diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/62993-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/62993-0.txt | 6404 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 6404 deletions
diff --git a/old/62993-0.txt b/old/62993-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 437a67c..0000000 --- a/old/62993-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6404 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Handy Horse-book, by Maurice Hartland Mahon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Handy Horse-book - or Practical Instructions in Driving, Riding, and the - General Care and Management of Horses. 4th ed. - -Author: Maurice Hartland Mahon - -Release Date: August 21, 2020 [EBook #62993] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HANDY HORSE-BOOK *** - - - - -Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - -THE HANDY HORSE-BOOK - - - - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. - - -“Most certainly the above title is no misnomer, for the ‘Handy -Horse-Book’ is a manual of driving, riding, and the general care and -management of horses, evidently the work of no unskilled hand.”—_Bell’s -Life._ - -“As cavalry officer, hunting horseman, coach proprietor, whip, and -steeplechase rider, the author has had long and various experience in the -management of horses, and he now gives us the cream of his information -in a little volume, which will be to horse-keepers and horse-buyers -all that the ‘Handy Book on Property Law,’ by Lord St Leonards, has -for years past been to men of business. It does not profess to teach -the horse-keeper everything that concerns the beast that is one of the -most delicate as well as the noblest of animals; but it supplies him -with a number of valuable facts, and puts him in possession of leading -principles.”—_Athenæum._ - -“The writer shows a thorough knowledge of his subject, and he fully -carries out the object for which he professes to have undertaken his -task—namely, to render horse-proprietors independent of the dictations of -ignorant farriers and grooms.”—_Observer._ - -“We need only say that the work is essentially a _multum in parvo_, and -that a book more practically useful, or that was more required, could not -have possibly been written.”—_Irish Times._ - -“He propounds no theories, but embodies in simple and untechnical -language what he has learned practically; and a perusal of the volume -will at once testify that he is fully qualified for the task; and so -skilfully is the matter condensed that there is scarcely a single -sentence which does not convey sound and valuable information.”—_Sporting -Gazette._ - -“We can cordially recommend it as a book especially suited to the general -public, and not beneath the attention of ‘practical men.’”—_The Globe._ - -“Contains a very great modicum of information in an exceedingly small -space.... There can be little doubt that it will, when generally known, -become the established _vade mecum_ of the fox-hunter, the country -squire, and the trainer.”—_Army and Navy Gazette._ - -“A useful little work.... In the first part he gives just the amount of -information that will enable a man to work his horse comfortably, check -his groom, and generally know what he is about when riding, driving, or -choosing gear.”—_Spectator._ - -“This is a book to be read and re-read by all who take an interest in -the noble animal, as it contains a most comprehensive view of everything -appertaining to horse-flesh; and is, moreover, as fit for the library and -drawing-room as it is for the mess-table or the harness-room.”—_Sporting -Magazine._ - -“By all means buy the book; it will repay the outlay.”—_Land and Water._ - - - - -[Illustration: DRAWING COVER] - - - - - THE - HANDY HORSE-BOOK - - OR - - PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS IN DRIVING, RIDING, - AND THE GENERAL CARE AND - MANAGEMENT OF HORSES - - BY - A CAVALRY OFFICER - - FOURTH EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED - - With Engravings - - WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS - EDINBURGH AND LONDON - MDCCCLXVIII - - _The Right of Translation is reserved_ - - - - -TO - -MAJOR-GENERAL LORD GEORGE PAGET, C.B. - -Inspector-General of Cavalry, - -SON OF THE DISTINGUISHED HORSEMAN AND HERO WHO COMMANDED THE CAVALRY AT -WATERLOO, AND HIMSELF A LEADER AMONG THE “IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED,” - -THIS BOOK IS BY PERMISSION INSCRIBED, - -IN TRIBUTE TO HIS SOLDIERLY QUALITIES, AND TO HIS CONSIDERATION FOR -THE NOBLE ANIMAL WHICH HAS CARRIED THE BRITISH CAVALRY THROUGH SO MANY -DANGERS TO SO MANY TRIUMPHS, - -BY HIS LORDSHIP’S OBEDIENT SERVANT, - -“MAGENTA.” - - - - -PREFACE. - - -Finding myself a standing reference among my friends and acquaintance on -matters relating to horse-flesh, and being constantly in the habit of -giving them advice verbally and by letter, I have been induced to comply -with repeated suggestions to commit my knowledge to paper, in the shape -of a Treatise or Manual. - -When I say that my experience has been practically tested on the road, -in the field, on the turf (having been formerly a steeplechase rider, -as well as now a hunting horseman), with the ribbons, and in a cavalry -regiment, I must consider that, with an ardent taste for everything -belonging to horses thus nourished for years, I must either have sadly -neglected my opportunities, or have picked up some knowledge of the use -and treatment of the animal in question.[1] - -Born and bred, I may say, in constant familiarity with a racing-stable, -and having been always devotedly attached to horses, the wrongs of those -noble animals have been prominently before my eyes, and I have felt an -anxious desire to see justice done to them, which, I am sorry to say, -according to my observation, is but too seldom the case; indeed, I have -often marvelled at the tractability of those powerful creatures under the -most perverted treatment by their riders and drivers. - -My object, therefore, in offering the following remarks, is not to trench -upon the sphere of the professional veterinary surgeon or riding-master, -but to render horse-proprietors independent of the dictation of ignorant -farriers and grooms. Intending this little work merely as a useful -manual, I have purposely avoided technicalities, as belonging exclusively -to the professional man, and endeavoured to present my dissertations on -disease in the most comprehensive terms possible, proposing only simple -remedies as far as they go; though, for the satisfaction of my readers, -I may mention that, as an amateur, I have myself devoted much time and -thought to the study of anatomy, and that any treatment of disease herein -recommended has been carefully perused and approved by a veterinary -surgeon. Theories are excluded, and I confine myself simply to practical -rules founded on my own experience. - -Hints and remarks are here offered to the general public, which, to -practical men, will appear trifling and unnecessary; but keen and -extended observation, carried on as opportunity offered, amongst all -classes and in many countries and climates, has given me an insight into -the want of reasoning exhibited by men of every station in dealing -with the noble and willing inmates of the stable, and has assisted in -suggesting the necessity for just such A B C instructions as are herein -presented by the Public’s very humble servant, - - “MAGENTA.”[2] - - -PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION. - -Increased attention having been directed to the necessity for greater -vigilance with regard to the breeding and production of good and useful -horses, many readers have expressed a wish that I would give some decided -views on these subjects; and concurring with them as to the exigency -of the case, I have ventured, in an additional chapter in this new and -Third Edition, to make a few remarks, which, although doubtless patent -to practical men, are naturally looked for by the public in this Manual, -which has been so favourably received. - - “MAGENTA.” - - -PREFACE TO FOURTH EDITION. - -The Third Edition of this little work, published so recently as April -last, being already out of print, the Author, in presenting a new one, -feels called upon gratefully to acknowledge this unusual mark of favour -on the part of the public. - - LONDON, _November 1867_. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - - PART I. - - BREEDING, 1 - - SELECTING, 2 - - BUYING, 6 - - STABLING, 8 - - GROOMING, 12 - - HALTERING, 16 - - CLOTHING, 18 - - FEEDING, 20 - - WATERING, 25 - - GRAZING, 26 - - TRAINING, 28 - - EXERCISING, 31 - - WORK, 33 - - BRIDLING, 38 - - SADDLING, 43 - - RIDING, 49 - - HARNESSING, 56 - - DRIVING, 65 - - DRAWING, 72 - - SHOEING, 75 - - VICE, 84 - - SELLING, 89 - - CAPRICE, 90 - - IRISH HUNTERS, AND THE BREEDING OF GOOD HORSES, 93 - - PART II. - - DISEASES, 101 - - OPERATIONS, 102 - - TO GIVE A BALL, 104 - - TO GIVE A DRENCH, 105 - - PURGING, 106 - - THE PULSE, 109 - - DISEASES OF THE HEAD AND RESPIRATORY ORGANS, 109 - - DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE AND URINARY ORGANS, 120 - - DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS, 127 - - LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, ETC., 158 - - INDEX, 164 - - - - -LIST OF PLATES. - - - DRAWING COVER, _frontispiece_. - - THE HACK, _page_ 4 - - THE WEIGHT-CARRYING HUNTER, ” 6 - - RIDING AT IT, ” 53 - - THE PROPER FORM, ” 95 - - PREPARATORY CANTER, ” 99 - - - - -THE HANDY HORSE-BOOK. - - - - -PART I. - - -BREEDING. - -A few words only of observation would I make on this subject.[3] -Palpably our horses, especially racers and hunters, are degenerating in -size and power, owing mainly, it is to be feared, to the parents being -selected more for the reputation they have gained as winners carrying -feather-weights, than for any symmetrical development or evidence of -enduring power under the weight of a man. We English might take a useful -lesson in selecting parental stock from the French, who reject our theory -of breeding from animals simply because they have reputation in the -racing calendars, and who breed from none but those which have _shape_ -and _power_, as well as blood and performance, to recommend them. They -are also particular to avoid using for stud purposes such animals as may -exhibit indications of any _constitutional unsoundness_. - - -SELECTING. - -In selecting an animal, the character of the work for which he is -required should be taken into consideration. For example, in choosing -a hack, you will consider whether he is for riding or for draught. In -choosing a hunter, you must bear in mind the peculiar nature of the -country he will have to contend with. - -A horse should at all times have sufficient _size_ and power for the -weight he has to move. It is an act of cruelty to put a small horse, be -his courage and breeding ever so good, to carry a heavy man or draw a -heavy load. With regard to colour, some sportsmen say, and with truth, -that “a good horse can’t be a bad colour, no matter what his shade.” -Objection may, however, be reasonably made to pie-balls, skew-balls, or -cream-colour, as being too conspicuous,—moreover, first-class animals of -these shades are rare; nor are the roan or mouse-coloured ones as much -prized as they should be. - -Bay, brown, or dark chestnuts,[4] black or grey horses, are about the -most successful competitors in the market, and may be preferred in the -order in which they are here enumerated. Very light chestnut, bay, -and white horses are said to be irritable in temper and delicate in -constitution.[5] - -Mares are objected to by some as being occasionally uncertain in -temper and vigour, and at times unsafe in harness, from constitutional -irritation. More importance is attached to these assumed drawbacks -than they deserve; and though the price of the male is generally from -one-fourth to one-sixth more than that of the female, the latter will be -found to get through ordinary work quite as well as the former. - -_To judge of the Age by the Teeth._—The permanent nippers, or front -teeth, in the lower jaw, are six. The two front teeth are cut and placed -at from two to three years of age; the next pair, at each side of the -middle ones, at from three and a half to four; and the corner pair -between four and a half and five years of age, when the tusks in the male -are also produced. - -The marks or cavities in these nippers are effaced in the following -order:—At six years old they are worn out in the two centre teeth, at -seven in the next pair, and at eight in the corner ones, when the horse -is described as “aged.” - -After this, as age advances, these nippers appear to change gradually -year by year from an oval to a more detached and triangular form, till -at twenty their appearance is completely triangular. After six the tusks -become each year more blunt, and the grooves, which at that age are -visible inside, gradually wear out. - -_The Hack to Ride._—A horse with a small well-shaped head seldom proves -to be a bad one; therefore such, with small fine ears, should be sought -in the first instance. - -It is particularly desirable that the shoulder of a riding hack should -be light and well-placed. A high-withered horse is by no means the best -for that purpose. Let the shoulder-blades be well slanted as the horse -stands, their points light in front towards the chest. Nor should there -be too wide a front; for such width, though well enough for draught, is -not necessary in a riding-horse, provided the chest and girth be _deep_. - -As a matter of course the animal should be otherwise well formed, with -rather long pasterns (before but not behind),—the length of which -increases the elasticity of his movement on hard roads. His action should -be independent and high, bending the knees. If he cannot walk well—in -fact, with action so light that, as the dealers say, “he’d hardly break -an egg if he trod on it”—raising his legs briskly off the ground, when -simply led by the halter (giving him his head)—in other words, if he -walks “close to the ground”—he should be at once rejected. - -With regard to the other paces, different riders have different fancies: -the trot and walk I consider to be the only important paces for a -gentleman’s ordinary riding-horse. It is very material, in selecting a -riding-horse, to observe how he holds his head in his various paces; and -to judge of this the intending purchaser should remark closely how he -works on the bit when ridden by the rough-rider, and he should also pay -particular attention to this point when he is himself on his back, before -selection is made.[6] - -[Illustration: THE HACK] - -Respecting soundness, though feeling fully competent myself to judge -of the matter, I consider the half-guinea fee to a veterinary surgeon -well-laid-out money, to obtain his professional opinion and a certificate -of the state of an animal, when purchasing a horse of any value. - -_The Hack for Draught_ ought to be as well formed as the one just -described; but a much heavier shoulder and forehand altogether are -admissible. - -No one should ever for a moment think of putting any harness-horse into -a private vehicle, no matter what his seller’s recommendation, without -first having him out in a single or double break, as the case may be, and -seeing him driven, as well as driving him himself, to make acquaintance -with the animal—in fact, _to find him out_. - -_The Hunter_, like the hack, should be particularly well-formed before -the saddle. He should be deep in the girth, strong in the loins, with -full development of thigh, short and flat in the canon joint from the -knee to the pastern, with large flat hocks and sound fore legs. This -animal, like the road-horse, should lift his feet clear of the ground and -walk independently, with evidence of great propelling power in the hind -legs when put into a canter or gallop. - -A differently-shaped animal is required for each kind of country over -which his rider has to be carried. In the midland counties and Yorkshire, -the large three-quarter or thorough-bred horse only will be found to have -pace and strength enough to keep his place. In close countries, such as -the south, south-west, and part of the north of England, a plainer-bred -and closer-set animal does best. - -In countries where the fences are height jumps—a constant succession of -timber, or stone walls—one must look for a certain angularity of hip, not -so handsome in appearance, but giving greater leverage to lift the hind -legs over that description of fence. - -A hunter should be all action; for if the rider finds he can be carried -safely across country, he will necessarily have more confidence, and -go straighter, not therefore requiring so much pace to make up for -round-about “gating” gaps and “craning.”