daily applied

until some considerable swelling takes place; or, what is the preferable

plan, the hair should be cut off, and the part blistered as soon as the

heat has been subdued. The blister should be repeated, until the

swelling has disappeared, and the horse goes sound.

In severe cases it may be necessary _to fire_; but a fair trial,

however, should be given to milder measures. If the iron is used, it

should be applied in straight lines.

There are few lamenesses in which absolute and long-continued rest is

more requisite. It leaves the parts materially weakened, and, if the

horse is soon put to work again, the lameness will frequently return. No

horse that has had curbs, should be put even to ordinary work in less

than a month after the apparent cure; and, even then he should very

gradually resume his former habits.

A horse with a curb, is manifestly unsound, or generally condemned as

unsound. Curb is also an hereditary complaint; and therefore a horse

that has once suffered from it, should always be regarded with

suspicion, especially if either of the parents have exhibited it.

Bone Spavin.

This is an affection of the bones of the hock-joint. Spavined horses are

generally capable of slow work. They are equal to the greater part of

the work of the farm, and therefore they should not always be rejected

by the small farmer, as they may generally be procured at a small price.

These horses are not only capable of agricultural work, but they

generally improve under it. The lameness in some degree abates, and even

the bony tumor to a certain degree lessens. There is sufficient moderate

motion and friction of the limb to rouse the absorbents to action, and

cause them to take up a portion of the bony matter thrown out, but not

enough to renew or prolong inflammation. It cannot be said that the plow

affords a _cure_ for spavin, but the spavined horse often materially

improves while working at it. For fast work, and for work that must be

regularly performed, spavined horses are not well calculated; for this

lameness behind produces great difficulty in rising, and the

consciousness that he will not be able to rise without painful effort,

occasionally prevents the horse from lying down at all; and the animal

that cannot rest well, cannot long travel far or fast.

_Remedies._--The treatment of spavin is simple enough, but far from

being always effectual. The owner of the horse will neither consult his

own interest, nor the dictates of humanity, if he suffers the chisel and

mallet, or the gimlet, or the pointed iron, or arsenic to be used; yet

measures of considerable severity must be resorted to. Repeated blisters

will usually cause either the absorption of the bony deposite, or the

abatement or removal of the inflammation of the ligaments, or, as a last

resource, the heated iron may be applied.

Swelled Legs.

The fore-legs, but oftener the hind ones, and especially in coarse

horses, are sometimes subject to considerable enlargement. Occasionally,

when the horse does not seem to labor under any other disease, and

sometimes from an apparent shifting of disease from other parts, the

hind legs suddenly swell to an enormous degree from the hock, and almost

from the stifle to the fetlock, attended by a greater or less degree of

heat, and tenderness of the skin, and sometimes excessive and very

peculiar lameness. The pulse likewise becomes quick and hard, and the

horse evidently labors under considerable fever. It is acute

inflammation of the cellular substance of the legs, and that most sudden

in its attack, and most violent n its degree, and therefore attended by

the effusion of a considerable quantity of fluid into the cellular

membrane. It occurs in young horses, and in those which are over-fed and

little exercised.

_Remedies._--Fomentation, diuretics, or purgatives, or, if there is much

fever, a moderate bleeding, will often relieve the distention almost as

suddenly as it appeared. Mild cases will generally yield to their

influence; but, if the animal has been neglected, the treatment must be

decisive. If the horse is in high condition, these should be preceded or

accompanied by bleeding; but if there are any symptoms of debility,

bleeding would only increase the want of tone in the vessels.

Horses taken from grass and brought into close stables, very speedily

have swelled legs, because the difference of food and increase of

nutriment rapidly increase the quantity of the circulating fluid, while

the want of exercise takes away the means by which it might be got rid

of. The remedy here is sufficiently plain.

Swelled legs, however, may proceed from general debility. They may be

the consequence of starvation, or disease that has considerably weakened

the animal; and these parts, being farthest from the centre of

circulation, are the first to show the loss of power by the accumulation

of fluid in them. Here the means of cure would be to increase the

general strength, with which the extremities would sympathize. Mild

diuretics and tonics would therefore be evidently indicated.

