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Author: Jennings, Robert

Title: The horse and his diseases

Place of Publication: Philadelphia

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breeding and management and vices; with the diseases to which he is
subject, and the remedies best adapted to their cure : to which are
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590

B. JENNINGS & SON,

VETERINARY SffR&EONS,

ORADUATES OP

Vetemarr Medicine M Surgery,

LATE OF PHILADELPHIA.

AT JAOKSON k DEYOEE'S,

117 Tbird ATenae.

AT SPENCER & WILLISTON'S,

No. 83 East Ohio St.

THE

PENNSYLVANIA

STATE UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

,rh

.•'•

Gift of June Carr Walton

THE

HOESE AND HIS DISEASES:

EMBR ACINO

HIS HISTORY AND VARIETIES, BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT

AND VICES; WITH THE DISEASES TO WHICH HE

IS SUBJECT, AND THE REMEDIES BEST

ADAPTED TO THEIR CURE.

By ROBERT JENNINGS, Y.S,,

mOFBSSOR OP PATHOLOGT AND OPERATIVK SUROERT IX THE VBTERIKART OOLLIQB Off

PHILADELPHIA ; PROFESSOR OF VETERIXART MEDICIJCE IX THE LATB AORI-

CULTCRAL COLLEGE OP OHIO; SECRETARY OF THE AMERICAX

▼ETKRiXARr ASSOCIATW* OF PHILADELPHIA, ETC., ETC.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED, KARKY'S METHOD OF TAMINO HORSES, AND THJ

LAW OP WARRANTY AS APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE

AND SALE OF THE ANIMAL.

^Ik&imUi hjj nmlfi ©lu ^puabrtb (gnjraftmja^

PHILADELPHIA i
JOHN E. POTTER AND COMPANY,

S(X». 6U and 617 Saxsox Strjiit.

PREFACE.

(

Entered According to Act of Congress, in tho jear, 1860, b/

JOHN E. POTTER,

Ib tht Cltrk't Office of the District Court of the United States, in aod for tb«

Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

PnnLADF,LP+fl)^r)

This volume is offered to the consideration of the public, not
without a knowledge on the part of the author that many excel-
lent works upon the horse have already appeared. It has occurred
to him, however, that each of these various works is devoted rather
to the consideration of soiiie particular topic of interest in connec-
tion with this generous animal, than to a general treatment of the
various subjects which appropriately claim notice in a work in-
tended for the ordinary reader.

There are comparatively few in our country who are not, at some
period or other, brought into contact with the horse, either as
owners, hirers, or in some other capacity. The great majority
cannot avail themselves of the numerous treatises already extant,
which touch upon this animal, without gathering about themselves
a library so large as seriously to trench upon their pecuniary com-
fort. Besides, so far as the ailments of the horse are concerned,
much progress has been made in their treatment within the last
few years. Old theories have been exploded, and, as the author
believes, an era of a more humane and judicious medical treatment
is dawning upon us. A marked improvement is discernible in the
class of practitioners who essay the veterinary art ; a greater amount
of intelligence characterizes their action, and, as a consequence,
the occupation of the veterinary surgeon is fast rising in popular
estimation.

To these cheering indications of a better day for the horse and
his owner, the author claims not to be indifferent. If an experi.
•nee of fifteen years, diligently devoted to an investigation of th«

(5)

PBEFACE.

habits, peculiarities, wants, and weaknesses of the horse, has not
been utterly fruitless in results, he flatters himself that he can at
least contribute his mite in furtherance of a better understanding
of an animal, which can never be too well understood by any one
who would gain the greatest possible advantage from such a ser •
rant.

With such views the author has prepared the present work. Its
pages are believed to contain a complete, candid, and truthful ex-
position of all the points which it is incumbent upon the horse-
owner to comprehend. Standard authorities upon the subject have
been freely consulted, and the suggestions therein contained have
been adopted, when corroborated by the author's own experience
or observation. Reference has been made to the following among
others :—Percival, Blain, Morton, Clark, Finley Dunn, Youatt,
Coleman, and Spooler, on the Horse ; Herbert's Horse of America,
and Hints to Horsekeepers ; Stewart's Stable Economy; The Far-
mer's Encyclopedia ; and the Morgan Horse by Linsley.

The remedies recommended have all stood the test of actual trial,
and are known to have proved efficacious in previous cases. As the
author has no special hobby to ride, he has in this department of
the subject given such modes of treatment only as he personally
has superintended in actual practice, no matter from what source
they may have been suggested. The very many illustrations
throughout the volume it is believed will materially enhance its
Interest aifd value.

With the hope that the work may meet the approval of the large
class for whom it was specially prepared, and with the consciousness
that no effort to that end has been omitted by thje author, he con-
fidently leaves it in their hands, to be dealt with as to them shall
•eem most meet and proper.

CONTENTS.

WAom

HISTORY OF THE TiORSE,.!. ....•••••.•• .••.m...«m.....mmm*..m....*...m.*...»m.... 17

HoKSBS OF Asia and Afuica, ^ 21

The Arabian 21

The Pemian 2d

The Tartarian, 2^

The Turkoman, 2A

The Turkish Horse, 29

Horses of Hindostan, 20

The Barb and others, 29

EtTROPEAX Horses, 27

The Racer, 27

The Hunter, rL.^

The Hackney, 27

The Cart Horse, 28

Germav, French, axd Spaxish Horses, 29

Tbi American Horse, 30

The American Blood Horse, 39

The Vermont Draught Horse, 7. 67

The Conestoga Horse, 60

The Canadian Horse, 62

The Indian Pony, 61

The Narragansett Pacer, 65

The Morgan Horse, 69

5ATDKAL HiSTORT OF THE HORSB, m..........« 73

BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT, 102

Briedixq, 102

Brbakixo, M....M 110

Castratiov, lis

OocKuro, r«..«« - 120

8 CONTENTS.

BREEDIXG AND MANAGEMENT— Co»tixued. ^^q,

NicKixa, ^ -nj

ThbStablb, J2J

'^'*' 127

^^"•^*' 130

^^««T 131

GrOOMIXO jgj

Exercise j2^

^^^ 133

'^^^^ 153

Pastitrivo j^Q

Sertice, .gj

Shoeing ...

Ji9

ADMIiriSTERINO MEDICINE, jg,

VICES OP THE HORSE , jgg

SESTIVifXESS ...

Baulking or Jibbing, ,qj

^"""' IIIZIII.'I'III 203

^""•'0 201

Hearing, _^^

• 206

Running Awat, 2^

Vicious to Clean -^,

' 207

Vicious to Shoe

Crib-biting,

210

Wind-sucking, «,^

' 212

Overreaching,

Kot Lting Down,.. ^«

' " 21.1

^«"^« 2U

^^^'^« 21«

Rolling

217

Slipping the Collar or Halter, 217

Stuhblino,

' 219

Unsteadiness while being Mounted, ^ig

DISEASES, AND THEIR REMEDIES, ...;.....:r.7.: :..:.... 220

Diseases of the Mouth ^.

^^"'P'*" !m"l221

Inflamed Gnms, ...^

' 223

Bags or Washes, 22«

VlcT% in the Mouth, ^^

Sore Month, _2j

Cat Tongue, ^ ^^

COI^TENTS. A

DISEASES, AND THEIR REMEDIES-Continued. ».«.

Uneven Teeth ^..

224

««»<»<»«»» 225

^o»^ Teeth ZZ 22s

Caries of the Teeth, ^_

• 227

Extracting Teeth,

Diseases op the Respiratort Organs, 231

Inflammation _..

' 231

Sore Throat ^^^

Strangles '*"'* ^^^

Chronic Cough,

V 23i

Catarrh,

238

DiHteroper,

^ ' 237

Influenza,

' 237

Bronchitis

210

Nasal Gleet,

241

Pneumonia

^, . 243

Pleurifv,

^' 245

Hydrothorax

247

Thick Wind

• 24S

Roaring and Whistling,

Broken Wind,

24»

Diseases op the Stomach and Intestines 251

Inflammation of the Stomach

' 2jI

luflararaation of the Bowels «,«

• 2o2

Diarrhoea

- 255

Inordinate Appetite,

Palsy of the Stomach

_, 257

Rupture of the Stomach,

' 238

CalculuH, or Stony Concretions, j..

Hair Ball

260

Strangulation of the Intestines, ^-

Spasmodic Colic,

261

Flatulent Colic

^ 262

Worms,

^ , 2ai

Bot8»

Diseases op the Liver

, - ,, 26S

Inflammation of the Liver

Jaundice,

Hepatirrhfloa, ^ Z^Z^^ZZZZZ J7l

Decayed Structure of the Liver ZZZZZ, 272

Dmeasks op the Urinart Organs, 273

Ififlamination of (h« Bladdw, ZZZZZZZZ^, 273

10 CONTENTS.

DISEASES. AND THEIR REMEDIES— Co5TI5ITEd. ' >aob

Reteutioa of Urine, 274

Profuse Staling, 275

Bloody Urine 27S

Stones in the Kidneys, 277

Stones in the Bladder, 27S

Diseases of the Feet and Legs, 279

Centraction of the Hoof, 279

Corns, 2S0

Quitter 2S2

Thrush, 282

Canker, 283

^ Scratches, 284

Grease Heels, 284

Water Farcy, 286

Weed, 287

Cracked Hoof, 287

Sole Bruise and Gravel, 288

Pricking, 288

False Quarter, 289

Founder, 290

Pumiced Foot, • 291

Corinitis, 291

Navicularthrliis, ; 292

Ossification of the Lateral Cartilages, 293

Wind Galls, 294

Sprung or Broken Knees, ^ 294

Breaking Down, 295

Strains of the Knees, 295

Strain of the Hip Joint 296

Shoulder Strain, 296

Open Joints, 297

Sweenie, 297

08"tiS 298

Capulet and Capped Hock, 299

Caries of the Bones, 299

Bone Spavin, 3qq

^'°fi^Bone 303

^P"^»' 303

C"^^ 304

String Halt 30^

Blood Spavin, Bog Spavin, and Thoroughpln, 305

Vr&etur«s,.„ ^ 10^

CONTENTS. * XI

DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES— Continued. ^^<,g

Diseases of the Heart, ^ 3^-

Pericarditis, «-,

Carditis, ^^^

Endrocarditis, 3,^

Diseases of the Head, g,,

Osteo-Sarcoma gj*

Inflammation of the Brain, gjn

Megrims 3J3

Vertigo, 3j^

Epilepsy, 3j^

Stomach Staggers, 3j^

Diseases of the Eye, 3,-

Amaurosis, 3^^

Inflammation of the Membrana Nictitans. 313

Simple Ophthalmia, g,g

Specific Ophthalmia, , gjo

Cataract, 32^

Wall Eye ZZZ™"Z322

Miscellaneous Diseases, 322

Poll Evil **''322

Fistula of the Withers, 324

Melanotic Tumors, 32^

Glanders, 335

P**'cy 327

Scarlet Fever, 303

^'a'^^e. 329

^"•^'^i' 331

Hide Bound, 332

Strains of the Loins 333

^*^«y 11.....333

Locked Jaw 333

Rheumatism, 33^

^••^"P' !..1.Z336

Hydrocele 33^

Warts, 33^

Sit-Fasts, 32y

^"^^" ZZI!!338

Saddle or Harness Galls 333

Mallanders and Sellenders 333

Ulceration of the Udder, 33^

Inflamed Veins, 33^

BuioicA^ Caim, .,Z!»! SI9

• Mm*

CONTENTS.

DISEASES AND THEIR HEMEDIES-CoicTixrED.
Bleeding,

Nearotomj or Nerving,

Lithotomy

Trephining,

Tenotomy,

Couching,

Tapping the Chent,

Periosteotomy,

Amputation of the Peni«

CEsophagotomy,

Hernia,

Roweling,

Firing

Tracheotomy,

BAREY'S METHOD OF TAMING HORSES

How TO Call a Colt prom Pastprb,

Bow TO Stable a Colt withopt Trouble,

Approachixq a Colt,

How TO Halter aicd Lead a Colt,

How TO Tie cp a Colt,

How TO Tame a Horse

How TO Make a Horse Lie Dowx,

To Accustom a Horse to strange Sounds axd Sights,.

To Accustom a Horse to a Drum,

To Teach a Horse to bear an Umbrella,

To Fire off a HorKe's Back,

How TO Accustom a Horse to a Bit,

The proper Wav to Bit a Colt,

How to Saddle a Colt

How to Mount the Colt,

How TO Ride a Colt,

How to Break a Horse to Haekees,

FAOI

.. «l

.. SIS
.. 34J
.. 315
.. 345
.. 348
.. 346
. 347
> 347
. 34Jk
. 349
. 350
. 351
. 352

. 353

. 356

. ZoJ

. 362

. 364

. 367

. S6S

369

370

371

372

373

374

37tf

373

379

WARBANTT,..

• •••#••••• •»« ,«t »M ^j ,^

•••-••••^ •"•••-•- •-- ^..M.......^ sw

ILLUSTRATIONS.

TAtm

Tli« Arab and his Steed, ^ 17

The Shetland Pony. — An English Sporting Scene, 21

The Stallion, 28

American Farm Scene, 30

The Canadian, 35

Black Hawk, — An American Racer, 43

American Plantation Scene,... 47

The Vermont Dranght-Horse, 58

A Conestoga. — The Great Pennsylvania Draught-Horse, 60

Ethan Allen. — A Fast-trotting Morgan Horse, 65

Skeleton of the Horse, as covered by the Muscles, 73

Names applied to the various External Parts of the Horse, 80

Eight Days* Teeth, 88

Three or Four Months* Teeth, 88

Teeth at Twelve Months, 90

A Grinder sawed across, 90

Two Years* Teeth, 91

Three Years* Teeth, 92

Four Years* Teeth, 94

Five Years* Teeth, 95

Six Years* Teeth, ^ 9S

Seven Years* Teeth, 97

Eight or Nine Years* Teeth, 98

Mare and Foal, 102

The Arab Stallion, Jupiter, 105

Breaking, 110

Th« Agriculturist'g Method,. - , 117

(13)

ILLUSTRATIONS,

I '

The Usual Method, '^"

' • TOO

The French Method. *

' 124

Customary Forms of Stalls

r> . 126

(jrrooming,

Exercise, ^

Out to Grass ^^^

' 143

The American Racer, Black Maria,

f '*"""« •~™.jz::::;^

T^'"^:" 169

Ground Surface of the Hoof,

The Hoof of the Horse,

A Section of the Foot

' • 177

The Position of the Shoe

The Proper Form of a Shoe, ||||^| ,^2

Running Away,

Particularly Dangerous,

Muzzle for a Crib-Biter,

Disagreeable and Dangerous, 214

The Sick Horse,

* 220

The Blooded Mare Fashion, and Foal 227

The Saddle-Horse,

Quiet Enjoyment,

The Trotting-Horse, Lexington, 244

The Attack and Defense

' • •♦••• ••••• ,,,, ^ 250

Omar Pasha, the Turkish Chieftain. o^^

o. 4 , '...•.-* -Zoo

Sir Archy, the Godolphin of America, 262

Common Gad-Fly or Bot,

l^^' °" '^ ^""^ • ■ — ^"•^^—IZZZ. 2C6

Eggs Magnified,

_, 266

Caterpillar, full size, „^^

_, • 267

Caterpillar or Larvae, adhering to the Lining of the Stomach,... 267

The Red Gad-Fly, \ 268

Caterpillar of the Red Gad-FIy, " ** 268

Virginia Mill-Boys on a Race, ] "* 273

The Fast-Trotting Stallion, Geo. M. Patchen,''.'!.*.'!!!."!.'!.\\*.\3Z 279

ILLUSTRATIONS. j 5

• rkQM

The Children's Pet, ^ 285

The Famous Trotting-Mare, Flora Temple 292

The Equestrienne, 298

The High-Bred Pacing Mare, Pocahontas, 303

The end of Pericarditis, gQcj

Haying Scene, 3^^

The Trotting Stallion, American Eclipse, 323

The Three Friends, , 33Q

Byron's Mazeppa, 335

Lady Suffolk, oa^

Good for Heavy Drafts, 34^

The Horse Tamed, 350

Bridle with a wooden Gag-bit for conquering vicious Horses,... 358

Strap for the Right Fore-leg, ^ ^^ 3gQ

Strap for the Off Fore-leg, 3^0

Taming the Horse, ogg

Teaching the Horse to lie down, 370

Struggles of the Vicious Horse against lying down, 373

Submission of the Horse, 3^^

Breaking the Horse to Haraess,.,,.. ..♦..,... «,*... 380

\"A

.(•

iljl

mMimsi

To man, whether as a civilized bein^
pr as a barbarian, no animal is more
4^ ^^ useful than the horse. The beauty,
grace, and dignity of this noble creature, when in a properly
developed state, are as marked as his utility. As an intelligent
animal, he ranks next in the scale to the dog, that other com-
panion and friend of man. Taking into consideration, then,
liis usefulness, his attractive appearance, and his intelligence,
what is known of his history cannot prove unacceptable.

2 ill)

! i

HISTORY or THE HOKSB.

In order to ascertain the special land which can claim the
proud honor of being the parent country, the birth-place of this
noble animal, recourse must be had primarily to the pages of
Scripture, as being the most ancient and best authenticated of
all existing histories. By reference to those pages, we find
that, although the ass was in early use among the children of
Israel, the horse was unknown to them until after the com-
mencement of their dwelling in Egypt ; and strong evidence
exists for the belief that he was not brought into subjection,
even in that country, until after their arrival. Clear it i.s, at
all events, that Arabia, which many have supposed to be the
native home of the horse, did npt possess him until within a
comparatively recent period ; while his introduction into Greece,
and thence into those countries of Europe and Asia in which
he is now found, either wild or domesticated, may be traced
with much certainty to an Egyptian source.

Although in the history of Abraham frequent mention is
made of the ass, of the camel, of flocks and herds, sheep and
oxen, there is no allusion to the horse ; nor, indeed, do we
find any such until we reach the time of Joseph. *In the
reign of that Pharaoh in whose service Joseph was, wagons
were sent by the king's command into Canaan, to bring thinco
into Egypt Jacob and his sons, their wives and their little ones,
during the prevalence of the famine against which Joseph had
provided. It is not recorded that those wagons were drawn by
horses; but the inference that such was the fact is by no means
irrational, when we remember that it was during the continu-
ance of this famine that horses are first mentioned, having
been taken by Joseph in exchange for bread from the Egyp-
tian cultivators and cattle-breeders ; that on the death of

HISTORY OP THE HORSB.

Jacob, his funeral was attended bj ''both chariots and horse-
men ;" and lastly, that we know from the writings of Homer,
and from the ancient sculptures of Persepolis and Nineveh,
that the horse was used for purposes of draught for some time
previous to his being ridden.

From this time, the horse appears to have been speedily
adopted for use in battle. At the Exodus, some fifteen hun-
dred years before the Christian era, the pursuing army con-
tained "six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of
Egypt," together with all the horsemen. And when the
Israelites returned into Canaan, we find that the horse had
already been naturalized in that country, since the Canaanites
" went out to fight against Israel with horses and chariots very
many."

From these considerations, and from the fact that, so late as
six hundred years after this date, Arabia had still no horses, it
is by no means an improbable conclusion that the shepherd
kings of Egypt, whose origin is unknown, introduced the horse
into Lower Egypt ; and that, after this period, that country
becamf the principal herding district of this animal, whence
he was gradually introduced into Arabia and the adjoining
Asiatic countries. From the same stock is doubtless derived
the entire race in all the southeastern parts of Europe. As
Egypt is not, in any respect, a favorable country for horse-
breeding, still less for his original existence in a state of na-
ture, the source whence he was first introduced into that coun-
try is in some degree enveloped in uncertainty ; though the
better opinion, based upon much indirect testimony, is that he
was an original native of the soil of Africa, which alone wag

•';"-^''V:V^'' ''.*^-!S /'-''??* r'V';^^

— -T jy^UVW^J

ifWwWfWWIBBBsa''

ifl . »

HISTORY OF THE HORSB.

the parent country of the Zebra and the Quagga in some

sort his kin.

It is questionable whether the horse is still to be found in a
Btate of nature in Arabia ; although it is asserted that they
exist thinly scattered in the deserts, and that they are hunted
by the Bedouins for their flesh, and also for the purpose of
improving their inferior breeds by a different kind of blood.
In central Africa, however, whence the horse is supposed to
have been first introduced into Egypt, and thence into Arabia,
Europe, and the East, wild horses still roam untamed far to
the southward of the great desert of Sahara, where they were
seen by Mungo Park in large droves.

At the period of the first Roman invasion, the horse was
domesticated in Britain, and in such numbers, that a large
portion of the forces which resisted the invaders were chariot-
eers and cavalry.

In Europe, however, with but few exceptions, the horse,
for purposes of warfare, was slowly, and not till the lapse of
ages, brought into use: even the Spartans, the Athenians,

,and the Thebans, when at the height of their military\enown,

.having but inferior and scanty cavalry services.

In the oldest sculptures probably in existence, — those re-
moved by Layard from the ruins of Nineveh, and illustrative
of almost every phase of regal and military life, — the horse is
uniformly represented as a remarkably high-crested, largc-

, headed, heavy-shouldered animal : rather long-bodied ; power-
fully limbed ; his neck clothed with volumes of shaggy mane,

-often plaited into regular and fanciful braids; and his tail

-.coarse and abundant, frequently ornamented similarly to his
own mane and to the beard and hair of his driver an ani-

HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

mal, indeed, as unlike as possible to the low-statured, delicate*
limbed, small-headed Arabs and barbs of modern days, with>
their basin-faces, large full eyes, and long, thin manes, from
which the blood-horse of our times has derived his peculiar .
excellence. The same remarks may, in the main, be made as

to the Greek and Roman horse, from .
the representations which have coma?
down to us. The English blood-horse, >

beingconfessedly,
the most perfects
animal of hit)'
race in the whole,
world, both for.
speed and endur«
ance, and the
American blood-

THE IBETLAITD P05T.—AX EKaLISH SPOKTIira laun.

horse directly tracing without mixture to English, and through
the English to Oriental parentage, some account of the former
variety may be of interest to the reader.

It has already been remarked that large numbers of horses
were found in Britain at the first Roman invasion. It is to be*
added, that Cesar thought them so valuable that be t:arri©4 -

HISTORY OP THE HORSK.

HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

■ r-
■ll

many of them to Rome : and the British horses were, for a
considerable period afterward, in great demand in various
parts of the Roman Empire. After the evacuation of En-
gland by the Romans and its conquest by the Saxons, consider-
able attention was paid to the English breed of horses j and
after the reign of Alfred, running horses were imported from
Germany, this being the first intimation given us in history of
running horses in England. English horses, after this, were
so highly prized upon the Continent, that, in order to preserve
the monopoly of the breed, in a.d. 930 a law was passed, pro-
hibiting the exportation of the animal. In Athelstan^s reign
many Spanish horses were imported ; and William the Con-
queror introduced many fine animals from Normandy, Flan-
ders, and Spain, — circumstances which show the strong desire,
even at that early period, to improve the English breed. In
the reign of Henry I. is the first account of the importation
of the Arab horse into the country, at which time it is evident
that the English had become sensible of the value and breed
of their horse : and in the twelfth century a race-course had

been established in London, — namely, SraithQeld, at once

horse-market and race-course.

King John imported Flemish horses for the improvement of
the breed for agricultural purposes ; and in his reign is found
the origin of the draught-horse now in general use in that
country. Edward II. and Edward III. imported horses for the
improvement of the stock, the latter introducing fifty Spanish
horses. In the reign of Henry YIL, the exportation of stal-
lions was prohibited ; but that of mares was allowed, w^hen
more than two years old, and under the value of six shillings
and eight pence. In the reign o^ Henry VIII., many very

arbitrary statutes were passed for the improvement of the
horse ; and it was during the same period that an annual race
was run at Chester. In the reign of Elizabeth, the number
and breed appear to have degenerated ; for it is stated that
she could collect but three thousand horse throughout her
realm to resist the invasion of Don Philip.

With the accession of James L to the throne, a great im-
provement was systematically wrought in the English breed ;
and from this period a constant and progressive attention was
paid to the matter of breeding. This monarch purchased an
Arabian horse at the then extraordinary price of five hun-
dred pounds ; but he proving deficient in speed, Arabians
for a time fell into disrepute. Race meetings were then held
at various places (J^ewmarket, among others) throughout the
kingdom, the races being mostly matches against time, or triali
of speed or bottom for absurdly long and cruel distances.

Although Cromwell, during his Protectorate, was obliged
to forbid racing, yet he was an ardent lover of the horse, an
earnest patron of all pertaining to horsemanship, and to his
strenuous exertions the present superior condition of the En-
glish blood-horse is in no small degree owing.

Before proceeding to the history of the American horse —
which is our main concern in the present branch of this
work — a concise summary of the difl'erent varieties of this use-
ful quadruped cannot fail to interest. We commence with the
horse of Asia.

tttsToaT or IDE noBSBi

HORSES OF ASIA AND AFRICA.

THE AKABIAW,

In this country the horse, eren in its wild state, (in which
condition, as before remarked, it is rarely found,) is possessed
of a beautiful symmetry of form, and a disposition of the
greatest gentleness and generosity. His size is small, arerag.
ing in height generally between thirteen and fourteen hands,
(the hand being reckoned at about four inches of our measure)'
color a dappled grey, though sometimes a dark brown ; mane
and tail short and black. The only mode of capturing him i,
by snares carefully concealed in the sand, as his exceeding
swiftness prevents all possibility of taking him by the chase
The fondness of the Arab for his steed is well known, having
long since passed into a proverb. The horse of the poorest
wanderer of the desert shares with his master and his family
every attention and caress which the strongest attachment can
prompt. Mares are always preferred by the Arab to horses
as they endure fatigue and the hardships incident to a desert'
l.fe much more patiently, and they can be kept together ia
greater numbers without the risk of quarrels and mutual in.
Junes. Great attention is paid to the coat of the animal. lie
J. carefully washed each morning and evening, or after a long
t.de ; IS M only during the night, receiving throughout tho
day nothing but one or two drinks of water.

The head of the pure Arab is light, well made, wide be-
'.een the nostrils, forehead broad, muzzle short and fine, nos-
tnls expanded and transparent, eyes prominent and sparkling
ears small; neck somewhat short; shoulders high and well

^oasBS ot'AtstA Arm' atkica.

thrown back; withers high and arched; legjs fine, flat^ and
small-boned, and the body somewhat light.

THE PERSIAN.

This horse is slightly taller than the Arab : is fall of bone,
and very fast The Persian feeds his horse as does th^ Arab,
the food given being coarse and scant. Itay is utterly un-
known for the purpose, barley and chopped straw being, gener-
ally substituted. Although this variety is in most respects less
esteemed than tl^e Arab, it is in some points its superior^

TTHEl TARTARIAN.

Like the Persian, this variety is swift ; but the hofseii aro
heavy-headed, low-shouldered, and altogether very awkwardly
put together. The Tartars cat the flesh of their horses and
use the milk of their mares, from which they also make excei'
lent cheese^

THE TURKOMAN.

This is a variety of the Tartar, but superior to it ; bringing,
even in Persia, frequently from five hundred to a thousand dol-
lars. Its average height is some fifteen hands, and in general
appearance it bears a strong resemblance to a well-bred En-
glish carriage-horse. Though possessed of considerable speed,
it is not enduring. This variety is often foisted upon the
ignorant as the pure Arabian.

THE TURKISH HORSE.

This horse is a cross between the Persian and the Arabian,
and is of slender build, carrying his head high, lively and
fiery, and possessing a gentle and affectionate disposition.
The tail of tho bor&e is regarded in Turkey and Persia as a

HORSES OF ASIA AND AFRICA.

HISTORY OP THI HORSE.

badge of dignity, princes measuring their rank by the number
of tails they carry ; those of the highest rank being allowed
three.

HOBSES OF HINDOSTAW.

In India, the horse, owing to the peculiar climate of the
country, is invariably found to degenerate, unless great atten-
tion be paid to breeding. The principal breeds are the Tazee,
the Takan, the Folaree, the Cutch, and the Dattywarr.

Passing from the Asiatic horses to the African, it is to be
remarked that Egypt has long since lost its character as a
breeding country, its horses being justly deemed much inferior
to those of Persia, Barbary, or Arabia.

THE BAHB, Aig-p OTHEES.

This variety— the principal of the African race— is taller
than the Arabian, and is remarkable for the height and fullness
of its shoulders, drooping of the haunches, and roundness of
the barrel.

The Bornou race, in the central parts of Africa, is described
as possessing the qualities of the Arabian with the beauty of
the Barb ; as being fine in shoulder and of general elegance
of form. The Nubian horses are stated by travelers to be
even superior to the Arabian. Dongola has a noticeable
breed, of large size, their chief peculiarities being extreme
shortness of body, length of neck, height of crest, and a
beautiful forehand.

EUROPEAN HORSES.

THE RACER.

As the varieties of the horse in Great Britain are the mosk
noticeable of any in Europe, we append a brief description of
the principal breeds at present in use.

The Racer, which excels, in beauty, speed, and endurance,
that of all other nations, was gradually formed by the intro-
duction of the best blood of Spain, Barbary, Turkey, and
Arabia, and bears a strong family likeness to each. The cha-
racteristics of this breed are a high and lofty head, bright and
fearless eye, small ear, expanded nostril ; arched neck, curved
on the upper surface, with no curve underneath ; the neck
gracefully set on ; the shoulder lengthened, oblique, and lying
well back ; the quarters ample and muscular ; the fore-legs
straight and fine, but with sufficient bone; the hinder legs
well bent, and the pasterns long and springy.

THE HUNTER.

The best horses of this breed stand fifteen or sixteen hands
high : head small ; neck thin, especially beneath the crest, firm
and arched ; and jaws wide ; lofty forehead ; shoulders as ex-
tensive and oblique as that of the racer, and somewhat thicker;
broad chest ; muscular arm ; leg shorter than that of the
racer; body also more short and compact; loins broad ; quar-
ters long; thighs muscular ; /hocks well bent, and under the
horse.

THE HACKNEY. . ^*

This horse is still more compact thau the hunter, with more

\'ii

substance in proportion to his height; forehead light and
high ; head small, and placed taperingly upon the neck •
shoulders deep and spacious, lying well back ; back straight,
loins strong ; fillets wide, and withers well raised. Too high
breeding is considered objectionable in this species, as being
ill adapted for ordinary riding upon the road.

I:UI10PEAN HORSES.

THE CART HORSE.

The principal varieties of this class, are the Cleveland, the
Clydesdale, the Northamptonshire, the Suffolk Punch, and the

heavy black or dray
horse. The Clydesdale
breed obtains its namq
from being bred chiefly
in the valiev of
the Clyde. They
J^^ are strong and
^^J hardy, have a
small head, are
longer necked
than the Suffolk,
with deeper legs
I and lighter bodies.
TUB BTALLioir. Th c S u ffo 1 k P u u ch

originated by crossing the Suffolk cart mare with the Xorman
staHion. Its color is yellowish or sorrel ; large head, wide
between the ears, muzzle rather coarse, back long and straight,
Kides flat, fore-end low, shoulders thrown much forward, high
at the hips, round legs, short pasterns, deep-bellied, and full
bdrrcl. The modem-bred cart horso oMJuglandj originated

from a cross with the Yorkshire half-bred stallion, and is of
much lighter form, and stands much higher. This horse is
hardy and useful, kindly, and a good feeder. The heavy
|)lack horse is chiefly bred in Lincolnshire and the Midland
bounties.

■ GERMAN", FRENCH, AND SPANISH HORSES.

The horses of Germany, with the exception of the Hungar-
ian, are generally large, heavy, and slow. The Prussian,
German, and the greater part of the French cavalry, are pro-
cured from Holstein. They are of a dark glossy bay color,
with small heads, large nostrils, and full dark eyes, being
beautiful, active, and strong.

The horses of Sweden and Finland are small, bfrt beantiful,
and remarkable for their speed and spirit ; those of Finland
being not more than twelve hands high, yet trotting along
with ease at the rate of twelve miles an boor.

The Iceland horse is either of Norwegian or Scottish
descent. They are very small, strong, and swift. Thousands
of them live upon the mountains of that barren country, never
entering a stable, but taught by instinct or habit to scrape
away the snow, or break the ice, in quest of their meagre food.

The Flemish and Dutch horses are large, and strongly and
beautifully formed. The best blood of draught /lorses is
lowing, in a great degree, to crosses with these.

The best French horses are bred in Limousin and Nor-
iiandy ; the provinces of Auvergne and Poitou producing
ponyi and galloways, which are excellent saddle-horses and
hunters.

The Spanish horse of other days, as the Andalusian charger

THE AMERICAN HORSE.

and the Spanish jennets, exists but in history or romance
The modern Spanish horse resembles the Yorkshire half-bred
With flatter legs and better feet, but a far inferior figure.

The Italian horses, particularly the Neapolitan, were once
W high repute; but, owing mainly to intermixtures of Euro-
pean, rather than Eastern blood, they have sadly degenerated

THE AMERICAN HORSE.

THE AMERICAN HORSE.
At a very remote period in the history of America, the horse
began to be imported from Europe by the earliest settlers ; it

being conceded that, although
the horse had, at some former
time, existed on this continent,
as is proved by his fossil remains,
which have been found in abund-
ance in various parts of the
country, he had become extinct
previous to its colonization by
the white nations.

It is generally believed that
the horses which are found in
a wild state on the pampas or
plains of South America, and the prairies of North America
as far east as to the Mississippi River, are the descendants of'
the parents set loose by the Spaniards at the abandonment
of Buenos Ayres. This opinion, however, is combated by
Bome, on the ground that this date is too recent to account

AMERICAN FARM 8CBKE.

for the vast numerical increase, and the great hordes of these
animals now existing in a state of nature ; and they are in-
clined to ascribe their origin to animals escaped, or voluntarily
set at liberty, in the earlier expeditions and wars of the Span-
ish invaders, the cavalry of that nation consisting entirely of
perfect horses or mares.

An opportunity for such an origin must undoubtedly have
been furnished in the bloody wars of Mexico and Peru ; since
upon the issue of many battles, which were disastrous to the
Spaniards, the war-horses, their riders being slain, could have
recovered their freedom and propagated their species rapidly
in the wide, luxuriant, and well-watered plains, where the
abundance of food, the genial climate, and the absence of
beasts of prey capable of successfully contending with so
powerful an animal as the horse, would favor their rapid in-
crease.

We know, moreover, that De Soto had a large force of cav-
alry in that expedition in which he discovered the Mississippi,
and found a grave in its bosom ; and when his warriors re-
turned home in barques which they built on the banks of the
••* Father of waters," there can be little doubt that their
chargers mast have been abandoned, since their slender vessels,
built by inexperienced hands for the sole purpose of savin f^
their own lives, must have been incapable of containing their
Btecds.

The first horses imported to America for the purpose of
creating a stock, were brought by Columbus, in 1493, in his
second voyage to the islands. The first landed in the United
States, were introduced into Florida in 152T, by Cabeca do
Vaca, forty-two in number; but these all perished ex wer-i

THE AMERICAN HORSE.

killed. Tlie next importation was that of De Soto, befote
mentioned, to which is doubtless to be attributed the origin of
the wild horses of Texas and tl»e prairies, a race strongly
marked to this day by the characteristics of Spanish blood.

In 1604, L'Escarbot, a French lawyer, brought horses and
other domestic animals into Acadia; and in 1608, the French,
then engaged in colonizing Canada, introduced horses into
that country, where the present race, though somewhat de-
generated in size, owing probably to the inclemency of the
climate, still shows the blood, sufficiently distinct, of the
Norman and Breton breeds.

In 1609, the English ships landing at Jamestown, in Vir-
ginia, brought, besides swine, sheep, and cattle, six mares and
a horse; and in 1657, the importance of ir>creasing the stock
of this valuable animal was so fully recognized, that an Act
was passed, prohibiting its exportation from the province.

In 1629, horses and mares were brought into the plantations
of Massachusetts Bay, by one Francis Higginson, formerly of
Leicestershire, England, from which county many of the
animals were imported, h^ew York first received its horses in
1625, imported from Holland by the Dutch West India Cora-
pany, probably of the Flanders breed, thongh few traces of
that breed yet exist, unless they are to be found in the Cones-
toga horse of Pennsylvania, which shows some affinity to it,
either directly or through the English dray-horse, which latter
is believed to be originally of Flemish origin.

In 1750, the French of Illinois procured considerable num-
bers of French horses; and si.ice that time, as the science of
agriculture has improved and advanced, pure animals of many
distinct breeds have been constantly imported into this cooatry,

THE AMERICAN HORSE.

which have created in different sections and districts distinct
families, easily recognized, — as the horses of Massachusetts
and Vermont, admirable for their qualities as draft-horses,
powerful, active, and capable of quick as well as heavy work •
the Conestogas, excellent for ponderous, slow efforts, in team-*
ing and the like; and the active, wiry horses of the West, well'
adapted for riding, and being in most general use for American
cavalry purposes. ,

It is evident, then, thaf the original stock of the unimproved
American horse is the result of a mixture of breeds; the
French, the Spanish, the Flemish, and the English horses
having all sent their representatives to some one portion at
least, of the United States and British Provinces, and proba-
bly still prevailing to a considerable degree in some locations,
though nowhere wholly unmixed — while, in others, they have
become so thoroughly mixed and amalgamated, that their
identity can no longer be discovered.

In New York, ijr example, the early importations of tho-
rough blood, and the constant support of horse-racing, appear
to have so changed the original Dutch or Flemish stock, that
the characteristic of her horses is that of the English race,
with a decided admixture of good blood. In Massachusetts,
Vermont, and the Eastern States generally, the Cleveland bay,
and a cross between that and the English dray-horse blood,,
with some small admixture of thorough blood, predominate.
In Pennsylvania, the most distinct breed appears to be of
Flemish and English dray-horse origin. In Maryland, Vir-
ginia, and South Carolina, English thorough blood prevails to
a great extent; so much so as to render the inferior class of

working horses undersized. In Louisiana, and many of the
3

THE AMERICAN HORSE,

THE AMERICAN HORSE.

Western States, French and Spanish blood partly prevail,
though with a mixture of English blood. It may, in short, be
generally assumed that, with the exception of the thorough-
breds, there is scarcely any breed in any part of America
wholly pure and unmixed ; and that there are very few animals
anywhere, which have not some mixture, greater or less, of
the hot blood of the East, transmitted through the English
race-horse.

Indeed, with the exception of the Conestoga horse, there is,
in the United States, no purely-bred draft or cart-horse, nor
any breed which is kept entirely for labor in the field or on
the road, without a view to being used at times for quicker
work, and for purposes of pleasure or travel. Every horse,
for the most part, bred in America, is intended to be, in some
ftense, used upon the road ; and it is but asserting a well-known
fuct, when we say, that for docility, temper, soundness of con-
stitution, endurance of fatigue, hardiness, sure-footedness. and
speed, the American roadster is not to be excelled, if equaled,
by any horse in the entire world not purely ihorongh-bred.

Of roadsters, two or three families have obtained, in different
localities, decided reputations for different peculiar qualities :
Buch as the Narragansett pacers, the families known as the
Morgan and Black Hawk, the Canadian, and generally what
may be called trotters. No one of these, however, with the
single exception of the Narragansetts, appears to have any
real claim to be deemed a distinctive family, or to be regarded
as capable of transmitting its qualities in line of hereditary
descent, by breeding within itself, without further crosses with
higher and hotter blood.

Of the Narragansetts, but little can be said with certainty;

for there is reason to believe that, as a distinct variety, with
natural powers of pacing, they are extinct ; and their origin
is, in some degree, uncertain. The other families clearly owe
their merits to a remote infusion of thorough-blood, perhaps
amounting to one-fourth, or one-third part, some three or foui'
generations back.

The original Canadians were, doubtless, of pure Norman
and Breton descent; but, since the Canadas
have been under British rule, they also ^-=g

.^E^rifrrf— z';

THE CAN ADIAK.

(have been largely mixed with, and much improved by, the intro-
duction of a pure blood ; so that the animals which in late
years pass here under the name of Canadians, such as Moscow, '
Lady Moscow, and many others of that name, are Canadians
only in name, differing from other American roadsters simply
'n the fact that they have, for the most part, only two crosses

■ 3

THE AMERICAN HORSE.

Of the Norman and pure English blood, while the ordinary
road-horse of the United States is perhaps a combination of
several distinct English families, with French, Spanish, and
Flemish crosses, besides an infusion of thorough-blood.

Of trotters, there is certainly no distinctive breed or family
or mode of breeding. The power, the style, the action, the
mode of going, are the points regarded ; and it is most pro-
bable, that the .speed and the endurance, both of weight and
distance, depend, more or less, on the greater or inferior
degree of blood in the animal.

Indeed, the wonderful superiority of the American roadster
IS attributable to the great popularity of trotting in this
country, to the great excellence of the trotting-trainer.s, drivers
and riders, arising from that popularity, and to the employ'
ment of all the very best half and three-quarter-part bred
horses in the land for trotting purposes, none being turned
from that use for the hunting-field or park-riding.

The general American horse, as compared with the English
horse, is inferior in height of the forehand, in the loftiness and
thinness of the withers, and in the setti„g-on and carriage of
the neck and crest; while he is superior in the general develop,
ment of his quarters, in the let-down of his hams, and in his
height behind; and further remarkable for his formation ap-
proaching what is often seen in the Irish horse, and known as
the goose-rump. Even the American racer stands very much
higher behind and lower before than his English fellow.

Another point in which the American hoi-se of all conditions
d.ffers extremely and most advantageously from the European
animal, is his greater sure-footedness and freedom from the
dangerous vice of stumbling. Any one can satisfactorily con-

THE AMERICAN HORSE.

vincc himself of this, by comparing the knees of hack-horses
let for hire, either in the cities or rural villages of the United
States, with those of similar English localities. In this coun-
try, a broken knee is one of the very rarest blemishes encoun-
tered in a horse ; while of horses let for hire in England, with
the exception of those let by a few crack livery-keepers in
London, in the Universities, and in one or two other of the
most important towns in hunting neighborhoods, a majority
are decidedly broken-kneed.

The exemption of the horse, on this side of the Atlantic,
from this fault, is ascribable: first, to the fact, that both the
pasture-lands and the roads here are far rougher, more broken
in surface, and more interrupted by stones, stumps, and other
obstacles, than in the longer cultivated and more finished coun-
tries of Europe, which teaches young horses to bend their
knees, and throw their legs more freely while playing widi tho
dams in the field ; and also to lift and set down their feet with
much greater caution even on our great thoroughfares-
secondly, to the higher blood and breed of riding-horses in
England, which are often cantering thorough breds, liable to
be unsafe travelers on the road ; and lastly, to the well-known
circumstance, that most of the hired horses are roadsters— these
are worn-out or broken-down animals of a higher caste, which
are deemed, by reason of their disqualification for a higher
position, fit for a secondary o^e, although suited to none, and
dangerous in any.

To this admirable quality of the American horse, must be
added his extreme good temper and docility, in which he un-
deniably excels any other horse in the world. From the first
childhood of the animal until he is fully put to work, he re*

THE AMERICAN HORSE

THE AMERICAN BLOOB-HORSE.

i i

' i

quires and receives little or no breakinc., unless l.e show quali-
ties which promise such speed or endurance as to render it
advisable to train him as a trotter. Even when this is done,
it is for the purpose of developing his powers, getting him to
exert himself to the utmost, and teaching him how to move to
the best advantage ; and not to render him submissive, easy of
management, or gentle to be .handled. There is scarcely ever
any difficulty in saddling, in harnessing, in backing, or in in-
ducing him to go. He may be awkward at first, uncouth, shy,
and timid ; but he is never, one may almost say, violent, spas-
modic in his actions, and fierce.

It is true that horses are treated, for the most part, with
superior judgment and greater humanity in the United States ;
that the whip is little used, and the spur almost unknown J
still the whole of this remarkable difi-erence in temper, on the
part of the American horse, cannot be attributed to the differ^
ence of treatment.

As he begins, moreover, he continues to the end. One
rarely encounters a kicker, a runaway, an inveterate shyer or
balker, and hardly ever a furious animal, not to be approached
save at the risk of limb or life, in an American horse of any
class or condition.

Probably this fact may, in some respects, be attributed to
the less high strain of blood in the American roadster, and
still more to the hardier and less^stimulating mode of treatment
to which he is subjected. The heating treatment to which the
English horse is subjected, unquestionably deprives him in
some degree, of the power of enduring Icng.protracted exer-
tion, privation, hardship, and the inclemency of the weather;
and the pampering, high feeding, excessive grooming, and

general maintenance of horses in an unnatural and excited
state of spirits has, assuredly, an injurious efiect upon the
general temj^er of the animal *, though not, perhaps, so greatly
as to account for all the difference to which allusion has just
been made.

Having premised thus much, in general terms, of the history
and peculiarities of the general American horse, we will next
take up the leading varieties whicli obtain in this country,
commencing with

THE AMEHICAW BIjOOD-HOIISE.

Unlike the human race of the United States, unlike the
ordinary working horse, unlike the cattle and most of the do-
niestic animals of North America — which cannot be traced or
said to belong to any single distinct breed or family, having
originated from the combination and amalgamation of many

bloods and stocks, derived from many different countries the

blood-horse, or racer, of America stands alone, unquestionably
of pure English thorough-blood.

What that English thorough-blood is, it is only necessary
here to say that, although it is not possible, in every instance,
to trace the great progenitors of the English and American
turf, directly on both sides, to Desert blood j and although it

can scarcely be doubted that, in the very commencement of

turf-breeding, there must have been some mixture of the best
old English blood, probably, in great part, Spanisli by descent,
with the true Arab or Barb race ; yet the impure admixture
is so exceedingly remote, not within fourteen or fifteen genera-
tions— since which the smallest taint has been carefully ex-
cluded— that the present race-horse of England or North

''^'^-^'^■'^•'rias

!«

40 mrr

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

America, cannot possess above one sixteen-thousandth part of
any other blood .l.an tl.nt of the Desert

Nor can it be doubted, that the ,„oder„ thoron.h-bred is
far supenor to the present horse of the East in h s „ Ui
and po.e ,, , ,. ,,, ,o„e, stre«,.h, and b U

bred, V .ch has been proved wherever it has encountered tVo

Arab blood has, f„ the shghtest degree, improved the Euro,
pean or American racer. "'e j^mo,

it seems now to be a conceded point, that to improve nn,
tl od, the s,re must be the M,.rior animal ; and, since b, cnre
cu t.vatK>n, superior food, and better management, our dcLend-'
ant of Desert blood has been developed into an animal supe-
nor to h.s progenitors, mares of the improved race can .lin
nothing b:, being crossed with the original stock ; althouH. it
IS yet to be seen, whether something might not be effcetrd by
be .m,.ortation of Oriental mares, and breeding them Judiciously
to modern thorough-bred stallions.

It has been already stated, that the first systematic attempts
. .mprovmg the blood of ,he English horse began in the re.'gn

d r^" f, ;" '•' "■" '^•'""■""^'^ '■" "-' «^ Charles I. ad
dur ng the Commonwealth, and advanced with renewed spirit
on t e restoration of the Stuarts. I„ the reign of Queen A „

E,^h..h thorough-bred horse may be regarded as fairly estab-
.shed, the Darley Arabia, sire of Flying Childcrs, ci::!^
Barb, and Lord Carlisle's Turk, sire of the Bald Gallowav
be.ng .mported in her reign. Sixteen years after her death'
and three years before the settlement of Georgia, the younges;

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

of the original American colonies, twenty-one foreign, and fifty
native stallions, some of them the most celebrated horses which
tlie world has ever seen, were in service as stock-getters in the
United Kingdom ; and from some of those are descended all
our racers of the present day.

It was precisely during this period that the American colo-
Hies were planted ; and, as might be anticipated, English horses
of pure blood wer« introduced at a very early date. Indeed,
in those sections where the settlement was mainly effected by
men attached to the Cavalier party, race-horses were kept and
trained, race-courses were established, and a well-authenticated
stock of thorough-bred animals, tracing to the most celebrated
English sires, many of which were imported in the early part
of the eighteenth century, was in existence for some time before
the outbreak of the old French war.

In the Eastern States, whose settlers were mainly attached
to the Puritan party, and therefore opposed in an especial man-
ner to horse-racing, very few horses of thorough blood were im-
ported.

In Virginia and Maryland, as the head-quarters of the Oav-
nliers, it is probable that racing commenced simultaneously, or
nearly so ; it being an attribute of the principal towns' of
Maryland some years prior to Braddock^s defeat in 1753.
In the latter State, indeed, it appears for some time to have
been considered a part of the duty of the Governor to keep a
racing stud; since no less than rire successive governors were
all determined turfmen and supporters of the American racing
interest.

As our Revolutionary War interrupted the peaceful progress
of the country and the avocations of our country gentlemen at

■0^:

SB^Ft''-;'

■'■'-"■'■'■

■«.

'.>■.-•■?;,■'-•>-"-

j^^^

'*".■/, :'

,.5j^j*v-

.'.'^■Tj'V"'''

^^y^^l^i^^^^^^^^^^^^^l

,\7S

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

BO early a period in the history of tl>e American Turf, the dif-
ficulty of ascertaining how far records or registries- hive been
preserved, or were kept from the first, has been materially en-
hanced. Yet, on the whole, it may be regarded as remarkable
rather that so many pedigrees can be unequivocally followed
out, than that a few should be obscure and untraceable farther
than to an imported mare. Indeed, it must be granted as a fact
which cannot be questioned or doubted, fully established both
by their own performances and by the unfailing transmission of
their hereditary qualities, that our American horses are as cer-
tainly thorough-bred as are any of those English champions,
whose blood no one ever dreams of disputing, which go back,'
like that of Eclipse himself, or many others of equal renown, to
an unknown dam or sire.

From Virginia and Maryland, the racing spirit extended
rapidly into the Carolinas, where it has never to this day flag-red.
The oldest race-courses in this country, which are yet kepi up
for purposes of sport, arc the Newmarket course, near Peters-
burg, Virginia; and the Washington course, near Charleston
South Carolina. At Alexandria, D. C, there was a race-course
early in the last century, and the courses in tlie neighborhood
of Richmond have been in existence above seventy years.

It was not until about the commencement of the present cen-
tury, that what n,ay be called race-courses proper were estab-
lished in New York ; the first club for the promotion of the breed
of horses by means of racing dating from 1804; although lon^
previously the improvement of the breed of horses had created
much interest in that State, celebrated stock-getters having
been imported as early as 1TG4 and 1765.
Into Pennsylvania, a State which has never particularly dis-

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

tinguished itself in the racing turf, were brought at an early
date two horses, Graj Northumberland (also called Irish Gray),
and Old England ; to these must be given the credit of runniiio-
one of the oldest great American time-races on record as Ion"-
ago as 1767, against two other horses, Selim and Granby.

Although the use of the horse for merely racing purposed
does not at present obtain to as great an extent with us as in
England— a circumstance which can be readily accounted for

^ from the prejudice which many entertain

BLACK HAWK— AX AJIERICAN KACER.

against such a use, owing to the objectionable accompaniments
which are too often found in connection with it — still it should
not be forgotten, that the advantage to be derived from the
thorough-bred horse depends upon far more than his applica-
bility to the turf and his fitness for racing purposes. Were it
otherwise, it would scarcely be worth while to devote the space

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

to the consideration of this topic which has, by common con*
Bent, been deemed indispensable.

The truth is, that the race-course was not, in the beffinnin"-
so much as thought of as a scene for the disphiy of the high
qualities of this animal; much less was racing considered bj
our ancestors as an end for which they imported the Eastern
horse into Europe. It was for the improvement of the native
stock of horses in the various European Kingdoms, by givino-
to them speed and endurance,— in which respects no other breed
can compare with them,— that the Asiatic and North-African
horse was so eagerly sought by the monarchs, especially of Eng-
land, during the seventeenth, and the early part of the eigh-
teenth century.

The race-course was at first employed solely as a method of
testing the prevalence or superiority, in certain animals or
breeds of animals, of these qualities of speed and endurance,
which can by no other known method be so completely, so accu-
rately, and so fairly tested. Soon after the introduction of the
thorough-bred horse, this process of testing his qualities grew
into a favorite sport with all classes of persons in England.
After the multiplication of race-courses throughout the king-
dom and the establishment of racing as a national institution,
the objects of the possessors and breeders of race-horses under-
went a change ; what had been a means originally, becoming
eventually, more or less, the end. Horses, in a high form and
of the most favorite and purest strains of blood, were eagerly
sought and commanded large prices, for the purposes of sport and
honorable competition, as was the case in the Olympic Games
of ancient Greece.

At a yet later date, a second change of object has taken

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

place ; and, with but few exceptions, the thorough-bred horse is
now kept, both in England and this country, for the paramount
purpose of money-making, either by the actual winning of his
prizes, or by his service in the stud, after his racing career is
ended.

Still, although the animals employed may be generally kept
merely for the gratification of cupidity and the excitement of
the contest, and though racing and race-courses may be subject
to abuses by far too many, yet such means are, even now, as
they were intended to be from the first, the best and only mode
of really improving the general stock of any country. As the
points of the thorough-bred horse are precisely those which
constitute the perfection of a blood-horse in a high form as a
stallion for improving the breed of animals, and for getting the
best horses from any possible class of mares, for all possible uses,
unless for the very slowest and most ponderous draught, thi? de-
scription of those points which are most generally accepted as
accurate is subjoined.

Purity of blood is an indispensable requisite for the thorough-
bred horse. By the term *' blood," it is not intended to be un-
derstood that there is any real difference between the blood of
the thorough-bred horse and that of the half-bred animal, as no
one could discriminate between the two by any known process.
The term is here used in the same sense as "breed," and by
purity of blood is meant purity in the breeding of the individual
animal under consideration ; that is to say, that the horse
which is entirely bred from any one source is pure, or free from
any mixture with others, and may be a pure Suffolk Punch, or
a pure Clydesdale, or a pure thorough-bred horse. All these
terms are, however, comparative, since there is no such animal

' ■'rm^vmmliii^s^jj^y

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

as a perfectly purely-bred horse of any breed, whether cart-horse,
hack, or race-horse; all have been produced from an admixture
with other breeds, and though now kept as pure as possible, yet
they were originally compounded of varying elements. As,
however, the thorough-bred horse as he is called, has long been
bred for racing purposes, and selections have been made with
that view alone, it is reasonable to suppose that this breed is
the best for that purpose, and that a stain of any other is a de-
viation from the classical stream into one more muddy, and
therefore impure. Indeed, in actual practice this is found to be
the case ; for in every instance it has resulted that the horse
bred with the slightest deviation from the sources indicated by
the stud-book, is unable to compete in lasting power with those
which are entirely of that breed. Hence it is established as a
rule, that for racing purposes every horse must be thorou^'h-bred •
that 13, bred of a sire and dam, whose names are found in the
stud-book.

The external form of tha blood-horse is of great importance ;
it being true, other things being equal, that the horse will
be the best runner which is formed in the mould most like that
of the greatest number of good race-horses. Still, it is ad-
mitted on the turf, that high breeding is of more consequence
than external shape, and that, of two horses, one perfect in
shape but of an inferior strain of blood, and the other of the
.most winning blood, but in shape not so well formed, the latter
will be the most likely to give satisfaction on the race-course.
Hence originates the proverb, ''an ounce of blood is worth
a pound of bone.'^ Yet, in spite of all this recognized superi-
ority x)f blood, it is indisputable that for the highest degree of
success there must be not only high purity of blood, and that

of the most winning strains, but there must also be a frame of
the most useful character, if not always of the most elegant
form. Many of our very best horses have been plain and even
coarse-looking ; but, in spite of their plainness, all their points
were good and useful, and the deficiency was in mere elegance,
not in real utility.

The height of the race-horse varies from fifteen hands to
sixteen and a half hands, or even seventeen hands ; but the
general height of our best horses, is about fifteen hands and
three inches. Few first-class performers have exceeded the
heighi of sixteen hands and one inch. The average, above given,
may be fairly laid down as the best height for the race-horse ;
though it cannot be denied, that for some small and confined
courses, a smaller horse, of little more than fifteen hands high,
has a better chance, as being more capable of turning round
the constantly recurring angles or bends.

The head and neck should be characterized by lightness,
which is essential for this department. Whatever is unneces-

so much dead

and whatever is

found in the

head and

llj neck, which
''' ' IS not neces-
sary for the
peculiar pur-
poses of the

AMKRICAN PLANTATION SCEKR. raCC-llOrSC IS

SO much weight thrown away, which must still be carried by
the horse. The head, we may say in detail, should be lean

^-. , t^*^'*'*'*^*^^*'

I I

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

about the jaw, yet with a full development of forehead, which
should be convex and wide, so as to contain wiihin the skull
a good volume of brain. If this fullness exist, all the rest of
the head may be as fine as possible ; the jaws being reduced to
a fine muzzle, with a slight hollowing out in front, but with a
width between the two sides of the lower jaw where it joins
the neck, so as to allow plenty of room for the top of the
windpipe when the neck is bent. The ears should be pricked
and fine, but not too short ; eyes full and spirited ; nostrils
large, and capable of being well dilated when at full speed,
which is easily tested by the gallop, after which they ought to
stand out firmly, and so as to show the internal lining fully.
The neck should be muscular, and yet light; the windpipe
loose and separate from the neck,— that is, not too tightly
bound down by the membrane of the neck. The crest should
be thin and wiry, not thick and loaded, as is often seen in
coarse stallions, or even in some mares.

Between the two extremes of the ewe-neck and its opposite,
there are many degrees, but for racing purposes the former
is preferable of the two, to the latter ; for few horses can go
well with their necks bent so as to draw the chin to the bosom ;
yet here, as in other cases, the happy medium between the
two extremes is the most desirable.

The body, or middle-piece, should be moderately long, and
not too much confined between the last rib and the hip bone.'
So long as the last or back-ribs are deep, it is not of so much
importance that they should be closely connected to the hip-
bone, for such a shape shortens the stride ; and though it
enables the horse to carry a great weight, yet it prevents him
from attaining a high rate of speed. The back itself should

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

^e muscular, and the hips so wide as to allow of a good de-
velopment of the muscular department. The withers may rise
gently, but not too high, with that thin, razor-like elevation
which many people call a good shoulder, but which really has
notluDg to do with that part, and is only an annoyance to the
saddler, in preventing its being pinched by the saddle. The chest
itself should be well developed, but not too wide and deep ; no
horse can go a good distance without a fair '' bellows-room •/'
but, supposing the beast to be sound and of good quality, the
amount of lungs will suffice which may be contained in a
medium-sized chest, and all above that is wasted, and is extra
weight. Many of our best-winded horses have had medium-
sized chests, and some of the very worst have been furnished
with room enough for a blacksmith's bellows to play in. If
the heart only does its duty well, the lungs can always furnish
sufficient air ; and we know that when frequently renewed, and
with sufficient power, the blood is aerated as fast as it is pro-
pelled, and the chief difficulty lies in this power of propulsion,
which resides in the heart alone. If the chest be too wide, it
materially affects the action of the fore-legs, and, therefore, in
every point of view, theoretically and practically, there is a
happy medium between the too great contraction 3n this de-
partment, and the heavy, wide, lumbering chests, sometimes
Been even in the thorough-bred race-horse, especially when
reared upon rich succulent herbage, more fitted for the bullock
than for the Eastern horse. In the formation of the hips, tho
essential point is length and breadth of bone for muscular at-
tachment, and it matters little whether the croup droops a lit-
tle, or is pretty straight and level, so that there is a good
length from ihe hips to the haunch-bone the line between which

THE AMERICAN BL00I>-HORSB.

two points may be either nearly horizontal, or forming- ft con<
siderable angle with the ground ; but still in both cases it
should be a long line, and the longer it is the more muscular
substance is attached to it, and the greater lererage will the
muscles have.

The fore-quarter, consisting of the shoulder, upper and lower
arm and le^ and foot, should be well set on to the chest ; and the
shoulder-blade should lie obliquely on the side of that part, with
a full development of muscle to move it, and thrust it well forward
in the gallop. Obliquity is of the greatest importance, acting as
ft spring in taking off the shock of the gallop or leap, and also
giving a longer attachment to the muscles, and in addition en-
abling them to act with more leverage upon the arm and leg.
As the shoulder-blade does not reach the top of the withers,
and as the bones forming that part have nothing to do with
the shoulder itself, many high-withered horses have bad and
weak shoulders, and some very upright ones ; whilst, on the
other hand, many low-withered horses have very obliq^ie and
powerful shoulders, and such as to give great facility and plia-
bility to the fore extremity. The shoulder should be very
muscular, without being over-done or loaded, and so formed
as to play freely in the action of the horse. The point of the
shoulder which is the joint corresponding to the human shoulder,
should be free from raggedness, but not too flat ; a certain degree
of development of the bony part is desirable, but more than
this leads to defects, and impedes the action of this important
part. The upper arm, bdlWeen this joint and the elbow,
should be long, and well clothed withrauscles; the elbow set on
quite straight, and not tied in to the chest ; the lower arm muscu-
lar and long ; knees broad and strong, with the bony projeetion

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

behind well developed ; legs flat, and showing a suspensory liga-
ment large and free; pasterns long enough, without being
weak ; and the feet sound, and neither too large nor too small,
and unattended with any degree of contraction, which is the
bane of the thorough-bred horse.

The hind-quarter is the chief agent in propulsion, and is
therefore of the utmost consequence in attaining a high speed.
It is often asserted that the oblique shoulder is the grand
requisite in this object, and that it is the part upon which speed
mainly depends, and in which it may be said to reside. This is,
to some extent, true, because there can be no doubt that with a
loaded shoulder high speed is impracticable ; for, however
powerfully the body may be propelled, yet when the fore-quar-
ter touches the ground it does not bound off again as smartly
as it ought to do, and the pace is consequently slow. The
elastic shoulder, on the contrary, receives the resistance of the
earth, but reacts upon it, and loses very little of the power
given, by the strike of the hind-quarter, which, nevertheless, .,
must be strong and quick, or else there is nothing for the
shoulder to receive and transmit. For the full action of the
hind-quarters, two things are necessary, viz: first, length and
volume of muscle; and, secondly, length of leverage, upon
which that muscle may act. Hence, all the bones comprising
the hind-quarter should be long, but the comparative length
must vary a good deal, in order that the parts upon which the
muscles lie may be long, rather than those connected with the
tendons, which are mere ropes'Tnd have no propelling power
residing in them, but only transmit that which they derive from
the muscles themselves. Thus, the hips should be Jong and
wide, and the two upper divisions of the limb— viz., the stifle and

THE AMEWCAN BLOOD-HORSE.

lower thigh— should be long, strong, and fully developed. By
this formation, the stifle-joint is brought well forward, and there
is a considerable angle between these two divisions. The hock
should be long and strong, free from gum or spavin, and the
point long, and so set on as to be free from weakness at the
situation of curb. In examining the hind-quarter, to judge of
its muscular development, the horse should not be looked at
sideways, but his tail should be raised, and it should be ascer.
tained that the muscles of the two limbs meet together below
the anus, which should in fact be well supported by them, and
not left loose, and, as it were, in a deep and flaccid hollow.
The outline of the outer part of the thigh should be full, and in
ordinary horses the muscles should swell out beyond the level
of the point of the hip. This fullness, however, is not often
seen to such an extent in the thorough-bred horse, until he has
arrived at mature age, and is taken out of training. The
bones below the hock should be flat md free from adhesions:
the ligaments and tendons fully developed, and standing out
free from the bones ; and the joints well formed and wide, yet
without any diseased enlargement ; the pasterns should be mo-
derately long, and oblique ; the bones of good size ; and, lastly,
the feet should correspond to those already alluded to' in the
anterior extremity.

These points, taken as a whole, should be in proportion to
one another-that is to say, the formation of the horse should
be -true." He should not have long, well-developed hind-
quarters, with an upright, weak, or confined fore-quarter. Nor
will the reverse of this answer the purpose ; for, however well,
formed the shoulder may be, the horse will not go well unless ho
bas a similar formation in the propeller. It is of great impo^

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

tance, therefore, that the thorough-bred horse should have all his
Various points in true relative development, and, that there should
not be the hind-quarter of a long, racing-like horse, with the
thick, confined shoulder which would suit a stride less reaching
iu its nature.