[7] - - -BUYING. - -If you propose purchasing from a dealer, take care to employ none but -a respectable man. It is also well to get yourself introduced to such -a one, by securing the good offices of some valuable customer of his -for the purpose; for such an introduction will stimulate any dealer who -values his character to endeavour by his dealings to sustain it with his -patron. - -[Illustration: THE WEIGHT-CARRYING HUNTER] - -_Auction._—An auction is a dangerous place for the uninitiated to -purchase at. If, however, it should suit you to buy in that manner, -the best course to pursue is to visit the stables on the days previous -to the sale, for in all well-regulated repositories the horses are in -for private inspection from two to three days before the auction-day. -Taking, if possible, one good judge with you, eschewing the opinions of -all grooms and others—in fact, fastening the responsibility of selection -on the one individual—make for yourself all the examination you possibly -can, in or out of stable, of the animal you think likely to suit you. -There is generally _a way_ of finding out some of the antecedents of the -horses from the men about the establishment. - -_Fairs._—To my mind it is preferable to purchase at fairs rather than -at an auction: indeed, a judge will there have much more opportunity of -comparison than elsewhere. - -_Private Purchase._—In buying from a private gentleman or acquaintance, -it is not unusual to get a horse on trial for three or four days. Many -liberal dealers, if they have faith in the animal they want to dispose -of, and in the intending purchaser, will permit the same thing. - -_Warranty._—As observed under the head of “Selecting,” it is never wise -to conclude the purchase of a horse without having him examined by a -professional veterinary surgeon, and getting a certificate of his actual -state. If the animal be a high-priced one, a warranty should be claimed -from the seller as a _sine qua non_; and if low-priced, a professional -certificate is desirable, stating the extent of unsoundness, for your own -satisfaction.[8] - - -STABLING. - -_Ventilation_ is a matter of the first importance in a stable. The means -of ingress and egress of air should be always three or four feet higher -than the range of the horses’ heads, for two simple reasons: first, -when an animal comes in warm, it is not well to have cold air passing -directly on the heated surface of his body; and, in the second place, -the foul air, being the lightest, always ascends, and you give it the -readiest mode of exit by placing the ventilation high up. The common -louver window, which can never be completely closed, is the best ordinary -ventilator. - -_Drainage_ ought to be closely investigated. The drains should run -so as to remove the traps or grates outside the stable, or as far as -possible from the horses, in order to keep the effluvium _away_ from -them. All foul litter and mass should be removed frequently during the -day; straw and litter ought not to be allowed to remain under a horse -in the daytime, unless it be considered expedient that he should rest -lying down, in which case let him be properly bedded and kept as quiet -as possible. In many cases the practice of leaving a small quantity of -litter in the stall is a fine cloak for deposit and urine left unswept -underneath, emitting that noxious ammonia with which the air of most -stables is so disagreeably impregnated that on entering them from the -fresh air you are almost stifled. - -Masters who object to their horses standing on the bare pavement can -order that, after the stall is thoroughly cleaned and swept out, a thin -layer of straw shall be laid over the stones during the daytime. In -dealers’ and livery stables, and indeed in some gentlemen’s, the pavement -is sanded over, which has a nice appearance, and prevents slipping. - -When the foul litter is abstracted, and the straw bedding taken from -under the horse, none of it should be pushed away under the manger; -let it be entirely removed: and in fair weather, or where a shed is -available, the bedding should be shaken out, to thoroughly dry and let -the air pass through it. - -Wheaten is more durable than oaten straw for litter: but the fibre -of the former is so strong that it will leave marks on the coat of a -fine-skinned animal wherever it may be unprotected by the clothing; -however, this is not material. - -_Light_ should be freely admitted into stables, not only that the grooms -may be able to see to clean the horses properly, and to do all the -stable-work, but if horses are kept in the dark it is natural that they -should be more easily startled when they go into full daylight,—and such -is always the consequence of badly-lighted stables. Of course, if a horse -is ailing, and sleep is absolutely necessary for him, he should be placed -separate in a dark quiet place. - -_Stalls_ should be wide, from six to seven feet across if possible, -yielding this in addition to other advantages, that if the partitions -are extended by means of bars to the back wall, either end stall can be -turned into a loose-box sufficiently large to serve in an emergency. - -_A Loose-Box_ is unquestionably preferable to a stall (in which a horse -is tied up all the time he is not at work in nearly the same position), -and is indispensable in cases of illness. Loose-boxes should be paved -with narrow bricks; and when prepared for the reception of an animal -whose shoes have been removed, the floor should be covered with sawdust -or tan, or either of these mixed with fine sandy earth, or, best of all, -peat-mould when procurable,—any of which, where the indisposition is -confined to the feet _only_, may be kept slightly moistened with water to -cool them. - -In cases of general illness, straw should be used for bedding; and where -the poor beast is likely to injure himself in paroxysms of pain, the -walls or partitions should be well padded in all parts within his reach, -and as a further precaution let the door be made to open outwards, and be -fastened by a bolt, as latches sometimes cause accidents. - -_Partitions_ should be carried high enough towards the head to prevent -the horses from being able to bite one another, or get at each other’s -food. - -With regard to stable-kickers, see the remarks on this subject under the -head of “Vice” (page 85). - -_Racks and Mangers_ are now made of iron, so that horses can no longer -gnaw away the manger piecemeal. Another improvement is that of placing -the rack on a level with and beside the manger, instead of above the -horses’ heads; but notwithstanding this more reasonable method of feeding -hay when whole, it is far preferable to give it as manger-food cut into -chaff. - -_Flooring._—In the construction of most stables a cruel practice is -thoughtlessly adopted by the way of facilitating drainage (and in -dealers’ stables to make horses look large), viz., that of raising the -paving towards the manger considerably above the level of the rear part. -It should be borne in mind that the horse is peculiarly sensitive to any -strain on the insertions of the back or flexor tendons of his legs. Thus -in stalls formed as described, you will see the creature endeavouring to -relieve himself by getting his toes down between the flags or stones (if -the pavement will admit) with the heels resting upon the edges of them; -and if the fastening to the head be long enough he will draw back still -farther, until he can get his toes down into the drain-channel behind his -stall, with the heels upon the opposite elevation of the drain. Proper -pavement in your stable will help to alleviate a tendency towards what is -called “clap of the back sinew.”—See page 143. - -The slope of an inch and a half or two inches is sufficient for purposes -of drainage in paving stables; but if the drainage can be managed so as -to allow of the flooring being made quite level, so much the better. - -Should my reader be disposed to build stabling, he cannot do better than -consult the very useful and practical work entitled ‘Stonehenge, or the -Horse in the Stable and in the Field.’ - -The horse being a gregarious animal, and much happier in society than -alone, will, in the absence of company of his own species, make friends -with the most sociable living neighbour he can find. A horse should not -be left solitary if it can be avoided. - -_Dogs_ should never be kept in the stable with horses, or be permitted -to be their playfellows, on account of the noxious emissions from their -excrement. _Cats_ are better and more wholesome companions. - - -GROOMING. - -I do not profess to teach grooms their business, but to put masters on -their guard against the common errors and malpractices of that class; and -with a view to that end, two or three general rules are added which a -master would do well to enforce on a groom when hiring him, as binding, -under pain of dismissal. - -1. Never to doctor a horse himself, but to acquaint his master -immediately with any accident, wound, or symptom of indisposition -about the animal, that may come under his observation, and which, if -in existence, ought not to fail to attract the attention of a careful, -intelligent servant during constant handling of and attendance on his -charge. - -2. Always to exercise the horses in the place appointed by his master for -the purpose, and _never_ to canter or gallop them. - -3. To stand by while a horse is having its shoes changed or removed, and -see that any directions he may have received on the subject are carried -out. - -4. Never to clean a horse out of doors. - -These rules are recommended under a just appreciation of that golden one, -“Prevention is better than cure.” - -If the master is satisfied with an ill-groomed horse, nine-tenths of the -grooms will be so likewise; therefore he may to a great extent blame -himself if his bearer’s dressing is neglected. - -Grooms are especially fond of using water in cleaning the horse (though -often rather careful how they use it with themselves, either inside or -out): it saves them trouble, to the great injury of the animal. The same -predominating laziness which prompts them to use water for the removal of -mud, &c., in preference to employing a dry wisp or brush for the purpose, -forbids their exerting themselves to employ the proper means of drying -the parts cleaned by wet. They will have recourse to any expedient to dry -the skin rather than the legitimate one of friction. Over the body they -will place cloths to soak up the wet; on the legs they will roll their -favourite bandages. It is best, therefore, to forbid the use of water -above the hoof for the purpose of cleaning—except with the mane and tail, -which should be properly washed with soap and water occasionally. - -When some severe work has been done, so as to occasion perspiration, the -ears should not be more neglected than the rest of the body; and when -they are dried by hand-rubbing and pulling, the horse will feel refreshed. - -As already recommended, cleaning out of doors should be forbidden. If one -could rely on the discretion of servants, cleaning might be done outside -occasionally in fine weather; but licence on this score being once given, -the probability is that your horse will be found shivering in the open -air on some inclement day. - -The groom always uses a picker in the process of washing and cleaning -the feet, to dislodge all extraneous matter, stones, &c., that may have -been picked up in the clefts of the frog and thereabouts; he also washes -the foot with a long-haired brush. In dry weather, after heavy work, it -is good to stop the fore feet with what is called “stopping” (cow-dung), -which is not difficult to procure. Wet clay is sometimes used in London -for the purpose in the absence of cow-dung. Very useful, too, in such -case will be found a stopping composed of one part linseed-meal to two -parts bran, wetted, and mixed to a sticking consistency. - -The evidence of care in the groomed appearance of the mane and tail -looks well. An occasional inspection of the mane by the master may be -desirable, by turning over the hairs to the reverse side; any signs of -dirt or dandriff found cannot be creditable to the groom. - -_Bandaging._—When a hunter comes in from a severe day, it is an excellent -plan to put _rough_ bandages (provided for the purpose) on the legs, -leaving them on while the rest of the body is cleaning; it will be found -that the mud and dirt of the legs will to a great extent fall off in -flakes on their removal, thus reducing the time employed in cleaning. -When his legs are cleaned and well hand-rubbed, put on the usual-sized -flannel bandages. They should never remain on more than four or six -hours, and when taken off (not to be again used till the next severe -work) the legs should be once more hand-rubbed. - -Bandages ought not to be used under other circumstances than the above, -except by order of a veterinary surgeon for unsoundness. - -In some cases of unsoundness—such as undue distension of the bursæ, -called “wind-galls,” the effect of work—a linen or cotton bandage kept -continually saturated with water, salt and water, or vinegar, and not -much tightened, may remain on the affected legs; but much cannot be said -for the efficacy of the treatment. - -For what is called “clap,” or supposed distension of the back sinew -(which is in reality no distension of the tendon, as that is said to be -impossible, though some of its fibres may be injured, but inflammation of -the sheath through which the tendon passes), the cold lotion bandaging -just described, in connection with the directions given under the head of -“Shoeing” (page 82), will be found very serviceable. - -_Grooms’ Requisites_ are usually understood to comprise the following -articles:—a body-brush, water-brush, dandriff or “dander” brush, -picker, scraper, mane-comb, curry-comb, pitchfork, shovel and broom, -manure-basket, chamois-leather, bucket, sponges, dusters, corn-sieve, and -measures; leather boot for poultices, clyster syringe (requiring especial -caution in use—_see_ page 159, note), drenching-horn, bandages (woollen -and linen); a box with a supply of stopping constantly at hand; a small -store of tow and tar, most useful in checking the disease called thrush -(page 135) before it assumes a chronic form; a lump of rock-salt, ready -to replace those which should be always kept in the mangers to promote -the general health of the animals as well as to amuse them by licking -it; a lump of chalk, ready at any time for use (in the same manner as -rock-salt) in the treatment of some diseases, as described, pages 154 and -160. - -_Singeing_, there is little doubt, tends to improve the condition of the -animal; so much so, that timid users do well to remember that animals -which, before the removal of their winter coat, required perpetual -reminders of the whip, will, directly they are divested of that covering, -evince a spirit, vigour, and endurance which had remained, perhaps, quite -unsuspected previously. In fact, in most cases, the general health and -appetite seem to be improved. - -Singeing, when severe rapid work is done, enables the horse to perform -his task with less distress, and when it is over, facilitates his being -made comfortable in the shortest possible space of time. - -Singeing, if done early in the winter, requires to be repeated lightly -three or four times during the season. - -_Clipping_ has exactly the same effect as the above, and is preferable -to it only in cases where, the animal’s coat being extremely long, extra -labour, loss of time, and flame, are avoided by the clipping process. -Singeing is best with the lighter coats, but sometimes thin skinned and -coated animals are too nervous and excitable to bear the flame near them -for this purpose, in which case the cause of alarm ought obviously to be -avoided, and clipping resorted to. - -It is worth while to employ the best manipulators to perform these -operations. - -With horses intended for slow and easy work, and liable to continued -exposure to the weather, singeing or clipping only the under part of the -belly, and the long hairs of the legs, will suffice. Unless neatly and -tastily done, this is very unsightly on a gentleman’s horse. Clipping, if -not done till the beginning of December, seldom requires repetition. - -In stony and rough countries, it is the habit of judicious horsemen to -leave the hair on their hunters’ legs from the knees and hocks down, as a -protection to them. - - -HALTERING. - -_The Head-Stall_ should fit a horse, and have a proper brow-band; it -is ridiculous to suppose that the same sized one can suit all heads. -Ordinary head-stalls have only one buckle, which is on the throat-lash -near-side; and if the stall be made to _fit_, that is sufficient. -_Otherwise_ there should be three buckles, one on each side of the -cheek-straps, besides the one on the throat-lash. - -Let the fastening from the head-stall to the log be of rope or leather. -Chain fastenings are objectionable, because, besides being heavy, they -are very apt to catch in the ring, and they make a fearful noise, -especially where there are many horses in the stable. By having rope or -leather as a fastener, instead of chain, the log may be lighter (of wood -instead of iron), and the less weight there is to drag the creature’s -head down, the less the distress to him. Poll-evil (page 117), it is -said, has frequently resulted from the pressure of the head-stall on the -poll, occasioned by heavy pendants. - -Chains are