Horses in the spring and fall are subject to swelled legs. The powers of

the constitution are principally employed in providing a new coat for

the animal, and the extremities have not their share of vital influence.

Mingled cordials and diuretics are indicated here; the diuretic to

lessen the quantity of the circulating fluid, and the cordial to

invigorate the frame.

Grease.

Swelled legs, although distinct from grease, is a disease that is apt to

degenerate into it. Grease is a specific inflammation of the skin of the

heels, sometimes of the fore-feet, but oftener of the hinder ones. Bad

stable management is the true cause of it. Grease is a local complaint.

The heel should be well but gently washed with soap and water, and as

much of the scurf detached as is easily removable. An ointment should

be applied, to supple, cool, and heal the part.

When _cracks_ appear, the mode of treatment will depend on their extent

and depth. If the cracks are deep, with an ichorous discharge and

considerable lameness, it will be necessary to poultice the heel. A

poultice of linseed meal will be generally effective, unless the

discharge is thin and offensive, when an ounce of finely-powdered

charcoal should be mixed with the linseed meal; or a poultice of

carrots, boiled soft and mashed. After the chaps or cracks have healed,

the legs will sometimes continue gorged and swelled. A flannel bandage,

evenly applied over the whole of the swelled part, will be very

serviceable; or should the season admit of it, a run at grass,

particularly spring grass, should be allowed.

The feeding should likewise vary with the case, but with these rules,

which admit of no exception; that green food should be given, and more

especially carrots, when they are not too expensive; and mashes, if the

horse will eat them; and never the full allowance of grain.

Walking exercise should be resorted to as soon as the horse is able to

bear it, and this by degrees may be increased to a gentle trot.

From bad stable-management at first, and neglect during the disease, a

yet worse kind of grease occasionally appears. The ulceration extends

over the skin of the heel and the fetlock, and a fungus springs from the

surface of both, highly sensible, bleeding at the slightest touch, and

interspersed with scabs. By degrees portions of the fungus begin to be

covered with a horny substance, protruding in the form of knobs, and

collected together in bunches. These are known by the name of _grapes_.

A f[oe]tid and very peculiar exudation, proceeds from nearly the whole

of the unnatural substance. The horse evidently suffers much, and is

gradually worn down by the discharge. The assistance of a veterinary

surgeon is here indispensable.

Some horses are more subject to grease than others, particularly

draught-horses, both heavy and light, but particularly the former, and

if they have no degree of _blood_ in them. It was the experience of

this, which partly contributed to the gradual change of coach and other

draught-horses to those of a lighter breed. In the great majority of

cases, grease arises from mismanagement and neglect.

Every thing that has a tendency to excite inflammation in the skin of

the heel is a cause of grease. Therefore want of exercise is a frequent

source of this disease. When high feeding is added to irregular or

deficient exercise, the disease is evidently still more likely to be

produced. Want of cleanliness in the stable is a fruitful source of

grease. When the heels are imbedded in filth, they are weakened by the

constant moisture surrounding them. The absurd practice of washing the

feet and legs of horses when they come from their work, and either

carelessly sponging them down afterwards, or leaving them to dry as they

may, is, however, the most common origin of grease.

When the horse is warmed by his work, and the heels share in the warmth,

the momentary cold of washing may not be injurious, if the animal is

immediately rubbed dry; yet even this would be better avoided; but to

wash out the heels, and then leave them partially dry or perfectly wet,

and suffering from the extreme cold that is produced by evaporation from

a moist and wet surface, is the most absurd, dangerous, and injurious

practice that can be imagined. It is worse, when the post-horse or the

plow-horse is plunged up to his belly in the river or pond immediately

after his work.

Cutting the Hair from the Heels.

Custom has very properly retained the hair on our farm-horses. Nature

would not have given it had it not been useful. It guards the heel from

being injured by the inequalities of the plowed field, and prevents the

dirt, in which the heels are constantly enveloped, from reaching, and

caking on, and irritating the skin. When the horse is carefully tended

after his work is over, and his legs quickly and completely dried, the

less hair he has about them the better, for then both the skin and the

hair can be made perfectly dry before evaporation begins, or proceeds so

far as to deprive the legs of their heat. Grease is the child of

negligence and mismanagement.

