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Pratts
Pointers on
the Horse
Has been written in a brief, concise, thorough and up-
4
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to-date manner, and in an entertaining readable style.
To all horse owners, farmers and stablemen, this book
will prove of immense practical value.
It gives clear and intelligent information how to raise
to stable, care for and breed horses; also how to cure and
iD i
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prevent diseases. | rs
?
27 is the best all around te a its kind published.
We have written it for the purpose of assisting our patra
to the most complete information possible. :
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NOTE
In addition to this valuable book on horses, we publish the following :
PRATTS POULTRY POINTERS
PRATTS POINTERS ON COwS, HOGS AND SHEEP
Both of these books can be obtained by sending a coupon taken from
one of our packages, together with 1o cents to cover cost of
postage, packing, etc.
PRATT FOOD CO.,
PHILADELPHIA.
—— lll”
be
fé
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ng : AND
Veterinary Remedies
PRATT FOOD COMPANY
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Pratts Food for Horses and Cattle
Pratts Animal Regulator -
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Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment
Pratts Hog Cholera Cure
Pratts Purely Vegetable Condition Powder
Pratts Prepared Fever Powder
Pratts Veterinary Colic Cure
Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment
Pratts Specially Prepared Worm Powder
Pratts Heave, Cough and Cold Cure
Pratts Harness Soap
Pratts Cow Tonic
& Pratts Calf Tonic
5 Pratts Distemper and Pink Eye Cure
: Pratts Roup Cure
Your Dealer can supply you with any of the above articles
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Pratts
Pointers on the Horse
INCLUDING
BREEDING, RAISING, TRAINING, FEET, FEED,
STABLING, DISEASES, ETC.
. CONTAINING
VALUABLE INFORMATION FROM EXPERIENCED
AUTHORITIES THROUGHOUT THE
WORLD
200 D3EE Coe
. PUBLISHED BY
Pratt Food Company
Ries Manufacturers of
PRATTS FOODS
The Greatest Animal and Poultry Regulators
and Veterinary Remedies
PHILADELPHIA, U. S. A.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND
LONDON, ENGLAND CAPE TOWN, AFRICA
LIBRARY of SONGRESS
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PART I
PRATTS POINTERS
ON THE
HORSE
CHAPTER I.
We will first treat on the horse and its habits, color,
paces, coat, mane, tail, etc.
The reader will find this a practical book for practi-
cal people; and arranged in a condensed, up-to-date
form. ‘The index in the back of the book is so com-
plete that any desired information can be found at a
glance.
There has been so much written and said about the
care of horses, that many readers find most articles on
this subject have occupied their time with the result of
only confusing them, instead of gaining the desired
information.
- Judgment in purchasing, combined with a good >
stable, regular, systematic feeding and thoughtfulness in
driving or working, makes the keeping of horses a
e
5
6 | PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
pleasure, as well as a source of profit, instead of a loss
and worry. |
THE Horse | _-4e origin of horses is unknown ; but
AND ITs HaBits| they were used in Egypt over fifteen
hundred years before Christ ; and they
have ever been the great helper of mankind, both in
war and in peace.
Their natural food throughout the world is grass
and grain, either in a fresh or dried state, and their
natural paces the walk and the gallop; all others are
the result of training. |
Wild horses are still found in certain parts of the
globe. In the wild state they depend in flight for safety ;
but if compelled to fight use their feet and teeth effect-
ively. ink
Horses fully mature when five years old; and the
average age of living is from :
twenty-five to thirty years.
All horses, especially thor-
oughbreds, are capable of being
educated to a wonderful de-
gree; and the intelligence of
highly sensitive animals is
marvelous. EDUCATED,
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 7
pots or | The proportions of horses vary in the
Spe different breeds; but all breeds should
have certain good features, such as large
hocks and knees, open jaws and full nostrils.
POINTS OF THE HORSE.
In purchasing, always buy that breed which is the
most suitable for the work to be performed. ‘This is a
eee PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
fundamental rule and should always be adhered to. It
is simply folly to buy a light carriage horse for heavy
4 _ SHOROUGHBRED LOWBRED
BAD PURCHASING. pia Ok RIT,. TAIL.
a4
iy
farm work or‘vice versa. Such purchasing has been the
cause of many failures. seg
The loins of a good horse are always bulky and mus-
cular, which insures ‘vigor and strength. Especially
should hunters, racers, and saddle horses possess this
requirement. | ce ae
T’he tail of a well-bred horse is always carried erect
GOOD NECK. GOOD WIDTH. BAD WIDTH.
and graceful, while in the lowbred the dock is com-
pressed between the haunches.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 9
The neck should be of good thickness and slightly
curved. ‘The head broad between the eyes, the nostrils
GOOD MOUTH AND NOSTRILS.
BAD MOUTH AND NOSTRILS. GOOD KARS. BAD EARS.
full, the mouth large and the lips smooth and com-
pressed. ‘The ears should be broad, not too long, and
incline slightly at the tips towards
each other. The eyes should be
> >
GOOD EYE. - BAD EVE.
|, . 77
bushel measure, sponge, curry-
comb, waterbrush, cloths, oil
can and brush, scissors, etc.,
also halters and blankets of PASRLT |
different weights. All these STABLE CLOSET.
articles should have a place arranged for them, and
should always be kept in a clean and serviceable condi-
tion. ‘The harness room and carriage house will be
described in following chapter.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 23
CHAPTER III.
HARNESS ROOM AND CARRIAGE HOUSE.
ADVANTAGES | It is absolutely necessary to have the
OF ren gay harness and accessories kept in a clean
M
and convenient location; and nothing
answers this purpose so completely as a well-arranged
harness room. ‘The harness is then kept away from all
smell, ammonia, dust, etc.; and it is not only convenient,
but economical as well. Every piece of harness should
have its particular location and be always in its proper
place when not in use. Having a place for everything
gives the stable a neat and attractive appearance and
adds to the value of the property.
CARE OF Always dry harness thoroughly before
HARNEss | Putting it away. Clean the collar care-
fully or chafed shoulders will be the
result. Pratts Harness Soap is now in general use by
a large majority of horse owners. It lasts longer and
cleans better than any imported or domestic soap made.
Carefully dry with a clean cloth immediately afterward.
Keep all nickel bright and clean. Ammonia and whit-
24 | PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
ing is good to use for this purpose. Bale wire is excel-
lent for mending a trace or strap. Never put off repair-
ing harness; do it at once. |
SIZE AND | The harness room should not be less than
LOCATION | twelve feet square, and can be in the
stable or attached to it. An excellent
arrangement is to have the stable, harness room and
carriage house combined in the order named. For fine
harness, blankets, rugs, etc., closets should be built
along the sides; and shelves should be made to hold
brushes, rags, oil, etc. There
should be plenty of pegs and
brackets; also hooks hanging
from the ceiling to hold har-
ANCE : i | i
runores || Mess while cleaning. Every
EXaniace -——— | harness room should contain
HARNESS ROOM.
a stove or range, with boiler
attachment, so that water
can be quickly heated. ‘This is especially desirable in
winter, as the chill can be taken from the drinking water,
and the mangers, harness and wagons be more readily |
cleaned by the use of hot water. ‘The heat will also be of
great service in drying blankets and wet harness.
PLAN OF HARNESS ROOM.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 25
_” HARNESS
AND
_HARNESSING
Proper harness, its care, and a thorough
knowledge of harnessing should be ac-
quired by all who drive or have the care
of. horses.
REPAIRING ON THE ROAD.
it. Buy only that which
contains good leather
and honest workman-
ship. It should be light
and simple, but strong —
The chief
and pliable.
parts of harness are the
bridle, and the collar
and traces, the saddle,
with straps to support
The safety of lives depends on the harness,
and it is criminal to neglect
it. Many lives have been
sacrificed on account of a
weakened piece of harness,
which should have received
attention. Every part
should be examined fre-
quently; and if, by an acci-
dent on the road, a piece
is broken, the driver should
understand how to repair
IN HARNESS.
the shafts, crupper and breeching.
26 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
THE The bridle may or may not have blinkers
BRIDLE attached. Some horsemen think they
: do more harm than good; but this
_ depends entirely upon the horse. Most
horses, however, work better with them,
as it keeps their attention closely to
their work. The bit is the most impor-
tant part of the bridle; and it is to con-
trol, and not torture the horse. A bit BMINKERS.
should fit the mouth, be just the width of the mouth and
no larger. Bad fitting and cruel bits are the causes of
hard mouths and unmanageable horses.
TRACES, SAD-| ‘The traces should be attached to the
DLE, BREECH-} thames at such a point that the horse can
ING, CRUPPER
pull properly. A good collar-maker will
fix this point, as it takes a knowledge of a horse’s build
to do so. Care must be taken that the traces are of
equal length. The size of the pad or saddle depends on
the nature of the work required. For carriages it
should be light, but for heavy work it must be broad
and well stuffed. The tugs or straps must be of such
length as to suspend the shafts at acorrect height. The
breeching is worn in single harness, and must be loose
enough to allow proper action. ‘The crupper is to keep
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 27
the saddle in place; and the part under the tail must be
perfectly smooth.
THE The most important part of the harness
COLLAR is the collar. It must fit, or the horse
will suffer and be unable to pull properly.
If it is too large it will chafe the shoulder; and if too
small, it presses the windpipe and worries
the horse. Have the collar made to order
so that it exactly fits the neck and shoulders,
then the weight of the load will be dis-
tributed over the front of the shoulders,
leaving the wind-
7
COLLAR.
pipe free. An ill-
fitting collar is as much annoy-
. ance toa horse asa pair of bad-
shaped shoes is toaman. ‘The
lining should be of a smooth,
ee COLtAs. soft leather, and be always kept
perfectly clean. The best collars are those that open at
the top. This is much better than the kind that goes on
over the horse’s head. The latter style annoys and
worries many horses. ‘The breast collar, or strap, is not
to be recommended ; although it looks very neat, it
presses against those muscles which should not en-
28 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
dure pressure, and it frequently interferes with proper
breathing. |
THE This house should be joined to the
CARRIAGE | harness room, so that a door, connecting
HOUSE
the two, in freezing weather, can be left
open; and the heat diffused, thus protecting the good
vehicles. The carriage house should be just large
enough to hold the carriages and wagons ; and nothing
else should be stored in it. Many carriage houses are
often filled with a miscellaneous assortment of pitch-
forks, rakes, buckets and other articles not intended to
be kept there. The place for cleaning carriages and
wagons will be treated under another heading.
io Fa ‘ce
Se a
* 9%
CHAPTER IV.
FEEDING AND WATERING.
RULEs To | Regularity in feeding is one of the most
FEED important rules. Common sense and
judgment must be used in the amount
and kind of food given, which depends on the nature,
size of horse, and amount of work to be done. The
more work, the larger the ration. Overfeeding is the
habit of many horse owners, consequently the horses
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 29
lay on a larger supply of fat while lacking in good hard
muscle. Race horses, that are sensitive and compelled
to do exhaustive work, must have the best food money
can buy. Young horses should have very nourishing
and nutritious food, and a large quantity of it, for the
proper development of their bodies. Many good colts
have been stunted in their growth by improper food.
Food must not only build up the bodies, but supply
heat as well.
Although the natural food of the horse
is grass, yet when stabled and compelled
FOOD
to work, it must have a more concentrated and nutri-
tious food. To insure health in horses, and to fit them
properly for work, their food must be of a mixed char-
‘acter, nutritious, and have sufficient bulk to insure
good digestion. Then all parts of the body will be
supplied and strengthened. The food of horses vary in
_ different parts of the globe; but the general foods are
hay, grass, corn, oats, barley, rye, beans, peas, bran,
linseed, carrots, turnips, potatoes and apples. It is im-
portant that the horse should be watered before feeding.
Hay should be fed first and then grain, (which is the
concentrated food,) should be given last. This causes
the grain to remain in the stomach until thoroughly
30 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
digested, and enables the horse to obtain the full benefit
of the strength-giving food.
OATS AND | Oats are the best grain food for horses. —
CORN In buying oats see
that the grains are
heavy, the husks thin, and that it
is free from a musty smell. Corn,
according to present opinion,
should not be fed too frequently, GOOD OATS.
as it supplies fat, but very
little muscle. Oats are
much better. Corn should
be fed in winter more than
in summer, as it is very
MUSTY OATS—MAGNIFIED.
heating. Corn and oats are
more easily digested if slightly crushed or bruised.
Chaff and bruised corn make an economical and healthy
food ; but should only be fed occasionally.
GREEN Foop| ©@re should be used in feeding the horses
| | green food. Many will eat so greedily
as to cause colic. It is best to mix the green food with |
the other food. When fed in small craven it is good
for all horses. af
ms 4
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 31
TURNING Turning to grass is done frequently when
TO Grass | the horses have been overworked, and
are suffering from sore feet, bad legs, etc.
This method has many friends ; but no horse should be
turned out to grass unless there is a shelter in the field,
where it can be protected
from the rain, flies and heat.
Some farmers, every even-
ing in summer, allow their
horses a ten minutes’ run in
a grass field, and the results
are good. SHELTER.
Hay should always be bright, and every
fibre distinct, of a greenish tint, firm,
HAY,
AND AMOUNT
TO FEED
. long, have a pleasant odor, free from
weeds and dust.
Foreign grasses
and weeds are dis-
tinguished by
their darker color.
Hay should be
well seasoned be- _
fore feeding. It should lay at least six months; but a
year is still better. Clover hay must not be very weedy
GOOD HAY,
32 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
or the horse will refuse to eat it. Never feed burnt,
musty, mildew, or dirty hay. If you do, it will cause
sickness. The amount of hay to feed daily must be
determined by experience. Some authorities say twelve
pounds a day 1s sufficient,
while others allow fifteen
to eighteen pounds. By
watching results of
amount fed, the proper
quantity will soon be de-
‘termined for each animal.
All horses should have
cut food once daily. This,
in addition to grain, con-
sists of hay, cornfodder or straw, cut, wetted and mixed
with bran. As horses in the natural state prefer moist
grass, many horsemen sprinkle the hay with water
before feeding. Horses like crisp hay; but dislike wc
that is soft and woolly.
CUTTERS.
COOKED | Cooked food is generally condemned.
FOOD The process of cooking does not render
it more nutritious or easier to digest. It
is not natural for a horse to have sloppy food; it is too
easily swallowed and it weakens the digestive organs.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 33
Horses that are fed cooked food are subject to colic, diar-
rhoea and many other diseases, and are lacking in vigor.
Horses should be fed three times a day.
The first meal should be between five and
six o’clock, while the last food should
be given about six or seven p. m.
FEEDING
HOURS
Regularity is necessary to proper
health. Over-eating and indiges-
tion are usually caused by not fol- —
lowing this rule. Arrange such
hours as are convenient, and then
follow them faithfully. As a
horse, in its natural.state, always
eats with its head down, serve its
food low, especially hay.
EKATING—HEAD DOWN.
Barley and rye should be fed with care.
Beans and peas, thoroughly dried and
crushed, with oats, make an excellent
mixture. ‘They contain much nutriment, and it is a
good feed for farm horses. Bran, in some stables, is fed
daily and good results are shown. Carrots and turnips
fed raw are good for hard-worked horses. Potatoes, on
account of their cheapness and worth, make a good winter
food, and when boiled and mixed with oats and chopped
OTHER
FOODS
34 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
hay, are nutritious. Apples, with the grain, are excel-
lent. Never feed a tired or heated horse, and let the
evening meal be the heaviest.
PRATTS We have endeavored to lay down practi-
REMEDIES cal and common sense rules in feeding ;
and. believe, if they are consistently car-
ried out, that healthy, profitable results will follow. At
the same time, no matter how much care, time, atten-
tion and judgment are given to rules of any kind, there
are times when it is impossible to carry them out as
they should be. Then, again, at times it is necessary
to work the horses harder than usual, or sudden changes
of weather, or long exposure to rains and storms will
cause the animals to get out of condition ; and it is on
account of these irregularities that Pratt Food Com-
pany’s well-known remedies—Pratts Food for Horses
and Cattle, Pratts Animal Regulator and Pratts Purely
Vegetable Condition Powder—show their great value.
If either is given regularly with each feed, a horse will
receive full nutriment and benefit from all he eats; and
as they keep the digestive organs in perfect condition,
the bowels regular and the blood pure, a horse will be
free from disease and kept robust and healthy. They
are mild stimulative and digestive tonics or regulators,
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 35
composed of harmless roots, herbs and barks, and do
not contain vegetable or mineral poisons of any kind.
These remedies are not to be fed in bulk, but mixed in
small quantities as directed, with the animal’s regular
food. While they cure most all ailments to which
horses are liable, these famous Remedies are just as
valuable as preventives, flesh producers and savers of
food. ‘They are now in use throughout the world. See
treatment of diseases explaining the value of Pratts
Remedies in each disease, and how to give them.
eax All horses like salt, and should have it
| within easy reach; instinct will not
allow them to eat more than is
necessary for their health. The
best way is to fasten a large
lump, weighing three pounds,
in a place where the horse can
easily lick it when wanted.
SALT IN STALL.
WHEN AND | Horses should be watered as early in the
HOW morning as possible, and at least twenty
TO WATER ; ;
minutes before feeding. There are two
methods at present used in watering horses. One is to
36 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
always have the water before them in the stall, and the
other is to water at stated intervals. If water is con-
stantly kept before a horse, unless he has been accus-
tomed to it from a colt, he is apt to drink too much
when overheated ; but this can be remedied by having
: a cover to the tank. It has
been proven that horses will
drink less when they have water
always before them than if
they are watered at certain in-
tervals. If water is not kept
constantly before them they
should have it at least four
COVER TO TANK IN STALL. times a day. The amount
drank depends on the weather and their work. One and
one-half to two buckets is about right. Never water
when overheated. Oatmeal mixed with the water is
excellent when the horses are tired or exhausted. Have
the temperature of the water a little below that of the
stable. Never giveice water. In winter, heat the water
till it is of the proper temperature, and rheumatism, as
well as indigestion, will be prevented. Water the horse
before starting onajourney. Asa last rule, be sure that
the water is pure and clean; also that the bucket or
trough is free from dirt.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 37
nEcEssiry | Water is as much a
OF WATER | wecessity to horses
as food; and they
should always be properly supplied
with soft, clean water. The horse
is the best judge of the amount of
water needed, and if watered ac-
cording to instructions below, will
not drink any more than is needed
for health.
HORSE DRINKING,
CHAPTER V.
THE STABLE YARD.
STABLE This is a subject that the average horse
YARD
owner sadly neglects. A well-kept man-
ure heap is an indication of thrift. One-
third ‘of the value of manure is anually lost by bad
management in most establishments. If the manure is
carefully saved and used properly, the fertility of the
soil is retained. For every 1000 pounds of live weight
of a horse the value per year of manure produced by
that horse is about twenty-six to twenty-eight dollars.
Another fact is that the urine of horses is most valuable
if saved as per stable yard hints. Manure loses its value
by too much fermentation and leaching. A certain
MANURE
38 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
amount of fermentation is necessary. This can be con-
trolled by addition of moisture.
STABLE The stable yard is one of the most im-
HINTS portant factors to those that keep horses;
and it should be built in a thorough sani-
tary manner. Formerly stable yards were so badly
arranged that all
the valuable
draining from
the manure
would run offand
be wasted. Many
new features
have been added,
however, tomake —
the stable yard
nearer to what it
should be. In the
first place, it
should be of
fairly good size;
and second, the
“SIGWLS
TROUGH |
PLAN, GOOD STABLE YARD.
space where the
manure is kept should be paved with concrete, gradually
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 39
sloping to the centre, where a small well can be made,
also lined with concrete, to hold the draining, which can
then be pumped or thrown over the heaped manure,
adding greatly to its value.