more durable, and that is all that can be said in their -favour, except that they may be necessary for a few vicious devils who -are up to the trick of severing the rope or leather with their teeth. - -See that the log is sufficiently heavy to keep the rope or leather at -stretch, and that the manger-ring is large enough to allow the fastening -to pass freely. If the log is too light, or the manger-ring too small, -the likely result will be that the log will remain close up under the -ring, the fastening falling into a sort of loop, through which the horse -most probably introduces his foot, and, in his consequent alarm and -efforts to disentangle his legs, chucks up his head, and away he goes on -his side, gets “_halter-cast_,” most likely breaks one of his hind legs -in his struggles to regain his footing, or at least dislocates one of -their joints. - - -CLOTHING. - -Opinions differ materially as to the amount of clothing that ought to -be used in the stable. My view of the matter is, that a stable being, -as it should be, thoroughly ventilated, necessitates the horses in it -being to a certain extent kept warm by clothing. An animal that has not -been divested of his own coat by clipping or singeing, will require very -little covering indeed; for nature’s provision, being sufficient to -protect him out of doors, ought surely to suffice in the stable, with -a very slight addition of clothing. If he has been clipped or singed, -covering enough to make up for what he has lost ought to be ample: by -going beyond this the horse is only made tender, and more susceptible of -the influences of the atmosphere when he comes to be exposed to it with -only a saddle on his back. - -In parts of North America, I have observed, where the stables are built -roughly of wood, with many fissures to admit the weather, horses are -seldom, if ever, sheeted. They are certainly rarely divested of their -coats; but during work, as occasion may require, it is usual for the -rider, when stopping at any place, to leave his horse “hitched” (as they -call it) to any convenient post or tree, in all weathers, and for any -length of time, and these horses scarcely ever catch cold. - -The best _Sheet_ is formed of a rug (sizeable enough to meet across the -breast and extend to the quarters), by simply cutting the slope of the -neck out of it, and fastening the points across the breast by two straps -and buckles. - -The _Hood_ need only be used when the horse is at walking exercise, or -likely to be exposed to weather, or for the purpose of sweating, when a -couple of them, with two or three sheets, may be used.—_See_ page 32. - -Horse-clothing should be, at least once a-week, taken _outside_ the -stable, and well beaten and _shaken_ like a carpet. - -_Rollers_ should be looked to from time to time, to see that the pads -of the roller _do not meet within three or four inches_ (over the -backbone),—in other words, there should be always a clear channel over -it, nearly large enough to pass the handle of a broom through, so as -to avoid the possibility of the upper part of the roller even touching -the sheet over the spinal ridge, which, if permitted, will be sure to -cause a sore back, to the great injury of the horse and his master, -arousing vicious habits in the former to resent any touch, necessary or -unnecessary, of the sore place on so sensitive a part, and rendering -him irritable when clothing, saddling, or harnessing, or if a hand even -approach the tender place. - -This is so troublesome a consequence of not paying attention to the -padding of rollers, that a master will do well to examine them himself -for his own satisfaction. - -_Knee-Caps._—On all occasions when a valuable horse is taken by a servant -on road or rail, his knees should be protected by caps. The only way to -secure them is to fasten them tightly _above_ the knee, where elastic -straps are decidedly preferable, leaving the fastening below the knee -slack. - -_A Leather Boot_, lined with sponge, or one of felt with a strong leather -sole, should be ready in every stable to be used as required, in cases of -sudden foot-lameness. - - -FEEDING. - -The cavalry allowances are 12 lb. hay, 10 lb. oats, and 8 lb. straw -daily, which, I know by experience, will keep a healthy animal in -condition with the work required from a dragoon horse, of the severity of -which none but those acquainted with that branch of the service have any -idea. - -Until he is perfectly fit for the ranks, between riding-school, -field-days, and drill, the troop-horse has quite work enough for any -beast. I may add that few horses belonging to officers of cavalry get -more than the above allowance, unless when _regularly_ hunted, in which -case additional corn and beans are given. - -With severe work, 14 lb. to 16 lb. of oats, and 12 lb. of hay, which is -the general allowance in well-regulated hunting-stables, ought to be -sufficient. Beans are also given in small quantity. - -Some persons feed their horses three times a-day, but it is better to -divide their food into four daily portions, watering them, at least half -an hour before each feed. - -The habit which some grooms have of feeding while they are teazing an -animal with the preliminaries of cleaning, is very senseless, as the -uneasiness horses are sure to exhibit under anything like grooming causes -them to knock about their heads and scatter their food. On a journey, -according to the call upon the system by the increased amount of work, -so should the horse’s feeding be augmented by one-third, one-fourth, or -one-half more than usual. A few beans or pease may well be added under -such circumstances. - -In stables where the stalls are divided by bales or swinging-bars, the -horses when feeding should have their heads so tied as to prevent them -from consuming their neighbour’s food, or the result would be that the -greedy or more rapid eaters would succeed in devouring more than their -fair share, while the slower feeders would have to go on short commons. - -_Oats_ ought _always_ to be _bruised_, as many horses, whether from -greediness in devouring their food, or from their teeth being incapable -of grinding, swallow them whole; and it is a notorious fact that oats, -unless masticated, pass right through the animal undigested. - -When supplies have been very deficient with forces in the field, the -camp-followers have been known to exist upon the grain extracted from the -droppings of the horses. - -It should be remembered that not more than at the utmost two days’ -consumption of oats should be bruised at a time, as they soon turn sour -in that state, and are thus unfit for the use of that most delicate -feeder, the horse. All oats before being bruised should be well sifted, -to dispose of the gravel and dust which are always present in the grain -as it comes from the farmer. Unbruised oats, if ever used, should be -similarly prepared before being given in feed. - -_Hay_ ought always to be cut into chaff or may be mixed with the corn, -which is the only way to insure the proper proportion being given at a -feed. When the hay is not cut but fed from the rack, never more than 3 -lb. should be put in the rack at a time. If desirable to give as much as -12 lb. daily, let the rack be filled six times in twenty-four hours. - -_Beans_ must be invariably split or bruised. It is better to give a -higher price for English beans than to use the Egyptian at any price; the -latter are said to be impregnated with the eggs of insects, which adhere -to the lining of the horse’s stomach, causing him serious injury. In -India horses are principally fed on a kind of small pea called “gram”—in -the United States their chief food is maize; the oat-plant not succeeding -well in either of those regions. - -_Bran._—Food should be varied occasionally, and all horses not actually -in training ought to have a bran-mash once a-week. The best time to give -this is for the first feed after the work is done, on the day preceding -the rest day, whenever that may be. - -Even hunters, after a hard day, will eat the bran with avidity, and it is -well to give it for the first meal. Its laxative qualities render it a -sedative and cooler in the half-feverish state of system induced by the -exertion and excitement of the chase; and according to my experience, -if given just after the work is done, the digestive process, relaxed by -the bran, has full time to recover itself by the grain-feeding before -the next call is made on the horse’s powers. If the bran is not liked, a -little bruised oats may be mixed through it to tempt the palate. Whole -grains of oats should never be mixed with bran, as they must of necessity -be bolted with the latter, and passed through the animal entire. - -_Mash._—When only doing ordinary work, the following mash should be given -to each horse on Saturday night after work, supposing your beasts to rest -on Sunday:— - -Put half a pint of linseed in a two-quart pan with an even edge; pour on -it one quart of boiling water, cover it close, and leave to soak for four -hours. - -At the same time moisten half a bucket of bran with a gallon of water. -When the linseed has soaked for four hours, a hole must be made in the -middle of the bran, and the linseed mass mixed into the bran mass. The -whole forms one feed. Should time be an object, boil slowly half a pint -of linseed in two quarts of water, and add it to half a bucket of bran -which had been previously steeped for half an hour or an hour in a gallon -of water. - -If a cold is present, or an animal is delicate, the bran can be saturated -with boiling water, of which a little more can be added to warm it when -given. - -_Carrots_, when a horse is delicate, will be found acceptable, and -are both nutritious and wholesome as food. In spring and summer, when -vetches or other green food can be had, an occasional treat of that sort -conduces to health where the work is sufficiently moderate to admit -of soft feeding. When horses are coating in spring or autumn, or weak -from fatigue or delicacy, the addition to their food of a little more -nutriment may be found beneficial. The English white pea is milder and -not so heating as beans, and may be given half a pint twice daily, mixed -with the ordinary feeding, for from one to three or four weeks, as may be -deemed advisable. - -When an animal is “off his feed,” as it is called, attention should be -immediately directed to his manger, which is often found to be shamefully -neglected, the bottom of it covered with gravel, or perhaps the ends -and corners full of foul matter, such as the sour remains of the last -bran-mash and other half-masticated leavings. - -The introduction of any greasy or fetid matter into a horse’s food will -effectually prevent this dainty creature from touching it. It used to be -a common practice at hostelries in the olden time, to rub the teeth of a -traveller’s horse with a tallow candle or a little oil; thus causing the -poor beast to leave his food untouched for the benefit of his unfeeling -attendant. - -Again, the oats or hay may be found, on close examination, to be musty, -which causes them to be rejected by the beast. - -Where no palpable cause for loss of appetite can be discovered, reference -should be made to a qualified veterinary surgeon, who will examine the -animal’s mouth, teeth, and general state of health, and probably report -that the lining of the cheeks is highly inflamed in some part, owing -to undue angularity or decay of the teeth, and he will know how to act -accordingly. - -When horses are on a journey, or a long ride home after hunting, some -people recommend the use of gruel; but, from experience, I prefer giving -a handful of wetted hay in half a bucket of _tepid_ water, or ale or -porter.—_See_ page 37. - -_Feeding on Board Ship_ should be confined to chaff and bran, mixed with -about one-fourth the usual quantity of _bruised_ oats. - -Though horses generally look well when “full of flesh,” there are many -reasons why they should not be allowed to become fat after the fashion -of a farmer’s “stall-feds.” Some really good grooms think this form of -condition the pink of perfection. They are mistaken. An animal in such -a state is quite unfit to travel at any fast pace or bear continued -exertion without injury, and may therefore be considered so far useless. - -He is also much more liable to contract disease, and if attacked by such -the constitution succumbs more readily. - -Moreover, the superfluous weight of the cumbrous flesh and fat tends to -increase the wear and tear of the legs; and if the latter be at all light -from the knee to the pastern, they are more likely to suffer. - -On the other hand, it may be well to observe, by way of caution, that it -is by no means good management to let a horse become at any time reduced -to _actual leanness_ through overwork or deficient feeding. _It is far -easier to pull down than to put up flesh_. - -These hints on feeding may be closed with a remark, that in all large -towns _contractors_ are to be found ready and willing to enter into -contract for feeding gentlemen’s horses by the month or year. This is -a very desirable arrangement for masters, but one frequently objected -to by servants, who, however, in such cases can easily be replaced by -application to the dealer, he having necessarily excellent opportunities -of meeting with others as efficient. - -Contractors should not be allowed to supply more than two or three days’ -forage at a time. - - -WATERING. - -Horses are greater epicures in water than is generally supposed, and -will make a rush for some favourite spring or rivulet where water -may have once proved acceptable to their palate, when that of other -drinking-places has been rejected or scarcely touched. - -The groom’s common maxim is to water twice a-day, but there is little -doubt that horses should have access to water more frequently, being, -like ourselves or any other animal, liable from some cause—some slight -derangement of the stomach, for instance—to be more thirsty at one time -than another; and it is a well-known fact that, where water is easily -within reach, these creatures never take such a quantity at a time as -to unfit them for _moderate work_ at any moment. If an arrangement for -continual access to water be not convenient, horses should be watered -before every feed, or at least thrice a-day, the first time being in the -morning, an hour before feeding (which hour will be employed in grooming -the beast); and it may be observed that there is no greater aid to -increasing their disposition to put up flesh, than giving them as much -water as they like before and after every feed. - -A horse should never be watered when heated, or on the eve of any -extraordinary exertion. Animals that are liable to colic or gripes, -or are under the effect of medicines, particularly such as act on the -alimentary canal, and predispose to those affections, should get water -with the chill off. - -_Watering in Public Troughs_, or places where every brute that travels -the road has access, must be strictly avoided. Glanders, farcy, and other -infectious diseases may be easily contracted in this way. - - -GRAZING. - -The advantage of grazing, as a change for the better in any, and indeed -in every, case where the horse may be thrown out of sorts by accident or -disease, becomes very questionable, on account of the _artificial state_ -in which he must have been kept, to enable him to meet the requirements -of a master of the present day in work. If the change be recommended to -restore the feet or legs, this object may be attained, and much better, -by keeping the creature in a loose-box without shoes, on a floor covered -with sawdust or tan, kept damp as directed (page 10), to counteract -whatever slight inflammation may be in the feet and legs, or, best of -all, covered with peat-mould, as this does not require to be damped, -and the animal can lie down on it; besides, the properties of the peat -neutralise the noxious ammonia, and it does not consequently require to -be so often renewed. In the loose-box also he can take quite as much -exercise as is necessary for an invalid intended to be laid up, and there -he can be supplied with whatever grain, roots, or succulent food may be -deemed necessary. - -As for any other advantage to be derived from a run at grass, unless for -the purpose of using the herb as an alterative, I never could see it: -and even this end, unless the horse has a paddock to himself, can hardly -be gained; for if there are too many beasts for the production of the -ground, the fare must be scanty, and each animal half starved. - -The disadvantages of changing a horse to grass from the artificial state -of condition are the following:— - -1. That condition is sure to be lost (at least as far as it is necessary -to fit for work, especially to go across country at a hunting pace, -with safety to himself and his rider), and not to be regained for a -considerable time, and at great cost. - -2. The horse is exceedingly liable to meet with accident from the -playfulness or temper of his companions. - -3. Worms of the most dangerous and pertinacious description are picked up -nowhere but at