Setons

Are pieces of tape or cord, passed, by means of an instrument resembling

a large needle, either through abscesses, or the base of ulcers with

deep sinuses, or between the skin and the muscular or other substances

beneath. They are retained there by the ends being tied together, or by

a knot at each end. The tape is moved in the wound twice or thrice in

the day, and occasionally wetted with spirits of turpentine, or some

acrid fluid, in order to increase the inflammation which it produces,

or the discharge which is intended to be established.

_In abscesses_, such as occur in the withers or the poll, and when

passed from the summit to the very bottom of the swelling, setons are

highly useful by discharging the purulent fluid, and suffering any fresh

quantity of it that may be secreted to flow out; and, by the degree of

inflammation which they excite on the interior of the tumor, stimulating

it to throw out healthy granulations, which gradually occupy and fill

the hollow. In deep fistulous wounds they are indispensable, for except

some channel is made through which the matter may flow from the bottom

of the wound, it will continue to penetrate deeper into the part, and

the healing process will never be accomplished. On these accounts, a

seton passing through the base of the ulcer in poll-evil and fistulous

withers is so beneficial.

"Setons are sometimes useful by promoting a discharge in the

neighborhood of an inflamed part, and thus diverting and carrying away a

portion of the fluids which distend or overload the vessels of that

part; thus, a seton is placed with considerable advantage in the cheek,

when the eyes are much inflamed."--(_Youatt._)

Founder,

Or inflammation of the foot, arises from various causes; excessive

exertion, great heat, and particularly when followed by drinking cold

water, or overloading the stomach in any way, sudden transition from

great cold to excessive heat, and change of inflammation from some other

part.

_Remedies._--When the attack is severe and confined to the fore-feet,

Youatt recommends removing the shoe and paring the hoof as much as

possible, taking four quarts of blood from each toe, placing the feet in

warm water, and afterwards applying soft poultices of linseed meal to

the whole foot and pastern. If this is ineffectual, take three quarts of

blood from each foot the succeeding day. It may then be necessary to

blister the foot and coronet. The animal should be kept on green food or

light mashes, and allowed to run on grass without labor. An effectual

cure has followed from taking off the shoe, and applying lard, raised to

the boiling point, to every part of the foot.

Poison

From weeds, sometimes gives to horses ulcerated tongues and lips, and

swollen legs and sheath. If there be much inflammation, bleeding should

be resorted to, then give daily bran mashes, with Glauber salts in doses

of 1/2 to 11/2 pounds, according to the size of the horse, with half a

teaspoonful of saltpetre. Washing the ulcerated parts with warm

soap-suds, copperas, and sugar-of-lead may follow.

Epidemics among Horses,

Sometimes occur, producing great mortality. One of these was prevalent

in the neighborhood of New York, in 1846, termed a _malarious congestive

fever_, staggers, or apoplexy, which destroyed many valuable animals. It

occurred during the heat of summer, and was principally confined to such

as were at pasture. By many it was attributed to excessive heat and

exposure at night. The animals that were opened, appeared sound in all

respects excepting the brain, which exhibited one mass of clotted blood.

The _remedy_ found to be the most effectual, consisted in taking about

one quart of blood from the head, swathing it with cloths saturated with

cold water, and giving two drachms daily of calomel. The horse should be

kept in a cool stable.

A similar disease in Spain is cured by copious bleeding, and swathing

the head in blankets constantly wet with hot water.

Inflammation of the Eyes.

Shut up in a dark stable, and feed on fresh-cut grass and bran mashes.

Bleed freely from the mouth, and give 11/2 lbs. Glauber salts, 2 drachms

nitre, and 15 grains tartarized antimony, dissolved in a bucket of

water, which the animal will drink when thirsty. This to be repeated

daily till purging is effected. If it fails, bleed from the large veins

just below the eye, taking 15 to 20 ounces of blood.--(_Dr. Campbell._)

The Sting of Hornets,

Bees, or snakes, may be relieved by immediate external application of

strong spirits of hartshorn: salt and vinegar are also good.