The color of the thorough-bred horse is now generally bay,
brown, or chestnut, one or the other of which will occur in ninety-
nine cases out of a hundred ; gray not being common, though
it sometimes appears. Black, also, occasionally makes its ap-
pearance^ but not more frequently than gray. Roans, duns,
sorrels, etc., are now quite exploded, and the above five colors
may be said to complete the list of colors seen in the race-horse.
Sometimes these colors are mixed with a good deal of white, in
the shape of blazes on the face, or white legs and feet ; or even
both may occur, and the horse may have little more than his
body of a brown, bay, or chestnut. Most people, however,
prefer the self-color, with as little white as possible ; and nothing
but the great success of a horse's stock would induce breeders
to resort to him, if they were largely endowed with white.
Gray hairs mixed in the coat, are rather approved than other-
wise ; but they do not amount to a roan, in which the gray
hairs equal, or even more than that, the other colors mixed
with them.

The texture of the coat and skin is a great proof of high*
breeding, and, in the absence of the pedigree, would be highly
regarded ; but when that is satisfactory, it is of no use descend-
ing to the examination of an inferior proof; and, therefore, ex-
cept as a sign of health, the skin is seldom considered. In all
thorough-bred horses, however, it is thinner, and the hair more
Bilky than in common breeds ; and tho veins arc more apparent

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

i! :

, V

under the skin, partly from its thinness, but also from thel^
extra size and number of branches. This network of veins is
of importance in allowing the circulation to be carried on
during high exertions, when, if the blood could not accumulate
in them, it would often choke the deep vessels of the heart
and lungs ; but, by collecting on the surface, great relief is
afforded, and the horse is able to maintain such a high and long-
continued speed, as would be impracticable without their help.
Hence these points are not useful as a mere mark of breed,
but as essential to the very purpose for which that breed was
established.

The mane and tail should be silky, and not curly, though a
Blight wave is often seen. A decided curl is almost univer-
Bally a mark of degradation, and shows a stain in the pedigree
as clearly as any sign can do. Here, however, as in other
cases, the clear tracing of that all-powerful proof of breeding,
will upset all reasoning founded upon inferior data. The
Betting on of the tail is often regarded as of great importance,
but it is chiefly with reference to appearances ; for the horse is
not dependent for action or power upon this appendage. Nor
is strength of dock of any value as a sign, and many very stout
horses have been known with flaccid and loosely pendant tails.
It is well known that certain horses can run half a mile at
high speed, but no more; others, a mile; others, again, a mile
and a half, or two miles; whilst another class, now less common
than formerly, require a distance of three or four miles to de-
velop their powers, as compared with ordinary horses. These
peculiarities are generally hereditary, though not always so;
but still, when the blood is known, it may generally be surmised,
that the individual will, or will not, stay a distance. When the

cross in question is stout on one side, and flashy on the other,
it is not easy to guess to which the young scion may lean ; but
in those cases where a horse is bred from sire or dam, both of
stout blood, or the reverse, the experienced hand may, in almost
all cases, decide beforehand upon the qualities of the son or
daughter, as far as staying qualities are concerned. Again,
there are some horses of strong, compact frames, with short
backs and strong quarters, who may be expected to climb a hill
without difficulty, especially if of stout blood ; and, again, there
are others of lathy frames, with long but weak points, and a
great deal of daylight under them, who may win over the flat
for a mile, or a mile and a quarter, but can never climb a hill,
or get beyond the above distance over a flat. All these points
should be carefully studied by the breeder in getting together
his breeding stock, and by the owner in deciding how he will
enter his young produce in the race.

In passing from the consideration of the history of the
American Race-Horse to the examination of other races and
types of this animal in general use in our country, it must be
borne in mind, as before remarked, that the thorough-bred horse
of America is the only family of the horse on this continent of
pure and unmixed blood.

In the United States, and British America, the process of
absorption, or abolition of all the old special breeds, and of the
amalgamation of all into one general race, which may fairly be
termed specially '* American," possessing a very large admix-
ture of thorough blood, has gone on far more rapidly than in
England — the rather that, with the one solitary exception of
the Norman horse in Canada, no special breeds have ever taken

THE AMERICAN BLOOD-HORSE.

root as such, or been bred, or even attempted to be bred in
tbeir purity, in any part of America.

In Canada East, the Norman horse, imported by the early
settlers, was bred for many generations entirely unmixed ; and
fs the general agricultural horse of that province, exists so yet'
/stunted somewhat in size by the cold climate, and the ron^h
usage to which he has been subjected for centuries, but in no
wise degenerated ; for he possesses all the honesty, courage^ ■
endurance, hardihood, soundness of constitution, and charac
tenslic excellence of feet and legs of his progenitor. Through-
out both the provinces, he may be regarded as the basi- of
the general horse, improved as a working animal by crosses of
English half-bred sires ; and as a roadster, carriage-horse a
higher class riding or driving horse, by an infusion of English
thorough blood.

AH these latter types are admirable animals ; and it is from
the latter admixture that have sprung many of the most cele-
brated trotting horses, which, originally of Canadian descent
have found their way into the New England States nnd New
York, and there won their laurels as American trotters. Still
it is not to be denied, that there are in different sections of the
United States, different local breed, of horses, apparently pecu-
liar, and now become nearly indigenous to those localities and
that those breeds differ not a little, as well in qualities as in
form and general appearance. A good judge of horse-flesh
for instance, will find little difficulty in selecting the draught'
horse of Boston, that is to say, of Massachusetts and Yennont
from those of New York and New Jersey, or any of the three'
from the large Pennsylvania tcam-horscs, or from the general
stock of the Western States.

THE VERMONT DRAUGHT- HORSE,

The Termont draught-horse, and the great Pennsylvania
horse, known as the Conestoga horse, appear in some considera-
ble degree to merit the title of distinct families ; inasmuch as
they seem to reproduce themselves continually, and to have
done so from a remote period, comparatively speaking, within
certain regions of country, which have for many years been
furnishing them in considerable numbers to those markets, for
which their qualities render them most desirable.

With the limited information at present accessible as to the
origin and derivation of these various families, nothing more
can be done in the present work than to describe the charac*
teristic points of the breeds in question ; and, by comparison
with existing foreign races, to approach conjecturally the blood
from which they are derived, and also the manner in which they
have been originated, where they are now found.

THE VERMONT DRAUGHT-HORSB.

No person familiar with the streets of New YorV /an have
failed to notice the magnificent animals, for the most part dark
bays, with black legs, manes, and tails, but a few browns, and
now and then, but rarely, a deep, rich, glossy chestnut, which
draw the heavy wagons of the express companies in that city.
They are the very model of what draught-horses should be;
combining immense power with great quickness, a very respect-
able turn of speed, fine show, and good action.

These animals have almost invariably lofty crests, thin withers,
and well set-on heads ; and, although they are emphatically
draught-horses, they have none of that ahagginess of mane, tail,
and fetlocks, which indicates a descent from the black horse
of Lincolnshire, and none of that peculiar curliness or waviness

THE VERMONT DRAUGHT- HORSE.

wliicli marks the existence of Canadian or Xorman blood for
many generations, and which is discoverable in the manes and
tails of very many of the Morgan horses.

The peculiar characteristics of these horses are, liowevcr, the
shortness of their backs, the roundness of their barrels, and the
closeness of their ribbing-up. One would say, that they are
ponies, until he comes to stand beside them, when he is as.

tonished to find that they are oftener
over, than under, sixteen hands in height.

THE VERMOIfT DRACaHT-HORSB.

Kine out of ten of these horses are from Vermont , and not onl,
are they the finest animals in all the United States, for the
quick dranght of heavy loads, but the mares of this stock are
incomparably the likeliest, from which, by a well-chosen tho-
rongh-bred sire, to raise the most magnificent carriage-horses ia
the world.

As to the source of this admirable stock of horses, it may be

THE VERMONT DRAtJaHT-HORSE.

said, that the size, the action, the color, the comparative free-
dom from hair on the limbs, the straightness of the longer hairs
of the mane and tail, and the quickness of movement, would at
once lead one to suspect a large cross, perhaps the largest of
any, on the original mixed c\)untry horse, of Cleveland Bay.
There are, however, some points in almost all of these horses,
which must be referred to some other foreign cross than the
Cleveland, not thorough bred, and certainly, as above remarked,
not Norman or Canadian, of which these animals do not exhibit
any characteristic. These points are, principally, the shortness
of the back, the roundness of the barrel, the closeness of the
ribbing-up, the general punchy or pony build of the animal,
and its form and size, larger and more massively muscular than
those of the Cleveland Bay, yet displaying fully as large, if not
a larger, share of blood than belongs to that animal in its un-
mixed form.

The prevalent colors of this breed also appear to point to
an origin different, in part, from that of the pure Cleveland
Bays, which lean to the light or yellow bay variation, while
these New Englanders tend as decidedly to the blood bay, if
not to the brown bay, or pure brown. These latter are espe-
cially the dray-horse colors, and the points above specified are
those, in a great measure, of the improved dray-horse. The
cross of this blood in the present animal, if there be one, is
doubtless very remote ; and, whether it may have come from a
single mixture of the dray stallion long since, or from some
half-bred imported stallion, perhaps got by a three-part tho-
rough bred and Clevelander from a dray mare, must, of course,
be doubtful. One need have little hesitancy in asserting that
the bay draught-horse of Vermont, has in its veins, principally

' 'j^^'v,'' ' ^

ta. ^BMifctf ,'xta/ii>!fN-»3«i J

THE CONESTOOA HORSE.

Cleveland Bay blood, with some cross of thorough blood, one
at least, directly or indirectly, of the improved English dray,
horse, and not impossibly a chance admixture of the Suffolk.

THE CONESTOGA HOKSE.

In appearance this noble draught-horse approaches far more
nearly to the improved light-class London dray-horse, and has
little, if any, admixture of Cleveland Bay, and certainly none

* CONESTOOA— THg ORKAT PEmiSTLTASIA DRADOHT-HOIlit

Of thorough blood. He is a teamster, and a teamster only ;
Cut a very noble, a very honest, and a moderately quick-work-
ing teamster. In size and power some of these great ani-
mals employed in dranght upon the railroad track in Market
street, Philadelphia, are little, if at all, inferior to the dray-
borses of the best breweries and distilleries in London ; many

THE CONESTOGA HORSE.

of them coming fully up to the standard of seventeen or seven-
teen and a half hands in height.

In color, also, they follow the dray-horses ; being more often
blood-bays, brown, and dapple-grays than of any other shade.
The bays and browns, moreover, are frequently dappled also in
their quarters, which is decidedly a dray-horse characteristic
and beauty ; while it is, in some degree, a derogation to a horse
pretending to much blood. This peculiarity is often observ-
able also in the larger of the heavy Vermont draught-horses,
and is not unknown in the light and speedy Morgan.

They have the lofty crests, shaggy volumes of mane and tail,
round buttocks, hairy fetlocks, and great round feet of the
dray-horse ; they are, however, longer in the back, finer in the
shoulder, looser in the loin, and perhaps, fatter in the side than
their English antitypes. They do not run to the unwieldy
superfluity of flesh, for which the dray-horse is unfortunately
famous ; they have a lighter and livelier carriage, a better step
and action, and are, in all respects, better travelers, more
active, generally useful, and superior animals.

They were for many years, before railroads took a part of
the work off their broad and honest backs, the great carriers
of produce and provisions from the interior of Pennsylvania to
the seaboard, or the market ; and the vast white-topped wagons,
drawn by superb teams of the stately Conestogas, were a dis-
tinctive feature in the landscape of that great agricultural
State. The lighter horses of this breed, were the general farm-
horses of the country ; and no one, who is familiar with the
agricultural regions of that fine State, can fail to observe that
the farm-horses generally, whether at the plough, or on the

fUE CANADIAN HORSE.

THE CANADIAN HOBSE.

road, are of considerably more bulk and bone than those of
New York, New Jersey, or the Western country.

Of the Gonestoga horse, although it has long been known
and distinguished by name as a separate family, nothing is
positively authenticated, from the fact that such pedigrees
have never been, in the least degree, attended to ; and, perhaps,
no less from the different language spoken by the German
farmers, among whom this stock seems first to have obtained,
and by whom principally it has been preserved. It would ap
pear, however, most probable, taking into consideration the
thrifty character, and apparently ample means of the early
German settlers, their singular adherence to old customs and
conservatism of old-country ideas, that they brought with them
horses and cattle, such as Wouvermans, and Paul Potter painted ;
and introduced to the rich pastures of the Delaware and the
Schuylkill, the same type of animals which had become famous
fn the similarly constituted lowlands of Flanders, Guelderland,
and the United Provinces.

THE CAITADIAISr HOnSB.

The Canadian is generally low-sized, rarely exceeding fifteen
hands, and more often falling short of it. His characteristic?
are a broad, open forehead j ears somewhat wide apart, and not
unfrequently a basin face ; the latter, perhaps, a trace of the
far remote Spanish blood, said to exist in his veins; the origin
of the improved Norman or Percheron stock, being, it is usually
believed, a cross of the Spaniard, Barb by descent, with the
old Norman war-horse.

His crest is lofty, and his demeanor proud and courageous.
His breast is full and broad ; his shoulder strong, though some-

what straight, and a little inclined to be heavy ; his back broad,
and his croup round, fleshy, and muscular. His ribs are not,
however, so much arched, nor are they so well closed -up, as his
general shape and build would lead one to expect. His legs
and feet are admirable ; the bone large and flat, and the sinews
hig, and nervous as steel-springs. His feet seem almost un-
conscious of disease. His fetlocks are shaggy ; his mane
voluminous and massive, not seldom, if untrained, falling on
both sides of his neck; and his tail abundant; both having a
peculiar crimpled wave, never seen in any horse which has not
some strain of this blood.

He cannot be called a speedy horse in his pure state ; but
he is emphatically a quick one, an indefatigable, undaunted
traveler, with the greatest endurance, day in and day out,
allowing him to go his own pace — say from six to eight miles
the hour — with a horse's load behind him, oi ai animaf one
can derive. He is extremely hardy, will thrive on any thing,
or almost on nothing; is docile, though high-spirited, remark-
ably sure-footed on the worst ground, and has fine, high action,
bending his knee roundly, and setting his foot squarely on the
ground. As a farm-horse and ordinary farming roadster, there
is no better or more honest animal ; and, as one to cross with
other breeds, whether upwards by the mares to thorough-bred
Rtallions, or downwards by the stallions to common country
mares of other breeds, he has hardly any equal.

From the upward cross, with the English or American tho-
rough-bred on the sire's side, the Canadian has produced some
of the fastest trotters and the best gentleman's road and saddle-
horses in the country ; and, on the other hand, the Canadian
stallion, wherever he has been introduced, as he has been largely

(■■*

mtim~ ,

I t

THE INDIAN PONT.

m the neighborhood of Skaneateles, and generally in the western
part of the State of New York, is gaining more and more favor
w.th the farmers, and is improving the style and stamina of
the country stoek. He is said, although small himself in stature
to have the unusual quality of breeding up in size with lar-^e;
and loftier mares than himself, and to give the foals his olj
vigor, pluck, and iron constitution, with the frame and general
cspect of their dams. This, it may be remarked in passin.
appears to be a characteristic of the Barb blood above all others'
and IS a strong corroboration of the legend, which attributes tj
him an early Andalusian strain.

THE IWDIAK PON r.

The various breeds of Indian ponies found in the West
generally appear to be the result of a cross between the Southern
mustang, descended from the emancipated Spanish horses of
the Southwest, and the smallest type of the Canadian, the pro-
portions varying according to the localities in which they are
found ; those further to the South sharing more largely of the
Spanish, and those to the North of the Normal blood.

These little animals, not exceeding thirteen hands in height
have, many of them, all the characteristics of the pure Cana-
dians, and, except in size, are not to be distinguished from
them They have the same bold carriage, open countenance,
Abundant hair, almost resembling a lion's mane, the same
general build, and, above all, the same iron feet and legs
They are merry goers, and over a hard and good road can
Bpin along at nearly nine miles in the hour. They arc dis-
tingutshed for their wonderful sure-footedness, sagacity, and
doahty. They are driveu without blinkers or bearing reins,

THE NARRAGANSETT PACER.

end where, as is often the case, bridges seem doubtful, the
bottom of miry fords suspicious of quagmires, or the road other-
wise dangerous, they will put down their heads to examine, try
the difTiculty with their feet, and, when satisfied, will get
through or over places which seem utterly impracticable.

Whence this peculiar pony breed of Canadians has arisen
cannot with certainty be traced ; it seems, however, to be almost
entirely peculiar to the Indian tribes, and, therefore, may have
been produced by the dwarfing process, which will arise from
hardship and privation, endured for generation after generation,
particularly by the young animals and mares while heavy with
foal. Most of these animals have no recent cross of the Spanish
horse; although some ponies approaching nearly to the same
type, show an evident cros of the Mustang ; and many animals
called Mustangs, have in them some unmistakable Canadian
blood.

THE NAKRAGANSETT PACEB.

This beautiful animal, which, so far as can now be ascertained,
has at present entirely ceased to exist, and concerning which
the strangest legends and traditions are afloat, was, it may be
asserted with conjparative certainty, of Andalusian blood. The
legends, to which allusion has been made, are two-fold- or,
rather, there are two versions of the same legend ; one saying
that the original stallion, whence the breed originated, was
picked up at sea, swimming for his life, no one knew whence
or thither, and, that he was so carried in by his salvors to the
I'rovidence Plantations ; the other, evidently another form of
the same story, sfating that the same original progenitor was
discovered running wild in the woods of Rhode Island.

id;

-^- - ^- .

THE NARRAGANSETT PACER.

►

The question, however, thus far seems to be put at rest by
the account of these animals, given in a note to the very curious
work, *' America Dissected," by the Rev. James McSparran,
D. D., which is published as an appendix to the History of tho
Church of Narragansett, by Wilkins Updike. In this work,
the Doctor twice mentions the pacing horse, which was evi-
dently at that remote date, (1721-59,) an established breed in
that province. "To remedy this," he says — "this" being the
great extent of the parishes in Virginia, of which be is at first
speaking, and the distance which had to be traveled to church,
— ** as the whole province between the mountains, two hundred
miles up, and the sea, is all a champaign and without stones,
the,y have plenty of a small sort of horses, the best in the world,
like the little Scotch Galloways; and His no extraordinary jour-
ney to ride from sixty to seventy miles, or more, in a day. I
have often, but upon large pinbuj horses, rode fifty, nay, sixty
miles a day, even here in Neiv England, where the roads are
rough, stony, and uneven." Elsewhere he speaks more point-
edly of the same breed. ''The produce of this Colony,"
(Rhode Island,) "is principally butter and cheese, fat cattle,
wool, and fine horses, which are exported to all parts of English
America. They are remarkable for fleetness and swift pacing ,
and I have seen some of them pace a mile in a little more than
two minutes, and a good deal less than three.^^

If the worthy doctor of divinity was a good judge of pace,
and had a good timing watch, it would seem that the wonderful
me of our fleetest racers was equaled, if not outdone, up-
wards of a century ago ; at all events, he establishes, beyond a
peradventure, the existence of the family, and its uneqnaled
powers both of speed and endurance.

THE NARRAGANSETT PACER.

To the latter extract is attached a lengthy note, a portion
>f which we give. *' The breed of horses, called 'Narragansett
pacers,' once so celebrated for fleetness, endurance, and speed,
has become extinct. These horses were highly valued for the
saddle, and transported the rider with great pleasantness and
surcness of foot. The pure blood could not trot at all. For-
merly, they had pace races. Little Neck Beach, in South
Kingston, one mile in length, was the race-course. A silver
tankard was the prize, and high bets were otherwise made on
the spc' d. Some of these prize tankards were remaining a
few ycais ago. Traditions respecting the swiftness of these
horses ai?e almost incredible. Watson, in his * Historical Tales
of Olden Times,* says: 'In olden time, the horses most valued
were pacers, now so odious deemed. To this end the breed
Was propagated with care. The Narragansett pacers were in
such repute, that they were sent for, at much trouble and ex-
pense, by some who were choice in their selections.'"

The most natural reason assignable for the extinction of this
breed, would seem to be somewhat as follows. Up to the be-
ginning of the present century in this country, — much as it was
half a century yet farther back in Englaijd, — the roads were
so bad, as to be, except in the finest weather, utterly imprac-
ticable for wheel-carriages; and that, except on the great turn-
pike-roads, and in the immediate vicinity of the larger towns,
private pleasure-vehicles were almost unknown ; all long jouu
iieys, with few exceptions, all excursions for pleasure or for
ordinary business, and all visitings between friends and neigh-
bors being performed by both sexes on the saddle. At that
time there was, therefore, a demand, as an actual necessity, rm
speedy, ani above all, for easy and pleasant-going saddle-horses.

i-\

• li

THE NARRAGANSETT PACER.

Pacers, whenever they could be found, would most readily
answer the desired end.

The expense of this was, of course, considerable, since the
pacer could not be used for any other purpose; when, there-
fore, the roads improved, in proportion to the improvement of
the country and the general increase of the population, wheel-
carriages generally came into use, and the draught-horse took
the place of the saddle-horse. It was soon found that a horse
could not be kept even tolerably fit for the saddle, if he was
allowed to work in the plough or draw the team, while the
same labor in no wise detracted from the chaise or carriao-e-
horse. The pacer, therefore, gave way to the trotter; and the
riding-horse, from being an article of necessity. becan:e ex-
clusively one of luxury; to such a degree, that, until compara-
tively a recent period, when ladies began again to take up
riding; there have been very few distinctively broken riding-
horses, and still fewer kept exclusively as such in the Northern
States of America.

This, unquestionably, is the cause of the extinction of the
pacer, although there have been pacing-horses in the eastern
Fection of this country, professedly from Rhode Island, and
called by names implying a Xarragansett origin ; and although
it may well be that they were from that region, and possibly,
In a remote degree, from that blood, yet they did not pace
naturally because they were Xarragansett Pacers, but were so
called, because coming somewhere from that region of country,
they paced by accident— as many chance horses do— or, in some
instances, had been taught to pace.

Considering the rare qualities of this variety, and its ad.
mirable adaptedness for many purposes of pleasure and conve-

THE MORGAN HORSE.

nience, it is a matter for real regret that the family has entirely
disappeared, presumably without any prospect or hope of it3
resuscitation.

THE MOKQAN HORSE.

Within a few years past the sporting world have become
familiar with a class or type of horses coming from the State
of Vermont, known as the Morgan horse; in behalf of which a
claim has been made, that it is a distinct family, directly de-
scended from a single horse, owned a little

■THAy ALLEX— A PAST TROTTINO MOROAW HORSB.

before and a little after the commencement of the present cen-
tury, by Justin Morgan, of Randolph, in Vermont, from whom
the name takes its rise.

Without choosing to go into an examination of the validity
<)f this claim— relative to which question an amount of bicker-
ing, crimination and recrimination has sprung up, sufficient to

THE MORaAN HORSE.

furnish the stock in trade of all our stump orators for the next
fifty Presidential campaigns— we content ourselves here with
alluding to the strong points and excellencies of this particular
variety, (for such the most sturdy opponents to its rank as a
distinct family freely admit that it possesses,) referring the
reader, who is curious in such matters, to the appropriate trea-
tises for and against the claim, which have been as voluminous
as the most prolix of Presidential messages.

'•The original, a 'Justin Morgan' "—we now quote from
*' Morgan Horses,'^ by D. C. Linsley— - was about fourteen
hands high, and weighed about nine hundred and fifty pounds.
His color was dark-bay, with black legs, mane, and tail. He
had no white hairs upon him. His mane and tail were coarse
and heavy, but not so massive as has been sometimes described-
the hair of both was straight, and not inclined to curl. His
head was good, not extremely small, but lean and bony, the face
straight, forehead broad, ears small and very fine, but set rather
wide apart. His eyes were medium size, very dark and promi-
nent, and showed no white around the edge of the lid. His
nostrils were very large, the muzzle small, and the lips close
and firm. His back and legs were, perhaps, his most noticeable
points. The former was very short ; the shoulder-blades and
thigh-bones being very long and oblique, and the loins exceed-
ingly broad and muscular. His body was rather long, round
and deep, close-ribbed up ; chest deep and wide, with the breast-
bone projecting a good deal in front. His legs were short,
close-jointed, thin, but very wide, hard and free fiom meat, with
muscles that were remarkably large for a horse of his size; and
this superabundance of muscle manifested itself at every step.
His hair was short, and at almost all seasons short and glossy.

THE MORGAN HOKSE.

He had a little long hair about the fetlocks, and for two or
three inches above the fetlock, on the back-side of the legs ; the
rest of his limbs were entirely free from it. His feet were small,
but well-shaped ; and he was in every respect perfectly sound
and free from blemish. He was a very fast walker. In trotting,
his gait was low and smooth, and his step short and nervous ;
he was not what in these days would be called fast, and we
think it doubtful whether he could trot a mile much, if any,
within four minutes, although it is claimed by many that he
could trot in three.

"Although he raised his feet but little, he never stumbled.
His proud, bold, and fearless style of movement, and his vigor-
ous, untiring action have, perhaps, never been surpassed. *
***** He was a fleet runner at short distances.
Running short distances for small stakes, was very common in
Vermont fifty years ago. Eighty rods was very generally the
length of the course which usually commenced at a tavern or
grocery, and extended the distance agreed upon up or down the
public road. In these races the horses were started from a
scratch ; that is, a mark was drawn across the road in the dirt,
and the horses, ranged in a row upon it, went off at the drop-
ping of a hat, or some other signah

**It will be observed that the form of Justin Morgan was not
such as, in our days, is thought best calculated to give the
greatest speed for a short distance. Those who believe in long-
legged racers will think his legs, body, and stride, were all too
short, and to them it may, perhaps, seem surprising that he
should be successful, as he invariably wns, in such contests."

The qualities claimed for this stock are neat style, good
trotting action, great honesty, great quickness and sprightliness

.''i

■.m

THE MORGAN HORSE.

I fl-

of movement, — apart from extraordinary speed, which is not
insisted upon as a characteristic of the breed, although .some
have possessed it — and considerable powers of endurance.
There has been some conflict of opinion concerning tlie courage
and endurance of the Morgans, and their ability to maintain a
good stroke of speed, say ten miles an hour, for several hours
in succession ; but it is now well established that this exception
has not been fairly taken, and that these horses lack neither
courage nor ability to persevere, though not at a high rate of
speed.

By fair deduction from the various conflicting accounts of
the Morgans, as they now exist, it may be stated that they are a
small, compact, active style of horse, showing the evidence of a
strain of good blood. They rarely, if ever, exceed fifteen hands
two inches, and it is probable that a hand lower, or from that
up to fifteen, is nearer to their standard. They are not par-
ticularly closely ribbed up, and many of them incline to bo
sway-backed. Their hind-qunrters are generally powerful, and
their legs and feet good. There is an evident family resem-
blance in their foreheads, their neck and crests being so often,
as to render the mark somewhat characteristic, lofty but erect,
without much curvature, and the neck apt to be thick at the
setting-on of the head, which, though good, is rarely blood-like.
The manes and tails are almost invariably coarse, as well as
heavy and abundant, and have very often a strong wave, or
even curl, of the hair.

It is admitted by the most strenuous opponents of this horse
as a distinct family, that the very best general stock for breed-
ing for general work—namely, a high cross of the very i>est
thorough-bred on the sires side, with the very best general stock

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE.

on the dam's — is to be found, so far as the United States arc
concerned, on the frontiers of Vermont, and that of the most
approved quality.

Having given the history of the various types or families of
the horse throughout the world, we next propose taking up

THE NATURAL HISTOBY OF THE HOUSE.

BKELETOK OF THE HORSE AS COVERED BY THE MUSCLES.

1. 1. Th« seven cervical vertebrre, or bones of tbe neck. 2. The sternum, or breast-
bo»e. 3. The scapula, or shouUlpr-blade. 4. The humerus, or bone of the arm. 6,
f). The radius, or boue of the fore-arm. 6. The ulna, or elbow. 7. The cartilages o^
the ribs. 8, 8, 8. The co.«tic, or ribs. 9. The carpus, or seven bones. 10, 10. Th»
metacarpal, or shank-bones: the larger nictaciirpul, or cannon, or shank-bone, in
front; and the pmall metacarpal, or splint-boue, behind. 11. The upper paKtern.
12. The lower pastern. 1.3. The coffin-bone. H to 14. The eighteen dorsal v«'rtebr«,
or bones of che spine. 15. The six lumbar vertebrae, or bones of the loins. 16, 16. The
haunch, consisting of the ilium, the ischium, and the pubis. 17, 17. The femur, or
thijrh-bone. 18, 18. The stifle-joint, with the patella, or knee-cap. 19, 19. The tibia,
or proper leg-bone. 20. The fibula. 21, 21. The tarsus, or hock. 22. The metatarsal
bones of the hind-leg. 2.3, 23. The pastern of the hind-feet, including the upper and
larger bone, (fig. 2.3,^ the lower pastern, {tig. 2.'),) and the cofflu-bone. (tig. 21.) 26, 2«.
The caudal vertebra;, or tail-bones.

Division. Vertehrata — possessing a back-bone.
Class. Mammalia — such as give suck.
Order. Pachydermala — thick-skinned.

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE.

•

Family. Solipeda — uncleft-footed.
Genus. Equus — the horse family.

With the horse are ranked all those quadrupeds, whose generic
distinctiou is the undivided hoof — the equine genus.
Equus caballus, the horse.
Equus Hemionus, the dziggtai, Asiatic.
Equus Zebra, the zebra, ^

Equus Burchelli, I go^th African.

Equus Quagga, the Quagga, I

Equus Asinus, the ass. 0

The horse by far the noblest of the genus, is easily distin-
guishable from the rest of the group. His varieties are exceed-
ingly numerous, and differ widely in physical appearance. Th^
effects of climate and other agencies are displayed in his frame.
It has been asserted, though not upon sufficient basis, that he
arrives at the greatest perfection between the fifteenth and fifty-
fifth degrees of northern latitude. The mare is found capable
of generating her species as early as the second year of her
existence ; but it is detrimental to her form and the future ener-
gies of her offspring, thus prematurely to tax the productive
powers of her frame. It would be far more profitable to delay
this important function to the fourth or fifth year, when the
outline of her form approximates more closely to that of the
adult, and the vital energies of the animal economy become
more confirmed. Mares, in common with the females of many
other quadrupeds, are subject to a periodical appetency for the
male, which in them is termed horsing. The natural season of
its first occurrence is from the end of March to July, and so
providential is this arrangement, that the foal will be produced
at a time when nourishment is plentiful for its support.

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

Common assertion fixes the period of gestation, or the time
intervening between conception and foaling, at eleven montha -
whether lunar or calendar, is not explained. This discrepancy
will appear the more unsatisfactory, when it is recollected thax
eleven calendar months want but two days of twelve Junat
months. By various investigations made in France, it has been
established that the term of eleven calendar months was often
exceeded by several weeks ; and sometimes, though less fre-
quently, parturition took place within that period. Some
breeders entertain an opinion, that old brood-mares carry the
foal considerably longer than young ones; but no satisfactory
evidence is offered by them in support of this opinion.

The indications of approaching parturition are enlargement
of the external parts of generation, and a gummy exudation
from the orifice of the teats. Birth generally takes place
within twenty.four hours after the appearance of the latter
symptom; but the first acts as a warning, by preceding it for
several days. It is but seldom that the mare requires manual
assistance at the time of foaling, which generally takes place,
without difficulty or danger in the night. The mare, unlike the
generality of quadrupeds, foals standing. She rarely produces
twins, and when double births do occur, the offspring almost
invariably die.

As great facility of motion appears to have been designed by
nature in the formation of the horse, many physical peculiarities
contribute to insure that end. A bulky, pendulous udder, like
that possessed by some of the ruviinanda, would be incom-
patible with that quality. The mamma, therefore, is small, and
furnished with only two teats, which supply a milk of a highly

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE.

1 1

nutriiions character, and possessing a larger quantity of saccha'
Fine matter than any other animal is known to possess.

The disproportionate length of the foaPs legs, which is so
strikingly apparent, when compared with those of the adult
animal, is thought by some naturalists to be provided by pre-
scient nature to enable the young animal to keep pace with
its dam during flight from any menacing danger. Linnaeus
attempted to ascertain the future height of the colt by admea-
surement of its legs; but so much is found to depend upon the
quantity and character of the nutriment with which it is pro-
vided during the period of its growth, that little reliance can
be placed upon early experiments of this kind. The historian,
the warrior, and the horseman, Xenophon, has long ago
alluded to the same subject in his treatise upon horsemanship.
"I now explain," said he, "how a man may run the least risk
of being deceived, when conjecturing the future height of a
horse. The young horse, which, when foaled, has the shank-
bone the longest, invariably turns out the largest. For, as time
advances, the shank-bones of all quadrupeds increase but little •
but that the rest of the body may be symmetrical, it increases
in proportion."

Puberty commences in both sexes as early as the second year,
but all the structures continue to be gradually developed until
the end of the fifth year, by which time the changes in the teeth
are perfected, and the muscles have acquired a growth and tone
which give to the form the distinctives of adolescence. It is
during the term which elapses between the period of adult age
and that of confirmed virility, that a further progressive change
takes place in the animal economy ; the powers of the whole
frame continue to acquire strength, and although there is no

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

further increase in height, the parietes of the large cavities and
the muscles of voluntary motion assume a finished and rotund
appearance, and render the animal more capable of enduring
continued privation and exertion ; the vital endurance and re-
sistance being greater than during the period of adolescence.
The fire and expression of the head, the spirit, character, and
disposition, become also more marked toward the termination
of this epoch.

The natural period of the decay of the vital powers, senility,
and mature death, may be conjectured to be about thirty years;
but few horses, owing to our barbarous treatment, attain that
term.

The walk, the trot, and the gallop are the usually well-known
natural paces of the horse ; but the fact of some individuals
contracting the pace called amble (which is neither racking or
pacing), without previous tuition, has induced many writers to
regard that also as a natural metiiod of progression.

In England, and other northern countries, on the approach
of mild weather, the horse, by a natural process, analogous to
moulting in birds, divests himself of his winter^s clothing of long
hair, and produces one of a shorter and cooler texture ; and
again, before the recurrence of cold weather, reassnmes his warm
and lengthened coat to protect himself from the inclemency of
the approaching season. The autumnal change is not by* any
means so general as that which takes place at the commence-
ment of spring; in America, however, at least in the northern
parts, this change is invariable. The hair is not so completely
changed ; only a portion of it is thrown o(T, and that which re-
mains, with that which springs up, grows long, and is adapted
to the temperature of the atmosphere. These alternate changes

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE.

I '

are not so well marked in countries possessing an even tem-
perature, nor even are they so plainly seen in horses kept in tlio
warm atmosphere of a close stable all the year round. When
the shedding of the coat commences, the bulbs of the old hair
become pale, and by the side of each a small black globular
body is formed, which is soon developed into the new hair.
Thus the matrix of the new hair is not the old bulb, but it is
based in another productive follicle. The long hair of the
mane, tail, and fetlocks is not shed at definite periods with that
of the body, but is replaced by a shorter and more uniform
process. The hair of the mane and tail will, if protected, grow
to an almost incredible length.

The property of changing the color of the hair with the
season, possessed by many animals of the arctic region, adapting
them to the temperature, is also manifested in the horse, though
in a much less degree, for it may be seen that when constantly
exposed to the elements, the long winter-coat assumes a much
lighter hue than that of its predecessor.

The horse in common with many other animals, is provided
with a thin, sub-cuticular muscle, covering the shoulders, flanks,
and sides, whose use is to corrugate the skin, shake off flies,
and dislodge other annoying substances.

The sense of smell is so delicately acute in the horse, that
perhaps he is not exceeded in this function by any other animal.
The nose is provided with a very extensive surface for the dis-
tribution of the olfactory nerve, by the curious foldings of the
turbinated bones. It is principally by means of this faculty
that he is enabled to distinguish the qualities of the plants upon
which he feeds, and to reject such as are of a noxious or poison-
ous description. ''Nature," said Linnajus, "teaches the brute

NATURAL HlS:f0RY OP THE HORSE.

creation to distinguish, without a preceptor, the useful from the
urtful, wlnle man is left to his own inquiries." On puttin.
te finger into the nostrils, at the upper and outward parts^
they pass mto blind pouches of considerable dimensions. Those
curious cavities have nothing to do with smelling, because they
are hned with a reflection of common integument, but they may
possibly be of use in mechanically distending the external en
ranee of he nostrils, and thus materially facilitate respiratiTn
uring v,olent exertion. They are also brought into use w n
he anima neighs; and the Hungarian soldiery slit them up o
preclude the possibility of being prematurely discovered to t

in th. connection, that the preference of Arabs fo/the mare to
he horse, for warlike purposes, is attributable to the fact th

as stalhons invariably do-the Arabs never attacking, save y
-prise Those nations which fight by open force have no
ch preference, but mainly use the stallion. On the lower part
of the nostril, toward the outer edge, may be seen the mouth of

or corner of the eye. It opens on the skin Just before it join
he hning membrane of the nose. This liule cavity has often
been mistaken, by unqualified persons, for an ulcer common in
glanderous affections, and the poor animal has frequently fallen
victim to the error.

Their eyes are large in proportion to those of some other
quadrupeds and the pupiiar opening is of an ohla.e elliptic

e lateral field of vision. Round the edges of the pupil is I
cunous fringe of deep plum-colored eminences, supposed to bo

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE.

!'■ ^ ;:

serviceable in absorbing the superabundant rays of light which
may be transmitted Iq the eye. The horse's sight is excellent
and. alihough not regarded as a nocturnal animal, he can dis'
tinguish objects at night with great facility. There are but few
horsemen, who have not benefited by this power, when th«
shades of night have fallen round them.

The ears are comparatively small, but the conch is endowed
with extensive motion, so as to catch the sound coming from

»rntnt

MUIZL$

KAMES APPLIED TO THE VAEIOOB EIIE«»i.L PAETS OP THE HOE«.

any quarter. Their hearing is quick, and although blindness
5s so distinctively prevalent among horses, deafness is exceed-
ingly uncommon. During sleep, one ear is usually directed
forward, and the other backward ; when on a march at night,
in company, it has been noticed "that those in the front direct
their ears forward, those in the rear backward, and tho.se in the
centre turn them laterally, or across ; the whole troop seeming
thus to be actuated by one feeling, which watches the general

NATURAt HISTORr OP THE HORSE.

safely." In contests of speed thf. oo-o

wards so as tn „fr a "'^ ^"""''""^ '"'"d l^«cfc.

wards, so as to afford no opposition to the ranid .r.

the anin,al. It must be evident tl.nf -r ! ^^''"' "^

Of these organs be presente r ;':; I'' 'Z''' -^^-«
wind, and slightly impede pro! si; T":! '^'''' "'^
signed for this deflection is 1;^? '" ''"'''' '''

, M.is velocity, would inflict on that deCl J' ''''''''
The different vocal articulations to which T .
utterance, are collectively termed neighl VuL " ' "^
of intonation may be discovered in the ZZ' T '""'^
sions; as, for instance, the cry of ov " "' ''' P^"

-ked manner from that of dL?:!;^^^ '''''' '" ^

The females do not nei.h Jf ''"^''^'^"' P'ayfulness.

as the males, cl r^^ ?/ "^ *''" ^ ^^^ ^orce
upon the voice It U T T ' ^ Modulating effect

^■'e vibratio of tw sVaTtr T "'^'"^ ^^ "^^"-^ ^^
extremity of the JotTj 7' "''"'""" '^""^ "^ '"«
w^ntingfh. thly^ .v rrlr ' "^ ^'^"^'"^^ "'^
Hollowed out Of the thyroid ca t ^geT :T::r''''"^^^^^^
o-r which is stretched a membrane s li ar to t "'T"'''
on the head of a drum Wk • ''*" parchment

>.d oo„,e,.e„lIr dissonant ""Mule,,

Tl.e inWlectnal characler of He hor>. r. „ ,
tl..t of any o,h.r ,..d„,p,d h , „ ' """"' ''''

i-a „i„ „a,. Kindno^fo:* L,t r; ::; ;» ";°" '^

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

intellectual capacity. Travelers in the desert assure us that
horses possess the faculty of directing their course to the nearest
water, when hard pressed for that necessary article.

Horses swim with the greatest facility, and the distances they
have been known to perform in the water exceed onr expecta-
tion. A horse that was wrecked off the coast of South America
6wam seven miles to land, thus saving his life.

There exis^. some important differences in the animal
economy of the equine family and that of other herbivorous
'Animals, which, as the inferences from them are of some conse-
'juonce, it is necessary briefly to notice. The horse naturally
reqvlres but little sleep, and even that it often takes standing.
In a state of nature, when fodder is short, to support itself
proper!/ it is compelled to graze twenty hours out of the
twenty -fuT. Euminating animals eat with greater rapidity,
and lie down to chew the cud. The horse eats no faster than
it digests. Digestion in the former is interrupted ; in the latter,
continuous. This explains why the horse has no gall-bladder,
as it requires no reservoir for that necessary fluid ; for, as fast
as the bile is secreted by the liver it is carried to the intestines
to perform its important action on the chymous mass. The
stomach of the horse is also remarkably small and simple, dif-
fering widely from the capacious and complicated structures
of the ruminantia ; but the intestines are long, and the ccecum
capable of containing a large quantity of fluid, of which it is
considered the receptacle. The mawma of the mare is by no
means so pendulous and bulky as that of the cow. The horse^s
feet, from their compact, undiviaed nature, are much less liable
to injury during fleet exertion than those of the ox. All these
circumstances teni to establish the individuality of the horse,

and are so ipany proofs of admirable design for the purposes
to which man has applied him ; for, without these peculiarities,
he would not be so valuable and superior, as a beast of con-
tinued and rapid motion, and would consequently occupy a very
inferior station.

LinnjBus asserted that the male horse was without the rudi-
mentary mamma invariably found in the males of other animals-
but this naturalist was mistaken, for they may be seen on each
side of the sheath, and, although of no possible use, still their
existence preserves the uniformity of nature's operations.

• The horse and zebra possess horny callosities on the inside
of the fore-legs, above the knees, and on the hocks of the hind-
legs ; the ass and the quagga have them only on the fore ex-
tremities.

In a state of nature, the horse is purely a herbivorous animal,
but under the restraint which domestication imposes, his habits
become changed, and grain and dry grasses form the principal
articles of his diet. Domestication is known to originate many
diseases totally unknown in a natural state, but it appears to
have the effect of augmenting the muscular power of the animal
far beyond its uncultivated state.

It may be remarked, in addition to what has been previously
said as to the limit of life allotted to the horse, that there is some
difficulty in estimating the natural average length of his life, since
many obstacles oppose an inquiry on a scale of sufficient mag-
nitude to be satisfactory. The numerous evils entailed on him
by the arduous labors and the r stricted and unnatural habits
of a domesticated state tend gr jatly to abbreviate life. F/ora
these and other reasons, it cannot be much doubted that his ago
is greatly underrated. Horses are most erroneously termed

.^uu

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

L Mi:

aged on the obliteration of the mark from the lower incisor
teeth, wliich occurs by the completion of the eighth year; and
though it is far from being the natural term of age and debility
or even of the decline of the vital energies, it too frequently
happens, that by that time bodily infirmities have been prema.
turely induced by over-exertion of their powers. Horses at
twenty years of ago, are often met with in cases where the least
humanity has been bestowed on their management. Eclipso
died at the age of twenty-five ; Flying Childers, at twenty-sij.
Brom^s mare Maggie reached more than twenty-nine years.
Bucephalus, the celebrated horse of Alexander of Macedon,
lived till thirty. The natural age is probably between twenty-
five and thirty. A faint and uncertain guide is found in the
register of the ages of the most celebrated racing stallions, re-
collecting, however, that several of them were destroyed on
becoming useless for the purposes of the turf. The united ages
of ninety-three of these horses amounted to two thousand and
five years ; or rather more than twenty-one and a half years to
each horse.

As a matter of civil economy, it is important to judge cor-
rectly of the age of the horse. This is chiefly accomplished
by observing the natural changes which occur in his teeth, the
periods at which they appear, are shed a..d replaced, and the
alterations in their form and markings.

The teeth of most animals ofi^er some criterion by which their
age can be estimated with more or less accuracy. The teeth
are nearly the sole indices of t >e age of the horse, ass, elephant,
camel, dog, and the polled vari ities of the ox and sheep ; while
in other domesticated animals, as the elk, deer, goat, common

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE.

OX and sheep, the horns also present legible indications of the
progress of time.

Reference to the teeth to ascertain the age of the horse is
not by any means of recent origin. Xenophon, in his wrk on
horsemanship, from which we have already quoted, alludes to
it as an established custom used in the selection of cavalry for
the Grecian armies; he properly advised the rejection of such
horses as have lost the dental mark. The same facts are sub-
sequently noticed by Yarro, Columella, Vegetius, and other
Roman writers.

Tiie horse, when full-mouthed, possesses forty teeth— twenty
in each jaw. They are named from their use, position, and
character. Those in the front of the mouth, whose office it is
to gather food when grazing, are termed incisors, or, mure pro-
perly, nippers. They are twelve in number; six above, and
six below. They do not overlap each other, as is the case in
man, but meet in a broad tabular surface. From these teeth
the age of the animal is principally dea'uced. For the sake of
description, they are usually ranged in pairs, as they appear;
and the first pair is called the central, the second the dividers
and the third the corner nippers. The tushes, or canines,
come next ; one above, and one below on each side. They are
of a pointed form, and are convex* on the outer sides, and
slightly concave on the inner surface. They scarcely ever ap-
pear above the gums in mares, although their rudiments may
be discovered on dissection, imbedde<l in the maxillary bones.
They are consequently regarded as sexual distinctions. It is
difficnlt to assign their use ; their position precludes the possi-
liiJity of their being used as weapons of offense or defense.
They may be viewed as a link of uniformity so commonly

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

traced in the animated world. Tlie grinders, or molars, are
twenty-four in number. They are teeth of great power. By
them the food is crushed or ground into small particles, and
preparitt for the digestive action of the stomach. In order to
fit them for this office, they possess additional interlayers of
enamel, which prevent their too rapid wear.

In common with most animals, the horse is provided with
two sets of teeth; those appearing first are known as the tem-
porary, deciduous, or milk teeth, and are succeeded by the
permanent set. On comparing the different magnitudes of the
jaw-bones of the colt and the adult horse, the necessity of such
a change is at once apparent. By it the teeth are adapted to
the size of the maxillary bones. The teeth, from their [)ccnliar
character and mode of growth, do not admit of any material
increase of dimension ; and nature was therefore forced either
to place the large permanent teeth in small and disproportionate
jaw-bones, or to adapt the size of the teeth by displacement to
the growth of the bones that contained them. The latter pro-
cess is adopted, and constitutes one of those remarkable
evidences of creative power, with which the living frame is
replete.

Three substances enter into the structure of the teeth ; first
ih^ enamel; secondly, i\\9 dental bone, ov ivory ; and tliinlly,
a cortical envelope, surrounding the fang. The enamel differs
but little in chemical constitution from the bony body of the
teeth ; and that principally results from the absence of animal
matter in it. It appears closely analogous to^ the univalve
porcellaneous shells, and is the hardest and most indestructible
substance of the body. The dental bone is distinctly tubular
in structure J these tubuli taking a perpendicular direction,

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

being exceedingly small, but capable of absorbing ink by capil-
lary attraction. No such tubuli have been traced in the enamel.
The teeth, both incisors and grinders, are being constantly
worn away at the crown ; but the loss is supplied by the gradual,
continuous, and equivalent growth from the root. The horseVi
teeth are sometimes, but not frequently^ subject to disease. It
is seldom that any of them are lost from age, as is the case with
man, and most other animals.

It has been remarked, that the constitulion of horses and
men may be considered as in an equal degree of perfection
and capability of exertion, or of debility and decay, according
as youth or age preponderates. Thus, the first five years of
a horse may be considered as equivalent to the first twenty in
man ; or thus, that a horse five years old may be comparatively
considered as a man of twenty ; a horse of ten years, as a man
of forty ; a horse of fifteen, as a man of fifty ; a horse of twenty,
as a man of sixty ; of twenty-five, as a man of ^seventy ; of
thirty, as a man of eighty ; of thlrtyfive, as a man of ninety.
So far from this comparison being in favor of the horse, it may
rather be regarded as too little. Horses of thirty-five years
of age are as common as men of ninety, provided it be taken
into account that there are twenty human subjects for every
horse ; and, unquestionably, a horse of forty-five is less rare
than a man of one hundred and ten»

To this it may be added, that the early English racers
appear to have been more addicted to longevity than those
of modern days, and the American horse generally than the
English ; probably because, in the former case, the horse was
not put to hard work until his powers were developed by an
advance toward maturity. Two and three year old training

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSl!.

was unknown nntil a recent date , and, in the latter case i„
Amenca horses are little used in harness, or for general work
until they hare attained to five or six years

We will ne^t consider the first appearance and successive

changes of the teeth, with the marks and
their descriptions from commencement to
maturity.

Seven or eight months before the foal is

born, the germs or beginnings of the teeth

are visible in the cavities of the jaws. At

the time of birth, the first and second

grinders have appeared, large, compared
B.OHT ».v. „„„. ^ith ^^^ ^i^^ ^j ^,^^ .^^_ ^^^^. ^^^^ ^___^^ _^

In the course of seven or eight days, the two centre nippers
are seen as here represented.

In the course of the first month, the third grinder appears
above and below; and not long after, and generally before
SIX weeks have expired, another incisor above and below
will be seen on each side of the two first, which have

now considerably grown, but not at-
tained their perfect height. This cut
will then represent the appearance of
the mouth.

At two months, the centre nippers
will have reached their natural level,
and between the second and third
month the second pair will have over- ♦
taken them. Thej will then begin
to wear a little, and the outer
edge, which was at first somewhat

tBAEB OB TOCK MOITTHB' TEETH.

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE. g^

raised and sharp, is brought to a level with the inner
edge, and so the mouth continues until some time between the
sixth and ninth month, when another nipper begins to apoear
on each side of the first two, making six above and below/and
completing the colt's mouth; after which the onlj observable
difference, until between the second and third year, is iu the
-tvear and tear of these teeth.

These teeth are covered with a polished and exceedingly
hard enamel ; indeed, it is so hard that it almost bids defiance
to the action of a file. It spreads over that portion of the
tooth which appears above the gum, and not only so, but as
they are to be so much employed in nipping op the grass and
gathering the animaPs food— and in such employment even
this hard substance must be gradually worn away— a portion
of it, as it passes over the upper surface of the teeth, is bent
Inward, and sunk into the body of the teeth, and forms a little
pit in them. The inside and bottom of this pit being black-
ened by the food, constitute the mark in them, by the gradual
disappearance of which, in consequence of the wearing down
of the teeth, we are enabled for several years to judge of the
age of the animal.

The colt's nipping teeth are rounded in front, somewhat
hollow toward the mouth, and presenting a cutting surface,
with the outer edge rising in a slanting direction above the
inner edge. This, however, soon begins to wear down, until
both surfaces are level, and the mark, which was originally
Jong and narrow, becomes shorter, wider, and fainter. At
SIX months, the four nippers are beginning to wear to a level.

The annexed cut will convey some idea of the appearance
of the teeth at twelve months. The four middle tcQth are

NATURAL HIOTORT OF THE HOUSE.

TKETH XT TWELVE MONTHS,

almost level, and the corners are becoming so. The mark ia
the two middle teeth is wide and faint, in the next two teeth

it is longer, darker, and more
narrow. In the corner teeth it
is longest, darkest, and most
narrow.

The back teeth, or grinders,
will not guide us far in ascer-
taining the age of the animal,
for we cannot easily inspect
them ; but there are some int^-
esting particulars connected
with them. The foal is born with two grinders in each jaw,
above and below, or they appear within two or three days after
birth. Before the expiration of the month they are succeeded
by a third, more backward. The crowns of the grinders are
entirely covered with enamel on the tops and sides, but attrition
Boon wears it away from the top, and there remains a compound
surface of alternate layers of crusta petrosa, enamel, and
ivory, which are employed in grinding down the hardest por-
tions of the food. Nature has, therefore, made an additional

provision for their strength and endur-
ance The annexed cut represents a
grinder sawed across. The five dark
spots represent bony matter; the parts
covered with lines enamel, and the white
A oRiNHER SAWED ACROSS, spaccs a stroug bouy cement uniting the
other portions of the teeth.

At the completion of the first year a fourth grinder usually
comes up, and the yearling has then, or soon afterwards, six

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE. 91

nippers and four grinders above and below in each jaw, which,
with the alteration in the nippers just described, will enable us
to calculate the age of foal, subject to some variations, arising
from the period of weaning and the nature of the food.

At the age of one year and a half, the mark in the central
nippers will be much shorter and fainter j that in the two other
pairs will have undergone an
evident change, and all the
nippers will be flat. At two
years this will be more mani-
fest. The accompanying cut
deserves attention, as giving
an accurate representation of
the nippers in the lower jaw
of a two-year-old colt.

About this period a fifth
grinder will appear, and now two tears teeth.

hkcwise commences anotlier process. The first teeth are
adapted to the size and wants of the young animal. They are
sufficiently large to occupy and fill the coitus jaws; but when
these bones have expanded with the increasing growth of the
animal, the teeth are separated too far from each other to be
useful, and another and larger set is required. The second
teeth then begin to push up from below, and the fangs of the
first are absorbed, until the former approach the surface of the
gum, when they drop out. Where the temporary teeth do not
rise immediately under the milk teeth, but by their sides, the
latter being pressed sideways are absorbed throughout their
whole length. They grow narrow, are pushed out of place,
and cause inconvenicn|| to the gum, and sometimes to tho

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSK.

Cheek. They are then sometimes improperly called woWa
teeth, and should be extracted.

The teeth which first appeared are first renewed, and there-
fore the front or first grinders are changed at the age of two
years. During the period between the falling out of the central
.n.lk teeth, and the coming „p of the permanent ones, the colt
hanng a broken mouth, may find some difficulty in grazing. If'

he should full away consider-
ably in condition, he should
be fed with mashes and corn,
or cut feed. The cut annexed
represents a three-year-old
mouth.

The central teeth are
larger than the others, with
two grooves in the entire
convex surface, and the mark
IS long, narrow, deep, and
black. Not having yet attained their full growth, they are
lower than the others. The mark in the next two nippers is
nearly worn out, and it is wearing away in the corner nippers,
/s il possible to give this mouth to an early two-year-old?
The ages of all horses used to be reckoned from the first cf
May; but some are foaled even as early as January, and bein<^
actually four months over the two years, if they have been well
i.«rsed and fed, and are strong and large, they may, with the'
inexperienced, have an additional year p„t upon them. The
central nippers are punched or drawn out, and the others appear
three or four months earlier than they otherwise would. In the
natural process they would only rise by.long pressing npoa th.

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE.

< *

I <

first teeth, and causing their absorption. But, opposition from
the first set being removed, it is easy to imagine that their pro-
gress will be more rapid. Three or four months will be gained
in the appearance of these teeth, and these three or four months
will enable the breeder to term him a late colt of the preceding
year. To him, however, who is accustomed to horses, the
general form of the animal, the little development of the fore-
hand, the continuance of the mark upon the next pair of nippers,
its more evident existence in the corner ones, some enlarge-
ment or irregularity about the gums from the violence used ia
forcing out the teeth, the small growth of the first and fifth
grinders, and the non-appearance of the sixth grinder, which,
if it be not through the gum at three years old, is swelling under
it, and preparing to get through— any or all of these circum-
stances, carefully attended to, will be a sufficient security against
deception.

A horse at three years old ought to have the central per-
manent nippers growing, the other two pairs wasting, six
grinders in each jaw, above and below, the first and fifth level,
the others and the sixth protruding. The sharp edge of new
incisors, although it could not well be expressed in the cut, wilj
be very evident when compared with the old teeth.

As the permanent nippers wear and continue to grow, a
narrow portion of the cone-shaped tooth is exposed by the
attrition, and they look as if they had been compressed, but it
is not so. Not only will the mark be wearing out, but the
^rowns of the teeth will be sensibly smaller.

At three years and a half, or between that and four, the next
pair of nippers will be changed, and the mouth at that time
cannot be mistaken. The central nippers will have attained

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

nearly their full growth. A vacuity will be left where the
second stood, or they will begin to peep above the gum, and
the corner ones will be diminished in breadth^ worn down, and
the mark becoming small and faint. At this period, likewise,
the second pair of grinders will be shed. Previously to this
may be the attempt of the dealer to give to his three-year-old
an additional year; but the fraud will be detected by an ex-
amination similar to that already described.

At four years, the central nippers will be fully developed ;
the sharp edge somewhat worn off, and the mark shorter, wider,
and fainter. The next pair will be up, but they will be small,

with the mark deep and

extending quite across
them as in the annexed
cut. The corner nippers
will be larger than the in-
side ones, yet smaller than
they were, and flat, and the
mark nearly effaced. The
sixth grinders will have
risen to a level with the
others, and the tushes will
begin to appear.
Now, more than at any other time, will the dealer be anxious
to put an additional year upon the animal, for the difference
between a four-year-old colt and a five-year-old horse, in
strength, utility, and value, is very great; but the want of wear
in the other nippers, the small size of the corner ones, the little
growth of the tush, the sraallness of the second grinder, the low
forehand, the legginess of the colt, and the thickness and little

POUR YEARS.

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

depth of the month, will, to a man of common experience
among horses, at once detect the cheat.

The tushes are four in number, two in each jaw, situated
between the nippers and the grinders, much nearer to the
former than the latter, and nearer in the lower jaw than in the
upper, but this distance increases in both jaws with the age.
In shape, the tush somewhat resembles a cone ; it protrudes
from the gum about half an inch, and is sharp-pointed and curved.
The appearance o{ this tush in the horse may vary from four
years to four years and six months. It cjin only be accelerated a
few weeks by cutting the gum over it. At four years and a half, or
between that and five, the last important change takes place in
the mouth of the horse. The corner nippers are shed, and the
permanent ones begin to appear. The central nippers are con-
siderably worn, and the next pair are commencing to show
marks of usage. The tush has now protruded, and is generally
a full half inch in height ; externally, it has a rounded promi-
nence, with a groove on
cither side, and it is evi-
dently hollowed within.
The reader scarcely needs
to be told that after the
rising of the corner nip-
per, the animal changes
its name. The colt be-
comes a horse, the filly a
mare.
At five years, the
horse's mouth is almost perfect, as represented in the annexed
cut The corner nippers are quite up, with the long, deep

FITS TEAKS.

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

'!
n

mark irregular in the inside, and the other nippers bearing evU
dent tokens of increased wearing. The tush is much grown;
the grooves have almost or quite disappeared, and the outer
surface is regularly convex. It is still as concave within, and
with the edge nearly as sharp, as it was six months before.
The sixth molar is quite up, and the third molar is wanting.
This last circumstance, if the general appearance of the animal,
and particularly his forehand, and the wearing of the centre
nippers, and the growth and shape of the tushes be likewise
carefully attended to, will prevent deception, if a late four-
year-old is attempted to be substituted for a five-year-old.
The nippers maybe brought up a few months before their time
and the tushes a few weeks, but the grinder is with difficulty
displaced. The last three grinders and the tushes are never
shed.

At six years, as in the
annexed cut, the mark on
the central nippers is worn
out. There will still be
a difference of color in
the centre of the tooth.
The cement filling up the
hole, made by the dipping
of the enamel, will pre-
sent a browner hue than
the other parts of the
"^ ^"'^- tooth ; and it will be evi-

dently surrounded by an edge of enamel, and there will remain
ever a little depression in the centre, and also a depression
round the case of enamel j but the deep hole in the centre of

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE. 97

the teeth, with the blackened surface which it presents, and
the elevated edge of enamel, will have disappeared. Persons
not much accustomed to horses have been puzzled here. They
expected to find a plain surface of uniform color, and knew n Jt
what conclusion to draw when there were both discoloration
and irregularity.

In the next incisors, the mark is shorter, broader, and fainter,
and in the corner teeth the edges of the enamel are more regu-
lar, and the surface is evidently worn. The tush has attained
its full growth, being nearly or quite an inch long, convex
outward, concave within, tending to a point, and the "extremity
somewhat curved. The third grinder is fairly up, and all the
grinders are level.

The horse may now be said to have a perfect mouth. All
the teeth are produced, fully grown, and have sustained no
material injury. During these important changes of the teeth,
the animal has sufi*ered less than could be supposed possible.

At seven years, as in the
accompanying cut, the mark,
in the way in which it has
been described, is worn out
iu the four central nippers,
and is fast wearing awny in
the corner teeth ; the tush is
also beginning to be altered.
It is rounded at the point,
rounded at the edges, still
round without, and beginning to get round inside.

At eight years old, the tush is rounder in every way ; tho
niark is gone from all the bottom nippers, and it may almost

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE.

1 1

, I

m^:

be said to be out of the moutli. There is nothing Temaining
in the bottom nippers that can clearly show the age of the
horse, or justify the most experienced examiner in giving a
positive opinion. This should be distinctly borne in mind, as
it is a very common error in the United States, and one especi-
ally insisted on by dealers having old horses to sell, that the
age can be positively ascertained even to ten, eleven, or twelve
years, so that it can be predicated of a horse that he is so old,
and no older. This is an absolute fallacy. It is easy, from
many general signs, to see that a horse is above eight years
old ; but it is impossible to judge certainly bow much older.
The length and angularity of the nippers, the depth of the
super-orbital cavities, and other points of information, may
enable a good judge to guess comparatively, but never to speak

surely.

Dishonest dealers have been said to resort to a method of
prolonging the mark on the lower nippers. It is called Bish-
oping, from the name of the scoundrel who invented it. The

horse of eight or nine years
old — whose mouth is repre-
sented in the accompany-
ing cut — is thrown, and
with an engraver's tool a
hole is dug in the now al-
most plain surface of the
corner teeth, in shape re-
sembling the mark yet left
in those of a seven-year-
old horse. The hole is then burned with a heated iron, and
a permanent black stain is left. The next pair of nippers is

£iaHT OB KI5B TEAE3.

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSE.

Bometimes slightly touched. An ignorant man would be very
easily deceived by this trick ; but the irregular appearance of
the cavity, the diffusion of the black stain around the tushes,
the sharpened edges and concave inner surface of which can
never be given again, the marks on the upper nippers, together
with the general conformation of the horse, can never deceive
the careful examiner.

Horsemen, after the animal is eight years old, are accustomed
to look to the nippers in the upper jaw, and some conclusion
has been drawn from the appearances which they present. It
cannot be doubted that the mark remains in them for some
years after it has been obliterated in the nippers of the lower
jaw.

There are various opinions as to the intervals between the
disappearance of the mark from the different cutting teeth of
the upper jaw. Some have averaged it at two years, others at
one. The latter opinion is more commonly adopted by those
most conversant, and then the age is thus determined. At
nine years, the mark will be worn from the middle nippers ;
from the next pair at ten ; and from all the upper nippers at
eleven. During these periods the tush is likewise undergoing
a manifest change. It is blunter, shorter, and rounder. In
what degree this takes place in the different periods, long and
favorable opportunities can alone enable the horseman to
'decide.

The alteration in the form of the tushes is frequently uncer-
tain. It will sometimes be blunt at eight; and at others re-
main pointed at eighteen.

After eleven, and until the horse is very old, the age may
be guessed at with some degree of confidence, from the shape

iWi

100

NATURAL HISTORY OP THE HORSB.

\ ^

t I

of the upper surface or extremity of the nippers. At eight
they are all oval, the length of the oval running across from
tooth to tooth ; but as the horse gets older, the teeth diminish

in size and this commencing in their width, and not in their

thickness. They become a little apart from each other, and
their surfaces become round instead of oval. At nine, the
centre nippers are evidently so ; at ten, the others begin to have
their ovals shortened. At eleven, the second pair of nippers
is quite rounded ; and at thirteen, the corner ones have also
that appearance. At fourteen, the faces of the central nippers
become somewhat triangular. At seventeen, they are all so.
At nineteen, the angles begin to wear off, and the central
teeth are again oval, but in a reversed direction, viz., from
outward, inward; and at twenty-one, they all wear this

form.

It would, of course, be folly to expect any thing like a
certainty in an opinion of the exact age of an old horse, as
drawn from the above indications. It is contended by some,
though denied by others, that stabled horses have the marks
sooner worn out than those that are at grass ; and crib-biters
still sooner. At nine or ten, the bars of the mouth become
less prominent, and their regular diminution will designate in-
creasing age. At eleven or twelve, the lower nippers change
their original upright direction, and project forward horizon-
tally, becoming of a yellow color.

The general indications of old age, independent of the
teeth, are the deepening of the hollows over the eyes ; gray
hairs, and particularly over the eyes, and about the muzzle ;
thinness and hanging down of the lips ; sharpness of the
withers, sinking of the back, lengthening of the quarters \ and

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE. JQl

the disappearance of windgalls, spavins, and tumors of every
kind.