grass. - -4. Many ailments are contracted from exposure and hardship or bad -feeding; and owing to the animal being removed from under immediate -inspection, such ailments gain ground before they are observed. Moreover, -at grass the horse is more exposed to contagious and epidemic diseases. - -5. Horses suffer great annoyance from flies in summer time, not having -long tails like horned cattle to reach every part of their body; and -wherever any superficial sore may be present, the flies are sure to find -it out. - -As to aged animals, it is sheer cruelty (practised by some masters with -the best intentions and worst possible results) to turn them out to -grass. Such creatures have probably been accustomed in the earlier part -of their lives to warm stables, their food put under their noses, good -grooming, and proper care. You might just as well turn out a gentleman in -his old age among a tribe of friendly savages, unclad and unsheltered, -to exist upon whatever roots and fruits he could pick up, as expose a -highly-bred and delicately-nurtured old horse to the vicissitudes and -hardships of a life at grass. - - -TRAINING. - -RAREY’S SYSTEM. - -The principle of this system is that of overpowering the horse that may -in some instances have even become dangerous and useless, from having -learned the secret that _his strength gives him an advantage over his -master_—man. _Unconsciously_ deprived of his power of resistance, his -courage vanishes; the spirit which rose against all _accountable_ efforts -to subdue it, that would scorn to yield to overweight, pace, work, or -any other _evidence_ of man’s power, and which in the well-dispositioned -animal causes him to strain every nerve to meet what is required of him -rather than succumb, is by Rarey’s system subdued through a ruse so -effected that the power which overwhelms all the creature’s efforts at -resistance appears to originate and be identified with the man who can -thus, for the first time, take liberties with him, which he has lost the -power of resenting; and man thenceforward becomes his master. The method -pursued by Mr Rarey in subduing such a vicious and ungovernable horse as -Cruiser, is this: Placing himself under a waggon laden with hay, to which -the animal is partly coaxed, partly led by guide-ropes, and stealing his -fingers through the spokes of the waggon-wheel, he raises and gently -straps up one fore leg, and fastens a long strap round the fetlock of the -other, the end of which he holds in his hand and checks when necessary. -The beast, thus unconsciously tampered with, is quite disposed to resent -in his usual style the subsequent impertinent familiarities of his tamer; -but being by the foregoing precautions cast prostrate on his first -attempt to move, and finding all his efforts to regain his liberty and -carry out reprisals abortive, worn-out and hopeless, he at length yields -himself helplessly to his victor’s obliging attentions, of sitting on him -as he lies, drumming and fiddling in his ears, &c., and is thenceforward -man’s obedient and tractable servant. - -There is no doubt that Mr Rarey’s plan of thus overcoming the unruly or -vicious beast by mild but effectual means, is the right one to gain the -point, _as far as it goes_; but breaking him in to saddle or draught, -improving his paces, or having ability in riding or driving any horse -judiciously, must be considered another affair, and only to be acquired -through more or less competent instruction, and by practice combined with -taste. - -In training, the use of a dumb jockey[9] will be found most serviceable -to get the head into proper position, and to bend the neck. Two hours -a-day in this gear, while the horse is either loose in a box or fastened -to the pillar-reins if in a stall, will not at all interfere with his -regular training, exercise, or work, and will materially aid the former -result. - -I greatly advocate the use of the dumb jockey without springs, even with -formed horses, who, being daily used to it, need no such adjuncts as -bearing-reins, but will arch their necks, work nicely on the bit, and -exhibit an altered show and style in action that is very admirable in a -gentleman’s equipage. - -Should my reader be much interested in breaking-in rough colts, I -recommend him to consult ‘Stonehenge,’ by J. H. Walsh, F.R.C.S., editor -of the ‘Field.’ - -_Training for Draught._—Before the first trial in the break-carriage, -give your horse from half-an-hour to an hour’s quiet ringing in the -harness, to which he should have been previously made accustomed by -wearing it for a couple of hours the two or three preceding days. The -first start should be in a regular break, or strong but inexpensive -vehicle, and stout harness, with also saving-collar, knee-caps, and -kicking-strap—no bearing-rein. He should be led by ropes or reins (in -single harness on both sides of the head), and tried on a level, or -rather down than up a slight inclination. The place selected should be -one where there is plenty of unoccupied roadway. - -Better begin in double harness, and let the break-horse with which the -driver is to start the carriage be strong and willing, so as to pull away -the untried one. - -_The Neck_ usually suffers during the first few lessons in training -to harness; and until that part of it where the collar wears becomes -thoroughly hardened by use, it should be bathed with a strong solution -of salt and water _before_ the collar is taken off, that there may be no -mistake about its being done at once. Should there be the least abrasion -of the skin, do not use salt and water, but a wash of 1 scruple chloride -of zinc to 1 pint of water, dabbed on the sore every two or three hours -with fine linen rag, and give rest from collar-work till healed; then -harden with salt and water; and when the scab has disappeared, and the -horse is fit for harness, chamber the collar over the affected part, and -employ for a while a saving-collar. A sore neck will produce a jibbing -horse, and therefore requires to be closely attended to in his training. - - -EXERCISING. - -It is desirable that a master should appoint a particular place for the -exercising of his horses, coupled with strict injunctions to his groom -on no account to leave it. No master should give his servants the option -of going where they please to exercise, their favourite resort being -often the precincts of a public-house, with a sharp gallop round the -most impracticable corners to make up the time. An occasional visit of -the master to the exercising ground is a very salutary check upon such -proceedings. - -The best possible exercise for a horse is walking—the sod or any soft -elastic surface being better than the road for the purpose; and if the -latter only is available, use knee-caps as a safeguard. - -Two hours’ daily exercise (_if he gets it_) at a _fast_ walk will be -enough to keep a hack fit for his work; and it is usual with some -experienced field-horsemen never to allow their hunters, _when once up to -their work_, to get any but walking exercise for as much as four hours -daily, two hours at a time—that is, when they desire to keep them “fit.” - -Ladies’ and elderly gentlemen’s horses ought most particularly to be -exercised, and not overfed, to keep them tame and tractable, and to guard -against accidents. - -The foregoing directions refer to the _preparations_ for the master’s -work, and are what I should give my groom. - -_Sweating._—In case it is desirable to prepare an animal for any -extraordinary exertion, the readiest, safest, and most judicious means -is by sweating, carefully proceeded with, by using two or three sets of -body-clothes, an empty stomach being indispensable for the process, and a -riding-school, if available, the best place for the necessary exercise,—a -sweat being thus sooner obtained free from cold air, and the soft footing -of such a place saving the jar on the legs more even than the sod in the -field, unless it happen to be very soft. - -Sweating is a peculiarly healthy process for either man or beast; and -to judge of the benefit derived by a horse through that means, from the -effect of a heavy perspiration through exercise on one’s self, there -seems little doubt that it is very renewing to the _physique_. - -_Ringing_ or _Loungeing_ with a cavesson, though not ordinarily adopted, -except by the trainer, is nevertheless most useful as a means of -exercise. It is a very suitable manner of “taking the rough edge off,” or -bringing down the superabundant spirits of horses that have been confined -to the stable for some time by weather or other similar cause producing -restiveness, and is peculiarly adapted for exercising harness-horses -where it may not be safe or expedient to ride them. - - -WORK. - -The master on the road or in the field using his bearer for convenience -or pleasure, will do him less injury in a day than a thoughtless ignorant -servant will contrive to accomplish in an hour when only required to -exercise the beast. - -To the advice already given, never to allow your horses to be galloped -or cantered on a hard surface, it is well to add, refrain from doing -so yourself. On the elastic turf these paces do comparatively little -harm; but for the road, and indeed all ordinary usage, except hunting -or racing, the trot or walk is the proper pace. My impression coincides -with that of many experienced sportsmen, that one mile of a canter on a -hard surface does more injury to the frame and legs of a horse, than -twenty miles’ walk and trot: for this reason, that in the act of walking -or trotting the off fore and near hind feet are on the ground at the -same moment alternately with the other two, thus dividing the pressure -of weight and propulsion on the legs more than even ambling, which is a -lateral motion; while in anything approaching to the canter or gallop, -the two fore feet and legs have at the same moment to bear the entire -weight of man and horse, as well as the jar of the act of propulsion from -behind. - -_Ambling_ is a favourite pace with the Americans, whose horses are -trained to it; also with the Easterns. It is, as before mentioned, a -lateral motion, much less injurious to the wear and tear of the legs than -either canter or gallop on the hard road, the off fore and hind being on -the ground alternately with the near fore and hind legs. - -Though unsightly to an Englishman’s eyes, this pace is decidedly the -easiest of all to the rider, and may be accelerated from four to six or -eight miles an hour without the least inconvenience. Some American horses -are taught to excel in this pace, so as to beat regular trotters. - -By trotting a horse you do him comparatively little injury on the road; -but observe the animal that has been constantly ridden by ladies (at -watering-places and elsewhere), who are so fond of the canter: he stands -over, and is decidedly shaky on his legs, although the weight on his back -has been generally light. Observe, on the contrary, the bearer of the -experienced horseman; although the weight he had to carry may have been -probably what is called “a welter,” _his legs are right enough_. - -The softness of the turf, as fitting it for the indulgence of a gallop, -is indicated by the depth of the horse-tracks; there is not much -impression left on a hard road. - -It should be always borne in mind that “it is _the pace that kills_,” and -unless the wear and tear of horse-flesh be a matter of no consideration, -according as the pace is increased from that of five or six miles per -hour, so should the distance for the animal’s day’s work be diminished. - -For instance, if you require him to do seven miles in the hour _daily_, -that seven miles must always be considered as full work for the day; if -you purpose going eight miles per hour, your horse should only travel -six miles daily at that rate; if faster still, five miles only should -be your bearer’s limit; if at a ten-mile rate, then four miles; or at a -twelve-mile rate, three miles per day. But of course such regulations -apply to _daily_ work only, as a horse is capable of accomplishing a -great deal more without injury, if only called upon to do so occasionally. - -A man may require to do a day’s journey of thirty miles, or a day’s -hunting, and such work being only occasional, no harm whatever to the -animal need result; but about eight or ten miles a-day at an alternate -walk or trot (say six-miles-an-hour pace) is as much as any valuable -animal ought to do if worked regularly. - -No horse ought to be hunted more than twice a-week _at the utmost_. - -The work of horses, especially when ridden, ought to be so managed that -the latter part of the journey may be done in a walk, so that they may be -brought in cool. - -A horse in the saddle is capable of travelling a hundred miles, or even -more, in twenty-four hours, if required; and if the weight be light, -and the rider judicious, such feats _may_ be done occasionally without -injury: but if a journey of a hundred miles be contemplated, it is better -to take three days for its performance, each day’s journey of over thirty -miles being divided into two equal portions, and got through early in -the morning and late in the afternoon; the pace an alternate walk and -trot at the rate of about five miles an hour, to vary it, as continuous -walking for so long as a couple of hours when travelling on the road, -may prove so tiresome that horses would require watching to keep them on -their legs; and it is good for both horse and man that the latter should -dismount and take the whole, or nearly the whole, of the walking part -on his own feet, thus not only relieving his bearer from the continual -pressure of the rider’s weight on the saddle on his back, but as a man -when riding and walking brings into play two completely distinct sets of -muscles, he will, though a little tired from walking, find himself on -remounting positively refreshed from that change of exercise. - -This recommendation is equally applicable to the hunting-field at any -check, or when there is the least opportunity. So well is the truth of -the above remark known to the most experienced horsemen, that some of -them, steeplechase riders, make it a practice before riding a severe race -to walk rapidly from five to ten miles to the course, in preference to -making use of any of the many vehicles always at their disposal on such -occasions. - -It is only surprising that the expediency of making dragoons dismount -and walk beside their horses on a march, at least part of the way, for -distances of one or two miles at a time, is not more apparent to those -in authority (many of them practical men), in whose power it lies to -make a regulation so very salutary for both man and horse. The more -the beneficial effect of such an arrangement is considered, the more -desirable it would appear to be, especially in dry weather. The great -occasional relief to an overweighted horse of being divested of his rider -now and then, would rather serve than injure the latter, on account of -the variety of exercise, as before remarked, while his handling of the -horse would decidedly be enlivened by the change. - -_Signals of Distress_ on increased pace.—Prominently may be mentioned -a horse becoming winded, or, as sportsmen call it, having “bellows -to mend,” which in proper hands ought seldom to occur, even in the -hunting-field, as there are tokens which precede it—such as the creature -hanging on his work, poking his head backwards and forwards, describing a -sort of semicircle with his nose, gaping, the ears lopping, &c. - -Some horsemen are in the habit of giving ale or porter (from a pint to -a quart of either) to their horses during severe work. This is not at -all a bad plan, if the beast will take it; and as many masters are fond -of petting their animals with biscuit or bread, a piece of either being -occasionally soaked in one of the above liquids when given, will accustom -the creature so trained to the taste of them. - -After the work is over a little well-made gruel is a great restorative; -and when a long journey is completed, a bran-mash might be given, as -mentioned under the head of “Feeding,” page 22. - -One of the worst results to be dreaded from a horse going long journeys -daily, is fever in the feet (page 132), which may be obviated by stopping -the fore feet directly they are picked and washed out at the end of each -day’s journey.—_See_ page 13. - -After a long journey, it would be desirable to have the animal’s fore -shoes _at least_ removed. - -The saddle ought not to be taken off for some time after work; the longer -it has been under the rider, and the more severe the work, the longer, -comparatively, it should remain on after use, in order to avoid that -frightful result which is most like to ensue from its being quickly -removed—viz., sore back. With cavalry, saddles are left on for an hour or -more after the return from a field-day or march. - -A numna or absorbing sweat-cloth under the saddle is in cases of hard or -continued work a great preservative against sore back. - -When an extraordinary day’s work has been done, after the horse is -cleaned and fed he should be at once bedded down, and left to rest in -quiet, interrupted only to be fed. - - -BRIDLING. - -Every horseman before he mounts should observe closely whether his horse -is properly saddled and bridled. - -Bits must be invariably of wrought steel, and the mouthpiece _in all -bits_ should fit the horse’s mouth _exactly_ in its width: the bit -that is made to fit a sixteen-hands-high is surely too large for a -fourteen-hand cob. The bit ought to lie just above the tusk in a horse’s -jaw, and one inch above the last teeth with a mare. - -It must be adapted to the mouth and temper of the horse as well as to the -formation of his head and neck. A riding-master, or the rider, if he has -any judgment, ought to be able to form an opinion as to the most suitable -bit for an animal.