For Sprains,

Take a mixture of one ounce sweet oil, four ounces spirits of hartshorn,

half an ounce oil of thyme, and rub with it frequently. The remedies

mentioned below are also effectual for sprains.

For a Bruise or Blow.

Apply hot water a long time with wet cloths. Beef brine is an excellent

lotion for both sprains and bruises. A veteran among horses, claims,

that it will almost set a joint or heal a fracture. Wormwood or tansy

lotions are also good.

Fistula.

This is frequently cured by repeated applications of salt.

Wounds

Should be washed twice a day with clean, soft water, or with a little

Castile soap added, and then rub with whale-oil. This answers for all

seasons, keeps off flies, restores the hair, and of the original color.

Galls,

Or wounds on the back from the saddle, are most effectually healed by

white-lead, moistened with sweet-oil or milk. The saddle ought always to

fit easily and be well padded, and it should be taken off and the

animal's back washed at every baiting.

Shoeing.

This is an important operation, and should never be attempted but under

the supervision of an experienced person; nor ought the shoes to remain

so long as to produce contraction of the hoof, which is followed by

lameness and corns. They should be reset as often as every five or six

weeks.

Contraction of the Foot.

This is also caused by standing on the dry stable for some days. In this

case, the hoof should be stopped with fresh cow-manure and clay, or with

a thick felt, soaked in water, and cut to suit the foot. This is also a

good application over night, for horses that have accomplished a hard

day's work on a dry road.

Litter.

This is not objectionable to the feet, if clean and not too damp. Some

suppose this the cause of contraction, but it is the reverse. It is

besides of great benefit when shook out for a bed, by inducing the

horse to rest himself. He is thus enabled to do more work, and with a

less expenditure of food.

Corns.

In the angle between the bars and the quarters, the horn of the sole has

sometimes a red appearance, and is more spongy and softer than at any

other part. The horse flinches when this portion of the horn is pressed

upon, and occasional or permanent lameness is produced. This disease of

the foot is termed _corns_; bearing this resemblance to the corn of the

human being, that it is produced by pressure, and is a cause of

lameness. When corns care neglected, so much inflammation is produced in

that part of the sensible sole, that suppuration follows, and to that,

_quittor_ succeeds, and the matter either undermines the horny sole, or

is discharged at the coronet.

_Remedies._--The cure of old corns is difficult; for as all shoeing has

some tendency to produce pressure here, the habit of throwing out this

diseased horn is difficult to get rid of when once contracted; recent

corns, however, will yield to good shoeing. The first thing to be done

is well to pare out the angle between the crust and the bars. Two

objects are answered by this; the extent of the disease will be

ascertained, and one cause of it removed. A very small drawing-knife

must be used for this purpose. The corn must be pared out to the very

bottom, taking care not to wound the sole. It may then be discovered

whether there is any effusion of blood or matter underneath. If this is

suspected, an opening must be made through the horn, the matter

evacuated, the separated horn taken away, the course and extent of the

sinuses explored, and introduce into them a _saturated solution of

sulphate of zinc_, by means of a small syringe. Place over this dressing

the common cataplasm, or the turpentine ointment, and renew the

application every twenty-four hours. Three or four such applications

complete a cure.

Should there be no collection of fluid, the butyr of antimony should be

applied over the whole extent of the corn, after the horn has been

thinned as closely as possible. The object of this is to stimulate the

sole to throw out more healthy horn. In bad cases, a bar-shoe may be put

on, so chambered that there shall be no pressure on the diseased part.

This may be worn for one or two shoeings, but not constantly, for there

are few frogs that would bear the constant pressure of the bar-shoe;

and the want of pressure on the heel, generally occasioned by their use,

would produce a softened and bulbous state of the heels, that would of

itself be an inevitable source of lameness. Turning out to grass, after

the horn is a little grown, first with a bar-shoe, and afterwards with

the shoe fettered on one side, or with tips, will often be serviceable.