Horses kindly and not prematurely used, sometimes live to
between thirty-five and forty-five years of age ; and a well
authenticated account is given of a barge horse that died in
his sixty-second year.

Under this head of age, nothing beyond the cut of the com-
plete aged mouth, with the accompanying description of it
would have been here inserted, were it not for the prevalent
opinion, inculcated by interested dealers in the United States
that the age of a horse, after eight or nine years, can be as
eerta.nly and as exactly predicated by mouth-mark, and his
exact age guaranteed accordingly, as previously to that
period.

Summing up »1I that need be offered on this particular point
we simply say, that if one chooses to buy a horse past mark
of mouth, he must do so on his own judgment and at his own
risk ; for to credit any assertions, or to give ear to any horse-
dealer's opinion on the subject, is sheer folly.

^'^^^^

^MARtAND FOAL

_' Relative to Breeding, — a very important
"^ subject, all will admit — two very common mis-
takes are made ; the first, that mares are bred
from only because they are useless for work,
and consequently have to be turned out to grass
for the season ; the second, that a mare is put to a handsome
horse which may chance to strike the fancy of her owner, without
% jioment's consideration on the part of the latter as to how far
hU particuiai mare is suited to that particular horse. The

BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT. 103

consequence of the first error is, that the infirmities of the mare
are perpetuated in her unfortunate ofispring, and thus become
hereditary, to the no small disappointment of the breeder, la
the second case mentioned, the result is an indescribable
mongrel, possessing only a combination of bad qualities, without
a single redeeming trait.

Now, no principle is better established in breeding than that
'Mike will produce like-/Mn other words, that the offspring will
inherit the general ca; mingled qualities of the parents. So
true is this, that there is scarcely a disease affecting either of
the parents that is not inherited by the foal, or, at least, to which
he does not at times show a predisposition. The consequences
of bad usage or hard work even will descend to the progeny.
Though the defects may not appear in the immediate offspring,
they often do in the next, or some succeeding generation.
Some knowledge is therefore indispensable of the parentage
both of the sire and the dam.

Both parents should be selected with reference not only to
their individual points of excellence, but also to the relative
adaptation which the points of one present to the points of the
other. Though both may be excellent in their way, one parent
may have points of excellence which actually counteract or neu-
tralize those of the other. None but sound parents, therefore,
should be bred from ; accidents, however, are not to be regarded,
as unsoundness ; but if a defect exists in a mare which is in-
tended for breeding, the breeder should be certain that such
defect is a mere accident, and not a natural malformation.
Both parents should also be as free from moral as from physical
infirmity; from faults or vices of temper or disposition. Although
a defect of one parent may sometimes be counteracted by a pre-

lit I

104

BREEDING AND 3IANAGEMENT.

ponderating excellence relative to that defect in the other, great
care is necessary that both ))arents do not possess the same de-
fect. If one would be perfectly certain in breeding, it is better to
avoid even such mares as have suffered merely from accident ; nor
should the mare be put to the horse at too early an age, if one
' would avoid the hazard of obtaining an unreliable offspring.

The best form of a mare from which to breed, for any pur-
pose, is a short-legged, lengthy animal, with a deep, roomy
chest and carcass, wide and capacious hips, and a sound
constitution. ''Breed," of course, must be looked for, accord-
ing to the class of horses to which the mare belongs ; a good,
animated countenance, an upright, sprightly carriage ; general
structure of muscle, bone and sinew firm, dense, and compact.
The head of the brood-mare is an important point to be re-
garded ; a mare that has a heavy head and a stupid countenance
cannot breed a good foal, unless to a horse possessed of fire
almost to madness — for her countenance indicates her disposi-
tion. The neck should be brought out of the top of the withers,
and not of the bottom of the shoulders and chest ; the shoulders
Fhould be well back, the blade-bone lying obliquely from the
Fhoulder joint ; the blade should also belong and wide, CAtend-
ing nearly to the top of the withers, but attached so closely and
so yell covered with muscle as not to present any undue pro-
minence ; the back of the shoulder should also be well furnished
with muscle, appearing to the mounted rider of a wedge shape
widening towards his knee ; the fore-leg should be perpendicular,
the toe and the point of the shoulder being in a right line ; the
foot should be round, even, and of a dark color ; the heels should
be open, but not low; the brisket should be deep, especially in
the case of a riding-horse, as otherwise a crupper will be re-r

BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT. 105

quired to keep the saddle in its proper place ; the quarters should
be long and oval on the top ; the hips cannot be too broad in
a brood-mare, though in a stallion too wide hips are objection-
able; the hocks should be regarded, and the shank-bone and
isinew, both before and behind, should be well developed, and
/dropped straight below the joint.

As to the shape of the stallion little satisfactory can be said.
It must depend upon that of the mare, and the kind of horse
wished to be bred ; but, if there is one point absolutely essential,

it is compactness — as much
goodness and strength
as possible condensed
into a small space.
Next to compactness,
the inclination of the

shoulder should
be regarded. A
huge stallion,
with upright

THE ARAB STALLION JUPITE*. ShOUldcrS, nCVCF

got a capital hunter or hackney; from such nothing but a
cart or dray horse can be obtained, and that, perhaps, spoiled
by the opposite form of the mare. If, however, a merely slow
draught-horse is desired, an upright shoulder is desirable, if not
absolutely necessary.

The principal requirements in connection with breeding may
be concisely summed up as follows :

Flrd. There should be mutual adaptation in form and size,
and indeed in all important characteristics, between the sire and
the dam.

(

106

BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT.

Second. If the mare be defective in any particular, she should
not be bred to a stallion having a similar, or even an opposite,
fault ; but one should rather be chosen perfect in that point.

Third. Exceedingly small mares should not be bred with
enormously large horses ; distortions will generally be the result.
For a mare of sixteen hands, a horse of not less than fifteen
hands should be selected ; if she be too low or small, the horse
may be an inch or two higher, but not of the tall or leggy kind.

Fourih, As it is frequently the case, that without any known
cause the blood of a certain kind of horses will not cross well
with that of another, such instances when ascertained should be
avoided.

Ff/th. If the mare is of a good kind of horses, but one which
has degenerated in size from "in-breeding," (that is, from con-
tinuous breeding into the same family and blood— with their
own daughters and grand-daughters, in other words— for about
two generations,) the only remedy is, to breed to the purest
stallion that can be found, but of a different kind from hers,
unless some ten or more generations removed.

Sixth. After breeding for several generations from males and
females of one kind, it is generally beneficial to change to
another entirely different; otherwise degeneracy in size will be
the general result.

The mare should not be put to horse under three years of
age. Although some contend that, if lightly worked, she may
be used for breeding until she is twenty, yet it is very doubtful
whether breeding from any mare over twelve years old, at the
very utmost, will prove satisfactory. If a large colt is desired,
have a large mare ; as her size has generally more to do with
the matter than that of the stallion. The most favorable time

BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT.

lOT

for putting the mare to the horse is from March to the begin-
ning of May; colts foaled in March are generally found to turn
out hardier, and to stand better, than those foaled earlier.

From the time of covering to within a few days of the ex-
pected period of foaling, the cart-mare may be kept at moderate
labor not only without injury, but with decided advantage.
She should then be released from work and kept near home
under the frequent inspection of some careful person. When
nearly half the time of pregnancy has elapsed, she should have
a little better food, being allowed one or two feeds of grain in
the day. As this is about the time when they are accustomed
to slink their foals, or when abortion occurs, the owner's eye
should be frequently upon her. Good feeding and moderate
exercise are the best preventives of this mischance. As the
mare that has once slunk her foal is liable to a repetition of
this accident, she should never be suffered to be with other
mares between the fourth and fifth months ; for so great is the
power of sympathy or imagination in the mare that if one
suffers abortion, others in the same pasture will too often share
the same fate. Farmers frequently suppose that such mishaps
originate from some infection ; and many wash and paint and
tar their stables to prevent an infection that really lies in the
imagination.

The period of pregnancy varies from forty-four to fifty-six
weeks, but it is usually from forty-seven to fifty. If the mare,
whether of pure or common breed, be cared for as suggested
above, and be in good health while in foal, little danger will
attend the act of giving birth to the young. Should there be,
however, false presentation of the foetus, or any difficulty in pro'
ducing it, recourse should be had to a well-informed veterinary

108

BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT.

109

Burgeon, rather than to run the risk of injuring the mare by
violent attempts to relieve her.

After the mare has foaled, she should be turned into some
well-sheltered pasture, with a shed or hovel into which she may
lun when she pleases. If she has foaled early and the grass
IS scanty, she should have a feed or two of oats or Indian corn
daily ; if the corn is given in a trough upon the ground, the foal
will partake of it with her. Nothing is gained at this time by
starving the mare and stinting the ff>ix]. When the new grass
is plentiful, the quantity of grain may be gradually diminished.
The proper care of young foals will repay a hundred-fold ; thia
being, indeed, the most critical period of the animal's life, when
attention or neglect produces the most noticeable and permanent
results.

If convenient, the foal may be permitted to run for twelve
months at the foot of the mare ; but when mares are kept ex-
pressly for breeding purposes, many circumstances render this
objectionable. Within about a month or six weeks from foal-
ing the mare will be again in heat, and should be put to tho
horse ; at the same time, also, if she is used for agricultural
purposes, she may resume light work. At first, the foal should
be shut up in the stable during working hours ; but, as it ac-
quires sufficient strength, it is better to allow it to follow its
dam. The work will contribute to the health of the mother,
and increase her flow of milk ; and the foal, by accompanying
her, will suck more frequently, thrive better, become tamed,
and gradually familiarized with the objects among which it is
afterward to live. While the mare is thus worked, she and the
fool should be well fed ; and two feeds of corn, at least, should
be added to the green food which they get when turned out
after their work, and at night.

In five or six months, according to the growth of the foal,
it may be weaned. For this purpose, it should either be
housed, or turned into some pasture at a distance from the
dam. The mare should be put to harder work and drier food.
If her milk is troublesome, or she pines after her foal, a few
purgatives (one or two urine-balls, or a physic ball) will bo
found useful. The foal should be fed well and liberally every
morning and evening, bruised oats and bran being about the
best kind of food which can, be given. The money so laid out
upon the liberal nourishment of the colt, is well expended •
yet, while he is well fed, he should not be rendered delicate by
excess of care. Toward the end of summer the foal may be
turned out to general pasture without fear of his again seeking
his dam.

Should the foal be a male, and emasculation be desirable, it

is better to perform the operation at the time of weaning, that

the one trouble shall serve for both occasions. If, however,

weaning take place in June or July, when the fly abounds, the

operation should not be performed, as this insect by its attacks

will cause restlessness and consequent inflammation, and thus

retard recovery. Early spring, or an advanced period of

autumn, is the best time. This operation should in no instance

be performed by any other than a competent veterinary sur-

geon. One thing in this connection should be mentioned ;

when a horse is suff-ered to attain two-thirds of his growth

before emasculation, an animal is obtained of form, power, and

value far superior to that which has been operated upon when

a foal. This much is deserving of remembrance ; though we

cannot omit heartily condemning the practice of emasculation
at alL

110

BREAKING.

BREAKINQ,

111

i-i

'^-^^igi^l^,";^^^- ^ ^

BREAKINQ.

BKEAKINa.

No greater mistake can be made than the postponement
of this part of the rearing of a horse. It should always
commence as soon as the colt is weaned, or immediately after
the effects of the emasculation have disappeared; it should

in this manner be commenced
and carried on gradually, with
gentleness and kind-
ness. The foal should
be daily handled, par-
tially dressed, accus-
tomed to the fialter
when led about, and
even tied up occasion-
ally for an hour or so.
The tractability, good temper, and value of the horse depend
much more upon this than most breeders consider. The person
who feeds the colt should have the entire management of him
at this period, and he should be a trustworthy person, possessed
of a quiet, uniform temper and a kindly disposition. Many
a horse is spoiled and rendered permanently untamable by
early harshness or improper treatment ; and many a horse that
otherwise would have proved a vicious, unmanageable brute,
has been brought to be a docile, gentle, and affectionate ser-
vant by the judicious treatment of those to whose charge his
management at this particular period was fortunately in-
trusted.

Such a treatment is sufficient for the first year; after the
second winter, the operation of training should commence in

good earnest. The colt should be bitted, a bit being selected
which will not hurt his mouth, and much smaller than those in
common use. The work of bitting may perhaps occupy three
or four days ; the colt being suffered to amuse himself with the
bit, to play, and to champ it for an hour or so during a few
successive days. When he has become accustomed to the bit,
he may have two long ropes attached to it, slightly fastened
to his sides by a loose girth over the back, and his feeder may
thus drive him, as it were, around a field, pulling upon him
as he proceeds. This will serve as a first lesson in drawing.
If he is intended for a saddle-horse, a filled bag may be
thrown across his back and there secured, and, after he has
become used to this, a crotch may be fastened upon his back,
its lower extremities grasping his sides, and thus preparing
him for the legs of his^ rider.

Portions of the harness may next be put upon him, reserving
the blind winkers for the last ; and a few days afterward he
may go into the team. It is better that he should be one of
three horses, having one before him, and the shaft-horse behind
him. There should at first be the mere empty wagon ; and the
draught is best begun over the grass, where the colt will not
be frightened by the noise of the wheels. Nothing should bo
done to him, except giving him an occasional pat or a kind
word. The other horses will keep him moving and in his place ;
(^nd after a short time, sometimes even during the first day, ho
will begin to pull with the rest. The load may then be gradu.
ally increased.

If the horse is desired for purposes of riding as well as for
Mclusivelj agricaltural uses, his first lesson may be given when
he is in the team j his feeder, if possible, being the first one put

112

BREAKING.

fit

upon him. He will be too much confined by the harness and
by the other horses, to make much resistance ; and, in the
greater nnmber of instances, will quietly and at once submit
Every thing, however, should proceed gradually and by suc-
cessive steps, and, above all, no whip or harsh language should,
under any circumstances, be allowed to be used. Although mild-
ness is absolutely essential, it is none the less necessary that
the colt should be taught implicit obedience to the will of his
master. To accomplish this, neither whip, nor spur, nor loud
shouting, nor hallooing is necessary ; the successful horsebreaker
is required to possess but the three grand requisites of firmness,
steadiness, and patience.

When the colt begins to understand his business somewhat,
the most difficult part of his work, backing, may be taught him ;
first, to back well without anything behind him, then with a
light curb, and afterwards with some more heavy load — the
greatest possible care being always taken that his mouth be not
seriously hurt. If the first lesson causes much soreness of the
gums, he will not readily submit to the second. If he has been
previously rendered tractable by kind usage, time and patience
will accomplish every thing that is desired. Some persons are
in the habit of blinding the colt when teaching him to back.
This can only be necessary with a restive and obstinate one, and
even then should be used only as a last resort.

In the whole process of breaking it should constantly be
borne in mind, that scarcely any horses are naturally vicious.
Cruel usage alone first provokes resistance. If that resistance
is followed by greater severity, the stubbornness of the colt in-
creases in proportion ; open warfare ensues, in which the man
seldom gains the advantage, and the horse is frequently ren-

113

dered utterly unfit for service. Correction may, indeed, be
necessary for the purpose of enforcing implicit obedience, after
the training has proceeded to a certain extent; but the' early
lessons should be imparted with kindness alone. Young colts
are sometimes very perverse ; and many days will occasionally
pass, before they will suffer the bridle to be put on, or the saddle
to be worn. It must not, however, be forgotten, that a single act
of harshness will indefinitely increase this length of time; but
that patience and kindness will always prevail. On some occa-
sion, when the colt is in a better humor than usual, the bridle
may be put on, or the saddle be worn ; and, if this compliance
on his part is accompanied by kindness and soothing on the
part of the breaker, and no inconvenience or pain be sufi-ered
by the animal, all resistance will be ended.

The same principles will apply to the breaking-in of the horse
for the road. The handling and some portion of instruction
should commence from the time of weaning ; for upon this the
future tractibility of the horse in a great measure depends. At
two years and a half, or three years, the regular process of
breaking.in should commence. If it is put off until the animal
IS four years old, his strength and obstinacy will be more diffi.
cult to overcome. The plan usually adopted by the breaker
cannot, perhaps, be much improved ; except that there should
be much more kindness and patience, and far less harshness and
cruelty, than those persons are accustomed to exhibit, and a
great deal more attention to the form and natural action of the
horse. A headstall is put on the colt, and a cavesson (or ap-
paratus to confine and pinch the nose,) affixed to it with long
rems. He is first accustomed to the rein, then led around a
nng on soft ground, and at length mounted and taught hig

114

BREAKING.

•)■'.

paces. Next to preserving the temper and docility of the horse,
there is nothing of so much importance, as to teach him every
pace and every part of his duty distinctly and thoroughly.
Each should constitute a separate and sometimes long-continued
lesson, taught by a man who will never allow his passion to
overmaster his discretion.

After the cavesson has been attached to the headstall, and
the long reins put on, the colt should be quietly led about by
the breaker— a steady boy following behind, to keep him moving
by occasional threatening with the whip, but never by an actual
blow. When the animal follows readily and quietly, he may be
taken to the ring and walked around, right and left, in a very
small circle. Care should be taken to teach him this pace
thoroughly, never allowing him to break into a trot. The boy
with his whip may here again be necessary, but an actual blow
should never be inflicted.

Becoming tolerably perfect in the walk, be should be quick-
ened to a trot, and kept steadily at it; the whip and the boy,
if needful, urging him on, and the cavesson restraining him.
These lessons should be short, the pace being kept perfect and
distinct in each, and docility and improvement rewarded with
frequent caresses, and handfuls of corn. The length of the
rein may now be gradually increased, and the pace quickened, and
the time extended, until the animal becomes tractable in these
his first lessons ; toward the conclusion of which, crupper straps,
or something similar, may be attached to the clothing. These,
playing about the sides and flanks, accustom him to the flapping
of the coat of the rider. The annoyance which they occasion
will pass over in a day or two ; for when the animal learns by
experience that no harm comes from them, he will cease to re^
gard them.

115

Next comes the bitting. The bits should be large and
smooth, and the reins buckled to a ring on each side of the
pad. There are many curious and expensive machines for this
purpose, but the simple rein will be quite sufficient. It should
at first be slack, and then very gradually tightened. This pre-
pares for the more perfect manner in which the head will after-
ward be got in its proper position, when the colt is accustomed
to the saddle. Occasionally the breaker should stand in front
of the colt, and take hold of each side-rein near to the mouth,
and press upon it, and thus begin to teach him to stop and to
back on the pressure of the rein, rewarding every act of do-
cility, and not being too eager to punish occasional careless-
ness or waywardness.

The colt may now be taken into the road or street, that he
may become gradually accustomed to the objects -among which
his services will be required. Here, from fear or playfulness, a
considerable degree of starting and shying may be exhibited,
of which as little notice as possible should be taken. The same
or a similar object should be soon passed again, but at a greater
distance. If the colt still shies, let the distance be still further
increased, until he takes no notice of the object. Then he may
be gradually brought nearer to it ; and this may usually be ac
complished without the slightest difficulty ; whereas, had there
been an attempt to force him close to it in the first instance,
the remembrance of the contest would have been associated
with every appearance of the object, and the habit of shying
would have been established.

Hitherto, with a cool and patient breaker, the whip may have
been shown, but will scarcely have been used ; the colt should
now. however, be accustomed to this necessary instrument of

116

BREAKTNa.

authority. Let the bresker walk by the side of the animal,
throw his right arm over his back, holding the reins in his left,
occasionally quickening his pace, and at the moment of doing
this tapping the horse with the whip in his right hand, and at
first very gently. The tap of the whip and the quickening of
the pace will soon become associated in the animal's mind. If
necessary, these reminders may gradually fall a little heavier,
and the feeling of pain be the monitor of the necessity of in-
creased exertion. The lessons of reining in and stopping, and
backing on the pressure of the bit, may continue to be practised
at the same time.

He may next be taught to bear the saddle. Some little
caution will be necessary in first putting it on. The breaker
should stand at the head of the colt, patting him and engaging
his attention, while one assistant, on the off-side, gently places
the saddle on the back of the animal ; another on the nearest
side slowly tightening the girths. If he submits quietly to this,
as he generally will when the previous process of breaking-in
has been properly conducted, the operation of mounting may
be attempted on the following, or on the third day. The
breaker will need two assistants in order to accomplish this.
He will remain at the head of the colt, patting and making
much of him. The rider will put his foot into the stirrup, and
bear a little weight upon it, while the man on the opposite side
presses equally on the other stirrup-leather ; and according to
the docility of the animal, he will gradually increase the weight,
until he balances himself on the stirrup. If the colt is uneasy
or fretful, he should be spoken kindly to and patted, or a
mouthful of grain be given to him; but if he offers serious re-
sistance, the lessons must terminate for that day. He may
possibly be in a better humor on the morrow. .

BREAKING.

117

When the rider has balanced himself for a minute or two, he
may gently throw his leg over, and quickly seat himself in'the
saddle. The breaker should then lead the animal around the
ring, the rider meanwhile sitting perfectly still. After a few
minutes he should take the reins, and handle them as gently as
possible, guiding the horse by the pressure of them ; patting
him frequently, and especially when he thinks of dismounting;
and, after having dismounted, offering him a little grain, or
green feed. The use of the rein in checking him, and of the
pressure of the leg and the touch of the heel in quickening his
pace, will soon be taught, and his education will be nearly com-
pleted.

The horse having thus far submitted himself to the breaker,
these pattings and awards must be gradually diminished, and
implicit obedience mildly but firmly enforced. Severity will
uot ofteji^^e^ecessary, in the great majority of cases it being

altogether
uncalled for;

but should the
animal, in a
moment of
waywardness,
dispute the
command of
the breaker,

THE AaRICULTURIST's METHOD.

he must at
once be taught that he is the slave of man, and
that we have the power, by other means than those of kindness,
to bend him to our will. The education of the horse, in short'
sliould be that of the child. Pleasure is, as much as possible,'

118

CASTRATIOrf.

associated with the early lessons ; but firmness, or, if need be,
coercion, must establish the habit of obedience. Tyranny and
cruelty will, more speedily even in the horse than in the child,
provoke the wish to disobey ; and, on every practicable occasion,
the resistance to command. The restite and vicious horse is,
in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, made so by ill-usage, and
not by nature. None but those who will take the trouble to
make the experiment, are aware how absolute a command the
due admixture of firmness and kindness will soon give us ovef
any horse.

CASTRATION.

The period at which this operation may be best performed
depends, as has been previously remarked, much on the breed
and form of the colt, and the purpose for which he is destined*
For the common agricultural horse, the age of four or five
months will be the most proper time, or, at least before he is
weaned. Few horses are lost when cut at that age ; though
care should be taken that the weather is not too bad, nor the
flies too numerous.

If the horse is designed either for the carriage or for heavy
draught, he should not be castrated nntil he is at least a year
old ; and, even then, the colt should be carefully examined. If
he is thin and spare about the neck and shoulders, and low in
the withers, he will materially improve by remaining uncut
another six months ; but if his fore quarters are fairly developed
at twelve months, the operation should not be delayed, lest he
grow gross and heavy before, and, perhaps, has begun too de-
cidedly to have a will of his own. No specific age, therefore,
can be fixed ; but the operation should be performed rather lato

CASTRATION.

ll»

in the spring, or early in the autumn, when the air is temperate
and particularly when the weather is dry.

No preparation is necessary for the sucking colt, but it
may be prudent to physic one of more advanced age. In
the majority of cases, no after treatment will be necessary, ex-
cept that the animal should be sheltered from intense heat, and
more particularly from the wet. In temperate weather he
will do much better running in the field than nursed in a close
and hot stable. The moderate exercise which he will necessa-
rily take in grazing, will be preferable to entire inaction.

The old method of opening the scrotum, or testicle bag, on
each side, and cutting off the testicles, preventing bleeding by
a temporary compression of the vessel, while they are seared
with a hot iron, must not, perhaps, be abandoned ; but there is
no necessity for that extra pain, when the spermatic cord (the
blood-vessels and the nerve,) is compressed between two pieces
of wood as tightly as in a vice, and there left until the following
day, when it may be removed with a knife.

The practice of some farmers of cording, or twitching their
colts at an early period exposes the animal to much unneces-
Rary pain, and is attended with no slight danger.

Another method of castration is by torsion. An incision ia
made into the scrotum, and the vas deferens is exposed and
divided. The artery is then seized by a pair of forceps con-
trived for the purpose, and 'twisted six or seven times round.
It retracts without untwisting the coils, and bleeding ceases.
The testicle is removed, and there is no sloughing or danger.
The most painful part of the operation—the operation of the
firing-iron, or the claws— is avoided, and the wound readily
teals. It is to be remarked, in this connection, that the use

120

DOCKING.

of chloroform lias been found very beneficial in performing the
operation in the old way, both in removing all pain, and also
preventing that severe struggling which often takes place, and
which has sometimes been followed with very dangerous con-
(Sequences. With the assistance of this agent, the operation
has been safely performed in seven minutes, without any pain
to the animal.

DOCKING.

This is an operation, whose only sanction is to be found in
the requirements of a senseless fashion. " The convenience of
the rider,'* which is sometimes urged in its favor, is the veriest
nonsense afloat. In truth, the operation is one of the most
useless which the brain of man, fertile in romance and expedi-
ents as it is, ever devised ; since, instead of adding to the beauty
of the animal, as some assert, it but adds deformity. Not many
years back, this attempted improvement upon nature became a
perfect mania. In England, however, this cruel practice has
been almost entirely discarded ; and it is to be hoped that the
operation iu the United States also will speedily be frowned
down.

The operation, as now performed by veterinary surgeons, was
introduced some years ago by the American Veterinary Asso-
ciation of Philadelphia. It consists in passing a narrow-bladed
knife (a pricking knife will answer,) between the coccygeal bones
at the desired point, from above downwards, cutting outwards
and backwards on each side so as to form two flaps, which are
carefully brought together over the end of the tail and secured
by the interrupted suture ; thus giving protection to the stump
of the tail; and making a much neater finish than by any other

DOCKING.

121

inethod which could be adopted. No styptic whatever is re-
quired, and there need be no fear of hemorrhage, as the union
generally takes place by what surgeons call first intention. If,
however, the flaps do not fit nicely, healing will not take place
without suppuration. Tiiis f^ct should be borne in mind in
performing the operation, as much time in healing may thus be
saved.

By the old method that joint is searched for, which is nearest
to the desired le.igth of tail. The hair is then turned up, and
tied round with tape for an inch or two above this joint, and
that lying immediately upon the joint is cut off. The horse is
fettered with the side-line, and then the veterinary surgeon with
his docking-machine, or the farmer with his carving-knife and
mallet, cuts through the tail at one sftrokc.

Some farmers dock their colts a few days after they are
dropped. This is a commendable custom on the score of hu-
manity. No colt was ever lost by it ; the growth of the hair,
and the beauty of the tail not being at all impaired.

WICKINQ.

This barbarous operation was once sanctioned by fashion,

and the breeder and the dealer are even now sometimes tempted

to inflict the torture of it in order to obtain a ready sale for

their colts. It is not, practiced to the extent that it used to

.be, nor is it attended by so many circumstances of cruelty.

The operation is thus performed. The side-line is put on
the horse, or some persons deem it more prudent to cast him,
and that precaution may be recommended. The hair at the
end of the tail is securely tied together, for the purpose of
afterward attaching a weight to it. The operator then grasps

122

NICKING.

the tail in his hand, and, lifting it up, feels for the centre of
one of the bones — the prominences at the extremities guidin"*
him — from two to four inches from the root of the tail, accord-
ing to the size of the horse. He then with a sharp knife di-
vides the muscles deeply from the edge of the tail on one side
to the centre, and, continuing the incision across the bone of
the tail, he makes it as deep on the other side. One continued
incision, steadily yet rapidly made, will accomplish all this.
If it is a blood-horse that is operated on, this will be sufficient.
For a hunter, two incisions are usually made, the second being
about two inches below the first, and likewise as nearly as
possible in the centre of one of the bones.

On a hackney, a third incision is made ; for fashion has
decided that his tail shall be still more elevated and curved.
Two incisions only are made in the tail of a mare, and the
second not very deep.

When the second incision is made, some fibres of the mus-
cles between the first and second will project into the wound,
and must be removed by a pair of curved scissors. The same
must be done with the projecting portions from between the
second and third incisions. The wound should then be care-
fully examined, in order to ascertain that the muscles have
been equally divided on each side, otherwise the tail will be
carried awry. This being done, pieces of tow must be intro-
duced deeply into each incision, and confined, but not too
tightly, by a bandage. A very profuse bleeding only will
justify any tightness of bandage, and the ill consequences that
have resulted from nicking are mainly attributable to the un-
necessary force that is used in confining these pledgets of
tow. Even if the bleeding, immediately after the operation,

NICKING.

123

fthould have been very great, the roller must be loosened in two
or three hours, otherwise swelling and inflammation, and even
death, may possibly ensue. Twenty-four hours after the ope-
ration, the bandage must be quite removed ; and then all that
is necessary, so far as the healing of the incisions is concerned,
is to keep them clean.

The wounds must remain open ; and this can only be accom-
plished by forci-
bly keeping the
tail curved back
during two or
three weeks. For
this purpose, a
cord, one or two
feet in length, is
affixed to the end
of the hair, which
terminates in an-

THE USUAL METHOD.

Other divided cord, each division going over a pulley on each
side of the back of the stall. A weight is hung at each ex«
tremity, sufficient to keep the incisions properly open, and
regulated by the degree in which this is wished to be accom,
plished. The animal will thus be retained in an uneasy posi.
tion, although, after the first two or three days, probably not
of acute pain. It is barbarous to increase this uneasiness or
pain by affixing too great a weight to the cords ; for it should
be remembered that the proper elevated curve is given to the
tail, not by the weight's keeping it in a certain position for a
considerable time, but by the depth of the first incisions, and
the degree in which the wounds arc kept open.

124

NICKING.

The dock should not, for the first three or four days, be
brought higher than the back. Dangerous irritatiou and in-
flammation would probably otherwise be produced. It may,
after that, be gradually raised to an elevation of forty-five
degrees. The horse should be taken out of the pulleys, and
gently exercised once or twice every day ; but the pulleys
cannot finally be dispensed with until a fortnight after the
wounds have healed, because the process of contraction, or the
approach of the divided parts, goes on for some time after the
skin is perfect over the incisions, and the tail would thus sink
below the desired elevation. The French method is simpler
and less barbarous than ours, allowing
the horse to lie down or move about at
his pleasure.
Where this ope-
ration is to be
performed, it
might be adopted
with advantage
as shown in the
engraving an-
nexed.

If the tail has

not been unnecessarily extended by enormous weights, no bad
consequences will usually follow ; but if considerable inflamma-
tion should ensue, the tail must be taken from the pulley, and
carefully fomented with simple warm water, and a dose of
physic given Locked-jaw has, in some rare instances, fol-
lowed, under which tne horse generally perishes. The best
means of care in the early state of this disease, is to amputate

t^*i^^f>S=^'****»^

THE FREXCH METHOD.

THE STABLE.

125

the tail at the joint above the highest incision. In order to
prevent the hair from coming off, it should be unplaited and
combed out every fourth or fifth day.

THE STABLE.

The most desirable thing in a stable is ventilation. A horse
requires air equally with his master; and as the latter requires
a chimney to his sleeping apartment, so does the former. This
may be a mere outlet through the ceiling, or it may be formed
as a dome or cupola. It should not, of course, be open at the
top, or rain will get in, but roofed over, and have an opening
at the sides. Besides this, there should be openings in the
wall, near the ground, but not in the stalls. This will produce
a thorough air, and may be so placed as not to expose the
horses to the draught.

The stable should not be less than twelve feet high, from floor
to ceiling, and the floor should be well paved, slope slightly back-
ward, and along the back of the stalls should run a gutter, about
a foot wide and an inch or two deep. No stable should be less
than eighteen feet deep, and each stall should be at least six
feet clear; but if eight feet can be allowed, so much the better.
Although some horses will agree when kept together in one
stall, it is far preferable to allow each a stall to himself. The
manger should be about sixteen inches deep, the same from front
to back, more narrow at bottom than at top, and two feet in
length. The rack is best when closed in front, the back part
being an inclined plane of wood sloping gradually toward the
front, and terminating about two feet down. This kind of
rack effects a considerable saving in hay; for the reader
scarcely needs to be reminded that in the common rack much

126

THE STABLE.

AIR.

127

of the hay given is dragged down and trampled in the litter.
It also prevents the hay-seed from falling into the horse's eyes;

, for the rack is on a
:? level with the man-
ger, and about three
feet from the ground.
Another advantage
gained by this rack
is the facility with
which it can bo
filled, thus obvi-
ating all necessity
for a loft over the
stable, and, con-
sequently, admit-
ting of a greater

CUSTOMARY FORM OF STALLS. hciffht Of CCiUnff

above the horses, as well as of a superior ventilation.

The windows and the doors should be at opposite ends, as
ventilation is thereby promoted ; the doors should be divided
transversely, at the height of about four feet from the ground.
The upper portion may thus be occasionally opened. White-
wash is a bad dressing for the interior of the stable, as it causes
too great a glare of light ; paint of a leaden color is best, and
it can be washed from time to time with soap and water.
There should be a bin, properly divided into partitions for
oats, beans, and the like ; and this is better at the back of the
stable.

A few buckets of water dashed over the floor of the stable
while the horses are at work, will keep all sweet. The litter

should also be turned out to dry, and a little fresh straw spread
for the horses to stale on. A shed placed beside the stable is
a great advantage, on two accounts— it admits of the litter
being dried, and the horse dressed there in wet and stormy
weather.

A little powdered gypsum, strown upon the stable floor, will
also act by absorbing the ammoniacal gas, and thus removing
its foul smell — a frequent predisposing cause of ophthalmia.
If the ammonia, however, accumulates in any considerable
quantity, the speediest and most efficacious remedy as a disin-
fectant is muriatic acid.

AIR.

The importance of thorough ventilation has been adverted to
under the preceding bead, but a few words additional seem
necessary.

A hot stable has in the minds of many been long connected
with a glossy coat for the horse. The latter, it is thought,
cannot be obtained without the former. To this it may be re-
plied that in winter a thin, glossy coat is not desirable. Nature
gives to every animal a warmer clothing when the cold weather
approaches. The horse—the agricultural horse, especially— »
acquires a thicker and a lengthened coat, in order to defend
him from the surrounding cold. Man puts on additional and
a warmer covering, and his comfort is increased and his health
preserved by it. He who know^s anything of the farmer's horse,
or cares about his enjoyment, will not object to a coat a little
longer, and a little roughened when the wintry wind blows
bleak. The coat, however, does not need to be so long as to

128

AIR.

129

?•

be unsightly; and warm clothing, even in a cool stable, will,
with plenty cJf careful and faithful grooming, keep the lioir suf-
ficiently smooth and glossy to satisfy the most fastidious. The
over-heated air of a close stable dispenses with the necessity of
this grooming, and therefore the idle attendant unscrupulously
sacrifices the health and safety of the horse.

If the stable is close, the air will not only be hot, but foul.
The breathing of every animal contaminates it ; and when, in the
course of the night, with every aperture stopped, it passes again
and again through the lungs, the blood cannot undergo its proper
and healthy change ; digestion will not be so perfectly performed,
and all the functions of life are injured. Let the owner of a
valuable horse think of his passing twenty or twenty-two out of
the twenty-four hours in this debilitating atmosphere. Nature
does wonders in enabling every animal to accommodate itself
to the situation in which it is placed, and the horse that lives
in the stable-oven suffers less from it than would scarcely be
deemed possible ; but he does not, and cannot, possess the
power and hardihood which he would acquire under other cir-
cumstances.

The air of the improperly closed and heated stable is still
further contaminated by the urine and dung, which rapidly fer-
ment there, and give out stimulating and unwholesome odors.
When one first enters an ill-managed stable, and especially early
in the morning, he is annoyed, not only by the heat of the con-
fined air, but by a pungent smell, resembling hartshorn ; what sur-
prise, then, need be excited at the inflammation of the eyes, and
the chronic cough, and the disease of the lungs, by which the
animal, which has been all night shut up in this vitiated atmos-
phere, is often attacked j or if glanders and farcy should occa-

Bionally break out in such stables ? Chemical experiments have
demonstrated that the urine of the horse contains in it an ex-
ceedingly large quantity of hartshorn; afjd not only so, but
that, influenced by the heat of a crowded stable, and poJsibly
by other decompositions which are going on at the same time,
this ammoniacal vapor begins to be rapidly given out almost
immediately after the urine is voided.

When disease begins to appear among the inhabitants of these
ill-ventilated places, it is not wonderful that it should rapidly
spread among them, and that the plague-spot should be, as it
were, placed on the door of such a stable. When distemper
appears in spring or autumn, it is in very many cases to be
traced to such a pest-house. It is peculiarly fatal there. The
horses belonging to a small establishment, and rationally
treated, have it comparatively seldom, or, when they do, but
li^Hitly ; but among the inmates of a crowded stable it is sure
to display itself, and there it is most deadly. The experience
of every veterinary surgeon, and of every large proprietor of
horses, will corroborate this statement.

Every stable, then, should possess within itself a certain de-
gree of ventilation. The cost of this would be trifling, and its
saving in the preservation of valuable animals maybe immense
The apertures need not be largo, and the whole, as before said,
may be so contrived that no direct current of air shall fall on
lue horse

A gentlnman's stable shonid never bewithoi.t a thermometer.
•»1;e temperature sl.ould seldom exceed seve.ity degrees in the
""immer, or sink below forty or fifty degrees iu the winter
9

130

UTIEk.

MGHT.

13X

lilTTER.

Having spoken of the vapor of hartshorn, which Is so rapidl;
and plentifully given out from the urine of a horse in a heated
Btable, the subject of litter comes naturally next in order. Tiie
first caution is, frequently to remove it. The early extrication
of gas shows the rapid putrefaction of the urine ; the conse-
quence of which will be the rapid putrefaction of the litter which
is moistened by it. Every thing hastening to decomposition
should be carefully removed where life and health are to be pre-
served. The litter which has been much wet or at all softened
by the urine, and is beginning to decay, should be swept away
every morning ; the greater part of the remainder may then be
piled under the manger ; a little being left to prevent the pain-
ful and injurious pressure of the feet on the hard pavement
during the day. The soiled and soaked portion of that which
\vas left should be removed at night. In the better kind of
stables, however, the stalls should be completely emptied every

morning.

No heap of fermenting dung should be sniTered to remain
during the day in the- corner or in any part of the stable.
With regard to this, the directions for removal should be per-
emptory.

The stable should be so contrived that the urine may quickly
ruft off, and the offensive and injurious vapor from the decom-
posing fluid, and the litter will thus be materially lessened ; but
if this is effected by means of gutters and a descending floor,
the descent must be barely sufficient to cause the fluid to escape,
as, if the toes are kept higher than the heels, it will lead to
lameness, and is also a frequent cause of contraction of the foot

Stalls of this kind certainly do best for mares ; but for horses
those are preferable, which have a grating in the centre, and a
Slight mclination in the floor on every side towards the middle.
A short branch may communicate with a larger drain, by, means
of which the urine may be carried off to a reservoir outside the
Ftable. Traps ar^now contrived, and may be procured at little
expense, by means of which neither any offensive smell nor cur.
rent of air can pass through the grating.

In stables with paved floors particularly, humanity and
interest, as well as the appearance of the stable, should induce
the proprietor of the horse to place a moderate quantity of litter
under him during the day.

LIGHT.

This neglected branch of stable-management is of | it more
consequence than is generally imagined. The farmer a stable
is frequently destitute of any glazed window, and haj only a
shutter, which is raised in warm weather, and closed when the
weather becomes cold. When the horse is in the stable only
during a few hours in the day, this is not of so much conse-
quence, nor of so much, probably, with regard to horses of slow
work ; but to carriage-horses and roadsters, so far, at least, as
the eyes are concerned, a dark stable is little less injurious than
a foul and heated one. In order to illustrate this, reference may
be made to the unpleasant feeling, and the utter impossibility
of seeing distinctly, when a man suddenly emerges from a dark
place into the full glare of day. The sensation of mingled pain
and giddiness is not speedily forgotten ; and some minutes elapse
before the eye can accustom itself to the increased light. If
this were to happen every day, or several times in a day, tho

132

LIGHT.

sight would be irreparably injured, or possibly blindness would
be the final result. We need not wonder, then, that the horse,
taken from a dark stable into a blaze of light, feeling, probably,
as we should do under similar circumstances, and unable for
any time to see anything around him distinctly, should become
a starter ; or that the frequently repeated violent effect of sudden
light should induce inflammation of the eye so intense as to
terminate in blindness. There is, indeed, no doubt that horses
kept in dark stables are frequently notorious starters, and that
abominable habit has been properly traced to this cause.

If plenty of light be admitted, the walls of the stable, and
especially that portion of them which is before the horse^s head,
must not be of too glaring a color. The color of the stable
should depend on the quantity of light. Where much can be
admitted, the walls should be of a gray hue. Where darkness
would otherwise prevail, frequent painting may in some degree
dissipate the gloom.

For another reason, it will be evident that the stable should
not possess too glaring a light ; it is the resting-place of the
horse. The work of the farmer's horse, indeed, is principally
confined to the day. The hours of exertion having passed, the
animal returns to his stable to feed and to repose, and the latter
is as necessary as the former, in order to prepare him for re-
newed work. Something like the dimness of twilight is requi-
site to induce the animal to compose himself to sleep. This
half-light is more particularly adapted to horses of heavy work.
In the quietness of a dimly-lighted stable, they obtain repose,
and accumulate flesh and fat.

GROOMING.

133

GROOMING.

To the agriculturist it is not necessary to say much under
this head, as custom, apparently without any ill effect, has
allotted so little of the comb and brush for the farmer^s horse.
The animal that is worked all day, and turned out at night^

^—

O ROOMINO.

requires little more to be
done to him than to have the dirt
brushed off his limbs. Regular grooming, by ren-
dering his skin more sensitive to the alteration of
I temperature, and the inclemency of weather, would b*
prejudicial. The horse that is altogether turned
out, needs no grooming. The dandruff, or scurf, which accu-

134

GROOmNa.

EXERCISE.

mulates at the roots of the hair, is a provision of nature to
defend him from the wind and the cold.

It is to the stabled horse, highly fed, and h'ttle or irregularly
worked, that grooming is of so much consequence. '^Good
rubbing with the brush, or the curry-comb, opens the pores of
the skin, causes the blood to circulate to the extremities of the
body, produces free and healthy perspiration, and stands in
the stead of exercise. No horse will carry a fine coat without
either unnatural heat, or dressing. They both effect the same
purpose J they both increase the insensible perspiration ; but
the first does it at the expense of health md strength, while
the second, at the same time that it produces a glow on the
skin, and a determination of blood to it, rouses all the energies
of the frame. It would be well if the proprietor of the horse
were to insist-and to see that his orders are implicitly obeyed
—that the fine coat, in which he and his groom so much de-
light, is produced by honest rubbing, and not by a heated
stable and thick clothing, and, most of all, not by stimulating
or injurious spices. The horse should be regularly dressed
every day, in addition to the grooming that is necessary after
work.

When the weather will permit the horse to be taken out, he
should never be groomed in the stable, unless he is an animal
of peculiar value, or placed for a time under peculiar circum-
stances. Without dwelling on the want of cleanliness, when
the scurf and dust which are brushed from the horse lodge in
his manger, experience teaches that, if the cold is not too
great, the animal is braced and invigorated to a degree that
cannot be attained in the stable, from being dressed in the
open air. There is no necessity, however, for half the punish-

135

ment which is often inflicted upon the horse in the act of
dressing; and particularly on one whose skin is thin and sen-
sitive. The curry-comb should always be applied lightly.
With many horses, its use may be almost dispensed with ; and
even the brush does not need to be so hard, nor the points of'
the bristles so irregular as they often are. A soft brush, with'
a little more weight of the hand, will be equally effectual, and
much more pleasant to the horse. A hair-cloth, while it will
seldom irritate and tease, will be almost sufficient with horses
that have a thin skin, and that have not been neglected. After
all, it is no slight task to dress a horse as it ought to be done.
It occupies no little time, and demands considerable patience,
as well as dexterity. It will be readily ascertained whether a
horse has been well dressed, by rubbing him with one of the
fingers. A greasy stain will expose the idleness of the groom.
When, however, the horse is changing his coat, both the
curry-comb and the brush should be used as lightly as pos-
sible.

Whoever would be convinced of the benefit of friction to
the horse's skin, and to the horse generally, needs only to ob-
serve the effects produced by rubbing the legs of a tired
horse well with the hands. While every enlargement subsides,
and the painful stiffness disappears, and the legs attain their
natural warmth and become fine, tht animal is evidently and
rapidly reviving ; he takes hold of his food with zest, and then
quietly lies down to rest

EXERCISE.

The remarks upon this branch, also, can have but a slight
reference to the agricultural horse. His work is usually, regu-

I'il

i;j

136

KXERCISB.

lar, and not exhausting. He is neither predisposed to disease
by idleness, nor worn out by excessive exertion, lie, lilie his
roaster, has enoujrh to do to iseep hin» in health, and not
enongh to distress or injure him ; on tl»e contrary, the regii-
larity of his worii prolongs life to an extent seldom witnessed
ill the stable of the gentleman. These remarks on exercise,
then, must have a general bearing, or have principal reference
to those persons who keep a horse for business or pleasure,
but cannot afford to maintain a servant for the express purl
pose of looking after it. The first rule to be laid down is,
that every horse should have daily e.xercise. The animal, that
with the usual stable feeding stands idle for three or' four
days, as is the case in many establishments, must suffer. He
is predoposed to fever, or to grease, or, most of all, to diseases
of the foot; and if, after three or four days of inactivity he is
ridden far and fast, he is almost sure to have inflammation of
the lungs or of the feet.

Any horse, used for business or pleasure merely, suffers much

more from idleness
than he does from
work. A stable-fed
horse should have
two hours' exercise

i every day, if he is

|, to be kept free from

disease. Nothing

5 of extraordinary, or
even of ordinnrv,

ml f

labor can be effectetl
oa the road or in

IXERCISE.

13T

SXSRCISB.

the field, without sufficient and regular exercise. It is thia
wliicli alone can give energy to the system, and develop the
powers of any animal.

In training the race-horse, or the horse for hunting pnr<
poses, regular exercise is the most important of all considera-
tions, however much it may be neglected in the usual manage-
ment of the stable. The exercised horse will discharge his
task, and sometimes a severe one, with ease and pleasure-
while the idle and neglected one will be fatigued before half
his labor is accomplished ; and, if he is pushed a little too far,
dangerous inQammation will ensue. IIow often, nevertheless,
does it happen, that the horse which has stood inactive in the
stable for three or four days, is ridden or driven thirty or
forty miles in the course of a single day ! The rest is often
purposely given in order that he may be prepared for extra
exertion~to lay in a stock of strength for the performance
required of him— and then the owner is surprised and dissatis-
fied if the animal is fairly knocked up, or possibly becomes
seriously ill. Nothing is so common and so preposterous, as
for a person to buy a horse from a dealer^s stable, where he has
been idly fattened for sale for many a day, and immediately to
give him a long run, and then to complain bitterly, and think
that he has been imposed upon, if the animal is exhausted be-
fore the end, or is compelled to be led home suffering from
violent inflammation. Regular and gradually increasing ex-
ercise would have made the same horse appear a treasure to
his owner.

Exercise should be somewhat proportioned to the age of the
horse. A young horse requires more than an old one. Na-
ture has given to young animals of every kind a disposition to '

T
I*

138

FOOD.

POOD.

139

activity ; but the exercise must not be violent. Much depends
upon the manner in which it is given. To preserve the tem-
per, and to promote health, it should be moderate, at least at
the beginning and at the termination. The rapid trot, or even
the gallop, may be resorted to in the middle of the exercise,,
but the horse should be brought in cool.

POOD.

One half of the diseases of the horse owe their origin to
over-feeding with hay. This applies more particularly to
young horses, and to such as are not put to severe work.
They are ever placed before a full rack, and, like children
gorged with bread and butter, -they eat merely for amusement,
until at length the stomach gradually becomes preternaturally
distended, the appetite increases in a relative proportion, be-
comes sooner or later voracious, and finally merges into a mere
craving — it being a matter of indifiference what the food is, so
that the stomach is filled with it. This depravity of appetite
is always accompanied by more or less thirst. This naturally
enough produces general debility of the entire digestive func-
tion, including stomach, bowels, liver, spleen, and pancreas;
worms are produced in thousands, and symptoms present
themselves of so many varied hues, that enumeration, far less
classification, becomes utterly impossible.

A horse's appetite is not to be taken as the criterion by
which to determine the quantity of hay which he is to be per-
mitted to consume ; for most horses will eat three or four times
as much as they ought. Horses have been known to consume
thirty pounds weight of hay between a day and a night ; and
ten pounds is the most that should have been given during

that time. Upon eight pounds of hay daily, with a due allow-
ance of oats, a horse can be kept in full work, in prime health
and spirits. It is better to keep young horses at grass until
Mbout five years old, and to work them during that period.
When kept in the stable and not worked they are apt to ac-
quire many very bad habits ; and if the rack and manger be
kept empty, with a view of preventing the over-loading of their
stomachs, they will fall into a habit of playing with and mouth-
ing them— a habit which finally degenerates into wind-sucking
or crib-biting.

The system of manger-feeding is now becoming general
\mong farmers. There are few horses that do not habitually
;v'aste a portion of their hay ; and by some the greater part is
fulled down and trampled under foot, in order first to cull the
Bweetest and best locks, which could not be done while the
hay was confined in the rack. A good feeder will afterward
pick up much of that which was thrown down : but some of it
must be soiled and rendered disgusting, and, in yiany cases,
one-third of this division of their food is wasted. Some of the
oats and beans are imperfectly chewed by all horses, and
scarcely at all by hungry and greedy ones. The appearance
of the dung will sufiQciently establish this.

The observation of this induced the adoption of manger-
feeding, or of mixing a portion of cut feed with the grain and
beans. By this means the animal is compelled to chew his
food ; he cannot, to any great degree, waste the straw or hay;
the cut feed is too hard and too sharp to be swallowed without
sufficient mastication, and while he is forced to grind that down,
the oats and the beans are also ground with it, and thus yield
more nourishment ; the stomach is more slowly filled, and there-

140

rooD.

FOOD.

141

IH* I

»•■

fore acts better upon its contents, and is not so likely to be
over-loaded ; and the increased quantity of saliva thrown out in
the protracted maceration of the food, softens it, and makes it
more fit for digestion.

Cut feed may be composed of equal quantities of clover or of
meadow hay ; and wheaten, oaten, or barley straw, cut into
pieces of a half or an incii in length, and mingled well to-
gether; the allowance of oats or beans is afterwards added,
and mixed with the whole. Many farmers very properly
bruise the oats or beans. The whole oat is apt to slip out
of the feed and be lost; but when it is bruised, and espe-
cially if the feed is wet a little, it will not readily separate, or,
should a portion of it escape the grinders, it will be partly pre-
pared for digestion by the act of bruising. The prejudice
against bruising the oats is utterly unfounded, so far as the
farmer's horse, and the wagon horse, and every horse of slow
draught, are concerned. The quantity of straw in the feed will
always counteract, any supposed purgative quality in bruised
oats. Horses of quicker draught, unless they are actually in-
clined to scour, will thrive better on bruised than on whole oats ;
for a greater quantity of nutriment will be extracted from the
food, and it will always be easy to apportion the quantity of
straw or beans to the effect of the mixture on the bowels of the
horse. The principal alteration that should be made for the
horse of harder and more rapid work, such as the post-horse
and the stage-coach horse, is to increase the quantity of hay,
and diminish that of straw. Two trusses of hay may be cut
with one of straw.

Some gentlemen, in defiance of the prejudice and opposition
of the coachman or groom, have introduced this mode of feed-

ing Into the stables of their horses, and with manifest advantage.
There has been no loss of condition or power, and considerable
saving of provender. This system is not however, calculated
for the hunter, or the race-horse. Their food must lie in smaller
bulk, in order that the action of the lungs may not be impeded
by the distention of the stomach ; yet many hunters have gone
well over the field who have been manger-fed, the proportion
of grain, however, being materially increased.

For the agricultural and cart-horse, eight pounds of oats, and
two of beans should be added to every twenty pounds of cut
feed. Thirty-four or thirty-six pounds of the mixture will be
suflScient for any horse of moderate size, with fair, or even hard,
work. The dray and wagon horse may require forty pounds.
Hay in the rack at night is, in this case, supposed to be alto-
gether omitted. The rack, however, may remain, as occasion-
ally useful for the sick horse, or to contain green feed.

Horses are very fond of this provender. The great majority
of them, after having become accustomed to it, will leave iho
best oats given to them alone, for the sake of the mingled cut
feed and grain. The farmer should be cautioned, however,
not to set apart damaged hay for the manufacture of the
cut feed. The horse may thus be induced to eat that which he
would otherwise refuse, and if the nourishing property of the
hay has been impaired, or it has acquired an injurious principle,
the animal will either lose condition, or become diseased. Much
more injury is done by eating damaged hay, or musty oats, than
is generally imagined. There will be sufficient saving in the
diminished cost of the provender by the introduction of the
straw and the improved condition of the horse, without poison-
i"g bim with the refuse of the farm. For old horees, and for

142

FOOD.

143

!^l

|.i

!!!?

those with defective teeth, cut feed is peculiarly useful, and for
them the grain should be broken down as well as the fodder.

While the mixture of the cut feed with the grain prevents it
from being too rapidly devoured and a portion of it swallowed
whole, and therefore the stomach is not too loaded with that
on which, as containing the most nutriment, its chief digestive
power should be exerted ; yet, on the whole, a great deal of
time is gained by this mode of feeding, and more is left for rest.
When a horse comes in wearied at the close of the day, it oc-
cupies, after he has eaten his grain, two or three hours to clear
his rack. On the system of manger-feeding, the chaff being
already cut into small pieces, and the beans and oats bruised,
he is able fully to satisfy his appetite in an hour and a half.
Two additional hours are therefore devoted to rest. This is a
circumstance deserving of much consideration, even in the
farmer^s stable ; and of immense consequence to the stage-coach
proprietor, the livery-stable keeper, and the owner of every hard-
worked horse.

Manger food will be the usual support of the farmer's horse
during the winter, and while at constant or occasional hard
work ; but from the middle of April to the end of July, he
may be fed with this mixture in the day, and turned out at
night, or he may remain out during every rest-day. A team
in constant employ should not, however, be suffered to be out
at night after the end of July.

The farmer should take care that the pasture is thick and
good ; and that the distance from the yard is not too great, or
the fields too large, otherwise a very considerable portion of
time will be occupied in catching the horse in the morning.
He will likewise have to take into consideration the sale be

OCT TO GRASS.

would have for bis hay, and the necessity of sweet and untrod-
_^_^^^^&^_ ^^^ pasture for his cattle. On the
'^^^^^^&. ^^''^^' ''°^e^«''. turning out in this way,

when circumstances
will admit of it, will
be found to be more
beneficial for the horse,
and cheaper than soil-
ing in the yard. .

The horse of the in-
ferior farmer is some-
times fed on hay or
grass alone, and the
animal, although he rarely gets a feed of grain, maintains him-
self in tolerable condition, and performs the work required of
him ; but hay and grass alone however good in quality, or in
whatever quantity allowed, will not support a horse under hard
work. Other substances, containing a large proportion of
nutriment in a smaller compass, hare been added ; a brief
enumeration of which follows, and an estimate is formed of their
comparative value.

In almost every part of Great Britain and this country oats
I'ave been selected as that portion of the food which is to afford
tl>e pnnc.pal nourishment. They contain from seven hundred
and forty-three to seven hundred and fifty parts of the nutri-
t.ve matter. They should be about, or somewhat less than a
year old, heavy, dry, and sweet. New oats will weigh ten or
Wteen per cent, more than old ones; but the difference consists
pnncpally in watery matter, which is gradually evaporated.
J^ew oats are not so readily ground down by the teeth as old

I n

144

FOOD.

ones. They form a more glutinous mass, difficult to digest,
and, when eaten in considerable quantities, are apt to occa-
sion colic, or even staggers. If they are to be used before
they are from three to five months old, they would be materi-
ally improved by a little kiln-drying. There is no fear for
the horses from simple drying, if the grain is good when put
into the kiln. The old oat forms, when chewed, a smooth and
uniform mass, which readily dissolves in the stomach, and
yields the nourishment which it contains. Perhaps some chemi-
cal change may have been slowly effected in the old oat, dis-
posing it to be more readily assimilated. Oats should be
plump, bright in color, and free from unpleasant smell or taste.
The musty smell of wet or damaged grain is produced by a
fungus growing upon the seed, which has an injurious effect
upon the urinary organs, and often on the intestines, producing
profuse staling, inflammation of the kidneys, colic, and inflam-
mation of the bowels.

This musty smell is removed by kiln-drying the oat; but
care is here requisite that too great a degree of heat is not
employed. It should be sufficient to destroy the fungus with-
out injuring the life of the seed. A considerable improvement
would be effected by cutting the unthrashed oat-straw into
chaff, and the expense of thrashing would be saved. Oat-
straw is better than that of barley, but does not contain so
much nutriment as that of wheat.

When the horse is fed on hay and oats, the quantity of the
oats must vary with his size and the work to be performed.
In winter, four feeds, or from ten to fourteen pounds of oats in
the day, will be a fair allowance for a horse of fifteen hands
and one or two inches in height, and that has moderate work-

FOOD.

145

In summer, half the quantity with green feed will be sufficient.
Those which work on the farm have from ten to fourteen
pounds, and the hunter from twelve to sixteen. There are no
efficient and safe substitutes for good oats; but, on the contrary,
it may be safely asserted, that they possess an invigorating pro'/
perty which is found in no other kind of food. i

Oatmeal forms a poultice more stimulating than one com-
posed of linseed-meal alone-^or they may be mingled in different
proportions, as circumstances require. In the form of gruel
it constitutes one of the most important articles of diet for the
sick horse ; not, indeed, to be forced upon him, but a pail con-
taining it being slung in his box, of which he will soon begin
to drink when water is denied. Gruel is generally either not
boiled long enough, or a sufficient -quantity of oatmeal is not
used for it. The proportions should be, a pound of meal thrown
into a gallon of water, and kept constantly stirred until it boils,
and five minutes afterwards.

White- water, made by stirring a pint of oatmeal in a pail of
water, the chill being taken from it, is an excellent beverage
for the thirsty and tired horse.

Barley is a common food of the horse in various parts of the
continent, and, until the introduction of oats, seems to have
constituted almost his only food. It is more nutritious than
oats, containing nine hundred and twenty parts of nutritive
matter in every thousand. There seems, however to be some-
thmg necessary besides a great proportion of nutritive matter
in order to render any substance wholesome, strengthenino- or
fattening; therefore it is, that with many horses that are ha^^rdiy
worked, and, indeed, with horses generally, barley does not
agree so well as oats. They are occasionally subject to inflam-
matory complaints, and particularly to surfeit and mange

»i

146

FOOD.

V ■%

FOOD.

¥'

II I

When barley is given, the quantity shonld not exceed a peck
daily. It should always be bruised, and the chaff should con-
sist of equal quantities of hay and barley-straw, and not cut too
short. If the farmer has a quantity of spotted or unsalable
barley that he wishes thus to get rid of, he must accustom. his
horses to it very gradually, or be will probably produce serious
illness among them. For horses that are recovering from illness,
barley, in the form of malt, is often serviceable, as tempting the
appetite and recruiting the strength. It is best given in mashes
— water, considerably below the boiling heat, being poured upon
it, and the vessel or pail kept covered for half an hour.

Grain, fresh from the mash-tub, either alone or mixed with
oats or chaff, or both, may be given occasionally to horses of slow
draught ; they would, however, afford very insufficient nourish-
ment for horses of quicker or harder work.

Wheat is more rarely given than barley. It contains nine
hundred and fifty-five parts of nutritive matter. When farmers
have a damaged or unmarketable sample of wheat, they some-
times give it to their horses, and, it being at first used in small
quantities, they become accustomed to it, and thrive and work
well ; it should, however, always be bruised, and given in chaff.
Wheat contains a greater portion of gluten, or sticky, adhesive
matter, than any other kind of grain. It is difficult of diges-
tion, and apt to cake and form obstructions in the bowels. This
will more often be the case, if the horse is suffered to drink
much water soon after feeding upon it.

Fermentation, colic, and death, are occasionally the conse-
quence of eating any great quantity of wheat. A horse that is
fed on it, should have very little hay. The proportion should
not be more than one truss of hay to two of straw. Wheat or

147

flour, boiled in water, to the thickness of starch, is given with
good effect in over-purging, especially if combined with chalk
and opium.

Bran, or the ground husk of the wheat, used to be frequently
given to sick horses, on account of the supposed advantage
derived from its relaxing the bowels. There is no doubt that
it does operate gently on the intestinal canal, and assists in
quickening the passage of its contents, when occasionally given ;
but it must not be a constant, or even frequent food. Bran or
pollard often accumulates in the intestines, when given injudi-
ciously, seriously impairing the digestive powers. Bran may,
however, be useful as an occasional aperient in the form of a
mash, but never should become a regular article of food.

Beans afford a striking illustration of the principle, that the

nourishing or strengthening effects of the different articles of

^^^^ ^^^^ depend more upon some peculiar pro-

which they possess, or upon some
combination which they form, than

upon the actual
quantity of nuiri-
tive matter. Beans
contain but from
five hundred and
twenty to six hun-
dred parts of nu-

THE AMERICAN RACER, BLACK MARIA.

tritive matter; yet
they add materially to the vigor of the horse. There are many
liorses that will not stand hard work without beans being
mingled with their food ; and there are horses, whose ten!
dency to purge it may be necessary to restrain by the astrin-

148

POOD.

I r.

• >

gency of the bean. There are few travelers who are not aware
of the difference in the spirit and continuance of the horse
whether he is allowed or denied beans daring the continuance
of the journey. They afford not merely a temporary stimulus
but they may be daily used without losing their power, or pro'
ducing exhaustion. They are indispensable to the hard-worked
coach-horse. Weakly horses could never get through their
work without them; and old horses would otherwise often sink
under the task imposed upon them. They should not be given
whole, or split, but crushed. This will make a material differ-
ence in the quantity of nutriment which will be extracted. They
ore sometimes given to turf-horses, but only as an occasional
stimulant. Two pounds of beans may, with advanta-^e be
mixed with the chaff of the agricultural horse, during the winter
In summer, the quantity of beans should be lessened, or they
should be altogether discontinued. Beans are generally given
whole. This is very absurd ; for the young horse, whose teeth
are strong, seldom requires them ; while the old horse, to whom
they are in a measure necessary, is scarcely able to masticate
them, swallows many of them which he is unable to break and
drops much grain from his mouth in the ineffectual attempt to
crush them. Beans should not be merely split, but crushed ; as
they will even then furnish sufficient employment for the grin-
ders of the animal. Some persons use chaff with beans, instead
of oats. This may possibly be allowed with hardly-worked
horses ; but, in general cases, beans without oats would be too
b.nd.ng and stimulating, and would produce costiveness. and
probably megrims or staggers.

Beans should be at least a twelvemonth old before they are
given to the horse, and they should be carefully preserved from

FOOD.

149

damp and raonldiness, which at least disgust the animal, if
they do no other harm, and harbor an insect which destroys
the inner part of the bean.

The straw of the bean is nutritive and wholesome, and ia
usually given to the horses. Its nutritive properties are sup-
posed to be little inferior to those of oats. The small and
plump bean is generally the best.

Peas are occasionally given. They appear to be in a slight
degree more nourishing than beans, and not so heating. They
contain five hundred and seventy-four parts of nutritive matter.
For horses of slow work they may be used ; but the quantity
of chaff should be increased, and a few oats added. They have
not been found to answer with horses of quick draught. It is
essential that they should be crushed ; otherwise, on account of
their globular form, they are apt to escape from the teeth, and
many are swallowed whole. Exposed to warmth and moisture
in the stomach, they swell considerably, and may painfully and
injudiciously distend it. The peas that are given to horses
should be sound, and at least a year old. In some sections,
pea-meal is frequently used, not only as an excellent food for
the horse, but as a remedy for diabetes.

Linseed is sometimes given to sick horses— raw, ground, and
boiled. It is supposed to be useful in cases of catarrh.