[10] - -The ordinary _Bridoon_ (or Double bridle, as it is called in the North) -is best adapted to the well-mouthed and tempered horse, and is the safest -and best bridle for either road or field. Unfinished gentlemen as well -as lady equestrians, when riding with double reins to the bits, are -recommended to tie the curb-bit rein evenly in a knot on the horse’s -neck (holding only the bridoon-rein in the hand), provided his temper -and mouth be suitable to a snaffle. This is a practice pursued by some -even good and experienced horsemen where the temper of a horse is high, -in order to have the curb-bit to rely upon in case he should happen to -pull too hard on the bridoon or snaffle, which otherwise would be quite -sufficient and best to use alone. - -The _Curb-chain_, when used, should be strong and tight; it should -invariably be supported by a lip-strap, an adjunct that is really most -essential, but which grooms practically ignore by losing. The object -of the lip-strap is to prevent the curb, if rather loose, from falling -over the lip, thus permitting the horse to get hold of it in his mouth -and go where he pleases; it also guards against a trick some beasts are -very clever at, of catching the cheek or leg of the bit in their teeth, -and making off in spite of the efforts of any rider. If the curb be -tight, the lip-strap is equally useful in keeping it horizontally, and -preventing its drooping to too great a pressure, thus causing abrasion of -the animal’s jaw. The curb _ought_ to be pretty tight, sufficiently so to -admit one finger between it and the jaw-bone. - -The _Snaffle_ with a fine-mouthed horse is well adapted for the field—the -only place where I would ever dispense altogether with the curb-bit, and -then only in favour of a fine-mouthed well-tempered beast disposed to go -coolly at his fences. - -On the road a horse may put his foot upon a stone in a jog-trot, or come -upon some irregularity; and unless the rider has something more than a -snaffle in his hand, he is exceedingly likely to suffer for it. Many a -horse that is like a foot-ball in the field, full of life and elasticity, -and never making a mistake, will on the road require constant watching to -prevent his tumbling on his nose.[11] - -At the same time, a horse should by no means be encouraged to lean on the -bit or on the rider’s support, which most of them will be found quite -ready to do; a disposition in that direction must be checked by mildly -feeling his mouth (with the bit), pressing your legs against his sides, -and enlivening him gently with the whip or spur. - -The _Martingal_.—The standing or head martingal is a handsome -equipment—safe and serviceable with a beast that is incorrigible about -getting his head up, but should be used in the street or on the road only. - -The _Ring-Martingal_ is intended solely for the field with a horse -whose head cannot be kept down; but it requires to be used with nice -judgment, and handling of the second or separate rein, which should pass -through it, especially when the animal is in or near the act of taking -his fences, when, with some horses, comparative freedom may be allowed -to the head, which should, however, be brought down to its proper place -directly he is safely landed on his legs again by the use of this second -martingal-rein, which is attached to the bridoon bit. - -_N.B._—If this second rein be attached to the snaffle by buckles (and -not stitched on as it ought to be), the buckles of the rein should be -defended from getting into the rings of the martingal by pieces of -leather larger than those rings. Most serious accidents have occurred -from the absence of this precaution: the buckle becoming caught in the -ring, the horse’s head is fixed in one position, and not knowing where he -is going, he proceeds, probably without any control from the rider, till -both come to some serious mishap. The rein stitched to the ring of the -bit is the safest. - -The _Running-Rein_, or other plan of martingal (from the D in front of -the saddle above the rider’s knee through the ring of the snaffle to his -hand), should only be used by the riding-master or those competent to -avail themselves of its assistance in forming the mouth of a troublesome -or untrained animal. Some experienced horsemen, however, when they find -they cannot keep the nose in or head down with ordinary bits, instead of -using a martingal of any denomination, employ (especially in the field) -with good effect a ring, keeping the _bridoon_ or snaffle-reins under -the bend of the neck; or a better contrivance is a bit of stiff leather -three or four inches long, with two D’s or staples for the reins to pass -through on each side. - -The _Chifney Bit_ is the most suitable for ladies’ use, or for timid or -invalid riders: it at once brings up a hard-pulling horse, but requires -very gentle handling. I have known more than one horse to be quite -unmanageable in any but a Chifney bit. - -The more severe bits are those that have the longest legs or cheeks, -giving the greatest leverage against the curb. By the addition of deep -ports on the mouthpiece of the bit much severity is attained (especially -when the port is constructed turned downwards, in place of the usual -practice of making it upwards), which can be increased to the utmost by -the addition of a tight noseband to prevent the horse from easing the -port by movement of his tongue or jaws. - -It is almost needless to observe, that the reverse of the above will be -the mildest bits for tender-mouthed, easy-going horses. - -_Twisted Mouthpieces_ are happily now almost out of fashion, and ought -to be entirely discountenanced; their original intention was to command -hard-mouthed horses, whose mouths their use can only render harder. - -The _Noseband_, if tightened, would be found very useful with many a -hard-pulling horse in the excitement of hunting, when the bit, which -would otherwise require to be used, would only irritate the puller, cause -him to go more wildly, and make matters worse. I have known some pullers -to be more under control in the hunting-field with a pretty tight -noseband and a snaffle than with the most severe curb-bit. - -The _Throat-lash_ is almost always too tight. Grooms are much in the -habit of making this mistake, by means of which, when the head is bent -by a severe bit, the throat is compressed and the respiration impeded, -besides occasioning an ugly appearance in the caparison. - -It may be remarked also that, if not corrected, servants are apt to leave -the ends of the bridle head-stall straps dangling at length out of the -loops, which is very unsightly: the ends of the straps should be inserted -in these loops, which should be sufficiently tight to retain them. - - -SADDLING. - -A _Saddle_ should be made to fit the horse for which it is intended, -and requires as much variation in shape, especially in the stuffing, as -there is variety in the shapes of horses’ backs.[12] An animal may be -fairly shaped in the back, and yet a saddle that fits another horse will -always go out on this one’s withers. The saddle having been made to fit -your horse, let it be placed gently upon him, and shifted till its proper -berth be found. When in its right place, the action of the upper part of -the shoulder-blade should be quite free from any confinement or pressure -by what saddlers call the “gullet” of the saddle under the pommel when -the animal is in motion. It stands to reason that any interference with -the action of the shoulder-blade must, after a time, indirectly if not -directly, cause a horse to falter in his movement. - -_N.B._—A horse left in the stable with his saddle on, with or without a -bridle, ought always to have his head fastened up, to prevent his lying -down on the saddle and injuring it. - -_Girths._—When girthing a horse, which is always done upon the near or -left-hand side, the girth should be first drawn tightly towards you under -the belly of the horse, so as to bring the saddle _rather_ to the off -side on the back of the beast. This is seldom done by grooms; and though -a gentleman is not supposed to girth his horse, information on this as -well as on other points may happen to be of essential service to him; -for the consequence of the attendant’s usual method is, that when the -girths are tightened up, the saddle, instead of being in the centre of -the horse’s back, is inclined to the near or left-hand side, to which -it is still farther drawn by the act of mounting, so that when a man -has mounted he fancies that one stirrup is longer than the other—the -near-side stirrup invariably the longest. To remedy this he forces down -his foot in the right stirrup, which brings the saddle to the centre of -the animal’s back. - -All this would be obviated by care being taken, in the process of -girthing, to place the left hand on the middle of the saddle, drawing the -first or under girth with the right hand till the girth-holder reaches -the buckle, the left hand being then disengaged to assist in bracing up -the girth. The outer girth must go through the same process, being drawn -under the belly of the horse from the off side tightly before it is -attached to the girth-holder. - -With ladies’ saddles most particular attention should be paid to the -girthing. - - (It must be observed that, with some horses having the knack - of swelling themselves out during the process of girthing, the - girths may be tightened before leaving the stable so as to - appear almost too tight, but which, when the horse has been - walked about for ten minutes, will seem comparatively loose, - and quite so when the rider’s weight is placed in the saddle.) - -_Stirrup-Irons_ should invariably be of wrought steel. A man should never -be induced knowingly to ride in a cast-metal stirrup, any more than he -ought to attempt to do so with a cast-metal bit. - -Stirrup-irons should be selected to suit the size of the rider’s -foot; those with two or three narrow bars at the bottom are decidedly -preferable, for the simple reason, that in cold weather it is a tax on -a man’s endurance to have a single broad bar like an icicle in the ball -of his foot, and in wet weather a similar argument may apply as regards -damp; besides, with the double bar, the foot has a better hold in the -stirrup, the rings being, of course, indented (rasp-like), as they -usually are, to prevent the foot from slipping in them. - -This description of stirrup, with an instep-pad, is preferable for ladies -to the slipper, which is decidedly obsolete. - -Latchford’s[13] ladies’ patent safety stirrup seems to combine every -precaution for the security of fair equestrians. - -A balance-strap to a side-saddle is very desirable, and in general use. - -Where expense is no object, stirrups that open at the side with a spring -are, no doubt, the safest for gentlemen in case of any accident. - -With regard to _Stirrup-Leathers_, saddlers generally turn the right or -dressed side out for appearance; but as the dressing causes a tightness -on that side of the leather, the undressed side, which admits of more -expansion, should be outside—because, after a little wear, the leather -is susceptible of cracks, and the already extended side will crack the -soonest. The leather will break in the most insidious place, either in -the D under the stirrup-iron, where no one but the servant who cleans it -can see it; or else, perhaps, where the buckle wears it under the flap -of the saddle. Stirrup-leathers broken in this manner have caused many -accidents. - -Invariably adjust your stirrup-leathers _before mounting_. - -To measure the length of the stirrup-leathers of a new saddle, place -the fingers of the right hand against the bar to which the leathers are -attached, and, measuring from the bottom bar of the stirrup up to the -armpit, make the length of the leathers and stirrups equal to the length -of your arm, from the tips of the fingers to the armpit. Before entering -the field, in hunting or crossing country, draw up the leathers two or -three holes shorter on each side; and when starting on a long journey it -is as well to do the same, to ease both yourself and your bearer. - -_Clumped-soled Boots_ occasion accidents. If, in case of yourself or your -horse falling, the foot catch in the stirrup, a boot with such a sole may -prevent its release. - -The _Crupper_, though now obsolete for saddles, except in military -caparison, would be decidedly beneficial in keeping the saddle in its -proper place _on long journeys_, especially where, from the shape of the -animal, the saddle _will_ come too much forward, interfering with the -action of the shoulders, and throwing the weight of the burden unduly on -the fore-quarters, thus increasing the odds in favour of a tired beast -making an irretrievable stumble. - -The dock of the crupper should be seen to that it is soft, and free from -crusted sweat and dandriff, which would naturally cause irritation and -abrasion of the tail. It should be always kept well greased ready for -use.[14] - -The _Military Crupper_, according to the rules of the service, should be -so loose between cantel and dock as to admit of a man’s hand being turned -with ease between the horse’s back and the strap. If the crupper be -intended merely for ornament, such a regulation has hardly any meaning, -for it cannot be considered ornamental to see an apparently useless piece -of leather dangling at one side over a horse’s hip; and if the intention -be to make it useful, to keep the saddle from going too far forward on -ill-formed horses,[15] or in case of strong exertion, it is obvious -that a loose strap (according to orders) could hardly serve any such -purpose. If the crupper be for use, it would appear that after the saddle -is placed in its proper position on the animal’s back (the crupper being -left at its full length for this purpose), and previous to girthing, it -should be shortened so as to _retain_ the saddle in that place under any -circumstances,—not, however, that the crupper should be so tightened as -to inconvenience the beast, and half cut his tail off; it will be tight -enough to serve its purpose if _one_ or _two_ fingers can be easily -turned under the strap. - -The _Breastplate_ may be necessary in hunting or steeplechasing with -horses that are light behind the girth, or what is vulgarly called -“herring-gutted,” and is used to prevent the saddle from getting too far -back, or, as the grooms say, the horse “running through his girths.” -Animals trained to such trying work as steeplechasing, or even hunting, -will become much smaller in the carcass than a trooper or an ordinary -gentleman’s hack. - -With dragoons this part of the equipment is generally ill-adjusted, as -if to correspond with the inefficient arrangement of the crupper, the -breast-straps being often _too tight_. Frequently, during manœuvring -in the field or the riding-school, I have seen breast-straps burst in -consequence of their tightness; and indeed it stands to reason they -can thus but interfere with a horse’s action in leaping or making more -than ordinary exertion. Their tightness not only renders discomfiture -imminent, but must drag the saddle forward out of its place. - -Altogether it might be desirable that commanding officers of some -cavalry regiments would study the pose on horseback of Marochetti’s -sculptured dragoons, or those of other eminent artists. The result -would probably be a marked improvement in the position of the saddle, -and, consequently, in the general _coup d’œil_ of our cavalry, who, -however, notwithstanding such minor defects, have always maintained their -superiority in horsemanship, as well as in efficiency, over any other -cavalry in the world. - - -RIDING. - -The seat, method of holding the hands, &c., should be left to the -riding-master,[16] with a friendly admonition to the learner to avoid the -“stuck-up,” one-handed principle to a great extent, and to take a lesson -whenever opportunity occurs from one of the “great untaught,”[17] and, -observing their ease and judgment in the management of their bearers, -endeavour to modify their own horsemanship accordingly. - -Kindness goes far in managing these noble animals. - -How is it that many horses that are unmanageable with powerful and good -horsemen, can be ridden with perfect ease and safety by ladies? The -first thing a lady generally does after mounting, is to reassure her -steed by patting, or, in