COVERED Some stable yards are now entirely
— covered with a substantial roof, which
YARDS
makes an excellent protection for both
animals and the manure. It also provides a pleasant
place to work, especially in winter. The yard can be
covered with a plain roof, or a second story can be added,
which will be found very convenient for storage of straw,
etc. Where the yard is not covered, a good plan is to build
a roof extending about 12 feet from the stable, and 12 feet
from the ground, running the full length of the stable.
40 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
Some build a shed over the manure, and leave the bal-
ROOF EXTENDING
FROM STABLE. SHED (MANURE).
ance of the yard uncovered. The plans submitted give
an idea of difierent methods of covering the stable yard.
: THE WAsH| Im the stable yard, or in close proximity
FLOOR to the carriage house,
there should be a
cemented space 12 to 15 feet square, mn
on which to wash carriages, etc. 4 |
WASH FLOOR PLAN.
It should incline
towards the centre,
where an opening
should be, connect-
ing with a drain.
COVERED WASH FLOOR ADJOINING THE
CARRIAGE HOUSE. If possible thus
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 41
space should be covered with a neat shingle roof. This
can be constructed at a slight expense and should be
found in every yard. ,
THE STABLE| 1” many instances a stable is located
TANK beyond the reach
of pipe water,
and without the convenience
of windmills. There should be
constructed at least a hundred
gallon tank in the stable, as
high up as possible; and by Lok: ara aaes
the use of a force pump, kept
continually filled.
The water, by the
use of pipes, can
then be distributed
throughout the
stable and yard.
The convenience of
this is unquestion-
DISTRIBUTING PIPES. able. Pipes should
lead to the water trough, to the stalls, to the harness
room, to wash floor, etc.
42 —O PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
THE Another necessity of the stable yard is a
STABLE YARD] good watering trough, which should
TROUGH
always be located under a roof of some
kind. It should be
of generous size,
made of two-inch
pine planks, and
lined with metal,
with an opening
at the bottom, so
that the water may
TROUGH UNDER SHED.
be run off in
freezing weather,
or for the purpose
of cleaning. ‘This
trough should be
| kept perfectly
clean and the water in it fresh and cool.
THE TROUGH.
THE When a stable is so located that it is
PADDOCK | Possible to have a paddock, it is a valuable
adjunct, and is simply a small pasture,
neatly fenced, adjoining the stable. It is used for
rearing colts, also as a resting place for sick or over-
worked horses. ‘This pasture should contain a good
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 43
growth of rich grass. The best paddocks either have a
neat shelter built on them or
have a box stall in the stable
opening into the paddock. A
horse can then go in and out
at pleasure. This gives the
colts or horses a shelter from
the weather or flies. It is most
profitable to have a place of PADDOCK PLAN.
this kind to use when needed.
Another necessity to a paddock is a water trough kept
filled with clear water.
HOW TOTREAT| ‘The best method is described in stable
na yard hints on page 37, which allows the
USE MANURE
drainings to run into a well constructed
in the centre of the manure heap, and then pump it over
the manure, always
keeping it in a fair-
ly moist condition.
Heap it about ten
feet high and be
careful to smooth
the outer sides to
PUMP FOR MANURE.
prevent too free
circulation of air: To prevent ammonia from evaporat-
Ad PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
ing, a small amount of gypsum is sprinkled in the ©
manure. It has been said that it is better not to cover
the manure; but that idea is
rapidly dying out, and it is now -
thought much better in every
respect to have it covered, as
SMOOTH SIDES OF HEAP. there is not such a loss from
excessive heat or continued rains. Manure so protected
is always stronger, therefore more valuable. In using
the manure, light and frequent applications bring far
the best results. The mixing of commercial fertilizers
with the manure, however, improves its value greatly.
CHAPTER VI.
BREEDING.
The first question a breeder must settle in his mind
is what he wants; and breed with that point in view. If
a work horse is wanted, breed from those animals that
have the desired qualities; and so on throughout the
breeding of different horses for different uses. ~This
principle must be adhered to strictly to be successful.
The idea in breeding horses is at all times with the
aim of improving the breed. All who engage in breed-
ing horses will find that it requires time, patience and
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 45
thought. The more care expended before starting, the
better the results will prove. Never attempt to breed
anything but good colts; scrubs never pay. ‘There is
money in breeding certain kinds of horses; but that
subject will be treated in the chapter on ‘‘ Profit and
Loss.”’ | |
importance | As a colt always has, in a more or less
ca modified form, many of the habits and
SELECTION
outward appearances of its parents, the
necessity of careful selection can be readily seen. Sound,
healthy and good-tempered animals alone can furnish
desirable colts. The surest rule is to always select the
best obtainable of the breed desired, and disappointment
will be reduced toa minimum. The purer the breed, the
better the offspring will be.
THE BROop | Inchoosing the brood mare a great many
MARE things must be taken into consideration.
She must have good health and temper;
her frame should be compact, yet roomy to a certain
extent; and she must have strength. As blood always
tells in the progeny, let the mare be of good blood. It
is just as important for the mare as the stallion; and this
is where many breeders make mistakes. They use most
46 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
any kind of a mare with a blood stallion, ana expect
good results. |
A mare, before breeding, should be examined
thoroughly, not only to see that health is good, but also
that she is free from spavins, ringbones, all bony en-
a") NR,
7
)
Civoespaaa.
(yy
-
A GOOD BROOD MARE,
largements, curby hocks, bad feet, broken wind, cataract
and all other diseases that are hereditary. The temper of
the mare is important, and no one should breed from an
ill-tempered or vicious animal. The frame sufficiently
large so that the colt can be properly carried. ‘The
shoulders fleshy, firm and with the proper slant. The
loins broad and the hips wide apart. ‘The mouth and
nostrils large and eye bright. A healthy coat is also
necessary. Strength and ability to work are excellent
traits to perpetuate. A good brood mare is valuable.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 47
THE The stallion, to have good results, must
STALLION | always be adapted to the mare; and
should also possess all the good qualities
mentioned. It shows good judgment when a stallion is
chosen that has blood, fine staying qualities, soundness,
and a strong, well-built form, with straight and short,
legs. A stallion must have a certain amount of fat,
,
\ »
2 ,
A GOOD BROOD STALLION.
which is necessary to a good constitution ; but should
not be loaded down with it, as it is apt to cause sickness
and sudden death. A stallion is frequently chosen that
exaggerates the features sought for in the colt: so, if the
mare has long legs, a short-legged stallion is used; but
this kind of breeding must be very carefully studied, or
4a PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
freaks, instead of well-proportioned colts, will be the
result. |
BREEDING | For good results, it is always best that
AGES both the sire and dam should be mature
and have plenty of vigor. If too young
or too old, the offspring is apt to be weak and under-
sized. ‘The general rule is that a young mare be put to
a well-matured horse, not less than from eight to ten
years old ; and a young stallion be used for an old mare.
Mares can breed from two to twenty-five years old, and
sometimes older. It has been proven that age, when
bred with youth, is no detriment, as some of our very
best horses have been bred from old mares. :
A mare should never be bred, however, until she is
at least three years old ; four years is even better. She
will then be more fully becaeed and her foal stronger.
Stallions frequently have full vigor for twenty-five years.
Young stallions should be used with judgment, or ingaey
will ensue. |
Early spring is said to be the best time to put a
young mare to the horse. If a mare is taken in Febru-
ary or March, the offspring is said to be particularly
hardy. Some breed in autumn, that the mare may work
all summer. The ninth day after foaling is the surest
PRA TTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 49
time for conception. A mare will breed every year; and
the best results are derived by frequent breeding. After
a mare is fifteen years old, her foal is apt to be weak,
unless bred with a young stallion.
Working mares are more liable to be good breeders
than ones that are kept in idleness. It is always surer
to have mares bred at home. If the mare is taken to
the stallion, it is best if she is driven there before the
time of heat, and not driven home immediately after
being served. If a mare refuses a horse, the prevailing
way is to turn them loose in a pasture together, and ina
short time the desired result is obtained. A mare carries
her foal from eleven to fourteen months. An important
rule to observe is, never to take a tired mare to the horse.
In the morning, when both have full vigor after the
night’s rest, is the best time.
TREATMENT | A mare with foal must not be chased,
or frightened, exposed to weather, overfed,
MARE IN FOAL
overworked, allowed to smell blood, or
excited, or she is liable to “slip’’ her foal. If she does
this once, extra precaution must be taken or she will do
it again. A brood mare accustomed to work will be
benefited if kept at work until a short time before
50 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
foaling. She must not be strained, overworked, or
allowed to drink very cold water when heated.
FEEDING THE| Feed the stallion liberally with the best
MARE ANDTHE! food. Oats, hay, beans, grass and Pratts
STALLION ;
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder are all that is necessary. ‘The mare
should be fed a trifle larger ration than before, and the
meals be more frequent. The best foods are clover hay,
bran, oats, linseed, carrots, etc., with Pratts Remedies as
mentioned above. Never feed rye to mares in foal.
Give plenty of pure, clean water.
‘MPOTENCY Impotency in mares 1s usually caused by
| overfeeding. They should be regularly
fed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder, and their other ration reduced. In
stallions it is usually caused by lack of exercise. Good
food and exercise are necessary to keep them in condi-
tion. Pratts Remedies as mentioned above are invalu-
able for all stallions, and rectify impotency in both
mares and stallions.
IN-AND-IN In-and-in breeding consists in mat-
stent ae b ing horses of close relationship; it
CROSSING
is done to insure and _ perpetuate
certain qualities. Crossing is the union of two
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 51
distinct breeds, that the good qualities of each may be
found in the offspring. ‘To do either requires much
skill and judgment on the part of the breeder.
How TO The usual way to tell if a mare is in foal
TELL A MARE] js to take a rope or strap and measure
ice around the girth where the harness goes
on the back and the
belly band buckles on;
then meastire just in
front of the hind legs
around the body. If
the last measurement
is the larger, the mare
, : | MEASURING TO SEEK IF A MARE
1S with foal. IS IN FOAL.
FOALING | As the time approaches for foaling, the
_ mare should be placed in a good-sized
box stall, the floor of which is heavily covered with
straw. The time of foaling can be foretold by the sink-
ing of the flanks, the dropping of the belly and the en-
larged udder, which, if milked, will produce a white fluid.
Foaling with a mare is a prompt act, and, if the mare is
in good condition, should require no interference or
62 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
assistance. ‘The usual cause of trouble is when the foal
is in the wrong position. The head and forefeet should
come first. It requires skill to assist a mare in delivery,
and no one but an expert should attempt it. High-
bred animals require more attention than the ordinary
horses. After foaling, quiet, cleanliness and good food
are all that is required. If the belly of the mare is very
large, it should be carefully bandaged. Nature, if
allowed to take its course, will result favorably if not
interfered with. Warm gruel and a little hay should be
given the mare after foaling.
The mare usually attends to the colt by
CARE OF
MARE AND instinct at once, allowing it to suck and
COLT
licking it dry. If she refuses to own it,
rub some of the mare’s milk on the colt’s nose; then let
the mare smell it, and she will own it at once. The
food of the mare should be nourishing, and consist of
plenty of grass, oats, bran, carrots and frequently warm
mashes. She needs nourishing and concentrated food,
with plenty of good water and the proper quantity of
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condi-
tion Powder. See that the udder is in a good condition
and not inflamed. ‘The mare should not be put to work
_ PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 63
at once, and when first used should have light work for
a time. |
If asuckling mare puts on much flesh
and gives very little milk, give her a diet
of bran and crushed oats. ‘This is an ex-
cellent and easy remedy. Pratts Food, Pratts Animal
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder should also be
given regularly, as they not only enrich the milk, but
TO PRODUCE
MILK
also increase the quantity.
TO INSURE Brooding mares and stallions are particu-
earns AND] larly benefited by the regular and con-
STALLIONS | stant use of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder. The profit in
feeding them under these circumstances can hardly be
calculated. The stallion is kept robust and healthy, his
blood pure, digestion good and bowels regular, his
service surer and his offspring stronger. The mare will
be kept in perfect, healthy condition, the colt well nour-
ished, both before and after foaling, and the delivery
and all after-effects healthy, while the coit will be strong
and have good appetite. Pratts remedies insure a good
quantity of milk of excellent quality. The ingredients
being roots, herbs and barks, they can be fed freely
witho=t any bad effects.
54 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
CHAPTER VII.
THE COLT.
Careful attention must be given to the colt from
the time of its birth. It should have proper stabling,
good food, and exercise, be accustomed to handling
NEGLECTED COLT.
from the first and not excited or frightened. As the
colt is reared, so the horse will be; and no good horse
can be raised from a neglected colt.
STABLING | The colt should not run with the mare,
but be kept in a paddock in favorable
weather with access to a good box stall, in which it
should always be confined at night, ‘The paddock must
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 55
be well fenced and contain nothing that will injure the
playful foal. The stall should be bedded heavily with
straw or sawdust, and kept in a perfectly clean condi-
tion. It must also be free from anything to injure the
colt ; and contain nothing but a manger for grain, and a
vessel containing good, clean water. Never allow the
colt to be exposed to the rain, excessive heat or flies,
and never let them lie on a hard floor, as it is liable to
injure their feet. It is always best to keep colts away
from all other animals.
EXERCISE | Exercise is necessary for the proper de-
velopment of colts; and as nature has
given them a playful disposition, they ought not to be
hampered in any way from using their legs and bodies.
It is the confinement of colts in dark, poorly ventilated
and frequently dirty stables that causes so many stunted
and scrubby horses to be seen.
FEEDING AND | Colts should be weaned when they are
aveaned | from four to five months old. If later
than that it hurts the mare, and does not improve the
colt. All colts should be fed from the time they are
four weeks old with bran, crushed oats, mixed witha
small quantity of Pratts Food. ‘They take very readily
58 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
to this food and it makes weaning easier. The mare
should be brought to the
colt three times a day till
the colt is four weeks old,
then twice a day will be
sufficient. Of course, the
night is spent together,
either in a paddock or, if AIA ye
the weather is bad, in a wk Of |
well-bedded and large box LEE Ni
stall. ‘There must always MARE A ee
be a supply of grain, fresh hay and clean water in thee
stall for the colt. The food of colts should be gradually
increased. ‘The more grain eaten by the colt, the better
it is for the mare, and it facilitates weaning.
When the time for weaning comes, separate the
mare and colt so that they cannot see or hear each
other ; and by kindness and gentleness the colt will soon
eat whatever is placed before it, and in a few days will
entirely forget its mother. Feed well; the colt must
never be hungry. Clover hay, bran, oats, with a few
potatoes, apples and carrots now and then, will make
them growrapidly. Feed to produce strong limbs, good
joints and a solid body. Do not feed too much hay, but
keep the colt round and shapely. The feet can be kept
¢
ry
_PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 57
straight with arasp. Ifa colt is very nervous, decrease
the oats.
DRYING If the mare’s udder, after the foal is
THE MARE| weaned, becomes full, is inflamed and
liable to cake, it should be milked out
once or twice a day. She should be fed straw, have
less water; and soft soap can be rubbed on the udder.
The mare is now ready for harder work, and for a short
time ought to be fed with dry food.
sANNEING A colt that has never been frightened,
THE FOAL | 2d has been accustomed to handling,
can be easily approached to have its body
aud legs rubbed frequently. The mane, tail and fetlock
can also be gently combed. As soon as the colt finds that
no harm is done to it, it gains confidence, and this is
a great assistance when the time comes for training.
Never shout at the colt. Gentleness, with a lump of
sugar or an apple, will do more good than a whip.
How To keep| A colt can be kept in a healthy condition
cOLTS and cause little or no trouble, by the
HEALTHY
constant feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts
Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder. At first
about a tablespoonful should be mixed with its feed,
58 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
eradually increasing the quantity as the colt grows older.
It will not only insure health, but full growth, free from
diseases of all kinds and a strong and sturdy horse will
be the result.
a
CHAPTER VIII.
BREAKING AND TRAINING. :
A colt’s education should begin at its birth; nothing
is more senseless than to
allow a colt to run wild and
unrestrained until he is de-
sired for use, then by brute
strength and the whip com-
pel him to serve you. By
this means the spirit of the
colt is broken, and a dull
: and listless, or vicious, horse
is the result, according to the nature of the animal.
VICIOUS HORSE.
NATURAL | 4 horse is naturally patient, proud and
TRAITS willing to obey, if he understands that
which he is required to do. In fact all
his apparent excitement and worry is caused by fear,
generally the result of not knowing what he is expected
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HOKSE 59
to do, consequently that is the first thing to overcome.
A horse is unaware of its strength, unless by improper
handling he learns his power, then its future usefulness
is ruined, and only by the most careful training can he
be redeemed.
BREAKING TO | As stated previously, from the time of its
HALTER AND | birth, the colt should be handled daily,
its feet lifted and patted, and its mane,
fetlock and tail gently combed, until it becomes per-
fectly accustomed to it and devoid of all fear. It should
be talked to and praised, and
whenever it does a thing well
reward it with a lump of sugar,
etc. A colt must learn one thing
-atatime; if you teach it many
things, it will do none right.
After it has learned one thing
well teach it another. Very few
people know the value of talking
toacolt. A horse is intelligent,
and one that understands what is
said will prevent trouble if ever in a dangerous pre-
dicament. A colt should be taught to wear a halter
when two weeks old. Let it smell and see it first, then
COLT DEVOID OF FEAR.
60 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
put it on, leaving it there but a few minutes. Every
day leave it on longer and ina short time a strap or rope
can be attached ; and it can be led.
After the colt becomes accustomed to the halter, the
use of the bit can be taught. A good plan consists of
attaching to the halter a bit made of licorice root. ‘The
colt likes this root and won’t object to it being in its
mouth; and from the use of this, toa smooth steel bit is
merely a question of time and patience. Never leave
the bit in longer than a half-hour at a time when first
teaching. The halter
alone should be used
principally until the colt
is six months old. The
great principle in training
is that the process should
be gradual. After the bit
is familiar to the colt,
-attach reins and let it run
by the mother’s side. This is one of the best ways of
teaching. At first it will be very shy, but with kind-
ness and encouragement it will soon be familiar to the
noises of the carriage and restraint of the lines. This
should be repeated until no fear whatever is displayed. —
Above everything have the harness strong. If a colt
COLT DRIVEN AT MOTHER’S SIDE.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 61
once breaks its halter, it will try it again. Colts soon
learn to pull; and everything must be tight and firm.
Never use a check rein when training a colt. The
reason that colts fret when in harness is on account of
the itching it causes to their skin. To remedy this,
leave the harness on only a short time at first; and
gently rub the pressed skin after unharnessing. Don't
think that any harness will do fora colt; it must not
only be strong, but should fit in every respect.
THE The best trainer is the owner, and the
TRAINER | ™an must be patient, good-tempered,
kind and never allow himself to be ex-
; vi wa 7 : . °
OWNER ON HORSE. BAD TRAINING.
cited. An ill-tempered man will spoil any colt. Abuse
should never tolerated. A colt never forgets if he is
62 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
whipped or frightened in his first lessons, and no one
should be allowed to be among the colts unless he is
gentle and kind, both in voice and manner.
TRAINING After a horse understands the use of the
a bit and has been taught to stop at a word,
he can be attached, with his mother, toa
light wagon. Of course this must not be done until the
colt’s strength will stand the strain. After it goes well
in double harness, it can be trained to go single. Teach
the colt to stop at a single word, to back as willingly as
to go forward, to stand perfectly still while any one is
entering or leaving the carriage, stand still when being
harnessed or unharnessed, and
to be a good, quick walker.