Indian Coen in combination with roots, forms a valuable
article of diet. Horses will eat the mess with an avidity of
appetite calculated to e.xcite surprise at first. The mess, to
which a little salt should invariably be added, will keep them
in fair average condition ; and Hiose which it is desirable to
fatten may have a small quantity of oats, pea or bran meal
added.

150

POOD.

Hay is most in perfection when it is about a year old. The
horse, perhaps, would prefer it earlier, but it is then neither so
wholesome nor so nutritive, and often has a purgative quality.
When it is about a year old, it retains, or should retain, some-
what of its green color, its agreeable smell, and its pleasant
taste. It has undergone the slow process of fermentation, by
which the sugar which it contains is developed, and its nutritive
quality is fully .exercised. Old hay becomes dry and tasteless,
and innutritive and unwholesome. After the grass is cut, and
the hay stacked, a slight degree of fermentation takes place in
it. This is necessary for the development of the saccharine
principle ; but it occasionally proceeds too far, and the hay be-
comes mow-burnt, in which state it is injurious, or even poison-
ous. The horse soon shows the effect which it has upon him.
He has diabetes to a considerable degree ; he becomes, hide-
bound ; his strength is wasted ; his thirst is excessive ; and he
is almost worthless.

Where the system of manger-feeding is not adopted, or where
hay is still allowed at night, and chaff and grain in the day,
there is no error into which the farmer is so apt to fall as to
give an undue quantity, and that generally of the worst kind.
The pernicious results of this practice have been already men-
tioned in the commencement of this head, and the practice can-
not be too strongly reprobated.

It is a good practice to sprinkle the hay with water in which
salt has been dissolved. It is evidently more palatable to the
animal who will leave the best nnsaltcd hay for that of an infe-
rior quality which has been moistened with brine ; and there
can be no doubt that the salting materially assists the process
of digestion* Tho preferable way of Salting hay is to sprinkle

FOOD.

151

It over the different layers as it is put away, or as the stack is
formed. From its attraction to water, it would combine with
that excess of moisture which in wet seasons, is the cause of too
rapid and violent fermentation, and of the hay becoming mois-
tened, or of the stack catching fire, and it would become more
incorporated with the hay. The only objection to its being thus
used is, that the color of the hay is not so bright ; but this will
be of little consequence for home consumption.

Clover is useful for soiling the horse ; and clover hay is
preferable to meadow hay for chaff. It will sometimes tempt
the sick horse, and may be given with advantage to those of
slow and heavy work ; but custom seems properly to have for-
bidden it to the roadster or those used for quick work.

The Swedish Turnip is an article of food, the value of
which, particularly for agricultural horses, has not been suf-
ficiently appreciated. Although it is far from containing tho
amount of nutritive matter which many have supposed, that
which it has seems to be capable of complete and easy diges-
tion. It should be sliced vith chopped straw, and without hay.
It quickly fattens the horse, and produces a smooth glossy coat
and a loose skin. It is a good plan to give it once a day, and
that at night when the work is done.

The virtues of Carrots are not sufficiently known, both as
contributing to the strength and endurance of the sound horse,?
and to the rapid recovery of the sick one. To the healthy
horse they should be given sliced in his chaff. Half a bushel
will be a fair daily allowance. There is little provender, of
which the horse is more fond. There is none better, nor, per-
haps, so good. When first given, it is slightly diuretic and
laxative, bat as the horse becomes accustomed to it, these effects

152

FOOD.

cease to be produced. They also improve the state of the skin.
They form a good substitute for grass, and an excellent altera-
tive for horses out of condition. For sick and idle horses they
render grain unnecessary. They are beneGcial in all chronic
diseases connected with breathing, and have a marked influence
upon chronic cough and broken wind. They are serviceable
in diseases of the skin, and in combination with oats they re-
store a worn horse much sooner than oats alone.

Potatoes have been given and with advantage in their raw
state, sliced with chaff; but, where it has been convenient to
boil or steam them, the benefit has been far more evident.
Purging then has rarely ensued. Some have given boiled pota-
toes alone, and horses, instead of rejecting them, have soon
preferred them even to oats ; but it is better to mix them with the
usual manger feed, in the proportion of one pound of potatoes
to two and a half pounds of the other ingredients. The use of
the potato must depend upon its cheapness, and the facility
for boiling it. Those who have tried potatoes extensively in
the feeding of horses, assert ^hat an acre of potatoes goes as
far as four acres of hay. A horse fed upon them should have
his quantity of water materially curtailed. Half a dozen horses
would soon repay the expense of a steaming boiler for potatoes
in the saving of provender alone, without taking into account
their improved condition and capability for work.

The times of feeding should be as equally divided as conve-
nience will permit; and when it is likely that the horse will bo
kept longer than usual from home, the nose-bag should inva-
riably be taken. The small stomach of the horse is emptied in
a few hours ; and if he is allowed to remain hungry much be-
yond his accustomed time, ho will afterwards devour his food

WATEB.

153

BO voraciously as to distend the stomach and endanger an attack
of the staggers.

When extra work is required from the animal, the system of
management is often injudicious; for a double feed is put upon
him, and as soon as he has swallowed it, he is started. It would
be far better to give him a double feed on the previous evening,
which would be digested before he is wanted, and then he might
set out in the morning, after a very small portion of grain had
been given to him, or, perhaps, only a little hay. One of the
most successful methods of enabling a horse to get well through
a long journey, is to give him only a little at a time while on
the road, and at night to indulge him with a double feed of
grain and a full allowance of beans.

WATEB.

The watering of the horse is a very important but disregarded
portion of his general management, especially by the farmer.
He lets his horses loose morning and night, and they go to tho
nearest pond or brook and drink then- fill, and no harm results ;
for they obtain that kind of water which nature designed them
to have, in a manner prepared for them by some unknown in-
fluence of the atmosphere, as well as by the deposition of many
saline admixtures.

The kind of water fitted for the horse has not been, as a
general thing, sufiiciently considered. The difference between
what is termed hard and soft water, is a circumstance of general
observation. The former contains certain saline principles,
which decompose some bodies, as appears in the curdling of
Boap, and prevent the decomposition of others, as in the making
of tea, the boiling of vegetables, and the process of brewing:

154

WATER.

165

It is natural to suppose that these diflferent kinds of water would

produce somewhat differing effects upon the animal frame: and

Buch is the ease. Hard water, freshly drawn from the well

will frequently roughen the coat of the horse unaccustomed to

it, or cause griping pains, or materially lessen the animal's

power of exertion. The racing and the hnnting-groom are

perfectly aware of this ; and instinct or experience has made

even the horse conscious of it, for he will never drink hard

water if he has access to soft, and he will leave the most trans-

parent and the purest water of the well for a river, although

the stream may be turbid, and even for the muddiest pool.

Some trainers, indeed, have so much fear of hard or strange

water, that they carry with them to the different courses the

water which the animal has been accustomed to drink, and that

which they know agrees with it.

The temperature of the water is of far more consequence than
its hardness. It will rarely harm if taken from the pond or
the running stream; but its coldness, when recentlv drawn from
the well, has often proved injurious; it has produced colic,
spasms, and even death.

There is often considerable prejudice against the horse being
fairly supplied with water. It is supposed to chill him, to
injure his wind, or to incapacitate him for hard work. It cer-
tainly would do so, if, immediately after drinking his fill, he
were galloped hard ; but not if he were suffered to quench his
thirst more frequently when at rest in the stable. The horse
that has free access to water, will not drink so much in the
course of the day as another, who, in order to cool his parched
mouth, swallows as fast as he can, and knows not when to
stop.

A horse may, with perfect safety, be far more liberally sup-
plied with water than he generally is. An hour before his work
commences, he should be permitted to drink a couple of quarts.
A greater quantity might probably be objectionable. He will
perform his task far more pleasantly and effectually than with
a parched mouth and tormenting thirst. The prejudice both
of the hunting and the training groom on this point is cruel,
as well as injurious. The task or the journey being accom-
plished, and the horse having had his head and neck dressed,
his legs and feet washed, should have his water before his body
is cleaned. When dressed, his grain may be offered to him,
which he will readily take ; but water should never be given
immediately before or after the grain.

If the horse were watered three times a day, especially in
summer, he would often be saved from the sad torture of thirst
and from many a disease. Whoever has observed the eagerness
with which the. overworked horse, hot and tired, plunges his
muzzle into the pail, and the difficulty of stopping him before
he has drained the last drop, may form some idea of his previ-
ous suffering, and will not wonder at the violent spasms, inflam-
mation, and sudden death, that often follow.

It is a judicious rule with travelers, that when a horse begins
to refuse his food, he should be pushed no further that day. It
may, however, be worth while to ascertain whether this does
not proceed from thirst as much as from exhaustion ; for in
niany instances his appetite and his spirits will return soou
after he has partaken of the refreshing draught.

156

PASTURING.

157

PASTURING.

So far as mere health is concerned, f^rass is the most salabri-

ous food which the horse can receive. When it is eaten where

lit grows, the horse is said to be turned out, to be getting a run

,at grass, or to be at grass. When it is cut, and consumed in

the stable, the horse is said to be soiled.

It is probable that grass eaten in the field produces quite the
same effects as that eaten in the stable. But at pasture, there
are several agents in operation to which the stabled horse is not
necessarily exposed. The exercise which -he must take ; the
position which his head must assume, in order that he may ob-
tain food ; the annoyance ho suffers from flics ; his exposure to
the weather ; the influence of the soil upon the feef and legs ;
and the quantity of food placed at his disposal ; are the priu*
sipal points wherein pasturing differs from soiling.

The Exercise which he must take as he gathers his food,
varies according to the herbage. When the ground is bare,
the exercise may amount even to work, but to a sound horso
it is never injurious; in cold weather it keeps him warm, or,
at least, prevents him from becoming very cold. With a lame
horse, the case is different. In some species of lameness, as
in chronic diseases of the joints, the slow but constant exercise
thus rendered necessary is highly beneficial ; but the exertion
demanded by a bare pasture is unfavorable to any sprain or
lameness arising from disease in the ligaments and tendons.
Lameness, when very great, no matter where seated, forbids
pasturing, even though the grass be knee-high. The pain of
standing, and moving on two or three legs, may be so great
^hat the horso will be obliged to lie down before he has ob*

taincJ Iialf a meal. It is for slight lameness only that horses
should be turned out ; and the pasture should be such as to
afford su3iciont nutriment, without giving the horse more ex-
ercise than is good for the disease.
The legs of fdst-working horses often become turned, shape-
less, tottering, bent at the knee, and

at the pasterns. These
^ always improve at
pasture, as, indeed,
they do in the sta-
ble, or loose-box,
when ihe horse is
thrown out of work.
Grazinjf exercise
does not appear to
PASTURiKo. be unfavorable to

their restoration ; but when the knees are very much bent, the
horse is unfit for turning out ; he cannot graze ; when his head
is down, he is ready to fall upon his nose, and it costs him
much effort to maintain his balance.

The position op the head in the act of grazing is unfavor-
able to the return of blood from the brain, from the eyes, from
all parts of the head. Horses that have had staggers, or bad
eyes, those that have recently lost a jugular vein, and those
that have any disease about the head— strangles, for instance—
should not be sent to pasture. The disease becomes worse, or,
if gone, is apt to return. Even healthy horses are liable to
attacks on the brain, when turned to grass, pariicularly wheu
the weather is hot, and the herbage abundant.
Horses that have been for more than a year In the stable.

f t

158

PASTURTNa.

PASTURING.

159

'.'

!;' i

and especially those that have been reined up in harness, often
experience considerable difficulty in grazing. The neck is
rigid, and the muscles which support the head are short. It
is often several weeks before an old coach-horse can graze
with ease. Yery old coach-horses that have short, stiff necks,
should not be turned out when they can be kept in ; if they
must go, they should be watched, lest they die of want.

Exposure to the Weather. Wet, cold weather always
produces emaciation and a long coat. If the horse is put out
without preparation, he is apt to have an attack of inflamed
lungs, or sore throat, or a common cold, with discharge from
the nose, and may sicken and die. Many persons seem to think
that no usage is too bad for the horse, if it do not immediately
produce some fatal disease. Early in spring, or late in au-
tumn, the animal is turned out of a warm, comfortable stable,
and left to battle with the weather as he best can. He crouches
to the side of a wall, shivering and neglected, as if he had no
friend in the world. In time, the horse becomes inured to the
weather, if he does not sink under it, but sometimes he comes
home with diseased lungs, and very often with a cough which
never leaves him, and which produces broken wind.

Shelter, so easily provided — at the cost of a few rude
boards even — is too much neglected in the pasture. A hovel,
covered on three sides, the fourth open to the south, and just
high enough to admit the horse, will answer the puroose.
The bottom should be sloping, elevated, and quite drv. When
litter can be afforded, it will tempt the horse out of the blast.
There may be hay-racks and mangers, strong, though of rude
construction. In summer, the horse can retire here during the
heat of the day, and in the more inclement season he may thus
avoid the wind and the storm.

Exposure to hot weather is not so pernicious, although it
always produces pain, if the horse be turned out in the middle
of summer. For a while he is fevered all day and loses flesh ;
but he soon recovers. The parts that are most apt to suffer
are the brain and the eyes. Staggers, that is, an affection of
the brain, is not common, and the eyes never suffer permanent
mischief. They are inflamed by die flies, but the brain is in-^
jured, partly by the heat, and partly by the pendent position
of the head.

Flies. The horse is persecuted by at least three kinds of
flies. One, the common horse-fly, settles on his ears and dif-
ferent parts of his body, tickling and teazing him. Another is
a large fly, termed the gad-fly; it is a blood-sucker, bites pretty
smartly, and irritates some tender-skinned horses almost to
madness, forcing them sometimes to rush into the water to
escape their attacks. Another fly is a small insect,whose name
is unknown, which lives in the blood, attacking those parts
where the skin is thinnest, as the eyelids, inside and outside, the
Sheath, and the vagina. The eyelids especially always swell
where this fly abounds, and the swelling is sometimes so great
as to make the horse nearly blind, while the eye is red and
weeping. The injury however, is not permanent.

The principal defense which the horse has against these
puny, but tormenting enemies, is his tail. On some parts of
his body he can remove them with his teeth and his feet ; and
that which cannot be done by these, is done by the tail. With
us, however, in far too many instances the effective instrument
which nature has furnished is removed, or materially impaired,
before he has attained maturity; and, as if the pains of
servitude were not sufficiently great and numerous, domestica-
tion is rendered still more intolerable by whim and caprice.

160

PASTURING.

rASTURINQ.

161

I'.

TfiE SOIL. Much bas been saitf about the influence of the
soil upon the horse^s feet and legs, and much exaggeration of
assertion has been set afloat. Horses reared in soft, marshy
pastures have large flat feet, low at the heels, and weak every-
where. On dry ground the hoof is hard, strong, and small,
the sole concave, and the heels high. But to impart any
peculiar character to the hoof, or to produce any change upon
it, a long and continuous residence upon the same kind of
soil is necessary. A period of six months may produce some
change; but it is so insignificant in general that it is not
apparent.

The low temperature at which the feet and legs are kept in
a moist pasture has probably some influence, though not very
great, in abating inflammation in those parts. The legs be-
come finer and free from tumors and gourdiness ; but they
would improve nearly or quite as soon, and as much, in a
loose box.

When the pastures are hard and baked by the sun, unshod
horses are apt to break away the crust, and they often come
home with hardly horn enough to hold a nail. Feet that have
never been shod sufi*er less; others should, as a general thing,
be preserved by light shoes, especially on the fore feet ; kick-
ing horses, when shod behind, are rather dangerous among
others.

It has been supposed that the act of grazing throws con
siderable stress upon the tendons of the fore legs, and ulti-
mately impairs them. This has been urged against grazing
hunters; but so far as sound legs are concerned, there seems
to be no foundation for the supposition, and it certainly has
never been proved.

Quantity op food. In the stable, a horse's food can be
Apportioned to him as his wants may require; but at pasture,
he may get too much or too little. It is difficult to put the
horse where he will obtain all the nourishment he needs, and
no more. In a rich pasture, he may acquire an inconvenient
load of fat; in a poor one, he may be half starved. If he
must go out, he may be taken in before he becomes too fat ;
or he may be placed in .a bad pasture, and fed up to the point
required by a daily allowance of grain.

Time of turning out. Horses are pastured at all times of
the year. Some are out for lameness, some for bad health,
and some, that they may be kept for less than the stable
cost. The usual time of turning out is about the end of
April, or the beginning of May. Then the grass is young,
juicy, tender, and more laxative than at a later period.. Tho
spring grass is best for a horse in bad health, worn out by
sickness, hard work, or bad food. The weather is mild, neither
too hot nor too cold ; when it is unsettled and backward, the
delicate horse, and sometimes every one, should come in at
nigiit and on bleak days. Toward the end of summer, the
grass is hard, dry, coarse, fit enough to afford nutriment, but
not to renovate a shattered constitution. The days are hot,
the nights cold and damp, and the flies strong and numerous.
This is not the time for turning out a delicate or thin-skinned
horse.

Many persons are accustomed to give the horse a dose or
two of physic before sending him to grass. Unless the animal
has tumid legs, or is afflicted with some ailment, this is en-
tirely unnecessary, though it may do no harm. To preparo
the horse for exposure to the weather, the clothing to which
U

162

PASTURINa.

he has been accustomed is lightened, and then entirely re-
moved, a week or two before turning him out. The tempera-
ture of the stable is gradually reduced, until it becomes as
cool as the external air. These precautions are most neces-
sary for horses that have been much in the stable, and particu-
larly a warm stable. For eight or ten days previous to going
out, the animal should not be groomed. The dust and per°
spiration which accumulate upon the hair, seem in some
measure to protect the skin from rain and from flies. The
feet should be dressed, and the grass shoes, or plates, applied
a week before turning out. If ihcy are injured by the nails,
the injury will become apparent before much mischief is done;
at grass it might not be noticed so soon. On the day of going
out, the horse should be fed as usual. If he goes to grass
when very hungry, he may eat too much. Indigestion will be
the result, which may prove fatal. Weather permitting, night
is usually chosen for the time of turning out, as the horse is
not so apt to gallop about. Let loose in the day time, many
are disposed to gallop till they lame themselves, and to try
the fences.

In autumn, or early in spring, the stable preparation for
grass is often insufficient. If the horse be tender, or the
weather unsettled, he should be taken home every night,
for perhaps the first week. For eight or ten days longer,'
it may be proper to house him on very wet or stormy nights.
The stable given to him should always be cool, not so cold
as the external air, but never so warm as if he were accus-
tomed to it

Confinement. Some horses are not easily confined at pas-
ture. They break or leap the fences, and wander over the

PASTURING.

163

country, or proceed to the stable* The fore feet are some-
times shackled in order to confine them; but these fetters, if
worn for a long time, are apt to alter the horse's action, ren-
dering it short, confined, irregular, at least for a time, till he
regains the use of his shoulders. Sometimes the horse is tied
by a rope to a stake driven in the ground. He then requires
almost constant watching, for he must be often shifted as ho
eats down the grass, and he may get his legs entangled in the
rope, thereby casting himself, and receiving serious injury,
wiless relief be immediate. Sometimes he is tied to a stake,
which he can drag about the field. He soon finds that he can
walk where he pleases, but he cannot run, and seldom attempts
to leap. This, however, is also liable to throw the horse
down, or to injure his legs by getting them entangled in the
rope. To prevent the horse from leaping, a board is some-
limes suspended round his neck, reaching to his knees, which
it as apt to bruise. None of these clumsy and unsafe restraints
should ever be employed, when it is possible to dispense with
them. Few horses, mares in spring and stallions excepted,
require them after the first two days. For horses that are
turned out only an hour or two during the day, they are as
mucli used to enable him to be easily caught when wanted, as
to prevent him from wandering.

Attendance while out. Horses at grass should be visited
at least once every day. If neglected for weeks, as often
happens, one may be stolen, and conveyed out of the country
before he is missed ; the fences may be broken ; the water
may fail ; the horses may be lamed, or attacked with sickness;
one may roll into a ditch, and die there for want of assistance
'to extricate him ; the shoes may be cast ; the heels may crack ;

164

PASTURING.

»: <

thrushes may form ; sores may run into sinuses, or become full
of maggots; the feet and legs may be injured by stubs, thorns,
broken glass, or kicks ; or the horses may quarrel, figjit, and
wound each other. That these and similar evils and accidents
may be obviated, or soon repaired, the horses should be visited
every morning by a trustworthy person who knows what is re-
quired of him.

The grain, hay-either or both-if any be given, should be
furnished at regular intervals j when fed with grain, the horses
ought to be watched till it is eaten, lest they rob each other,
or some prowling thief appropriate the whole. Horses at
grass require, and should have, no dressing, as it exposes the
Ekin too much. The shoes may be removed, however, and the
feet dressed every four or five weeks.

Treatment after Grazing. When taken from grass to
warm stables, and put upon rich, constipating food, horses fre-
qucntly become diseased. Some catch cold, some suffer in-
flammation in the eyes, some take swelled legs, cracked heels,
grease, thrushes, founders, surfeit, or a kind of mange!
These are very common ; and physic is often, and indeed
generally, given to prevent them. They are produced by a
combination of circumstances ; by sudden transition from gentle
exercise and indolence or exciting work; from a temperate to
stimulating diet ; from a pure, cool, and moving atmosphere,
to an air comparatively corrupt, hot, and stagnant. These
changes must be made, and are, to a certain extent, unavoid-
able ; but it is not in all cases necessary that they should be
made suddenly. It is the rapid transition from one thing to
another and a different thing, that does all the mischief. If it
were effected by slow degrees, the eyiU would be avoided, and

pasturing.

165

there would be less need, or none at all, for those medicines
which are given to prevent them.

During the first week, the temperature of the stable ought
to be little different from that of the external air. Sub-
sequently it may be rajsed, by slow degrees, till it is as warm
as the work or other circumstances demand. The horse should
not at first be clothed, and his first clothing should be light.
Grooming may commence on the first day ; but it is not good
to expose the skin very quickly by a thorough dressing. The
food should be laxative, consisting of bran-mashes, oats, and
hay ; but no beans, or very few. Walking-exercise, twice a
day, is absolutely necessary for keeping the legs clean, and it
assists materially in preventing plethora.

The time required for inuring a horse to stable treatment,
depends upon several circumstances. If taken home in warm
weather, the innovation, so far as the temperance and the
purity of the air are concerned, may be completed in about
two weeks. If the horse is not very lean, his skin may be well
cleaned in the first week ; and to clean it, he must have one or
two gentle sweats, sufficient to detach and dissolve the dust,
raud, and oily matter which adhere to the skin, and glue the
hair together. All this, or as much of it as possible, must be
scraped off while the horse is warm and perspiring. If it is
allowed to get dry before scraping, he is just where he was.
If the weather be cold, there need be no great hurry about
cleaning him completely.

The propriety of giving physic after grazing has been often
questioned. In the stable, its utility is generally acknow-
ledged. In books it is sometimes condemned as pernicious,
Bometimes as useless. It may be safely said, however, that

166

PASTURINO.

PASTURINa.

167

I
I

i ff

l^'i

there are many cases in which physic is very nsefnl ; but that
«s a general thing, it is given too indiscriminately, and befor
It IS wanted.

To a lusty horse, one or two doses may be given for the
pnrpose ot- reducing l.im, for removing superfluous fat and
flesh. The phys.c may be strong, sufficiently so to produce
cop.ous purgation. It empties the bowels, takes up the carcass
-d g.ves freedom to respiration ; it promotes absorption, an^
expels the juices which embarrass exertion. Work, sweating
and a spare diet of condensed food, will produce effects with-
out the aid of physic. But purgation shortens the time of
tram.ng, and it saves the legs. If the horse must be rapidly
prepared for work, with as little hazard as possible to his le J
he n,ust have phj-sic. The first dose may be given on the d^
When he comes from grass ; the others, if more than one b
necessary, at intervals of eight or ten clear days

A lean horse, fresh from grass, needs no physic till he has
een stabled for several days, and perhaps n'ot then. By Z
.me he has acquired strength sufficient to stand trainin' his

fZlT''' :"''''''' '''' '""^ belly small enough to :;,ow
^r e m of resp.rat.o„. At the end of a fortnight or three
wee s, the lean horse ought to be decidedly lustier. If too

It, "' "'""■'■"•' """ '"'^ ^'-^P'^'^' °- <l-e of physic

n.ay be g.ven, active enough to produce smart purgatio and
prevent the evils which arise from plethora, 'if 'he ^ nl

taking on flesh so rapidly as he shnnlri h.

^ ^ '^^ "^ should, he may have two.

perhaps three, mild doses of physic in.f „ >r

v^i pnjsic, just active enough to

produce one or two watery or semi-fluid evacuations. If he
eat a great deal without improving in condition, he is probably
troubled wUh worms, and half a drachm of calomel may be

added to each dose of physic. If he does not feed well, there
is probably a torpid state of the digestive apparatus, produced
by a bad or deficient diet. lu such a case, mild physic is
still proper, and, in addition, the horse may have a few tonic
balls between the setting of one dose and the administration
of another. Four drachms of gentian, two of ginger, and ono
of tartar emetic, made into a ball with honey, forms a very
useful tonic. One of these may be given every day, or every
second day, for a fortnight. If the horse does not improve
under these, he requires the aid of a veterinary surgeon.

The mode of grazing farm- horses requires some notice.
Other horses are sent to pasture, and with few exceptions, re-
main at it for days and weeks without interruption. Those
employed in agriculture are pastured in three different ways.
By one, the horse is constantly at grass, except during his
hours of work ; he is put out at night, is brought in the
next morning, goes to work for tw^o or three hours, and is
then returned to pasture for about two hours ; in the afternoon
be again goes to work, which may be concluded at five or six
o'clock, and from that time till he is wanted on the next morn-
ing he is kept at grass. By another mode, the horse is turned
out only at night. During the day he is soiled in his stable
at his resting intervals. When work is over for the day, he
I's sent out till the next morning By the third mode, which
is generally allowed to be the best, the horse is turned to grass
only once a week. He is pastured from the time his work is
finished on Saturday night till it commences again on Monday

morning.

If the horses have any thing like work, the first two modes
are decidedly objectionable. There is much expenditure of

168

SKRVICB.

'11

I'i

f''

lit

abor ,„ procnria. the food, and there is ^reat loss of tim,
It .nay cost the horse four or five hours good work ,o e«.
down the grass which he eats. A ,„aa supplied with a scvti.e
W.11 do the same work with far Jess labor i„ a few n.iuute,
If there be nothing else for the horse to do, it is quiie ri^lit
to make hiu, gather his own food. L>„t, otherwise, it is absurd
to make him e.xhanst his .strength and time in doing that wi,ich
a man can do so much more easily and quickly. JJesidcs this
e..pendi.ure of the horse'., time and strength, the loss of
manure, and the dau.age done to pasture by the feet, o«ght to
be taken into consideration.

The third mode of grazing appears to be the least objection-
able. The horses have no f.eld labor on Sunday ; if the pas-
t-re be good, the weather favorable, and the horses not
fofgued, they are better at gra.ss than in the hou.se.

In some places the road-horses are sometimes put to '^as,
on Sunday. This practice has nothing apparently to rccora-
mend it. The weekly work of these horses in general de-
mands the rest which Sunday brings; and if th.y travel at a
fast pace, as all coach-horses do now. they are apt to eat so
inuch grass, and carry such a load in their bellies, that on
Monday they are easily over-worked. The breathing is in,-
peded. unless the horses purge, which few do. They often
come from gra.ss as hagganl and dejected as if they had dune
twice their ordinary work the day before.

iERVICB.

169

SEHVICB.

A change of lodging, or of diet, is often a cause of disease.
When a fresh horse is procured, it is well to know how he has
beeu treated during the previous month ; if he is a valuable

animal, he will certainly be worth this inqnirj. Horses that
come froni a dealer have probably been standing in a warm
stable, well-clothed, wtll-groomed, highly fed, and seldom
exorcised. They have fine glossy

coats, are lusty, and in high'^r£:3 — '- «s^H3^
ipirits; but
their flesh is
soft and flabby.
Tliey are unfit 'fj
for fast work ;
they are easily ^
heated by exer-
tion, and when
the Iciist warm, pervicb.

are very apt to take cold. But, wherever the horse comes
frojn, or whatever his condition may be, changes in reference
to food, temperature, and work, must be effected by slovr
degrees. It is absurd and always pernicious to take a horse
from the field, and put him in a warm stable, and on rich
food all at once; it is no less erroneous to take him from
a warm to a cold stable, or to demand exertion to which ho
has not been trained.

When the horse's history cannot be traced, both his work and
his diet should at first be moderate. More of either than he
has been accustomed to, will do more harm than less of either.
It may, however, soon be ascertained by trying him whether ho
has been doing much work; if fit for work, he may be fed in
proportion. The temperature of the stable had better be
warmer than colder. If too warm, the horse will perspire ; his
coat will be wet in different places, especially in the morning

SERVICE.

when the stables are first opened. If it be too cold, his coat
will be roughened, and become dim, and the horse will catch
cold, evidence of which will be given by a cough.

The work of some horses exposes them much to the weather.
Those employed in street-coaches, in the carriages of medical
men, all those that have to stand in the weather, can never do
so with safety until they have been seasoned. In the cold rainy
season, many are destroyed, and many more endangered by iu-
judicious exposure. Wet weather is the most pernicious ; yet
it is not the rain alone that does the mischief. If the horse is
kept in motion, and afterwards perfectly and quickly dried, or
is kept in motion till he is dry, he suffers no injury. His coat
may be bleached till it is like a dead fur; but the horse does
not catch cold. If he is allowed to stand at rest with his coat
drenched in the rain, the surface of the body rapidly loses its
heat, there being no stimulus to the formation of it; the blood
circulates slowly, accumulates internally, and oppresses vital
organs, especially the lungs ; the legs become excessively cold
and benumbed ; the horse can hardly use them, and, when put
in motion, he strikes one against the other. Exposure, when it
deprives the body of heat in this way, is a fruitful source of in-
flamed lungs, of thoracic influenza, catarrh, and founder. When
the skin is wet, or the air very cold, the horse should, if possible,
be kept in motion, which will preserve him, however little be
may have been accustomed to exposure.

Horses that have been kept in warm stables, and never out
but in fair weather, are in most danger. If they cannot be kept
in constant motion, they must be prepared before they arc ex-
posed. If they commence work in summer, or early in the
autumn, they will be fully inured to the weather before the worst

part of winter arrives. But if they commence in winter, they
should be out for only one or two hours at a time ; in good days
they may be out longer, no one being able to give a precise rule
as to the length of time appropriate, as it varies with the con-
dition of the animal, the weather, and the work required. It
should shorten with the wetness or coldness of the weather, and
the tenderness of the animal. If he must run rapidly from one
place to another, and wait perhaps half an hour at each, he is
in more danger than if the pace were slower, and the time of
waiting shorter; and if moved about constantly, or every ten
minutes, he suff'ers less injury than if he was standing still. After
a time he becomes inured to exposure, and may be safely trusted
in the severest weather.

Repeated and continued application of cold to the surface of
the body stimulates the skin to produce an extra supply of heat.
The exposure of two or three days is not sufficient to rouse the
skin to this efi'ort. It is always throwing off a large quantity
of heat ; but it is several days, and with many horses several
weeks, before the skin can assume activity sufiicient to meet the
demands of a cold or wet atmosphere. Ultimately, it becomes
so vigorous that the application of cold, whether wet or dry, is
almost instantly followed by an increased production of heat.
To this, however, there are limits. By exposure, gradually
increasing in length and frequency, the system may be able to
maintain the temperature at a comfortable warmth for three or
four successive hours, even when the horse is standing at rest
in wet or cold. But he cannot endure this beyond a certain
poujt. Exhaustion and emaciation succeed, in spite of all the
food the horse can eat. The formation of so much heat con-
sumes the nutriment that ought to produce vigor for work.

1Y2

SERVICB.

SERriCB.

173

Hence, working horses kept very much in verv cold stables aro
lean and dull.

I is chiefly the horses that have to stand in the weather,
which require preparation for exposure. Bleeding, pur<xin|r^
aid other means, which debilitate or emaciate, are never neces,
sary in this process. Hunting, stage-coach, and cart-horses
seldom require any preparation fur exposure, as they are ia
motion from the time of leaving the stable till their return.
They only require to be well and quickly dried when wet.

New horses are very liable to have the skin injured by tin
harness. The friction of the saddle, collar, or traces, pro.
duces excoriation. In some horses this is altogether unavoid:
able, especially when they are in poor condition. Their skin
is tender, and a little chafing exposes the quick. In all
horses it is some time before the skin thickens, and becomes
sufficiently callous to carry the harness without injury. The
tJme required to undergo this change varies materially, and
cannot be much shortened by any means. Attention to tlio
/iarness, however, will frequently prevent excoriation. After
every journey, the neck should be closely examined. If
there be any spot, however little abraded, hot and tender when
pinched, that part of the collar which produced it should be cut
out before the next journey. The guard, or safe, is a useful
article to prevent galls of this kind. It is merely a thin slip
of soft leather, covering the scat of the collar. It obviates
friction, and prevents injurious pressure from any little protub**'
auce or hardness in the stuffing of the collar. On the fiisc or
second journey a new horse often comes in with his neck some*
what inflamed ; it is hot, tender, and covered with pimples.
In the stables it is said to be fired, A solution of common

^alt in water is commonly applied, and it serves to allay the
(nflammation ; it should be applied whenever the collar is re-
moved. Tumors, containing bloody water, frequently rise on
the neck. They should be opened immediately, emptied, and
kept opened for a few days. The piece must be taken out
of the collar, and a safe used. On a hilly road the lower part
of the collar often galls the neck seriously, in spite of any
alteration in the stuffing. A broad strap attached to the
collar, and passing over the windpipe, is a good remedy.
The strap should be two inches broad, and drawn tightly
enough to keep the collar steady, and make it stand nearly
upright It should be adjusted before the head is put on the
bearing reins, and should be worn till the neck is quite sound.
A broad breast-band may also be substituted for the neck
collar, till the neck and shoulders get well. A horse will pull
nearly as well in this as in the collar and hames. When tho
traces, crupper, or pad, threaten or produce excoriation, they
must be kept ofif by cushions placed behind, before, or at each
side of the part injured.

The back requires nearly as much care as the neck. A new
saddle is objectionable for a new horse, particularly when he
has to travel far under a heavy rider. A tender back may be
hardened by frequent use of the saddle and a light weight.
The horse may stand saddled in the stable, and saddled when
he goes to exercise. When the back is hot, and the skin dis.
posed to rise in tumors, the saddle should remain on till tho
back becomes cool. Slacken the girths, raise the saddle for a
moment, and then replace it. Its weight prevents tumors;
excoriation and firing must be treated as on the neck.
Always let the pommel of the saddle be dry before it is again

174

SERVICE.

BHOEINO.

used, and put it on half an hour before the horse is to be
mounted.

Horses, from whom extraordinary exertions are not de-
manded, and those that are never expected or required to do
a!l that a horse is capable of doing, stand in little need of
inurement to work, and it is seldom that any is intentionally
given. When a saddle or draught-horse is purchased, he is
often put to his work at once, without any preparation. He
is treated as if he were as able for the work as it is possible to
make him. So long as the work is slow and not very labori.
ous, he may perform it well enough ; but this system will not
do for full work, whether fast or slow. If the horse has been
idle for a month or two, he is weak. It matters little that he
is plump and in good spirits. He may be able to draw a
load of twenty or thirty hundred-weight with ease, and per-
haps to draw it a considerable distance ; but on the next day
fte is sore all over, stiff, feeble, dull, almost unable to carry
his own weight. If the same work be exacted day after day,
the horse loses flesh, and at last becomes unfit for any work.'
But if the work be less severe at first, and gradually increases
from week to week, the horse at last acquires strength and
endurance greater, perhaps, than he ever before possessed. He
is then able to do with ease as much in a week as would have
completely knocked him up at the beginning. For slow,
moderate work, this is all the preparation which the horse
needs. At first, let it be very gentle ; and the weight he is to
carry or draw, and the distance he is to travel, may be in-
creased as he is found able to bear it. In preparing the horse
for hunting, racing, or coaching, the treatment must be some-
what different

SHOEING.

There is hardly any other class of mechanics who combine
so much ignorance of the principles on which their art is
foimded, with so much conceit of their knowledge, as do or-
dinary horse-shoers ; and it should be one of the first duties
of the horse-owner to inform himself of the nature and struc-
ture of the horse's foot, the reason why shoeing is necessary at
all, what parts of the foot it protects, what is the best form
of shoe to effect the purpose, how it may be best fastened to
the foot, and how often it should be removed.

To illustrate these important points, cuts are here intro-
duced, showing the construction of the horse's foot.

Our first one shows the ground surface of the hoof prepared
for receiving a shoe ; and marks very distinctly the difference
between the curvature of the outer and inner quarters.

The hoof is divided into
horny crust or wall, sole, and
frog. The horny crust is se*
creted by the numerous blood-
j 2 vessels of that soft protruding
band which encircles the upper
edge of the hoof, immediately
^2 beneath the termination of the
hair ; and is divided into toe,
quarters, heels, and bars. Its
texture is insensible, but elas-

•. The toe — rasped away to receive the turned-up shoe, a 1. The inner toe. a 2.
The otf^er toe. b1. The i72W6r quarter, 6 2. The OT</er quarter, c 1. The inner heel.
c 2. The outer heel. d. d. d. The sole. e. e. The crust or wall of the hoof. / /.
The bars. g. g. The cornmis-sures. h. k. I. The frog. h. The part immediately under
the navicular joint, k. The oval cleft of the froif. I. The elevated boundary of th«
•Itft. i. t The bulbs of the heeli.

i i

GROUND SURFACE OP THE HOOF.

116

SHOEING.

SHOEINO.

tic throughout its whole extent; and, yielding to the weight of
the horse, allows the horny sole to descend, whereby much in-
convenient concussion of the internal parts of the foot is avoided.
But if a large portion of the circumference of the foot is fettered
by iron and nails, it is plain that that portion, at least, cannot
expand as before ; and the beautiful and efficient apparatus for
effecting this necessary elasticity, being no longer allowed to
act by reason of these restraints, becomes altered in structure-
and the continued operation of the same causes, in the end,
circumscribes the elasticity to those parts alone where no nails
have been driven ; giving rise to a train of consequences de-
structive to the soundness of the foot, and fatal to the usefulness
of the horse.

The toe of the fore foot is the thickest and stronjrest portion
of the hoof, and is in consequence less expansive than any other

part, and there^
fore better calcu-
lated to resist the
effects of the nails
and the shoe. The
thickness of the
horn gradually
diminishes to-
ward the quarters
and heels, particu-

I. a broad flat mass of horn, projecting npward Into the middle of the elastic cnsh-
loa. and called "the froi^ Rtnv " ;. >. a . i. , . ...

., f , , , ^ ^- "' * ^""P t^o horny projections risinj? into (ho

cavity of the hoof formed hy the commissures, c. c. Are portions of the same projec-
Uoos and are situated j„st undor ti.e two ends of the nariculHr hone, and mark ihe
po.n on either sid^ where diminution in the. natural elasticity of the fat*y fro^ would
be felt xT.th the greatest severity hy the navicular Joint ; for under themovt favorabU
c.rcumatance*, the qtiantity of cushion between these points and the navicular joint
cannot be very large ; and henco the ifflportaoc^ oX our doing all wo can to prewrvo
UtaUatUit/atlongaspoasibU.

THE HOOF OF THE HOaSE.

177

larly on the inner side of the foot, whereby the power of yield-
ing and expanding to the weight of the horse is proportionably
increased, clearly indicating that those parts cannot be nailed
to an unyielding bar of iron, without a most mischievous inter-
ference with the natural functions of the foot. In the hind foot,
greater thickness of horn will be found at the quarters and heels,
than in the fore foot. This difference in the thickness of horn
is beautifully adapted to the inequality of the weight w^hich
each has to sustain, the force with which it is applied, and the
portions of the hoof upon which it falls.

The toe of the fore foot encounters the combined force and
weight of the fore hand and body, and consequently in a state
of nature is exposed to considerable w^ar and tear, and calls
for greater strength and substance of horn than is needed by
any portion of the hind foot, where the duty of supporting the
hinder parts alone is distributed on the quarters and heels of
both sides of the foot

The bars are
continuations of
the wall, reflected
at the heel towards
the centre of the
foot, where they
meet in a point,
leaving a triangu-
lar space between
A sECTiox o? THE FOOT. thcm for thc frog.

•The coronet bone. 2. The coffin bone. 3. The navicular bone. a. The wall. h.
•e sole. c. The cleft of the frog. d. d. The fro?. «. «. The fatty frojf, or elaitie
cjishion. / The sensitive sole. g. The sensitiye frog. h. h. h. Tendons of the mua-
cles which bend the foot. i. Part of the pastern bone. *. k. Tendons of the muscles
^liich extend the ft»ot. t. The coffin joint, m. The navicular joint, n. Tlie coronary
•ab«tauce. o. Tho sensible iamin«, or covering of tho coffin bono.

178

SHOEING.

SHOEINQ.

1T9

■il

The whole inner surface of the horny crnst, from the centre
of the toe to the point where the bars meet, is everywhere Hned
with innumerable narrow, thin, and projecting horny plates,
which extend in a slanting direction from the upper edge of the
wall to the line of junction between it and the sole, and possess
great elasticity. These projecting plates are the means of
greatly extending the surface of attachment of the hoof to the
coffin bone, which is likewise covered by a similar arrangement
of projecting plates, but of a highly vascular and sensitive cha-
racter ; and these, dovetailing with the horny projections
above named, constitute a union combining strength and elas-
ticity in a wonderful degree.

The horny sole covers the whole interior surface of the foot
excepting the frog. In a well-formed foot it presents an arched
appearance, and possesses considerable elasticity, by virtue of
which it ascends and descends, as the weight above is either
suddenly removed from it, or forcibly applied to it. This de-
scending property of the sole calls for one especial consideration
in directing the form of the shoe ; for, if the shoe be so formed
that the horny sole rests upon it, it cannot descend lower ; and
the sensitive sole above, becoming squeezed between the edges
of the coffin bone and the horn, produces inflammation, and
perhaps abscess. The effect of this squeezing of the sensitive
Bole is most commonly witnessed at the angle of the inner heel,
where the descending heel of the coffin bone, forcibly pressing
the vascular sole upon the horny sole, contuses a small blood-
vessel, and produces what is called a corn, but which is, in fact,
a bruise.

The horny frog occupies the greater part of the triangular
space between the bars, and extends from the hindermost part

of the foot to the centre of the sole, just over the point where
the bap meet, but is united to them only at their upper edge ;
the sides remain unattached and separate, and form the channel
culled the commissures.

If we carefully observe the form and size in the frog in the
foot of a colt of from four to five years old, at its first shoeing,
and then note the changes which it undergoes as the shoeings
are repeated, we shall soon be convinced that a visible departure
from a state of health and nature is taking place. At first it
will be found large and full, with considerable elasticity ; the
cleft oval in form, open, and expanding, with a continuous,
well-defined, and somewhat elevated boundary ; the bulbs at the
heels fully developed, plump, and rounded ; and the whole mass
occupying about one-sixth of the circumference of the foot. By
degrees the fulness and elasticity will be observed to have
diminished ; the bulb at the heels will shrink, and lose their
plumpness ; the cleft will become narrower, its oval form disap-
pear, the back part of its boundary give way, and it will dwindle
into a narrow crack, extended back between the wasted, or
perhaps obliterated, bulbs, presenting only the miserable remains
of a frog, such as may be seen in the feet of most horses long
accustomed to be shod.

Tlie bones proper to the foot are three in number, — viz., the
coffin bone, the navicular bone, and part of the coronet bone ;
they are contained within the hoof, and combine to form the
coffin joint; but the smallest of them, the navicular bone, is of
far more importance as connected with the subject of shoeing,
than either of the others ; for upon the healthy condition of this
bone, and the joint formed between it and the tendon, which
passes under it to the coffin bone, and is called the navicular
joint, mainly depends the usefulness of the horse to man.

180

SHOEING.

SHOrtNG.

181

^This small bone, which in a horse sixteen hands high mca.
Bures only two and a qnarter inches in its longest diameter
three-fourths of an inch at the widest part of its shorter diameter
and half an inch in thickness in the centre, its thickest part, has
the upper and under surfaces and part of one of the sides over-
laid with a thin coating of gristle, and covered by a delicate
secreting membrane, very liable upon the slightest injury to
become inflamed ; it is so placed in the foot as to be continually
exposed to danger, being situated across the hoof, behind the
coffin bone, and immediately under the coronet bone ; whereby
it is compelled to receive nearly the whole weight of the horse
each time that the opposite foot is raised from the ground.

The coffin bone consists of a body and wings ; and is fitted
into the hoof, which it closely resembles in form. Its texture
is particularly light and spongy, arising from the quantity of
canals or tubes that traverse its substance in every direction,
affording to numerous blood-vessels and nerves a safe passage
to the sensitive and vascular parts surrounding it; while the
unyielding nature of the bone effectually protects them from
compression or injury, under every variety of movement of the
horse.

In an unshod foot, the front and sides of the coffin bone are
deeply furrowed and roughened, to secure the firmer attachment
of the vascular membranous structure, by which the bone is
clothed ; but in the bone of a foot that has been frequently shod,
the appearance is greatly changed, the furrows and roughness
giving place to a comparatively smooth surface. This change
is probably produced by the shoe limiting, if not destroying, the
expansive power of that part of the horn to which it is nailed:
whereby a change of structure in the membrane itself, a^ ^^iaaa

absorption of the attaching portions of the bone, is induced ; for
it is an invariable law of the animal economy not to continue
to unemployed structures the same measure of efficient repara-
tion tliat is extended to parts constantly engaged in performing
their allotted tasts. The shoe restricts or prevents expansion ;
while nature, as the secret influence is called, immediately sets
to work to simplify the apparatus for producing the expansion,
which art has thus rendered impracticable, and substitutes for
it a new structure, less finely organized, but admirably suited
to the altered condition of the parts.

The wings extend from the body of the bone directly back-
ward, and support the lateral cartilage of the foot.

The sensitive sole, or, as it is sometimes called, tiie fleshy sole,
is about the eighth of an inch thick, and is almost entirely made
up of blood-vessels and nerves ; it is one of the most vascular
and sensitive parts of the body, and is attached to the lower
edge of the sensitive covering of the coffin bone, to the bars,
and point of the frog, and also with great*firmness to the whole
of the arched under-surface of the coffin bone.

The sensitive frog includes not only the part corresponding
to the sensitive sole, but also the peculiar spongy elastic sub-
stance which intervenes between it and the navicular joint, and
fills the space between the cartilages. The proper sensitive
frog is thicker, and less finely organized, than the sensitive sole,
possessing fewer blood-vessels and nerves.

It is a common, but very erroneous, opinion, that the shape
of the perfect foot is circular, or very nearly so. This induces
most smiths to endeavor to reduce the foot to that shape as soon
as possible. There are very few things in nature so little varied
as the form of the ground surface of horsros' feet; for Whether the

182

8H0EIN0.

hoof be high-heeled and upright, or low-heeled and flat, large or
small, broad or narrow, the identical form of ground-surface is
maintained in each, so long as it is left entirely to nature's
guidance. The outer quarter, back to the heel, is curved con-
siderably and abruptly outward, while the inner quarter is
carried back in a gradual and easy curve. The advantage of
this form is so obvious, that it is strange that any interference
should ever be attempted with it. The enlarged outer quarter
extends the base, and increases the hold of the foot upon the
ground; while the straighter inner quarter lessens the risk of
striking the foot against the opposite leg.

The inclination of the front of the horny crust of the foot,
should be at an angle of about forty-five degrees. If the foot
is much steeper than this, it is very liable to contract ; while,
if it is much more slanting, it constitutes what is called
the '' oyster shelP' foot, in which there is an undue flatness of
the sole, and a tendency to pumiced feet.

Before removing the old shoes, care should be taken to
raise all the clinches of the nails to prevent injury to the
crust, and to avoid giving pain to the horse; even after
clinches are raised, if the shoes cannot be easily drawn off,
those nails which seem to hold most firmly should be punched,
or drawn out, that the shoe may be removed without injury to
the hoof, and without weakening the nail-hold for the new
shoeing.

The shoe being removed, the edge of the crust should be
well rasped to remove so much of the horn as would have been
worn away by the contact with the ground, had it been un-
shod. In no case should the rasp be used on the surface of
the hoof, eiicept to make the necessary depressions for the

SHOEING.

183

clinches, after the new shoe has been put on, and to shape the
hoof below the line of the clinches of the nails. The hoof,
above this line, will inevitably be injured by such treatment,
which is one of the most fruitful sources of brittleness of the
horn, which often results in ** sand-crack.''

The operation of paring out the horse's foot is a matter re-
quiring both skill and judgment, and is, moreover, a work of
gome labor, when properly performed. It will be found that
the operator errs much oftener by removing too Utile than
too much ; at least it is so with the parts which ought to be
removed, which are almost as hard and unyielding as flint, and
in their most favorable state, require considerable exertion to
cut through.

Ko general rule can be given applicable to the paring out
of the feet of all horses, or even of the feet of the same horse
at all times. It would be evidently unwise, for example, to
pare the sole as thin in a hot, dry, season, when the roads are
broken up, and strewed with loose stones, as would be proper
in a moderately wet one, when the roads are well bound and
even ; for, in the case first named, the sole is in constant danger
of being bruised by violent contact with loose stones, and
therefore, needs a thicker layer of horn for its protection ;
while the latter case off'ers the most favorable surface that the
greater part of our horses ever have to travel upon, advantage
of which should be taken for a thorough paring out of the
sole, in order that the internal parts of the foot may derive the
full benefit accruing from an elastic and descending solo ; a
condition of things very essential to the due perrbrmance of
their separate functions. To take another illustration : horn
grows very freely, especially toward the toe in horses with

184

SnOEINff.

upright feet and high heels ; and such are al,vay., benefited by
having the toe shortened, the heels lovvered, and the sole well
pared out ; whereas in horses with flat feet and low heel,
horn grows sparingly, and the toe of such feet being alway,'
weak, admits of very little shortening. Such heels bein.
already too low, they should scarcely be touched with thi
rasp ; and the sole presents such a small quantity of dead
horn, that the knife should be used with great discretion.

The corners formed by the junction of the crust and ban
should be well pared out, particularly on the inside ; for thi,
IS the common seat of corn, and any accumulation of horn in
this situation must increase the risk of bruising the sensitive
sole between the inner part or heel of the coffin bone and the
horny sole. Little, if anything, is gained by allowing- the
bars to project beyond the surface of the sole ; the po,ver of
resisting contraction cannot possibly be increased by thi,
arrangement, and the projecting rim is left exposed to the
danger of being broken and bruised by contact with stones
and other hard substances ; and the method is further attended
with the disadvantages of making the cleaning out of these
corners a work of considerable ingenuity with so unwieidly an
instrument as a common drawing-knife. It is much preferable
to pare them down to a level with the sole, or very nearly so-
avoiding, however, every approach to what is styled ' opcnin-^
out the heels," a most reprehensible practice, which meani
cutting away the sides of the bars, so as to show an apparent
...crease of width betu-cen the heels, which may for the time
deceive the eye, but is in reality a mere deception, purchased
at the expense of impaired powers of resistance in the bars
and uluiuate contractiou of the feet It is palpable that th»

BHOETNO.

185

remoTal of any portion from the sides of the bars mnst diminish
their substance, and render them weaker, and consequently
]ess able to resist contraction.

The frog should never be cut or pared, except in rery rare
cases of horses with unusually fast-growing frogs. The first
stroke of the knife removes the thin horny covering altogether,
and lays bare an under surface, totally unfitted, from its moist,
soft texture, for exposure either to the hard ground or the
action of the air, in consequence of which exposure it soon
becomes dry and shrinks; then follow cracks, the edge of
which turning outward forms rags; these rags are removed
by the smith at the next shoeing, by which means another
Bimilar surface is exposed, and another foundation laid for
other rags ; and this process continues until finally the pro-
trudmg, plump, elastic cushion, interposed by nature between
the navicular joint and the ground, and so essential to its
preservation from injury, is converted by this senseless inter-
ference into the dry, shrunk, unyielding apology for a frog, to
be seen in the foot of almost every horse that has been rcgn-
larly shod for a few years. The frog is provided within itself
with two very efficient modes of throwing off any superfluous
horn with which it may be troubled, and it is very unwise in
man to interfere with them. The first and most common of
i^iese modes is the separation from the surface of the frog of
6^all, bran-like scales, which becoming dry, fall off in a kind
of whitish scurf, not unlike the dust that adheres to Turkey
figs; the other, which is upon a large scale, and of rarer oc-
currence, IS sometimes called "casting the frog." A thick
layer of frog separates itself in a body, and shells, off as deep
as ft common paring with a knife; but this very important

186

SHOEINO.

difference is to be noted between the two operations— that
nature never removes the horny covering until she has pro-
vidcd another horny covering beneath, so that alihouMi a
large portion of the frog may have been removed, there still
remains behind a perfect frog, smaller, it is true, but covered
with horn, and in every way fitted to sustain exposure ; while
the knife, on the contrary, removes the horny covering, but
^is unable to substitute any other in its stead. The frog should,
therefore, be left to itself; nature will remove the superfluous
Lorn, and the rags do no harm, since, if they are unmolested,
they will soon wholly disappear.

The shoe should possess these general features : first, it should
be, for ordinary work, rather heavy, in order that it may not
be bent by contact with hard, uneven roads ; second, it should
be wide in the web, and of equal thickness and width from the
toe to the heel, that it may as much as possible protect the
sole, without altering the natural position of the foot ; third, it
should be well drawn in at the heels, that it may rest on the
bars, and extend to the outer edge of the crust on the outside,
and reach beyond the bar nearly to the frog, so that there may
be no danger of its pressing on th. ''corn-place," or angles
between the bar and the crust ; anc fourth, it should in no
part extend beyond the outer edge of the crust, lest it
strike against the opposite leg when the horse is travel-
ing, or be stepped on by another horse, or be drawn off by a
heavy soil.

Such a shoe, and its position on the foot, is shown in the
cut opposite.

The shoe should be made as nearly of this form as the
shape of the foot will allow j but it is always to be borne in

6nOEINO.

187

mind that the shoe is intended for the foot, and not the
foot for the shoe, and that it is therefore peculiarly proper
to ma,ke the shoe to fit the
natural form of the foot, in-
stead, as is too often the case,
of paring, burning, and rasp-
ing the foot until it fits the
shoe, which is made accord-
ing to the smith's notion ofjl
what the form of the horse's
foot should be. No amount
of paring can bring the foot
of a horse to an unnatural
figure, and also leave it
sound and safe for work and use.

THE POSITION OF TBE BHOB.

This cut represents the foot with the shoe rendered transparent, showing what parts of
the fi)ot are protected and covered by bringing in the heels of the shoes, a, a, a, the
crust, with the shoe closely fitted all around. 6, 6, the bars, protected by the shoe.
c, c, the heels, supported by the shoe, d, the situation of corns protected from injury.

The truth really is, that the shape of the shoe cannot by
possibility influence the shape of the foot ; for the foot being
clastic, it expands to the weight of the horse in precisely the
same degree, whether it is resting upon the most open or the
most contracted shoe. It is the situation of the nails, and not
the shape of the shoe, that determines the form of the foot.
If the nails be placed in the outside quarter and toe, leaving
the heels and quarters on the inside, which are the most ex-
pansive portions, free, no shape which we can give to the
shoe can of itself change the form of the foot. It must not,
however, be inferred from this, that the shape of the shoe is
therefore of do importauoe ; quite the contrary being the case,

188

SHOEINO.

as has been already sl.own. As the shape of the foot is in no
degree changed by the form of shoe, that form should man!-
festly be adopted which produces the greatest number of ad.
vantages with the fewest disadvantages.

» A small clip at the point of th°e toe is very desirable as
preventing displacement of the shoe backwards ; it need not
be driven op hard, as it is simply required as a check or stay
The shoe should be sufficiently long to fully support the anWes
at the heels, and not so short, as is too often the case thlt a
little wear imbeds the edge of it in the horn at these parts
The foot surface of the shoe should always have a good flat
even space left all around for the crust to bear upon ; for it
must be remembered, that the crust sustains the whole weight
of the horse, and should therefore have a perfectly even hL
ing everywhere around the shoe. In this space the nail-holes
should be punched; and not, as is too generally the case
partly in it, and partly in the seating. I„ what is technicnii;
called "back-holing the shoe," which means completing, the
openings of nail-holes on the foot surface, great care should be
taken to give them an outward direction, so as to allow the
po.nts of the nails to be brought out low down in the crnst.
The remainder of the foot surface should be carefully seated
out particularly around the elevated toe, where it might other-
w.se press inconveniently upon the sole, and the seating should
be carried on fairly to the point where the crust and bars
meet, ,n order that there may be no pressure in the seat of
corns; the chance of pressure in this situation will be still fur-
ther diminished by beveling off the inner edge of the heels with
a rasp.

The gronnd aurface .honld be perfectly flat, with a grooro

BHOEINQ.

189

running round the outer edge, just under the plain surface, upon
which the crust bears. The principal use of this groove is to
receive the heads of the nails that secure tlie siioe, and prevent
their bending or breaking off; it is further useful in increasing
the hold of the shoe upon the ground, and should be carried
back to the heels.

In fitting the shoe on the foot, it should never while red-hot
be burned into its place, as this would so heat the sensitive solo
as to produce a serious derangement of its parts ; but it may
with safety be touched lightly to the foot, that by a slight
burning it may indicate those parts where the foot needs paring;
indeed, it is necessary to pursue this course in order to make
the shoe so exactly fit the foot that there will be no danger of
its moving suflSciently to loosen the hold of the nails. The shoo
should be made with steel in front, this being sloped backwards
to a line running at right angles with the upper slope of the
hoof. Old shoes being always worn to about this form, new
ones should be so made, and the steel will prevent their being
unduly worn.

The shoe having been so fitted that the foot exactly touches
it in every part, the next step is to nail ft fast to the hoof.
Upon the number and situation of the nails which secure it
depends the amount of disturbance that the natural functions
of the foot are destined to sustain from the shoe. If the nails
are numerous, and placed back in the quarters and heels, no
form of shoe, however perfect, can save the foot from contrac-
tion and navicular disease. If, on the contrary, they are few,
and placed in the outside quarter and toe, leaving the inside
quarter and heels free to expand, no form of shoe is so bad that
it can, from defective form alone, produce coutraction of the
foot.

190

SnOEINQ.

Various experiments, which have been made for the purpose
of ascertaining how few nails are absolutely necessary under
ordinary circumstances for retaining a shoe securely in its place
have satisfactorily established that five nails are amply sufficient
for the fore-shoes and seven for the hind. The nails should not
be driven high up in the crust, but brought out as soon as pos-
sible; they should also be very lightly driven up before the
clinchers are turned down, and not, as is generally the case,
forced up with all the power which the smith can bring to bear
upon them with his hammer. The clinches should not be
rasped away too fine, but turned down broad and firm. The
practice of rasping the whole surface of the hoof after the
clinches have been turned down, should never be allowed ; it
destroys the covering provided by nature as a protection against
the too rapid evaporation of the moisture of the hoof, and
causes the horn to become dry and brittle.

The fear, very commonly entertained, that a shoe will be cast
almost at every step, unless it is held to the foot by eight or
nine nails driven high up into the crust, is utterly groundless,
as both theory and practice concur in asserting. If the pre-
sence of a nail in the crust were a matter of no moment, and
two or three more than are necessary were merely useless, no
great reason would exist for condemning the common practice
of using too many nails ; but it is far otherwise ;— the nails
separate the fibres of the horn, which never by any chance be-
come united again, but continue apart and unclosed, until by
degrees they grow down with the rest of the hoof, and are
finally, after repeated shoeings, removed by the knife.

If the clinches chance to rise, they must be at once replaced,.
as such rising imparts to the nails a freedom of motion which

SHOEING.

191

,s certain to enlarge the size of the holes ; and this mischief is
often increased by the violent wrenching from side to side which
the shoe undergoes in the process of removal by the smith. As
these holes cannot possibly grow down and be removed under
three shoeings, it will be found that even with seven nails the
crust must always have twenty-one of these separations existing
in it at the same time ; and as they are often from various causes
extended into each other, they necessarily keep it in a brittle,
unhealthy state, and materially interfere with the security of

the future nail-hold.

By the mode of fastening above advocated the struggle be-
tween the expansion of the foot and the resistance of the shoe
is entirely overcome ; the outer side of the foot, being the only
part nailed to the shoe, carries the whole shoe with it at every
expansion ; while the inner side, being unattached, expands in-
dependently of it, whereby all strain upon the nails is avoided,
and the foot is left, with respect to its power of expansion, as
nearly as possible in a state of nature.

The position of the bind foot and the nature of its office
render it less liable to injury than the fore foot, and conse-
qnently it less frequently lames. As, however, disease of the
navicular bone of this foot is by no means impossible, care
should be taken to guard against its contraction by interfering
as little as possible with the expansive power of the foot ; and
this is best done by keeping the nails on the inside as far re-
moved from the heel as convenient, placing four nails in the
outer and three in the inner side of the shoe. The holes in the
inner side should be punched closer together, and kept more
towards the toe than those on the outside, which should be
more spread out, as affording greater security of bold to

ful

._i

192

SHOEIXa

ADMINISTERING MEDICINE.

193

the foot. The shoe should be carefully fitted to the hoof all
round, particularly at the heels, which are too often left without
any support whatever; and the mischievous custom of turnin'^
down the outer heel only must be avoided, because it throws
the weight entirely upon the inner quarter, which is the part
least able to bear it, and causes much uncomfortable strain
to the fetlock joint above. Calkins, even though they are
turned down of perfectly even length on each side, (which, how-
ever, is rarely done,) are objectionable appendages, and had
better be dispensed with, except, perhaps, for very heavy draft,
where their ends by entering the ground may prevent the foot
from slipping backwards, and may thus enable the toe to obtain
a firmer hold.

The form of shoe here referred to, and the position of the
nail-holes are shown in the cut annexed.

Before leaving this Rubject it
should be remarked, that con-
tracted feet — that is, feet that
have shrunken and become nar-
row at the heels, and of which the
i frog has become materially re-
^ duced in size, — are often, and
doubtless most frequently, caused
by inflammation arising from im-
proper shoeing. It is the custom
of many smiths to *' set the shoes
THE PROPEn FORM OF A 8H0E. wcU off at thc hccls;" and to

a. » The hcelK of an even tliickneRH with the rest of the shoe. b. b. Show the points
kc rhich tlie heels of the hoof terminated, r. c. The sealing carried back, »o a» to
clear the anirles at the heels, and leave the seat of corns free from pressure, d. Th«
raif-holes placed in the flat surface which supports the cru>*t, where they should
always be. e. The hindermost nail of the inner side at the luaer toe, w hereby tho
trhultf of the quarter aud heel are left free to ejtpaud.

carry the seating or level of the upper side of the shoes bo far
back that the heels, instead of resting on a flat surface, as they
would on a properly fitted shoe, rest on the slopes of the seat-
ing, which are in this respect simply two inclined planes, so
plaled that, at each step taken by the horse, his heels must be
pressed together, until a greater of less contraction is made
manifest, but at too late a period to enable us to remedy the
evil ; for there is no means by which this contraction of the foot
can he cured— although, when it exists only to a slight extent,
the internal portions of the foot will sometimes accommodate
themselves to its new form. So far as disease is the result of
bad shoeing, it can be obviated by so forming the shoe that it
will afi'ord a sufficient and perfectly secure and level support for
the heels.