riding-school language, “making much of him,” -taking up the reins with a very light hand, and giving him his head; -whereas a man usually does the very reverse; he takes a commanding hold -of the reins, presses his legs into the horse as the signal for motion, -perhaps with a rasp of both spurs into his sides, indicating no great -amiability of temper—a state of things very likely to be reciprocated by -a high-spirited horse. - -As before observed, every man ought himself to be able to judge whether -his horse is properly saddled and bridled. I must still inveigh against -misplacement of the saddle, which grooms, it will be remarked, usually -place too far forward—a mistake which is of more consequence than is -generally considered. - -Take a dragoon, for instance, weighing, with arms, accoutrements, and -kit, from fifteen to twenty stone; this weight, if allowed to fall unduly -on the fore quarter, must help to founder the charger, and bring him into -trouble on the first provocation. Let him make the least stumble, and the -weight of his burden, instead of being back in its proper place, with the -man’s assistance there to help him up, is thrown forward, keeping the -beast tied down, and preventing his rising. But, taking appearances into -consideration, the forward placement of the saddle is most ungraceful, -reminding one of the position of an Eastern driving an elephant, seated -on his bearer’s neck. - -I have seen the _tout ensemble_ of a magnificent cavalry regiment -strikingly deteriorated by the ungraceful and absolutely unhorsemanlike -misplacement of the saddles, and consequently of the men—though the -military regulation on the subject is fair enough, directing a saddle -to be placed a handbreadth behind the play of the shoulder. This -would, perhaps, be a slight excess in the other direction, were it not -considered that, in all probability, out of a hundred troop-horses so -saddled, ninety-nine would be found after an hour’s trotting to have -shifted the saddle _forward_, for one on whom it would have remained -stationary or gone back. - -It is well known that no rider should ever go fast down-hill on the road, -or round a corner, especially on pavement; but in the field, hunting or -racing, down-hill is the place to make play. - -In the absence of an attendant to hold for mounting, some horses are -allowed to contract a habit that is liable to cause accidents, of -starting before the rider is comfortably seated in the saddle. Prevent -this bad fashion by gathering the snaffle-rein (not the curb) tightly up -before mounting, and when across the saddle, and before the right leg is -in the stirrup, check any effort to move off. - -When a horse is alarmed, nothing so effectually reassures him as speaking -to him. I have myself experienced the efficacy of gently using my voice -on two or three occasions, when I admit having been run away with for a -short time. - -Though a horse ought never to be allowed to have his own way, his rider -should try every means before resorting to actual punishment or fight, -which may be sometimes unavoidable as the only chance of conquest. - -An animal requiring such treatment should be handed over to the -rough-rider for subsequent teaching, if not disposed of for more suitable -employment than that of a gentleman’s horse. - -Your bearer should not be allowed to keep a perpetual lean upon your -hand, more particularly when walking. Should he stumble while thus -leaning, he is not likely to recover himself, but will fall helplessly on -his knees. - -Keep him as self-dependent as possible, though not with a rein so slack -as to leave him to himself altogether. It is the business or amusement of -the rider to be on the alert for all casualties.[18] - -To make a horse change his foot in canter, if you find it difficult to do -so by merely using hand and leg, turn him _as if_ to circle towards that -side that you require the foot to lead—he will use the foot forward that -you wish in order to prop himself in turning. Thus, if you circle round -to the right, he will lead with the off fore foot; and if you turn to the -left, the near fore will be advanced. - -In using a curb, the rider should remember that if it is properly placed, -with a fair leverage, rough-handling of the lower or bit rein may drive a -fine-tempered animal into a state of great irritation, or even prove an -incentive to rearing;[19] and directly anything like this effect seems -to be produced, that rein should be eased, and the bridoon-rein borne -up. - -[Illustration: RIDING AT IT] - -In fencing, the snaffle or bridoon bit and rein _only_ ought to be used; -_this the rider should particularly bear in mind_. A rider with a hold -of the curb-rein in fencing, getting the least out of his equilibrium, -or giving an involuntary check to the curb, may put any well-mouthed -animal entirely out of his own way, preventing his jumping safely and -confidently, and probably causing accidents. One of several reasons why -the Irish horses excel in fencing is, that it is very much the custom in -that country to use snaffles in cross-country riding. The curb-rein may -be taken up, if necessary, after the jump is over. (Some horses, however, -are such violent pullers, that, in the full tilt of going to hounds, -where the country is close and fencing frequent, it is almost impossible -to avoid using the curb-rein occasionally in the act of jumping.) - -While touching on cross-country riding, it may be observed that many men -who ought to know better, often make a serious mistake in not leaving -hunters more to themselves than they do when going at and taking their -fences. Horses vary in their mode of progression; and whether the gait be -slow or fast, anything of a trained animal, when interfered with under -these circumstances, will be put out of his own way (which is generally -best suited to his peculiar temper or ability), in placing his legs -advantageously to make his jump with safety.[20] - -Let your horse, if he is anything of a fencer, choose his own way and -pace to take his jumps. - -In riding to hounds, if practicable, it is well to avoid newly made or -repaired ditches or fences; your steed is apt to encounter such with -diffidence; he does not take the jump with the same will, fears there’s -“something up,” and from want of confidence may very possibly make a -mistake. - - It would be well, for cross-country horsemen more especially, - to bear in mind Sir Francis Head’s observation, as applied to - riders as well as horses, that “the belly lifts the legs;” - meaning, I take it, that if man or horse is out of tone from - derangement of the stomach or general debility, he cannot be up - to the mark or fit for any physical exertion. It is well known - to steeplechase riders and men who ride straight to hounds, - that occasionally, in consequence of inertion, indulgence, or - dissipation, having deranged the stomach or nervous system, a - rider will be done up before his steed, who, oppressed with - a comparatively dead weight knocking about on his back, will - himself follow suit from want of being held together, and - probably come a burster at some jump before the finish. - -To a practical horseman the act of standing in the stirrups will suggest -itself as a matter of expediency to ease himself, when the horse is -pulling hard at or near his full galloping pace. - -The great advantage of a rider easing his bearer by walking up-hill is -treated of under the head of “Work,” page 36. - -When a rider finds his horse going tender or lame, he ought _immediately_ -to dismount and examine his feet. If a stone has become bedded between -the clefts of the frog, or got between shoe and sole, and a picker does -not happen to be at hand, a suitable stone should be sought wherewith to -dislodge the one in the foot. If no stone in the foot can be discovered -as causing the lameness, closer examination must be made in search of a -nail, a piece of iron or rough glass, or other damage to the sole. If no -apparent means of relief present itself, the sooner the beast is led to -the nearest place where a proper examination of the foot can take place -the better.[21] For the amount of work a horse can do, see remarks on -that subject, under the head of “Work,” page 35; and to avoid broken -knees, see hints on that subject, pages 51 and 141. - -_Mounting of Lady in Side-Saddle._—The mounter, being as close as -possible to the animal, should place his right hand on his right knee, -and in it receive the lady’s left foot. When she springs she should -straighten her left knee, at the same time having in her right hand the -reins, with a fast hold of the middle crutch, and her left hand on the -mounter’s shoulder to help her to spring up. - - -HARNESSING. - -_The General Mounting_, whether of brass or silver-plated (to correspond -with the mountings of the carriage), or with leather-covered buckles, is -all a matter of taste; the leather being, however, the least durable. - -_A Dry Harness-Room_ is indispensable, in which there should be shallow -presses with pegs, but no shelves; otherwise, coverings should be -provided for harness and saddles to preserve them from flying dust. - -_Style._—In pairing horses for draught, if one be rather larger than -the other, the larger should be placed on the near or left side, as -the left-hand side of the road being that on which vehicles travel, -the near-side horse will generally be going an inch or more lower than -the off-side one, and the difference of size in the pair will be less -perceptible. - -If the animals are of an even size, and one be more lazy than the other, -that one should be placed at the off side, being thus more conveniently -situated to receive gentle reminders from the whip without observation. -If one of the pair _will_ carry his head higher than the other, _his_ -coupling-rein[22] should run under that of the animal that leans his head -the most, so as to bring their heads as much on a level as possible. An -ivory ring, to run the coupling-reins through, looks and acts well. - -Both manes should be trained to flow either in or out from the pole; the -latter way is probably preferable. - -Horses left to _stand harnessed_ in the stable should be turned round in -the stalls and fastened with the T’s of two pillar-reins passed through -the rings of the bridoon of bit. Should there be no pillar-reins in pairs -belonging to the stern-posts of each stall, tie the horses’ heads up with -the rack-rein, so as to prevent their lying down in the harness. - -As a maxim, never leave a bridle on in the stable, unless in the case -where the head can be sustained by a pair of pillar-reins from the -stern-posts. Most serious accidents have occurred through neglect of this -rule. - -In _Yoking_ or “_putting to_,” the shafts of a vehicle must never be left -on the ground while the horse is being backed into them. If the shafts -touch him he will probably kick, or he may injure by standing on them. In -double harness, especially with spirited animals, to prevent the danger -of their backing, and being induced to kick by coming in contact with the -splinter-bar when putting to, first confine them to the point of the pole -by the pole chains or leathers, so lengthened as to enable the traces to -be attached (the outer ones first) to the carriage; which done, tighten -the chains or leathers to their working length. Accidents may thus be -averted. From the moment horses are “put to” their draught, until they -are driven off, some one should stand before their heads, whether they be -in single, pair, or four-horse harness. - -_Traces._—Great care should be taken in adjusting these to prove that -they are of an even length, as the least deviation in equality is liable, -by pressure on one side, to produce a sore on the neck, under the collar -of the horse that happens to be on the side of the shortest trace.—_See_ -“Jibbing,” page 87. - -The buckles of all traces and back-bands ought to be provided with -detached pieces of leather cut square the width of those straps, and -placed under the buckles the tongues of which pass through these bits of -leather; the straps, thus protected from being cut by the buckles, will -wear nearly thrice as long as otherwise, and there is nothing unsightly -in the arrangement. - -In all cases draught-horses should be placed close to their work—_i.e._, -the traces should meet as short as will just allow of the animals going -down an inclination at a brisk pace without coming in contact with the -carriage; the britching for single, and the pole-chains for double -harness, being tightened in proportion, to keep the carriage from running -on them down-hill. - -For _Pole-Chains_ and _Swinging-Bars_, see page 73. - -The _Hames_.—In order to divide the draught or pressure of the traces on -the shoulders a little, the hames might be furnished with scroll draught -eyes; this, however, has become unfashionable from being much used by -cabmen, and for rough draught. - -_Hames Top-Straps._—Care should be taken that these are perfectly sound -and strong, especially in _double_ harness, where the strain of stopping -and backing the carriage of necessity comes upon them. - -_Britching_ and _Kicking-Strap_.—It is better in single harness to -have the britching made with side-straps attached to the buckle or tug -of the _back-band_, and not to pass over the shaft (confined there by -a loop or staple as is usual). These side-straps can be tightened or -loosened according to the size of the animal, and if properly adjusted, -effectually prevent any carriage from running on the quarters. Across -the horses’ hips and through these straps, confined by square metal D’s, -passes the kicking-strap, which is attached to the tugs on the shafts by -buckles. This caparison, instead of being unsightly, is positively more -elegant than the ordinary-shaped britching, and provides a kicking-strap -at all times with the britching. - -The kicking-strap for double harness must always be inelegant, nor can it -be made as effectual as that for single harness; for which reason, if for -no other, a kicking horse should never be used in double harness under a -gentleman’s carriage. - -Britching is not generally used for double harness; but where appearances -are not regarded, it finds place amongst various other contrivances -available to make kickers, jibbers, bolters, plungers, and runaways, work -as placidly as if “they couldn’t help it.”[23] - -The _Terret-Pad_ must be left to the taste of the owner and saddler, with -an observation, that in single harness it should be ascertained that the -back-band has always free play through it; and as a precaution, it is -desirable that in single harness the belly-band be always wrapped once -round at least one of the shafts before the tug, whether the draught be -on four or on a pair of wheels. Neglect in this particular has often -occasioned accidents. The terret-pad is generally placed too far forward; -the shortening of the crupper remedies this. - -In double harness have a care that the terret-pad trace bearing-straps -are not buckled too short. I have seen fine tall horses greatly worn by -these straps being too tight, tying the animals across the back, the -undue pressure being aggravated with each elevation of the frame in the -act of progression. - -[Illustration: FIG. 1.—Front View of a Collar, with the stuffing placed -as it should be for wear with ease and safety. _a a_, rim of collar all -round. _b b_, stuffing projecting round outside of rim. _c c_, stuffing -to project inside at back of rim, for the purpose of tightening the -collar on the neck in that situation, and thus obviate abrasion.] - -The _Collar._—More care and judgment are necessary in shaping the -stuffing of the collar to fit a horse than for any other part of the -harness. The collar should not press either on the mane or on the under -part of the neck round the gullet; the pressure should be on each side of -the neck at _c c_ in figure. Collars to fit the ordinary run of horses -ought to be shaped thus, by the padding exclusive of the rim. The shape -of the rim is comparatively immaterial, but it must be strong to retain -the collar in shape. Any collar, be it ever so well shaped, should be -tried on the horse’s neck before it is taken into wear, to make sure that -it is neither too large nor too small. - -Some horses’ heads are large in proportion with the size of collar they -require; in such cases, out of compassion for the poor animal over whose -head the small collar has to be forced at the risk of injuring his eyes, -the collar, which is generally closed, should be made open at the top, to -fasten with buckle and strap. - -Under ordinary circumstances the open collars are not preferable, as -the opening and closing weakens the rim, and is likely to put them out -of shape; but as grooms have a fashion of putting the collar on with -the rigid hames tightly buckled round it, the whole process of forcing -a small closed collar over a beast’s larger head is so repulsive to him -that in time he learns to dread the very sight of a collar. The plan -of putting on the collar with the hames attached to it should never be -permitted. - -_Saving-Collar_, and description of make.