A horse that has once had corns to any considerable extent should, at

every shoeing, have the seat of corn well pared out, and the butyr of

antimony applied.

An Over-reach

Is a tread upon the heel of the coronet of the fore foot, by the shoe of

the corresponding hind foot, and either inflicted by the toe, or by the

inner edge of the inside of the shoe.

_The preventive treatment_ is the bevelling, or rounding off of the

inside edge or rim of the hind shoes.

_The cure_ is the cutting away of the loose parts, the application of

Friar's balsam, and protection from the dirt.

Forging, or Clicking,

"Is a singular species of over-reaching. The horse, in the act of

trotting, strikes the toes of the hind shoes against the fore one. This

noise of the clicking is unpleasant, and the trick or habit is not

altogether free from danger. It is most frequent in young horses, and is

attributable to too great activity, or length of stride in the hind

legs.

_Remedies._--The rider may do something by keeping the head of the horse

well up; but the smith may effect more by making the hind shoes of

clicking horses short in the toe, and having the web broad. When they

are too long, they are apt to be torn off; when too narrow, the hind

foot may bruise the sole of the fore one, or may be locked fast between

the branches of the fore shoe."--_Youatt._

The Bearing Rein

Is a matter of much controversy; some claiming that it should be

entirely abolished, while others as strenuously contend for its almost

universal use. Nimrod, who is deemed perfectly competent authority,

insists on its use with fast roadsters and coach-horses. With

team-horses, it may generally be dispensed with, and always should be in

ascending hills, as it materially diminishes their capacity for

exertion. The fault in its use is its excessive tightness, and when

standing, the horse ought never to be tormented with it.

[Illustration: Fig. 30.

Safety Rein illustrated.]

_Directions for use of Safety Rein._--In putting on the rein for a gig,

keep the buckle to the left hand, or near side; that will place the

loop, which is on the middle of the rein, below the hook or head of the

bridle, which prevents it from being thrown out by the motion of the

horse's head. For a pair of horses, keep the two short chapes outmost,

and the loops on the middle downward. For saddle, keep the buckle to the

left hand.

When the rein is used either for running, rearing, kicking, or going

backward, it should be applied suddenly with a strong arm, keeping up

the pressure until the horse is still; it should then be relieved

suddenly, at the same time motioning the horse to go on. If he is only a

runaway he will obey it at once, such horses being generally of a

willing, good temper. After the horse has been a few times firmly

gripped with it, use it occasionally, instead of the bit-rein, to stop

him on ordinary occasions; this will remind the horse of his subjection,

and will accustom the rider or driver to the ready and accurate use of

it in case of an emergency.

The Bit

Is a frequent cause of injury to the mouth of the horse, fretting and

teasing him, and in many cases inducing permanent injury and

viciousness. It should never be made annoying to the horse beyond the

absolute necessity for his proper restraint.

An Unruly Stud may be controlled

By passing the rein from the ring on the off-side over the head and

through the left ring. This gives a purchase to the groom which the

horse cannot resist.

Blinds

Have for a long time been fashionable, but in few cases are necessary,

while in nearly all they are decidedly injurious.

[Illustration: Fig. 31.

The Crib Biter.]

The Crib Biter.

This small instrument is made entirely of iron, and riveted firmly to

the head-stall. It answers the threefold purpose, to prevent biting,

crib-biting, and wind-sucking. All of the foregoing are bad habits for

horses, for which there is no effectual cure, but in adopting the use of

the above implement.

The Stable

Is an important matter connected with the proper management of horses.

This should be as much as possible of a uniform temperature, cool in

summer, warm in winter, and always clean, dry, and well-ventilated. But

no air must be allowed to blow directly upon the animal. The horse is a

native of a warm climate, and ought to be well protected against cold.

The stable should be neither too light nor too dark, nor must the light

ever be admitted before the eye of the horse. For judicious and extended

arrangement of stables, and management of horses, the inquiring reader

is referred to _Stewart's Stable Economy_.