ADMINISTERING MEDICINE,

The most common form in which- medicine is given to the
horse is by means of the ball, which is an oblong mass of rather
soft consistence, yet tough enough to reta/n its shape, and
wrapped up in thin paper for that purpose. The usual weight
of the ball is from half an ounce to an ounce, but thcy,may be
given of a larger size, if they are made longer but not wider.
Every person in charge of horses should know how to give a
hall, which is managed either with or without a balling-iron, arf
instrument seldom wanted, and which sometimes occasions con-
siderable injury to the roof of the horse's mouth. Occasionally,
a horse cannot be managed by any other means ; but, generally
speaking, these instruments only furnish an excuse for bad
management. In giving a ball in the ordinary way, the horse's
tongue is drawn out of his mouth on the off or right side, and
13

194

ADMINISTERING MEDICINE.

held there firmly with the left hand grasping it as near the root
as possible, but to a certain extent yielding to the KiOvement
of the horse's head, so as not absolutely to tear it out. While
the tongue is thus held, the ball is placed between the fingers
and thumb of the right hand, extended in a wedge-like or
conical form, so as to pass as far down the swallow as possible;
and the hand in this form, with the arm bared to the shoulder,
is carried over the root of the tongue till it feels the impedi-
ment caused by the contraction of the swallow, when the fingers
leave the ball there, and the hand is withdrawn quickly yet
smoothly, while at the same moment the tongue is released, and
the head is held up till the ball is seen to pass down the gullet
on the left side of the neck, after which the head may be released.
When the balling-iron is used, the oval ring of which it is com-
posed is passed into the mouth, so as to keep it open, being
first well guarded with tow or cloths wrapped around it ; the
handle is then held in the left hand, together with the halter,
so as to steady the head, and yet to keep the horse from biting;
and while thus held the hand can be freely carried over the
tongue, and the ball be deposited in the pharynx. When a
horse is very determined, it is sometimes necessary to keep the
iron in the mouth by means of the check-pieces of an ordinary
bridle buckled to the sides of the oval ring ; but this expedient
is seldom required if the halter is firmly grasped with the handle
of the iron.

In the usual way the horse to be balled is turned around in
his stall, which prevents his backing away from the person
in charge ; and if the latter is not tall enough, he may stand
upon a sound stable-bucket, turned upside down. Balls
should be recently made, as they soon spoil by keeping ; not

ADMINISTERING MEDICINE.

195

only losing their strength, but also becoming so hard as to be
almost insoluble in the stomach, and frequently passing
through the bowels nearly as they went into the mouth.
When hard they are also liable to stick in the horse's gullet.
If ammonia, or any other strong stimulant, is given in this
way, the horse should not have his stomach quite empty, but
should have a little gruel or water just previously ; for if this
is put off till afterward, the nauseous taste of the ball almost
always prevents his drinking. W^hen arsenic forms an ingre-
dient of the ball, it should be given soon after a feed of corn ;
or a quart or two of gruel should be given instead, just before

the ball.
The administration of a drench is a much more trouble-

Bome affair than the giving of a ball ; and in almost all cases

more or less of the dose is wasted. Sometimes, however, a

liquid medicine is to be preferred, as in colic or gripes, when

the urgent nature of the symptoms demands a rapidly acting

remedy, which a ball is not, as it requires time to dissolve ;

and, besides this, a ball cannot contain any of the spirituous

cordials. The best instrument for giving a drench is the

horn of the ox, cut obliquely, so as to form a spout. Bottles

are sometimes used in an emergency, but their fragile nature

always renders them dangerous. In giving a drench, the

tongue is held in the same way as for the delivery of a ball,

but the head must be more elevated ; the drench is then care-

fully poured into the throat, after which the tongue is let go,

but the head still kept up till it is all swallowed. Allowance

should always be made for some waste in giving a drench.

In managing horses while in physic, the horse should in

all cases, if possible, be prepared by bran mashes, given for

f 1 ;. a

f J I

196

ADMINISTERING MEDICINE.

two or three nights, so as to make the bowels rather loose
than otherwise, and thus allow the dose to act without undue
forcing of the impacted fosce^ backward. If physic is given
without this softening process, the stomach and bowels pour out
a large secretion of fluid, which is forced back upon the rectum,
and met by a solid obstacle which it takes a lofig time to
overcome, and during that interval the irritating purge is
acting upon the lining membrane, and often produces excessive
inflammation of it. Purging physic should generally be given
in the middle of the day, after which the horse should remain
in the stable, and have chilled water as often as he will drink
it, with bran mashes. By the next morning he will be in a
condition to be walked out for an hour, which will set the
bowels acting, if they have not already begun. It is usual to
tie up the tail with a tape or string, so as to keep it clean.
The horse should be warmly clothed, and if the physic does
not act after an hour's walk, he may be gently trotted for a
short distance, and then taken home ; and if still obstinate,
he may be exercised again in the afternoon. As soon as the
physic operates pretty freely, the horse is to be taken into his
stable, and not stirred out again, under any pretense what-
ever, for forty-eight hours after it has "set," or, in common
language, stopped acting. When the purging has ceased,
the mashes may be continued for twenty -four hours, with a
little corn added to them, and a quantity of hay. The water,
during the whole time, should be in small quantities, and
chilled ; and the clothing should be rather warmer than usual,
taking great care to avoid draughts of cold air. Every horse
requires at least a three-day's rest for a dose of physic, in
order to avoid risk of mischief.

ADMINISTERINa MEDICINE. 19*^

I The mode of giving a clyster is now rendered simple

' enough, because a pump and tube are expressly made for the
purpose ; and it is only necessary to pass the greased end of the
tube carefully into the rectum, for about eight or nine inches,
and then pump the liquid up until a sufficient quantity is given.
From a gallon to six quarts is the average quantity, but lu
colic a much larger amount is required.

LOTIONS are applied by means of cloth bandages, if used
to the legs ; or by a piece of cloth Ued over the parts, if to

any other surface.

Fomentations are very serviceable to the horse in all recent
external inflammations; and it is astonishing what may be
done by a careful person, with warm water alone, and a good-
sized sponge. Sometimes, by means of an elastic tube and
stop-cock, warm water is conducted in a continuous stream
over an inflamed part, as in severe wounds, etc., in which th.»
plan is found wonderfully successful in allaying the irritation,
which is so likely to occur in the nervous system of the horse.
A vessel of warm water is placed above the level of the horse's
back, and a small india-rubber tube leads from it to a sponge
fixed above the parts, from which the water runs to the ground
as fast as it is over-filled. This plan can be very easily carried
out by any person of ordinary ingenuity.

^ The many excellent qualities of the horse
are accompanied by some defects, which
occasionally amount to vices. These may ia
ipSl part be attributed to natural temper; for man
himself scarcely presents more peculiarities of temper and dis-
position than does the horse. The majority of these disagree-
able or dangerous habits in the animal now under consideration
are without doubt attributable to a faulty education. The in-
structor was ignorant and brutal, and the animal instructed
becomes obstinate and vicious. It is proposed to mention
some of the more glaring of these vices, suggesting in connec-
tion with each whatever remedies or palliatives experience has
suggested.

(198)

BAULKING OH JIBBINO*

199

KESTIVENESS.

This stands ia the front rank of all tbe vicious qualities of
tl,c horse, being at once the most annoying and the most dan-
serous of all. It is the direct and natural result of bad temper
Ld worse education ; and, like all other habits based upon na-
ture and engrained by education, it is inveterate. Whether
it develop itself in the form of kicking, rearing, plungmg,
boUin<^ or in any way that threatens danger to the rider or
horse U rarely admits of a cure. The animal may, indeed, to
a certain extent be subjugated by a determined rider ; or he may
have his favorites, or form his attachments, and with some par-
ticular person be comparatively or perfectly manageable ; but
others cannot long depend upon him, and even his master is
not always sure of him.

BAULKING OB JIBBING.

This species of restiveness is one of the most provoking vicet
of the horse, and it can be successfully combated only by a man
of the most imperturbable temper. The slightest sign of vexa-
tion only increases the evil, and makes the animal more and more
troublesome each time that he refuses his work. Many a thick-
headed, quick-tempered driver flies into a passion, and beats or
otherwise abuses his horse, on the least symptom of baulking,
until the animal becomes utterly worthless from a conflrmaUoa

of the habit.

As a rule it may be stated, that horses baulk from nervous-
ncss, or unsteadiness of disposition ; if not, indeed, from au
over-anxiety to perform their work. Nervous, well-bred horses
we more susceptible to the influences which induce baulking,

s;!

200

BAULKING 'OR JIBBING.

than are colder blooded, more indolent ones. A high-mettled
horse, when carelessly driven, will start snddcnlj against hia
collar, fail to start his load, draw back from the pain which the
concussion causes, rush at it again, and again draw back, until

it becomes impossible for his driver to steady him in his collar

•I

'for a dead pull. If to all this be added a smart cut with tlic
whip, and a fiercely spoken word, — with perhaps a blow over
the nose, or a stone in the ear, — every fear or vicious feeling of
the horse will be summoned into action, and the animal will
become entirely anmanageablc, requiring to be left for an hour
or two in his position before he gets snfGeiently calm to be in-
duced to^move. There may, occasionally, be a horse which
cannot be made to draw steadily by the most careful treatment;
but the cases are exceedingly rare in which gentle treatment
and firmness — a patient persistence in mild, authoritative com-
mand, and judicious coaxing — would not either prevent the
formation of the habit, or euro it when formed.

The prevention of baulky habits lies with the driver. If
he jump upon his load, gather up his reins carelessly, flourish
his whip, or call out wildly to his horse, he will be quite likely
to start him forward with a jerk which will be of no avail to
move a heavily laden wagon. The horse thus commences to
baulk at a heavy load, and after a certain amount of such treat-
ment, will refuse to draw anything except under the most favor-
able circumstances. Let any person driving a strange horse,
vlth a load that he is not perfectly sure he can start easily,
proceed according to the following directions, and he may be
certain that, if the animal be not already a "jibber," he will not
make him so, and that if he is one he will have the best chance
for getting him along without trouble : He should slowly ex*

BAULKING OR JIBBING.

201

amine the harness and wagon (partly to accustom the horse to
; esenee.) gather up the reins gently. speaUing to the horse
rprevent his starting, get quietly into his seat, and then .f
possible, get control of the horse's mouth before al ow.ng Inm
olve !o that when he does step off it may be only at a slow
„„lk If by a forward movement of the hands he can be made
I ..ess very gradually against the collar, and if the whole ope-
Jon is performed in a cool and unexcited manner there w. 11
be little difficulty in bringing him to a dead puU. from wh.ch
he will recoil only if the load is a serious tax upon his strength.
If the first attempt fail, wait until your horse hns become
quiet, and until you have recovered from your own^vexat.on.
La then try again. It may be necessary to have the ass.s-
tance of one or two persons, to start the wagon from beh.nd ;
but they should not push it until the horse is fairly aga.nst the

collar. J 'f •

To cure the habit of baulking is not an easy matter, and it is

possible only by the kindest treatment. If the horse show fear
by his excited manner, or, by looking about him wildly, that he
is expecting a blow, you may be sure that he has received hard^
usage under similar circumstances, and that he must be con-
vinced by caresses and kind words that you will treat him
gently. You must recollect that the horse cannot understand
your language; and that, while he is confused, he will misin-
terpret every sign which you may make to him. He has an
idea of your superior power ; and, in his fear that you will
exercise it, as bad drivers have done before, to his injury, he
will not at once feel confidence in your kind intentions. Ho
must feel this confidence, whether it take an hour or all day to
convey it to him, before you can do anything to cure bira of

i.«

» M

M i

202

BAULKING OP. JIBBINQ.

his trick. If you have him harnessed to a light wagon on a
Bmooth road where it will afford but little resistance, you mar
by repeated trials convince him that it is a simple, easy mattei
to draw it ; and you should continue to exercise him from daj
to day with the same light load, and afterward increase il
gradually, until you have trained him to a quiet manner of
starting, or of going up a hill or elsewhere where he has been
accustomed to baulk.

By the same gentle treatment you may start a horse or a
team that have baulked under the driving of another person.
Request the driver and all spectators to go to the side of tho
road, and then unfasten the check-reins, hang the reins where
they will be easily accessible, but so that they may lie loosely
upon the horses* backs, caress them, and allow them to look
about and convince themselves that no harm is doing. When
they have come properly quiet, go to their heads and stand
directly in front of the worst jibber of the team, so that his nose
may come against your breast if he start. Turn them gently
to the right, without allowing them to tighten their traces, and
after caressing them a little, draw them in the same way to the
left. Presently tarn them to the right, and as you do so,
bring them slowly against their collars, and let them go.

Sometimes a horse not often accustomed to baulk, betrays
a reluctance to move, or a determination not to move. In
such cases, the cause, if practicable, should always be ascer-
tained. He may be overtaxed, his withers may be wrung, or
he. may be insupportably galled or pained by the harness.
Those accustomed to horses know what seemingly trivial cir-
cumstances occasionally produce this vice. A horse, whose
shoulders are raw, or have frequently been so, will not start

BITINQ.

203

with a cold collar ; but when the collar has acquired the warmth
of the parts upon which it presses, he will go without reluc-
tance Some determined baulkers have been reformed by
constantly wearing a false collar, or strip of cloth around the
Bhoulders, so that the coldness of the usual collar should never
be felt ; and others have been cured by keeping the collar oa
night and day, for the animal is not able to lie down completely
at full length, which the tired horse is always glad to do. When
a horse baulks, not at starting, but while doing his work, it has
sometimes been found useful to line the collar with cloth in.
stead of leather ; the perspiration is readily absorbed, the sub-
stance pressing upon the shoulder is softer, and it may be far
more accurately eased off at a tender place.

BITINO.

Tins is either the consequence of natural ferocity, or a habit
acquired from the foolish and teasing play of grooms and
Btable-boys. When a horse is tickled and pinched by thought-
less and mischievous youths, he will at first pretend to bite his
tormentors ; by degrees he will proceed further, and actually
bite them, and very soon after that he will then be the first
to challenge to the combat, and without provocation will seize
the first opportunity to grip the careless teaser. At length,
as the love of mischief is a propensity too easily acquired, this
war, half playful and half in earnest, becomes habitual to him,
and degenerates into absolute vicionsness.

It is seldom that any thing can be done in the way of cure.
Kindness will aggravate the evil, and no degree of seventy will
correct it. Biters have been punished until they have trembled
in every joint, and were ready to drop, but this treatment

! -1

204

KICKING.

scarcely ever cures them. The lash is forgotten in an hour, and
the horse is as ready and determined to repeat the offense as
before. He appears unable to resist the temptation, and in its
worst form biting is a species of insanity.
! Prevention, however, is in the power of every proprietor of
horses. While he insists upon gentle and humane treatment,
he should systematically forbid this horse-play.

KICKING.

This, as a vice, is another consequence of the culpable habit
of teasing the horse. That which is at first simply an indica-
tion of annoyance at the
pinching and tickling of
the groom, and without
any design to injure, gradually
becomes the expression of anger,
and the effort to do mischief.
The horse, also, too soon recog-
nizes the least appearance
of timidity, and ^..^^^
takes advantage oi ^^

PARTICULARLY DAKOEROITS.

the discovery.

Some horses acquire, from mere irritability and fidgetiness,
a habit of kicking at the stall or the bail, and particularly at
night. The neighboring horses are disturbed, and the kicker
gets swelled hocks, or some more serious injury. This is a
habit very difficult to correct, if it is allowed to become estab-
lished. Mares are much more subject to it than horses.

Before the habit is inveterately established, a thorn-bush or
a piece of furze fastened against the partition or post will some-

KICKING.

205

times effect a cure. When the horse firds that he is pretty
Beverely pricked, he will not long continue to punish himself,
ll confirmed cases it may be necessary to have recourse to the
but the legs are often not a little bruised by it. A rather
Ion' and heavy piece of wood attached to a chain has been
budded above the hock, so as to reach about half-way down
the le-. When the horse attempts to kick violently, his leg will
recei °e a severe blow ; this, and the repetition of it, may after
a time teach him to be quiet.

Kicking in harness is a much more serious vice. From the
least anno°yance about the rump or quarters, some horses will kick
at a most violent rate, and destroy the bottom of the chaise, and
endanger the limbs of the driver. Those that are fidgety in
the stable are most inclined to do this. If the reins chance to
get under the tail, the violence of .the kicker will often be most
outrageous; and while the animal presses down his tail so
tightly that it is almost impossible to extricate the reins, he
continues to plunge until he has demolished every thing behind

bim.

This is a vice standing foremost in point of danger, and one
which no treatment will always conquer. It is altogether in
vain to attempt coercion. If the shafts are very strong and
without flaw, or if they are plated with iron underneath, and a
stout kicking-strap resorted to, which will barely allow the
horse the proper use of his hind limbs in progression, but not
permit him to raise them sufficiently for the purpose of kicking,
he may be prevented from doing mischief.

206

KEARINQ.

HEAEING.

. This vice is not very common, at least in a dangerous foyra,
and can generally be prevented by the use of the martingale.

In the case of saddle-horses, another good prevention is, when
(the horse is about to rise, to touch him with the spur on one side
only ; this will cause him to stop to lift the hind leg on that side,
and if he persists iu his attempt the spurs may be used vigor-
ously, first on one side, and then on the other, but not so fast
as to prevent the horse from raising his hind legs alternately,
as he is spurred. The least touch of the curb-bit will cause
some vici(Jus and badly trained horses to rear, while those which
have been thoroughly trained will rear slightly, to a great height,
or not at all, as their rider insy desire ; but it is obvious that
horses €o delicately trained should not be ridden by unskillful
persons, lest the awkwardness of the rider should cause unex*
pected curvethig.

The remedy of some breakers, that of pulling the horse back-
ward on a £oft piece of ground should be practiced by reckless
and brutal febows alone. Many horses have been injured in the
Bpine, and others have broken their necks, by being thus sud-
denly pulled over ; while even the fellow who fears no danger,
is not always able to extricate himself from the falling horse.
If rearing proceeds from vice, and is unprovoked by the bruis-
ing and laceration of the mouth, it fully partakes of the invete-
racy which attends the other divisions of restiveness.

PULLING BACK ON" THE HALTER.

This is a vice which has probably arisen from the horse
having, at some time, broken a weak halter iu a fit of impa-

VICIOUS TO CLEAN.

207

tience. The only safe cure for it, and this is not always suc-
cessful, iS to tie the horse with a very strong halter, which it
will be impossible for him to break ; finding that his efforts
are futile, he will, after a time, generally desist from pulling —
though some incorrigible brutes will try every new halter as
soon as they are fastened, and will break it if possible.

RUNNING AWAY.

Some headstrong horses will occasionally endeavor to bolt
with the best rider ; others, with their wonted sagacity, en-
deavor thus to dislodge only the timid or unskillful one.
Some are hard to hold, or bolt only during the excitement of
a trial of speed, or the like ; others will run away, prompted
by vicious propensity alone. There is no certain cure here.
The only method which affords any probability of success is, to
ride such a horse with a strong curb and sharp bit ; to have
him always firmly in hand ; and if he will run away, and the
place will admit of it, to give him (sparing neither curb, whip,
nor spur,) a great deal more running than he likes.

VICIOUS TO CLEAN.

It would scarcely be credited to what an extent this exists
in some horses that are otherwise perfectly quiet ; it is only at
great hazard that they can be cleaned at all. The origin of
this is probably some maltreatment. There is, however, a

great difference in the sensitiveness of the skin in different
horses. Some seem as if they could scarcely be made to feel
the whip, while others cannot bear a fly to light upon them
without an expression of annoyance. In young horses the
skin is peculiarly delicate. If they have been curried with a

; i

SfiaHBS^"'-"

208

VICIOUS TO SHOE.

broken comb, or hardly rubbed with an uneven brush, the
recollection of the torture they have felt makes them impa-
tient and even vicious during every succeeding operation of
the kind. Many grooms, likewise, seem to delight in pro-
ducing these exhibitions of uneasiness apd vice, although, when
they are carried a little too far, and at the hazard of the limbs
of the groom, the animals that have been almost tortured into
these manifestations of irritation, are brutally kicked and

punished.

This, however is a vice that may be conquered. If the
horse is dressed with a lighter hand, and wiped rather than
brushed, and the places where the skin is most sensitive are
avoided as much as thorough cleanliness will allow, he will
gradually lose the recollection of former ill-treatment, and be-
come tractable and quiet.

In those instances where the skin is so irritable that the
horse really endures a great deal of misery every time he is
cleaned besides requiring needlessly the expenditure of a
great amount of muscular exertion, the remedy is very simple;
instead of being curry-combed and wiped, the horse should be
merely washed over with warm water on his coming in warm
from a journey, then gently scraped and covered with a rug.
The warmth of the body will very soon dry the skin.

VICIOUS TO SHOE.

The correction of this is more peculiarly the business of the
smith ; yet the master should diligently concern himself with
it, for it is more often the consequence of injudicious or bad
usage, than of natural vice. The vice is certainly a bad one,
and it very materially diminishes the value of the horse ; for it

VICIOUS TO SHOE.

209

is a habit which generally gets worse at each time of snoeing.
It is not so much the kicking of the horse that is to be feared,
but the animal will bear his whole weight on the foot requiring
to be shod, so that the smith is unable to lift it up, or after-
ward to support it ; beside which the animal will keep con-
tinually kicking or endeavoring to get the foot away, to the
imminent danger of the limbs of the unfortunate operative.
This deplorable and vicious habit is greatly increased, if not
altogether produced, by rough usage at the early shoeings,
and it generally gets worse at each time of shoeing, so that
the horse is often rendered at last completely worthless.

It may be expected that there will be some difficulty in
shoeing a horse for the first few times, as it is an operation
that gives him a little uneasiness. The man to whom he is
most accustomed should go with him to the forge ; and if
another and steady horse is shod before him, he may be in-
duced more readily to submit. It cannot be denied that, after
the habit of resisting this necessary operation is formed, force
may sometimes be required in order to reduce our rebellious
servant to obedience ; but there can be no manner of question
that the large majority of horses vicious to shoe are rendered
so by harsh usage, and by the pain of correction being added
to the uneasiness of shoeing. It should be a rule in every
forge, that no smith should be permitted to strike a horse,
much less to twitch or gag him, without the raaster-farrier*8
order ; and that a young horse should never be twitched or
struck. There are few horses that may not gradually be ren-
dered manageable for this purpose by mildness and firmness
on the part of the operator ; they will soon understand that no

harm is meant, and they will not forget their usual habit ot,
U

k*'f^lW***-^''«J

210

CEIB-BITINQ.

obedience ; but if the remembrance of corporeal punishmeni
is connected with shoeing, they will always be fidgety, and
occasionally dangerous.

CKIB-BITING.

This is a very unpleasant habit, and a considerable defect,
although not so serious as it is often represented. The horse
lays hold of the manger with his teeth, violently extends his
neck and then, after some convulsive action of the throat, a
slight grunting is heard, accompanied by a sucking or drawing
in of air. It is not an effort at simple eructation, arising from
indi'^'estion ; it is the inhalation of air. It is that which takes
place with all kinds of diet, and when the stomach is empty as
well as when it is full.

The effects of crib-biting are plainly perceptible. The teeth
are injured and worn away, and that, in an old horse, to a very

serious degree. A considerable quantity
of grain is often lost, for the horse will
frequently crib with his mouth full
of it, and the greater part will fall
over the edge of the manger.
Much saliva escapes while
the manger is thus forcibly
held, the loss of which must
"^ be of serious detriment in
MTTzzLE poR A CRIB-BITER, impairing digestion The
crib-biting horse is notoriously more subject to
colic than other horses, and that of a kind difficult of treatment
and peculiarly dangerous. Although many a crib-biter is stout
and strong, and capable of all ordinary work, these horses do

CRIB-BITING.

211

not generally carry as much flesh as otlicrs, and have not their
endurance; on these accounts, crib-biting has been, and very
properly, decided by the highest authority to be unsound-

ness.

It is moreover one of those tricks which are exceedingly con-
ta'nous. Every companion of a crib-biter in the same stable,
is likely to acquire the habit, and it is the most inveterate of all
habits. The edge of the manger will in vain be lined with iron,
or with sheep-skin, or with sheep-skin covered with tar or aloes,
or any other unpleasant substance. In spite of the annoyance
which these may occasion, the horse will persist in his attack
on the manger. A strap buckled tightly round the neck, by
compressing the windpipe, is the best means of preventing the
possibility of this trick ; but the strap must be constantly worn,
and its pressure is apt to produce a worse affection, viz., an
irritation of the windpipe, which terminates in roaring.

Some have recommended turning out for five or six months ;
but this has never succeeded, except with a young horse, and
then but rarely. The old crib-biter will employ the gate for
the same purpose as the edge of his manger, and he will often
gallop across a field for the mere purpose of having a bite at
the rail. Medicine is altogether thrown away in such a case.

The only remedy is a muzzle, with bars across the bottom ;
eufiiciently wide to enable the animal to pick up his corn and
to pull his hay, but not to grasp the edge of his manger. If
this is worn for a considerable period, the horse may be tired
of attempting that which he cannot accomplish, and for a
while forget the habit ; but in a majority of cases the desire of
crib-biting will return with the power of gratifying it.

The causes of crib-biting are various, and some of them be-

.iflRP

212

OVERREACHINQ.

NOT LYING DOWN.

213

yond the control of the owner of the horse. It is often the
result of imitation ; but it is more frequently the consequence
of idleness. The high-fed and spirited horse must be in mis-
chief, if he is not usefully employed. Sometimes, but not often,
it is produced by partial starvation ; and another occasional
cause is the frequent custom of dressing the horse, even when
the weather is not severe, in the stable, — thus enabling the
animal to catch at the edge of the manger, or at that of the
partition on each side, if he has been turned.

WIND-SUCKING.

This closely resembles crib-biting, and arises from the same
causes ; the same purpose is accomplished, and the same results
follow. The horse stands with his back bent, his head drawn
inward, his lips alternately slightly opened and then closed, and
a noise is heard as if he were sucking. It appears quite pro-
bable, judging from the same comparative want of condition
and the flatulence noted in connection with the last habit, that
either some portion of wind enters the stomach, or there is an
injurious loss of saliva.

This vice diminishes the value of the animal nearly as much
as crib-biting ; it is equally as contagions and inveterate. The
only remedies — and they will seldom avail — are tying the head
up, except when the horse is feeding, or putting on a muzzle
with sharp spikes toward the neck, which will prick him when-
ever he attempts to rein his head in for the purpose of wind-
sucking.

OVERREACHING.

This unpleasant noise known also by the name of " clicking,"
is occasioned by the toe of the hind foot, or the inner edge of

the inside of its shoe, striking upon the heel of the coronet of
the fore foot. The preventive treatment is the beveling, or
rounding off, of the inside rim or edge of the hind shoe. Tho
cure is, the cutting away of the loose parts, the application of
Friar's balsam, and protection from the dirt.

Some horses, particularly young ones, overreach so as to
strike the toes of the hind shoes against the fore ones, which is
termed "clinking." Keeping up the head of the horse does some-
thin"* to prevent this ; but the smith may do more by shortening
the toe of the hind shoes 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 bo
locked fast between the branches of the fore shoe.

NOT LYING DOWN.

It occasionally happens that a horse will seldom or never
lie down in the jptable. He sometimes continues in apparent
good health, and feeds and works well ; but generally his legs
swell, and he becomes fatigued sooner than another horse. If
it is impossible to let him loose in the stable, or to put him
into a spare box, nothing can be done to obviate the difficulty.
No means, gentle or cruel, will force him to lie down. The
secret is, that he is tied up, and either has never dared to lie
down through fear of the confinement of the halter, or he has
^been cast in the night and severely injured. If he can be suf-
fered to range the stable, or have a comfortable box in which
he may be loose, he will usually lie down the first night. Some
few horses, however, will lie down in a stable, and not in a loose
hox. A fresh, well-made bed will generally tempt the tired
horse to refresh himself with sleep.

ni»»'a;c.-;sso'.

214

SHYING.

It may be observed in this connection, that the basis of sup^
port afforded by the four extremities is so considerable in the
horse, tliat he is able to sleep in a standing position, and some
horses have even been known to preserve their health, strength,
and condition, although they were never known to lie down
At the same time, it is undeniable, that an animal that will
quickly lie down and take his rest, as a general rule, preserves
his condition, and is better fitted for exertion.

SHYING.

This most dangerous habit is sometimes the effect of fear, and
sometimes is a downright vicious propensity; and there are

many horses which commence the
practice through fear and end by
becoming viciously disposed to
indulge in it, iji consequence of

sheer mismanage-
ment. The young
colt is almost al-
ways more or less
shy, especially if
he is brought at
:^r- once from the re-

mSAnREEABLE AND DAX(SER0r8. tircd ficldS iu VVlUCll

he was reared to the streets of a busy town.

There are, however, numberless varieties of shyers, some
being dreadfully alarmed by one kind of object, \s liich to another
is not at all formidable. When a horse finds that he gains his
object by turning around, he will often repeat the turning with-
out cause, pretending to be alarmed, and looking out for ex-

BHYINO.

215

cases for it. This is not at all uncommon, and with timid
riders leads to a discontinuance of the ride, by which the horse
cains his end for the time, and repeats the trick upon the first
occasion. In genuine shying from fear, the eyes are generally
more or less defective ; but sometimes this is not the cause,
^Yhich is founded upon a general irritability of the nervous
system. Thus, there are many that never shy at meeting wagons,
or other similar objects, but which almost drop with fear on a
small bird flying out of a hedge, or any other startling sound.
These are also worse, because they give no notice, whereas the
ordinary shyer almost always shows by his ears that he is pre-

pared to turn.

For shyers the only remedy is, to take as little notice as
possible, to make light of the occurrence, speak encouragingly,
yet rather severely, and to get them by the object in one waij or
another. If needful, the aid of the spur and whip may be called
in, but not as a punishment. If the horse can be urged to go
by the object at which he is shying without the whip or spur,
so much the better ; but if not, he must be compelled to do so
by their use. Wherever fear is the cause of shying, punishment
only adds to that fear; but where vice has supplanted fear,
severity should be used to correct it.

As a general rule, the whip need never be used, unless the
horse turns absolutely round, and not then unless there is reason
* to suspect that he is pretending fear. If he will only go by the
object, even with *'a wide berth," as the sailors say, he may be
suffered to go on his way unpunished; and nothing is so bad
as the absurd severity which some horsemen exercise after the
horse has conquered his reluctance, and passed the object. At
this time he should be praised and petted, with all the en-'

niB*^- •f'^VM '■

216

PATTTNa.

SLIPPING THE COLLAR OR HALTER.

211

couragement which can be given ; and on no account should he
be taught to make those rushes which are so commonly seen
on the road, from the improper use of whip and spur. If pun-
ishment is necessary at all, it must be used beforehand ; but it
often happens that the rider cannot spare his whip-hand until
the shying is over; and then, in his passion, he does not reflect
that the time has passed for its employment.

Shying on coming out of the stable is a habit that can rarely
or never be cured. It procec^ds from the remembrance of some
ill-usage or hurt which the animal has received in the act of
proceeding from the stable, such as striking his head against a
low door-way, or entangling the harness.

When the cure, however, is early attempted, it may be so far
overcome that it will be unattended with danger or diflSculty.
The horse should be bridled when led out or in. He should be
held short and tight by the head, that he may feel that he has
jiot liberty to make a leap, and this of itself is often suflScient
to restrain him. Punishment, or a threat of it, will be highly
improper. It is only timid or high-spirited horses that acquire
the habit, and rough usage invariably increases their agitation
and terror.

PAWINO.

. Some hot and irritable horses are restless even in the stable,
ind paw frequentV and violently. Their litter is destroyed,
the floor of the stable broken up, the shoes worn out, the feet
bruised, and the legs sometimes sprained. If this habit does
)»ot exist to any great extent, yet the stable never looks well.
Shackles are the only remedy, with a chain sufficiently long to
enable the horse to shift his posture, or move in his stall ; but

these mus:t be taken off at night, otherwise the animal wil5
seldom lie down. Unless, however, the horse possesses pecu-
liar value, it will be better to dispose of him at once, than to
submit to the danger and inconvenience that he may occasion.

ROLLING.

This is a very pleasant and perfectly safe amusement for a
horse at grass, but cannot be indulged in the stable without the
chance of his being dangerously entangled with the collar, rein,
or halter, and being cast. Yet, although the horse is cast, and
bruised, and half strangled, he will roll again on the following
night and continue to do so as long as he lives. The only
remedy is not a very pleasant one for the horse, /lor always
quite safe ; yet recourse must be had to it, if the habit of rolling
is inveterate. The, horse should be tied with length enough of
halter to lie down, but not to allow of his head resting upon
the ground ; because, in order to roll over, a horse is obliged
to place his head quite down upon the ground.

SLIPPING THE COLLAR OR HALTER.

This is a trick in which many horses are so well accomplished,
that scarcely a night passes without their getting loose. It is
a very serious habit, for it enables the horse sometimes to gorge
himself with food to the imminent danger of producing stag-
gers ; or it exposes him, as he wanders about, to be kicked and
Injured by the other horses, while his restlessness will often keep
the whole team awake. If the web of the halter, being first
accurately fitted to his neck, is suffered to slip only one way.
or a strap is attached to the halter and buckled round the neck,
but not sufficiently tight to be of serious inconvenience, the
power of slipping the collar will be taken away.

SPP

218

BTUMBLINa.

UNSTEADINESS WHILE BEING MOUNTED.

219

BTUMBLINO-.

That person must either be a skillful practitioner, or a mere
pretender, who engages to remedy this habit. If it arise from
a heavy forehand, and the fore legs, being too much under the
horse, no one can alter the natural frame of the animal ; if it
proceeds from tenderness of foot, groggincss, or old lameness,
these ailments are seldom cured. Also, if it is to be traced to
habitual carelessness and idleness, no whipping will rouse the
drone. A known stumbler should never be ridden or driven
by any one who values his safety or his life. A tight hand or
a strong bracing-rein are precautions that should not be neg-
lected, although they are generally of little avail ; for the in-
veterate stumbler will rarely be able to save himself, and this
tight rein may sooner and further precipitate the rider. If
after stumbling the horse suddenly starts forward, and endea-
vors to break into a short trot or canter, the rider may be
assured that others before him have fruitlessly endeavored to
remedy the nuisance. ^-

If the stumbler has the foot kept as short, and the toe pared
as close as safety will permit, and the shoe is rounded at the
toe, or has that shape given to it which it naturally acquires ia
a fortnight from the peculiar action of such a horse, the animal
may not stumble quite so much ; or if the disease which pro-
duced the habit can be alleviated, some trifling good may be
done ; but in almost every case the stumbler should be got rid
of, or put to slow and heavy work. If the latter alternative
is adopted, he may stumble as much as he pleases, for the
weight of the load and the motion of the other horses wilfkeep
him upon his legs.

UNSTEADINESS WHILE BEINQ MOUNTED.

When this merely amounts to eagerness to start—very un-
pleasant, indeed, at times, for many a rider has been thrown
from his seat before he was fairly fixed in it-it may be reme-
died by an active and good horseman. It oftentimes happens
that while the elderly, inactive, and fearful man is engaged in
making more than one ineffectual attempt to vault into the
saddle°the horse is dancing about to his annoyance and danger;
but no' sooner is the animal transferred to the management of a
younger and more agile rider, than he becomes perfectly sub-
dued° Severity will here, more decidedly than in any other
case, do harm. The rider should be fearless ; he should care-
lessly and confidentially approach the horse, mount at the first
effort, and then restrain him for a while ; patting him, and
not allowing him to proceed until he becomes perfectly quiet.
Horses of this kind should not be too highly fed, and should
have sufficient daily exercise.

When the difficulty of mounting arises, not from eagerness
to start, but from unwillingness to be ridden, the sooner that
horse is disposed of the better. He may be conquered by a
skillful and determined horseman ; but even he will not succeed
without frequent and dangerous contests that will mar all tho
pleasures of the ride.

^fW

■z <r■^-T^i^k^i7S*W.'i^-,Tir:. i^ "■'. ;.

LAMPAS.

221

Under this head it is proposed to treat of
the various diseases which horse-flesh is heir
to, together with their symptoms, and to
offer such remedies as personal experience, or the authority
of others in whom implicit confidence may be placed, suggests
as the most efficacious. For convenience of discussion, these
diseases are arranged in the present work under the heads of
diseases of tlie mouth ; of the respiratory organs ; of the
stomach and intestines; pf the limbs; of the urinary organs;
of the feet and legs ; of the heart ; of the head ; and
(220)

of the eye; — placing under the head of miscellaneous such
as do not appropriately fall under either of the foregoing
diseases.

DISEASES OF THE MOUTH.

liAMPAS.

This term is used to designate a fullness or swelling of the
bars or roof of the mouth, caused by the cutting of the teeth.
Lampas will be found in all colts, although in many the slight
inconvenience occasioned by it attracts little or no attention.
In others, however, the great tenderness of the parts affected
causes the animal to refuse his food, in consequence of which
be is by many compelled to submit to an operation equally
cruel and unnecessary— that is, no less than burning out the
bars of the mouth with a red-hot iron, thereby destroying the
functions of the part, and leaving the mouth sore for Bome
time afterward. This mode of treatment has been practised
for years, and is even at the present day almost the only one
in vogue, although it is of no practical benefit whatever, but,
on the contrary, is often very injurious. In the case of the
child similarly affected, the humane practitioner seldom does
more than to lance the gums. This, certainly, is a moro
rational mode of operating, and the author's experience con-
vinces him that if the parts inflamed in the case of the horse
be simply lanced, the swelling will soon subside, and the horse
partake of his food as usual. A common pocket-knife will
answer the purpose quite well ; and after the lancing the

222

ULCERS IN THE MOUTH.

SORE MOUTH.

223

mouth should be washed with a solution of the tincture of
myrrh, two ounces to a pint of water, or a solution of alum
in water. This should be repeated twice a day for three or
four days, during which time give bran mashes or flax-seed
gruel, and, if procurable, a small quantity of new grass. No
hay, corn, or oats, should be given for a week ; at the expira-
tion of which period the teeth will be in a condition to masti-
cate such food.

INFLAMED GUMS.

Occasionally the gums of very young horses, when cutting
their teeth, become exceedingly tender, sore, and swollen!
As this is principally confined to the yearling, it is generally
overlooked by the owner. The treatment in such cases is to
cut the gum through to the tooth immediately under it with
a lancet or common pocket-knife. The gum being thus
broken, the tooth comes through with little pain.

BAGS OR WASHES.

These are soft, pufly swellings of the membrane of the
mouth, lining the lips, just within the corners of the mouth.
This disease is generally caused by the bearing rein being too
tight. They are cured by cutting off a portion of the swelling
with a pair of scissors or a knife ; after which the parts should
be dressed with a little salt, or powdered alum. This gener-
ally proves successful.

UliCERS IN THE MOUTH.

Horses, during the process of breaking, are frequently hurt
by the pressure of the bit upon the under jaw a little in front of

the first molar tooth ; in consequence of which the periosteum,
or thin fibrous membrane covering the bone, often becomes
involved in the inflammation, the bone itself not always escap-
ing injury, a neglect of which occasionally causes the bono
of the jaw to become carious or decayed ; sinuses, or pipe-liko
openings, are sometimes formed, which becoming filled with
masticated food, become fetid and often occasion troublesome
sores. Grooms on discovering this sore, generally attribute it
to what is commonly called squirrel grass, or wild barley. If
the sore is confined to the gum alone, it should be washed fre-
quently, and dressed with a little tincture of myrrh ; but when
the bone is affected, it must be examined carefully with a probe,
and if found rough, or presenting small openings, the bone must
be exposed, and all the diseased parts removed, after which the
tincture of myrrh should be used for a dressing. Such opera-
tions should be performed by a qualified veterinary surgeon, if
one is to be had ; otherwise more injury may be done by the
bungling operator than would be occasioned by the disease.
If such services cannot be procured, caustic silver, or lunar
caustic, should be applied to the diseased bone. If the caustic
is not readily obtainable, the red-hot iron will answer the pur-
pose as well, or even better. Butter of antimony, placed on a
little cotton or tow, and packed in the sore, is an excellent
application, as it hastens a separation or exfoliation of tho
diseased bone, thus enabling the parts soon to heal.

BORE MOUTH.

This is often caused by the bit^s cutting or bruising the lips
at the angles of the mouth. In carelessly balling horses, also,
the under part of the tongue sometimes becomes injured, which

« »4

>^ i|

^ii

224

tJNEVtN TEETH.

QUIDDINO.

freqiientlv escapes notice until the animal refuses his food,
and the tongue becomes tender and swollen. In such cases,
wash the mouth clean, and sprinkle a teaspoonful of table salt
on the sore ; the tincture of myrrh occasionally applied m\\
hasten the cure,

CUT TONGUE.

The tongue sometimes becomes bruised from the sudden
jerking of the lines in the hands of a careless or obstinate
driver, or it may happen from tight reining ; that portion of
the tongue upon which the bit rests becoming bruised and
ulcerated, and the frequent use of the bit keeping up the
irritation, until the tongue, in some cases, becomes almost
separated by ulceration before it is discovered. Alum water,
saltpetre, and tincture of myrrh are the proper dressings.

225

UNEVEN TEETH.

The molar teeth frequently become very uneven upon their
faces or grinding surfaces, in consequence oi the crusta petrosa
wearing away too rapidly and often leaving deep cavities in the
teeth, which become filled with food and soon prove a great
source of annoyance by interfering with proper mastication.
This occurs more particularly in old horses. The upper molar
teeth being well protected on the outer surface with enamel,
wear less rapidly than the lower ones which are protected upon
the inner side. In consequence of this the upper teeth often
become very sharp upon the outside, and when the reins are
drawn up the cheeks are forced upon these sharp edges and
become sore and often lacerated, while the lower ones becoming
«harp on the inside edges, lacerate the tongue in a simili^

manner. The horse from this cause often refuses his food, sinco
mastication causes him severe pain. He soon begins to lose
flesh, the digestive organs become deranged, the skin becomes
tiglit, and the animal is perhaps doctored for bots, worms, and
the like.

In all these cases the tooth-rasp becomes necessary, which
is an instrument made concave, or hollow, upon one side, and
conve.T, or rounding, on the other, with a long handle attached.
The rasp is upon the hollow side, the round side and the edges
being perfectly smooth so as not to wound the cheeks or tongue
when used. With this instrument the sharp corners of the teeth
arc easily taken off, and the horse is enabled to feed again in
the proper manner. If the teeth are in this condition no
medicine is of any avail ; all the condition powders in the world
will not benefit in the slightest degree ; the tooth-rasp is the
only remedj that will prove serviceable.

QUIDDINO.

This disease, if disease it may be called, is generally caused
by the irregular wear of the teeth already mentioned ; or it may
«.-,se from caries of the teeth, or from a diseased state of the
•'-oles of deglutition. -I have seen," says White, "at the
|<ennel the jaw of a horse which died literally from starvation
.n consequence of a disease of the grinding teeth, which a,,.
Ponrcd to have been brought on by feeding on coarse woody
■ ' 7'"^'"'"^ "'^ ^t«<^k« of thistles, docks, &c. This animal
was what dealers term a quidder, for the muscles of deglutition
*". at least so affected that he was incapable of swallowin-.;
«"" ^. <er fruitless attempts to chew his food it was thrown out
"'« J^-'ger in a ball or qdd. and a great deal of imper.

i i 1

.-^ t^ 'h V

226

WOLF TEETH.

CARIES OF THE TEETH,

22 1

fectly chewed hay had been forced into the cavities formed at
the roots of some of the grinding teeth." The tooth-rasp
Bometimes proves a perfect cure in such cases.

"WOIiF TEETH.

Very erroneous opinions are entertained by horsemen, and
even by veterinary surgeons, in reference to these teeth, and
various theories have from time to time been set afloat regard-
ing them, arising, for the most part, from a want of proper in-
vestigation.

These teeth are natural to all horses, and make their appear-
once between the first and fifth year. They are not supernu-
merary teeth, as has been stated by some writers, but are
natural teeth found in all colts. The germs of these teeth will
be found in the foal at birth, and developed in the jaw of the
yearling ready to make their way through the gums. In an
examination of at least one hundred heads of colts that have
died under eighteen months of age, the author has found in
every instance either natural wolf teeth, or the germs from
which they are developed. It is a mistaken idea, that these
teeth exert any influence over the eyes. Nature never placed '
them in their position for the purpose of injury. In cases where
the eye is supposed to be affected by them, it is simply neces-
sary to treat the eye for inflammation, and allow the teeth to
remain. As a general rule they do not remain in the jaw long
after being cut ; having performed their function, whatever it
may be, they fall out and are therefore seldom found. Their
removal can do no harn^ but it is an entirely unnecessary
operation

CARIES OP THE TEETH

The teeth of horses, as has already been stated, are made up
of three substances, the enamel, the bone, and the crusta petrosa-
"^ an<i in consequence of their peculiar arrangement

and the inability
of the animal to
inform us of his
sufferings, this dis-
ease frequently be-
comes much more
serious than in
man. Its opera-
tion, besides, is

THE BLOODED MARK FASHIOX AND FOAL.

quite different

upon the teeth of horses from what it is upon the human teeth.
In the human subject caries is found, in a large majority of
cases, making its appearance as a dark spot between the teeth,
on one side of the crown, gradually working inwards, destroy-
ing the bone in its progress, and leaving the enamel a mere
Bhell upon the outside of the tooth, while the roots generally
remain in a comparatively sound condition during the progress
of decay. In the horse, however, caries is a very different thing,
as far as its effects are concerned. It makes its appearance
upon some one or more of the indentations or depressions upon
the face of the tooth, attacking the crusta petrosa, (a substance
not found in the human tooth,) and extending from the face
through the entire length of the tooth, splitting it up into
several thin plates, in consequence of which abscesses oft(^ form
at the roots of such teeth, which, being prevented from dis

'•m

228

CARIES OF THE TEETH.

charging into the mouth by the food that fills up the cavity,
generally find an opening into the nose, discharging their feti4
matter through that channel. The animal while in this condi-
tion is often treated for catarrh, commonly called distemper.
The discharge still continuing, and becoming more and more
fetid, the animal is at last supposed to be in a glandered con.

dition and killed.

The first case of this kind which came under the author's
notice occurred in the year 1853. Having occasion to visit the
yard where dead animals are boiled, the peculiar appearance of
one horse lying upon the ground attracted his attention. Upon
inquiry he learned that he had been killed as a glandered horse;
but failing to recognize any such marks as might be expected
in that disease, he made a very careful examination of the head
and found the real cause of trouble to be, not glanders, but a
carious tooth, of which but three small ribbon-like fragments
remained. This horse was but seven years old. An abscess
had formed at the root of the tooth, discharging itself into tho
nostril, whence it was ejected. Another horse, with similar
symptoms, pronounced glandered by two eminent veterinary sur-
geons, was destroyed at the same place in the year 1859. The
author's examination disclosed the fact, that the first two molar
teeth were almost entirely destroyed by caries, and that a large
abscess had formed at their roots, which extended into and
completely closed up one nostril, causing an immense tumor on
the right side of the head.

The difficulty of examining the molar teeth of the horse, to-
gether with the silence of veterinary authors on this important
subject, are the only assignable reasons for the little informa-
tion given us relative to a disease of such common occurrence.

CARTES or THE TEETH.

229

Indeed, the author has frequently been called upon to treat
horses laboring under this disease, without a suspicion ever
being entertained of its true nature.

A case of this kind came under his notice in the winter of
1858, while on a visit to Jackson, Michigan. He was called
to see a bay mare kept for livery purposes, having a discharge
from the right side of the face some two inches below the eye,
which had existed for about two years. The discharge was of
60 fetid a character that the animal was rendered unfit for use
and she was consequently turned upon the common to die or
get well, as the chances might be, all known modes of treatment
having been previously adopted without any beneficial results.
He discovered, upon examination, a carious tooth, which was
removed, and in a short time the animal became well. During
the winter of 1859, a brown mare, belonging to a gentleman in
Germantown, Pennsylvania, was sent to the Clinic of the Phi,
ladelphia Veterinary College, having been pronounced glandered
by a veterinary surgeon and ordered to be killed. Upon ex,
amination a large abscess was discovered opening into the nose>
together with two carious teeth^th^ first and second molars of
the right side. The mare was cast, and ten pieces of carious
teeth removed ; the cavity was then well cleaned out, and tow
saturated with tincture of myrrh filled in, removing and cleaning
every day. Some four weeks subsequently, the animal was sold
for one hundred and fifty dollars, sound as a bell ; though pre-
viously to this operation she could not have been sold \t any
price. Many similar cases could be mentioned, but the fore-
going will serve to show the necessity of making a thorough

examination of an animal before pronouncing sentence of death
upon it.

. 41

230

EXTRACTING TEETH.

XNFLAMMATIOrr.

231

Acidity of the fluids of the mouth is generally— and, as tht
author believes, correctly— assigned as the cause of caries of the
teeth. The symptoms are fetid discharges from the nose, ob-
structed respiration, improper mastication of the food, passing
the oats or corn whole, quidding, drowsiness, loss of flesh,
staring coat, hide-bound, tossing to and fro of the head, stop-
ping short on the road, starting suddenly, and at times becoming
almost frantic. All these symptoms, however, must not be
expected to be found in the same case, as difi'erent horses are
differently afl*ected by the disease. One is drowsy, feeds daintily
it times, and again ravenously ; another is at times wild, so as
to be almost unmanageable. Many of these symptoms occur in
\)ther diseases besides those of the teeth ; but their presence
suggests the necessity for an examination of the mouth, and
particularly of the molar teeth, which may be done by passing
the hand along the upper molar teeth inside of the cheek, thus
enabling the examiner to detect the presence of caries without
difficulty.

EXTRACTING TEETH.

When a carious tooth, or one so unequally worn as to cause
mischief, is discovered, its removal is necessary to the restora-
tion of the animaPs health. In order to accomplish this, the
horse must be cast, and the age of the animal considered, in
order to make choice of proper instruments. If he is young,
say from four to six years, an instrument made simihir to the
key used by surgeon dentists, is the best adapted ; if he is old,
a pair of forceps of large size, made in the same manner as the
tooth-forceps of dentists, will answer, as the roots of the teeth
in old horses are comparatively short, and therefore may be
easily extracted.

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS

INFIiAMMATION.

The diseases of the respiratory organs and air passages are
generally of an inflammatory type. In order to fully under-
stand the various diseases to which these important organs are
subject, a few remarks regarding the nature of inflammation, its
progress, &c., may not be out of place in a work like the
present.

Inflammation, then, is a state of altered nutrition, an increased
vascularity and sensibility of the parts involved, together with
a tendency to change of structure. The symptoms ai-e swelling,
pain, heat, and redness where the parts are not covered with
hair. The redness is in consequence of a redundancy of blood
in the inflamed part, which distends the small capillaries with
red particles of blood. When the inflammation is acute, the
parts present a bright red or crimson hue ; when it is chronic,
they are of a dark or purplish red color. As the various terms
employed by authors to indicate the various degrees are unin-
teresting to the general reader, no attempt at detail is here
made.

The sensation of pain is mainly due to a stretching of the
nerves by the distended blood-vessels. It difi'ers in its char*
acter and intensity according to the parts involved, varying
from a burning, throbbing, sharp, and lacerating pain to a
mere sense of heat, soreness, and a dull sensation of pain. The
heat in inflammation is supposed to arise from an increased
quantity of blood in the inflamed part. The swelling in the
early stage is due to the increased quantity of blood, and

!, i :

i 1

232

SORE THROAT.

BORE THROAT.

afterward to the efTusion which takes phice in all loose tissnes.
By inflammation all the various structures of the animal
economy may be so altered as to interfere with the perfonn-
nnce of their natural functions ; in some cases by a pernument
thickening of the parts, and in others by adhesion and the like.
By the aid of auscultation, that is, tlic application of tho
ear to the parts to be examined, the slightest change in the
normal and healthy condition of the respirator}' organs may
be detected, and the various parts involved in inflammatory
action may be pointed out with a considcjjftblc degree of cer-
tainty. With thus much of introduction we proceed to tha
consideration of the various diseases naturally falling under ouy
present division.

SORE THROAT.

Sore throat is a common attendant upon catarrhal affec-
tions. When it is confined to that portion of the throat at

the root of the
tongue, which is
known to mcdica)
men as thelarvnx
itiscallel laryng.
itis ; and this pail
& is the comnioi
seat of this dis
ease, from whic).
it extends dcwL
the trachea, O'
windpipe, to the lungs. As long as the throj».t remains ver;
•ore, it is a pretty good evidence that the lungj* m'** not aiTecte^.

TSK SADDLE HORSK.

233

This disease may exist either in an acute, sub-acute, or chronic
form. When acute, its management is simple and usually suc-
cessful ; but if it is neglected in this early stage, it not unfrc-
qucntly proves troublesome, and in some cases leaves tho
animal permanently unsound, terminating in wheezing, whist-
ling, roaring, or broken-windcdncss.

Tiic symptoms of sore throat arc easily detected by the or-
dinary observer. According to the intensity of the disease
there is an accumulation of saliva in the mouth, clear, thick,
and stringy, more particularly when the tongue is swollen ; a
stifl'ness of the head, the horse coughing upon the sli^rhtest
pressure on the larynx; difficulty in swallowing, more par-
ticularly hard grain or hay, and a consequent refusal of food
allogether; a short, hard cough; more or less copious dis-
charges from the nose, as the disease advances; an accelerated
pulse, frequently rising to ninety or one hundred pulsations in
a minute; mouth hot, with considerable fever accompanying.

For treatment, apply strong mustard, mixed with water to
the thickness of cream, to the throat, rub it well in, and
repeat as often as may be necessary ; or poultice the part with
flaxseed meal for several days, and sprinkle on the tongue a
teaspoonful of common table salt three or four times a day,
which in ordinary cases is all the treatment which will be
necessary for the acute type of the disease.

The attention of the veterinary surgeon is more frequently
called to chronic forms of this disease, in which, though no
Bwelling of the parts is usually perceptible, a pressure upon
the larynx at once excites a hard cough. In this stage of the
disease much relief will be obtained by the application of a
blister, prepared as follows • Pulverized cantharides (Spanish

4':

***'

■i ij

234

STRANGLES.

til
n

flies) half an ounce ; of lard, one and a half ounces ; mixea
well, and as thin as may be desired with spirits of turpentine.
This must be well rubbed in, and after it has acted thoroughly,
dress with sweet oil or lard.

STRANGLES.

This is but another form or stage of laryngitis. The throat
becomes enormously swollen, the swelling extending under the
jaws and up to the very ears, threatening suffocation ; then
respiration becomes much disturbed ; the flanks heave violently,
and the breathing can be heard at a considerable distance;
the animal begins to sweat from his frequently convulsive
efforts to breathe, and, if not speedily relieved, dies a most
violent death.

Life may be saved by the veterinary surgeon at this crisis
by the operation of bronchotomy, that is, by opening the
windpipe, and inserting a tube through which the animal may
breathe instead of through the nose. This operation aflfordi
instant relief, and gives an opportunity to apply remedies to
the diseased throat, which in a few days usually eflfect a cure,
when the tube may be removed. The author has never lost
a case where he has resorted to this operation.

The early treatment of this disease is to poultice the throat
well with flaxseed meal, commonly called cake-meal or oil-cake,
using salt upon the tongue as before. Mustard plasters are
also very effective, and steaming the nostrils frequently affords
relief. As soon as the swelling permits, it should be lanced;
and when it has once discharged freely, the animal may be
considered out of danger, provided proper care be taken to
guard against a relapse. A seton applied between the jaws

CHRONIC COUGH.

235

often relieves ; but these cases are safer in the hands of a com-
petent surgeon. Under no circumstances of this disease should
the animal be bled.

Malignant or putrid sore throat, is fortunately but little
known in the United States, the author not being aware of
its existence in any portion. Cases presenting somewhat
similar symptoms have been found upon examination to differ
in a marked degree from those which accompany this form
of disease as they are laid down in the works of foreign
authors. A detailed description of this type of the disease is
therefore deemed unnecessary in the present treatise.

CHRONIC COUGH.

This arises from various causes, and is present in a number
of diseases. It is often symptomatic of some affection of the
lungs and air passages ; and it sometimes exists apparently as
an independent affection, the animal thriving well, and retain-
ing unimpaired his appetite and spirits.

If it arises from irritation of the larynx, or upper part of
the throat, a few applications of mustard will be beneficial ;
if from worms in the stomach or intestines, treat as directed
under the head of - Worms.^' If it exists without any appar-
ent connection, or as the termination of disease previously
existing, give every night in a bran mash one of these pow.
^ers: of sulphate of copper (blue vitriol), digitalis (fox-glove),
pulverized squills, nitre, and camphor, each one ounce ; to
be made into ten powders. Green food, as carrots, potatoes,
turnips, or parsnips, should be given when procurable.

','.

236

CATAnnH.

CA.TAHRH.

This disease, commonly called a cold, is conGued in ordinary
cases to the lining membrane of the nose and neighboring parts;
but in severe cases the inflammation sometimes extends down
the air passages to the lungs, frequently resulting fatally. lu
the spring of the year this disease frequently appears in an epi-
zootic form, when the symptoms are more alarming and the
termination more generally fatal.

If the inflammation is conflned to the nostrils, the membrane
lining those cavities is reddened, a thin watery or mucous dis-
charge from the nostrils takes place, accompanied with frequent
sneezing ; if the larynx is involved, there are cough, swellings
underneath the jaws, etc.

Some authors recommend bleeding in this affection; but such
' an abuse of the lancet can do no good, and is often productivo
of much harm. If the symptoms are slight, one of the follow-
ing powders given night and morning will be all that is re-
quired: of saltpetre two ounces; of pulverized Jamaica ginger
one ounce ; mixed, and divided into eight powders. If there is
swelling under the jaws, poultice the throat with flaxseed meal;
if much discharge from the nostrils, steam them well with boil-
inf( water poured upon bran. If the inflammation exhibits any
tendency to extend down the windpipe, apply a blister all along
the neck over the windpipe from the throat to the breast, giving
one of the following balls night and morning ; of nitrate of
potassa and pulverized gentian root, each one ounce; Jamaica
ginger and caraway seeds, each half an ounce ; mix with
molasses and divide into six balls. If the discharge from the
uose continues, the animal losing flesh, and the appetite being

INFLUEN7A.

2.^

impaired, give one of the follovving powders in the feed night
and morning : sulphate of copper one ounce ; pulverized gentian
root one and a half ounces ; pulverized ginger six drachms ;
mix and divide into eight powders. Good wholesome food only
should l.c given.

DISTEMPER.

All catarrhal afi*ections are classed by horse-owners under
the common head of distemper. Common catarrh, epizootic or
epidemic catarrh, laryngitis, bronchitis, and all other diseases
accompanied by nasal discharges, are regarded by horsemen
generally as one and the same disease.

INFLUENZA.

For several years past a disease has been more or less preva-
lent in various sections of the United States, known to the

veterinary profession as
"J epizootic (epidemic) ca-
tarrh, or influ-
enza. The
symptoms of
this disease
tii; are so various
in different
animals, no two
being precisely
alike, that a vari-

QLMET ENJOYMENT. ^^7 ^^ opiuious arc current

co!icerning it and its nature, and, as a consequence, varioua
other diseases are often confounded with it.

L^ 111

23S

INFLUENZA.

f;:

In the year 1855, this disease made its appearance in the
Btables of one of the largest omnibus proprietors in Philadel'
phia, and some nine horses died in about two weeks. Theso
were snppo§ed to have been foundered, and were treated for
that disease. A careful examination, however, by a competent
practitioner revealed the true nature of the disease, and under
proper treatment the balance of the stock was saved. Shortly
after the demand for veterinary surgeons was very great, and
while they saved forty-eight out of every fifty cases, the flu-rier
lost almost every case he attempted to treat, principally from
his too common practice of bleeding and purging ; thus reducing
the system so low that nature became exhausted.

This disease is called by horsemen pink-eye distemper, and is
by many regarded incurable, though the author knows of no
disease that more readily yields to proper treatment, and in his
own practice he has been eminently successful in accomplishing
a cure. It commences with slight watery or thin mucous dis-
charges from the nostrils ; matter collecting in the inner corner
of the eyes ; eye-lid on the inner side of a very slight or yellow*
ish red color; pulse feeble, with occasional paralysis of tho
hind extremities ; sore throat ; excessive debility ; membrune
of the nose much reddened ; hard cough ; heart sometimes vio-
lently agitated ; flanks heaving; and feet sometimes hot ; thns
producing all the symptoms of founder.

For treatment, never bleed, as in nine cases out of ten, the
animal dies. If inflammation runs high, as it sometimes does,
use for several days the following : of tartar emetic and nitrate
of potash, each two drachms, made into a ball with molasses
and given at night. Give also in a pail of water one ounce of
spirits of nitre twice a day j or, if more convenieDt, twc dvi^^liDM

INFLUENZA.

239

of the extract of belladonna (nightshade) dissolved in the water.
When the inflammation is reduced, give one of the following
balls night and morning : of pulverized gentian root and nitrate
of potassa, each an ounce; pulverized Jamaica ginger, half an
ounce; ground fenugreek seeds six drachms ; mix with molasses,
and divide into eight balls. In pure cases of debility (this
being one of the serious symptoms of the disease), or in the
early stages, previous to extensive inflammation being established,
one of the following should be given twice a day .-—sulphate of
iron (green vitriol) two ounces ; pulverized ginger one ounce ;
pulverized gentian root two ounces ; mix with molasses, and
divide into eight balls. In cases where the lungs are aff"ected,
give the following ball twice a day : of tartar emetic and pulver-
ized digitalis (foxglove) each one scruple ; nitrate of potash three
drachms; mix with molasses. Linseed tea, or oat-meal gruel
should be given frequently. :So hay should be given, unless
the bowels are in good condition. If the liver is aff*eoted—
which may be known by the yellow tinge of the mucous mem-
brane, dung small and hard, horse lying on his side, and occa-
sionally looking at his side as if in pain, with occasional fits of
uneasiness—the following may be given, but must not be re-
peated ; of Barbadoes aloes three drachms, calomel and pulver-
ized digitalis each half a drachm ; make into a ball with molasses.
In all these cases where there is soreness or swelling of the
throat, the parts should be freely blistered ; and the sides also.
If the lungs are involved. This mode of treatment has proved
yerj successful in the author^s practice.

240

BRONCHITIS.

NASAL GLEET.

241

BRONCHITIS.

The larynx (upper part of the windpipe), the trachea (wind-
pipe), and the bronchial tubes (branches from the trachea into
the lungs for the passage of air), are lined by one continuous
membrane, called the mucous membrane, which secretes a thin
mucous substance that always keeps the parts soft and moist.
When this membrane becomes inflamed, the disease is named
according to its location. If it is confined to the larynx (as
has been before observed), it is termed laryngitis; if to the
windpipe, trachitis ; and if to the bronchial tubes, bronchitis.
The trachea and bronchia are rarely diseased separately, the
inflammation generally extending from one to the other. We
shall therefore treat of bronchitis as embracing trachitis liice-
wise. Even this disease rarely exists unmixed with others, in
consequences of which it is often overlooked, or confounded
with other diseases of a pulmonary character.

Bronchitis is generally preceded by a shivering fit ; mouth
hot, with more or less saliva; discharge from the nose ; cough;
Rore throat; fever; short breathing; loss of appetite; accele-
rated pulse ; and membrane of nose and eyelids reddened.

In treating this disease it is much safer to call in the veteri-
nary surgeon, in consequence of the difficulty which the ordi-
nary observer will experience in distinguishing it from other
pulmonary diseases, and from the fact that the treatment
varies with the changes that take place in the progress of the
disease. It is not necessarily fatal ; yet the most trifling neg-
lect or mistake in treatment may make it so. The average loss,
if proper treatment is pursued, is not more than five per cent.
Resort should never be had to bleeding in any form which the

!*■,:

disease may assume, although such treatment has been recom-
mended by the highest authorities.

If much fever is present, give the following ball : of nitre
two drachms ; pulverized digitalis and tartar emetic each half
a drachm ; solution of gum arabic sufficient to make the ball.
This may be repeated if the desired effect is not produced in
twelve hours. Apply to the throat, sides, and along the
spine, strong mustard mixed with water to the consistence of
cream, which may be repeated as often as necessary. The fly
blister is also recommended ; but the author prefers mustard,
as being so much quicker in its action. After the inflamma^
tion has subsided, give one of the following powders twice a
day : of pulverized gentian root and nitre, each one ounce ;
pulverized Jamaica ginger, half an ounce; caraway seeds six
drachms. This course of treatment is perfectly safe in the
hands of any horseman, though it will not reach all stages of
the disease ; nor can any general directions be given better
calculated to warrant a successful issue in these cases.

wasaij gleet.
"^asal gleet is the name here given to those discharges from
the nose, which are commonly preceded by some inflammatory
or catarrhal attack of the air passages, in particular those of
the head; though there occur examples of their appearing
without any such detectible precursors, originating, indeed,
^I'lthout any visible or apparent cause whatever; in most cases
t ley are apt to continue long after all signs of inflammation have
died away. Gleet is more likely to supervene after a chronic,
than after an acute, attack of catarrh, and to show itself in an

242

NASAL QLEET.