The latter can be taught by
keeping the colt from break-
ing into a trot when starting
out. The colt is then fresh and
anxious to go; restrain the
i; trot and a brisk walk will be
ge dr a sinl the result. By following this
daily the colt will soon become a first-class walker, and
its value will be greatly increased. One of the best ways
to teach a colt to leap is to place a low obstacle between
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 63
the colt and its feed. Call the colt and he will leap the
barrier. Gradually increase the height, and when he is
old enough a man can be on his back. ‘Teach a colt to
come to you by calling, He will dosoif never fright-
ened. This saves much annoyance when the colt be-
comes a full-grown horse. |
THE COLT’s| From birth the feet should be lifted and
FEET patted. Care must be taken that the
hoofs do not grow too long. Keep them
level with a rasp. Do not have colts shod too early.
For further information see chapter on ‘“‘Shoeing and
Care of the Feet.’’
SiVING When a colt shies, he usually does it from
| | fear. Talk to him, drive up close to the
object, and when he sees no harm is done, he can be
easily driven by. A colt should be taught from the first
to be indifferent to all city noises, steam cars, trolley cars,
bicycles, etc.
HOw TO Sometimes you will find a brute by na-
BREAK VICIOUS | ture, or made so by bad handling. We
HORSES
will here give a system to break vicious
horses that has never failed, and there is no danger of
64 FRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
injuring them ; sometimes in an hour you can drive the
worst horses 6 a buggy.
Take a short hold of the halter with the left hand and
the hair of the tail with the right, give him short whirls
aa around to the left. Hemay be
aN
a little lively, but a little man-
agement will soon give you
hold of the tail ; then tie a firm ©
knot in the hair close to the
fleshy end of the tail. Run
J) the end of the halter through
the tail above the knot; tie with
half loop, which can be untied
by catching the end of the
halter ; this can be done when
the horse is whirling around,
by a little practice ; as soon as
tied, let him go. He is now hitched to himself; the more
lively he is the quicker he will dance, and sometimes will
get dizzy and fall, but he will get up again and go on.
Keep him moving with a cracking whip until he wants
to stop and rest; shorten the halter and start him again.
If he falls when tied short, you may have to untie him
before he can get up, and then tie again, which is not
often uecessary ; he cannot hurt himself.
TRAINING VICIOUS HORSES.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 65
After he has been somewhat subdued, to take the first
friskiness and kick out of him, take a smooth hickory pole
about ten feet long, touch him smartly on the sides, be-
tween the legs, against his heels, under his tail, and all
his tender spots, making it appear like the whiffle-tree
against his heels, traces between his legs, line under the
tail, etc. The horse being tied head and tail and kept
going around and around, each point must be finished
before another is taken up—that is, when he will bear
these tests in one location, try another, until he will bear
it without kicking. The amount that he will bear be-
fore he gives up depends on his disposition. Well-bred
horses fight the sharpest and give up the quickest. He
can now be ridden—the rider jumping on the off side
and reaching over and catching hold of the halter ; when
the horse quits whirling straddle him and untie the
halter. Hts: :
We never saw a horse buck, or which could not be
ridden with the halter, after this training. After riding,
he may be harnessed and driven in single harness, when
the same tests by pole may be applied, followed with
hitching to wagon and the usual steps we have given
for breaking colts. At the least sign of viciousness take
him out and head-and-tail him again. This system is
recommended for not only taking the kick out of vicious
66 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
horses, but is equally good for balky animals. It will
subdue the worst brute. In case he is very bad, give
him a short dance eack morning for a month before
hitching him up, to be sure none of the trait remains.
pies. The whip never made a good horse. The
| whip should only be used on stubborn or
kicking colts. They should have a few sharp cuts
across the hind legs. Whip just enough to break their
bad disposition and respect authority. A colt should
never be whipped over the body. Speak sharply to
stubborn colts, use the whip carefully, make them obey
quickly; but caress and reward them when they do what
is right. Never leave a whipped colt until he is quieted
down.
HOW TO PRE- | If a horse kicks in the stall from nervous-
VENT A HORSE
KICKING ness, always speak to him as you step up
——————!_ behind him. If he is wicked, head-and-
tail him and give him a dance, as before mentioned.
When you step up to go in the stall tell him to stand
over, sharply. Watch your chance, slip in quickly, and
take hold of the halter. You must not do this until you
see him quail under your eye. If the horse is treacher-
ous, better have a looped cord over his nose, running
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 67
back out of the stall, and as you step up and speak, give
it a jerk, which will give you a chance to slip in.. Do
not show the least fear of him under any circumstances.
How TO stop | Pulling on the halter comes from being
“bat «ad a| hitched with too slight a halter. When
ranma a horse breaks away he will try it again,
and if he breaks away once or twice it will be a fixed
habit. Take a half-inch rope, double it, and place the
double end under his tail in form of a crupper ; crossing
the two ends over his back, and carrying them one on
each side of neck through the halter rings, hitch to the
manger or post; one or two pulls will be enough for
him. You will have no further trouble.
Ww To pRE- | A curry-comb often hurts a thin-skinned
KICKING WHILE horse, and should be used as little as pos-
sonido sible on an animal of this kind. If it is
from wickedness, tie a cord around his neck, and passa
loop around his lower jaw, holding the other end while
grooming. At every attempt to kick and bite give ita
sharp pull, and he will soon give it up. It is harder to
break a sensitive horse in handling his feet. Never take
a horse of this kind to a smith’s shop to have him trained;
68 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
teach him at home to have his feet handled and rasped on.
If he is vicious, head-and-tail him and give him a dance,
then teach him to have his fore feet handled, sticking to
each one until he yields. If heis stubborn, give him an-
other dance. Sometimes by strapping up a fore leg they
will allow their feet to be handled; then, again, by merely
tying the tips of their ears together will break them. A
horse cannot think of two things at once, and by attract-
ing his attention to something else you can often accom-
plish your purpose.
/
HOW The first thing to do with a horse of this
TO PREVENT ‘pr ae Us ; ;
RUNNING-AWAY| Kind is to; teach him to pay attention to
HABIT
the bit and commands of the driver under
all circumstances. ‘To do this, put him into single har-
ness, placing the lines through the lugs of the thills in-
stead of the turrets, so he cannot turn his face toward
you. Now drill him for an hour each day for a month,
turning to the right, to the left, backing, going ahead,
and stopping instantly. Turn him sharp, and short,
and back again, cracking him with the snapper of
the whip. Make him stop short at the word. If he
does not, give him a sudden cheek; he will soon learn to
stop at once, even if you are several rods away, which
will give you control of him at all times.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 69
BREAKING | ‘To start a horse when balking, we give
BALKY different ways; the first is as follows:
1. Pata horse on the neck; examine
him carefully, first on one side, then on the other,
speaking encouragingly to him; then jump into the wag-
on and give the word to go, and he will generally obey.
2. Another way is by taking the horse out of the
shafts and turning him around in a circle until he is
giddy ; it will generally start him.
3. And still another way to cure a balky horse is:
Place your hand over his nose and shut off his wind
until he wants to go.
HORSES
4. Then, again, you can take a couple of turns of
stout twine around the fore leg just below the knee, tight
enough for the horse to feel, tie in a bow-knot ; at the
first click he will probably go dancing off. After goinga
short distance you can get out and remove the string to
prevent injury to the tendons. Again you can try the
following : |
5. Take the tail of a horse between the hind legs and
tie it by a cord to the saddle-girth.
6. Often by tying a string around a horse’s ear, close
to the head, it will divert his attention and start him.
70 — PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
CHAPTER IX.
SHOEING AND CARE OF THE FEET.
More money is annually spent in doctoring horses’
feet than for any other ailment of
their bodies, consequently the neces-
sity of sound feet in all horses is ap-
parent. This member, though seem-
ingly hard and callous, is in reality
SIDE OF FROG
CLEPY
delicate and sensitive. It is won-
derfully made and particularly
wa adapted for the service it is intended
to perform. ‘The foot consists of a
case or box, enclosing the soft deli-
HORSE’S FOOT. cate parts. It is capable of a lim-
ited amount of elasticity; it resists shocks and is a bad
conductor of heat.
The covering of the foot consists of the wall or
crust, sole and frog, and each has its particular function.
The foot is easily affected by hard work and improper
shoeing. |
Wd BOLE The sole is at the atten of the foot and
has a V-shaped opening at the back for
the frog. ‘The thickness varies, but in most horses it is
about one-sixth of aninch. It is concave. ‘The sole is
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 71
frbrous, but much softer than the wall. After attaining
a certain length, the fibres break off in the form of
flakes. The sole is adapted for sustaining weight on
soft ground. It should never be pared or cut in any way
whatever. The loose flakes serve to retain moisture,
and help to reduce shocks, as well as keeping the horn
underneath in a good condition.
A GooD A good foot always has a smooth crust;
FOOT a concave sole, not too hard; a full elastic
frog with centre complete ; and the heels
low and free from crust. The darker
the hoof, the harder it is. Shoes are
a necessary evil; and, if possible, should
not be worn. ‘The only reason they
are used is to prevent the undue wear-
ing and breaking of the wall. They a coop roor
should always be as light as possible, Ree feo
taking into consideration the weight of the animal and
the work required of them.
The frog is the prominent triangular sub-
THE FROG By
stance which is at the back of the sole
between the heels. In the middle of it is a fissure called
the cleft. The frog has an important mission, as it acts
72 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
as a cushion in diminishing shock, and it also prevents
slipping. ‘The frog is composed of elastic fibrous horn,
and breaks off in flakes. It should always be on the
ground, and never pared or cut. This cushion, always
resting on the ground, keeps the feet sound. The more
the frog is exposed the sounder it becomes. ‘The sole
and frog need no protection, and the loose flakes act as
springs when walking on stones.
The fore foot of the horse is the most important, as it
supports more weight and is exposed to more wear.
ee aia 4 The wall or crust sustains weight, is
| fibrous, and extends from the skin to the
ground. ‘The front is called the toe and the back the
heel. It 1s about one-half inch thick
in front and about one-quarter inch at
the back. The wall grows very rap-
idly. Horses, that are unshod, keep
the wall worn down, but shod horses
should frequently have the shoes taken
off, that the excessive growth can be
removed. ‘The wall, on account of its fibrous nature, is
well adapted to hold the nails used in shoeing, and,
when looked at from the side, should form an angle of
45° to 50° with the line of the sole.
SHOE THAT HAS
BEEN ON TOO LONG. ,
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 73
CLEANING | It is the practice in some stables to wash
THE FEET | 20d examine the horses’ feet every morn-
ing. ‘The feet should always be cleaned
out when the day’s work isdone. Road horses suffer from
dry and hard feet. They should have frequent runs in
pasture, and the feet well soaked in water. ‘This will
keep them healthy and soft.
THE COLT’s| Wherever a number of colts are to-
FEET gether, the observer is astonished at the
large majority of them having bad legs
and feet, especially the toe deviated inward or outward.
These deformities
bar many otherwise
good horses out of
the showring. These
defects are some-
times due to natural
TOES DEVIATING INWARD AND OUTWARD.
formation and can never be remedied; but many of the
defects are caused by neglect of the colt. The colt’s feet
should be carefully watched from its birth, and if proper
attention is given while the foot is growing, a better and
sounder horse will be the result. Frequently not only
the hoof is deformed, but the bones are affected by the
uneven wear of the wall. It can be readily seen that if
74 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
one side is worn off more quickly than the other, the
foot becomes unbalanced, and the weight of the animal
causes the bones, which are now soft, to be changed in
their axes.
If the inner side is worn off more rapidly than the
outer, the greater weight is supported on the inner side
and the toe is turned outwards; while if the greater
weight is on the outer side, the toe is turned
inward. The weight should always be
distributed evenly over the bottom of the
foot.
As stated previously, the colt’s foot
should be rasped, not pared, and kept level.
These little details, which require such a
small outlay of time, are the ones that are
important, and make the horse valuable. WEIcHT
PROPERLY
Frequent exercise is necessary for the proper pistRrBuTED.
strengthening of the feet. :
A colt’s foot should be as round as possible, with an
angle of from 45° to 50° at the front and 65° to 68° at
the back. It should be narrower at the hairs than
below. ‘The heels should be well separated, vertical and
about equal to one-half of the length of the toe. Concave
sole and hard elastic frog, with the horn a dark color is.
preferable.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE ae
HoT WATER | Hot water and Pratts Peerless Hoof Oint-
FOR ment are excellent for inflamed injuries
ihe of the feet. Place feet in hot water of
even temperature for an hour morning and evening.
When the foot is removed from the water, apply Pratts
Peerless Hoof Ointment to the injury. Another excel-
lent remedy to reduce inflammation when the horses are
feverish is to stand them in mud up to the fetlocks.
SHOEING As long as the colt’s feet are strong
THE COLT and tough he can be worked without
being shod. When the hoof breaks and
the feet become tender, have him shod
with tips. Have the wall made level
with a rasp, and on no condition allow
the sole or frog to be interfered with or
cut. Two nails on each side are all}
that is required. Horses with good
sound natural feet can, with care, go
without shoes.
TIPS.
—
SHOEING We are happy to say that shoeing in the
THE HORSE last few years has become more of an
art, and the shoes become a benefit to
many horses, instead of an injury. Horses have been
76 RRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
shod from the earliest period, but many changes have
taken place in the shape and size of the shoe. Every
year the shoe becomes lighter and more adapted to the
foot. The shoe must fit the foot and not
the foot the shoe. Horses feet differ in
formation. ‘The Shire horse is flat and
low-heeled, while the Arab is high-
heeled and contracted. An unshod foot woor mapE TO
of a good young horse should be taken i a
asatype. We will try to give some important rules in
a brief manner.
Every part of a horses foot has its use, and sustains
a certain amount of weight, which must be remembered
when shoeing.
The shoe should be so con-
structed that it follows the grad-
ual curvature of the wall of the
foot, giving the frog plenty of
room to perform its function.
It should fit precisely and un-
der no consideration should the foot be pared or rasped
down to fit the shoe.
If the shoe fits too closely at the frog, it prevents
the action of the frog and causes contraction. ‘The
horse should be shod once a month. If this is done
COLT’S FOOT—TYPE.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 77
all that is necessary is to level the bottom crust of the
wall of the foot. No scooping of the
sole or cutting the frog is needed, as
it will cause lameness.
Use the very best drawn nails ;
three nails on a side are all that is
necessary. Too many nails are injuri-
BAD NAILING.
ous, and do not allow them to be
tightly clinched.
See that the nails are driven so that
they take firm hold of the lower walls of the hoof and
away from the sensitive part. ‘The shoes must possess a
level surface for the wall to rest upon, and no part of the
FOOT READY FOR
SHOE.
sole or frog need touch the shoe. A
shoe without caulks is the best; it
should be of the same thickness all
- around and be light. The shoe should
fit the hoof so closely that no water
can get between. Don’t chop or rasp
the front of the foot. The rasp should
only be used on bottom crust. Burn-
ing the sole to procure a fit is very injurious. The heat
drives the water out of the horny substance and causes
it to become hard, contracted and brittle. Good horse-
shoers never burn the hoof to make it fit the shoe.
78 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment will prevent or overcome
contraction. Horses that interfere must first be exam-
ined in regard to position of the foot on the ground. If
low on the inside, they should be raised from the point of
the toe to the heel, which widens their gait. Horses for-
aging should be shod light in front, and heavy behind.
e
THRUsH AND | It is a foul discharge issuing from the
ITS cleft of the frog, attended with decay of
TREATMENT | the horn. If in the fore feet, it is gene-
rally the result of navicular disease,
or contraction of the feet. The foot
feels hot and hard; there isaslight |
moisture in the centre of a much-
diminished frog. ‘There is nosmell
unless a piece of tow is inserted into '
the cleft of the frog and withdrawn ; THRUSH.
then it will be observed. In the hind feet it is entirely
caused by filthy stables, allowing the feet to stand in
decaying manure. It is very offensive. Pratts Veteri-
nary Liniment will quickly cure thrush. Clean out the
foot and pour the liniment over the affected parts. How-
ever, aS per our note on page I19, to mention other
remedies besides Pratts, we give the following : Wash
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 79
tthe feet thoroughly with chloride of zinc, two scruples ;
‘water, one pint. Mix.
Cut all the ragged parts away, and the white, pow-
dery, decayed horn and substance, even if the flesh is
exposed and the frog reduced ; replace shoe, and wash
daily with chloride of zinc, one scruple ; water, eight
ounces. Mix.
Keep the feet clean, and use knife to remove white
substance that may appear. Treat the fore feet the same
way ; yet it is not always advisable to cure it. If caused
by navicular disease, or contraction of the feet, the horse
will golame. Merely retard the decay of the horn.
cnens Corns are caused by bruises, resulting in
| horny tumors which push against the
soft parts. Never cut them out, as this will cause a lack
of support of the wall of the foot, and serve as a lodging-
place for dust and stones, and is liable to cause separa-
tion between the wall and sole. The part of the heel
affected with the corn should be lowered and a side-caulk
put onthe shoe. This relieves the part from pressure,
and keeps the foot soft. The foot should also be treated
with applications of Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment two
or three times daily ; cover with oakum and keep in
place with leathers.
&0 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
CANKER AND| Canker is very much like thrush, and
deed rather an aggravated form of it. The
TREATMENT
discharge is more abundant and more
offensive. It alwayscommences at the seat of the thrush,
but spreads over the sole. There will be large quanti-
ties of horn of a fungous character
which flake and peel off. The same
causes produce it that produce
thrush, but it seems to be more con- ©
stitutional. It may affect one foot
or all of the feet. Sometimes the
treatment will cure all feet but one,
CANKER.
where it seems to remain in spite of
all remedies. .Suddenly that foot may heal quickly,
and the horse seem sound, when it will break out in
another foot. Pratts Veterinary Liniment applied every
two days will effect a cure. However, as per our note
on page I19, to give another remedy, we mention the
following : Cut away every portion of the detached and
diseased horn as is possible, and apply this dressing :
Chloride of zinc, one-half ounce; wheat flour, four
ounces. Mix. Apply to the foot dry.
Apply to the sound part of the foot, before you
dress with the above, the following: Chloride of zinc,
four grains ; flour, one ounce. Mix.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 81
Tack on the shoe and pad well over the sole ; con-
fine the padding by pieces of iron running crosswise,
with ends catching undertheshoe. Repeat cutting and
dressing every second day. As the parts get better,
lessen space covered by the strongest dressing.
| Is the separation of two layers of horn
SEEDY TOE| —
forming outside cover of the hoof. It
commences at the toe, and can be ©
seen when the shoe is off, or can be
detected by tapping the hoof, which
will sound hollow. The horse must
not be worked. All outside portion
of the hoof that has separated must
be cut off and stuffed with tow satu-
rated with Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment. ‘This must
be done every two weeks until the new hoof has grown
out. The Ointment will quickly grow a new hoof.
SEEDY TOE.
pumice Foot| It is a bulging down of the sole of the
AND ITS
TREATMENT
foot. The horse will walk on sole instead
of the wall. Horses with long, slanting,
weak pastern hoofs, marked by ringy growths of brittle
character, flat sole, and large, healthy frogs, are most
82 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
liable to it. The most success can be had by attending
the shoeing, yet the natural weak-
ness of the foot cannot be changed.
A bar shoe should be prepared, the
web covered with leather, the shoe
nailed on with double the quantity
of nails generally used, but smaller,
PUMICE FOOT
leaving a bearing on the back part
of the shoe for the frog. Soak the hoof an hour twice
each day ina warm bath. Stuff the foot with tow satu-
rated with Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment. ‘The shoe
should be changed and adapted to the foot as it changes
and improves.