—This is generally formed by -harness-makers of basil with quilted padding. More serviceable than this -will be found the saving-collar cut of single leather, from the soft or -belly part of the cow-hide. A breast-strap is placed at the bottom of the -collar with a loop and buckle at the end, through which the belly-band of -the terret-pad passes to confine the collar. - -Every owner of harness should be provided with one or two saving-collars -of this description to be used where severe work is expected, on long -journeys, or with animals new to harness. They should be open at the top, -to fasten there with two buckles and narrow straps, the tightening or -lengthening of the latter enabling it to be fitted to the horse’s size. -Some care is necessary to observe that the regular collar does not rub -the buckles of the saving-collar against the horse’s neck and make a sore. - -The saving-collar should be always kept well moistened with grease or -oil, and carefully looked to after use, the crusted sweat and dandriff -being scraped off it. In the absence of a saving-collar, the collar -itself should be watched in the same respect. - -The bridles generally in use for harness appear to require little or no -improvement. - -The _Bit_ must be equally adapted to the horse’s mouth, &c., as for -riding (page 38), except that with harness, while to all appearance using -the same kind of bit with a pair of horses, the leverage on the mouths -can be altered, by placing the billets or buckle-end of the driving-reins -high or low in the cheeks of each, according to the animal’s temper, his -bearing on it, &c. - -In placing the billets in the bit, it should be borne in mind that the -more use is made of the curb the more will be taken out of the horse; -therefore, when a long journey or severe work has to be done, animals -should be driven in snaffle, or the billets should be placed as near as -possible to the mouthpiece of the bit. - -Experience only can demonstrate the difference in the wear and tear of -the general physique, resulting from a judicious arrangement or otherwise -of the reins and bit. - -_Blinkers._—The question of “blinkers or no blinkers” can best be -answered by the observation, that if you can find horses that may be -depended upon to work safely and steadily without them, they may be -dispensed with; but as such animals are rare, blinkers are likely to -continue in general use. - -Placing crests or ornaments on blinkers, unless the latter are light -and well hollowed, and kept extended in front by stiff blinker-straps, -is a practice likely to be injurious to the animals’ eyes; in fact, all -blinkers, unless light and well hollowed, are dangerous for the eyes, and -of course the increased weight of crests and their fastenings aggravates -the objection. - -Heavy forehead-bands and rosettes, though ornamental, are anything but -desirable, as far as the horse himself is concerned. - -The _Noseband_ of the harness bridle, like the riding one, can by -tightening be made very useful with some descriptions of hard-pulling -horses.—_See_ “Noseband,” page 42. - -The _Breastplate_, or head-stall martingal, can be made useful in the -same way.—_See_ page 40. - -_Throat-lash._—_See_ page 43. - -_Reins._—Saddlers generally suit the reins admirably to the work for -which they are intended. A buff hand-piece with pullers is decidedly -preferable to plain leather, as its roughness enables the driver to have -a much firmer hold of the reins, but will become slippery in wet. - -The _Bearing-Rein_ is only used to keep up a horse’s head and give him a -showy appearance, therefore no experienced person will use it except with -that object, and it is injurious in every other respect.—(_See_ “Broken -Knees,” pages 52 and 141.) - -_Crupper._—This strap is intended to keep the terret-pad and back-band -in their proper places, and to restrain the former from running too far -forward or pressing on the withers (_see_ “Sore Withers,” page 151); also -as a sustainer to the terret-pad against the bearing-rein when the latter -is strained into its hook. Grooms have a very improper habit of leaving -the whole of the hinder part of the harness suspended in one mass by the -crupper-dock on a peg in the wall of the harness-room; this should not -be allowed. Let the terret-pad when not in use be always placed across a -proper saddle-rack, with the britching and crupper suspended therefrom; -or let them, at all events, be put somewhere by themselves. - -_To put on Harness._—First, while the horse’s head is towards the manger, -place the terret-pad loosely across the back—take hold of the tail, and -carefully turn down the hair over the end of the flesh; thus grasping and -holding the tail and its hair together in the left hand, with the right -draw the crupper-dock over it, and adjust the latter to its place at the -root of the tail, being careful _not_ to leave a _single_ loose hair -under it. Then arrange your terret-pad in the place where it should work -by shortening or lengthening the crupper-strap; which done, tighten the -belly-band.[24] - -Now turn the horse in his stall, and, your collar and hames having been -hung up close at hand, slip the wide end of the former _by itself_ over -the head. - -Leave the collar so, on the narrow part of the neck, till you place your -hames within the collar-rim, and fasten them thereto by buckling the top -strap over the narrow part or top of the collar: now turn the collar and -hames round on the neck _in the direction_ of the _side_ over which the -_mane hangs_. - -Put on the bridle and attach driving-reins, temporarily doubling their -hand-piece through the terrets. Fasten the horse thus harnessed to the -pillar-reins till you are ready to “put to.” - -_To take off Harness_, begin by removing the reins and bridle; then take -off the hames _by themselves_, then the collar, and lastly the terret-pad -and crupper. - - -DRIVING. - -In driving, a man should sit up against his work, and be thoroughly -propped by his legs and feet, with the left or rein hand held well into -his body, in front of or a little below the waist. Nothing looks more -ungraceful than to have the reins at arm’s-length, held out at a distance -from one’s chest. - -A driver should always be seated before any one else in or about the -vehicle; and having carefully taken a firm hold of the reins in his -left hand BEFORE mounting his seat, they should so remain, and never be -shifted. But should the driver be either obliged or find it convenient to -allow others to be seated first, he will then of necessity have to mount -from the off or right side, in which case he will in the first place have -to take the reins in his right hand until seated, when he will at once -transfer them to their proper position in his left. - -The whip should invariably be placed in the socket, or be handed -carefully to the driver after he has mounted. To mount with it in hand -is highly dangerous; the sight of it over the blinkers, or an accidental -touch to an animal when the driver is unprepared, may startle and set off -a team—while holding a whip in the act of mounting renders that piece of -gymnastics doubly awkward to accomplish. All turns and manœuvres may be -effected by the fore-finger (and thumb if necessary) of the right or whip -hand, either on the off or the near side rein, according as the direction -of the intended movement is towards the right or left.[25] But in driving -four-in-hand, unicorns, or tandems, insert the fourth finger of the -whip-hand between the lead and wheel reins on the side you want to pull, -to turn or direct your horses. - -With four-in-hand the general principle is, while allowing only a certain -amount of play to the heads of your leaders, to keep your wheelers well -in hand, ready for any sudden emergency, bearing in mind that it is -only with them, as they are attached to the pole, that you can stop the -carriage. - -A driver having occasion to raise his right hand for any purpose, should -first place the whip transversely under the thumb of the left or rein -hand (above, but upon, one of the reins), leaving the other hand at -liberty; indeed, the whip should always lie in this transverse position, -whether in the right or the left hand, unless when in use for correction. -Many horses are very clever at watching the whip over the blinkers, and -careless pointing forward with it may keep a high-spirited animal in a -continual fret. - -To ascertain how each horse is doing his work, judge not only by the test -of the willing horse bearing more on your hand; see also how each horse -keeps his traces. In whichever case they are slack, you may depend that -_that_ horse has no draught upon him; if tight, he is doing his share of -the work, or more. A good whip will correct the defaulter so as to avoid -annoying the other horse. There is no better criterion of skill in the -use of the whip than this. - -With the leaders in tandem and four-in-hand, and in low-seated carriages, -unless the dash-board be very high, the reins are apt to get under the -horses’ tails. In such cases, to avoid a kicking match, no immediate -attempt should be made to replace the reins while they are confined; -but a _very light_ lash of the whip on the leg will engage the attention -of the animal, and while the tail is switched up on the touch of the -lash, the reins may be released. Horses should always be kept well in -hand, unless that, upon a long and tiresome journey, some consideration -may be shown for what they have to go through. Under such circumstances, -attention may well be directed to the manner the billets are placed in -the bit (page 62). - -On the level a fair pace can be maintained, but up hill no merciful man -will ever press his beasts. When a heavy load has to be drawn up a sharp -short hill, it is not a bad plan to _cheat_ the horse out of the first -half of it by going at it with an impetus, suffering the pace to merge -into a walk without further pressure as the first impetus declines. - -When the ascent is long and gradual, horses should be allowed to walk the -whole way, which can always be admitted of on ordinary roads, where the -pace is not intended to exceed eight miles an hour, as the speed may be -accelerated when the fall of ground is reached, without distressing the -animals. - -Let a man suppose himself to be obliged to wheel a hand-cart with a -heavy burden for a given distance within a given time, on an undulating -roadway, and he will soon discover the course he would pursue to effect -his object; he would certainly save himself by going very slowly up -the hills, and make up the time and distance with most ease by rolling -the vehicle at a rapid rate down the declivities. Let the principle of -working thus exemplified be always applied to the usage of horses in -harness. - -An old driving maxim may be added, though not recommended by the metre:— - - “Up the hill spare me; - Down the hill let me run and bear me; - On the level never fear me.” - -Or, - - “Walk me a mile out and a mile in; - Up the hill spur me not, - Down the hill I’ll walk or trot; - On the plain spare me not; - In the stable forget me not.” - -I have driven a great deal in my life, and have never met with an -accident from driving at a fair trot down a moderate hill, with plenty of -road-room, and no turning to be made till after gaining the level, the -team being well in hand throughout. - -This observation applies equally to any number of horses; but with tandem -or four-in-hand the wheelers should be held particularly tight, and the -leaders pulled back. - -If, in descending a hill, the wheel can be drawn along rough stones -without the horses being also brought on them, it is desirable to avail -of such a drag. - -In such hilly countries as Wales, Devon, &c., the constant use of a skid -is indispensable. The uninitiated may not quarrel with me for reminding -them of the necessity for keeping always to their own or the left side of -the road(_the right on the Continent, in America, and other countries_). -In turning a corner, however, if it be to the left you intend going, -_before_ you make your turn get from your proper side of the road a -_little_ towards the right, if possible, and from thence make your turn, -by which means you will more easily reach the left, or your proper side, -of the new route you intend to take, besides being able to see everything -that is approaching en the other. To turn a right angle you must have -space accordingly, and it is better to make use of that which you see -insured to you than to be depending on that which is uncertain. - -It is hardly necessary to remark that it is infinitely safer to make -your turns at a slow pace than faster. Turning quickly round corners is -reckless work, but the faster your pace the more necessary it is to get -to the wrong side of the road when turning to the left _before_ you make -your turn to the new, or _before_ entering a narrow gateway or passage. -When the turn is to the right, you will keep to your own or left side of -the road. - -Where a narrow gateway has to be entered with four wheels, having brought -your vehicle fairly in front of it, place your pole directly over the -centre or bolt stone; in the absence of this guide, mark with your eye -some object in the centre, and bring your pole right over it. The wheels -will take care of themselves, if there is at all room for the carriage. - -With single harness the horse is brought direct at the gate, and kept -very straight, his hind feet passing over the centre object. - -In driving through crowded streets or in a narrow way, especially with -vehicles coming rapidly towards you, and every prospect of a collision, -take a stronger hold of your horses, and moderate your pace, remembering -that, if you cannot avoid grief, the less the impetus the less the -crash, if it should come. This result is amusingly exemplified by the -stage-coachman’s definition of the difference between the results of road -and rail accidents. Coachey says, “If even an upset occur on the road, -_there you are_; but if an accident takes place by rail, _where are you_?” - -Remember to collect your horses well in hand before you alter your -course on the road, or to cross it, in order to have them alert and handy -for any emergency. - -When travelling in damp weather, the roads being sticky, half wet and -dry, your horse requires saving and consideration, no matter to what -extent the wind may be blowing, if it goes only in the _same direction -as himself_. When the roads are perfectly dry with a light wind blowing -_against_ your horse, he travels under the more favourable circumstances. - -Neither blinkers nor bit should ever, upon any consideration, be removed -from a horse while he is attached to a carriage, whether to feed or for -any other purpose. Want of caution in this respect has been a fertile -source of most serious accidents. - -_When a horse falls_ irretrievably in harness, the driver should avoid -leaving his seat till some assistant can go to the animal’s head, who, -placing his coat or some soft substance between it and the road, to -prevent injury to the eyes, presses one or both knees lightly on the -neck, but so as to prevent the beast from rising; which done, the driver -can get down from his seat, and, availing of all the aid he can procure, -frees all the harness as rapidly as possible, and, running back the -carriage from the horse, assists him to rise. To disengage buckles easily -in such cases, instead of dragging at the point of the strap in the usual -way, force both ends of it to the centre of the buckle, which will cause -the tongue to turn back, and so free the strap. - -When a fall in harness occurs on slippery pavement such as some of the -London streets, or in frosty weather, before the horse is permitted to -make any effort to rise, some ashes, dry clay, sand, sawdust, hay or -straw, or even any old rug or piece of cloth or carpet, should be so -placed as to prevent him from slipping in his ineffectual and distressing -endeavours to recover his legs. - -_Backing._—When a horse takes to backing, and danger is threatened, if -you cannot get him forward, and have no assistant to take him by the -head, the more rapidly you bring the brute’s head to the point where -he aims at bringing his tail the better. It is a bad _habit_, however, -to give an animal, to allow of his being taken by the head when he is -obstreperous, and should only be resorted to when quite unavoidable. - -_Kicking in Harness._—When there is no kicking-strap or other means of -restraint available, and an animal seems disposed to persist in kicking, -the driver, _retaining his seat_, should direct some one to hold up one -of the fore feet (if he finds a difficulty in doing so, doubling the knee -and tying a handkerchief tightly round it) so as to prevent the foot -reaching the ground, which done, the driver may help to unharness, while -the other assistant takes hold of the horse’s head. - -_Shying._—See page 88. - -_Runaways_ are frequently checked by sawing the mouth. In such cases, -retain your presence of mind, determined to stick to the ship to the -last; if you have the luck to meet with an ascent, that is your time to -get a pull. - -A horse that has once run away, especially if, in connection with that -feat, he has met with any noisy disaster or breakage, is _never, as long -as he lives, safe to drive again_. It only remains for his owner to use -humanity and judgment in disposing of him. - -_Stubborn horses_, or _jibbers_, in single harness.