PNEUMONIA.

adult or aged horse rather than in the young subject. Some-
times the discharge comes from one nostril alone ; more usually
from both. Sometimes the submaxillary glands (glands under
the jaws), remain tumefied, and sometimes they are not. The
Schneiderian membrane (membrane of the nose) discolored by
inflammatory action, has become pallid and leaden-hued, but
is free from all pustular or ulcerative indications. The dis-
charged matter varies in quantity and quality in different in-
dividuals, and even in the same horse at different stages of
this disease. The ordinary gleet consists of a matter more
mucous than purulent, remarkable for its whiteness, about tho
thickness of cream, and in some cases is smooth and uniform,
in others clotty or lumpy ; in other cases it is yellow, and
appears to contain in its composition more pus than mucus.
At one time it will collect about the nostrils, and become
ejected in flakes or masses in pretty regular succession; at
another time there is a good deal of irregularity in this re-
spect, the running from the nose ceasing altogether for a
while, as though the animal were cured, and then returning
with double or treble force. Sometimes fetor is an offensive
accompaniment of the discharge ; at other times no fetor is
perceptible. The health does not suffer in the least; on the
contrary, it is one of the indications of this disease, that the
horse eats and drinks, and has his spirits, as well as though
he were quite free from complaint.

Formerly, these cases were considered to be evidences of
glanders, and were called chronic glanders ; many a horse
having been destroyed under this mistaken impression. That
a case of the kind might not turn to glanders, is, perhaps,
more than can be asserted with certainty ; but that, so long as

243

it continues gleet, it is not glanders, I am fully persuaded •
and to show that it is not, I have been in more than one in-
stance successful in bringing the case to a favorable issue."
[Percival's Ilippopathology.]

The treatment recommended by veterinary writers has not
been found successful in the author's practice ; nor, indeed, do
they themselves appear to have encountered any better for-
tune. That which has proved efficacious has, in all cases, been
strictly tonic. Give the following powder night and morniu"^
for a month : of sulphate of copper (blue vitriol), half a
drachm; pulverized gentian root, two drachms; pulverized
ginger, one drachm ; mix for one dose : or, give night and
morning, mixed in the feed, half-drachm doses of powdered nux
vomica (commonly called Quaker button). There is no
danger in giving this preparation to a horse, provided he does
not have water for some time afterward, say half an hour; and
it very rarely fails.

PNEUMONIA.

By pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is meant either
a highly congested or an inflammatory condition of the lungs,
arising from various causes, as high feeding, blanketing, close
or badly ventilated stables, violent or extraordinary exercise,
or sudden changes from heat to cold. Cold applied to the
external surface of a heated animal drives the blood from the
skm to the internal organs, often causing congestion of the
lungs. Pulmonary diseases are more prevalent in the sprin-
•'nd fall, particularly if the weather be cold and damp.

This disease is generally ushered in by a shivering fit ; the
l»orse IS sometimes attacked very suddenly ; he refuses his food.

244

PNEUMONIA.

PLEtTRIST.

the respiration becomes disturbed, sometimes suddenly, at
other times more slowly ; legs, ears, and muzzle cold ; cough
sometimes present ; staring coat ; membrane of nose reddened
or leadened-hued ; the animal hangs his head in or under the
manger, stands with his feet wide apart, remaining in one
position with no inclination to move. The pulse varies very
much • it is sometimes full and quick, at other times weak and
scarcely perceptible.

In these cases auscultation is found of the
greatest advantage in enabling
detect to a certainty the true
tion of the parts

affected. If the
attack is sudden,
coming on after
any violent exer-
cise, and the pulse h
quick, weak, and scarce
ly perceptible ; by the * "« kwhivq horse lexinutox.

application of the ear to the animaVs side the case is
decided, in the absence of all sounds, to be one of conges-
tive pneumonia. In all these cases the less medicine which
is used the better; they require the free use of the lancet,
which must be promptly applied, or the animal dies. Blood
must be taken until the animal begins to show symptoms
of weakness; after which place him in a cool box with a
pail of water, but nothing else, before him, the fresh air
being all the medicine required. He will either speedily re-
cover, or inflammation of the lungs will ensue. A second
bleeding, notwithstanding the inflammatory action, is positively

24^

injurious. As the disease assumes an inflammatory character,
the hreathing becomes more disturbed, the mouth hot, flanks
heaving, and the nostrils expand and contract violently.
Blisters must now be applied to the sides and breast, and
those which will act quickly. The author prefers the follow-
ing : of pulverized cantharidcs half an ounce ; lard one ounce ;
croton oil twenty drops ; linseed oil sufficient to make it
liquid. Divide the following into five parts, and give one
part internally every two hours : liquor ammonia acetatis
twelve ounces ; extract of belladonna one ounce ; water one
pint. If there is no improvement in twelve hours, give one
scruple of white hellebore with three drachms of nitre every
four hours until its action is manifest. This remedy, however,
is a dangerous one in the hands of any but the qualified prac'
titioner. Instead of it, the tincture of aconite may be used-^
indeed, it is one of the very best remedies. Take of tincture
of aconite half an ounce to an ounce of water ; give twenty
drops on the tongue every three hours. Active purgatives
should not be given ; injections, Lowever, are very useful.
The horse should be kept on a low diet for a few days, as
bran mashes, carrots, or green food ; but no hay should' bo
allowed, and a pail of water should be kept before him. This
is regarded by the author in all inflammatory diseases as ona
of our best medicines.

PliEURISY.

By pleurisy is meant an inflammation of the pleura, or mem-
brane covering the lungs and internal walls of the chest, without
the lungs being involved in the inflammation ; when, however,
tliey partake of its inflammatory action, it is styled pleoro.

246

PLEURISY.

' HYDROTHORAX.

247

pneumonia. The former disease rarely exists in a pure form ;
and as in a work like the present it is unnecessary to consider
the delicately drawn distinctions between the two types, both
will be treated as if they constituted in reality but one disease.
Pleurisy may exist in an acute or chronic form. The attack
may be sudden, or gradual, the animal manifesting indisposi-
tion several days previous. A hard drive, over-exertion,
exposure to cold, washing in cold water when warm, a fall,
fracture of a rib, a punctured wound, &c., are all causes of

pleurisy.

The horse manifests uneasiness ; there is a violent heaving of
the flanks, a looking round at. his sides, with an anxious expres-
Bion of the face ; pulse quick and wiry ; body, mouth, and breath
hot ; sweating in different parts of the body ; a high state of
nervous irritation, the animal pawing, lying down but rising
immediately ; a pressure against the side causes pain. A pecu-
liar symptom is observable in this disease ; the right fore-log
differs in temperature from the left, and such is the case with
the hind ones ; if the right fore-leg is warm, the left hind one
will also be warm, and the others cold.

Experience proves that blood-letting in this disease is only
opening the vein to let life escape ; for if by this means we sue.
ceed in relieving the inflammatory action, the loss of blood so
prostrates the system that the animal from pure debility becomes
the victim of hydrothorax, or dropsy of the chest, living a mis-
erable life for several weeks, perhaps months, to die at last from
the accumulation of fluid in the chest. Bleeding, therefore, is
uncalled for, and in fact is positively injurious. The early ap-
plication of blisters to the sides is very important ; and for this
purpow the same preparation will be found serviceable as has

been recommended in the case of inflammation of the lungs.
The application of blankets saturated with hot water and kept
round the body for several hours is very beneficial. Give ono
of the following powders on the tongue every hour :~of calomel
one drachm ; lactucarium (the juice of the common garden
lettuce) two drachms ; divide into three powders. In two hours
after giving the last powder, give the following drench : liquor
ammonia acetatis four ounces; sulphuric ether one ounce;
tincture of aconite ten drops j water one pint. If no improve-
ment takes place within six hours, give half a drachm of the
extract of belladonna in a pail of water every three hours ; con-
tinue this until the pupils of the eye dilate, or a favorable
change otherwise takes place. If the pulse is weak, give two
ounces of nitrous ether; one ounce tincture of opium ; and half
a pint of tepid water; but do not repeat the dose. The ani-
mal must be kept upon a low diet ; no hay or corn should bo
given ; carrots and green food may be used sparingly ; give
water frequently ; injections of soap and water are necessary
from the first attack. After the animal becomes convalescent,
strong tonics must be given, as the case may even then terminate
in dropsy of the chest. Nux vomica should be given in half-
drachra doses in the feed at night ; or half-drachm doses of the
iodide of potassa dissolved iu a pail of water may be given three
times a da v.

HYDROTHORAX.

Dropsy of the chest, or hydrothorax, is usually the termina.
tion of pleurisy in cases where bleeding or long-continued seda-
tive medication has been practised. The fluid contained within
tiie chest, if following an acute attack of picuri&y, is a beauti-,.

24S

THICK WIND.

BROKEN WIND.

S49

fully clear, bright yellow fluid. In srb-acutc cases there in
considerable lymph floating in it, thus rendering it turbid. The
quantity varies in different cases, from a quart or two to several

gallons.

In this disease the animal stands with legs straddling; the
breathing is short and quick, and as the water accumulates the
respiration becomes more labored ; pulse small and quick ; stag,
gering gait; breast, belly, and sheath swelled, leaving after
pressure the impression of the fingers; if the ear is applied to
the side, no sounds are heard.

No course of treatment can be suggested which would be
likely to succeed in the hands of the amateur ; this disease far
too often proving fatal in the most skillful hands.

THICK WIND.

This disease diff"ers in its action and effects from broken wind
or heaves, though they are frequently confounded. It is cha-
racterized by a quickened respiration, in consequence of the
obstruction existing in the air passages as the termination of
inflammatory action. The capacity of the lungs is often very
considerably diminished ; the air-cells become filled up or obli-
terated ; and the bronchial tubes become thickened ; so that the
same amount of atmospheric air cannot be admitted, thus giving
rise to the quick, blowing action witnessed in this disease. " It
is astonishing," says Mr. Spooner, "what great alteration of
the structure of the lungs may exist, and the horse be still able
to perform his accustomed work. I remember a horse that foi
some months worked in a fast coach, doing a stage of twelve
miles daily in about an hour and a quarter. lie was seized
with inflammation of the lungs, and died in about sixteen hours.

On examining the body after death, it appeared that one half of
the lungs for a long time past must have been perfectly useless,
for the purposes of respiration, being so completely hepatized
as to be heavier than water. '^

But little can be done in the way of treatment for a thick,
winded horse. It is important to keep the bowels regular ; and
by feeding with good sweet provender some relief is usually
aflorded .

HOARINQ AND WHISTLING.

There are different stages of the same disease, arising from q
thickening of the windpipe, or of the membranes of the larynx,
rendering the passages smaller at the diseased parts. Thesq
diseases are generally the termination of neglected bronchitis,
laryngitis, and all diseases of a pulmonary or catarrhal cha*
racter ; ulceration of the glottis (a portion of the larynx) is alsq
a cause of roaring.

If these diseases are caused by tight reining, the bearing rein
should be left off; if they arise from other causes, there is but
little prospect of benefiting the animal, except in cases where
the thickened parts are in an inflammatory condition, when
relief will be afforded by the application of mustard plasters or
fly blisters to the parts affected.

BROKEN WIND.

The cause of broken wind, or heaves, has never been satis-
factorily ascertained ; some writers attributing it to functional
derangement of the digestive organs, others to rupture of the
air-cells of the lungs, while yet a third class to a spasmodic
action of the diaphragm, a muscle dividing the chest from the

250

BROKEN \nNa

INFLAMMATION OP TUB STOMACH.'

251

abdomen. In this disease there is a short dry cough, which is
characteristic, and familiar to all practised ears.

It is a singular fact, well known to all
e-owners, that this disease has
no existence on the prairies of
Indiana, Illinois, and other
Western States; and broken-
winded horses that have
been taken to those sec-
tions soon get well, and re-
main so.

The symptoms of this dis-
ease are, a peculiar, double-

THB ATTACK AND DEFENSE.

bellows motion of the flanks; respiration quicker than natural;
a short peculiar cough ; and frequent passing of wind.

In its treatment the digestive organs should be kept in as
healthy a condition as possible. The throat should be ex-
amined ; and if by merely rubbing the sides of the throat a
cough is excited, the chances for a cure are favorable ; but if
the windpipe requires a squeeze in order to produce the cough,
there is little use in attempting a cure. Use upon the throat
three times a week for five or six weeks the following salve well
rubbed in : iodine ointment two ounces ; blue (mercurial) oint-
ment one ounce ; mix well together, and make thin with oil.
Give internally every night one of the following powders: of
sulphate of copper and pulverized ginger, each one ounce; pul-
verized gentian root two ounces ; divide into sixteen powders.
The benefits of this course of treatment have been very marked
in the author's practice. In all cases no hay should be allowed,
but wheat or oat straw will be found of great advantage.

DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES.

INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH.

Inflammation of the stomach, or gastritis, is usually the result
of swallowing poisons, or powerful stimulants. Mr. James
Clark relates a case of death occurring from inflammatioa of
the stomach in a horse in consequence of being drenched with
a pint of vinegar ; and another case where death was caused by
giving a drench which contained half an ounce of spirits of
hartshorn. A correspondent writing to the Turf Register in
1855, recommends the use of nux vomica, to destroy worms*
to which the editor appends the following remarks :-—•* We
must caution those not acquainted with the deleterious proper-
ties of nux vomica against giving that drug in large doses.
Three nuts or buttons weigh eighty grains, and we have re-
corded evidence that sixty grains of the powder have killed a
horse in a short time. Hoffman mentions that two doses, of
fifteen grains each, proved fatal to the patient." The cause of
these fatal terminations was doubtless some morbid condition
of the stomach at the time the medicine was given. " I have
known,'' says White, '*a horse quickly destroyed by being
drenchef^ with a quart of beer in which one or two ounces of
tobacco had been infused, and have seen other horses take
much larger doses without any ill effects." The author has
J^nown cases where bots were supposed to have given rise to
^nflamnmtion of the stomach.

The symptoms from poisoning are extreme distress and rest-
lessness, with a perfect loathing of all food ; the animal breaks
out in cold sweats, lies down but rises quickly, and becomes-

253

INFLAMMATION OP THE BOWELS.

253

quickly prostrated in strength ; the pulse is quick and oppressed;
purging may, or may not, exist.

The treatment will depend upon the cause of the attack, and
should in all cases be intrusted to the hands of a competent
practitioner, if one can be obtained. Where poison is sus-
pected, it is better to give plenty of gruel, linseed tea, starch
water, chalk water, with a couple of ounces of tincture of opium.
The lancet should not be used, as the animal is already in a
debilitated coiklition, which bleeding would only increase,
thereby preventing the possibility of a speedy recovery.

INFLAMMATION OP THE BOWELS.

Enteritis, or inflammation of the bowels, called by farriers
red colic, admits of three divisions : enteritis, or inflammation
of the muscular coat of the intestines ; peritonitis, or inflamma-
tion of the outer coat of the intestines and the membrane lining
the cavity of the abdomen ; and dysentery, or inflammation of
the inner or mucous coat of the intestines.

The muscular and peritoneal coats are those usually involved
in inflammation of the bowels ; but the muscular is more fre-
quently involved than the peritoneal coat. The causes of this
disease are washing when warm, or swimming in a river, drink-
inir cold water when in a heated condition, over exertion, cos-
tiveness, dry food such as hay with little water, worms, calcareous
concretions, and metastasis.

The disease is sometimes preceded by a shivering fit ; there is
loss of appetite ; hot skin ; continued restlessness ; mouth hot and
dry ; membranes of nose and eyes very much reddened ; pawing ;
the aniinal lies down and gets up frequently, kicks at his belly,
looks frequently at bis sides ; no cessation of pain ; pulse hard,

Bmall, and wiry, often beating one hundred times or more a
minute; respiration quickened ; bowels constipated ; dung small,
hard, and dry ; extremities cold ; and the urine highly colored
and passed with difficulty. As the disease progresses, the in-
tensity of the symptoms very much increases. The animal is
now covered with perspiration, which is succeeded by a chilly
state; the pulse becomes quicker; the belly begins to swell ; the
entire system becomes prostrated, and the animal dies, frequently
in the most violent manner.

These cases require prompt and active treatment, for the
disease runs its course very rapidly, often terminating in the
course of ten or twelve hours. If the costiveness yields early,
the pulse becomes less frequent, soft, and full ; the extremities
regain a moderate temperature, attended with remission of
pain, and the case will be likely to have a favorable termina-
tion. It is important that this disease should be distinguished
from an attack of colic, since the symptoms of one very much
resemble those of the other ; the pulse, however, is the surest
guide in distinguishing these diseases. The ordinary mode of
treating colic w^ould be highly injurious in the treatment of
inflammation of the bowels.

In this disease copious bleedings are necessary. A large
opening should be made in the jugular vein, and from six to
eight quarts of blood taken, the quantity varying with the
size and condition of the animal ; the hardened dung should
be removed by back-raking, after which tobacco-smoke injec-
tions are of great service ; where these are not convenient,
injections of soap and water may be used, or, what is better,
an injection of two gallons of water with six ounces of tincture
of arnica. One pint of linseed oil may now be given ; and if the

■■n^wmygwiv-'- ■', 't'lyi.^'

254 INFLAMMATION OF THB BOWELS.

case be a very severe one, and likely to terminate in death
unless relief be afforded, ten drops of croton oil may be added
to the drench ; but this last preparation should not be given
except in very desperate cases, as of life or death. Aloes
should not be given unless combined with opium ; and evea
then this treatment is not advisable.

Blankets well saturated with hot water should be applied
to the abdomen, and kept up for two or three hours ; the legs
should be well rubbed with cayenne pepper or strong mus-
tard, and bandaged with strips of flannel; if there is no im-
provement in the course of four or five hours, give one drachm
of chloroform in one pint of linseed oil, which may, if neces-
sary, be followed in two hours by the following ball, mi.xed
with molasses : one drachm of pulverized opium ; half a drachm
of calomel ; and two drachms of linseed meal. The injections
Bhould be continued throughout ; give linseed tea to drink,
instead of water ; soft mashes and new grass, if obtainable, may
be given sparingly, but no hay, until the bowels are opened.
The animal should not be worked for some days after recovery,
as this disease is apt to return if he is put to work or e.xposed
too soon. An attack of this character does not necessarily
render the animal less useful or valuable after his restoratiou

to health.

Peritonitis differs but little from enteritis. The horse is
more affected with pain ; the pawing, rolling, and kicking at
the belly are most violent ; the eye is wild in appearance ;
tenderness is evinced on pressing the abdomen ; the pulse is
full and throbbing ; the dung is small and hard, and covered
with a slimy substance. The same course of treatment should
be pursued as is recommended for enteritis.

CIAERUCEA,

255

Dysentery (molten grease, or inflammation of the intestines),
is often confounded with diarrhoea. It is sometimes accom!
panied with purging, but this is by no means an invariable
symptom. The most common causes are irritation, translation
or obstructed perspiration, and the administration of improper
purging medicines, causing undue irritation, wliich terminates
in inflammation. The animal usually evinces but little pain ;
the pulse is quick and small ; there is sometimes purging,'
with great prostration of strength.

The belly should be well rubbed with the following wash :
half a pound of strong mustard ; four ounces of spirits of
ammonia ; and one pint of water. The following drink may
be given every three hours until some improvement is ob-
served, when it should be discontinued at once : of prepared
chalk and tincture of ginger each one ounce ; powdered opium
one drachm ; tincture of catechu half an ounce ; tincture of
red pepper two drachms ; and one pint of water. Throw up
Injections of two ounces of laudanum in half a pint of water,
frequently, and give thin gruel to drink. No blood should
be taken under any circumstances.

DIAREHCBA.

This disease often arises in the absence of any inflammatory-
action upon the mucous surface of the intestines ; and hence
the distinction cannot be made by the ordinary observer be-
tween ft and dysentery, if purging should be present. In
order to obviate this difficulty we recommend only such reme-
dies as are cal^nlated to answer either case, without the pos-
sibility of doing injury by the administration of medicines

256 INORDINATE APPETITE.

The causes of diarrhoea are over-exertion, exposure to cold,
drinlving freely of pump or spring water, and over doses of

physic.

For treatment, give in one pint

of thin grael, one ounce of pre-

p arc d

chalk,

i. half an

^S^5; o u n c 0

^^ of tine-

^^^^2 ture of
S^ catecliu,

TALSY OP THE STOMACH.

25T

^^ two
ounces
of tine-
^ ture of
^^^ opium,
and one ounce of tincture of
ginger. Gruel, starch, or arrow-
root should be freely given; good
sweet hay is very advantageous,
but no grass or bran mashes should be alloNvcd.

«MAB rUHA, IHB TC»KISH CHIErTAlX.

INOKDINATE APPETITE.

Loss Of appetite is soon observed aud complained of by iho
borse-owner. and in too many instances gives occasion lor im-
proper medication. Some horses are particularly cho.ec m
the selection of their food, refusing that which is poor, or
daintily and languidly picking it over. Horses sometimes eat
Jowly and daintily iu consequence of weakness of the diges-

tive organs; in such cases a handful of camomile flowers occa
sionally mi.xed in the food will be of great benefit. Boiled
potatoes and the like will also be found beneficial in such

cases,

•

The disease (for it is no less) of a voracious or depraved
appetite arises from a morbid condition of the di^^estive
organs, and is generally regarded by horsemen as a very"desir-
able feature. The owner is greatly surprised, under such cir-
cumstances, that his animal does not thrive. A distinction
must be made between a healthy and a morbid appetite. The
former is indicated by the animal being ready for his food as
soon as he come, in from work, and eating his allowance if
good sweet provender, with evident relish; but the latter is
indicated by a constant craving for food and water, without
regard to the quality of either, the animal oftentimes in addi-
tion to h.s usual allowance eating up tlie Jitter fwm under
tim, which is frequently i„ a very filthy condition. He is
almost constantly craving water, and will drink even from a
stagnant pool. We find him tucked up in the flanks, or carry-
'ng a big belly ; his dung is often soft, slimy, and fetid ; ho
«tale« largely, and his urine is often very fonl ; he is dull hzy
and Hupid, performing his work languidly or unwillinHy'
feueh horses arc more than any others subject to the disease
next mentioned.

PALSY OP THE STOMACH.

in this disease, arising from a voracious appetite, the
« omach becomes overloaded with food, and distenled beyond
"•" "a.nial eapacity. This is seldom observed until the symp-
toms are so plainly marked as not to be mistaken, developing

258

EUPTURB OP THE STOMACn.

t
I

in many instances the disease known as stomach staggers,
which has been ah-eady mentioned. There are rarely any
symptoms of acute pain ; the pulse remaining in nearly its
natural condition ; respiration is but slightly disturbed ; there
i, great heaviness of the head ; the horse stands with the
forefeet well under him, and appears to be weak in the k.iecs;
the membranes of the month and eyes present a yellow or
orange appearance, indicating the liver as involved in the
disease -, the urine is highly colored ; and in so.ne cases there
is paralysis of the eye, and often of the extremities.

The treatment required is much the same as in stomach
8ta."-ers ; in fact, this disease is the origin of the last named.
Attention should be directed in the first place to opening the
bowels, which requires a strong cathartic, made in the follow-
ing manner : of Barbadoes aloes one ounce ; of pulverized
gentian root two drachms; pulverized ginger one drachm;
mix with molasses. Give no food for at least forty-eight
hours; a little water may be occasionally given. In twelve
hours' after the ball, give one scruple of calomel on the
tongue, which may be repeated at intervals of twelve hours for
two or three days.

BTTPTUBB OP THE STOMACH.

Rupture of the stomach or diaphragm is caused by the
Btomach and bowels being distended with food far beyond
their natural capacity, or by an accumulation of gas in the
stomach, as in flatulent colic. The diaphragm, or midriff, is
often ruptured in cases of flatulence, as is the case also with
the intestines. As nothing in the way of treatment can be
offered in these cases, all speculation upon them is superfluous.

■\

CALCULUS, OB STONY CONCRETIONa

259

CALCULUS. OR 8TONY CONCRETIONS.

Calculous deposits are not unfrequently found in the stomach
Intestines, bladder, kidneys, liver, brain, and in the glands'
more particularly in the salivary glands ; often giving rise to
raucl. difficulty, particularly when situated in the brain, salivary
glands, or bladder.

stones in the .stomach and intestines of the horse are quite
common. Tlie author has seen several weighing from one to
three or four pounds ; and Mr. Spooner mentions one i„ his
possession weighing little less than six pounds. There were
found by the author in the stomach of a horse which died of
colic, one hundred and fifty-one barrel nails, two buttons and
three small calculi. This horse belonged to a baker, and had
been M with the scrapings of the shop. The nails presented a
very singular appearance, many of them being entirely covered
with calculous deposits, and others covered with the same
deposits on the heads and points, presenting a body with two
beads.

The presence of these foreign bodies in the stomach and
inte.stines occasions frequent attacks of colic, and sometimes
produces inflammation of the bowels. Miller's horses are
supposed to be most subject to these accumulations. These
abdominal calculi generally have a metallic nucleus, are com-
posed of the triple phosphates, and are generally round and
smooth. When first taken from the intestines, they are of a
brown or greenish color, but they soon become white. When
a horse is subject to frequent attacks of colic, not occasioned
oy feeding upon corn, these accumulations may reasonably bo
suspected to be the cause.

■ i , ■,attwii*v^>vev»'Waarm'Wf^^-'^-'-- ^^'i-*^

«60

STRANGULATION OF THE INTESTINES.

SPASMODIC COLIC.

261

■v.

HAIR BAIili.

Hair balls are occasionally found in the stomach and intcs-
tines of a horse, generally accumulating around a metallic nu.
cleus. There are several in the possession of the author where
a piece of iron is the nucleus, and one where a piece of coal
afforded the same basis. These balls occasion the same disor-
ders, preceded by the same symptoms, and followed by the same
results as the calculus. The animal may recover from a number
of attacks of colic, and die at last from the same cause.

BTBANGUIiATION OP THE INTESTINES.

On examining horses after death from an attack of colic, the
small intestines are occasionally found tangled in a knot so as
to cause a complete obstruction in the passages. This gives
rise to colic pains, terminating in inflammation of the bowels
and death. The small intestines being but loosely attached by
the peritoneum, their outer covering, have free play in all dircc
tions, whence the tendency arises to these accidents ; for the
author believes them to spring from accidental rather than
natural causes. There may be a simple twisting, or the intes-
tine may be firmly tied into a knot.

There is another species, called intro-susception, or intra-sus-
ception, which is a slipping of one portion of the intestines into,
or inside of, another portion, thus completely blocking up the
passage. There are no symptoms by which either of these
conditions may be known ; and such cases are therefore treated
as cases of ordinary colic, or of inflammation of the bowels, as
the case may be. Where, however, such a condition of the
parts exists, all treatment will be useless.

SPASMODIC COLIC.

This disease, called by farriers gripes, cramp, fret, &c. is a
cramp or spasm of the muscular structure of the intestines most
generally of the small ones. The most common causes are the
application of cold water to the surface of the body, drinkin..
cold water when in a heated condition, costiveness, stones i^
the intestines, hair ball, strictures of the intestines, unwholesome
food, <tc.

The premonitory symptoms are sudden in their nature The
an.mal is first observed pawing violently, showing evident symp-
toms of great distress, shifting his position almost constantly
and manifesting a desire to lio down. In a few minules these'
symptoms disappear, and the animal is again easy. But the
same uneasiness again returns, increasing i„ severity until the
ammal cannot be kept upon his feet; the pulse is full, but
scarcely altered from the normal standard. As the disease ad-
vances, the symptoms become more severe, the animal at time,
throwing himself with great force upon the ground as though
he were shot, looking anxiously at his sides, sometimes snap-
ping at them with his teeth, and striking his belly with his hind
feet The symptoms vary but little from those of inflammation
of the bowels, the condition of the pulse and the remission of
I'am being the distinguishing features. The extremities are of
a natural temperature ; there are frequent but ineffectual efforts
to stale, and a cold sweat bedews the body.

In this disease it is necessary to back-rake, and throw up the
fundament injections of castile soap and water. Give internally
two ounces of nitrous ether, one ounce of tincture of opium, and
f alf a pmt of water mixed, which may be repeated in twenty

262

FLATULENT COLIC.

minutes with the addition of one ounce of tincture of aloes.
Rub the belly well with mustard and water ; if in half an hour
there is no improvement, and no symptoms of inflammation are
present, give of lactucarium half an ounce, of Jamaica ginger
half an ounce, and one pint of the best rum or gin ; shake well
together, and give one-third with twice the quantity of water
every hour until relief is obtained.

FLATULENT COLIC

This is an accumulation of gas in the stomach and intestines,
occurring more often in the spring and fall than at any other
season. Horses fed on corn are most sub- |^^^^^^^

ject to these attacks, in consequence of this g
kind of food ferment-
ing readily in the
stomach, more par-
ticularly when green.
If the accumulation
of gas thereby occa-
sioned is not arrested, =^
it soon swells the

stomach and intes- «,r ^kchy. the godolphix of America.

tines to such an extent as to cause the diaphragm, or walls of
the stomach to give way, and the death of the animal ensues.
The author has known cases to terminate in death in less than
half an hour from the observation of the first symptoms, so
rapid is the course of this disease. The symptoms are the same
in spasmodic colic, with the exception of the swelling of the
abdomen. The same medicines are to be used, with the addi-
tion of from one to two drachms of chloride of lime in each dose,

WORMS.

26a

according to the urgency of the symptoms. This, i( gi^^n i„
time, will generally prove efficacious. Tincture of hartshorn
and spa-Its of turpentine are recommended by some veterinary
authors, and are excellent remedies; but as much injury has
been caused by their use by inexperienced persons, the author
would not advise their use since the animal may be killed by an
improper administration of them.

WOHMS.

Four kinds of woms are found in the horse, viz : the h,mbrici
which very ,„uch resemble the common earth-worm i« form •
ascarides, so called from their supposed resemblance to a thread '
t^iua. or tape-worm, of which variety but little is known as il
.s very rare; and, lastly, the persecuted bots, consider^ by
farmers and horsemen the greatest of pests and the most dan-
gerous of all the species.

The lumbrici are most generally found in the small intestines
h-here they sometimes do much mischief by their irritating effects'
The author was recently shown a very remarkable specimen of
tliese worms by his friend, W. W. Fraley, V. S. This specimea
was some two yards long, consisting of a portion of the small
K'testmes so completely filled with these worms as apparently
to render it almost impossible for anything to pass through it,
the worms having accumulated in thousands. These worms are
from eight to ten inches in length, round and perfectly white.
There appear to be two varieties of the lumbrici. The other
variety is similar in form and length, but has numerous brown
transverse lines, at about equal distances from each other, along
>ts entire length.

The ascarides are found in the large intestines, and are white

irORMS.

BOTS.

265

worms from one to three inches In length. It is a somewTiat
singular fact, that although these worms are usnally found in
the large intestines^ their origin, apparentlj, is in the stomach
of the horse. On opening horses after death, tumors are often
found in the stomach, which upon beiug eut open will be found
to contain either a thick whitish matter, or knots of small
worms, from half an inch to an inch in length, of precisclj the
same appearance as that of the ascarides, and belicTed bj the
anthot' to be identical with them.

The symptoms of worms are a rongh,. harsh, starfng coat ;
Irregular or depraved api>etite; a whitish, or yellowish white,
§hining substance sometimes obseryable about the futtdameni,
accompanied by a disposition on the part of the auinoal to rub
the tail ; breath occasionally hot and fetid ; and m sotne cases
a diy, short cough. The animal becomes poor iu Acsh au;d
spirits.

Various modes of treatment harebceri adopted with hot tittle
benefit. The remedies which have becoiwe most popular are
tartar emetic, calamel^ turpentine, a» infusion of Indian pink,
arsenic, green vitriol, Ac. Tliat which has wsaally been found
most successful in the author's practice is to give one of the fol-
lowing powders for three successive nights ; of calomel three
drachms; of tartar emetic one dniehn>*y mix aiid divide into
three powders. Twenty -four hours after, give the following
purgative ball: of Barhadocs aloes six drachms; pnlvcriied
ginger two drachms ; and pulverized gentian root one drachm.
Oil of turpentine in doses of two ounces has been rery highly
Tecommended by some authors ; but this the author regards as
A dangerous remedy, from its tcudeucy to produce iu&ammatlou

of the stomach or bowels. Too many horses have been killed
by its destructive agency to render its use advisable.

BOTS.

These are the larva? of the gad-fly. During the summer
months, when the horse is at grass, the parent fly is seen busilj

engaged in depositing its eggs upon the

hairs of the animal in such places as are

easily reached by his mouth. This seems

to be an instinctive feature in this insect.

The legs, shoulders, and body are the parts

selected for this purpose. The gad-fly is

seen hovering in an upright position when ^^"^^^"^ "^^"^ o« bot.

about to deposit her errg; she then darts upon the horse, fixing

the egg to the hairs by means of a glutinous substance ; she

again prepares another, which is deposited in like manner, until

many hundreds are observed covering the hairs of the animal.

The rapidity with which these eggs are prepared and deposited
IS astonishing. They are taken into the mouth by the animal
l>iting or licking himself or his mate, and are hatched upon the
tongue, or taken into tlie stomach and there hatched. If the
eggs are recently produced, they pass into the stomach before
they are hatched ; but if they remain for a considerable time
"l>on the hairs, they are hatched by the warmth of the ton^^ue
«nd they pass into the stomach, where they are developed.'
ilns fact may be easily and satisfactorily proven by takin- the
newly deposited ogg m the hand, and then applying a warm
fl">d ; when it will be observed that the egg is softened or dis-
solved, but docs not produce the bot ; whereas, if the egc be

»; *

I'M

26G

BOTS.

old, it will hatch in the hand. The investigations of Mr. Bracy

Clark, V. S., have thrown much additional light upon the

natural history of these parasites.

The dread entertained of this species of worms by farmers

and horsemen arises from the f\ict that so many useless books
have been published, purporting to be guides to the
farmer and horseman, many of which attribute tire
death of a majority of horses to ravages of the bot,
and give as symptoms of their presence those which
characterize inflammation of the bowels, kidneys, blad-
der, and the like. To this circumstance is to beiuj
attributed the vast distruction of life by drenching and
physicking the animal for bots. Now, a rational view
of the subject leads us but to one conclusion, viz., that

Eoos OX ii^Q stomach of the horse is the natural habita-

A HAia. EOOS

tion of the bot, and that it cannot be, or is not, ^^''^^^^^^
developed anywhere else. This being the case, it is reasonable
to suppose that inasmuch as the animal apparently suffers
no inconvenience from their presence in his stomach, they
were intended to serve some good purpose, rather than to do
mischief. Indeed, without going to the extreme of asserting,
as does Mr. Clarke, that bots are ''always harmless," it may
be safely asserted as the unanimous opinion of veterinary sur-
geons (farriers are not included), the world over, that they are
comparatively harmless, and that when they do become injurious,
it is almost always preceded by some morbid condition of the
digestive organs. This may either arise from disease, or from
enormous accumulations of bots, which are sometimes so great
as to completely block up the pyloric orifice, or opening from
the stomach into the intestines.

BOTS.

26T

There are no symptoms by which the existence of bots is in.
dicated, except it be in the spring, when they pass from the
borsj^by the fundament, assuming again the form of a chrysa-
lis to re-produce tl)e parent fly. As lias already been
stated, the symptoms of other diseases, as inflam
mation of the bowels, &c., are often assigned as indicat-
ing the presence of bots, but although bots rany some-
times give rise to these conditions, it is worse than
folly to jump at the probable cause in such cases and
c.mP,M..K, say that it is a case of bots because a horse looks at
his sides and the like. When such an instance is
encountered, no matter whether it arise from bots or not, the
animal must be treated for the inflammation which is present.
If we succeed in controlling it, and restoring the stomach to
healthy action, the bots are no longer troublesome ; but if, on
the contrary, we commence drenching the animal for bots the
chances are that we shall kill him. Morbid conditions of tho

stomach will sometimes so incom.
mode these little creatures as to
cause them to escape from their un-
pleasant situation, which is com-
monly effected by perforating tho
walls of the stomach and allowin"
the fluids to escape into the abdo-
men, in which case no medical agent
will save the animal's life. Forfu-

cATF.Rr,u*K OR .,;;;^xnn.R,Ka '"'^^^^' ''°"''=^«'". "'ese CascS but

TO THE u.„»a 0, THB sToaAcii. Tarcly occur. The author has met
J'tli but a solitary case in an experience of ten years where
death could be attributed to the action of bots.

We know, morcoTcr, from frequent experiments that the

< J

»rt

• ,

268

DISEASES OP THE LIVER.

INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER.

horse hot is more tenacious of life than even the cat, which is

popularly endowed with nine lives. The
live bot has been immersed in spirits of tur-
pentine, alcohol, nitric and muriatic acid, and
THB RED oAD-FLT. mauj othcr equally powerful fluids, and yet
lie still adhered to life with marvelous tenacity. If, then it
K^^ were possible to detect the presence of bots by any
marked symptoms, the attempt to remove them would
certainly be hazardous to the life of the animal. The
author has known cases of flatulent colic to be treated
for bots, when, upon opening the stomach after the
death which inevitably ensued, not a solitary bot was
D^FLT. *^ ^^ ^^""^- It will be borne in mind that in
large cities, where horses are not indulged in a run at grass it
is no unusual occurrence to find their stomachs entirely free
from bots.

CATERPILLAR OF
THE RED UA

DISEASES OF THE LITER.
Diseases of the liver are of very common occurrence in the
horse, although the singularity of the internal structure of that
animal renders it less liable to jaundice than the human being.
The horse possesses no gall-bladder ; instead of such a reservoir
it has simply a gall-duct, called the hepatic duct, which enters
that portion of the intestines called the duodenum about six
inches from the stomach, so that the gall is emptied into the
bowels as fast as it is secreted. Various opinions have been ex-
pressed touching this singular arrangement in the liver of the
horse, any examination of which would be out of place in the
present work. We proceed therefore to the mention of ^uch
diseases as come apparently under the above head.

■4

-i

':?

269

INFLAMMATION OP THE LIVEB.

Hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, does not generally
exist as a primary afl-ection, though it is frequently found- as a
sympathetic one, being not uncommonly connected with epi-
demies, or epizootic diseases, particularly in that which is known
to horsemen as pink-eye distemper.

The most common cause of this disease is a fullness of blood,
or a plethoric condition of the system, in consequence of which
too much blood is sent to the liver; want of exercise, and too
high feeding, particularly with corn, are also causes of inflam-
niation of this important organ.

The symptoms of this disease are more obscure than those
of any other part, and the difficulty is materiaFly enhanced by
the inability of the animal to assist us with his tongue. Still,
by close observation we can trace the symptoms with such a
degree of accuracy as to render our treatment almost a cer-
tainty. The mouth and breath are hot; the extremities cold ;
the membrane lining the eyelids highly injected, presenting an
orange-red appearance ; the pulse rises from seventy to one
iHindred or more a minute, and is soft and full ; the appetite
lost; the animal looks wistfully and deploringly at his sides;
lies down, but gets up again directly ; the respiration at times
IS perfectly tranquil, at other times slightly disturbed, and at
others again very much disturbed, and distressing to the ani-
mal— so that, in fact, the amateur cannot be governed by this
Bjmptom,— there is usually much tenderness of the right side;
and the dung small, hard, and generally dark-colored.

In the acute stage the animal is generally in a state of
plethora, in consequence of which a small quantity of blood

t r

' . I

210

JAUNDICE.

may be taken to good advantage ; but in the absence of
plethora he must not be bled ; a blister may be applied to the
sides, or the application of creosote will be found serviceable.
Injeltions of castile soap and water should be used occasion^
ally until the bowels are opened. Give every four hours one
of the following balls: of Barbadoes aloes six drachms;
calomel three drachms ; mix with molasses, and divide into
twelve parts. Keep the body warm, and bandage the legs
with flannel ; turn into a loose box stall, where the atmosphere
is pure. When convalescent, give one of the following balls
night and morning: of sulphate of iron two ounces; pulver.
ized gentian root one and a half ounces ; pulverized Jamaica
ginger one ounce ; and pulverized anise seed one ounce: mix
with molasses, and divide into sixteen parts.

JAUNDICE.

This disease depends upon an obstruction of the biliary ex-
cretions, causing a yellow discoloration of the mucous mem-
brane, fat, ligaments, and other tissues of the body ; it will
oftener be found in connection with other diseases than dis-
tinct and independent of them, although it does occasionally
exist in a pure or unmixed form, the symptoms of which m
not at first observed by the horseman on account of their
obscurity.

The lining membranes of the eyelids and lips are of a yellow
or orange color, extending even to the white of the eye ; tiie
dung paie, small, and bally; bowels generally constipated;
appetite lost or languid ; the animal hangs his head, is dull
and mopy, and becomes very poor in flesh.

HEPATIRRHCEA.

211

In the treatment of this disease the principal reliance is
upon calomel ; two drachms of which made into a bolus with
fla.\seed meal and mola.sses should be given, followed in
twenty-four hours by a purging ball. The animal should have
moderate exercise daily ; his body should be kept warm ; and
if there be pain in the right side, apply a blister ; if necessary,
the calomel may be repeated in scruple doses once a week.

HEPATIEHHtEA. «

This is a rupture of the peritoneal coat of the liver, and
hemorrhage from it. It occurs most generally in aged horses
and is always preceded by structural derangement, or disorgani!
zation which, from the obscurity of the symptoms escapes
notice until it is too late for medical aid. The animal gener-
ally does his work as usual until within a few hours of his
death, keeping in full condition, «nd presenting to the eye of
his owner no appearance of disease. The symptoms are so
gradual in their development as to escape observation until
the peritoneum, or covering of the liver, gives way, or becomes
ruptured, from the great distension of the liver, when the
blood flows freely into the abdominal cavity, giving rise to the
most alarming symptoms, and the horse often dies within an
hour after he is first discovered to be ill.

The symptoms which are noticeable are suddenly developed,
and generally appear immediately after eating or drinking.'
The animal will sometimes fall suddenly, and die in a few
""nutes, without having shown any previous indisposition ; at
otiier times the respiration becomes hurried, the belly begins
Jo swell, the pulse becomes gradually diminished and very
«l>Ie, partial or general sweating takes place, the animal

l>: -3

t ,1

272

DECAYED STRUCTURE OF THE LIVER.

walks with a tottering gait, the membranes lining the eyelids
lips, and nose, become blanched, indicating internal henior.
rhage, there is a vacant stare in the eye, with great prostra-
tion of strength, which soon terminates in death. Upon
opening the abdomen, it is found filled with dark venous
blood in a fluid state, and the liver is several times its
natural size, and exceedingly tender. Where it is possible to
detect the existence of the disease in its incipient stages,
calomel would be the appropriate remedy, as it is as justly
entitled to rank as a specific for the diseases of the liver of
the horse, as it is for those of his master— man.

DECAYED STRUCTURE OP THE LIVER.

This also is a disease of common occurrence, though like
the other diseases of this organ, the symptoms, from their
obscurity, are not well understood by tiie veterinary practi-
tioner, but little attention having as yet been paid to its in-
vestigation.

The first symptoms noticed are loss of appetite; surfeit;
the being hide-bound ; rough, staring coat; food passing un-
digested; stools of a clay color; prostration of strength;
readiness to sweat ; pulse quick but feeble ; respiration hur-
ried; sometimes violent purging, after which the animal
usually dies.

Caution is necessary in the treatment of this variety of dis-
eased liver. Bleeding must not be resorted to upon any con-
Bideration. In the absence of purging, give one of the fol-
lowing balls every other day : of calomel half an ounce ; Bar-
badoes aloes one ounce ; resiu three ounces ; mix with molasses,

INFLAMMATION OP THE BLADDER. 2T3

and divide fnto six balls. Upon the intermediate days give
of sulphate of potash one and a half ounces ; carbonate of
potash one ounce ; pulverized Jamaica ginger half an ounce •
linseed meal two ounces : mix with molasses, and divide into
Six balls.

DISEASES OP THE URINARY ORGANS.

INFLAMMATIOIf OP THE BLADDEB.

Inflammation of the bladder, or cystitis, is a disease of com-
parat.vely rare oceun^nce i„ tl>e horse, and generally is found
.n connccfon with other diseases. It is commonly supposed
to occur more frequently in mares; although the author's ex-
perience has not confirmed this supposition.

The symptoms are con-
tinual emission of urine in

«mall quantities ; the moment
it snters tlie bladder it is
again e.xpelled, but Toided
with much straining ; pulse
nceelerated; pawing; the
"niraal looks imploringly at

fl'»"'vs ; and upon passing ^'""'a •,,« ,or. o» a kac,

the hand into the rectum, the bladder will be found contracted
«nd hard as a ball, being also hot and tender

0- e? Z'"^"""^ °^ '^"^^^' ''''■-^ *« --7>..on three
of uncture of opium. Gire internalljr one and a half

1'.' -

2Y4

RETENTION OF URINE.

y^'

pints of linseed oil, to which may be advantageously addej
one drachm of chloroform. Bathe the loins with the follow.
ing mixture •: of strong mustard, a quarter of a pound ; water
half a pint ; hartshorn, two ounces : mix thoroughly together
;fand rub it well in. Give half a drachm of lactucariura three
'times a day ; or, if more convenient, the extract of belladonna
may be substituted. Give plenty of flaxseed tea ; if the animal
refuses to drink it, drench him with it. No hay must be
given until twenty-four hours after he becomes convalescent
This is one of the most dangerous diseases to which the horse
is subject.

KETENTION" OP UBIlSrE.

This disease, technically known as spasm of the neck of the
bladder, is found more frequently as an attendant upon other
diseases than as an independent affection. It frequently occurs
in colics as an accompanying symptom, thus misleading the
ordinary observer in his judgment of the disorder.

The most common symptom is frequent but unsuccessful
efforts to stale. This, however, must not be depended upon
loo strongly ; as it will sometimes be observed in horses that
are comparatively sound in these organs, particularly in those
that have been well cared for. In such cases this temporary
retention of urine arises from a dislike on the part of the
animal of splattering his legs in voiding his water ; hence he
grill often retain it in the bladder, though painful to him, until
ihe litter is placed under him, when he at once stretches him-
self, and the urine flows freely and copiously. This fact has
given rise to a superstitious notion among horsemen, that
there is some peculiar virtue iu the straw to cause this suddfco

PROFUSE STALING.

cure; as a consequence, we frequently hear the remark, "Pat
some straw under him— that will cure him," etc.

If, however, retention of urine arises frim disease, the straw
possesses no magic charm to afford relief. In such instances
the animal manifests but little pain, and rarely lies down On
passing the hand up the rectum or fundament, the bladder
wh.h IS easily felt, will be found very much distended with'
urine.

The services of a regular veterinarj practitioner will be re-
quired :n the treatment of this disease, as the bladder must be
at once evacuated, which can in most cases be accomplished
bj means of an instrument called the catheter, which is not
commonly found in the hands of any but the qualified sur-
geon^ This desired evacuation can in some instances be pro-
dueed b, careful manipulation. Back-raking is very necessary
.n these cases, and injections of soap and water should be freely
used Unless the bladder is speedily emptied, it swells and
bursts, causing a fatal termination. Fomentations of hot
^'ater to the abdomen, and pressure of the hand upon the

PROFUSE STALLING.

in rh!f ''":,""'' '^'" '"'^*"' '^ *^^ ^^^^"-' — nco
sol r ", ''""'^' '-''' '-''''''• '-P''-'^ ^PPefte.

wnoiesome food, and the like.

'"ed.omal substances being used in its abatement-as catelhu.

. (;;
I'. >* I
Hi

III

-th

••,1

2T6

BLOODY URINE.

oak bark, gum kino, opium, chalk, etc. Either of these in
moderate doses will usually check the copious flow of urine
Either of the following will be found sufficient ; uva ursi (bear's
whortleberry), powdered, two ounces ; oak bark pulverized, four
ounces ; catechu pulverized, one ounce ; opium pulverized, twd
drachms : mix either with molasses or honey, and divide into
six balls, giving one every day. Or, the following may be
used with equal advantage : opium pulverized, half an ounce-
sulphate of iron, one ounce ; gentian root pulverized, one
ounce : mix with molasses, and divide into six balls — one to be
given every day.

BLOODY tJBINE.

This disease, known also as hematura, frequently arises from
strains across the loins, violent exercise, unwholesome food,
calculous concretions in the kidneys, etc. It is not attended
by symptoms of general derangement; the appetite is not
usually impaired, nor is any marked degree of fever present.
The color of the urine first calls attention, iu voiding which
the animal appears to strain slightly.

If the bowels are at all costive, injections should at once be
thrown up the rectum ; linseed tea should be given as a drink;
mustard applications to the loins. Give internally one of the
following once a day ; of sugar of lead, one ounce ; linseed
meal, two ounces ; mix with molasses or honey, and divide
into eight pills ; follow this for ten or twelve days, with one
drachm of sulphuric acid in a pail of water to drink. Catecho,
logwood, dragon^s blood, oak bark, etc., have been used with
advantage.

STONES IN THE KIDNEYS.

These concretions, which are quite common in the horse
are of a pale, dirty yellow color, elongated or conical in form,
- and much softer than any of the other varieties heretofori
mentioned. " We have better evidence," says Mr. Blain, " than
mere supposition ; for urinary calculi (or stones in the kid-
neys), have been fcund in horses which have died with symp,
toms which might have been mistaken for very acute enter,
itis, or inflammation of the bowels. We may also suppose
that the early accumulations would occasion irregular and di-
minished secretion of urine, followed at length by a bloody
purulent mixture with the water, until more active symptoms
should arise, and carry off the horse. Concretions within the
kidneys might be removed in their early state by remedies
tending to decompose them in the urinary pelvis. For this
purpose we have mineral acids, of which the hydrochloric, as
holding the silicious matter in solution, is to be preferred.
The mineral acids pass through the body unchanged, being
emitted with the urine in a state of purity. »'
^ A better opportunity is afi-orded us of discovering calculus
in the urinary organs, than in any other parts ; for an examina-
tion of the urine, when placed under the microscope, will enable
^s to detect its presence. When these deposits are ascer-
tained, give in every pail of water which the animal drinks,
two drachms of hydrochloric (muriatic) acid, which will iu »
«hort time be drunk with a relish by him.

■y. !'

278

TONES IN THE BLADDER.

CONTRACTION OP THE HOOF.

279

STONES IN THE BLADDER.

These differ from stones in the kidneys in form and exter-
nal appearance ; presenting, in consequence of the constant
washings of the calculus by the urine an uneven, or what ia
called a mulberry appearance ; externally, it is of a reddish
brown color. When these stones are quite large, very great
inconvenience is occasioned to the animal.

Stones in the bladder may exist a long time before any per.
ceptible symptoms of their existence are manifested. The
urine is generally thick and of a whitish color, mth frequent
desire to void the urine, accompanied with difficulty and pain;
the urine occasionally presents a bloody appearance ; in some
cases all the symptoms of colic are present, rendering it diffl.
cult to distinguish between the two disorders. If the pain is
severe, the animal paws violently, kicks at his sheath, lies down,
rolls, and gets up again quickly, sweats in various parts of the
body, giving off the odor of urine.

For treatment, we should first attempt the dissolution of the
stones, as recommended for stones in the kidneys, or we should
remove them by the operation of lithotomy, which will be de-
scribed under the head of surgical operations. If they are
small, they may sometimes be extracted through the urethra, a
process which is very easy in the case of mares.

DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.

1^1

CONTRACTION OF THE HOOF.

To horses that are kept in cities, or in stony sections of the'

country, this disease is one of the most common occurrence. In

-— _ the middle and southern portions of New Jersey,

and Ohio, and in many other sections where the

shoeing of the horse is
not called for except in
frosty weather, contrac-
tion of the hoof is com-
paratively rare, in con-
sequence of the feet
being unfettered by that

THE FAST-TROTTINQ STALLTON, GEORGE M. PATCHBN. ^^^^ baUd, thC ShOC.

This trouble is gradual in its approach ; the first indication
being a dry, brittle, unyielding hoof; the heels gradually be-
coming narrower, until they are painful. The hoof no longer
Accommodates itself to the soft structure within its limits, and,
In consequence, the concussion is greater and the elasticity
very much less. The parts therefore become bruised, and fever
ensues, which still further facilitates the contraction of the hoof
by absorbing its moisture ; lameness follows as the natural and
inevitable result. Upon an examination of the animal sweenie
is decided upon by the horseman as the disease to which ho
is subject ; a disease, by the way, which, we beg to say, the
veterinary surgeon never yet has met.

The primary cause of this trouble is, undoubtedly bad shoeing,
the preventives of which have already been fully unfolded.

1*1

280

CORNS.

Standing upon plank-Qoors has also a tendency to produce it
as it absorbs the moisture of the hoof, and renders it brittle and
liable to crack. Traveling upon hard stony roads, with shoes
that are beveled inwards, also predisposes the feet to this dis-
©rder.

The treatment most, necessarily, be slow in its operation ; yet
by careful management it is sure. The shoes must, in the'fiist
place, be removed, and the feet well poulticed for several days
until the hoof and frogs become perfectly soft. The animal
■hould then be carefully shod, as heretofore directed ; apply
daily, until the heels are fully spread, the following ointment;
of rosin, four ounces; beeswa.v, four ounces; lard, two pounds;'
tallow, one pound ; melt together, and. when cool, stir in four
ounces of oil of turpentine.

CORNS.

The first effect of contraction of the hoof is to bruise the sen-
Bitive parts wiihin their horny limits at that part of the foot
formed by the crust and bar, causing lameness, which may be
acute or chronic. These bruises are commonly called corns.
The reason why this portion of the foot should be so severely
bruised is obvious. The crust and bar forming a triangular space
between which a considerable portion of the sensitive laminse lie,
this bar by its resistance of the encroachments of the crust, causes
a twofold pressure upon the sensitive parts, acting much as
a vice, and thereby diminishing the triangular space. Upon
examination of the foot the horn is found hard, dry, and brittle.
with a strong tendency to crack on very slight concussion. On
removing a portion of the horn at the part of the foot indicated,
tie parts arc found to be contused, sometimes slightly, and at

CORNS.

381

others sererely. In the latter case the feet are in such a con-
dition as to require prompt attention, or a sloughing, or dis-
charge of matter, may take place, forming a sinus, or pipe-Iike
opening, through the quarter, .sometimes passing through the
coronet, and producing a condition, or disease, known ai
Quitter, which often terminates in permanent lameness and
deform itj.

When the lameness is of a chronic character, the poor beast
owing to his deprivation of speed, is compelled to suffer all
kinds of barbarous treatment, such as roweling, setoning, etc.
etc. As few believe corns to be of so serious a nature, the
most are ready to attribute the lameness to a disease, or a sup-
posed disease, which ezists only in their disordered imagina-
tions.

As symptomatic indications, it may be remarked that the
horse extends one foot in advance of the other, and rests upon
the toe, which causes a bending of the knee, with a hard, dry,
brittle, and contracted hoof.

By way of treatment, the hoof, around the corn should be
cut away so as to prevent pressure from the shoe ; the com
should be well cut out, and birnt with a hot iron, butter of an-
limony. muriatic acid, caustic silver, or the permanganate of
potash. He should then be carefully shod, and, if the frog is
elastic a bar shoe nicely fitted, with a perfectly level bearing,
Vould be best ; if, however, the frog is hard and unyielding, such
a shoe may prove injurious. Flaxseed poultices frequently ap-
Phed to the feet, together with the use of hoof ointment, will
f°°nd effectual ; a run at grass without sboei will also prov.
wneficial.

?i^

^ i

282

THEUSH.

QUITTER.

This i, an ulceration, or formation of pus, between the sen.
s.t.ve and insensible laminaa, or inner parts of the wall of the
hoof, generally situated on the inside quarter, forming sinuses or
p.p^hke openings. Neglected corns often produce this disease
as also caulking or bruises from any cause.

The first appearance upon the foot on the approach of thi,
disease ,s a hard conical tumor, hot, red. and smooth, which
soon becomes soft, breaks, and discharges pus. A probe should
first be antroduced by way of treatment, pointing out the direc
tu.n of thes,nuses; an injection of sulphate of zinc, one drachm
dissolved m a pint of water, should be thrown into the ope„i„.
n be foot by the means of a small syringe, once daily, and thl
foot should be occasionally washed with castile soap and water.
The early treatment should consist in poulticing with fla.xseed
mea for several days. If the case is very slow, use two dracho.,
of the chlonde of zinc to a pint of water; inject in the sa.e
mnner; cut away all loose parts of the horn, which will facili-
tate the cure. Glycerine has also been used by the author with
marked benefit

THRUSH.

This is a discharge of a matter from the cleft or division of
he frog, which occasionally produces lameness. It originates
fn,m a filthy condition of the stable, the animal being allowed
to stand m h.s dung, or upon foul litter. Horses that are well
cared for are rarely troubled with it. The symptoms are a rot-
tenness of the frog, accompanied by a discharge of fetid matter.
Lameness may, or may not, be present.

CANKER.

283

For treatment, wash the feet well with soap and water ; fill
the cleft with powdered sulphate of copper, and pack over it a
little tow; remove the filth from the stall, and the animal soon
recovers. An ointment may also be used, made of equal parts
of pine-tar and lard, melted over a slow fire ; when cool, add
sulphuric acid until ebullition ceases, and it is then fit for use.

CANKEK.

This arises from neglected thrush, often proving very difficult
to manage. It extends from the horny frog to the sensitive fro-
and sometimes to the navicular joint, involving the surrounding
parts, and causing much alteration or destruction of the structures
affected. It is by no means always a local disease, but is influ-
enced by a morbid or unhealthy condition of the blood. The au-
thor's attention was once called to a case of four years' standing
in which all the feet were involved, and the value of the animal
thereby so depreciated that he was sold to a shoeing-smith of
Philadelphia for the sum of twenty-five dollars, h.S cost being
some two hundred and fifty dollars. All treatment had failed
np to that time ; yet. notw/thstanding the long resistance of
the disease, it gradually yielded to constitutional treatment

For treatment, all loose horn should be removed, that the
parts may be properly dressed. If taken early, the following
wash may be used with success; of nitrate of silver, half an
ounce; water, one pint; shake welf together, and use once a
tlay. Or, the ointment of tar, lard, and sulphuric acid, recom-
mended in cases of thrush, may be usefully applied. Should
tl..s fad, apply once a day the following : of castor oil, one part j
collodion, two parts ; mix well together. Give internally half
a drachm of powdered nux vomica mixed in the feed, which

284

GREASE HEEL8.

!!f

should consist of green food, mashes, and a little hay. Corro.
sive sublimate in solution has been used wiih decided advantage;
as also chloride of zinc, chloride of lime, butter of antimony!
tincture of myrrh, sulphate of copper, glycerine, and many
other preparations.

SCKATCHES.

This disease, called also cracked heels, generally arises from
neglect, such as allowing the horse to stand in a filthy stall.
It is generally confined to the hind feet, and consists in a
swelling of the skin, causing in it one or more transverse
cracks, which discharge a sanious (thin, serous, and reddish)
matter at times ; while in other cases the parts are almost dry
but scurfy.

For treatment, wash well with soap and water ; take a shav-
ing, or other soft, brush, and make a lather of soap and water,
with which mix a small quantity of powdered charcoal ; rub this
Tvell in the fetlock, and let it dry, after which it can be rubbed
off. Two or three applications are generally successful. The
collodion and castor oil will also answer a good purpose; a
physic ball should first be given.

OKEASE HEELS.

This is the result of weakness in the capillary vesse.s or m
feet and legs, and is often preceded by dropsical effusions, which
frequently exist upon the leg as far as the hock or knee. Com-
mon-bred horses are supposed to be more liable to this disease,
wh.le thorough-bred are comparatively free from its attacks.

The principal causes are, doubtless, over-fceding and want
of exercise } since we generally find the disease associated with

GREASE HEELS.

285

a Dlethoric condition of the animal. As symptomatic, the skin

at first is hot, red, swollen, and tender, and discharges a white

^^^^^ oflFensive matter of a greasy feeling. As the

-— --^g^sea^e advances, this discharge thickens into

^gUie form of tears, and becomes
hard, presenting a grapy
appearance. Abscesses
are sometimes formed
about the heels, causing
fe the sloughing away of a
large portion of them.

This disease requires
constitutional, as well as

.THE children's PET. t i

local, treatment. Give
internally for four days one of the following balls : of Barbadoes
aloes, one ounce ; pulverized gentian root, half an ounce ; pul-
verized ginger, two drachms ; mix with molasses, and divide into
four balls. Follow this with halfdrachm doses of nux vomica
powdered ; wash the parts well with soap and water, and apply
flaxseed poultices, mixed with a solution of sulphate of zinc,
until the inflammation is considerably reduced ; then bathe care-
fully either with glycerine, or a solution of sulphate of zinc, or
the castor oil and collodion wash. If the discharge is very
offensive, use powdered charcoal and soap suds, allowing it to
dry upon the legs ; a solution of the chloride of lime may also

be used ; or a weak solution of corrosive sublimate is bene-
QciaL

286

WATER FARCY.

This disease, together with anasarca and oedema may be classed
under a common head, as they are but modifications of the same
disease, which depends upon general debility for its existence.
Two stages are, however, said to exist ; one with inflammation
and the other without ; one occurring in old horses, and the
other in young ones. One important difference should be noted •
the term anasarca is too extensive in its application to bo
properly associated with this disease, the term cedema being
preferable to it, as having a local meaning and being more cir-
cumscribed in its limits.

As symptoms, the legs, belly, sheath, and other parts become
swollen, and leave the impression of the fingers behind after
pressure. In old horses such pressure rarely causes pain, in-
flammation being absent ; but in young horses the legs particu-
larly are hot and painful to the touch.

In this disease we must depend upon tonic and diuretic me-
dicines; tonic, for the purpose of building up the system ; and
diuretic, to increase the secretions. The two should be com-
bined as follows: of sulphate of iron, two ounces; pulverized
gentian root, one ounce; pulverized ginger, half an ounce;
nitrate of potash, one ounce ; mix, and divide into eight powders,
giving one night and morning, with good nourishing food, and
allowing no corn. Or, the following will be found very useful :
of sulphate of copper, one ounce ; pulverized gentian root, one
and a half ounces; pulverized ginger, half an ounce; nitre, one
ounce ; ground anise seed, six drachms ; mix, and divide into
eight powders, giving one night and morning. Hand-rubbiug
and daily exercise will be necessary.

CRACKED HOOP.

28T

WEED. #

This is a disease similar io cedema, but makes its appearance
above the hock, and extends downward. The skin is hot, and
extremely sensitive to the touch ; so much so that the animal
throws the leg upward and outward as though to escape tor-
ture. The veins of the leg are full and corded.

For treatment, apply warm fomentations to the parts affected,
and give a purging ball, followed by the powders recommended
in the last disease.

CRACKED HOOF.

This disease, also called sand-crack, occurs only in the hoof
that is dry, hard, brittle, and contracted. The hoof in a'
natural, elastic condition can be bruised, but not split up if
double the force that splits the dry, contracted hoof is applied.
This crack occurs most generally at the quarters, and almost al-
ways in the fore feet, they being almost alone subject to con-
traction. If the crack extends through the hoof it causes very
painful lameness.

For treatment, the foot must first be carefully examined to
see that no dirt has worked in under the hoof; the loose parts
of the horn must be cut away ; a pledget of tow, saturated with
sulphate or chloride of zinc, or tincture of myrrh, should be ap-
plied, and a bandage carefully put on to keep it in place and
lieep out the dirt. As soon as the new horn has grown down
a little, draw a line across the top of the crack with a draw-
ing-knifo or firing-iron, and apply a little tar or hoof ointment.
If the crack is at the toe, a shoe with a band running across
from the heels to a little below the coronet in front, and united

288

PRTCKINa.

FALSE QUARTER.

289

by two screws, will often be all that is required, and the horse
may be kept at work ; but in quarter-crack it is unsafe to use
the animal, particularly if it extends through to the soft parts.
If the frog is in a healthy condition, which is rarely the case,
a bar shoe, eased at the quarter, will be found beneficial.

SOLE BEUISE AND GRAVEL.

Accidents frequently occur to the feet of horses from their
striking them forcibly upon stones and other hard substances.
Pressure of the shoe upon the sole is the occasional cause of
bruises of that part of the foot ; and tender heels more fre-
quently arise from bruises than from any other cause.

For treatment, if pus is secreted within the hoof— which
may be discovered by the acute pain caused by a light tap of
a hammer on that part of the hoof under which the matter is
situated— the hoof must be cut through, that the matter may
escape, as it will gradually work its way upward and make its
appearance at the top of the hoof, thus rendering the treat-
ment more difficult. After the matter escapes through tho
opening so made, throw in an injection of sulphate of zinc in
solution, one drachm to a pint of water. For the treatment
will be the same as recommended in quitter. Gravel some-
times works into these wounds, which must always be removed,
and the parts carefully washed.