PAUSE False quarter consists of ribs and furrows
QUARTER usually in the quarter of the hoof. It is
caused by deficient secretion depending
upon injury and destruction of the
coronet by abscesses, etc. The
horse should be put to pasture ; the
pressure removed from the injured
part by reduction of ground sur-
FALSE QUARTER. face of the wall, and a bar shoe ©
should be applied, utilizing the frog as a weight bearer.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 83
CONTRACTED For contracted feet, when shoeing, see
sonal | that blacksmith allows the proper amount
of pressure to be communicated to the sole bars and heel
of the crust. Of course the frog must be sound as well
as the parts above it, Wash the foot and apply Pratts
Peerless Hoof Ointment daily at top of foot both inside
and outside. After hoof becomes pliable spread the
heel with wedges and apply the Ointment daily.
TREATMENTOF This is the stepping of one foot on the
TREAD AND | other, often resulting in wounding the
OVER-REACH
coronets by the caulks. Bathe three
times a day with chloride of zinc, eight grains ; water,
eight ounces. Mix. Protect from dirt and dust bya
cloth.
Quittor is a chronic abscess of the foot, the
QUITTOR | Le.
matter forming sinuses, from the trouble
of finding a way to the surface. It is usually caused by
a bruise of the sole, from a nail prick
or from neglected thrush. An open-
ing will be formed in the horn or
coronet, from which a foul discharge
issues. A dependent opening must
be made, so that all matter can escape.
A probe must be passed down as low
84 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
as possible, and the sole pared away until the end is
reached. An injection of a saturated solution of sulphate
of zinc should be used every day. Treatment always
has to depend on its extent and nature.
Laminitis, or founder, a disease of the
LAMINITIS ‘
| sensitive laminz (a sole and bone), is
usually caused by over-exertion, or after-effects from
chilling, inflammation of the lungs, bowels, mucous
- membrane of the bronchial tubes, etc. The sensitive
foot becomes inflamed, the pulse is strong, thick and
throbbing, and the horse lies down with legs stretched
out. A case of acute laminitis is curable, if taken in
time. Remove the shoe, and soak the feet in warm
water for an hour and a half, then poultice entire foot —
with bran and boiled carrots, or slippery elm bark and
linseed meal. Also apply Pratts Peer-
less Hoof Ointment at night all over
the bottom of the foot and to all parts
of the frog and at top of hoof joining
the hair, and cover the entire wall of
the foot. The horse should stand on
LAMINITIS. a deep, soft bed. Give a purgative
(about one-half the ordinary dose) and aconite (ten drops)
every twenty minutes, until the animal perspires freely.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 85
Cover well with blankets. Change poultices twice a day,
and after removing put the feet in hot water ; continue for
four days. Feed bran mashes, vegetables and hay; no
grain. Use wide-webbed shoes two weeks after recovery.
es wes Sand crack is an open fissure in the wall
CRACK of the hoof, caused by strain, defect in
, secretion, etc. It causes lameness, and
blood frequently oozes from the crack during motion.
Reduce pain by having the shoe re-
moved and poulticing. Open crack and
remove horn from each side in contact
with coronet for the space of an inch.
Apply Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment
_and cover with oakum. Use bar shoe,
relieve pressure, and blister the coronet.
SAND CRACK.
ini Horn tumors are caused by bad horse-
ruMors | Shoeing, the nails
causing an irrita-
tion, and the result being a horn
tumor. The remedy is to pro-
mote healthy growth by good a ae
shoeing. Use fine nails and have the shoe fit perfectly.
%
86 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
CHAPTER X.
WOUNDS AND LAMENESS.
Horses are always liable to wounds on almost every
part of their bodies, and every owner should possess a
knowledge of what to do in emergencies. We know of |
nothing better than the application of Pratts Veterinary
Healing Ointment three times a day, rubbing it well into’
the wound. We also mention the following treatment,
as per our note on page 119: Always wash the wound
‘thoroughly with cold water first, and see that no for-
liniment. To stop the bleeding, cold water will often
answer. If an artery is cut, the blood will be bright
red and spurt out in jets, while a vein has darker blood
and the flow is continuous, Bleeding is stopped by
pressure, plugging the wound with tow, or sometimes the
artery must be tied. Wounds of the flesh are usually
lacerated, incised, punctured, contused, or abraded.
LACERATED]| Lacerated wounds are produced by tear-
WOUNDS ing, and the edges are ragged and un-
___ dts even. ‘If inflicted in the abdominal wall
they are apt to prove fatal. All wounds should have the
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 87
divided edges brought together as quickly as possible, so
that they will heal by adhesion. ‘This
can be done sometimes by bandages,
but when the cut is lengthy and deep,
sutures are the best. One way to insert
a suture is to pass a pin through both
edges of the skin, put a piece of twine
over the point and head in the form of
a figure 8, drawing the edges closely
together. When a needle is used, with
wire or thread, commence stitches
SUTURES.
about an inch or an inch and a half from wound. If wound
is large, use two or more sutures. Tie ends tightly and —
cut off ends. Dress a lacerated wound with Pratts Vet-
erinary Healing Ointment or with an astringent, such
as, sulphate of zinc, one and one-half drachms ; tincture
of myrrh, two fluid ounces ; cold water, one pint. Dis-
solve the zinc in the water, then add the tincture. Label
the mixture ‘‘ Poison.’’ |
Incised wounds are caused by a sharp
INCISED : one
WOUNDS instrument, and the skin is evenly di-
| vided. Hemorrhage frequently occurs,
as the blood vessels are apt to be cut. Wash and clean
thoroughly, stop the bleeding, close wound by sutures if
88 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
necessary and use Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment
or the lotion as directed for lacerated wounds.
Punctured wounds are usually the most
dangerous, as it is hard to tell how deep
the injury extends. The mouth of the
wound contracts and is smaller than the interior. Ifthe
matter which forms cannot be expelled, abscesses are the
result. ‘The opening should be made larger by inserting
a sharp knife into the wound and cutting downward a
trifle. This cut will soon heal. Treat same as other
wounds ; dress with Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment
or with the lotion as for lacerated wounds.
PUNCTURED
WOUNDS
CONTUSED Contused wounds are caused by falls,
WOUNDS blows, etc., and are serious, as the mus-
cles and soft parts are badly jammed.
If swollen very much and filled with matter, make a
sharp cut through the centre, then treat as a lacerated
wound. Other contused wounds not so serious should
be covered with flannel and kept continually wet
with water, at a temperature of 118° Fahrenheit, for
at least four or five hours. Follow this with liniments
of camphor or ammonia, but, better still, Pratts
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 89
Veterinary Liniment will be found excellent for this
purpose, as it does its work more quickly than any other
preparation.
The ADED Abraded wounds should be thoroughly
WOUNDS drenched with water, and then an appli-
| cation of Pratts Veterinary Liniment or
kerosene oil can also be used. The oil will heal the
wound and restore the hair.
Injury from the harness occurs from
unclean or bad- fitting harness. The
. parts should be kept perfectly clean,
and Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment applied under
each sore spot that comes under the harness. This
should be done night and morning. The horse can be
HARNESS
> SGALLS
worked every day. In accordance with our explanation
on page 119, we also suggest the use of the following
lotion applied three times a day : Sulphate of zinc, three-
quarters of an ounce ; sugar of lead, one ounce ; tincture
of myrrh, two ounces; soft water, one quart. Shake
before using. The above is good for healing purposes.
L AMENESS ee is eaegeress ‘many aiterent
| things, but bad shoeing is the principal
cause of the many lame horses we see on the streets.
Lameness in the hind feet is always more serious than
90 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
when it is in’ the fore feet. When one fore foot is
‘injured, the head and body drop or slightly sink when
the sound one touches the ground. When one hind foot
is injured, the head of the horse will be raised when the
sound foot touches the ground ; while the hind portion
of the body drops on that side. Pratts Veterinary Lini-
ment will quickly relieve.
HOWTODETECT This joint is
LAMENESS IN
THE HIP-JOINTS
sometimes ul-
cerated, and the,
symptoms resemble occult spa- §
vin, with the addition that the 4
diseased leg is caught up from
the ground moresharply. The 1amegngss IN HIP-joINT.
best way to test is to place something soft over the joint
and rap it sharply with a mallet. A sharp response may
be looked for. It is incurable. ‘The horse is worthless.
HOW TO | Sometimes the shoulder is ulcerated.
DETECT LAME- aiaate
NESS INTHE | ‘The trouble generally arises in a muscle
SHOULDER om ;
at the shoulder-joint. In this case the
horse will not advance or bend the leg at the shoulder-
joint or elbow; drags the leg and never lifts the toe from
the ground. An old test is to lead the horse up toa log,
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 91
if he refuses to pass over it, the shoulder is the spot.
When lameness is.in both shoulders, he will rest his feet
_ backward, not pointing forward, and will be stiff in the
LAMENESS IN SHOULDER.
muscles and also when turning around. Rub Pratts
Veterinary Liniment well over the joints once a day.
HOW TO Any disease of this joint that cannot be
DETECT LAME- ; ; : .
NESS IN THE seen from the outside will show in a stiff-
KNEE-JOINT
ened advance of the foreleg, a long step,
or when the horse lies down he will place the leg on the
outside of the body, not under it and not closely bent ;
otherwise the horse may show no signs of lameness.
Also examine the feet for diseases next to the coffin
- joint—that is, between the hoof and hock joint—and so
on up, including the shoulder. It is usually found
before you reach the shoulder-joint. There is nothing
better to cure lameness in knee-joint than Pratts Veteri-
nary Liniment. Rub it in well once a day.
92 — PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
pone yA A horse is liable to have the tendons of
A :
THEIR both fore and hind legs badly sprained
TREATMENT
from hard work, fast heats, or reckless
driving. There are different names for strains, according
to the injury and location; when it first occurs it is hardly
noticeable, unless it happens to be very severe; the next
morning, however, the horse will be stiff and cramped,
which may disappear on exercise, to return the follow-
ing morning, If more severe, the horse will keep the
leg bent and only rest the toe on the ground. By care-
fully examining (as previously mentioned in looking for
lameness) a swelling may be detected, which is hot. If
it is but slight, it can be found only by pressure, as a
sound tendon is not at all tender and will bear almost
any amount of pressure; first put on a shoe made gradu-
ally thick (from toe to heel, the heel an inch higher
than the toe, no caulks ; then bathe the leg placed in a
pail of milk-warm water for one hour ; repeat this three
times a day until inflammation is gone. A cure can
quickly be effected with Pratts Veterinary Liniment—
rub it in well twice a day, after second day apply once
aday. Another remedy, as per our note on page 119,
is as follows : Between the bathing, bandage the leg from
knee to fetlock, the bandage beiny saturated with the
following: Acetic acid, two fluid ounces ; chloroform, two
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 93
fluid ounces; opium, two ounces; water, one quart.
Mix.
When the fever has left, apply a blister to the whole
tendon from knee to fetlock. Before doing so, clip off
the hair. The blister can be powdered cantharides,
iodine, and Venice turpentine, of each one drachm, and
palm oil, two ounces. About half an ounce of this
will be enough to blister. It will be hardly necessary
to repeat it. We advise a couple of months’ rest.
CAPPED ELBow| It is located on the elbow of front leg, and
SHOE BOIL AND} is caused by the pressure of the shoe
ITSTREATMENT
against it while the horse is lying down.
It can be prevented by putting leather boots on the fore
feet. Ifit has just occurred and is inflamed, reduce it
with cold water and evaporating lotions. Pratts Vet-
erinary Liniment is good, If it has broken, syringe the
boil out three or four times daily with the following :
Carbolic acid, one ounce; tincture opium, four fluid
ounces ; soft water, one quart. Mix. Or Pratts Veteri-
nary Liniment, which will be found quick in healing.
If any callus remains after healing, or inflammation
has gone down, apply blister of biniodide of mercury
and lard, same as used in capped hock.
04. PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
CAPPED Hock| It is generally caused by kicking against
AND ITS the swingle-tree and bruising
TREATMENT
the point of the hock, caus-
ing heat, swelling and lameness. A cheap,
quick remedy can be had in Pratts Veteri-
nary Liniment. Rub it in twice a day until odessa
the enlargements disappear. However, as per our note
on page 119, we also suggest the following: Take one
pound of sal-ammoniac and dissolve it in three pints of
vinegar, and bathe the injured limb every one or two
hours. If it is not all gone in a week, blister the cap
with biniodide of mercury (one part) and eight parts
lard ; or the tincture of iodine may be applied morning
and evening with tooth-brush, until the parts are blis-
tered ; then stop for a few days.
KNEE-sprUNG] Knee-sprung is caused by contracted
AND ITS tendons. The animal often goes over
TREATMENT
sufficiently to make the gait unsteady,
and frequently trembles. Blistering and bathing have —
only temporary effect, as working brings on the symp-
toms again. By slightly raising the heels of the shoes,
enough to permit the animal to have a solid foundation
to stand upon and not strain the defective tendons, will
prevent the trembling mentioned, besides preventing
the animal from balancing himself upon his toes, which
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 96
habit will eventually change the form of the hoof.
Often, in extreme cases, a surgical operation to divide
the tendons is the only mode of relief.
SWELLED LEG| Lhe cause is generally overfeeding, es-
AND ITS pecially when the animal is not called
oo | upon to perform his ordinary labor.
Some cases derive from other causes. Horses once at-
tacked with it are liable to have it again. As the swell-
ing increases, the pain and lameness pass away. It is
commonly known as water farcy. Pratts Veterinary
Liniment will quickly reduce the swelling. Another
remedy, however, as per note on page 119, is as follows:
Commence by giving one drachm of iodide of potassium
three times a day, and apply by rubbing the following
liniment over the whole limb: Gum camphor, three
ounces ; tincture of arnica, four fluid ounces ; tincture
of aconite, two fluid ounces ; alcohol, one pint. Mix.
Particular attention must be paid to the food and
care. Pratts food is of great assistance in this disease.
ATTENTION ‘It is absolutely necessary that a horse
TO to recover perfectly from wounds or
WOUNDS, BTC.
bruises, must have good food, bedding
and attention.
Give warm mashes, oats, green food and Pratts
96 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
Food. ‘This latter will do much to put the horse in a
condition to prevent complications from setting in and
ward off all diseases prevalent when the horse is wounded.
If the horse is feverish, give several times a day, aconite
in doses of ten drops. Keep wounds clean and, if a
surgeon is called, follow his directions faithfully. How-
ever, practically every case can be successfully treated
by the use of Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment.
_ KNUCKLING Knuckling may be caused by heavy haul-
AND ITS | ing, fast work on an uneven surface, bad
TREATMENT
shoeing, etc.; these things should be
avoided. The only remedy is to apply a good sharp
blister, and immediately after, fire the joint. Boots,
bandages and such artificial means have very little effect.
CHAPTER XI.
PROFIT AND LOSS—GENERAL HINTS.
DEMAND There is a good demand at all times for
pire lepetaler first-class horses, and breeders that raise
HORSES
first-class road, carriage, saddle and
draught horses reap a harvest. ‘The supply is not equal
to the demand ; but it must be remembered that the
public want style and finish. It is possible to breed
American draught horses to beat the world, the same as
the American-bred trotters have for years excelled all
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 97
A DRAUGHT MARE.
others. Good horses must have good breeding ; a high-
bred stallion is always in demand.
BREEDING The reason that much of the breeding
a does not pay is due to the fact that the
breeding stock is inferior. A small,
‘undersized mare, with no good qualities, cannot produce
a valuable colt. To produce salable horses, the parents
must possess the characteristics of the type of animal
desired. You cannot get a first-class driver from a road
mare, or a fine draught horse from any kind of a mare,
even if the stallion is good, Good driving horses cannot
be secured from breeding draught mares with road horses.
BREEDING Breed the best road mares to the best
THAT DOES road stallions, the best draught mares to
PAY
the best draught stallions, etc. By breed-
98 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
ing in this way you will have horses that can be sold ata
good price. If the breeders in this country would breed
first-class saddle horses they could sell all of them in the |
European market. Another branch is to breed horses suit-
able to the express companies and large department stores.
They are always in need of first-class horses, and pay
good prices for them. It is also a well-known fact that
stylish carriage horses are always salable. Breed the
best, or none at all. Profit is for the wise breeder, while
loss is sure for the careless.
BREEDING No one should attempt to breed trotting
THE TROTTER} horses unless he has time and money.
It is said that the breeder who makes the money strives
to produce speed, sound and game horses. What pur-
chasers want are individuality, nerve, soundness, good
temper and staying qualities. In breeding race horses
you must expect many disappointments, and be prepared
to meet them.
THE HoRse’s| It is important that horses should have
since good teeth, that their food se
may be properly masticated. Many buyers
look at a horse’s mouth to tell age, but do ast
: A GOOD TOOTH.
not examine carefully whether the teeth i
are good or bad. An adult horse has in each jaw six
incisors, or fore teeth, followed on either side by a tush.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 99
MOLARS S
both jaws. The grinders
INCISOR
haveasquare crown, marked
ADULT HORSE'S JAW. :
with four crescents formed
by the laminz of enamel which are embedded in them.
The bar is the space between the tushes and the grinders.
Up to nine years the age of a horse can be accurately
HORSE’S TEETH.
told by the changes which take place in the teeth. By
studying the drawings anyone can tell the age of a horse.
» L.of Cd
100
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
HORSES’ TEETH.
=
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 101
CARE OF | If the horse carries his tail on one side, a
MANE AND : ; ray
fete slight surgical operation which divides
the muscles on the inner side of the curve
of the tail, and tying it over toward the opposite side
until it heals, is necessary. The superficial muscles only
are divided. Wash the mane and tail thoroughly once
a week. To increase the growth, kerosene oil mixed
with sweet oil, well rubbed into the roots, will do it.
To prevent rubbing the mane and tail, wash with
warm soap-suds and apply with a sponge a lotion made
of a fluid ounce of sulphuric gat in a quart of water.
Use twice daily.
TENDER Always have the bit to fit properly. It
MOUTHS should be silver-plated. The rein and
: bridle must also be of the proper length.
If the horse’s mouth becomes very sore, cover the bit
with calfskin and apply daily to the mouth a lotion of
an ounce of tannic acid in a pint of water. Never put
an ice-cold bit into a horse’s mouth. |
TYING AND | Jf a horse has a long distance to go, drive
DRIVING slow at first. In tying a horse, have tail
—————!_ towards the wind, and blanket as quickly
as possible. Keep horses out of drafts. For a cold, feed
102 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
Pratts Food and acure will follow. After a hard drive
in bad weather, rub him all over, blanket carefully and
when rested give nourishing food.
TO CURE Cribbing is a vice hard to overcome.
CRIBBING Tie the horse in a stall where there is
no manger, and feed from a box, which
should be removed as soon as he has finished eating. If
TO PREVENT CRIBBING.
this does not cure him, tie with two ropes so that he ©
cannot get hold of anything with his teeth.
at sgphcosa To prevent a horse pawing in the stall,
A HORSE strats
PAWING IN make a frame four feet long, and of width
THE STALL
to nearly reach to the top of the manger,
from which it is suspended, allowing it to reach within
about ten inches of the floor ; board up the sash or frame
so that he cannot get his feet over the lower bar, which is
made of a round stick two inches in diameter. When
he paws he will set the frame in motion and cause it to
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 103
strike his shins, which will so disgust him that he will
give up the habit.
To prevent this, mix bitter aloes in a
solution of gum arabic. Rub it on the
part of the bridle that the horse is in the
habit of chewing, and it will stop him.
GROOMING | For the comfort, neeith aii naaety of
the horse, good daily grooming is neces-
sary. If possible, the grooming should not be done in
the stall, but in a shed constructed for that purpose.
HOW TO PRE-
VENT HORSES
FROM CHEWING
BRIDLE
—_— —_.-
GROOMING.
Good grooming removes dirt, the products of perspira-
tion from the skin and beautifies the coat. It also stimu-
lates the skin and hair and allows the body to perform
104 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
its function more thoroughly. Grooming is placed next
to feeding and watering in importance. The curry-comb
is intended to be used only when the hair is glued to the
skin and to clean the dirty dry legs of work horses. It
should be used with gentleness, as it hurts the sensitive
skin of some horses and makes them irritable. The
principal use of the curry-comb is to clean the brush.