PBICKINO.

This is an accident of too frequent occurrence, and happens
in various ways, as by treading upon sharp bodies, such as
broken glass, nails, etc., etc. It occurs more frequently, how-

eyer, m shoeing, owing to the nail not being properly pointed
or. in some cases, from the iron not being good splits one
part turning inward and the other outward. These acci
dents are not always the fault of the smith, and he should not
be unjustly censui-ed for what he could not obviate. If such
punctures are properly attended to, serious consequences rarely
ensue. The practice of closing up the wound after removing,
the nail, glass, or other sharp substance cannot be too strongly
condemned. It is doubtless in consequence of this sensefess
practice that so many horses ain. lost from lock-jaw, which
does not generally make its appearance until the animal has
apparently recovered from the wound; though upon an exami-

nation of the foot pus will often be found secreted within the

uoof.

When a horse picks up a nail, or is pricked by the smith, a
pouU.cc should at once be applied to the foot, txnd kept ou
or several days ; a cathartic ball should also be given, that the
bouels may be in good order; after the removal of the poul-
t'ce. apply the tar ointment, and no further trouble may be
anticipated.

FALSE QUARTER,

This is an im,,erfect formation of horn at the quarter, nhici,

d .s d.v.ded by a seam from the top to the bottom. It ii
result of i.yu.,v from quitter and other diseases, rendering

290

FOUNDEt:.

CORINITIg.

291

FOUNDER.

Founder, or larainitis, is an inflammatory condition of the
laminoe of the feet, which are the most sensitive parts of these
important appendages. Founder is said to be produced by
Tarious causes, such as hard driving, watering when warm,
standing in a draught of air, or upon plank floors, and many

others.

The author, however, views it in a diS*erent light, attributing^
its existence principally to one general cause, namely, contrac-
tion of the hoof, the causes before named being the immediate
or exciting causes. This view is sustained by many facts.
Founder does not occur in one case out of fifty in a healthy,
open foot ; nor are the hind feet often involved, as they are
rarely in a contracted condition.

The symptoms are a full, quick pulse, from sixty upwards;
accelerated respiration ; the fore feet are hot and tender, the
animal for relief throwing his body back upon the hind legs,
extending th^ fore legs until he rests upon the heels, and
Boraetimes lying down, particularly if the hind feet arc involved;
the animal also manifests much pain.

If the animal is in full condition, two quarts of blood
should be taken from each of the fore feet ; an active purging
ball should be given, followed by one-drachm doses of bella-
donna made into pills every four hours ; poultices of flaxseed
meal should be applied to the feet for several days ; injections
of soap and water, also ought not to be neglected. By this
treatment the animal is usually well again in a week, or even
less; but if the disease is neglected until it becomes chronic,
the animal will ever after remain unsound, though he may bo

rendered useful. From the alteration or disorganization of
structure that takes place, there can little be done in the
chronic stage except careful shoeing, which the smith should
understand.

PUMICED FOOT.

This is called by horsemen a faning of the sole. It is pre-
ceded by founder, and is, in reality, one of the termination,
of that disease, arising from the slow, continued inflammation
of chronic founder, which causes ab.sorption of the outer ed-^o
of the coffin bone, the latter thereby gradually losing its con-
cave surface, and becoming convex. The sole, yielding to
this gradual change, becomes flat, or, in some instances, con-
Te.v. Very little can be done in such cases by way of treat-
ment ; yet by careful shoeing the animal may be rendered use-
ful, although never sound.

CORINITIS.

This is an inflaiiimation of the coronary ligament, situated
within the upper part of the hoof and between the hoof and the
hair. This ligament secretes the horn forming the wall or
crust of the hoof, and when diseased ceases to perform its
function, or performs it f ery imperfectly ; as a consequence,
tlic coronet, or upper margin of the hoof, is contracted, which
causes the soft parts to bulge out in such a manner that it has
often been mistaken for ring-bone. This contraction often
causes lameness. The most frequent causes are, standing npon
plank floors, hard driving, and the neglect to apply softenin-
applications to the hoof. "

For treatment, apply a flaxseed poultice for several days, and

292

NAVICULARTHRITIS.

then a fly blister well rubbed in around the upper margin of the
hoof; afterward use the hoof ointment once a day, until the
coronet comes up full.

NAVICUIiAKTHRITIS.

Coffin-joint lameness, as it is generally termed, is a dis-
ease of very common occurrence, and often troublesome to
manage. This joint is formed by the union of three bones:
the OS pedis, or coffin-bone, situated immediately within
the hoof; the coronary, or small pastern bone, the lower
half of which is situated within the upper part of the hoof,
^ called the coronet, and uniting with the
OS pedis; and the navicular, situated be-

S tween and behind
the two, uniting
with both, and
forming the navi-
cular joint. This
joint is protected

THB FAMOUS TEOTTIICU MARE, FLORA TEMPLE. BgaiUSt lujliry frOOl

concussion by the fatty frog, the sensible frog, and the horny
frog, situated beneath it, and forming a soft elastic cushion on
which it may rest. So long as the foot remains in a healthy
condition, there is little danger of the occurrence of this dis-
ease. Even though the foot be strained very considerably,
and a high degree of inflammatory action be produced, this
disease will hardly arise, unless the inflammation becomes
chronic. The author regards its origin as mainly due to a
contracted condition of the feet, which, in fact, is the predis-
posing cause.

293

OSSITICATION OP THE LATERAL CARTILAGES.

Rarely, indeed, is navicular-joint lameness found existing in
feet that have open heels and elastic frogs. If from any cause
these frogs lose their moisture, they also lose their elasticity
and the foot therefore strikes the ground with ajar; inflamma'
lion of a chronic character sets in ; the synovia (joint-oil) be-
comes absorbed ; and caries of the bones is established which
destroys their articular surfaces and causes excessive lameness
Occasionally, owing to some new injury, acute inflammation
sets in, causing new depositions of bone to be thrown out and
uniting the three bones together; which union is called anchy.
losis. Tins condition may be known by stiffness, and the
animal walking upon the toe.

The symptoms of this disease have been confounded with
those of another disease of the foot, which has been discovered
by recent investigations. The horse is found to go lame upon
coming out of the stable, which wears off after traveling some
distance; one foot is observed in advance of the other when
the animal is at rest ; as the disease advances, the lameness
becomes more frequent, until at last it is permanent. Various
kmds of treatment have been resorted to, but with little
success, such as blistering, firing, etc. Of late years, the frog
seton has been introduced with very decided benefit. Should
tin's, too, fail, there is no hope but in the operation of nerving,
^vhich should only be performed in certain cases mentioned
binder the head of neurotomy.

OSSIFICATION OP THE LATEHAL CARTILAGES.

This is a transformation to bone of two projections of car-
t»J«??e, or gristle, springing from each side of the coffin bone
posteriorly, and known as the lateral cartilages. This disease

294

SPRUNG OR BROKEN KNEES.

was at one time called ring-bone, but the ring-bone of the
present day is quite a different disease. It arises from con-
cussion, and will rurely be found in any but contracted feet.

The treatment in these cases is only palliative, as the dis-
ease cannot be eradicated by any course of medical treatment.
The first endeavor should be to expand the heels by applying
poultices to the feet, together with the hoof ointmeiii.

WIND GALLS.

Wind galls are puffy swellings about the joints, found abovft
the fetlock on both the hind and fore legs. They are techni*
cally known as bursal enlargements, that is, a distended con-
dition of the bursce or synovial sacs, which contain tho
synovia, or joint oil. The animal suffers no inconvenience,
apparently, from their presence upon his limbs, they evidently
causing no pain.

It is seldom that any treatment is resorted to, except in the
case of a very valuable animal. Blisters are commonly ap-
plied, but they are not attended with any permanent benefit.
The application of cold water and compresses, secured by
means of bandaging the legs, has proven the most efRcacious.

BPKUNG OR BROKEN KNEES.

This trouble does not always result from an injury of tho
leg, or strain of the tendons ; it is more often found in horses
that have bad corns in the feet, or troubled with navicular
disease, than in any others. The animal raising his heels to
prevent pressure upon the tender parts, bends the knee, which
bending becomes finally, from the altered position of the limb^

STRAINS OP THE KNEES. £95

a permanent deformity. Horses with sprung kuces are unsafe
for saddle purposes, owing to their consequent liability to

Respecting the treatment, it may be said that six out of
every ten spruug-kaeed horses will be found to have corns.
If these be of recent growth, there is a fair prospect of
straightening the limbs by removing the corns as directed
under the head of that disease ; by the removal of these the
heels are brought to the ground, an* the limb becomes straight
Under any other circumstances all treatment proves useless.

BHEAKIWQ DOWJf.

This accident occurs in rnuning, jumping, racing, etc. It
IS sometimes called a strain of the back sinews, and lets tho
animal down upon the fetlock, in consequence of a rupture of
the ligament of the pastern. Horses meeting with this acci-
dent are of little value ever after, as they always remain weak
m the fetlock. Unless the animal is quite young and valuable,
the treatment would cost more than Ihe animal's value. The
Trench treat these cases very successfully by the application
of instruments which keep the limb in its proper position until
the parts have again healed and become strong. This is the
only course to be pursued with any possible chance of a sue
cessful termination of the case.

STEAIWS OF THE KNEES.

Strains of this joint occur in young horses while being
broken into harness more often, probably, than at any other
period of the animal's life. This results from the tendernesa

295

SHOULDER STRATJT.

of the parts at that lime, not one in twenty having them having
arrived at maturity. These strains ofictt prove trouWesom©
to manage, and occasionally leave a stiff knee as the result.

Treatment — Bleeding from the plantar, or plate rein ; warm
fjmentations to the part ; when the inftamraation is reduced,
apply once a day for several days tlie following ointment;
iodine ointment, one ounce ; bloe, QX mercurial oiutment, half
an ounce ; mix well together.

This occurs in falling, slipping, getting up, etc. The symp-
toms are a dragging motion of the limbj the lameness passing
oflf after the animal gets warmed up, and returning upon his
becoming again cool, the horse being thea even more stiff
a&d lame than before leaving the stable.

For treatment, apply cold water ; a purging ball and rest
are all that are requisite to effect a cure. Careful usage foif
Boiae time after will be very necessary.

SHOULDER STRAiri.

This, which is of rare occurrence, arises from .severe blows,
or concussions ; slipping so as to throw the legs apart forcibly;
falling in the shafts of a heavily laden cart, etc. The symp-
toms are usually well marked ; the horse is quite lame, both
ivhen walking and trotting ; the leg drags with the toe on tho
ground, having an outward or circular motion.

Local bleeding is generally useful by way of treatment;
three or four quarts may be taken from the plate vein, which
runs down the inside of the leg. If, however, the animal is in
a debilitated condition, bleeding should Bot bo practised.

6WEENIK.

29T

Foment the shoulder well with hot water frequently ; a seton
will ofien be found beneficial. After fomenting two 'or threo
dnys, use the following liniment; laudanum, one ounce ; spirits
of camphor, one ounce; tincture of myrrh, one ounce ;' castile
soap, one ounce; alcohol, one pint. Or, sweet oil, one pint;
spirits of hartshorn, three ounces ; shake well together.

OPEN JOINTS.

These are generally the result of a punctured wound; the
capsular ligament that surrounds the joint and confines the
joint oil within its proper limits being thereby penetrated.
These accidents are often attended with serious results, from
the inflammation that is likely to arise from such an injury.

For treatment, efforts should first be made to close the
wound, that the escape of the oil which lubricates the joint
may be prevented. If the wound is small, it may be closed
by means of a I ot iron ; if large, shave off all the hair around
the opening, apply a piece of linen cloth well saturated with
collodion, and bandage the part. Care must be taken to have
the skin around the wound perfectly dry. or the collodion will
not adhere. Slioemaker^s wax, or common glue, applied in
the same way, will frequently answer the purpose. Tho
animal must be kept perfectly quiet, his bowels opened, and he
be kept upon his feet for several days; if, however, the coUo-
dion adheres well, this is not of so much importance.

B WEENIE.

This imaginary disease has been the occasion of the infliction
of much cruelty and unnecessary torture upon the horse. No

I j

298

OSTITIS.

CAPULET AND CAPPED HOCK.

299

respectable veterinary author recognfzes any such disease.
The symptoms which accompany its supposed existence are
but sympathetic effects, or atrophy of the muscles of the
shoulder. The attention of the horse-owner is directed to a
wasting away or lessening of these muscles, which from want
of action naturally become smaller or contracted; upon the

animal's regaining the natu

cles are again developed, as

arm by the constant

mer. Cases called

the result of injury

as the knee,

When the M

the foot

ground, it^

ed upon

is not i n

THE EQUESTRIENNE.

ral use of the limb, the mus-
the muscles of the smith's
use of the sledge ham-
sweenie are invariably
in some remote parts,
the foot, etc. —
animal picks up
^clear from the
may be depend-
that the injury
the shoulder ; if

however, the leg drags with the toe on the ground, the injury
may be looked for in that locality. It is, however, more easy
to decide a case of shoulder lameness than any other to which
the limb is liable.

OSTITIS.

This is an inflammation of the bone, occasioning lameness
of an obscure nature, and is one of the most difficult of all
cases of lameness to detect. Where it occurs in the cannon
bone, it is often mistaken for a thickening of the integuments.

Treatment — Cold bandages, lead water, rest, with daily
half-drachm doses of iodide of potassa dissolved in a pail of ,

water, will usually prove successful if the treatment be per-
Bcveringly adopted.

CAPCriiET AND CAPPED HOCK.

There arc generally serous abscesses, produced by blow?,
bruises, strains, or injuries from any cause. Capulet is an en'
largement at the point of the elbow, and is generally caused by
lying on the heels of the shoe, which bruise the part. Capped
hock is found at the point of the hock joint, and is usually
caused by kicking against the sides of the stall.

By way of treatment, first open the part; if it contains fluid
which will be known by the soft elastic feeling, throw in witli
a syringe an injection of the tincture of iodine diluted with
alcohol ; a solution of the sulphate of zinc may in incipient cases
answer the purpose. If fluid is not formed, blisters will often
succeed. In cases of capulet, have the heels of the shoes
shortened, or bind the feet at night to prevent injury.

CAKIES OP THE BONES.

This is, perhaps, the most common of all the diseases to
which the horse is subject, and its frequency can only be ac-
counted for, by the abuses to which he is subjected. It gene-
rally arises from a low, inflammatory condition of the joints,
these parts being principally affected ; an ulceration of the heads
of the bones is established, generally in young horses, which is
tailed, from the destruction which it occasions, caries, or decay
It will usually be found preceding spavin, ring-bone, stiff back
l^nd other anchylosed conditions of the bones, and can best be
illustrated under the heads of Spavin and Ring-bone.

300

BONE SPAVIir.

BONE SPAVIN.

This is a disease of such common occurrence that almost all
horsemen think they fully understand its nature, pathological
condition, and treatment. It is generally regarded by vetert-
nary authors as a very serious injury, destructive to the utility
of the animal, and very frequently reducing his value essentially
in consequence of the blemishes. Where, however, there are
no outward blemishes, as is the case in four out of every five
spavined horses, the price of the animal is not affected, unless
he is lame, since the disease is not discovered. •There are, at
this day, thousands of spavined horses traveling our roads, in
not one of whom would the most experienced horsemen the
world ever produced be able to determine the fact so long as
the animal lives. In all such cases no external enlargement is
found, but, on the contrary, the limb is clean and smooth. In
the absence of enlargement, or spavin-bunch, as it is sometimes
called, on the inside of the hock-joint, horsemen are unwilling
to believe that spavin exists. The books, indeed, teach us to
look there, and there only, for it ; but the author's experience
teaches him that the enlargement, where any exists, appears
almost as often upon the front part of the hock as it does upon
the inside.

Spavin generally arises from a strain, jar, or blow upon the
hock-joint, causing an inflammatory condition of the cartilagi-
nous cushions which cover the articular surfaces, or points of
union, of each bone, or of the ligaments which surround the
joints and bind the bones together ; sometimes, indeed, both
are involved. As this inflammatory condition is the exciting
cause, spavin, or ulceration of the parts, speedily follows thi

BONE SPATIPf.

SOI

neglect to remove it. When the inflammation is acute, tho
synovial fluid, or joint-oil, is soon absorbed; the cartilages of
the joint are turned to bone, and uniting, one with the^other,
form one solid mass, destroying the elasticity as well as the mo-
bility of the parts involved, and constituting what is called
anchylosis of the hock-joint. This anchylosis, or union of bone,
is not always general, there being in many cases but two, three'
or four of the bones involved. When these changes are con'
fined to the cartilage, external enlargement, or spavin-bunch is
never found. This the author calls spavin without any external
indication. .,

When, however, the ligaments surrounding the joint are con-
rerted into bony substance, external enlargement in all cases
exists. When a low, inflammatory action is found going on
within the joint, it is an evidence of ulceration, in which, in-
Etcad of new bone being thrown out, as in the acute stage,' the
natural bone is gradually decaying or rotting away. Hence
arises the difficulty often experienced in the treatment of this
disease.

As symptoms, the horse is very lame on leaving the stable,
but when he is warmed up the lameness passes off; the leg is
drawn np quickly with a kind of jerk ; and there is a peculiar
Lard tread, which can only be distinguished by close observa-
tion. W^iere the bones are all united together, whether there
is external efPargement or not, there is a peculiar twist of tho
heel outwards, which is more readily observed in the walk, and
which the author has always found an infallible symptom of
complete anchylosis.

Both spavin and ring-bone are incurable diseases. The
lameness may be removed, but the disease, when once estab-

S02

BONE SPAVIN.

SPLINT.

333

'II

lislied, cannot, because the elasticity, mobility, and function
of the joint are all destroyed in proportion to the extent of
the disease. The spavined animal, therefore, comes down with
a hard, jarring tread. The removal of the lameness depends
upon perfect union or solidifying of the diseased bones. la

the acute inflammatory cases, nature

herself unaided
works this change,
'^^and the animal re-
covers from the
^^ lameness with a
stiff joint ; but in
the second, or ul-

THE HIQH-BRED PACINQ HARE POCAHONTAS.

cerative stage, assistance is required. We, therefore, en-
deavor to excite an active inQammation in the joint in order
to overcome this ulcerative process, and induce new deposits
of bone to be throw^n out. Many modes have been adopted to
secure the desired end, some of which are of a most barbarous
character. Sharp instruments have been struck with con-
siderable force into the joint, creating a tremendous fire,
which soon checks the ulceration. This practice, although
often successful, is unnecessarily severe, and cruel in the ex-
treme. All kinds of caustic applications have been used,
many of which have destroyed both the disease ^d the animal.
Blistering the parts, the action being kept up for three or four
weeks, often proves successful ; firing is also practised ; setons
in the hock are frequently used with advantage. The follow-
ing ointment is recommended ; bin-iodide of mercury, one
drachm ; lard, two ounces ; mix well together. Shave off the

hair, and rub the part once a day for six or eight days • then
wash the parts well with proof spirits. If the desired' effect
is not produced, repeat it.

RIWG-BOJNrE.

This is a disease of the same nature as spavin, its locality
alone g.vu.g it a different name ; the same alterations of strac-
lure takes place ; the same termination follows, and the same
treatment is indicated. Contraction of the coronary ligaments
>s sometimes mistaken for ring-bone, and the poor beast is
severely tortured in consequence. Contraction of this liga-
n.ent produces a bulging of the soft parts around the coronec
causing the hair to turn downward and inward upon the hoof'
giving It much the appearance of ring-bone. As in all such
cases the heels are pressed close and painfully together, thera
>s great necessity of distinguishing between the two before
any application is made.

SPLIITT.

This is an exostosis, or bony enlargement, arising from blows
npon, or strains of, the splint bones, which are situated one on
each side of the cannon bones and posterior to them. Splints
are so common that few horses reach the age of eight years
without having them, although they are not always visible to
the eye at that period, having perhaps spread over a largo
«"rface of bone, or become flattened ; which circumstance has
g'ven nse to the opinion among horsemen that old horses are
«ot affected with splints. This, however, is a mistake ; since
asphnt once formed is never afterward removed during the
of the animal. The nature of a splint is very similar to

804

CURB.

that of a spavin, but its course is somewhat diCfereiit. When
the injury is first received, the enlargement becomes quite
prominent ; but, as time advances, it generally disappears from
view, even without the aid of man, spreading itself between
the cannon and splint bones, thus lessening its size externally.
Splints are not regarded as unsoundness, unless they cause
lameness, which rarely occurs, particularly if they are situated
near the middle of the bone ; but if they are situated either at
the upper or lower portions, or heads, lameness is almost always
the result. This is easily explained ; the bone, it will be ob*
lerved, curves from above downward and outward, so that
the lower extremity sets off from the body of the cannon bone;
the upper heads, where it unites with the bones of the knee
and hock, slant or bevel inward, and as the weight of the
animal is thrown upon them, the upper heads are forced out-
ward, while the lower ones are thrown inward. By this
simple arrangement a rocking motion of these bones takes
place, so that at the centre there is very little mobility, and
if the injury is above, it causes lameness in consequence of
tension ; if below, from pressure ; but, if it is in the centre, it
seldom causes lameness at all, though the injury is greater.

When lameness occurs, the union of the bones should be
hastened by increasing the inflammatory action ; this is best
done by active blistering, which soon removes the lameness.

CURB.

This is a swelling on the back part of the hock joint below
the cap, generally arising from a strain, or breaking down of
the hock. Some horses naturally have what are called curb-

BLOOD SPA\^N, ETC. 3^5

hocks, though they are not always attended with any serious
disadvantages. There is a nr«H!o„ •.• senoiis

b mere is a predisposjtioa to weakuew which
renders them suspicious. '

If the curb arises from recent injury, a little blood may with
advantage ^ taken from the sephena vein running up the Lsida
of the t .g ; cold water applications should belp' „;„;
pa«s ; cloths wet with tinctu. of arnica, half a pi„t to a gallop
of «.ter are very useful ; o, the following oiutment Ju be
found of serv.ce: dry iodine, one drachm; iodide of potasl
one r.ehm ; lard, one ounce , mi. well together, and us^:

8TRINCJ HALT.

Th^disease has never beea very satisfactorily accounted for

hy veterinary authors. It consists in a sudden spasmodic

ra.s.ng of the hind limb, though it is said to have'o^ uTea^:

l.e ^re legs. The author has found, upon an examination a^t "

each Of the hock-joint of several animals affecU^d wich ^

OS calcu, or bone forming the cap of the hock, where tha
/>.r/o.a„s.e„^. plays over; inotherca^ the tendon has beet
ou-ul almost entirely surrounds, with a bony case, which inter"
f^red very materially with its action. He is i„e,i„«i. there^r
to regard these as the general causes of the disease

No treatment as yet practised has proved succesrful ; though
there are recorded isolated cases of spontaneous cun,.

T .^ constuute one disease, occasioned by an over sec "io»
jomt 0.1 ,n the hock join, which cans, a distention of tha

Hf -

306

FRACTURES.

capsular ligament, ov bursa, presenting soft pnfiy swellings about
the joint Blood and bog spavin appear on the front and inside
of the joint ; while thoroughpin extends through from one side
of the joint to the other. These diseases are so common and
BO well marked as not to be easily mistaken. The causes are
violent exercise, throwing the animal upon his haunches, run-
ning, jumping, etc.

As it seldom causes lameness, treatment is rarely needed ; if
requisite, blistering, bandaging with compresses, and rest are
the most successful.

FRACTURES.

Experience has established the fallacy of destroying eyery
horse that meets with a fractured limb. Fractures may occur
in any bone of the body, and yet a perfect union of the parts
may take place, provided the fracture is a simple one ; com-
pound fractures, even, are occasionally united.

For treatment, the animal should first be placed in the most
comfortable position, and the parts adjusted as nearly as pos-
Bible, retaining them by proper bandages, splints, etc. Should
the fracture be in the small or lower part of the leg, sole leather,
softened in water and moulded to the limb, retaining it in place
by bandages, forms a very good splint.

Fractures of the skull sometimes require the operation of
trephining, (explained under the head of Surgical Cases,) in
order to replace the parts perfectly; after which the bowels
should be opened, and the animal kept on moderate diet.

Fractures of the pelvis, or haunch bones, will, in nine cases
out of ten, become united by proper management, no matter
how bad the crushing, and the animal may again be rendered

DISEASES OP THE HEART,

SOT

serviceable. The author never hesitates to treat fractures of
these bones in horses that are of sufficient value to warrant it
Indeed, union of the parts in such fractures will often take
place, even if the animal be turned into a field without any
treatment; though, perhaps, more deformity will be left than
if proper care had been exercised. The horse, if active and
high-strung, should be kept upon his feet by tying up the head
short for several days, and then the slings may be placed under
him ; if this is done at first, the animal being full of fire throws
himself off his feet, and all efforts to remedy the fracture will
prove a failure. From six to eight weeks, according to the
age of the animal, are necessary to complete the union of the
parts.

Some practical knowledge is requisite, in order to discrimi-
nate cases of fracture of the limbs that are likely to be success-
fully treated ; but fractures of the haunch bones rarely fail to
unite, with proper management. Th^ animal should be kept
on bran mashes, gruel, and green food during the treatment.

-< ^■♦•4

DISEASES OF THE HEART.

Diseases of the heart are less understood by the members of
the veterinary profession generally than any other class of dis-
eases (with, perhaps, one or two exceptions,) to which horses
are subject. This want of information in this country, is attri-
billable to the comparative infancy of veterinary science, Iho
obscurity of the symptoms by which these diseases are charac
terized, the consequent confounding of them with other diseases,

808

rERICARDITIS.

I f

and to the comparative silence of veterinary authors upon this
important subject. ^

Diseases of the heart in this animal are not suspected by the
farrier, (shoeing-smith) or horseman ; yet they are by no means
of unfrequent occurrence. During the session of the Veterinary
College of Philadelphia for 1859-60, the author had then op.
portunities of presenting to the class well-marked cases of disease
of this organ, as also one very interesting case of rupture of the
heart, or rather of the aorta, or great artery leading from the
heart, at the point where it leaves that important organ. The
latter case was that of a bay mare which had been used in an
oyster cart ; she ate her feed at night as usual, in apparent good
health, and was found dead in her stall the next morning.

PERICARDITIS.

This disease, as its name implies, is an inflammation of the
pericardium, the bag or sac which surrounds the heart, and
known to butchers as the heart-bag. After death arising from
pleuritic affections effusions are quite commonly found within
this sac, which are attributed to the sympathy existing between
the pericardium and the pleura. The fluid is sometimes of a
bright yellow color, while at others it is of a turbid character
with considerable lymph floating in it, which collects in a mass
forming a thick layer upon the internal surface of the sac,
causing considerable thickening of its walls, and extending over
the heart in like manner ; adhesions between the two sometimes
take place. Percival mentions an instance in which this col-
lection was converted into a substance of the nature of gristle
of considerable thickness. This disease rarely exists alone, but
is of a secondary character.

^ PERICARDITIS. gQ^

The attendant symptoms are palpitation of the heart quick-
ened respiration, sometimes accompanied with a drv'cou^h
with a pulse quick, rising to sixty or seventy a minute, full'
hard, and strong. "Mr. Pritchard, V. S., Wolverton " sav^
Mr. Percival, '' with laudable zeal for the promotion of our art
so long ago as the year 1833, furnished the veterinarian with
some practical communications on this subject, which we shall
find It advantageous to revive upon the present occasion His
observations relate particularly to the type termed IlyJrops
Pencardn, which implies the stage of pericarditis when effu-

sion is likely, or has taken place,
and the membranous sac is sup-
posed to contain watery
fluid, and probably
lymph as well. The
symptoms of this af-
fection, apart from

^ pleurisy and pneu*

THE E,D 0. PEKicARDiTis. m o u i a , Mr. Prit-

chard informs us, are well-marked. They are palpitation of
the heart, the carotid arteries (passing up the neck) beating
forcibly and being readily recognized in applying the finger to
their course in the neck. There is a good flow of blood through
the jugulars ; a copious return of blood through the neck, when
the state of the pulse is considered ; the surface of the body
and the extremities are warm ; and these latter symptoms con-
tinue within one or two hours of the horse^s death. * * * In
addition to the above symptoms, there is such an expression of
alarm and anxiety in the countenance of the animal w no other
malady produces.^

-*.tf«WMiMiMM&«teriilM

•^■.^■MBiMa^

310

ENDOCARDITIS.

OSTEO-SARCOMA.

ill

There is no treatment as yet known by which this disease can
be reached.

CARDITIS.

This is an inflammation of the muscular structure of the heart
comparatively rare, or at least supposed to be so.

In this affection the animal will be found lame, generally in
the off fore-leg, but upon examination no cause will be found
sufficient to account for it. This lameness may appear and
disappear several times previous to the attack's manifesting
itself in a more positive form, leaving the impression that the
lameness was rheumatic. We next find the animal refusing his
feed; his heart palpitates violently ; he occasionally gasps, and
gnashes his teeth ; pulse full, hard, and quick ; there is a wild
expression of the eyes ; respiration quickened ; mouth hot and
dry ; and the temperature of the legs varies from moderate to
cold.

For treatment cold water should be frequently given ; take
one drachm of white hellebore, and divide it into five powders;
give one of these on the tongue every three or four hours*
Bleeding has been recommended ; but the author has not wit-
nessed any advantages from it, and therefore would on no ac-
count advise it.

ENDOCARDITIS.

This disease, called also palpitation of the heart, or, more
commonly, thumps, is an inflammation of the lining membrane
of the heart, and is generally associated with pericarditis ; the
inflammation readily extending itself from one part to the other
in consequence of their proximity.

The symptoms are a violent pa^itation of th^ bearti whicb

811

can often be observed at the distance of several yards from the
animal ; pulse full and hard, but not quickened. Although
this disease is regarded as incurable, we can still palliate the
symptoms so as to allow of the animaPs return to work the
next day. i

For treatment, give one of the following powders every three
hours ; of nitrate of potassa one ounce ; pulverized digitalis two
drachms ; mix, and divide into five powders. Subsequent attacks
may be warded off by keeping the bowels regular

-<•>•»

DISEASES OF THE HEAD.

OSTEO-SARCOMA,

This disease, called commonly Big Head, is not mentioned
by veterinary authors in Europe, and so far as the author can
learn, seems to be peculiar to the Western and Southern States.
It appears, from the rather unsatisfactory accounts at the
author's command, to originate in the osseous, or bony, struc-
ture of the face. The bones become much swollen, and are
represented as presenting a soft, spongy, or cellular appearance,
the cells being filled with a substance like jelly. This appear-
ance, however, does not correspond externally with several
specimens in the author's possession, in which the external sur-
face of the bones appears to be perfect, but very thin, and very
much enlarged.

The symptoms are a swelling of the bones of the face from
the eye to the nose ; puffy swelling about the limbs j sUffnesi

Z12

INFLAMMATION OP THE BRAIIf.

MiiSRI^.

i '

about the joints; pulse slightly accelerated, and soft; coat
rough and staring, with considerable debilitj.

The treatment nsaallj practised has been to make an incision
through the skin and insert a small quantity of arsenic into the
wound ; or else to score the face with a red-hot iron j which latter
mode is said to huTe effected a perfect cure in many cases.
Neither of these operations, however, strikes ns as being very sci-
entiOc. The author's friend, G. W. Bowler, of Cincinnati. Ohio,
has had some experience in tiie treatment of this disease, and has
been very successful. The course pursued by him is to rub the
swollen parts well once a day with the following ointment : of
mercurial ointment one ounce, and of iodine ointment two
ounces ; mix well together for use. Give internally at the same
time one of the following powders night and morning : calomel
one ounce; iodide of potassa two ounces; pulverized gentian
root one and a half ounces ; to be made into twenty powders.
The animal must be kept in a dry, well ventilated stable, and
the body kept warm so long as this medicine is given.

913

INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN.

This disease, known also as phrenitis, or, more generally,
mad staggers, arises from various causes, such as blows, over-
feeding and little exercise, too tight a collar, etc., etc.,

A heaviness of the head is first noticed ; an unwilling-
ness to move about ; the lining membrane of the eyelids miicli
reddened; appetite indifferent or lost; a peculiar dullness of
the eyes; and finally, delirium or madness. The animal be;
comes unmanageable ; beslavers all that comes within his reach,
whether man, horse, or anything else ; and plunges violently
tbout the stalls or wherever he may chance to be.

As this disease Is occasioned by a determination of blood to
the head, it is necessary to use the lancet ; this should be done
freely, and that too before the delirious stage comes on, other,
wise it cannot be done properly or beneficially. Cloths wet in
cold water should be applied to the head ; or, what is better,
bags of broken ice. Open the bowels with the following, made
into a ball : Barbadoes aloes one ounce ; pulverized ginger one
drachm; pulverized gentian root two drachms; mix with mo.
lasses sufficient to form the ball. Give also injections of castile
Eoap and water. Give no food for twenty-four hours ; but small
quantities of water may be frequently given. After the recovery
of the animal he should be fed very sparingly, and not exposed
to the hot noondny snn.

If the occasion of the attack be a tight collar, the remedy is
simple and easj ; if from orer-feeding, the qnantily of food
should be lessened ; but little is to be expected by way of
treatment.

MEOBIMS.

This is a sudden determination of blood to the head, generally
attacking horses while at work, or in harness upon the road.
Those of a plethoric character are most snbject to these attacks.

The horse suddenly stops in the road, shakes his bead, and
sometimes goes on again ; at other times he falls in a state of
unconsciousness, the whole system appears conrulsed, with the
eyes wild in appearance and constantly rolling.

Bleeding upon the appearance of the first symptoms gives
almost immediate relief; after which the bowels mnst be opened,
for which purpose give one and a half pints of linseed oil, or
tte ftloei ball will answer ; brao mashes should be given for a

EPILEPSY.

few days. These attacks may be prevented in the case of horses
subject to them by moderate feeding and driving, and in warm
weather by keeping the forehead shaded by a canvas or cloth
hood elevated on a wire framework about two inches from the
forehead so as to protect the brain, and admit a free passage of
air between the two. The author believes tliat he was the Gret
to introduce this hood, which can be attached to the bridle, and
made as ornamental as may be desired. The use of hoods of
this kind in very hot weather would prevent the frequent falling
of horses in our streets from over-heating ; as the heat of the
sun principally affects the brain in all these cases.

VERTIGO.

This disease generally arises from water in the cranial case,
causing pressure upon the brain. The animal is generally
attacked in harness, as in the preceding disease ; this arises from
the fact that the exercise causes the vessels of the brain to be-
come more active, fuller, and more distended with blood, and
consequently there is greater pressure upon this sensitive organ.

The symptoms are similar to those of megrims, with, perhaps,
the addition of rearing, dropping suddenly as though struck
with death, and rising in a few moments as if nothing had hap-
pened, etc.

The treatment mainly consists in keeping the bowels in good
order J working moderately ; giving no corn, and but little hay.

EPILEPSY.

This disease takes its name from the suddenness of its attack.
The animal is apparently in a perfect state of health, when sud-
denly he falls to the ground, generally (as in the two preceding

«TOMACH STAGOERS.

815

cases), while in harness, without any manifest cause. He re-
mains in this condition for a short time, and then appears as
well as ever; although occasionally a considerable degree of
stupor is manifested for some time after.

It may be occasioned by blows, wounds, and other injuries
about the head ; water in the brain ; tumors ; violent derange-
ment of the nervous system j worms ; constipation of the bowels ;
plethora, etc.

The same course of treatment should be pursued as in vertigo ;
these diseases in their symptoms, causes, etc., being so intimately
connected as scarcely to be distinguishable from each other.

STOMACH STAGGERS.

This disease arises principally from over-feeding. The animal
appears dull and sleepy, with a disposition to pitch forward ;
stands with his head resting against a wall, manger, or the likei
or, if at pasture, against a tree ; if he is led out of the stable, this
will be observed as an involuntary action, in consequence of
which the head is often much cut and bruised by coming in
contact with hard or rough substances ; there is constipation
of the bowels ; pulse scarcely changed from. the usual standard ;
as the attack is severe, the breathing becomes more and more
labored.

Blaine regards these symptoms as the first stage of mad stag,
gers; but this the author deems a mistake, as animals that aie
from this disease, having presented the above symptoms, scarcely

have any very marked change in the cerebral region, or the

brain.

From the mode of treatment recommended by European
Authors of high repute, the author infers that the attacks are

816

BTOMACn STAGGERS*

less severe in this country than in Europe, or else that the
severe treatment there practised is more injurious than the
disease itself. The whole cause of the disease being apparently

in the distended condition of
the stomach from the presence
-^ of undigested food, all food
j should be removed from the
manger, and none given for
forty-eight hours. Give in-
ternally the following ball:
Barbadoes aloes one ounce;
pulverized ginger two
drachms ; croton oil six drops;
mix with molasses, and give
in the usual manner. Injec-
tfons of soap ond water should
be given, until the bowels are opened ; or, what is far preferable
when convenient, tobacco-smoke injections. Two drachms of
the extract of belladonna dissolved in a pail of water, given tQ
drink once a day for a week, will prove beneficial. Bleeding
in these cases is, as a general rule, unnecessary and uncalled
for. Food should now be given very sparingly ; and no corn
should be given at any time to the animal after such an attack,
in consequence of its tendency to heat the blood, and produce
a plethoric conditioQ of the system.

AMAUROSIS.

SIT

BATIXO SCE5B.

DISEASES OF THE EYE.

AMAUROSIS.

la this disease, called also Gutta Serena, or, more generally^
Glass Eye, we find the eyes bright and clear, with a peculiar
glassy appearance about them not observed in an eye where
vision is perfect ; although no alteration in the structure of the
eye has taken place, yet the horse is partially or totally blind.
A mere examination of such eyes would not enable us to pro.
Bounce upon the blindness of the animal ; but if he be taken
from a dark stable to a strong light, it will readily be detected,
as the light causes no change to take place in the pupil.

This disease is regarded as paralysis of the optic nerve ; in
some cases yielding readily to medical treatment, and in others
proving incurable. Horses are often sold with this disease
upon them as perfectly sound, and the first intimation which
the purchaser receives of his horse's being blind is his running
against a wall-fence, post, or any thing that may chance to be
in his way. It sometimes makes its appearance very suddenly;
occasionally it exists in a temporary form as a sympatl.ctic
affection, as in apoplcx-y ; it also at times occurs during the
period of gestation, etc.

Constitutional treatment only is likely to succeed in these case?.
A physic ball should be given to open the bowels, composed of
Barbadoes aloes six drachms ; pulverized ginger one drachm ;
pulverized gentian root two drachms ; mix with molasses. After
the ball has operated (which should be in twenty-four hours, if
the aloes are good), give morning and evening half a drachm

IP '

818

MEiMBRANA NICTITANS.

SIMPLE OPHTHALMIA.

of nux vomica mixed in the feed. The author has never wiu
nessed any beneGcial results from bleeding, although it is re«
commended by some writers.

819

INFLAMMATION OF THE MEMBRANA NICTITANS.

This affection is commonly called the haw, or hooks. The
membrane affected is somewhat triangular in form, concave on
the inner side, and convex externally. It is mainly composed
of cartilage, or gristle, and is situated between the eye ball and
the side of the orbit, at the inner corner of the eye. In a per-
fectly healthy condition but a very small portion of this mem-
brane is visible ; but when in a state of inflammation it bulges
out very considerably. A portion of the membrane covering
it becoming, as it were, folded upon itself presents a hook-
like appearance, which has been regarded by farriers as a
foreign substance, to which the name of *' hooks" has been
given, and its removal with the knife recommended by thera.
It so happens, however, that this membrane is placed in the
eye, or attached thereto, to serve a useful purpose : that of
cleansing the eye from dirt, or any foreign substance that may
chance to get into it, which is accomplished by throwing it
over the ball of the eye, and removing any obstruction. In-
jury must result from cutting away any portion of this mem-
brane, as its function is in part destroyed ; since the animal
can no longer throw it over the ball of the eye with the same
facility as before the operation was performed. In point of
fact, wherever the hooks, as they are called, are cut out, it will
be observed that whenever any foreign substance gets into the
eye, the animal makes a spasmodic effort to throw this mem-

brane over the eye ball, often failing to accomplish it; and
thus the eye is rendered more liable to i..j,„y ever after

Whenever this membrane becomes tumeQed, instead of cut-
tmg It out, open the bowels, and apply cold water to the eye
several times a day. If „,„ch i„aammation exists, bleed from
the small vein just below the eye, the course of which vein in
all thin-skinned animals is quite distinctly marked.

SIMPLE OPHTHALMIA.

This disease arises sometimes from a blow inflicted by a pas-
«onate groom, or from some other external injury, or from a
fore.g„ body entering the eye, causing such an irritation in
that delicate organ as sometimes to terminate in blindness.

The symptoms are considerable swelling and inflammation
of the eye lids, their under surfaces being very much reddened,
and the vessels highly injected with blood; there is also a
cloudy appearance over the cornea, or transparent part of
tne eye.

For treatment, if the animal is in a plethoric condition, take
"^ or e,ght quarts of blood from the jugular vein, regulating
^^ jantuy by the action on the pulse ; otherwise genera!
bleedmg should not be undertaken. The bowels should be
reely opened with Barbadoes aloes, si., drachms; pulverized

d. ohm, made mto a ball. Bathe the eye freely with cold
wa er ; after which apply with a syringe either of the following
2''es: laudanum, si.x drachms; rain, or distilled water, on:
P t; mu the two, and shake well before using :_or, take
"alf an ounce of the extract of belladonna dissolved in one

• f

■ fi

■I

320

BFSCmC OPHTHALMIA.

CATARACT.

pint of rain water. Give internally one drachrar of powdered
colchicura morniug and evening, in a bran mash; no graia
should be given during the treatment ; corn should be especially
avoided.

BPECIPIO OPHTHALMIA,

Inflammation of the eye, or specific ophthalmia, is known to
horsemen as moon-blindness, from the influence wliicli the
moon is supposed to exert upon it. This, however, is one of
the many popular delusions which fill the pages of many use-
less works on farriery. When a horse is once attacked with
this disease, he is ever after liable to subsequent attacks, at
intervals varying from one to si.x months, and generally ter-
minating in blindness. This termination may, however, be
warded off for a long time by proper management -, each sub-
sequent attack rendering such a termination more and more
certain, from the increased alteration in the structures of

the eye.

The horse may appear perfectly well, and the eyes clear and
bright one day, and the next morning usually one eye will be
found closed, more particularly if it is exposed to a strong
light; little or no swelling will be observed ; the lining raera-
brane of the eye lid is quite red, and the eye exceedinglj

watery and tender.

The causes of this disease are mainly attributable to heredi-
tary predisposition, or to confinement in dark stables, and
sudden exposure to strong light. Badly ventilated stables, in
consequence of which the eyes arc continually exposed to the
strong fumes of ammonia arising from the urine, as also hard
work iu a small collar, are supposed to be excit-ng causes.

32]

Those cases require prompt attention, i„ order to ward off
he senous consequences which otherwise are in store for the un-
fortunate an.mal. The bowels should first be opened wit I
purg.ng ban recommended in simple ophthalmia. Giv
^as e o„„. and when the bowels are opened, give one
th following powders night and morning on the tongue -
pulverized colchicnm, one and a half ounces ; sahpet^ two
ounces; ..wue into twelve powder. These wil/ last I

bright. Use as an injection for the eye, tincture of opium
one ounce; rain, or distilled water, one pint.-or, if „,ore con-'
venient mi., half an ounce of the extract of belladonn
one pint o water, and use in the same manner. If the animal
.n a plethoric condition, bleeding will be found advan-
^ eous ; he quantity to be regulated by the condition of the
Hs . Place the animal in a cool, well-ventilated location
free from any ammoniacal gases.

CATAEACT.

opihalm-""' "'"' " °" ""' ''" ^^^'"-"°- of specific

I Klications of cataract noticed are one or more white
pots making their appearance within the eye. gradually en-
argmg, and at last blending with each other nnUI the anin 1
ocomes totally blind. Xot much can be do.e in such ^

llth H " " ''' """""^ '' ""^ ''P'^^"^-" P-'-d

pen he hnman eye. and known as "couching," is hardly ad-

--bie, as the horse is forever after unsafe, being very apt to

i I

S22

POLL EVIL.

ahj at almost every object which he encounters, in consequence
of his sight being but partially restored by the operation.

WALL EYE.

This peculiar appearance of the iris in some horses is not the
result of disease, but is occasioned bwtbe absence of what is
called the pigment, which gives color to the eye. This pigment
is secreted upon the inside of the iris, and where it does not
exist, the iris, or that part of the eye which surrounds the
pupil (so called from its brilliancy) remains white. Percival
says : " It is a remarkable fact that this variety of hue in the
iris corresponds with the color of the hair ; bay and chestnut
horses have hazel eyes ; brown horses have brownish eyes ; and
very dark brown or black horses, eyes of a still darker, dusky
brown shade. This curious relation is still more observable
in human beings ; the diversity of colors and hues in their
irides being infinitely greater than any thing we behold among
any one species of animals. Cream-colored and milk-white
horses have wall eyes, and albinos have red eyes ; in both which
instances the iris is said to be destitute of any coloring matter
whatever."

MISCELLANEOUS DISEASES.

POLL EVIL.

This disease arises from blows inflicted upon the poll, or
back part of the head, of animals whose blood is impure, or in
ft morbid condition. Horses going in or out of stables with

I'OLL EVIL.

323

w orways .^equentfy strite their polls; p„i,i„, fc„ek „po„
the halte, aud blows i.fl.cted by passionate groo.s ll
-on, the excfting causes of this .nch dreaded eo„ pli
1 same .jnries inflicted npon an ani.al in perfect he tU
Beldo. cause any essential trouble ; but .hen L blood L
..»orb,d condition, fistulous abscesses are for.ed, which a
seldom curable by merely local treatment, even wh „ ted
ease is treated iu its earliest stages
The author has no faith in the seton, so highly recommended
-^ case, but depends principally upon'constitu t

od f : •" '"^ ^"^"°''"°" ''^ -"^'fo" of the

b on T :: ""'""'^ ''''''''' "^ ^ ^-'"'^ »-• This may

..e of L :il'^°'%"^^ "' '''''''-' -dicines. given ia

u^ s s 7' «-''^-— pulverized, four

P ds- : """' """•^ "'^^'' -« -^ - l-lf

It t'wir T ""'''''"' " "' ^^ ^°™ ^ "•-' ^-' 0-

Zn e I ' '•'''• '"'^"'"■"^ "'°^^' ^■^''' ounces ; soft

soap e,ght ounces ; linseed meal, one and a half pounds mi.
and dose as before • or th» r .ii • ' ^

pounds; sesqui-sulphuret

of antimony in powder,

one pound : dose, a table-

Kpoonful twice a day in
tlie feed. The sesqui-
Bulphuret of antimony
filiould never be pur-
chased in a powdered "" RrNNixo stalliox americait bclips,

«-on, but should always be procured in conical masses.

^^1

•f

4.;

I' !

324

MELANOTIC TUMORS.

If the abscess is soft and pointing, it should be ot^enedj and a
solution of zinc, two drachms to a quart of water, injected
into the opening once or twice a day. A saturated solution
of corrosive sublimate is sometimes used advantageously
though the zinc is much safer in the hands of inexperienced
persons. The nux vomica, in half-drachm doses, is also used
as an internal remedy with good efifect.

FISTULA OF THE WITHEKS. *

This is precisely the same as poll evil, its location alone
giving it a different name, and requires the same course of
treatment. Its location is upou the raised part along the
back, and over the shoulders, known as the withers, and it is
caused by bruises from the forepart of the saddle, and other
causes.

MELANOTIC TUMORS.

Swellings are generally termed tumors ; but tumors proper
are swellings in any part of the animal not attended by in-
flammation, comprehending bony, fatty, fibrous, melanotic,
etc. For their removal an operation is generally requisite,
which should be left to the veterinary surgeon. Melanotic,
or black tumors are, however, peculiar to gray horses, and
operations upon this class would be of little use, as the entire
system is usually filled with them ; where one is seen, manj
more may be suspected. The author presented to the Boston
Veterinary Institute, some years ago, a large cluster, fifty or
sixty in number, taken from the abdominal cavity of a gray
xiorto, aii uniied together by membranous attachments j and

GLANDERS.

there could not have been Ipco fu

GLANDERS.

This fatal and much drpnriorj ^- ,

continues so to do U , a •! ''°'^^' '""^ «"»

ferent diseases art oft r '''' ""^'^^'""^ ' ^^^ - «^'r-

detected b! I '" ''' "'"' ''' ^'"-h -"a^ bo

utiectea by the competent practitionpr „„ • ,

condemned until thp «. P''»cft'oner, no mnmal should be
cannot wel. be mist Lf^ "I- '""''" *° ^"•"^^^^' ^''^^
-nifested them™: The '"'''' ' ^""^ ^-'"P^^' ^^^^
moved and kept fZ ,f ":""''' ""''""' ''^^'^ ^'^ ^^^
The author a d^^i^ 7T ^"""" ''"' ""^ ^'"-

-e.e or r..ade,prtL:: ;r:;: :; --7

-"-eet;.Ti::;rr:thten:r"7

quently been killed as g,a„dered • Id . "''" '"'■

--'.came under ..AJSsX IC: T ^''' ^^
billed as glandered. the cause of tie 1 ,;""""' "'"

2Iling up of the fmntni • , difficulfj was the

fa P the frontal sinuses hy bony deposits

it IS necessary for the attendant to use fl,» . , .
^^'- a^out a g,.ndered horse, as t .e is L t^er'""
-n-cated from the anima, to man by inoeutti t "^
-^ty-seven cases reported i„ the VcLinar „ o ' T ,
occurring in man hnf ♦ i, ciennanan of London as

S man. but three recovered, notwithstanding th.

326

GLANDERS.

Utmost exertions of the ablest physicians that could be pro
cured.

The most common cause of this disease is the impure air of
close, ill-ventilated, and filthy stables, ^vhich acts injuriously
upon the organs of respiration, destroys the constitution, dc,
bilitates the system, and renders it susceptible to the attacks
of disease. Neglected catarrh, also, sometimes terminates iii
glanders ; hard work and bad provender, together with sudden
changes from exposure to cold and wet weather to hot stables,
are likewise reckoned among the causes.

The symptoms are, discharges from one or both nostrils, of
a glossy, thick, gluey nature, frequently sticking about tho
nostrils in considerable masses. This is a peculiarity which
other discharges do not possess. This discharge is not always
copious, as is generally supposed. The Schneiderian membrane
of the nose changes to a dusky, or dirty yellow, or leaden
hue; ulcers appear upon the membrane; a peculiar raising
of the nasal bones will be observed, which the author has
never noticed in any other disease ; the discharge is sometimes
mixed with blood, and is often fetid ; and one or both of the
submaxillary glands are swollen and adhere to the jaw bone.
Too much reliance, however, should not be placed upon thia
swelling, as it frequently accompanies other diseases ; but the
character of the discharge, and the raising of the nasal bones
are peculiarities not easily mistaken when the disease is de.
veloped. As all the other symptoms will be found accom-
panying other diseases, too much care cannot be exercised in
deciding upon a case of this disease previous to a full develop-
ment of the symptoms.
All treatment thus far has proven a failure.

FARCY,

•>07

FAHCY.

This is rogarded by the author as an bcipient sta^e of
glanders, or as a type of the same disease, and with proper
management is curable. Experiments prove that the virus
from a farcied horse will produce glanders by inoculation in a
sound one, and that the glandered matter will i„ like manner
produce farcy. There are two distinct varieties or stages of
farcy: one, which is called button farcy, is altogether super-
ficial, being confined to the lymphatic vessels of the skin and
readily yields to medical treatment; the other variety make.
.U appearance in the extremities, generally upon the inside
of the h,nd legs, which become completely engorged , but the
swelling is very different from the ligamentary thickening or
from .edema, being very uncen or lumpy, excessively tender
and painful to the touch. Small abscesses are formed, which at'
first discharge a healthy p„s, but soon ulcerate, aod discharge
a thm, sanious matter. These abscesses, or tumors, first make
their appearance on the inside of the hind legs, and then oa
the fore ones in like manner; the neck and lips come next i«
torn, and they may afterward appear in all parts of the body
when glanders will begin to manifest itself.

By way of treatment, good wholesome food is all important
Sulphate of copper in two-drachm doses, combined with one
or two drachms of pulverized gentian root, will often prove
successful ; corrosive sublimate, also, in ten or fifteen grain
doses, night and morning, has often been advantageously
used; the doses may be increased to a scruple, or even half a
drachm, if the animal bears the medicine well. If the animal
«s much debilitated, give calomel in half-drachm doses instead

328

SCARLET FEVER.

of the sublimate, or the sulphuret of mercury may be snb-
Btituted. The use of arsenic has also been attenilecl with good
success, but the author has been more fortunate with the
muriate of baryta in half-drachm doses, than with any other
preparation in use. All the tumors should be opened, and
caustic carefully applied to each ; sulphate of copper, nitrate
of silver, the per-manganate of potash, or the red-hot iron, are
the best applications. The following ointment should be
rubbed along the corded vessels once a day : blue ointment,
two ounces; hydriodate of potash, two drachms; lard, two
ounces ; mix well. Or, the red oxide of mercury, two drachma
to the ounce of lard is very good.

MANGE.

SCAHLET FEVER.

This disease, otherwise called scarlatina, has too frequently
been confounded with farcy, notwithstanding the two diseases
present very different symptoms. It is easily managed, yield-
ing readily to medical treatment.

For several days previous to any very noticeable symptoms
being manifest, the animal is off his feed, dull and mopy, with
mouth hot and dry ; slight or copious discharges from the
nose, mixed with blood ; the Schneiderian membrane highly
colored, and presenting numerous scarlet blotches, irregular
in form, and containing a thin, reddish fluid; these blotches
sometimes present a pustular appearance, but upon passing
the finger over them, nothing of that character can be dis-
covered ; the whole body is covered with similar spots, which
sometimes require close examination to discover them ; in
other cases, little pustules are formed, which break, and dis*

323

charge a thin sanious fluid of a reddish color and gluey
nature; sweHings of the legs, sheath, and belly, are usually
attending symptoms; the respiration is quick; the pulse is
full and accelerated, and there is a disinclination to move

For treatment, the extract of belladonna alone appears to
be a specific in this disease. It should be given in doses of
from one half to two drachms, dissolved in a pail of water and
given to the animal to drink. No hay should be placed be,
fore h.m ; soft mashes only should be allowed, until he is
convalescent. This treatment, so sin.ple yet so effective, has
been pursued by the author's friend. Dr. Bowler, of Cincinnati,
and himself, for the last ten years, with uniform success, not a
single case having been lost. It is true that the disease is not
of very common occurrence ; yet during that period the author
nas had over thirty cases.

MANGE.

Diseases of the skin are less numerous i„ the horse thau
perhaps, most other animals ; a circnmstance doubtless arising
from the great care taken of our better class of horses to keep
I>e sk.n clean, thereby promoting its healthy action. Mange
s .dent.cal with the itch in the human body, and is an infec-
t'ous d.sease. the intolerable itching being caused by minute
insects, called acari. They are first observed with the aid of
a powerful microscope along the mane and the root of the tail
causing a scurfy appearance of the skin. This appearance
rap.dly extends to the neck and body; spots denuded of hair
W.1 appear, which gradually run into continuous scabby
patches. As the disease advances, it thickens aud puckers

330

MANGE.

}

the skin, particularly of the neck, withers and loins. This dis-
case is easily cured if properly managed.

The natural history of these insects is not well known.
They live only upon, or beneath, the skin of animals. There
appears to be a distinct variety, peculiar to each species of
animals. They live for a considerable time after bein<r re.
moved from the skin, but for how long a period is not pre-
cisely known. Accordino-
to experiments made it
appears that they can live
in pure water for three
hours; in strong vinegar,
alcohol, and in a solution
of kali carbonicum, twenty
minutes ; in a solution of
sulphuric acid, twelve
minutes; in turpentine,
nine minutes ; and in a so-
lution of arsenic, four min-
utes. When they are not exposed to such violent and de-
structive immersions, it has been said that they will retain life
for six or eight days. From a comparison of the acari of
mangy animals, it is supposed that the variety peculiar to
the horse can live for a much longer period. Mangy horses
have been removed from their stalls, washed with various pre-
parations, put into another stable, and completely freed from the
effects of the disease ; but upon returning to their former stalls,
or using unwashed their accustomed harness, the disease soon
showed symptoms of its return. This fact accounts for the
trouble experienced in curing this disease. The insect is

SURFEIT.

THE THKlili FUIEXDS.

331

rubbed off upon the sides of the stall, or dings to the harness
again to come in contact with the animal

For treatment, the animal should be stripped of all harness
we washed with acetic acid, and turned into a loose b.'
stall away from that in which he has been standing. If thi,
course is adopted, one or two washings will generally suffice
The harness also should be well washed, and not used for two
or three months; nor should the horse be replaced in his
ormer stall for a less period, and not even then until it ha
been thoroughly cleaned and white washed. A wash of white
ellebore and water has been much and beneficially used for
|s d.,ease; and in inveterate cases corrosive sublimate ia
s lut.on .s recommended, though there is some danger of its
absorption ; if this should occur, the animal would q^te like y
e estroyed. A mixture of sulphur, oil, and turpentine is
.hly recommended ; but the author has never witnessed
tiHr^ .-ities Of any of these preparations over the

SUEFEIT.

This disease appears all over the body in the form of pus-
t . which seem scaly, and then appear to get entirely , e
we f.esh ones make their appearance, and follow i^ th
me course. The hair is rough, staring, and unhealthy i„
.arance; the legs sometimes become much swollen, and
We IS genera, debility. This disease is supposed to arise
'^om bad grooming, bad management, and unwholesome food,
together with a general plethoric state of the system
For treatment, bleed the anima, if plethoric, taking from

332

STRAINS OP THE LOINS.

the neck vein from four to six quarts; in the absence of
plethora, the lancet must not be used. Give a strong purgiiifi*
ball, followed by one of these powders twice a day : saltpetre
one and a half ounces ; flower of sulphur, two ounces ; black
antimony, one ounce 3 mix and divide into eight powders.

HIDE BOUND.

This is a condition of the skin, caused by some morbid action
in the system. Derangement of the digestive organs will in-
duce it. The animal must be treated for the disease under
which it is laborincr.

STKAINS OF THE LOINS.

Strains are of very frequent occurrence in the horse, in con-
sequence, doubtless, of the great amount of labor demanded of
him, which often taxes his powers to the utmost. These strains
frequently give rise to serious trouble, rendering the animal
unfit for work and often establishing an incurable lameness.
Strains of the loins occur most frequently in draft horses, par-
ticularly in those used in the shafts of drays or carts. Such
animals on going down hill heavily loaded are very apt to be-
come injured ; at times the injury is so great that the spinal
marrow becomes affected, causing paralysis of the hind extre-
mities, and rendering the animal comparatively useless ever
after. When the injury is very severe, bleednig should be re-
sorted to, if the animal can bear it. The following liniment
will be found an excellent application for strains of all kinds:
laudanum, gum camphor, spirits of turpentine, tincture of myrrh,
castile soap, oil origanum, nitrous ether. 0/ each one ounce;

LOCKED JAW.

333

alcohol, one quart ; mix all together, and shake well before
usmg; apply two or three times as occasion may require.

PALSY.

This is a loss of power in the nervous system. General palsy
is never found in the horse, it being always partial or limited
in extent, and described under two heads, paraplegia and hemi-
plcgia. The first is a paralysis of the hind extremities, which
IS of very frequent occurrence ; it sometimes occurs as a sym-
pathetic affection, in which cases it disappears with the other
symptoms of the disease. The second form is a palsy of one
Bide of the body only, and is of very rare occurrence. When
paralysis arises from strains whereby the spinal cord is injured
ft causes the most acute suffering, and the animal usually dies
m a fovr days. When the pressure upon the spinal cord is not
great, the animal is sometimes rendered useful for ordinary
purposes, but very rarely becomes sound.

For treatment, first open the bowels if they are the least cos-
tive, and give internally one of the following powders night and
morning; nux vomica, one ounce; pulverized gentian root two
onnces ; Jamaica ginger, one ounce ; mix, and divide into twelve
powders. Apply warm sheep-skins to the loins, succeeded by
the following application : linseed oil, one pint ; spirits of harts-
horn, four ounces ; shake well before using. Perfect rest and
moderate diet are necessary.

LOCKED JAW.

This distressing malady, otherwise known as tetanus or tris-
mus, is one generally arising from neglected wounds, such as

jf^i^fj^js- ^r^ i ^i-^r^vm

334

LOCKED JAW.

are occasioned by a horse's picking up a nail ; in which case
Ihe wound, instead of being kept open by the owner, or his
attendant, is suffered to close up, in consequence of which, if
there is the slightest disposition to ulceration, matter is formed
tinder the horn or hoof, which develops the most alarming
symptoms, usually in about two weeks after the wound hag
healed. When locked jaw is the result of wounds, it is called
symptomatic, or traumatic ; when existing without apparent
cause, it is called idiopathic. The latter is said to be caused in
some cases by the action of bots and of worms in^the intestines.

The first symptoms observable are a stiff, straggling gait
behind ; rigidity of the muscles of the jaw, completely locking
the jaws together; the tongue is sometimes swollen, and con-
siderable saliva flows from the mouth. As the disease pro-
gresses, the muscles throughout the body become rigid; the
animal turns as though there was not a joint in the body ; the
nose is poked out, the nostrils dilated, and respiration disturbed ;
the bowels are almost invariably constipated; on elevating the
head, a spasmodic or flickering motion of the eye will be ob-
served, exposing little more than the white parts. When the
disease is confined to the head and neck, it is called trismus;
when extended to all parts of the body, it is termed tetanus.

There can scarcely be any principle laid down to govern the
treatment of this disease, as cases have recovered under all kinds
of treatment. The great object is to get the bowels opened ;
when this is accomplished, the cases usually have a favorable
termination ; but when the jaws are firmly set, the prospects are
very limited. Give, if possible, by the mouth one ounce of aloes,
ten drops of croton oil, two drachms of pulverized gentian root,
and one drachm of ginger j make into one ball with molasses.

RHEUMATISM.

335

"^MivS A MAZEPPA

They left rne there to rny despair,
I"nk d to the dead and stiffeniug xyretch.-

If this cannot be given, keep a ball of aloes in tho m m ..
action of which may be increased by add' "to " '

drachms of calo- ^^ _^ «y adding to the ball two

mel, and omitting
the croton oil.
Give injections of
belladonna, half

an ounce dissolved
in a pail of water.
Opium has been
much used, but is
giving way to
other prepara-
tious. Give upon

the tono-iin n^. u "'""'' '"^ ^^^ ^^"^ ^''^ «tiffeaiug wretch -

I tongue every hoar t.ent, drops of the followi..! 2i^,, .
Mrocyaiuc acid and tincture of aconite of p«.. " "

mix, and shake, well together mJ , °"' °""'' '

^^ead to the tai, has succtdeJin! ^3!"^^^ ^ ."^

' "'' " " «"^" '" ^-- of f-m one to two drachms.

RHEUMATISM

Tln-s disease is quite common in the Western States Th«

infl need b t " " ""'"■"" ^•'""*' '^"'^ ^ears to be
"nfluenced by changes in the weather

melr IT-T ':"" *'" '"' ""''' ""'^^-'^ -'^ «--d

genuau root, one aud a half ounces j pulverized gfuger. ono

Hi
II

1..'

83^

HYDROCELE.

ounce; mix, and divide into twelve powders; give one every
night in the feed.

The most successful treatment wliich the author has found
when the above has failed to effect a perfect cure, is that
recommended by Dr. Bowler, of Cincinnati, whose experi-
ence in baffling this disease has been quite considerable. It is
as follows : — if the animal is plethoric, bleed freely and give a
strong cathartic ; follow every morning with one of the following
balls : pine tar, two ounces ; pulverized gentian root, one ounce;
mix all together, and divide into eight balls. Keep the body
warm, and give no corn.

CRAMP.

This complaint occasions considerable alarm to the owner of
ahorse, from the peculiarity of the symptoms. A horse is found
to go suddenly lame, lameness continuing, dragging one leg
after him as though it were dislocated or broken. Upon taking
a whip and striking him, he will sometimes go two or three
steps in a natural way, and then the leg drags again. Such
instances have been pronounced fractures by the farrier, and
even by the young veterinarian such a mistake has been made;
indeed, there are instances of tlie horse's having been killed by
order of the medical attendant.