In brushing, do it with vigor; have all dust, loose hair
and dandruff removed, then rub until the coat shines.
A well-groomed horse always looks clean, shining and
healthy. Never cut the hair from the legs of a horse.
It was put there for a certain mission and should remain.
If the horse’s legs are washed, carefully dry them
immediately afterwards. Never use the comb on the
mane and tail unless absolutely necessary; the brush
is much better. Using the comb constantly reduces the
hair. A fine coat, so desirable in horses, can be attained
by feeding Pratts Food and proper grooming, and the
value of the horse greatly increased.
CLIPPING Clipping and singeing is a great benefit
AND __|_to horses, if it is done properly at the
SINGEING :
right time and the horse is cared for after-
wards. A horse that is not clipped is seldom dry and
clean. Clipping enables the horse to work better, be
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 105
brighter and have more vigor. Clipping consists of
removing the thick coat by aclipping machine which
cuts the hair. Singeing burns off the hair by means of
a lamp charged with gas. Both methods have their
friends, but clipping seems to be the favorite in this
country. Some owners think that thick hair should not
be removed, but those who have given the subject much
study affirm that horses are kept in an artificial condi-
tion, and the rough coat unfits them for work. It is cer-
tainly true that a thick coat wet with perspiration or
rain is conducive to colds. The time for clipping
depends upon the horse, but September and October are
the favorite months. Never remove hairs from the ears
or the long bristles around a horse’s mouth, eyes or
nostrils. |
OTHING Clothing is ee for fine-skin horses
that do fast work in cold weather. In
fact race horses are usually clothed all the year. It is
not necessary to clothe horses doing ordinary work, un-
less the stable is very cold. ‘Too much clothing renders
\ og
the skin sensitive.
COMFORT When a horse comes in from work, have
IN THE STALL} everything in the stall for his comfort.
See that the bedding is liberal. The best litter is made
106, PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
of good wheat straw. It is necessary for a horse’s health
that he has a certain amount of rest. Have the stall
large enough that a horse can lie down with his legs
stretched out. Always have horses that agree with each
other in adjoining stalls. Have the stable perfectly
quiet at night.
GIVING When it is necessary to administer a
svat bi | ‘‘pall’’ of medicine, it takes practice
and tact. Hold the ball
between the forefingers of
the right hand, making
the hand as small as pos-
sible. Grasp the horse’s
tongue with the left hand;
carefully pull it out and
_ place it on that part of
the lower jaw which is bare of teeth. Insert the right
hand into the mouth as far as possible, leaving the ball
at the root of the tongue; withdraw the hand, release the
tongue, which forces the ball still farther back, and close
the horse’s mouth. Hold the horse’s head up, until he
swallows the ball, which can be plainly seen passing
down the gullet. It is best to have one person to admin-
ister the medicine and another to hold the horse’s head.
GIVING A BALL.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 107
To give a drink or drench, pour the
medicine into a strong bottle, raise the
(4% horse’s head and pour in about three or
wi four ounces at atime. If he refuses to
swallow, close the nostrils for a moment.
BALL PassING If he chokes, lower his head at once.
DOWN GULLET: :
Poultices are for allaying pains, soften-
ing the tissues, etc. They should always be large, kept
moist, and applied for a considerable time.
When fomentation is used, have the water hot and
maintained at an even temperature as long as required.
After poulticing and fomenting, dry thoroughly
and bandage to protect from the air.
CHAPTER XII.
DIFFERENT BREEDS.
There are many different breeds of horses,—so many,
in fact, that it is impossible to describe all within the
space allotted to this chapter; so we mention only those
that are prominent and noted for excellence in their
particular line.
ARABIAN The Arabian is a ceatiact variety, and
one of the most beautiful of all breeds.
The Arabian horse is noted for its wide forehead, fine
108 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
muzzle, width of jaws, small ears, prominent: full eyes,
arched neck, muscular shoulder and high withers. The
tail is always carried grace- , « |
fully. The hips are mus- Ph pu \
cular; the hocks and knees iM
large and well formed, and
the feet small and sound. |
Arabian horses are usually \\ |
bay, black or gray; and ° . fr \ sie
they stand about fifteen ARABIAN.
hands high. They are brave, but very docile, and become
greatly attached to their owner. Asia is their native
home, but they are imported to all parts of the globe.
up aiy | The Hackney is the fashionable driving
cart and car- .
triage horse of the present |
day. Heisan English-bred
trotter of a certain type.
The Hackney is compactly
built, has bright eye, fine
high knee action and much |\}
intelligence. A breeder of
Hackneys has a good sale for his horses, as ‘i are
always in demand. —
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 109
CLEVELAND] he Cleveland
BAY Bay is from
the Cleveland
district, Yorkshire, England.
Their color is a pure bay,
ranging from light to dark. yy
They are very popular on
account of their good consti- CLEVELAND BAY.
tution, large bone and endurance. ‘They are excellent
for carriage horses and make a fine appearance.
YORKSHIRE The Yorkshire Bay is from Yorkshire,
BAY England, and is a cross between the
Cleveland Bay and the English Thor-
oughbred. They are said to be the finest carriage horses
in the world, possessing fine action and endurance. They
are a rich bay, with legs, mane and tail black. They
have arched necks and high-set tails, while the entire
_ make-up of the horse is graceful.
noRaan | ‘The Morgan, an — horse, has ile
scended from Justin Morgan, foaled in
1793. They are noted for their staying qualities, courage,
good action and their beauty. The Morgansare trotting
roadsters, going many miles without discomfort.
110 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
aliaairs | The Bart is of African origin; but they
- are coarser and smaller than the Arabian.
The Spanish horse has descended from this breed. It is
also said the best English stock has Bart blood in it.
The Bart has a small head, good ears, large neck, the
shoulders light, sloping and broad, withers high, loins
straight and short, flanks and ribs round and well de-
veloped, haunches strong, legs clean and the tendons
clearly marked, long pastern and the feet sound and of
good shape. ‘The height is about fourteen and a half
hands. They are not as speedy nor have as much spirit
as the Arabian.
ENGLISH To describe the English Thoroughbred,
THOROUGH- : ro o
eee their origin and subsequent history,
. would take
several volumes. ‘The Eng-
lish Thoroughbreds contain
Arab and Turkish blood. || me |
They are about 15 hands, 3 #i ae |
inches high, and are usually /
bay, brown, or chestnut. ~ i
The hair is silky and the
skin thin. The head and neck are light; the body
moderately long; the back muscular and hips wide.
G
ca f >
Cf
L\
: »
H | *
ENGLISH THOROUGHBRED.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 1ll
‘The chest should be well developed, shoulder muscular
and legs flat and strong. The hind quarter must have
good length and volume of muscle. The pasterns
should be long, and feet of fair size and sound.
CLYDEs- | The Clydesdale horse is especially desired
DALE ~ by farmers, on account of their size, cour-
age, activityand endurance. The Clydes-
dale is bred in the districts bordering on the Clyde, and
they owe their origin to one of the dukes of Hamilton
who crossed a Lanark mare with a stallion from Flanders.
The Clydesdale has a long, low back; short, flat ribs;
good strong legs, and long pasterns. For farm-work they
cannot be surpassed. . (Illustration of Clydesdale, see
page 46.)
NOsAGAN | The Norman horse is hardy and pomapact,
but slow. ‘They have low bodies and
short legs; good constitutions and very strong feet, which
stand almost any amount of hard wear.
_ | The Shire horse is one of the best horses
for heavy work. They are large, well-
built, powerful, good-tempered, and have much endur-
ance. The Shire is slower, but stronger, than the Clydes-
SHIRE
1i2 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
dale. They have large heads, roomy bodies, wide hips,
broad and muscular loins, fore arms and thighs powerful
and hocks broad. The legs are very hairy. (Illustra-
tion of Shire, see page 47.)
teenie | The Canadian
| horse is hardy,
_ courageous and has great en-
durance. His crest is lofty,
breast broad, heavy shoulders,
broad back, round muscular
croup, with good strong legs ©
and feet. The fetlocks are CANADIAN,
shaggy, and the mane and tail very full and long. A
peculiarity of the breed is the crimpled wave to the tail;
and feet that are sound and free from disease.
aes kare The Belgian
| horses are
good for slow purposes, and
_ are imported into this coun-
try in large quantities.
They are very heavy and {jj
only good for work which ~@))
requires slow walking... sis ladite
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 118
| The Percheron is
PERCHERON
another horse
especially adapted for heavy
work. They are beautiful ani-
mals, and possess all the good
qualities of the Clydesdale and
Shire. Choose those animals “v3
that are of good size and evenly PERCHERON,
proportioned with a good road gait.
HUNTERS | Much care has been spent on the breed-
ing of the Hunter, and a magnificent
animal, well fitted for his
work, is the result. A Hun-
ter must have speed, endur-
ance, strength, and good
temper. The requisites of
a good Hunter are a good
mouth, a high sloping shoul- |
der, good limbs and joints, HUNTER.
loins and hind quarters should be wide and long, thighs
long and muscular. It is also necessary that they have
good wind, perfect action and judgment. A perfect
Hunter is a perfect horse, as it requires perfection to
fulfil its duties.
114 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
FRENCH The French
COACH Coach is the
ideal carriage
horse, and is noted for its grace-
ful carriage, strength and en-_
durance. ‘The French Coach
is the result of years of the
most careful breeding; and the
FRENCH COACH.
outcome is almost a perfect
horse. Great care and attention is given in France to the
breeding of horses, and they are well paid for their trouble.
SHETLAND | JHe Shetland ES
PONY pony is about ,
10% hands high.
They are strong, hardy and
active, while possessing great
beauty. They have small SHHTLAND BONY.
heads, good shoulders, backs and quarters, with long
mane and tail. They come from the Shetland Islands,
which are north of Scotland.
INDIAN The Indian Pony is a rare combination
PONY of strength, endurance and activity.
They are about thirteen hands high and
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 115
possess a high crest, full mane and tail, strong body, and
legs and feet that are strong and lasting. They run
wild in the Northwest prairies.
~
AMERICAN The American Thoroughbred is descen-
THOROUGH-
BRED
ded from stock imported from the Eng-
lish Thoroughbreds. They are unri-
valed as trotters; and the great care bestowed upon the
PACER, TROTTER, RUNNER.
breeding has given America a strain of horses unequaled
anywhere. They have a beautiful wiry frame, great
116 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
elasticity of muscle and are noted for endurance. The -
records of pacers, trotters and runners are marvelous.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE MULE.
It is strange that the
value of a good mule is not
more generally appreciated.
Mules are superior to horses
for many kinds of work.
They stand fatigue better,
and their skin is hard and
tough, enabling them to bear
THE MULE. heavy weights and brave all
kinds of weather. Mules live as long as horses and are
much cheaper to keep. ‘They are seldom sick.
The best mules are bred from a good,
low, heavy Jack and an average-sized,
compact mare. Mules bred froma horse
stallion and a mare ass are gentle, but are not hardy and
BREEDING
MULES
are usually small. |
As mules always inherit the shape and disposition
of the sire more than the dam, great care should be used
in selecting him. Secure the best that can be obtained
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 117
and breed him to a mare standing about fourteen hands
high. Mules are not full grown before they are five
years old. The best mules have a good strong neck,
bright eye, broad chest, compact body and strong legs.
The male mule is stronger than the female, but not
so gentle. The best height is about thirteen and one-
half hands high.
Mules are excellent for farm-work, and
do all kinds in a manner that excels a
team of horses. In the mountainous
regions mules are indispensable. They are especially
adapted for army work, on canals, in mines and for work
where patience and steadiness are wanted. Mules are not
as fast as horses, but are not as excitable and can always
take take care of themselves.
A MULE’S
WORK
Breakina | ‘The education of mules should begin as
— early as possible. Train them first with
TRAINING ©
a halter and lead them until they are
perfectly accustomed to it. The reason so many mules
are irritable and unmanageable is on account of im-
proper training. It is the opinion of some trainers that
the more abuse you give a mule the better. This is a
mistake. Gentleness and kindness is as much a neces-
18 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
sity in training mules as it is in training horses. A
mule’s ears are very sensitive and they should never be
hit or squeezed. Accustom them to be handled, but do
itin the right manner. ‘The proper training will result
in a good, gentle and obedient animal. They are
usually shy ; but this is characteristic and is not a serious
fault. Always have good, strong harness; the collar
should fit perfectly; the bit should not be too thin.
CARE OF Mules must be shod very carefully on
THE MULE | 2ccount of the peculiar construction of
their feet. A neglected hoof of a mule
soon renders the animal useless. When a mule is
fatigued, his ears will swing backwards
and forwards ; when very tired, his head
“he
droops, and the ears fall backwards.
Mules are fed similar to horses, al- wNecLEcTED
HOOF,
though a smaller amount of food is nec-
essary. Very small animals are fed only twice a day.
Keep the mules in comfortable quarters; they do not
require as much attention as horses..
PROFIT IN Good mules are always salable. In fact,
MULES the reason that more of them are not
used is the difficulty in securing them.
Bash:
‘PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 119
In war times the mule becomes an important factor, and
all that can be secured are bought.
CHAPTER XIV.
READ THIS CAREFULLY.
erat In treating on diseases of the horse, we
| have endeavored in all cases to give, in
our judgment, the very best remedies. Where Pratts
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition
Powder is named, we consider it the dest for the case,
and in our actual practice we should use it and no
other.
At the same time, as this book is intended to be a
standard work of general information, we specify other |
remedies in addition to our own preparations, preferring
to give other information in our possession, thereby
allowing the reader the choice of remedies.
We feel it advisable to specially call attention to the
fact that Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator and Pratts
Condition Powder are known as the greatest Anzmal
Regulators of the present day. They are strictly up-to-
date articles, and are used and endorsed by many thous-
ands of horse owners throughout the United States, Eu-
rope and other foreign countries.
120 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
Every package is sold under our affidavit, guaran-
teeing its freeness from poisons or other injurious ingre-
dients. They are pure and wholesome, and can be used
without the least fear of bad results that often follow
many unreliable remedies.
We manufacture these three remedies for horses, but
do not claim that one is better than another. Wesimply
let our patrons take their choice, with the understanding
that, no matter which one may be selected, positively
satisfactory results will be obtained. |
Our well-known remedies control and regulate the
blood, bowels and digestive organs; act as mild tonics
and stimulants, and thereby cure and prevent the many
diseases arising from these causes, and are used with
greater success than any known preparation.
They are composed of roots, herbs and barks of the
best quality only, and manufactured with the greatest
care and exactness ; the utmost cleanliness is observed.
They are quick in action, safe to use and ‘a
preparations in every particular.
In mixing them with the feed, at first it may be
well to dampen them. When fed dry, however, be care-
ful to see that they do not sift through the feed and lie
uneaten at the bottom of the trough. -After animals be-
«
—
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 121
come acquainted with the flavor, they are quite fond of
them and eat them with a relish.
APHTHA. |
In aphtha both lips are swollen; the horse has a
full appearance and will noteat. The tongue is swollen
and lumps appear on the tongue and around the mouth,
which are hard at first, but soon soften and contain a
clear fluid, finally burst and a scab forms. The end of
the disease is marked by the falling off of this scab.
There is nothing better for aphtha than Pratts
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition
Powder, and they can be used in conjunction with the
following : Mix four ounces of borax and one and a half
pints of molasses in a gallon of hot water. After cool-
ing the head should be held up and half a pint poured
into the mouth and held there for a short time; then
drop the head and allow it to run out. Do this several
times each day.
BAD TEETH.
Frequently a tooth will grow up into an open space,
probably where a tooth has been lost. It keeps on grow-
ing until it finally pierces the gum. The horse will at
i22 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
times throw out the food when it is only half chewed.
It will frequently cause nasal gleet or running of the
nose, and indigestion. Sometimes the molars become
sharp as a knife and cut the sides of the mouth. Proper
filing and care of the teeth is all that is necessary.
Wolf teeth are superfluous teeth and should be drawn
out.
BIG HEAD.
Big head is known by a lump or bony tumor on
the face between the nostrils and the eye, which finally
breaks out in small holes, discharging a thick substance.
It ends in a complete diseased state of the bony structure.
It is caused by a weakness in the parents of the horse,
It is even known to descend in the horse family for four
or five generations, and a horse bred from stock like
this is almost sure to have the same disease, no matter
what preventives are taken.
It.is caused in the first place by poor food and lack
on the part of the animal of assimilating the phosphates.
It is well to steer clear of a horse where this disease is
known to have been in the family, even though it has
been a couple of generations back.
A horse predisposed to big head, however, can have
no better advantages for building up his health than by
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 123
feeding Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder regularly three times aday. They aid
him in digesting his food and assimilating it and keep
the blood and bowels in good shape. Consequently, if
there is an opportunity of the horse outliving the disease,
these remedies will be the best assistance he can have.
At the same time the tumor should be removed by
making a cut over it with a sharp knife, and the wound
then syringed daily with one fluid drachm of solution of
carbolic acid, one drachm of chloride of zinc, mixed in a
quart of water.
However, in accordance with our note on page I109,
to give another remedy, we mention the following, to be
given in a mash night and morning, one tablespoonful
at a dose : T'wo ounces of powdered ginger; four ounces
-of Peruvian bark ; six ounces of phosphate of lime. In
addition, give one drachm of iodide of potassium in a
mash each day at noon.
BLOODY URINE.
Bloody urine generally consists of small clots of
blood in the urine. Sometimes, after standing a while,
they mingle with the urine and give it a brownish
color. The symptoms are as follows: ‘The breathing is
124 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
short and quick; the pulse
is completely lost at the
jaw; the eyes are di-
lated; the head droops
and the back is arched;
the hind feet are far apart.
Pratts Food, Pratts -
Animal Regulator or
Pratts Condition Powder
has been most successful in cases of bloody urine. At
first it should be given in double doses in gruel form,
and then gradually reduced, as the animal becomes
better, to the regular dose mixed with the feed of the
animal. Where these remedies are fed regularly there
is no danger of any urinary troubles. Quiet should
be maintained around the horse until ‘he has fully
BLOODY URINE,
recovered.
However, as per our note on page I19, to give an-
other remedy, we mention the following : One drachm
of acetate of lead, mixed in half a pint of water and ad-
ministered in one dose. If there is no improvement in
fifteen minutes, repeat the dose, adding an ounce of
laudanum, until four doses have been given. If there is
still no relief, give the following in one dose three times
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 125
a day : Two teaspoonfuls of alum mixed with one pint
of infusion of white oak bark. As the horse improves,
discontinue the medicine.
BUTTON FARCY.
Button farcy is not a very dangerous disease. It
appears quickly and confines itself mostly to the neck
and forequarters. It is known by an eruption like blunt,
elevated heat spots, which go away in a short time.
There is nothing better than Pratts Food, Pratts
Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder for button
farcy ; in fact, where they are fed constantly, it never
occurs. They should be fed in double doses and grad-
ually decreased to the usual quantity. The first treat-
ment is to have the bowels move freely, which is pro-
duced by feeding our remedies in extra doses, after
which they can be reduced to the regular amount,
which will keep the bowels in good shape. Feed green
food, bran mashes and crushed oats.
As per our note on page 119, however, to give an
additional remedy, we mention the same solution as
given for prurigo, on page 167, giving a pint at a dose,
and administer once a day for about thirty days.
126 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
CHOKING.
Choking affects an animal according to the different
parts in which the obstacle may be lodged. Of course,
the most simple means, if it can be reached, is to place
the hand in the mouth and remove it. If this cannot be
done, it requires an instrument expressly made for that
purpose. Ifit is a high choke, the animal throws up its
head and lowers its hind quarters. If it is a low choke,
the animal refuses to eat, and when drinking, the water
will be ejected by way of the nostrils. There is a dis-
charge from the nose ; saliva runs from the mouth and
breathing is difficult. |
If it is a low choke, Pratts Food, Pratts Animal
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder should be given
frequently in double doses in gruel form, to physic the
animal and keep the bowels loose.
As per our note on page 119, however, we give the
next best remedy, as follows: Two fluid ounces of
laudanum ; two fluid ounces of sulphuric ether ; mixed
in half pint of water, and given in one dose.
Pratts Remedies give strength and assist a horse to
combat against pain or distress. In an accident of this
kind they will prevent his running down rapidly, which,
in itself, is of much value.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 127
COLDS.
Colds result from neglect and exposure, and will be
noticed by the dull appearance of the horse, rough coat;
the body will be hot in parts and cold in others; running
of the eyes and a discharge from the nose.
NOSE BAG.
The horse should be kept
warin and a steam bag placed to
his nose, made as follows: Take
a two-bushel bag and attach straps
toit. Putina peck of bran and
a handful of hops and pour in a
mixture of solution of carbolic
acid and spirits of turpentine, two
tablespoonfuls each, and mix it
. thoroughly. Put the nose of the
horse in the bag and strap over
the head. Cuta hole in the bag
below the horse’s nose and pour
in five or six quarts of boiling water, and keep on re-
peating this so as to steam the horse. This may be
repeated from three to six times a day until the horse
discharges freely from the nostrils, and then reduce as
the horse gets better.
Do not bleed the horse in this
condition, and do not weaken him, as it may result in
pneumonia.
128 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE. HORSE
There is nothing better, either as a preventive or a
cure for colds, than Pratts Heave, Cough and Cold Cure.
It will astonish you with the quick results. This, inad-
dition to the above, is all we can say for remedies for colds.
ACUTE COLIC.
Colic is too well known to go intoa long descrip-
tion of the disease.
We can simply say that with the proper care and
the use of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or
Pratts Condition Powder, colic never occurs, unless the
horse is filled up with a large amount of cold water, bad
grain or sour food. These remedies fed in double doses
at first in gruel form, mixed in warm water, start up
digestion, after which this can be reduced to the usual
quantity and mixed with the regular feed. Indigestion
from bolting feed and other causes is frequently the
cause for colic. Pratts Remedies fed constantly will
prevent colic from indigestion. If your horse should be
taken with the colic, however, there is a remedy which
never fatils— Pratts Veterinary Colic Cure; one dose
cures. Full directions are plainly printed on the bottle.
This will promptly relieve and cure the animal.
To treat by injection, use four fluid ounces of tur-
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 129
pentine in one quart of strong soapsuds, and inject with
a syringe through the anus.
WIND COLIC.
Wind colic is caused by grain feed, and is more
serious than acute colic. This disease is another form
of indigestion, which can be prevented by the use of
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condi-
tion Powder. If, however, the horse is attacked by it,
we can recommend Pratts Veterinary Colic Cure in this
case, the same as we did in acute colic. You will find
only one dose necessary ; however, if it should be re-
quired, it can be repeated in a half-hour.
CHRONIC COUGH.
Chronic cough is sometimes caused by dusty hay
or cold water. Sometimes it is a symptom of farcy,
glanders, broken wind or heaves, bronchitis or some
chronic disease of the lungs, stomach or bowels. Special
attention should be paid to warm blankets, pure air and
damp food, plenty of grooming, nourishing foods. If
there is a swelling of the throat, it should be blistered
with Pratts Veterinary Liniment. Pratts Heave, Cough
and Cold Cure is a most valuable remedy in all cases of
this kind, and is the surest and quickest preparation
that can be used, As per our note on page 119, to give
130 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
another remedy, we mention the following: Ten fluid
ounces of tincture of squills; two fluid ounces of fluid
extract of lobelia ; thirty drops of fluid extract of gel-
semium. Mix well, and give a tablespoonful every day.
Increase or decrease as necessary.
CRIBBING.
Cribbing is frequently caused by indigestion. After
the habit becomes fixed, it is hard to break it off. There
is nothing that will prevent or cure cribbing, if from
indigestion and not from habit, so thoroughly as Pratts
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition —
Powder, as they place the digestive organs of the animal
in good condition and remove the cause. If the horse is
a confirmed cribber (from habit), a good plan is to buckle
a strap closely around the neck.
DISTEMPER (OR STRANGLES).
Distemper, or Strangles, as it is sometimes called, is
frequently due to sudden changes in the weather, and in
the spring and fall of the year, when the animals are
shedding their coats, the blood becomes poisoned during
the damp, chilly weather. Damp, poorly-ventilated and
foul-smelling stables are frequently the cause. ‘The dis-
ease is usually contagious, and very few horses escape it.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 131
The first symptom is the development of the germs
in the poisoned blood ; these germs increase in immense
quantities all over the animal’s body, the horse shivers,
his ears and legs become cold, his coat rough, appetite
poor; sore throat, with trouble in swallowing, naturally
follows ; there is usually a swelling between the jaws;
the eyes become dull and the lids swell, the nostrils are
dry and dark red, followed soon by a thin,-watery dis-
charge, and still later on by a thick, acrid matter ; the
temperature will probably run up from ror to 103, and
if proper treatment is not given within a day or two, the
temperature may run up as high as 104 or 105, in which
case a heavy cough will develop, and the horse will act
as if in great pain, the eyes will become filmy and nearly
closed. ;
As soon as any of the above symptoms are noticed,
the horse should at once be well blanketed, removed from
all draughts, and given plenty of pure air, cold water
frequently given in small quantities, and his strength
kept up by feeding him anything that he will eat.
When the swelling between the jaws comes to a
head, a cut should be made to allow the pus to run out.
If swelling does not come to a head, apply Pratts Vet-
erinary Liniment with a brush night and morning.
132 > PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
Bandage the throat with flannel after each application.
In case horse breathes with difficulty, use nose bag as
described on page 127.
The horse should be treated with Pratts Distemper
cure, as follows :— |
For an ordinary case of distemper, give one tea-
spoonful of Pratts Distemper Cure three times a day after
each feeding time. .
For severe cases of distemper give two teaspoonfuls
of Pratts Distemper Cure three times a day after each
feeding time.
For Colts:—Give one teaspoonful of Pratts Distem-
per Cure twice a day after each feeding time.
In case of fever give Pratts Prepared Fever Powder,
which will quickly reduce the temperature to normal.
In addition to the above directions, it is important
to get up a thorough circulation by rubbing the legs
well with the dry hand, and then wrap with thick flan-
nel bandages.
DROPSY.
Dropsy can be noticed by the pulse being hard and
small, with about 58 to 62 beatsa minute. The head
> = =
i
See es A.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 1383
droops, the horse will
not eat, the mouth is
dry. By pressing on
the abdomen the horse
will groan. The horse
will lie down and re-
main in one position
for along while. The
horse will be very thirsty, and by slapping one side of
the horse and placing the ear to the other, the water can
be detected. The horse will be hide-bound and the hair
in his tail will drop out. When the disease reaches this
stage the horse dies. Where Pratts Food, Pratts Ani-
mal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder is fed regu-
larly dropsy does not occur, and we can also recommend
these remedies as the greatest cures known. They
should be given in double doses in gruel form at first,
and gradually reduced until the bowels become natural,
mixing with the regular feed. We also recommend
applying small blisters to the abdomen. ‘The animal
must not be worked while affected by dropsy. In ac-
cordance with our note on page 119, to give another
remedy, we mention: One scruple of extract of bella-
donna ; one-quarter grain of strychnine ; half a drachm
of iodide of iron; and add enough powdered quassia
DROPSY OF ABDOMEN.
ae PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
and extract of gentian to make a mass, and give this
pill night and morning. Increase the strychnine every
other day until one grain to a dose is reached, and the
iodide of iron the same way until a drachm and a half
is given at one dose.
ACUTE DYSENTERY.
This disease is often caused by administering medi-
cines of a poisonous character to the horse, as purgatives,
such as aloes, croton oil, etc., and will at first appear to
be colic, but the violent dysentery following shows the
true state of affairs. ‘The water becomes discolored and
has an offensive odor. The horse is extremely thirsty
and his position shows that he has pain.
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Con-
dition Powder, given in gruel form in double doses at
first, and then gradually reduced to the regular quantity
and mixed with the feed, is a sure cure for dysentery.
An injection of one quart of starch water, with one
ounce of laudanum mixed in it, should be made into the
bowels every half hour. Our remedies will also build
up the horse after an attack of this kind in half the time
it would take without their use..
However, as per our note on page 119, to give
eo
a ce?
‘
en
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 135
another remedy, we mention the following, to be given
in one dose every quarter of an hour: Half a fluid ounce
liquor potassa ; one fluid ounce tincture catechu ; one
fluid ounce of sulphuric ether; three fluid ounces of
laudanum ; one ounce of powdered chalk.
- DYSENTERY IN COLTS—SCOURS.
This disease should not be checked too suddenly.
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condi-
tion Powder will not only cure this by regulating the
bowels, but it will prevent scours in colts and make
them strong and healthy in every particular. They
should be fed in gruel form and double doses at first, and
then gradually reduced to the usual quantity and mixed
with the regular feed. However, as per our note on
page I19, we give another remedy, as follows: Place a
handful of inner white oak bark in a quart of boiling
water, allow it to stand until cool, add an ounce of
laudanum, and give a teacupful night and morning.
This remedy can be made stronger should the case
require it.
EPILEPSY.
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain and nervous sys-
tem. The horse, when violently attacked, will run into
136 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
houses, fences and other obstacles. Sometimes the
horse will fall and lie on the ground until the fit is over.
Should a horse at any time act strangely, his actions
should be looked into, as it may be a symptom of epilepsy.
Regularity and care in feeding and driving are neces-
sary. ‘There is nothing more successful for the preven-
tion of epilepsy than the constant feeding of Pratts
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition
Powder. They have helped thousands of cases. Of
course, it is necessary to use care in a case of this kind
as to the food of the horse and how he is worked. In
case of a sudden attack, a double dose of either of our
remedies should be given at once, and after a movement
of the bowels, reduced to the regular dose, or a quantity
sufficient to keep the bowels regular. As per our note
on page 119, to give another remedy, we name the fol-
lowing : One-half fluid ounce of tincture of ginger ; one
drachm of bromide of potassium ; one drachm of bro-
mide of ammonium ; mixed in half a pint of water and
given in one dose twice a day, until the horse improves,
and then reduce to once each day until cured.
EXCESS IN URINATING.
This disease is known as diabetes, and occasionally
results seriously. Sometimes it happens from giving a
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 137
horse turpentine, which can readily be detected by dip-
ping a piece of blotting paper in the urine, and placing
it near the nose to see whether it has the odor of violets.
If it has, turpentine has been administered to the horse.
If sweet spirits of nitre has been given the horse, by
dipping the blotting paper in the urine, and touching it
with fire, it will burn very fiercely.
The horse is very thirsty and weak. He should be
given flaxseed tea in large quantity, a pail full should be
kept within the animal’s reach at all times, and bran
mashes, scalded or crushed oats, only should be fed,
mixed with Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or
Pratts Condition Powder. The horse should be well
groomed and cleaned. The quick action of Pratts
Remedies in a case like this is very pronounced, and
will in most cases give prompt relief. ‘They should at
first be given in double doses, and in gruel form, re-
duced as the trouble is remedied. However, as per our
note on page I19, to ‘give another remedy, we mention
the following : One drachm of iodide of iron, with suffi-
cient flaxseed meal and honey added to mix it well, and
give each day in one dose.
138 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
FAULTY CASTRATION.
This sometimes occurs from the cut being too small,
or the cord left too long, which hangs out and becomes
red. It can be noticed by a!straddling walk and fever-
ishness, as well as the hanging out of the cord. It is
easily remedied: make the cut larger and push the
cord back.
FEVER.
As is well known, many diseases of horses are ac-
companied with more or less alarming symptoms of fever.
In all such cases, in addition to treating the specific dis-
ease, it is absolutely necessary, in order to avoid more
serious complications, that the temperature of the ani-
mal be reduced to normal.
For this purpose, the wise horse-owner should at all
times keep on hand, ready for every emergency, a sup-
ply of some safe and reliable fever powder.
One of the most experienced veterinary surgeons in
the United States has furnished us with his private
formula for a fever powder, which has been used suc-
—
cessfully in thousands of cases, and which we now are ©
offering to the public under the name of Pratts Prepared
Fever Powder. Werecommend its use in all cases of
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a
HA? el RE a Ply te py ony i Ly alt
BC ANN Re eh ee eas
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 1389
fever for horses, brood mares, stallions and colts at all
ages.
Fever can be detected by placing the hands over
the nostrils, in the mouth or the rectum, or in the cleft
between the hind legs. In fact, the horse will feel un-
naturally hot anywhere on the body, but the points
mentioned above are the most notable. Sometimes the
ears and cannon bones are as hot as the rest of the body.
Then, again, they are cold, in which case it is due to
irregular circulation. The normal pulse of the horse is
38 to 45 times per minute, and can be felt by placing
the fingers under the jaw.
In case of fever the pulse will be increased 60 to 90
oreven 100. The breathing is increased from 14 to 36
or even more, and can be detected by placing the ear
back of the foreleg.
. At first the appetite is usually affected. Sometimes
a horse may not eat at all. There is a general differ-
ence, however, among horses in this respect with the
same amount of fever. High-bred horses may not eat
at all, while lower-bred horses may eat hay all during
the fever.
The horse will be thirsty, but drink very little at a
time. A bucket of water should be kept where the horse
can drink whenever he desires. The skin will be dry
140 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
and the hair stand on ends. At first-a horse will not
sweat, but later on he will sweat freely. If the horse
breaks out in a warm sweat, it is a favorable symptom.
The mucous membranes, which can be examined
in the eyes and mouth, will show a rosy or deep red
color at first. If the fever is caused by an extended
attack of pneumonia, influenza, etc., the membranes will
take on a tinge of yellow.
At first, in a fever, the gland secretions are checked
and the tongue and inside of the cheeks covered with a
bad-smelling coating; a horse generally becomes con-
stipated and his digestion poor, which frequently, later
on, produces diarrhcea. Sometimes urine stops alto-
gether, then, again, the horse passes very little urine of
a dark color, as the fever wears off. Ata later period a
horse may urinate very freely, which shows the fever is
decreasing and the horse getting better. |
At the very first sign of fever a horse should be sep-
arated as far from the other horses as possible, so he
may be kept quiet and rest. He should be put in a box ~
stall, with the stall darkened and free from all draughts.
The horse should be fed lightly as follows: Carrots,
apples, vegetables, grain, bran mashes—in fact, any- —
thing that will encourage the appetite, but the animal
must not be fed too strong, and under no circumstances
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 141
should the horse be worked until fully recovered. Give
Pratts Prepared Fever Powder as directed below, and
as soon as fever stops, discontinue the powders, and do
not work the horse until he gets his natural strength
and is fully recovered.
Give one of Pratts Fever Powders twice a day for
three days, and follow up this treatment with daily
doses of Pratts Food for Horses and Cattle. This will
supply the necessary tonic to the sick horse, which is
necessary to build up his run-down condition.
For two-year-old colts, give one-half the quantity of
powder. |
For one-year-old colts, give one-fourth the quantity.
To give Pratts Fever Powders, open the horse’s
mouth, take the tongue in the left hand, and empty the
Powder on the back part of the tongue.
FISTULOUS WITHERS.
This disease looks like poll evil, only it is found on
the withers. When it appears it is about as large as an
egg. Toremedy, take a sharp-pointed knife, cut through
the middle, upward and outward ; then apply caustic,
and keep it wet with a solution of one drachm of car-
bolic acid, mixed in a pint of water, and keep it covered
142 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
with a tarred rag to keep the flies from troubling the
horse. Where the disease has been neglected, an opera-
tion should be performed similar to that mentioned under
poll evil, and should only be done ” a perso skilful
in cases of this kind.
The constant Feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts Ani-
mal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder will greatly
benefit the horse and assist in a speedy recovery, keep-
ing the blood, bowels and digestive organs in normal
condition.
GLANDERS. |
All that a horse-owner wishes to know about glanders
is enough to detect that the horse positively has the dis-
ease, and then have the animal killed.
The symptoms are as follows: Shivering and stiff-
ness, which sometimes continue for days. A free dis-
charge of thin greenish matter under the jaw. The
glands under the jaw are enlarged and immovable ; they
becomed inflamed and burst and emit a bloody substance.
Wherever this discharge touches the animal, it takes off
the hair. The nostrils are swollen ; there is a discharge
from them, and notice should be taken while the horse
is drinking, if this discharge drops into the water and
sinks, it is glanders, and if it floats, it is not. This is
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 143
considered a sure test by many authorities. When the
discharge begins, it has a gluey, starch-like appearance
and is very tough. |
Great care should be taken in coming in contact
with the horse, as the disease has ,been contracted by
persons working around an affected animal.
GRUBS IN THE SKIN.
They can be removed by opening the skin with a
knife and squeezing them out.
HIDE-BOUND.
Hide-bound is caused by neglect, poor food, indi-
gestion and exposure. Where Pratts Food, Pratts Ani-
mal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder is fed, hide-
bound never occurs. As a preventive, they should be
given in the usual doses with the regular feed. If the
horse has become hide-bound, they should be given in
double doses in gruel form until the bowels are moved
freely, and then reduce gradually until the bowels are
regular. As per our note on page 119, however, to give
another remedy, we mention the following: One fluid
ounce tincture muriate of iron ; half a fluid ounce Fowl-
er’s solution of arsenic ; mixed in a pint of water, and
given in one dose twice a day.
144 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
HEAVES.
Heaves will be noticed by wheezing and is also gen-
erally accompanied by acough. It is very often caused —
by overfeeding on clover, chaff, dry bran, oats, or food
which contains very little nutriment, but is bulky.
Dusty hay is also very likely to cause this disease, as
well as violent exercise. Both young and old horses are
‘subject to it, but it more frequently affects the older
animals. It is frequently accompanied with a ravenous
appetite. It weakens the animal and he is easily fatigued.
A horse affected with heaves should in all cases have a
well-ventilated stable.
Turn the horse out into pasture where there is no
clover. ‘The horse should be fed on cornstalks or laxa-
tive food and dry grain, clean oats, but very little hay,
and this should be dampened and only given at night.
Turnips and carrots are good feed. Water should be
given in small quantities, but frequently. A little lime
added to the water occasionally is good for the horse.
We strongly urge the use of Pratts Heave Cure to
prevent and cure this troublesome disease. A single
day’s treatment helps the worst case of heaves, several
doses will show a vast improvement, and in a few days
the cough will stop and the breathing be natural.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 145
In accordance with our note on page 119, we, how-
ever, mention another remedy, as follows : Two ounces
of pulverized beliadonna leaves once a week, and the
following dose given night and morning : One drachm
of Jamaica ginger ; four grains arsenic ; one drachm of
bicarbonate of soda.
INFLAMMATION OF THE AIR PASSAGES (BRONCHITIS).
This disease is the result of a cold caught while the
horse is overheated. In the start there will at times be
oS
47 ,
fA
\
BLANKETING FOR BRONCHITIS.
noted only a slight cough, and the horse will eat as
usual ; but soon the cough increases, the animal declines
to move around, breathing becomes short, quick and
loud; the nose is red and the mouth hot and dry. The
146 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
body and legs are of uneventemperature. The nose bag,
described on page 127, should be applied. The stable
must be warm ; scalded hay should be bandaged to the
throat, and repeated as soon as cool ; the body bandaged
with flannels dipped in cold water, from the shoulder to
the middle of the back, clear around the body of the
horse, and renew just as soon as the heat of the body
dries the blankets or flannels. Keep the horse on gruel
or soft foods. After the horse has recovered, the dry
blankets should be worn at least ten days in the same
manner.