Treatment. Friction by hand-rubbing, and application of
the liniment recommended for strains. Usually the animal will
be found all right upon the following day.

HYDROCELE.

This disease commonly known os dropsy of the testicles,
sometimes affects the stallion. It consists of a collection of

SIT-PASTS.

33T

w V Y

8ernm in the tunica vaainah'^ n. u
"-. ..., bo „«, „,,„ „„ ,.„, 2°' II ''"•'"■ «' '"•

tin. un...,!:,;: ' """' ^^^ ^-^^^ >'- ^^ thj

Warts.

•». or drop off- if I "^ ""'■•"''•" e«»"'lly mbked

tl'e neck on each sido ti • ^ ^ '^'■°""<*

''•matures bein,ll/'X'r"" '"' ''''''''''' '"^

-tire,, .estro, .ar. r t Z^T'^' 1 ^''''' "'"
»ith a knife. ' ^ ""^y ^ •*"<''«'»

SIT-FASTS.

Several davslrr '" "^ '■""°''' ■ '"' ''^ P«"'''--"ff for

1 1

338

MALLANDERS AND SELLENDERS.

of myrrh applied two or three times a day will generally effeci
a cure after the dead skin is removed.

WARBIiES.

These arise from bruises, which cause superficial swellings
that sometimes suppurate. They should be freely opened and
the matter well washed out. A solution of sulphate of zinc, or
alum-water, is all that is required to effect a cure.

SADDLE OB HARNESS GALLS.

These are bruises caused by friction and moisture, occurrin^^
most frequently in warm weather ; the parts are rubbed raw,
and sometimes bleed. The treatment is simple and effectual.
Bathe the parts several times a day with one pint of water aud
half a pint of tincture of myrrh.

MALLANDERS AND SELLENDERS.

These are scurfy eruptions of the back part of the knee
joint and the front part of the hock joint. They sometimes
occasion much pain, and lameness in consequence. They con-
stitute but one disease, the names having reference to the fore
and hind extremities; mallenders being applied to eruptions
upon the fore extremities, aud sellenders to those upon the
hind ones.

For treatment, wash the parts well with castile soap and
water, and apply the following : lard, four ounces, and Goulard's
extract, one ouuce, well mixed.

SURGICAL CASES.

339

ULCERATION OF THE UDDER

bv'l" -IP ""'*"" "'^'"' '^ '''' ''^'^''^ -^-^^ - -used
by the m,lk. coagulating in the bag, and causing inflamma-

ion and suppuration. The udder becomes swollen, hot

ender hard, and knotty. A flaxseed poultice should at onc^

beapphe when the abscess will soon be brought to a head,

ts soft feehng. It should then be lanced, and the udder
bathed twice a day with lard melted as hot as the animal can
bear. Sometimes it becomes necessary to inject a solution of
te sulphate of zinc into the opening ; but in ordinary cases
the hot lard is sufficient, if properly applied.

INFLAMED VEINS.

The jagular or neck vein sometimes becomes inflamed ia
consequence of being injured by a bungling bleeder. A swell-
i..g IS first noticed, followed by a gaping in the incision in the
neck, from which an acrid fluid oozes.

I For treatment, bathe the part well with cold water, into
Which a small portion of tincture of myrrh is thrown, and with
tt purging ball a cure is soon effected.

-♦ p-

SURGICAL CASES.
It frequently becomes necessary, in order to reliere the
animal from some painful disease, to resort to operations in
"nrgeryj this, in i^act, has of late years become an important

340

fiUaaiCAL CASES.

branch of veterinary practice. When it becomes necessary to
use the knife, the animal should be spared all useless torture.
In severe operations, humanity dictates the use of some anses-
thetic agent to render the animal insensible to pain. Chloro-
form is the most powerful of this class, and may be adminis-
tered with perfect safety, provided a moderate quantity of
atmospheric air is inhaled with or during its administration.
Sulphuric ether acts very feebly upon the horse, and cannot
therefore be successfully used. Chloric ether answers a very
good purpose, but pure chloroform is preferable. In minor
operations, the twitch, the side-hobble, or the foot-strap, is all
that is necessary. When a horse is to be cast for an operation,
force must be used for its accomplishment. The patent hob-
bles have been preferred for that purpose by veterinary sur-
geons generally, though the author prefers a modification of
the cast-rope and the patent hobbles. This improvement con-
sists in having a heavy, well-padded leathern collar, each layer
burned in with rosin, after the style of the old-fashioned fire-
buckets ; at the bottom of this collar a strong ring is attached,
secured by an iron band ; through this ring the rope is passed;
around the body a strong leathern band is buckled, which
connects with the top of the collar by a cross strap, which
keeps it in place ; a hobble band is placed upon each hind
fetlock, through the D of which the rope is passed ; on each
Bide of the collar a strong ring is firmly secured, through which
the rope also passes, the ends of which are then pulled upon
by one or two men on each side, and the animal let quietly
down. The author is convinced by experience that this ar-
rangement is far preferable to any hobble arrangement yet
seen. It is a mistaken idea that horses must be cast for every
Uttle operation; ia truth, but few operations require it.

BLEEDINO.

841

BLEEDIU-O.

Blo«dI.,„.s in former „„„ „, „,„,., „ ,

... /, , ' °*''^' "P"" that pulse must decide the anan-

t^y of ,ood to be taken. The pu.se wi,, be found fo oil

e ront margin of the masseter musCe. which muscle Zl

^ sh, pans Of the head upon each side, called the cheeks.

By following the front part of thi,

muscle downward with the thumb, untl

near the base of the lower

jaw, and then passing

forefingers under, or

inside of the jaw, the

pulse will be readily

felt ; or, to point its

location out with more certiint,r ir „„ •

pernendionl-,.! r "'Y^'^'^t^' '^ ^^ ""ng.nary line is drawn
r pendicu arly from the front part of the ear downward it
w. I cross the point where the pulse is located and felt

n a healthy condition the pulse beats from thir'ty-si. to

or 7 ;-s a minute; variation above or below this L d. d

d, atcs a morbid condition of the system. This fact sho d

or„ .„ „,i„a .•„ the description of any disease. When

^■eedmg ,s necessary, the neck never should be corded Z

-ch .njury has at times been caused by this practic . \

^^ - requeue is to .iso the jugular vela by pressing „po

342

NEUROTOMY OR NERVINa.

ill

11',-

it with the fingers of the left hand, using the lance with the
right. The old-fashioned mode of bleeding with the fleam
and blood-stick is a bungling operation, frequently requiring
several trials before bringing blood, the result of which is an
inflamed vein. A more convenient, a more certain, and a more
satisfactory method is by using a spring lance, made for the
purpose, which never fails in bringing blood upon the first
trial. It is so contrived as to straddle the vein of the neck,
which keeps it firm, and prevents its rolling, so that it is im*
possible to miss bringing the blood when it is once placed
upon the vein and sprung. By this method of bleeding, the
covering of the eye and the cording of the neck are unnecessary,
and the operation can easily be accomplished by one person.
After the vein has been opened, the blood-pail pressed against
the vein will cause the blood to flow freely. When the desired
quantity has been drawn, the vein must be carefully closed by
passing a pin through the centre of the opening, taking
up the skin upon both sides, and tying with hair from the
mane or tail. The pin may be removed in about twenty-four
hours.

NEUROTOMY OR NERVING.

This is one of the most important operations in reterinary
practice, and one that has been much abused, not only in
Europe, but even more so in the United States. Its useful-
ness was first demonstrated by Assistant Professor Sewell, of
the Veterinary College of London. The operation consists in
cutting out a portion of the metacarpal nerves on each side
of the legs, thus destroying the sensibility of the foot. From
the instantaneous relief experienced by the auimal in all case«

NEUROTOMY OR NERVING. 543

Of foot lameness, no matter from what cause, an opportunity has
been afl^orded to dishonest persons for imposing upon the public
by availing themselves of this practice ; an opportunity, it need
not be said, which has been freely used, and thus a valuable
operation has been brought into undeserved disrepute. The
cases likely to be benefited by this operation are few, and
should be selected with great care ; otherwise the loss of
the animaPs hoof may be, and often is, the termination of

the case.

This operation j? recommended by veterinary authors in
incurable cases of lameness of the navicular joint ; but suffi.
cient caution is not impressed upon the mind of the reader, to
enable him to guard against the fatal results which too often
follow.

In deciding upon a case for this operation, an animal should
be selected with a foot as free from contraction as possible ;
free from corns ; comparatively free from inflammation ; with a
concave ground surface ; open heels ; hoof free from rings or
roughness ; and no bony deposits within the hoof. In such a
case, the operation may be performed with success. A horse
that has been foundered should not, under any circumstances,
be operated upon, as ossification of the laminse frequently foN
lows such an attack ; nor a horse affected with ossification
of the lateral cartilages, corns, or badly contracted hoof; for
these are the cases where loss of the hoof is likely to follow,
rendering the animal useless.

After the operation has been performed, care should bo
taken in driving the animal ; for it should be remembered that
no matter what accident may happen to the foot, the animal
is unconscious of pain. The feet should be frequently exam-

844

NEUROTOMY OR NERVINa

ined to see whether the horse has picked up a n&il, or other
wise injured the foot ; for such injuries would otlierwise re-
main undiscovered until too late to save the animara life
or usefulness. The smith should be informed of the opera-
tion, in order to guard against pricking the animal's foot in
Bhoeing.

It is necessary previous to the operation that the feet should
be perfectly cool, which condition may be obtained by frequent
bathings with cold water for several days previous. The horse
is cast, the foot to be operated upon loosei^ed, and brought for-
ward by an assistant, it resting upon a bed of straw. A verti-
cal incision is made about two inches above the fetlock, between
the cannon bone and back sinew, raising up with the forceps
the cellular membrane, and carefully dissecting out the nerve.
The precaution should be taken of placing the finger upon it,
as the artery has been taken up and cut off before the mistake
was discovered. Having fairly exposed the nerve, pass a curved
needle armed with strong thread under it, and by carefully
drawing it up and down the nerve may be readily separated.
A sheathed knife is then passed under the nerve, and by a quick
motion the nerve is severed at the upper part. After the strug^
gles of the animal cease, the cut nerve may be raised with tho
forceps, and from one-half of an inch to an inch removed. This
second cut causes no pain. The wound is then closed by three
single stitches. After operating upon both sides in like manner,
the animal is allowed to rise. Bandages should then be placed
upon the leg, and kept saturated for several days with cold
water.

TREPHINIIfO.

845

lilTHOTOMY.

Operation, for ,tone in the bladder of the I.orse hare been
pracfsed since 1774, and in „,any cases very successfully I„
perfor..ng this operation, an ordinary scalpel, a probe-poin.ed
b-sloury, a fluted whalebone staff, and a pair of curved forceps
are necessary. The ani,„al should be placed npon his back .i'h
the h,nd legs drawn well forward ; a whalebone staff is passed
up the urethra, which n,ay be felt a little below the anus, „„
3nc,s.on, one and a half or two inches in length is n,ade directly
»pon ,t obliquely to one side, cutting through the urethra and
he neck of the bladder; the forceps are next introduced, and
the stone remored ; after which the parts are carefully closed
by means of the quill suture, which in this operation is far su-
penor to the interrupted one, as it more effectually prevents the
dnbbhng of urine through the wound, which always occurs with
t e .nterropted one. and therefore causes a more speedy union
Of the parts.

TBEPHINING.

This operation consists in cutting out circular pieces of bono
w.th a circular saw, called a trephine, and is most generally
performed «, cases of fracture of the skull, or face. The bone
removed must be from the sound part contiguous to the frac-
ture, so as to enable an elevator to be passed inside of the cra-
«.al case, for the purpose of pushing back the broken bone to
ns proper place, and removing all detached pieces. Tl.i, ope
ration ,s also performed in cases of ozena, by removing a piece
Of bone over the frontal sinuses, situated immediately between
the eyes, >n order to expose the diseased parts at once, that they
n>«7 bo washed with proper injections.

346

TAPPING THE CHEST.

TENOTOMY.

This operation is practised for the purpose of strengthening
crooked legs or sprung knees. It consists in dividing the flexor
tendons, in order to bring the limb straight. There are but few
cases, however, in which the operation would be of much service,
and therefore care must be exercised in selecting such cases as
are proper. It would hardly be proper in a young horse, as
other means less objectionable often succeed. In old horses it
would not be prudent, as their limbs are generally stiff and
permanently set ; nor would it be successful in cases where an-
chylosis or stiff joint existed, as is often found in connection
with crooked legs and sprung knees.

COUCHING.

This is an operation upon the eye for the purpose of remov-
ing a cataract from the axis of vision. A couching needle is
passed through the sclerotic coat of the eye a little behind the
cornea, passing it upward behind the iris to where the cataract
is located, pressing it downward into the vitreous humor behind
the iris, where it remains. This operation has not been very
successful in the horse, by reason of the imperfect restoration
of the sight thereby afforded, which causes them in almost every
instance to shy at every object which they encounter, thus ren-
dering them dangerous upon the road.

TAPPING THE CHEST.

This operation consists in passing a round, pointed instra-
ment, sheathed with a cauula, into the chest, ia order to draw

AMPUTATION OP THE PENIS. g^-j

Off any accumulation of fluid that may have taken place in the
viscus. The instrument is passed, after first making a small in-
cision through the skin, between the eighth and ninth ribs but
not too low down. It is pushed gently forward until it pene-
trates the pleura, or lining membrane of the chest. The stellet
IS then withdrawn, and the canula is kept In place until the fluid
ceases to run. If, however, a large quantity exists, all of it
should not be taken away at one time ; for the pressure upon the
lungs having been so great, if such sudden relief is afforded
nature, unable to accommodate herself to so rapid an alteration
gives way, and the animal consequently dies. It should there-
fore be taken away at one, two, or three tappings, as occasion
may require. Good wholesome food should be allowed

■

PEKIOSTEOTOMY.

This operation is most generally performed for painful splints
It consists in cutting though the periosteum, or membrane
covering the surface of all bones, over the splint or node, which
immediately gives relief. This operation requires the aid of an
experienced man.

AMPUTATION OF THE PENIS.

This operation is occasionally called for in the horse, particn-
arly m cases of paraphymosis, or protrusion of the penis, that
Imve resisted all other modes of treatment. The operation as
performed in England, is unnecessarily tedious, and not as sue
cessful as it should be. It is only requisite in performing this
operation to place a tv^itch npon the animal, and while he is
•tandmg to take the penis in the left hand, and with an ampu-

■^ "if

848

(ESEOPHAGOTOMT.

HERNIA.

349

tating knife in the right to sever it at one stroke. The he-
morrhage, although considerable, need not occasion any alarm.
A piece of cotton or soft sponge, saturated with spirits of tur
penline or any other styptic, and placed in the sheath, will soon
cause the hemorrhage to cease. Fear of hemorrhage, may
deter some persons from performing what may appear a bold
operation ; but the author has not known a single operation
performed in this way to have a fatal termination ; whereas with
the English mode of operating it frequently docs so, beside,
even if it is successful, rendering the animal useless for a muck
greater period of time.

CESOPHAGOTOMY.

This operation is occasionally resorted to where any foreign
substance, as an apple, potato, carrot, and the like, has lodged
in the oesophagus, or gullet. Where such obstructions exists
gentle manipulations with the hand should first be resorted to ;
if these are not successful in removing them, the probang is called
for, and in case of failure thus to dislodge them, this operation is
the only remaining resort. It is not necessary to cast the animal.
Cut down directly upon the swollen part of the throat, and re-
move the obstruction. The wound may then be closed by means
of the interrupted suture ; that is, by single stitches, at proper
distances apart, allowing the ends to hang out of the external
wound, which may be closed in the same manner. The animal
should be kept on gruel for several days. If the gruel is seen
to ooze out of the wound when he is swallowing, it should be
carefully washed away with cold water. The parts should be
syringed with a weak solution of sulphate of zinc, chloride of
cine, or tincture of myrrh.

HERNIA.

By the term hernia surgeons understand a rupture, or protru-
sion of some of the viscera out of the abdomen, forming a soft
tumor. In human practice there are hernias occurring in all
the viscera of the body ; but in the equine race they are confined,
with rare exceptions, to the abdominal viscera, the inguinal
hernia being the most common. This appears in the groin, and
is a protrusion of the intestine through the abdominal ring,
which in the stallion frequently passes down into the scrotum, or
bag, constituting scrotal hernia. These hernias sometimes occur
during castration in consequence of the violent struggles of the
animal. In such cases it is best to administer chloroform at once
in order to quietthe animal and prevent violent strugglings. The
animal should be put upon his back, and one hand passed up the
rectum, and one or two fingers of the other placed upon the
scrotum, when by careful manipulations the intestine can gene-
rally be replaced. If, however, a reduc- __

tion cannot be elTected,

be n ecessary.

The hernia should

be exposed by

cutting through

the integument a

little upon one

Bide, and coming

down upon the

hernia, the finger

is placed upon it,

and a reduction effected by careful manipulation. Care should

be taken that the nails upon the hand are trimmed close, in

GOOD FOR HBAVr DRAFTS.

350

KOWELING.

naiNo.

351

order to prevent wounding the intestine. The wound should
then be closed by means of the interrupted suture. A folded
cloth should then be applied to the part, and retained by means of
a continuous bandage crossed between the legs from side to side
in the form of the figure 8. Sometimes the intestine becomes
strangulated, constituting strangulated hernia, the reduction of
which requires an operation as before mentioned. If, however,
it is found impossible, then to reduce it, the finger should be
passed through the opening, if possible, and a probe-pointed
bistoury following upon it, enlarge the opening and replace the
intestine. The same treatment as before indicated will be ne-
cessary.

Tlie symptoms of strangulated hernia are very similar to

those of acute enteritis, or inflammation of the bowels. These
may be regarded as the only hernias to which the horse is
liable. •

KOWELING.

Kowels were formerly much used, but of late years the seton
has superseded them. The rowel consists of a round piece of
sole leather, cut out in the centre wound round with tow, which
is saturated before using with digestive ointment. The skin is
cut through, and dissected upon each side sufficiently to admit
the rowel. This is used principally under the jaws and in the
breast. The seton answers the same purpose, and is much more
convenient. It consists in arming a needle made for the pur-
pose with tape and passing it through the part desired, the
Beton being saturated with the same ointment as the rowel.

PIBIKO.

The object in firing a horse is to produce an external inflam-
mation where counter-action is required, as in spavin, ringbone,
curbs, etc. The operation may be performed upon the animal
while standing, by placing a twitch and side line upon him ;
but if the surface to be fired is extensive, and the animal high
strung, it is better to cast him, particularly where a number of
oblique, vertical, or horizontal lines are to be drawn. Firing
is not practised at the present day to the extent that it formerly
was, and when it is practised every endeavor should be made to
prevent, as far as possible, the blemishes which always follow
the operation. Various forms of irons liave been adopted to
accomplish this end. The author gives the preference to the
feathered iron, which is brought down to a very fine edge, and,
opinions are entertained by veterinary surgeons as to the ad-
vantages resulting from deep firing as compared with those
accruing from surface firing. In the author's judgment, if firing
is resorted to at all, it should be done efTcctually. His attention
has recently been called to a firing iron devised by A. Maillard,
Esq., of Bordentown, New Jersey, which is the best adapted in'
Etrument that has ever passed under his notice. It consists of two
pieces of iron, octagonal in form, about one and a half inches
long by one and a quarter wide, one piece containing five
round-pointed projections, placed one at each corner and one
at the centre, and the other four points, so arranged as, when
fitted together, to fill up the intermediate spaces of its opposite ;
both irons being used alternately on the same parts without ex'
tending the surface fired. This iron will probably supersede
any iron in use, and thanks are due to the inventor for his in-

1*1

S52

TRACHEOTOMY.

gcnuUy 5n producing it. rointed instraments have been befor.
used, but far inferior in their arrangement.

THACHEOTOMT.

Tins operation is oecasionally called for in cases of strangles.
M>en the swelling threatens snlfocation. as it is often the only
„eans of saving the animal's life. It consists in muk.ng a lon-
gUudinal incision throngh the skin immediately over the wn.d-
Le and below the laryn.x, cutting through the cart.lag.nous
rings (two or more, as occasion requires), and inserting >n the
opening a tube of silver made for the purpose, through wh.eh
the aniLl breathes, instead of through the nostrils. A c.rcular
piece is sometimes cut out ot the windpipe in order to adm.t the
Lbe more freely, which is certainly the better mode of perform-
in. the operation. In a case of emergency, a p.ece of elde
,vi"'lh the pith pushed out will answer temporary purposes. I
should be well secured from slipping into the windpipe by
mtSiM of a piece of string.

The Horse Tamed.

mm^^it TMmMMs.

p The <rvcat celebrity \vl)ich Mr. Rarey obtained
in England and France, owing to his unparalleled
f^P success in rendering the most vicious and un-
^- governable horses perfectly tractable and gentle,
has excited no small degree of interest and curi-
osity among us, to ascertain the method which he adopts to
secure such noteworthy results. To gratify this interest, as laud-
able as it is naturJ, we propose in this place giving the leading
23 (353)

354 karey's method of taming horser

features of his metliod, as gleaned from the various EnglisK
publications bearing upon the subject, especially from the little
work entitled " The Art of Taming Horses. By J. S._ Rarey."
and edited by the Hunting Correspondent of " The Illustrated

London News."

It is needless to premise, that not every man can become a
Rarey, by the perusal of this, or of any other treatise upon the art
of breaking horses ; yet it is not claiming too much for this system
to say, that by its use the large majority of horses may be broken
more expeditiously, more effectually, and with far more satis-
faction and pleasure to the breaker than by the adoption of any
other now known. It is no slight gain, to be able to transfer
the breaking of horses from ignorant, impatient, and disagree-
able persons to those who can in every respect appreciate the
noble qualities of the animal and who will therefore deal with
him as his high rank in the scale of creation demands.

The three fundamental principles of the Rarey theory are :
first, that the horse is so constituted by nature that he will not
offer resistance to any demand made of him which he fully com-
prehends, if such demand is made in a way consistent with the
laws of his nature ; second, that he has no consciousness of his
strength beyond his experience, and can be handled according
to ou° will without force ; and third, that we can, in compliance
with the laws of his nature, by which he examines all things
new to him, take any object however frightful around, over, or
on him, that does not inQict pain, without causing him to fear.
As to the first proposition :_the horse, although possessed of
some faculties superior to man's yet being deficient in reasoning
powers, has no knowledge of right or wrong, of free will and
independent government, and is not aware of any imposition

rarey's method or taming horses.

355

practised upon him, however unreasonable it may be. He can-
not, consequently, decide as to what he should, or should not
do, not having the requisite faculties to enable him to argue the
justice of the thing demanded of him. Had he such faculties,
taking into consideration his superior strength, he would be
useless to man as a servant. If he had mind in proportion to
his strength, he would roam through the fields at large, yield-
ing service to no one. His nature has been wisely formed to
be operated upon by the knowledge of man according to the
dictates of his will, and he may properly be termed an uncon-
scious submissive servant. This truth is verified in every day's
experience by the abuse to which he is subjected. Any one
who chooses to be so cruel can mount the noble steed, and run
him till he drops with fatigue, or, as is often the case with the
more spirited, falls dead beneath his rider. If he had the power
to reason, would he not rear and pitch his rider, rather than
suffer him to run him to death ? Happily for us, he has no
thought of disobedience, except by impulse caused by the vio-
lation of the law of his nature. If then, he is disobedient, it is
the fault of man.

As to the second : the fact that the horse is unconscious of
the amount of his strength, can be proven to the satisfaction
of any one. Were it otherwise, the light vehicle in which ho
is placed, the slender reins and harness which guide and con-
fine him, would be snapped asunder in an instant, at his own
volition ; no hitching-post could restrain him against his will,
no saddle girth .be placed around his body. These facts,
made common by cvery-day occurrence, are not regarded as
anything wonderful. Their continued existence serves to re-
move us from all consideratiou of them.

356

rarey's method of taming horses.

RAREY's method of TA^HNa HORSES.

36T

As to the third : there being:, as we know from a natural
course of reasoning, some cause for every impulse or move-
ment of either mind or action, and this law governing every
action or movement of the animal kingdom, there must be
some cause before fear can exist ; and if fear exists from the
effects of imagination, and not from the infliction of real
pain, it can be removed by complying with those laws of
nature, by which the horse examines an object, and deter-
mines upon its innocence or harm.

A log or stump by the roadside, for example, may be, in
the imagination of the horse, some great beast about to pounce
upon him ; but after he is taken up to it, and allowed to stand
by it for a little time, and to touch it with his nose, and. to
go through his process of examination, he will not care any-
thing more about it. The same principle and process will
have the same effect with any other object, however frightful
in appearance, in which there is no harm.

These principles being taken as the basis, whatever obstacles
oppose the proper breaking of horses are readily surmounted
by the Rarey method, commencing with the first steps to be
taken with the colt, and thence proceeding through the whole

task of breaking.

How to Call a Colt from Pasture.— Go to the pasture
and walk around the whole herd quietly, and at such a dis-
tance as not to cause them to scare and run. Then approach
them very slowly, and if they stick up their heads and seem to
be frightened, stand still until they become quiet, so as not to
make them run before you are close enough to drive them in
the direction you want them to go. And when you begin
to drive, do not flourish your arms or halloo, but gently fol-

lovv them, leaving the direction open that you wish them to
take. Thus taking advantage of their ignorance, you will be
able to get them into the pound as easily as the hunter drives
the quails into his net. For, if they have always run in the
pasture uncared for (as many horses do in prairie countries
jand on large plantations), there is no reason why they should
not be as wild as the sportman^s birds, and require the same
gentle treatment, if you want to get them without trouble ;
for the horse, in his natural state is as wild as a stag, or any
of the undomesticated animals, though more easily tamed.

How TO Stable a Colt without trouble.— The next step
will be, to get the horse into a stable or shed. This should
be done as quietly as possible, so as not to excite any sus-
picion in the horse of any danger befalling him. The best
way to do this is to lead a broken horse into the stable first,
and hitch him, then quietly walk around the colt and let hiiu
go in of his own accord. This should be undertaken slowly
and considerately, as one wrong move may "frighten your
horse, and make him think it necessary to escape at all haz-
ards for the safety of his life— and thus make two hours^ work
of a ten minutes' job; and this would be all your own fault,
and entirely unnecessary— /or he will not run unless you run
after him, and thai would not he good policy unless you knew
(hat you could outrun him, for you will have to let him stop
of his oivn accord after all. But he will not try to break
away unless you attempt to force him into measures. If he
does not see the way at once, and is a little fretful about
going in, do not undertake to drive him, but give him a little
less room outside, by gently closing in around him. Do not
raise your arms, but let them hang at your side, for you might
as well raise a club : the horse has never studied anatomy,

358

rarey's method op taming horses.

a7id does not know but that they will unhinge themselves and
fiy at him. If he attempts to turn back, walk before him,
but do not run ; if he gets past 3^ou, encircle him again in the
same quiet manner, and he will soon find that you are not
going to hurt him ; and then you can walk so close around
him that he will go into the stable for more room, and to get
further from you. As soon as he is in, remove the quiet
horse and shut the door. This will be his first notion of con-
finement— not knowing how he got into such a place, nor how
to get out of it. That he may take it as quietly as possible, see
that the shed is entirely free from dogs, chickens, or anything
that would annoy him. Then give him a few ears of corn,
and let him remain alone fifteen or twenty minutes, until he
has examined his apartment, and become reconciled to his

confinement.

While he is eating, see that your
halter is ready and all right, and de-
termine for yourself the best mode of
operation. Always use a leather hal-
ter, and be sure to have it made so
that it will not draw tight around his
nose if he pulls on it. It should be of
the right size to fit his head easily and
nicely, so that the nose-band will not
be too tight or too loose. Never put
a rope halter on an unbroken colt,
BRIDLE WITH A wooDEx oAo- u n d e r auy circumstances whatever.

BIT F0» CONQUERING VICIOUS _. , , ,

HORSES. Rope halters have caused more horses

to hurt or kill themselves than would pay for twice the cost
cf all the leather halters that have ever been used for the

rarey's method of taming horses.

359

purpose of breaking colts. It is almost impossible to break
a colt that is very wild with a rope halter, without having him
pull, rear, and throw himself, and thus endanger his life ; and
this, because it is just as natural for a horse to try to get his
head out of anything that hurts it, or feels unpleasant, as it
would be for you to try to get your hand out of a fire. The
cords of the rope are hard and cutting ; this makes hira raise
his head and draw on it, and as soon as he pulls, the slip noose
(the way rope halters are always made) tightens, and pinches
his nose, and then he will struggle for life, until, perchance, he
throws himself. But this is not the worst. A horse that has
once pidled on his halter can never be as well broken as one
that has never pulled at all.

Before anything more is attempted with the colt, some of
the characteristics of his nature must be noticed, that his
motions may be better understood. Every one that has ever
paid any attention to the horse, has noticed his natural in-
clination to smell everything which to him looks new and
frightful. This is their strange mode of examining everything.
And when they are frightened at anything, though they look
at it sharply, they seem to have no confidence in their eyesight
alone, but must touch it with their nose before they are en-
tirely satisfied ; and, as soon as they have done that, all seems
right. •

If you want to satisfy yourself of this characteristic of the
horse, and to learn something of importance concerning the
peculiarities of his nature, etc., turn him into the barn yard,
or a large stable will do, and then gather up something that
you know will frighten him — a red blanket, buff*alo robe, or
something of that kind. Hold it up so that he can see it, ho

360

rarey's method of taming horses.

rarey's method op taming horses.

361

will stick np his head and snort. Then throw it clown Bome«
where in the centre of the lot or barn, and walk off to ono
side. Watch his motions, and study his nature. If he is
frightened at the object, he will not rest until he has touched

it with his nose. He will
begin to walk around the
robe and snort, all the time

»rRAF FOR THE niunr FORE T^See pajfcs ^Ctt»"ff » ^^^tlc closcr. Until

^^•^^^•^ he finally gets within reach

of it. He will then rcry cautiously stretch out his neck
as far as he can reach, merely touching it with his nose, as
though he thought it was ready to fly at him. But after ho
has repeated these touches for a few tinies, for the first time
(though he has been looking at it all the while) he seems to
have an idea of what it is. When he has found, by the sense
of feeling, that it is nothing that will do hrra any harm, he is
ready to play with it. If you watch him closely, you will see
him take hold of it with his teeth, and raise it up, and pull at
it ; and in a few minutes you can see that he has not that same
wild look about his eye, but that he stands like a horse biting
at some familiar stump.

Yet the horse is never so well satisfied wnen he is about any-
thing that has frightened him, as when he is standing with his
nose to it ; and in nine cases out of ten, you will see some of that
same wild look about him again, as he turns to walk from it.
You will, probably, see him looking back very suspiciously as
he walks away, as though he thought it might come after him
yet. In all probability he will have to go back and make
another examination before he is satisfied ; but he will familiar-
ize himself with it, and if he should run ia that field for u few

days, the robe that frightened him so much at first willT^e no
more to him than a familiar stumji.

It might very naturally be supposed from the fact of the
horse's applying his nose to everything new to him, that he
always does so for the purpose of smelling these objects ;- but
it is as much or more for the purpose of feeling, and he makes
use of his nose, or muzzle (as it is sometimes called), as wo
would of our hands ; because" it is the only organ by which ho
can touch or feel anything with much susceptibility.

lie invariably makes use of the four senses — seeing, hear-
ing, SMELLING, and FEELING — in all of his examinations, of
which the sense of feeling is, perhaps, the most important. In
the experiment with the robe, his gradual approach and final
touch with his nose was as much for the purpose of feeling as
anything else, his sense of smell being so keen that it would
not be necessary for him to touch his nose against anything
in order to get the proper scent ; for it is said that a horse
can smell a man at a distance of a mile. Besides, if the scent
of the robe was all that was necessary, he could get that
several rods off; whereas, we know from experience, that if a
horse sees and smells a robe a short distance from him, he is
very much frightened (unless he is used to it) until he touches
or feels it with his nose ; which is a positive proof that feeling
is the controlling sense in this case.

It is a prevalent opinion among horsemen generally that
the sense of smell is the governing sense of the horse ; and
with that view many receipts of strong-smelling oils, etc.,
have been concocted in order to tame him. Ail of these as
far as the scent goes, have no effect whatever in taming him, or
conveying any idea to his mind ; though the acts that accom-

362

rarey's method oe taming horses.

pany these efforts — handling him, touching him about the
nose and head, and patting him, as you are directed to do,
after administering the articles, may have a very great effect
which is mistaken for the effect of the ingredients used.

Approaching a Colt. — In order to take horses as we
find them, of all kinds, and to train them to our liking, we
should always take with us, when we go into a stable to train

a colt, a long switch whip
(whalebone buggy whips are
the best) with a good silk
cracker, so as to cut keenly
and make a sharp report.
STRAP FOR THE OFF FORE LEO. (See p. 370.) Thls, If haudlcd wlth dcxtcr-
ity, and rightly applied, accompanied with a sharp, fierce word,
will be sufficient to enliven the spirits of any horse. With
this whip in your right hand, with i. ^ lash pointing backward,
enter the stable alone. It is a great disadvantage in training
a horse to have any one in the stable with you ; you should be
entirely alone, so as to have nothing but yourself to attract
his attention. If he is wild, you will soon see him on the
opposite side of the stable from you ; and now is the time to
use a little judgment.

Accordingly, when you have entered the stable, stand still,
and let your horse look at you a minute or two, and as soon
as he is settled in one place, approach him slowly, with both
arms stationary, your right hanging by your side, holding the
whip as directed, and the left bent at the elbow, with your
hand projecting. As you approach him, go not too much
toward his head or croup, so as not to make him move either
forward or backward, thus keeping your horse stationary ; if

rarey's method of taming horses.

S63

he does move a little either forward or backward, step a little
to the right or left very cautiously ; this will keep him in one
place. As you get very near him, draw a little to his shoulder,
and stop a few seconds. If you are in his reach he will turn
his head and smell your hand, not that he has any preference
for your hand, but because that is projecting, and is the nearest
portion of your body to the horse. This all colts will do,
and they will smell your naked hand just as quickly as they
will of anything that you can put in it.

As soon as he touches your hand with his nose, caress him
as before directed, always using a very light, soft hand, merely
touching the horse, always rubbing the way the hair lies, so
that your hand will pass along as smoothly as possible. As
you stand by his side, you may find it more convenient to rub
his neck or the side of his head, which will answer the same
purpose as rubbing his forehead. Favor every inclination of
the horse to smell or touch you with his nose. Always follow
each touch or communication of this kind with the most tender
and affectionate caresses, accomjyanied with a kind look, and
pleasant word of some sort, such as, '' Ho I my little boy— -ho !
my little boy I'^ "Pretty boy I" "Nice lady !'' or something of
that kind, constantly repeating the same words, with the same
kind, steady tone of voice ; for the horse soon learns to read the
expression of the face and voice, and will know as well when
fear, love, or anger prevails, as you know your own feelings ;
two of which, fear and anger, a good horseman should never
feel.

If your horse, instead of being wild, seems to be of a stub-
born or mulish disposition ; if he lays back his ears as you ap-
proach him, or turns his heels to kick you, he has not that regard

864

rarey's method op taming horses.

or fear of man that he should have, to enable you to handk nlin
quickly and easily ; and it might be well to give him a few sharp
cuts with the whip, about the legs, pretty close to the body. It
will crack keenly as it plies around his legs, and the crack of
the whip will affect him as much as the stroke ; besides, one
sharp cut about his legs will affect him more than two or three
over his back, the skin on the inner part of his legs or about his
flank being thinner, more tender, than on his back. Do not
whip him much — just enough to frighten him ; it is not because
we want to hurt the horse that we whip him — we only do it to
frighten vice and stubbornness out of him. Whatever you do,
do quickly, sharply, and with a good deal of fire, but always
without anger. If you are going to frighten him at all, you
must do it at once. Never go into a pitched battle with your
horse, and whip him until he is mad and will fight you ; it would
be better not to touch him at all, for you will establish, instead
of fear and respect, feelings of resentment, hatred, and ill-will.
If you can succeed in frightening him, 3^ou can whip him with-
out making him mad ; for fear and anger never exist together
in the horse, and as soon as one is visible, the other disappears.
After you have frightened him, so that he will stand up straight
and pay some attention to you, approach him again, and caress
him a good deal more than you whipped him ; then you will
excite the two controlling passions of his nature, love and fear,
and as soon as he learns what you require, he will obey quickl}'.
How TO Halter and Lead a Colt. — As soon as you have
tamed the colt a little, take the halter in your left hand, and
approach him as before, and on the same side that you have
tamed him. If he is very timid about your approaching closely
to him, you can get up to him quicker by making th^ >'hip a

RArey's method of taming horses. 365

part of your arm, and reaching out very gently with the butt end
of it, rubbing him lightly on the neck, all the time getting a
little closer, shortening the whip by taking it up in your hand,
until you finally get close enough to put your hands on him!
If he is inclined to hold his head from you, put the end of the
halter-strap around his neck, drop your whip, and draw very
gently; he will let his neck give, and you can pull his head to
you. Then take hold of that part of the halter which buckles
over the top of his head, and pass the long side, or that part
Which goes into the buckle, under his neck, grasping it on the
opposite side with your right hand, letting the first strap loose
—the halter will be sufficient to hold his head to you. Lower
the halter a little, just enough to get his nose into that part
which goes around it ; then raise it somewhat, and fasten the
top buckle, and you will have it all right. The first time you
halter a colt you should stand on the left side, pretty well back
to his shoulder, only taking hold of that part of the halter that
goes around his neck ; then with your two hands about his neck
•you can hold his head to you, and raise the halter on it without
making him dodge by putting your hands about his nose. You
should have a long rope or strap ready, and as soon as vou have
the halter on, attach this to it, so that you can let him walk the
length of the stable without letting go of the strap, or without
making him pull on the halter, for if you only let him feel the
weight of your hand on the halter, and give him rope when he
runs from you, he will never rear, pull, or throw himself, yet you
will be holding him all the time, and doing more toward gent-
ling him than if you had the power to snub him right up, and
hold him to one spot ; because he does not know anything about
his strength, and if you don't do anythin- to make him pull, he

366

rarey's method of taming horses.

will never Ivnow that he can. In a few minutes you can begin
to control him with the halter ; then shorten the distance be-
tween yourself and the horse by taking up the strap in your
hand.

As soon as he will allow you to hold him by a tolerably short
Btrap, and to step up to him without flying back. You can

begin to give him some
idea about leading.
But to do this, do not
go before and attempt
to pull him after you,
but commence by pull-
ing him very quietly
to one side. lie has
nothing to brace either
side of his neck, and
will soon yield to a
steady, gradual pull of the halter ; and as soon as you have pulled
him a step or two to one side, step up to him and caress him, and
then pull him again, repeating this operation until you can pull
him around in every direction, and walk about the stable with
him, which you can do in a few minutes, for he will soon think
when you have made him step to tiie right or left a few times,
that he is compelled to follow the pull of the halter, not know-
ing that he has the power to resist your pulling ; besides, you
have handled him so gently that he is not afraid of you, and
you always caress him when he comes up to you, and he likes
that, and would just as lief follow you as not. After he has
had a few lessons of that kind, if you turn him out in a field, he
will come up to you every opportunity he gets.

TAMiNO THE HORSE. (See page 368.)

KAREY'S METHOD OF TAMING HORSES. S67

Toa should lead him about in the stall some time before you

"J on. „.„di„„ „.;.'" '""■ , ^'"'' '"<'"'■> »»' even b.

How TO Tie up a Oott tp
1,; • , ^OLT.— If you want to tie up vour colt nnt

j: : '""*'"' "'"■' "•"■ "■■«'• "-""».'« i.o » , ;

connected by a bar or soracthinj? of that tinr] f. .i
ranu.on behind it; so that, after the colt .^ in can ^o f
enouffh hnr>?' frv + i "t cannot go far

then b t I " ''"'""'' ''''^'^"•'*'-'^ P"" - the halter-

b. or h.m to pull ou the halter, the partition behind prev L
J"g hira from go ne back nnri th^ i u • I'revent-

I'im ererv tin,! I ! ' ' ''""" "' "'^ «"'r« checking

m erery time he turns to the right or left. In a stall of thi!

^.nd you can break any horse to stand tied with a uZ^^

ZT' T'^ ^'-^ -" ^"owin, anything abou u it!'
ror you have broken your horse to lead, and have ta 1

you bach hun to anything), you can hitch him in any kind of

868

rarey's method of taming horses.

a stall, and if you give him something to eat to keep him up td
his place for a few minutes at first, there is uot one colt in fif:j
that will pull on his halter.

How TO Tame a Horse. — Take up one fore-foot and bend
his knee till his hoof is bottom upward, and nearly touching
his body; then slip a loop over his knee, and up until it comes
above the pastern-joint, to keep it up, being careful to draw the
loop together between the hoof and pastern-joint with a second
strap of some kind to prevent the loop from slipping down and
coming off. This will leave the horse standing on three legs ;
you can now handle him as you wish, for it is utterly impossible
for him to kick in this position. There is something in this
operation of taking up one foot, that conquers a horse quicker
and better than anything else you can do to him. There is no
process in the world equal to it to break a kicking horse, as
there is a principle of this kind in his nature that by conquer-
ing one member, you conquer, to a great extent, the whole

horse.

This will conquer liira better than anything you could do,
and without any possible danger of hurting himself or you
either, for you can tie up his foot and sit down and look at him
until he gives up. When you find that he is conquered, go to
him, let down his foot, rub his leg with your hand, caress him,
and let him rest a little ; then put it up again. Repeat this a
few times, always putting up the same foot, and he will soon
learn to travel on three legs, so that you can drive him some
distance. As soon as he gets a little used to this way of tra-
veling, put on your harness, and hitch him to a sulky. If ho
Is the worst kicking horse that ever raised a foot, you need not
be fearful of his doing any damage while he has one foot up,

rarey's method or taming horses. 369

for he cannot kick, neither can he run fast enough to do any
harm. And if he is the wildest horse that ever had harness on,
and has run away every time he has been hitched, you can now
hitch him in a sulky, and drive him as you please. If he wants
to run, you can let him have the lines, and the whip too, with
perfect safety, for he can go but a slow gait on three legs, and
will soon be tired, and willing to stop ; only hold him Tn'ough
to guide him in the right direction, and he will soon be tired
and willing to stop at the word. Thus you will effectually cure
him at once. of any further notion of running off Kicking
horses have always been the dread of everybody; but by this
new method you can harness them to a rattling sulky, plough,
wagon, or an3itliing else in its worst shape. They may be
frightened at first, but cannot kick, or do anything to hurt them-
selves, and will soon find that you do not intend to hurt them
and then they will not care anything more about it. You can
then let down tlie leg and drive along gently without any further
trouble. By this new process a bad kicking horse can be taught
to go gentle in harness in a few hours^ time.

How TO Make a Horse lie down.^To make a horse lie
down, bend his left fore-leg and slip a loop over it, so that he
cannot get it down. Then put a surcingle round his body, and
fasten one end of a long strap around the other fore- leg,' just
above the hoof. Place the other end under the before-described
surcingle, so as to keep the strap in the right direction ; take
a short hold of it with your riglit hand ; stand on the left side
of the horse, grasp the bit in your left hand, pull steadily on the
Btrap with your right; bear against his shoulder till you cause
him to move. As soon as he lifts his weight, your pulling will
raise the other foot, and he will have to come on his knees.
24

■*'WKlSiS%«tv','Jt*!^

370

raret's method op taming horsesl

rarey's method of taming horses.

Keep the strap tight in your hand, so that he cannot straightcB
his leg if he rises up. Hold him in this position, and turn his

head toward you ; bear against his side with
your shoulder, not bard, but with a steady,

equal pressure, and in
about ten minutes he
will lie down. As soon
as he lies down, he will
be CO mpletely con-
quered, and you can
handle him as you
please. Take off the
TBACffiKQ THE HORSE TO LIE Dowv strapsj Bttd straiglitcn

out his legs ; rub him lightly about the face and neck with your
hand the way the hair lies ; handle all his legs, and after he has
lain ten or twenty minutes, let him get up again. After rest-
ing him a short time, make him lie down as before. Kepeat
the operation three or four times, which will be sufiBcient for
one lesson. Give him two lessons a day, and when you have
reached four lessons, he will lie down by taking hold of one
foot. As soon as he is well broken to lie down in this way,
tap him on the opposite leg with a stick when you take hold of
his foot, and in a few days he will lie down from the mere motion
of the stick.

To Accustom a Horse to Strange Sounds and Sights —
It is an excellent practice to accustom all horses to strange
sounds and sights, and of very great importance to young
horses which are to be ridden or driven in large towns, or
used as chargers. Although some horses are very much more
timid and nervous than others, the very worst can be very

much improved by acting on the first principles laid down in
the introduction to this article— that is, by proving that the
strange sights and sounds will do them no harm.

When a railway is first opened, the sheep, the cattle, and
especially the horses, grazing in the neighboring fields, are
terribly alarmed at the sight jf the swift, dark, moving trains,
and the terrible snorting and hissing of the steam engines.
They start away— they gallop in circles— and when they stop,
gaze with head and tail erect, until the monsters have dis-
appeared. But from day to day the live stock become more
accustomed to the sight and sound of the steam horse, and
after a while they do not even cease grazing when the train
passes. They have learned that it will do them no harm.
The same result may be observed with respect to young horses
when first they are brought to a large town, and have to meet
great loads of hay, omnibuses crowded with passengers, and
other strange or noisy objects ; if judiciously treated, not
flogged and ill-used, they lose their fears without losing their
high courage.

To accustom a Horse to a Dr^m.—PIace it near him on
the ground, and without forcing him, induce him to smell it
again and again, until he is thoroughly accustomed to it.
Then lift it up, and slowly place it on the side of his neck,
where he can see it, and tap it gently with a stick or your
finger. If he starts, pause, and let him carefully examine it.
Then commence again, gradually moving it backward until it
rests upon his withers, by degrees playing louder and louder,
pausing always when he seems alarmed, to let him look at it
and smell, if needful. In a very few minutes you may play
With all your force, without his taking any notice. When

872

rarey's method op taming horses.

373

this practice has been repeated a few times, your horse, how«
ever spirited, will rest his nose nnmoved on the big drum,
while the most thundering piece is played.

To teach a Horse to bear an Umbrella — Go through the
same cautious forms, let him see it, and smell it, open it by
degrees, gain your point inch by inch, passing it always from
his eyes to his neck, and from his neck to his back and tail ;
and so with a riding-habit ; in half an hour any horse may
be taught that it will not hurt him, and then the difidculty is
over.

To fire off a Horse^s back. — Begin with caps, and, by de-
grees, as with the drum. Instead of lengthening the reins,
stretch the bridle hand to the front, and raise it for the car-
bine to rest on, with the muzzle clear of the horse's head, a
little to one side. Lean the body forward without rising in
the stirrups. Avoid interfering ivith the horse^s mouthy or
exciting his fears by suddenly closing your legs either be^
fore or after firing — be quiet yourself and your horse
will be quiet. The colt can learn to bear a rider on his bare
back during his first lessons, when prostrate and powerless,
fast bound by straps. The surcingle has accustomed him to
girths, he leads well, and has learned that when the right rein
is pulled he must go to the right, and when the left rein to
the left. You may now teach him to bear the bit and the
SADDLE, if you have not placed it upon his back while on the
ground.

How TO Accustom a Horse to a Bit. — You should use a
large, smooth, snaffle bit, so as not to hurt his mouth, with a
6ar to each side, to prevent the bit from pulling through
either way. This you should attach to the head-stall of your

bridle, and put it on your colt without any reins to it, and let
him run loose in a large stable or shed, some time, until he

becomes a little used to the bit, and
will bear it without trying to get it out
of his mouth. It would be well, if con-
venient, to repeat this several times,
before you do anything more
with the colt ; as soon as he will
bear the bit, attach a single rein

1 0 i t. You
should also
have a halter
on your colt,
or a bridle
made after the
fashion of a
halter, with a
strap to it, so
that you can

hold or lead him about without pulling at the bit much.
He is now ready for the saddle.

The Proper Way to Bit a Colt.— Farmers often put bit-
ting harness on a colt the first thing they do to him, buckling
up the bitting as tight as they can draw it, to make him carry
his head high, and then turn him out in a field to run half a
day at a time. This is one of the worst punishments that
could be inflicted on the colt, and is very injurious to a young
horse that has been used to running in pasture with his head
down. Colts have been so seriously injured in this way that
they have never recovered.

BTECUOLES OP THE VICIOUS HORSE AUAIN.ST LTlIfO DOTTX.

3T4

rarey's method op taming horses.

RAREY'S METHOD OP TAMING HORSES.

315

A hors» should be well accustomed to the bit before yo|
put on the bitting harness, and when you first bit him you
should onjy rein his head up to that point where he naturally
holds it, let that be high or low ; he will soon learn that he
cannot lower his head, and that raising it a little will loosen
the bit in his mouth. This will give him the idea of raising
his head to loosen the bit, and then you can draw the bitting a
little tighter every time you put it on, and he will still raise
his head to loosen it ; ty this means you will gradually get his
head and neck in the position you want him to carry them,
and give him a nice and graceful carriage without hurting him,
making him mad, or causing his mouth to get sore.

If you put the bitting on very tight the first time, he cannot
raise his head enough to loosen it, but will bear on it all the
time, and paw, sweat, and throw himself. Many horses have
been killed by falling backward with the bitting on ; their
heads being drawn np strike the ground with the whole weight
of the body. Horses that have their heads drawn up tightly
should not have the bitting on more than fifteen or twenty
minutes at a time.

How TO Saddle a CoLT.—The first thing will be to tie each
stirrup-strap into a loose knot to make them short, and pre-
vent the stirrups from flying about and hitting him. Then
double up the skirts and take the saddle under your right
arm, so as not to frighten him with it as you approach.
When you get to him rub him gently a few times with your
hand, and then raise the saddle very slowly, until he can see
it, and smell and feel it with his nose. Then let the skirt
loose, and rub it very gently against his neck the way the hair
lies, letting him hear the rattle of the skirts as he feels them

against him ; each time getting a little further backward, and
finally slipping it over his shoulders on his back. Shake it a
little with your hand, and in less than five minutes you can
rattle it about over his back as much as you please, and pull
it off and throw it on again, without his paying much atten-
tion to it.

As soon as you have accustomed him to the saddle, fasten
the girth. Be careful how you do this. It often frightens the
colt when he feels the girth binding him, and making the
saddle fit tight on his back. You should bring up the girth
very gently, and not draw it too tight at first, just enough to
hold the saddle on. Move him a little, and then girth it as
tight as you choose, and he will not mind it.

You should see that the pad of your saddle is all right be-
fore you put it on, and that there is nothing to make it hurt
him, or feel unpleasant to his back. It should not have any
loose straps on the back part of it, to flap about and scare
him. After you have saddled him in this way, take a switch
in your right hand to tap him up with, and walk about in the
stable a few times with your right arm over your saddle, takino-
hold of the reins on each side of his neck with your right and
left hands, thus marching him about in the stable until you
teach him the use of the bridle and can turn him about in
any direction, and stop him by a gentle pull of the rein.
Always caress him, and loose the reins a little every time you
stop him.

You should always be alone, and have your colt in some
light stable or shed, the first time you ride him ; the loft should
be high, so that you can sit on his back without endangering
your head. You can teach him more in two hour's time in »

376

RAREY^S METHOD OF TAMING HORSES.

RAREY'S METHOD OP TAMING HORSES.

37T

stable of this kind, than you could in two weeks in the commoD
way of breaking colts, out in an open place. If you follow
my course of treatment, you need not run any risk, or have
any trouble in riding the worst kind of horse. You take him
a step at a time, until you get up a mutual confidence and
trust between yourself and horse. First teach him to lead and
stand hitched; next acquaint him with the saddle, and the
use of the bit ; and then all that remains is to get on him
without scaring him, and you can ride him as well as any
horse.

How TO Mount the Colt.— First gentle him well on both
sides, about the saddle, and all over until he will stand still
without holding, and is not afraid to see you anywhere about
him. As soon as you have him thus gentled, get a small
block, about one foot or eighteen inches in height, and set
it down by the side of him, about where you want to stand to
mount him ; step up on this, raising yourself very gently ;
horses notice every change of position very closely, and if you
were to step up suddenly on the block, it would be very apt
to scare him ; but by raising yourself gradually on it, he will
see you without being frightened, in a position very nearly
the same as when you are on his back.

As soon as he will bear this without alarm, untie the stirrup-
strap next to you, and put your left foot into the stirrup, and
stand square over it, holding your knee against the horse, and
your toes out, so as not to touch him under the shoulder with
the toe of your boot. Place your right hand on the front of
the saddle, and on the opposite side of you, taking hold of a
portion of the mane and the reins, as they hang loosely over
his neck, with your left hand ; then gradually bear your weighs

on the stirrup, and on your right hand, until the horse feels
your whole weight on the saddle ; repeat this several times,
each time raising yourself a little higher from the block, until
he will allow yon to raise your leg over bis croup, and place
yourself in the saddle.

There arc three great advantages in having a block from
which to mount. First, a sudden change of position is very
apt to frighten a young horse who has never been handled ;
he will allow you to walk up to him, and stand by
his side without scaring at you, because you have
gentled him to that position ; but
if you get down on
your hands and
knees and crawl to-
ward him, he will
be very much fright-
ened ; and upon the
same principle, he
would be frightened at your new position if you had the power
to hold yourself over his back without touching him. Tho
first great advantage of the block, then, is to gradually gentle
him to that new position in which he will see you when you
ride him.

Secondly, by the process of leaning your weight in the
/stirrup, and on your hand, you can gradually accustom him
to your weight, so as not to frighten him by having him feel
it all at once. And, in the third place, the block elevates you
so that you will not have to make a spring in order to get
upon the horse's back, but from it you can gradually raise
yourself into the saddle. When you take these precautions.

8UBHI5.SI0X OF THB HORSE.

8T8

rarey's method op taming horses.

rarey's method of taming horses.

379

there is no horse so wild but that you can mount him without
making him jump. When mounting, your horse shouM always
stand without being held. A horse is never well broken when
he has to be held with a tight rein when mounting ; and a colt
is never so safe to mount as when you see that assurance of
confidence, and absence of fear, which cause him to stand with-
out holding.

An improved plan of mounting is to pass the palm of the
right hand on the off-side of the saddle, and as you rise lean
your weight on it ; by this means you can mount with the girth
loose, or without any girth at all.

How to Ride a Colt. — When you want him to start do
not touch him on the side with your heel, or do anything to
fnghten him and make him jump. But speak to him kindly,
and if he does not start pull him a little to the left until he
starts, and then let him walk off slowly with the reins loose.
Walk him around in the stable a few times until he gets used to
the bit, and you can turn him about in every direction and stop
him as you please. It would be well to get on and off a good
many times until he gets perfectly used to it before you take
him out of the stable.

After you have trained him in this way, which should not
take you more than one or two hours, yon can ride him any-
where you choose without ever having him jump or make any
effort to throw you.

When you first take him out of the stable be very gentle with
him, as he will feel a little more at liberty to jump or run, and
be a little easier frightened than he was while in the stable.
But after handling him so much in the stable he will be pretty
well broken, and you v/ill be able to manage him without trouble
or danger.

..i

When you first mount him take a little the shortest hold on
the left rein, so that if anything frightens him you can prevent
him from jumping by pulling his head round to you. This
operation of pulling a horse's head round against his side will
prevent any horse from jumping ahead, rearing up, or running
away. If he is stubborn and will not go, you can make him
move by pulling his head round to one side, when whipping
would have no effect. And turning him round a few times will
make him dizzy, and then by letting him have his head straight,
and giving him a little touch with the whip, he will go along
without any trouble.

Never use martingales on a colt when you first ride him ;
every movement of the hand should go right to the bits in the
direction in which it is applied to the reins, without a martin-
gale to change the direction of the force applied. You can
guide the colt much better without it, and teach him the use of
the bit in much less time. Besides, martingales would prevent
you from pulling his head round if he should try to jump.

After your colt has been ridden until he is gentle and well
accustomed to the bit, you may find it an advantage, if he car-
ries his head too high or his nose too far out, to put martingales
on him.

You should be careful not to ride your colt so far at first as
to heat, worry, or tire him. Get off as soon as you see that he
is a little fatigued ; gentle him, and let him rest ; this will make
him kind to you, and prevent him from getting stubborn or
mad.

To Break a Horse to Harness.— Take him in a light
stable, as you did to ride him; take the harness, and go through
the same process that you did with the saddle, until you get him

880

RAREY'S METHOD OF TAMING HORSES.

familiar with it, so that you can put it on him, and rattle it
about without his caring for it. As soon as he will bear this,
put on the lines, caress him as you draw them over him, and
drive him about in the stable till he will bear them over his hips.
The lines are a great aggravation to some colts, and often
frighten them as much as if you were to raise a whip over them.
As soon as he is familiar with the harness and lines, take him
out and put him by the side of a gentle horse. Always use a
bridle wnthout blinkers when you are breaking a horse to
harness.

Load him to and around alight gig or phaeton ; let him look
at it, touch it with his nose, and stand by it till he does not care
for it : then pull the shafts a little to the left, and stand your
horse in front of the off- wheel. Let some one stand on the right
side of the horse, and hold him by the bit, while you stand on
the left side, facing the sulky. This will keep him straight.
Run your left hand back, and let it rest on nis hip, and lay

hold of the
shafts with
your right,
bringing
them up very
gently to the
left hand,
which still
remains sta-

BREAKIXa THE HORSE TO HARNESS. tlOUary. VO

not let anything but your arm touch his back, and as soon as
you have the shafts square over him, let the person on the op-
posite side take hold of one of them, and lower them very gently

KEUROTOMT OR NERVING.

381

to the shaft-bearers. Be very slow and deliberate about hitch-
ing; the longer time you take the better, as a general thing.
When you have the shafts placed, shake them slightly, so that
he will feel them against each side. As soon as he will bear
them without scaring, fasten your braces, etc., and start him
along very slowly. Let one man lead the horse, to keep him
gentle, while the other gradually works back with the lines till
he can get behind and drive him. After you have driven him
in this way a short distance, you can get into the sulky, and all
will go right. It is very important to have your horse go gently
when you first hitch him. After you have walked him awhile,
there is not half so much danger of his scaring. Men do very
wrong to jump up behind a horse to drive him as soon as they
have him hitched. There are too many things for him to com-
prehend all at once. The shafts, the lines, the harness, and the
rattling of the sulky, all tend to scare him, and he must be made
familiar with them by degrees. If your horse is very wild, one
foot had better be put up the first time you drive him. With
the leg strapped up, the lighter the gig the better, and four
wheels are better than two.

WARRANTT.

383

WARRANTY.

In tlie purchase of a horse the buyer should take with the receipt
what is termed iu law a warranty. The best way of expressing i^
is in this form :

Philadelphia, August 1, 18 — ,

Received of William Ingalls three hundred dollars, for a black
mare, warranted only live years old, sound, free from vice, and
quiet to ride and drive.

$300. EDWARD RIDDLE.

A receipt, which includes simply the word ** warranted," extends
merely to soundness. *' Warranted sound," has no greater extent ;
the age, freedom from vice, and quietness to ride and drive should all
be especially named. This warranty embraces every cause of un-
soundness that can be detected, or that is inherent in the constitution
of the animal at the time of sale, as well as every vicious habit which
he has previously shown. In order to establish a breach of the war-
ranty, and then be enabled to return the horse or recover the price
paid, the purchasei must prove that it was unsound or viciously
disposed at the time of sale. In case of cough, the horse must have
been heard to cough previously to the purchase, or as he was led
home, or' as soon as he had entered the stable of the purchaser.
Coughing, even on the following morning, will not be sufficient ; for
it is possible that he might have caught cold by a change of sta-
bling. If he is lame, it must be proved to arise from a cause that
could not have occurred after he was in the purchaser's possession.
No price will imply a warranty, or be deemed equivalent to one ;
the warranty must be expressly stated.

A fraud in the seller must be proved, in order that the buyer may
be enabled to return the horse or maintain an action for the price.
The warranty should be given at the time of sale. A warranty or
a promise to warrant the horse, given at any period. previous to the
Bale, is of no effect ; for the horse is a very perishable commodity,
and his constitution and his usefulness may undergo a considerable
change in a few days. A warranty after the sale is also of no effect,
as it is given without any legal consideration. In order to complete
the purchase, there must be a transfer of the animal, or a written
memorandum of agreement, or the payment of some sum, however
email, as earnest-money. No verbal promise to buy or sell is bind-
ing without one of these accompaniments ; and th© moment either
(382)

of them is effected, the legal transfer of property, or its delivery, is
made, and whatever may happen to the horse, the seller retains, or
is entitled to,*the money. If the purchaser exercises any act of
ownership — as by using the animal without leave of the seller, or
by having any operation performed upon him, or medicines given
to him — lie makes him his own.

If the horse should afterward be discovered to have been un-
sound at the time of warranty and sale, the buyer may return him.
Although not legally compelled to give notice to the seller of the
discovered unsoundness, it is best that snch notice should be given.
The animal should then be tendered at the house or stable of the
seller. If he refuses to receive the animal, humanity dictates that
he should be sent to a livery stable, in preference to tying him up
in the street ; an action can be maintained, after the horse has been
tendered, for the necessary expenses of keeping him as well as for
the price paid. The keep, however, can be recovered only for the
time that necessarily intervened between the tender and the deter-
mination of the action. It is not legally necessary to return the
animal as soon as the unsoundness is discovered. The animal may
be kept for a reasonable time afterward, and even proper medical
means may be resorted to for the removal of the unsoundness ; but
courtesy, and indeed justice, will require that the notice should be
given as soon as possible. Although it is laid down, upon the au-
thority of an eminent English judge, that ** no length of time elapsed
after the sale, will alter the nature of a contract originally false, ' ' yet
there are recorded cases in which the buyer was prevented from
maintaining his action, because he did not give notice of the un-
soundness within a reasonable time after its discovery. What wilj
constitute this reasonable time, depends upon many circumstances.
It was formerly supposed that the buyer had no right to have the
horse medically treated, and that he would vitiate the warranty by
so doing. The question, however, in such a case would be, whether
the animal was injured, or his value lessened, by such treatment.
It maybe remarked that it is generally most prudent to refrain from
all medical treatment, since the means adopted, no matter how
skillfully used, may have an unfortunate effect, or what is done
may be misrepresented by ignorant or interested observers.

Wlien a horse is returned, and an action brought for the price,
St is indispensable that in every respect, except the alleged un-
Boundness, the animal should be as perfect and valuable as whexi
ke was bought.

384

WAERANTY.

The purchaser may, possibly, like the horse, notwithstanding hit)
discovered defect; in which case he may retain him and bring an
tuition for the depreciation in value on account of thill unsoundness.
Few, however, will do this, because the retaining of the animal will
give rise to a suspicion that the defect is of no great consequence,
and consequently will occasion much cavil about the amount of
damages ; the suit terminating, probably, in the recovery of slight,
if any, damages.

Where there is no warranty, an action may be brought on the
ground of fraud; but as this is very difficult to be maintained, few
persons will hazard it. It will in such a case, be necessary to prove
that the seller knew the defect, and that the buyer was imposed
upon by his false representations ; and that, too, under circum-
Btances in which a person of ordinary carefulness and circumspection
might have been imposed upon. If the defect was palpably evident,
the purchaser has no. remedy, for he should have exercised more
caution ; but if a warranty was given, it covers every unsoundness,
evident or concealed. Although a person should ignorantly or
carelessly buy a blind horse, warranted sound, lie may return it —
the warranty is his protection, and prevents him from examining
the horse as closely as he otherwise would have done ; but if he
buys a blind horse, supposing him to be sound, and without a war-
ranty, he is without any remedy. The law supposes every one to
exercise common circumspection and common sense.

A person should liave a more thorough knowledge of horses than
most possess, together with perfect confidence in the seller, who
Ventures to buy a horse without a warranty. If a person buy a
horse warranted sound, and discovering no defect in him, sells him
again, relying upon his warranty, and the unsoundness is discov-
ered by the second purchaser, and the liorse returned to the first
l>uyer, or an action commenced against him, the latter has his claim
upon the first seller, and may demand of him not only the price of
the horse, or the difference in value, but all expenses which may
necessarily have been incurred.

Exchanges, whether of one horse absolutely for another, or where
a sum of money is paid in addition by one of the parties, stand upon
precisely the same ground as simple sales. If there is a warranty
upon either side, and that is broken, the exchange is vitiated ; if
ih^re is no warranty, deceit must be proved.

■V

M..

"^t .

TUE END.

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