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder have cured a number of cases of in-
flammation of the air passages, with the care mentioned
above, and are great preventives from all acute attacks
by the fine condition a horse is kept.in by their constant
use. As per our note on page IIg, to give another
remedy, we mention the following to be given every
half hour in one dose: One fluid ounce of laudanum ;
one fluid ounce of sulphuric ether ; mixed in half a
pint of water. If, in the course of a couple of hours, the
horse is no better, give the following, dose: Half a
drachm of belladonna, taken up in an ounce of water,
and twenty drops of tincture of aconite added. Give
every three-quarters of an hour toan houruntil the horse
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 147
is better. If the bowels are costive, inject warm soap
suds. The food should be entirely in gruel form.
INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES.
Generally caused by a blow or foreign substance
getting under the lid. The best plan is to hang a cloth
over the eye and keep it wet constantly with the follow-
ing solution : One fluid ounce of tincture of arnica ; half
a fluid ounce of laudanum ; mixed in two quarts of water.
As soon as possible, examine the eye and remove any
dirt or other substance that may be lodged there.
INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH.
This disease is shown sometimes by colic, irregu-
larity of the bowels, or uncertain appetite and looseness
of the bowels at times. This may be followed by ex-
treme costiveness. The disease is accompanied by a dry
cough, catchy breath, and the mouth is cold. The eyes
are sunken, the belly baggy and the hair rough. The
horse becomes thin and is very easily thrown into a per-
spiration or sweat. The horse will gnaw at bricks and
mortar, or wood, and will eat its bedding or dirty straw.
The most successful remedies that we know of for
this disease are Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or
148 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
Pratts Condition Powder, if constantly fed. However,
it will not occur unless from acute causes like sudden
colds from exposure, etc. As soon as the symptoms be-
come apparent, either of our remedies should be given
in double doses in gruel form, to carry off the inflam-
mation through the bowels, after which an easily digested
diet of soft food should be given, reducing tothe regular
doses during recovery. As per our note on page 119, to
give another remedy, we name the following: Half a
drachm of extract of belladonna ; half a grain of strych-
nine ; half a drachm of extract of gentian ; half adrachm
of carbonate of ammonia ; mixed with powdered quassia
so as to make a ball, and given night and morning for
seven days. ‘Then give the following solution night and
morning : One fluid ounce of muriated tincture of iron ;
half a fluid ounce of tincture of ipecacuanha; one fluid
ounce of laudanum ; half a fluid ounce of solution of
arsenic; mixed in a pint of water and given in one
dose.
INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS.
This disease will be noted by a weakened pulse,
pulse rapid, short breathing, the mucous membranes are
pale, and the horse frequently turns his head back to-
“Ss
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 149
wards the kidneys. His head is lowered, the back arched
and the hind feet placed wide apart. If the hand is
pressed over the kidneys, the horse flinches. ‘The horse
will not move around and seldom lies down. The urine
is scanty, and sometimes will have pus and matter in it,
and has a strong odor.
Then again at times it
will be deeply tinged with
blood. Sometimes the
horse perspires freely and
the urine can be noticed
in the perspiration. ‘This
INFLAMMATION OF KIDNEYs. 1S the last stage of the
disease and death generally follows very quickly. Many
persons test for this disease by inserting the hand into
the rectum and under the kidneys, and noting whether
they are very hot, which is a suresign. As the action
is accompanied by a great deal of pain, care must be
taken that the horse does not become frenzied and in-
jure both himself and the person making the test.
There are no better remedies or preventives known for
kidney troubles than Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regu-
lator or Pratts Condition Powder. Asa preventive, they
should be given regularly three times a day, mixed with
the regular feed. As a curative, they should be fed at
150 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
firstin large doses in gruel form, and gradually decreased
until the bowels become regular. In addition, apply a
warm mustard poultice to the loins ; cover with oil
cloth and a blanket to retain the heat and moisture ; and
inject into the rectum every hour one quart of warm
linseed tea into which two tablespoonfuls of laud-
anum have been mixed, or starch water may be used in
place of the linseed tea. . This treatment alone, with the
proper care and feeding of soft and nourishing food, will,
if the case is not too far advanced, result in a speedy
recovery.
However, as per our note on page 119, to give other
remedies, we would mention the following : Give one
dose of twenty drops of croton oil, mixed with half a
drachm of extract of belladonna. Sprinkle the follow-
ing dose on the tongue every hour during the acute
stage of the disease : One drachm of opium, mixed with
one scruple of calomel. As the animal recovers, give
three times a day the following dose: Half a drachm of
_ extract of belladonna ; two drachms of opium.
INFLAMMATION OF THE TESTICLES.
This disease often occurs from too much service or
driving too far. Sometimes it affects the glands. The
”
Bis
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 151
horse will travel wide behind, and will work his testicles
up and down. They will be very sensitive and large.
The horse should have rest both as to service and driving.
They should be bathed freely with witch hazel or arnica
or any other soothing lotion. Two ounces of laudanum
with a little acetate of lead, in a quart of water, will also
be very beneficial. If there is any pus forming, it.must
be allowed to run out by making an opening with a
knife. In bad cases it is necessary to castrate the ani-
mal to save its life. Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regu-
lator or Pratts Condition Powder purify the blood and
place a stallion in first-class condition. They make him
strong, and enable him to stand more service than
otherwise. In cases of inflammation, if given in the usual
quantity at each feeding time, an improvement will be
noticed immediately. However, as per our note on
page 119, to give another remedy, we mention another
recipe, as follows: Ten drops of aconite at a dose,
given in half a pint of water three times daily ; which
will allay all feverishness. —
INFLUENZA (EPIZOOTIC).
Influenza usually attacks a horse very suddenly.
The head, ears and lips droop, the eye is partly closed,
152 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
and the back arched. There is a dry cough and rapid
breathing, pulse quick, urine scanty, dung hard and
covered with mucus. The membrane of the nose and
eyes is red, and that is the reason it is termed by some
as “pink eye.’’ There is a noise in the windpipe,
which can be detected by putting the ear against the
horse. The disease varies in its symptoms until the
horse either recovers or it proves fatal. Sometimes
the urine becomes brown or dark red. We have
cured thousands of cases of influenza with Pratts Dis-
temper and Pink Eye Cure, and have kept all the horses
in a stable unattacked well by using it as a preventive,
and, therefore, we consider this all that is necessary to
cure the disease. The horse must be kept warm with
blankets and the stall should be warm.
The nose bag (as shown on page 127) is a most :
excellent thing in a case of this kind to bring the
discharge -freely, and should be used as soon as the
disease is noticed. If the throat is sore, the back of the
teeth can be smeared with the following preparation :
Two drachms of chlorate of potash; one drachm of
belladonna ; one tablespoonful of vinegar ; one teacupful
of honey.
4
“py |
et
any
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 153
INJURIES TO THE JAW.
The sore must be cut until the bone is reached, and
if there is an offensive discharge, it should be washed
three or four times daily with the following: One
scruple of chloride of zinc ; half a fluid ounce of lauda-
num ; mixed in a pint of water. The opening must be
sufficiently large to permit the discharge to flow freely.
It is an advantage to feed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder, as they purify
the blood and help sores of all kinds to heal quickly. ©
INJURIES TO THE MOUTH.
Generally caused by jerking the lines. The best
remedy is the following : Half an ounce of laudanum ;
two scruples of chloride of zinc ; mixed in two pints of
water. Bathe frequently, using a soft sponge, especially
after each feeding or watering. Soft food only should
be given.
LAMPAS.
Lampas is an inflammation of the bars in the roof
of the mouth, and is caused by changing young horses
from pasture to dry, hard food. Pratts Food, Pratts
Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder are
154 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
excellent remedies in this case, fed in the usual doses ;
along with the feeding of soft food, such as bran mashes,
scalded oats, boiled roots, etc., for several days, will
completely remedy the trouble.
LEUCORRHGA.
This is a catarrh of the womb, and may follow the
foaling. It will be known by a white discharge, which
will have a bad smell, especially if it is caused by the
retained afterbirth. All fluid must be drawn from the
womb, which can be done by injecting warm water ; and
then a solution of one drachm of sulphate of zinc ina
quart of water should be injected daily to purify it.
Feed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder at this time to keep the bowels, blood,
kidneys, etc., in condition ; they will do much toward
helping the horse to recover quickly.
INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB.
Can be noticed by colicky pains, twisting of the
tail, and shivering fits. There is also a disagreeable
discharge from the womb. If the hand is inserted into
the womb, it will be found full of fluid and very much
inflamed. ‘This fluid must be drawn off with a catheter,
and then warm water injected twicea day. Immediately
a ee ¢>
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 155
after, inject the following solution : Two fluid ounces of
Jaudanum ; one drachm of sulphate of zinc ; mixed in two
quarts of water. And feed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder in regular doses ;
they allay inflammation and purify the whole system.
There is nothing that makes foaling so healthy and
cleans out the afterbirth so thoroughly as these three
remedies. A mare fed daily on them during the time of
growing the foal will show the most satisfactory results,
not only in the condition of the mare, but in the condi-
tion and health of the colt.
LICE.
Lice result from various causes ; most generally they
are caused by the stable being situated near a chicken
house. Dust the animal thoroughly with Pratts Pow-
dered Lice Killer, rubbing the hair the wrong way, and
work the powder into theskin. Pratts Lice Killer will
also be found of great value as a deodorizer and disin-
fectant, to purify the atmosphere of stables and barns.
LOCK-JAW.
Lock-jaw is a spasm of the muscular system. It
is generally caused by a wound or nervous irritation re-
sulting from overexertion, exposure or careless feeding.
156 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
occurs from the eighth
to the fifteenthday. By
“ raising the head, as
shown in the illustra-
tion, the membrane
across the lower corner
of the eye will nearly
TESTING FOR LOCK-JAW. cover the eyeball. The
horse is stiff and can hardly walk. He becomes nervous
and excitable. The wound may become dry, or dis-
charge a discolored substance. The animal will stand
for days in the same spot, and cannot eat because its
jaws are fixed. The body appears hard and the muscles
are rigid.
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder are excellent for the treatment of lock-
jaw, if given in double doses, at first in gruel form and
then reduced to the usual quantity. They help to ease
the horse by opening the bowels, and restore the strength.
The shoes should be removed and the horse placed on a
dirt floor. In case the jaws are fixed, the horse can be
fed by means of a rubber tube placed through the nos-
trils, and a stomach pump to pump the food into him.
A skilled veterinarian only should do this. Do not
If a wound, it generally |
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 157
blister the animal. Any hard or extreme measures will
make him worse ; and he should be Rept perfectly quiet,
with no disteiceling noise around.
However, as per our note on page 119, to mention
another remedy, we give the following: Four drachms
of extract of gentian; four drachms of aloes; twenty
drops of croton oil; mixed and given in one dose. If
this does not move the bowels in four or five hours,
repeat the dose.
MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS.
These are scurvy patches which appear at the back
of the knee and in front of the hock. If not attended to,
they may become very troublesome, They should be
kept clean and Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment ap-
plied two or three times daily.
The feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regula-
tor or Pratts Condition Powder is very important for
all skin diseases, as they cleanse and purify the blood
and keep the digestion in shape, the bowels regular and
assist in a speedy recovery.
MANGE, OR COMMON STABLE ITCH.
Mange is generally found among horses that are
poorly fed and neglected in grooming and cleaning. It
168 | PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
is very contagious and usually spreads through an entire
stable. It is a very small insect, and by scratching off
some of the dandruff from the skin and placing it on
white paint or paperin a bright light, small, shining
objects will be seen moving about in all directions. It
is first noticed in the roots of the mane, and afterward
spreads over the whole body except the legs. The horse
rubs himself against the stall and the hair will drop out,
leaving dry spots of skin exposed, which become scabby.
A person attending a mangy horse should change his
clothing and wash carefully before going near a horse
that is not affected.
It is a good pian to have the horse stand in the sun
several hours a day, and then have him groomed thor-
oughly, to remove all the loose scurf possible. Then
apply the following to the entire body : Six fluid ounces
of glycerine ; two drachms. of carbolic acid crystals;
mixed in one quart of water. ‘I‘he next day the horse
should be thoroughly washed with strong soap, and sev-
eral hours later apply again the above solution. A few
days later, wash it off and repeat the application.
Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment will cure the
raw spots quickly and should be applied in addition to
the solution after the horse is washed.
A horse fed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 159
or Pratts Condition Powder is kept in robust condition,
and consequently is not subject to mange ; even if he
comes in contact with mangy horses, he is less liable to
be affected on account of his system being in first-class
condition.
OVERDRIVING.
The horse that drops in his tracks from overdriving
should be treated as follows : Bleed at once, a full pint ;
cover the body and take the horse to the nearest stable
as soon as possible. Keep plenty of blankets on the
horse, bandage the legs, cover the neck and keep him
as warm as possible, even to such an extent as having
fire in the stable, or tubs of hot water.
We feel that the mild, stimulative effect of Pratts
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition
Powder will bring about the recovery of the animal, and
if fed constantly, insure better staying powers, and pre-
vent exhaustion, when in many cases it would occur
without their use. However, should it occur, the usual
dose of these remedies should be immediately given
along with easily-digested and strength-giving food ;
but do not overload the stomach. Pratts Remedies
should be given in such quantities that will create an
160 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
easy, natural movement of the bowels. Do not physic
the horse, as it weakens him when in this condition.
Watch him carefully for thirty-six hours.
—————E,
PARTIAL PARALYSIS.
This generally affects either one or both hind legs,
more frequently in trotting horses, and results from long
heats and fast driving. A horse once affected is on the
downward road, He can be patched up, but never
cured, as it will show again as soon as he is driven hard.
The animal should be walked regularly and not excited,
fed well and given plenty of grooming and rubbing.
Brush the hind quarters well several times a day with a
coarse brush. A wet flannel should be placed over the
small of the back, covered with a piece of oil cloth
and on top of thisa blanket. Keep the flannel wet con-
stantly. Give soft mashes and green food. Keep the
bowels open. |
There is nothing better for paralysis than Pratts
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition
Powder, as they keep the bowels open, the blood pure
and the digestion in good shape. A double dose should
at once be given ; and after the bowelsare freely opened,
the quantity should be reduced so as to keep the bowels
=e =
Pes a.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 161
regular and healthy. An improvement will soon be
noticed. As per our note on page 119, to mention
another remedy, we name the following : One grain of
iodide of iron ; half a grain of strychnine ; add sufficient
quassia powder and molasses to make a ball, and give it
night and morning. At the end of a few weeks increase
the strychnine to one grain, and three or four weeks
after make it a grain and a half.
SPINAL MENINGITIS, OR COMPLETE PARALYSIS.
This disease often occurs from injuries to the spinal
cord by hitting the animal over the backbone. He
loses complete control of the hind legs, and has no feeling.
Sometimes there is no apparent cause for this disease.
Some think this disease is contagious ; but this cannot
be substantiated. The horse generally dies in three or
four days. The cords and muscles along the entire back
are subject to a nervous twitching, and the pulse is low.
If the horse is bled, the blood is thick and dark. ‘The
urine is very strong and offensive and dark in color.
Wet blankets, wrung out of warm water, should be
applied for three or four days, and the horse put in a
sling as soon as possible. A double dose of Pratts Food,
Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder in
162 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
gruel form should be given to move the bowels, and a
plaster of mustard and vinegar applied over the loins
and kidneys. Thelegs should be kept warm by rubbing
and bandaging.
Pratts Remedies are very helpful in this case, but
we would not pretend to recommend them as a sure
cure ; in fact, we don’t think a horse amounts to much
after an attack of this kind. However, they will do
more for him than anything we know of, and if fed regu-
larly, will keep him in as good condition as the disease
will permit.
However, as per our note on page 119, we mention
the next best remedy as follows : One scruple of extract
of nux vomica; one scruple of extract of belladonna ;
one scruple of powdered ergot ; given in a mash morn-
ing and evening, or drench the animal with it.
PARALYSIS OF THE EYE.
This is caused by an injury to the eye, or from com-
plete exhaustion of the nervous vitality of the animal.
The pupil is frequently enlarged, but not as dark as or-
dinarily, and with a slight milky cast of greenish tinge.
A good test for paralysis of the eye is to keep the horse
in a dark stable for half an hour, then lead him into
the sunlight. If the pupil does not contract, the horse
is blind. a
aN
4 <- - =e
BAe. ae
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 163
| PLEURISY.
Pleurisy comes from overdriving or exposure, and
generally attacks young horses. It is known by rigid
muscles and adry cough. ‘The fore foot is generally on
the move, and the breathing is short and quick. By
pressing on the spaces between the ribs, you are sure to
detect it ; the animal will shrink and often tries to bite
and kick, as it pains him severely.
The horse should be bled (about a pint) and the legs
bandaged with flannel.
The use of Pratts Food, ae Animal Regulator « or
Pratts Condition Powder as a preventive and cure of
pleurisy is well known by all who have used them, asa
horse is less susceptible to colds when in a good con-
dition, which is assured by the constant feeding of these
remedies. Give double doses in gruel form at the-first
appearance of thesymptoms, and then reduce to the
‘quantity necessary to bring the bowels to a natural state.
At the same time, as mentioned in our note on page
I1g, to give another remedy, we mention the following:
Twenty drops of aconite in four tablespoonfuls of warm
water, given every fifteen minutes, to reduce the pulse
and fever. As soon as the pulse is softened, give the fol-
lowing dose every two hours: One fluid ounce of laud-
anum ; one fluid ounce of sulphuric ether; mixed in a
164 PRATTS “POINTERS ON THE HORSE
pint of water. Continue this for about thirty-six hours.
Should the cough still continue, use the nose bag des-
cribed on page 127. Pratts Remedies will assist in
giving the horse strength and hasten his complete
recovery.
PNEUMONIA.
Pneumonia can be noted by the following symptoms:
Fast and labored breathing, with head and ears ina
drooping position. The
legs are cold and set
wide apart. The coat
is rough, body cold,
bowels are dry and
costive. Place your
ear to the horse’s side
3 and if a grating or
PNEUMONIA. sucking sound is heard,
itis a sure sign of pneumonia.
The shoes should be pulled off aad the horse given
plenty of room, with the floor covered with sawdust or
sand, rather than straw. If by test you find that the
blood flows freely, it may do the animal some good to
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 165
allow about a pint to flow ; butif the blood appears black
and thick, no blood should. be drawn. The steam bag,
as given on page 127, is an excellent remedy.
We feel confident that a horse properly cared for
and fed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder regularly will be in excellent con-
dition and not liable to an attack of this disease. We
have known of many cases cured with these remedies
only. The usual dose should be given at once, the horse
blanketed and kept warm, and the throat, chest and lungs
rubbed with Pratts Veterinary Liniment. As the horse
recovers, he*will be likely to lie down. A nourishing
diet should be observed and Pratts Remedies continued.
At the same time, as per our note on page 119, to
give another remedy, we mention the following, to be
given in one dose four times daily : Two fluid ounces of
sulphuric ether; twenty drops of tincture of aconite.
Then rub up one drachm of extract of belladonna ina
half-pint of water, and mix well.
POISONING.
Poison often occurs from the use of improper drugs,
or inexperienced persons prescribing for the horse.
The horse has no desire to eat, but is very thirsty.
166 | PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE |
The nostrils are red and discharge a kind of thick saliva.
There will be belching of wind and a colicky appear-
ance ; heavy, quick breathing and a rapid pulse; dys-
entery, which will be accompanied with large quantities
of mucus. The horse will be weak and have convul-
sions. |
The best known remedy is : One pint of tincture of
cinchona in two quarts of water; vr at the expiration
of five minutes.
The feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regu-
lator or Pratts Condition Powder, to regulate the bowels,
will greatly assist in the speedy recovery of the animal,
and build him up in solid and lasting condition.
POLL EVIL.
Poll evil is caused by some injury : the rubbing of the
bridle, a blow, or by forcing a small collar roughly on
the horse. It frequently results in an abscess where the
injury has been excessive.
By placing the finger on the part, and pressing
lightly at first, if the horse shrinks immediately as the
result of the pain, the disease has not reached a very
severe state ; if it requires a hard and lengthly pressure
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 167
before the horse shows signs of pain, the disease is more
advanced and more difficult to cure.
Blister by applying with a brush tincture of can-
tharides. Repeat the blister so as to keep the parts ir-
ritated, as soon as necessary. The services of a skilled
veterinarian should then be secured to open the part
andcut away the diseased matter. The wound should
then be rubbed with caustic and the following solution
injected three times a day : One drachm of tincture of
muriate of iron ; one drachm of carbolic acid ; mixed in
a pintof water. A rag should be dipped in a solution
of tar and placed over the wound to prevent the flies
from troubling the animal.
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder.should be fed regularly three times a
day, to keep the blood, bowels and digestive organs in
good shape, and assist in a quick recovery from the effects
— of poll evil.
PRURIGO.
Prurigo is different from mange, as the skin does not
have that patchy character. There is a feverish con-
dition of the body, and it often affects high-fed horses,
168 | PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
which is just the opposite of mange. Generally occurs
in the spring, and horses affected are generally those
who have had very little exercise during the winter.
The following wash should be applied twice a day:
Four fluid ounces of glycerine ; one drachm of carbolic
acid ; mixed in one pint of water.
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator and Pratts
Condition Powder are the very best remedies to be fed
during a condition of this kind, at first in double doses,
and then gradually decreasing until the usual dose is
fed and the bowels become regular. Asa preventive,
they keep horses in good condition that are too highly
fed, by keeping the bowels and blood in first-class shape
and the digestive organs from becoming disarranged.
However, as per our note on page 1109, to give an-
other remedy, we mention: One and a half fluid ounces
of tincture muriate of iron; one fluid ounce of Fowler’s
solution of arsenic ; mixed in one quart of water, and
half a pint to be given at one dose, night and morning
for one week.
RINGWORM.
Ringworm can be noted by the falling off of the
hair in patches, leaving a scurfy skin which scales off,
and finally leaving a thick, scaly margin or ring around
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 169
the spot, which in time becomes an ulcer. Pratts Food,
Pratts Animal Regulator and Pratts Condition Powder
are the greatest blood purifiers known, and where fed
constantly with the regular feed, there is no danger
whatever of ringworm. Where the. disease has once
started, it is well to give Pratts Remedies in double
doses to move the bowels freely, and then reduce gradu-
ally to the regular quantity. It is also well to apply,
twice a day, two drachms of iodide of lead, mixed with
two ounces of fresh lard. Should there be ulceration,
wash five or six times a day with a mixture of two
scruples of chloride of zinc in a pint of water. How-
ever, as per our note on page 119, to give another remedy,
we mention the same remedy which we have given for
prurigo, on page 167, to be given at one dose as soon as
the disease is discovered.
ROARING.
Roaring may be caused by a tumor in distemper.
If it is ehronic, it is caused hy a change in the upper
part of the windpipe, brought on by a tight check rein
used when the horse is young. This!cannot be cured,
but may be prevented by padding the nose-piece of the
170 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
bridle and not allowing too much air into the lungs at
one time. While this is being done, however, the ani-
mal cannot stand hard or fast driving. To detect a
roarer, drive right fast for about a mile, then stop and
put your ear to the windpipe; if he is only a slight
roarer, it can be detected at once. A defect of this kind
is very wearying on a horse, consequently he should
always be kept in a first-class condition, ‘This can be
accomplished by a nourishing diet at all times, and the
constant use of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator
or Pratts Condition Powder. |
RUPTURE.
Rupture frequently happens to colts, in which case
it will be noticed by a soft enlargement at the navel
opening when the colt is about a year old. He should
be thrown on his back, and the contents of the lump
should be returned through the opening, and then the
skin should be tightly clamped and allowed to gradually
slough off. Rupture frequently happens from accidents,
in which case a portion of the intestines hang down in
the testicles. In avery young animal, it can be reduced
by laying him on his back, raising the hind parts, and
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 171
gently manipulating the testicles until the intestines
pass back into the abdomen, after which the animal can
be allowed to get up and rest quietly in a box stall for
several days. In older animals, however, in addition,
the hand must be introduced into the rectum and the
bowels gently pulled back into place. This generally
has to be accompanied by a surgical operation. The
feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or
Pratts Condition Powder is beneficial in such cases, as
they keep the animal in a healthy condition otherwise,
thereby strengthening the weakened parts.
SCRATCHES.
This disease comes from carelessness in not cleaning
the mud and dirt from the horse’s legs. This should
‘not be neglected, as it becomes a very filthy and un-
pleasant disease. The parts should be washed thor-
oughly with white castile soap and warm water, and
Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment applied twice a
day. In accordance with our plan to give another rem-
edy, we mention the following: Keep the parts con-
stantly wet by applying a cloth saturated with the fol-
lowing solution: Half an ounce of chloride of zinc;
172 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
half a pint of glycerine ; dissolved in six quarts of water.
_ As soon as the cloth is dry, wet it again and apply, and
continue this until there is no more inflammation or
heat. Should the disease have advanced sufficiently to
cause ulcerations and breaks, the following solution
should be applied in the same way: Four fluid ounces
of creosote ; one ounce of chloride of zinc ; one gallon
of strong solution of oak bark. If proud flesh appears,
it will have to be removed with a knife. From the com-
mencement there is nothing’ better to give the horse than
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condi-
tion Powder along with his regular feed, to purify and
cleanse the blood, and put the horse in condition to
recover quickly. However, as per our note on page 119,
to give another remedy, we would mention the same
remedy as given for prurigo, on page 167, to be admin-
istered in pint doses night and morning.
SORE THROAT.
Sore throat is frequently a forerunner of other more
serious diseases. It will be noticed by want of appetite,
difficulty in swallowing water, which will be accompa-
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 173
nied by a jerky movement and a grunting noise. The
water the horse drinks will sometimes return through
the nostrils. The horse should be blanketed, stable
warm and well ventilated, and soft foods given, the
throat, chest and lungs rubbed with Pratts Veterinary
Liniment until it blisters thoroughly. There may be
occasion to repeat the blistering.
There is nothing more valuable than Pratts Food,
Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder.
A double dose in gruel form should be given immedi-
ately. Then the regular quantity mixed with each feed,
gradually reducing until the bowels are easy and natural.
| However, as per our note on page IIo9, to give an-
other remedy, we mention the following, to be given in
one dose: Half a fluid ounce of essence of anise; one
drachm of pulverized aloes ; mixed in a pint of water.
_ Should there be no improvement, prepare the following:
One ounce of chlorate of potassa, mixed in two quarts of
water, and pour about half a pint into the horse’s mouth,
holding up his head for half a minute, and then permit
the head to drop and the fluid to run out. Repeat half
a dozen times a day.
174 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
SPASM OF THE URETHA.
In this disease the muscles controlling the passage
of the urine from the bladder contract. It is generally
due to bad usage or exposure. |
It is noticed by a straddling gait, the horse seldom
urinating, or the urine being very scanty. The animal
suffers intensely. By pushing the hand and arm up the
rectum, and pressing downward, you can feel whether
the bladder is full and determine the disease thereby.
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder operates freely upon the kidneys,
liver and urinary organs, and, given in large doses, has
been known to permanently relieve this disease. Also,
as a preventive, they obviate many of the bad effects on
a horse of rough and ignorant treatment. When this
state has occurred, however, double doses should be
given in gruel form, and then reduce, as the animal
improves, to the regular quantity and mix with the feed.
An injection into the rectum of four fluid ounces each
of sulphuric ether and laudanum mixed in three pints of
water, will also prove helpful, preventing it from run-
ning out by holding the hand over the anus for about
ten minutes. If there is no relief, repeat in twenty
minutes. Ifthe urine does not flow at the expiration of
another twenty minutes, repeat again until there is relief.
_
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 175
However, as per our note on page 119, to give an-
other remedy, we mention the following, to be given in
one dose: Four fluid otinces of laudanum ; four fluid
ounces of sulphuric ether ; mixed in a quart of water.
Very frequently the horse can be relieved promptly
by opening both jugular veins and allowing the blood to
flow until the urine comes, or the animal falls into a
faint, at which time the urine will flow of its own free
will. If not, insert the hand into the rectum and press
upon the bladder, and this will produce the desired
result. |
_ STAGGERS.
Staggers is generally caused by overfeeding. In
some portions of the South it frequently occurs from
local influences. A horse breaking loose at night and
gorging himself at the grain bins is liable to this disease,
The symptoms are as follows: The horse hangs his
head and presses it against the wall with eyes closed ;
his pulse throbs ; the breath 1s hard, and sometimes he
snores. The skin is cold; the ears and tail are quiet ;
the nasal membrane is a leaden color. As the case be-
comes worse, the eye brightens ; the nasal membrane
reddens ; the skin becomes hot; the movements are
176 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE.
quick and jerky ; breathing short and sharp, and the
horse practically mad.
Where Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or
Pratts Condition Powder is fed constantly, a regular,
healthy condition is produced, with perfect digestion.
Consequently, a horse given these remedies, and prop-
erly looked after, is not subject to an attack of staggers.
If Pratts Remedies do not move the pore administer
one quart of castor oil.
However, in accordance with our note on page 119,
we mention another remedy : A quart of any kind of oil
should be given at once, excepting kerosene. If no oil
is at hand, fresh melted grease will answer ; but no salted
grease. If the disease has advanced considerably before
discovery, a quart of castor oil containing ten drops of
croton oil should be given at once. Repeat if this does
not move the bowels inside of five or six hours, giving
twenty drops of croton oil instead of ten. If still no
effect, repeat in five or six hours with thirty drops of
croton oil instead of twenty,
As the animal recovers, Pratts Remedies as a tonic
should be given, and the bowels watched carefully, as
it takes some time for the animal to recover its full
health.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 177
SUNSTROKE. |
Sunstroke generally occurs in cities, where the heat
is greater and the air closer than in suburban districts.
It will be noticed, as a rule, by the horse suddenly
stopping and hanging his head ; he will throw his legs
out sideways, as if he feared falling. Frequently the ani-
mal will fall and die without a struggle. Again, it will
only be accompanied by exhaustion. The horse generally
perspires very freely. If there is no perspiration, the skin
is just the opposite, a dry, burning effect, almost so hot
that the hand can hardly rest on it with comfort. When
allowed to rest, he will keep his nose very near the
ground. His veins are swollen and the nostrils dilated.
Bathe his head and neck :in cold water, broken ice
tied between the ears, and inject into the rectum.soap
‘ and warm water. Rub the legs well, and if he becomes
insensible, or appears to be getting so, apply mustard to
his sides and legs. If the pulse gets too low, give halfa
pint of whisky every thirty minutes for a couple of
hours.
There is nothing that will ward off sunstroke so
well as Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder, if fed reglarly. The horse will be
kept in perfect condition, his digestion good, his bowels
178 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
regular and his blood pure, and, consequently, be will
not be susceptible to sunstroke.
Simply giving them regularly, according to direc-
tions, would save thousands of horses yearly from sun-
stroke in the large cities. |
However, according to our note on page I19, we
mention another remedy: One drachm of pulverized
opium ; one drachm of pulverized carbonate of ammo-
nia; two drachms of charcoal; eight ounces of ale ; :
mixed well, and given as a drench.
SWELLING OF THE SHEATH.
This often arises from a run-down condition of the
animal. Sometimes it is caused by the wound being
closed too soon after castration, and in that case it should
be opened and fresh lard rubbed on and bathed freely
every three-quarters of an hour or so with warm water.
_If the penis cannot be drawn backward and forward
freely, or should the opening be too small, it may be
necessary to slightly cut the sheath to allow free action,
and then bathe freely with cold water from time to
time. If it occurs from a run-down condition, Pratts
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition
PE gs Oo 5
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 179
Powder, by being fed in regular doses, will rapidly and
permanently put the horse in first-class condition by
regulating the blood, bowels and digestive organs.
WARTY GROWTHS
or tumorous growths on the sheath can be clipped off
with scissors, and dipped with caustic to prevent bleed-
ing. The same thing should be done with hardening
growths on the end of the penis.
WORMS.
A horse is frequently attacked by worms when he
.is in apparently good condition. They can be readily de-
tected by the following symptoms: Rubbing of tail
against the stall, lifting of upper lip, rubbing nose
against the manger or wall and constantly switching
tail. A yellow mucus will be noticed around the anus,
_ the appetite at times is ravenous, again very poor; the
horse becomes thin and emaciated. The bowels are fre-
quently too loose or the horse is greatly constipated.
His coat becomes dry and the hair turns the wrong way.
180 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE
Often there is mucus passing through the bowels and
noticed in the manure. Frequently the symptoms are
accompanied by a hacking cough: in some cases the
horse becomes pot-bellied and breath offensive.
THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF WORMS.
They are known as follows : The round rectal worm ;
the long thread worm, found in the rectum ; the round,
large, thick worm, found in the kidneys and bladder,
which is about an inch to an inch and one-half thick,
and from ten inches to three feet or more in length ; the
tape worm, in the intestines ; the pin worm, about one
inch long, pointed both ends ; the round worm, averag-
ing from four inches to three feet long ; the long, round
worm, from seven to nine inches long and about as thick
as a pencil, that infest the small intestines, frequently
in great quantities. 1 Was 3
Bots feed on the liquid nutriment from the feed,
multiplying in such quantities as to retard digestion.
They also hang to the lining of the stomach in large ©
bunches. They remain with the horse during the au-
tumn, winter and spring months, or until fully grown.
Frequently they become bunched at either end of the
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 181
stomach, causing an obstruction, which, if not properly
treated, eventually kills the animal.
If a horse has worms, Pratts Specially Prepared
Worm Powder will positively rid him of them and
quickly build him up healthy and robust. If he does
not pass worms, you can rest assured there are no worms
there, and the horse should have other treatment, a tonic
like Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts
Condition Powder, the greatest of animal regulators.
Give one dose of the Powder with the feed twice a
day for four days. Cut down feed one-half, mix bran
with feed and dampen it. After fourth day give large,
soft, well-scalded bran mash to loosen bowels freely.
Repeat the bran mashes 1f necessary, as the bowels must
be moved freely, Should the horse refuse to eat the
bran mash, it will be necessary to give him a dose of
_ Glauber Salts, or some other purge, to loosen the bowels.
Sometimes pin worms remain just inside the rectum
and are very hard and stubborn to cure.
In cases of this kind, if the desired result is not ob-
tained by feeding Pratts Worm Powder, dissolve one of
the powders in a quart of water and inject into the rectum.
Repeat this once a day in the evening and continue
for 4 or 5 days.
Do not fail in this case, as in all other cases of
ig2 PRATTS POINTERS, ON THE HORSE
worms, to feed bran mashes, until the bowels are freely
moved, and should the horse refuse the bran mash or
should it fail to move the bowels, give the horse a dose
of Glauber Salts.
RHEUMATISM.
This is caused by an irregular condition of the
blood, and is accompanied by stiffness, lameness and
fever. The pain usually will be found to leave one joint
and appear in the corresponding one on the opposite
side. ‘Ihe disease can generally be detected by sudden
lameness and in some cases by inflammation. A swell-
ing may appear in the loins, chest or in the fetlock,
stifle or hock joints. The pulse is hard and the mouth
warm and devoid of moisture. If possible, the horse
should be put in asling in a box stall, and raised enough
to take weight off the limbs. Bathe freely with Pratts
Veterinary Liniment once a day without rubbing. Give
internally Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or
Pratts Condition Powder three times daily to purify the
blood. Give a bran mash twice a week and green food
once a day. These simple remedies will quickly cure even
the most stubborn case of rheumatism. However, as per
our note on page 119, we mention another remedy,
be th acta atin i le age SSP OS Her“
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 183
Apply the following liniment on the affected parts :
Compound soap liniment, sixteen fluid ounces ; liquor
ammonia, two fluid ounces ; tincture of cantharides, two
fluid ounces ; tincture of opium, two fluid ounces. Mix.
Bandage the legs clear up to body, and give inter-
nally the following ball :—
Powdered colchicum, two drachms ; iodide of potas-
sium, one drachm. Mix into pill mass with molasses.
Apply liniment, and give pill every morning until horse
is better. |
Two drachms of salycilate of soda given twice a day,
mixed with the feed, will also be found of advantage.
THE END.
INDEX.
PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE.
AOR ERE cots cease ihe eos I2I
Arabian: THoorse S252. onthe 107
Balky Horses, Breaking...... 69
Bart. (EWC eg Cee ea ee 110
Belgian “Hersey. 66 0 ecw es tz
Bic °HGHe cc oer ee vet eee 122
Bloody: “RFI wid Bc dicts ao wine ee ks
Breaking and Training Colts.. 58
Breaking to Halter and Bit... 59
Perera MUOWAY o5/c hk EE a eae 27
Pree Rss < cee ween 26
BECO Saks oS eee ee 44
Breeding Ages..... BS Big il pits 48
Breeding of Horses... 0: «6s. 107
Breeds,’ Selection of.:.....2>+ 45
Breeding Stock, Inferior..... 96
Breeding the Trotter.......... 97
Price fe. oe caw Shee ele FOS 26
Bronchitis’ (..-% EEE eee 145
PEGGE >) PAs. oc taka see aha 45
Brood piailion. i570 cs ees 47
Deion Pane. hs ir haws Foe bos E25
Canaetad Torse 5 eos cas 2 112
Canker and its Treatment..... 79
Capped’ “TIbOW rs. . bs dike cap 92
Capped Totig. 5 oaks sslovesas te 93
Cattiage “TIOdS6. ics nek te 28
Castration © Patty cs oo. se 138
Chewing the Bridle, How to
ECCS oars cee eins SMG Seo Siete 103
ea a py ee I SEER pede 2 126
Cleaning ‘the Peet... ces dey ee 73
Cleveland © Bay. foie aks 4545 109
Clipping and Singeing........ 104
lathe 355 sae Fae oe ee 105
Clydesdale Horse o's )s. 555 0500s 6 III
plas LLG sew ea kia dle ele Hate 127
Oley PieBeS si ea ass ae cie eee ae
Colic, Wittds is tienes
ree
Color Gof. Horsesis2i- eee 10
Colt, Exercising the.......... 55
Colt, Feeding and Weaning... 55
Colt’s. Feet: :... .. ak eee 63, 73.
Colt, How to Keep Healthy... 57
*< + Stabling the %.. Sespeus lee 54
St.» SE ING in ig wes ate ty eps eee 54
Contracted: Feet. ¢i tenths i |
Cooked Food |... ..:.s's/e 0.8m 32
Corn Chambers :.....). Eriglish’ <4. e0 110
Thrush, and its Treatment.... 78
Traces’ ...i.62 4 ike eee 26
Training to’ Wagon... ....5% o. On
Tread and Overreach.......... 83
Trotter; THe lh. Accs eae » "55
Trough for Stable Yard...... 42
Uretha, Spasm of the ........ 174
Uritiating, Excess im. ... <<. 508 135
Ventilation: «..'s. os san eeeeen 40
Wild -Horses'’. 3 ¢.4.5 sie eee
Womb, Inflammation of....... 154
WOTHhS oon 0 osc te 179-180
Wounds, Abraded ..... 35 ae . 88
a and Lameness ..... Sed:
> Contused ).. wieee eee ree
m incised |...) “se eweeen 87
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