—On the first -appearance of this disposition at starting, the neck should be -examined, to discover whether the fit may not have been occasioned by -indisposition to work against an ill-fitting or dirty collar, which may -have produced abrasion or tenderness of the skin under it (_see_ page -61). If the unpleasantness proceed from innate stubbornness in the brute, -and simple means do not succeed in single harness, place him in double -harness, beside a well-tempered, good worker, that will _drag him away_, -starting _down-hill_. In this manner the habit, if not confirmed, will be -overcome. In _extreme_ cases, different appliances have been used with -varied success in making the beast move on—such as a round pebble, about -the size of a hen’s egg, placed in the ear, and secured with a cord tied -round the latter, near the tip, or stuffing a glove in each ear. I have -also seen coachmen put two or three handfuls of mud into the horse’s -mouth, and rub it against his palate with good effect, or tap him with a -stick at the back of the fore legs, just under the knee. - -Letting a stubborn beast stand for hours in harness in the spot where -he has taken the fit, and, when he has become well hungered, placing a -feed of corn before him and gradually walking away with it, is a dilatory -proceeding sometimes resorted to, but scarcely worth mentioning. - - -DRAWING. - -The size of horses should be in proportion to the weight and size of the -vehicle and loads they are intended to move, upon the principle, easily -demonstrated by experiment, that weight drags weight. For instance, a -horse having to drag a cart up a hill, will do so more easily with the -driver on his back than otherwise, as the weight of the man assists the -horse against the weight he has to move. The latter part of this argument -only refers, however, to short distances, or to starting a draught. - -The higher the wheels are, and the closer together, whether they be -two or four, the lighter will be the draught. In fact, to render the -draught as easy as possible, the axles ought to be on a level with -the trace-hooks, or point of traction, or as nearly horizontal as -possible with the traces and their place in the leg of the hames. It -is self-evident that if a horse has to be pulling _up_, it is like his -having to raise a certain part of the weight of the carriage with every -step he moves; and the faster he goes, the more injuriously does this -principle operate against him. - -The point of the pole-and-chain attachment should be always so elevated -from its insertion in the carriage as to be on a level with the rings -of the hames through which the pole-chains pass. On the point of the -pole should be a revolving steel cross-tree, from eight to ten inches in -length, in the ends of which the pole-chains or leathers are inserted. -The working of this contrivance will, to any practical man, demonstrate -its utility. - -In light double harness, I much prefer using swinging-bars instead of one -inflexible splinter-bar, unless for very heavy draught. Horses should be -placed close to their work. For adjusting the traces to that effect, see -page 58. - -It should be remembered that the farther forward in a carriage the weight -to be drawn is placed, the easier will be the draught on the horse. Thus -the weight of one man at the extreme end of the vehicle (like a conductor -on an omnibus) has as much effect on the traction as that of two men on -or near the driving-seat. The deader the weight, let it be placed as it -may, the greater the trial of the horse; therefore inanimate matter is -heavier on traction than anything having life. - -Vehicles of which the lower carriage and axles are kept braced together -by a perch steadying the action of the wheels, are much the easiest on -the draught. The Americans are well aware of the advantages of such a -construction for encountering the roughness of many of their roads. Not -only are all their pleasure carriages, or “buggies,” so constructed, -but the waggons have a perch that by an admirable arrangement can be -detached, to allow of the carriage being lengthened when required to -carry timber or other lading. The perch, being in two pieces, can be -coupled by the simple contrivance of a movable iron band and pin, giving -a freedom, most desirable in a rough country, to the movement of the -lower carriage. This contrivance works well, and might with advantage -be applied to our military train-waggons and ambulance-carts. Horses -cannot but suffer from the present construction of carriages in general -use, where the axles are left unsupported and unbraced to encounter the -roughness and inequalities of the road. - -_Axle-Boxes._—Proper lubrication of the axle-boxes is too often sadly -neglected. Even Collinge’s patent will not run freely without periodical -aid in proportion to use, and it is no harm to make an occasional -examination of the wheels of a carriage when they are lifted off the -ground by setters, to see that there is thorough freedom in the working -of them, by spinning them round with one’s finger against the spokes. The -reapplication of gutta-percha or leather washers is essential, as the -amount of friction by work will wear that requisite. - -For a few days after the washers are replaced, the boxes should not be -screwed too tightly, but subsequently they should be re-tightened. The -noise of wheels joggling upon their axles indicates want of screwing up, -or of washers. - -A round tire is decidedly easier for draught than a flat-edged one. - -_Carriages_, immediately after use, should be cleaned, or at least have -water dashed over them, to prevent the mud from drying on the paint, -which can scarcely fail to deteriorate it, and give it a premature -appearance of wear. - - -SHOEING. - -Some horses are very averse to being shod, through some fright the first -time of shoeing, or bad management. It is better to overcome such shyness -or vice by gentleness or stratagem than by force of any kind. - -Some few animals even require to be cast, or placed under the influence -of the painful twitch. Before resorting to any force, however, the -following means should be tried in preference to others:—Let whoever is -in the habit of riding or exercising the horse _mount him_ when regularly -bridled and saddled, the girths being a little looser that if intended -for work; ride to the side of the forge, and there let him (his rider -still on his back) be shod the first time; on the second visit to the -forge, if it be spacious enough, he may be ridden into it for the same -purpose. - -In shoeing, the smith’s rule ought to be to fit the shoe to the foot, -_not the foot to the shoe_, according to the general practice of those -gentry. - -In London and all large towns, the best thing a gentleman can do is -to contract with a veterinary surgeon for the shoeing as well as the -doctoring of his horses. - -The night previous to a horse being shod or removed, the groom should -stop his feet, to soften them, and enable the farrier to use his -drawing-knife properly, and without injury to that instrument. - -In shoeing, any _undue_ accumulation of sole may be pared away; -judgment must, however, be used in this particular, as the feet of some -animals grow more sole than others, and superfluous increase tends -to contraction, whereas care must be taken not to weaken the sole of -ordinary growth. I am aware that great difference of opinion exists on -this subject, but I speak from practical experience of the results of -opposite modes of treatment in this particular. - -If no shoes were used, the wear and tear of work would provide for the -disposal of this accumulation, which, as nature is interfered with by the -use of shoes, must be artificially removed. - -If the frog be jagged it may be pared even, but the sound parts should -not be cut away, and on no account should the smith’s drawing-knife -be allowed to divide the bars or returns of the foot—an operation -technically called by the trade “opening the heels,” to which fallacious -practice farriers are pertinaciously addicted, because, in some one case -of dreadfully contracted feet, they may have seen or heard of temporary -relief being given by this process, with the natural result, which they -ignore, of the remedy proving itself in time worse than the disease. - -If farriers are allowed, they will almost invariably drive as many -shoe-nails round the inside quarter as the outside. This is a lamentable -mistake, especially regarding the fore feet, as the foot being thus -nearly all round confined to the shoe, its proper action is interfered -with, preventing a possibility of its natural and gradual expansion in -action from the toe towards the heel, as the horse lays his foot upon the -ground, with all weight, as well as the act of propulsion, pressed on it. - -The reason for liberating the inside quarter in preference to the outside -is, that the inside, being more under the centre of gravity, will be -found to expand and contract more than the outside, as will be proved by -the removal and examination of a shoe that has been in use three or four -weeks. On observing the part of the shoe that has been next the foot, -it will be distinctly perceived that the friction of the inside quarter -of the foot has worn a cavity in the portion of the shoe which has been -under that quarter of the foot, while the side that has been under the -outside quarter bears comparatively little evidence of friction above it. - -This being an established fact, it seems desirable that the full number -of nails should be driven round the outside quarter, and not more than -one or two (for hunting purposes) on the inside from the toe. (Six nails -altogether is the cavalry regulation.) - -If your horses are not quick wearers on the road, the fore shoes should -be removed within two or three weeks after shoeing (care being taken that -the clenches of the nails in the hind feet are at the same time properly -levelled to the hoof to prevent brushing), and let them be re-shod every -five or six weeks. - -In all foot ailments, whenever a horse is lame, although the disease -may not apparently be in the foot, let the shoe first be carefully -removed, and the shoeless foot examined by as competent a farrier as can -be procured (in the absence of a veterinary surgeon), by pincers round -the nail-holes, gently pressing wall and sole together, by the hammer -tapping the sole, and a judicious use of the drawing-knife, to detect the -possible seat of disease. - -I have known a lame horse to be brought to a reputedly-experienced -amateur horse-doctor, the cause of disease being so evidently -inflammation of the sheath of the tendon, that the animal was ordered -to be treated accordingly—viz., with cold applications; and this not -succeeding, firing the leg was resorted to, after which, the weather -being suitable, it was thought expedient to let the beast have a run at -grass. As a preliminary the shoes were removed, in the course of which -operation a bed of gravel was found to have secreted itself in the foot -of the supposed diseased leg, and the inflammation occasioned by the -gravel having gone up, caused what appeared to be _marked_ disease about -the tendon. - -Such were the results of neglecting the precautions here recommended. - -_Brushing_, or cutting, is a very tormenting weakness in the horse, -whether behind or before, and often highly dangerous in the latter case. - -The ordinary practice of farriers under such circumstances is to rasp -away the inside quarter of the offending hoof, as well as doubly -thickening the shoe under the weakened wall, leaving the toe to extend -itself forward. This is a great mistake, yielding only a temporary -improvement, not at all tending towards a cure. On the contrary, it would -be better to shorten the toes by degrees; and on no account should a rasp -be put near the wall of the inside quarter, in order to let it get as -strong as possible towards the heel. - -I would certainly allow no nails to be driven inside, but let the shoe be -fastened round the outer quarter of the foot, the shoe itself being of -equal thickness on both quarters as an ordinary shoe; but on putting it -on, it should not be suffered to project outside the inside quarter, and -the _shoes_ might _here_ be rasped to guard against rough edges, which -might injure the pastern of the opposite leg during work. - -A strong clip should also be thrown up on the outside quarters of these -shoes to catch the wall and effectually prevent them from shifting -towards or projecting beyond the inside quarter, which might cause them -to come in contact with the opposite pastern-joint while in motion. -Until the brushing be somewhat remedied, an india-rubber ring or a bit -of leather, and elastic strap round the pastern, will prevent it from -receiving present injury. If the above treatment is attended to and -persevered in, the probability is that in nine cases out of ten a cure -will be effected in course of time. - -_Corns._—Every horse-owner ought to make himself acquainted with the -part of the sole between the frog and the wall on the inside quarter -of the fore foot, called the seat of corns (_see_ pages 131 and 140), -and every time that a horse is shod or removed, in paring the foot the -drawing-knife should be used to clean away this cavity (without weakening -the adjacent wall), where the disease originates from undue pressure -of the shoe on the _inside_ quarter of that susceptible spot, or from -friction of the coffin-bone, on the inside of the sole, above the seat of -corn. The shoe ought to rest _entirely_ on the _wall_ of the foot, and -not on _any_ part of the _sole_. - -_Roughing_ and _Frosting_ is simply drawing out the old nails about -the toes and replacing them with very large sharp-headed ones, called -frost-nails. Horse-nails being made purposely of a soft metal, are unfit -for frosting, as the heads wear down so quickly. If smiths would _steel_ -the _heads_ of frost-nails, they would last much longer. This precaution -against slipping, however, is only effectual in slight frosts. In regular -frosting, the nails are carried completely round, with the addition of -sharp calkins being turned on the heels of all four feet, and sometimes -also short spikes or cogs turned down from the toes; but the latter are -common only in severe climates, though their use is quite as desirable -in England, especially to assist horses in ascending slippery hills, -where the cogs on the heels have little or no hold in the ground. Cogs or -calkins should be rasped by the smith, to sharpen them, every couple of -days. - -Although it may be inconvenient and expensive to have horses prepared in -frosty weather, it is highly necessary to do so where work is required -of them. The very extraordinary exertion that is needed on the part of -the animal to keep his feet when unprepared, as well as the fret to his -energies, takes a vast deal more out of him in one day’s work than a -month’s daily use would do under ordinary circumstances, not to speak of -the risk of pecuniary loss from accident. - -It is a most pitiable thing to see the poor beasts struggling in their -high courage and good temper to do their best, for what I can only call -cruel or thoughtless masters, to say nothing of the liability of the -animals’ breaking their knees and bringing their riders or drivers to -serious trouble, smashing harness and vehicles, &c. - -I have always found servants most ingenious in making objections to -having their horses prepared for frost, the grand secret being their -anxiety to keep them in the stable the whole time the frost lasts, that -they may be saved from the trouble of cleaning either them or their -caparison, carriages, &c. They will alarm you with the stereotyped -objections, “tearing the horses’ feet to pieces,” “driving fresh -nail-holes,” “ripping off shoes,” “his feet won’t bear a shoe after,” &c. -I never knew an ordinary sound foot to be reduced to such a condition, by -simply changing shoes, that a good smith could not fasten a shoe on. - -The only tangible objection to calkins to which attention need be drawn -is, that during their use, unless the horse is moved about in his stable -with great caution in cleaning or otherwise, he is apt to tread with them -on the coronet of the opposite foot, which is a very serious affair, -inflicting a nasty jagged wound on one of the most sensitive vascular -parts of the animal.[26] - -The _Bar Shoe_ going all round the foot is intended to protect weak or -thrushy heels. - -_Wide-webbed_ or _Surface Shoes_ are used with flat-footed, weak-soled -horses: leather being often introduced above them to save the soles from -being damaged by extraneous substances on the road. Put on with the -ordinary shoe, it is said to lessen the jar of the tread. - -_High-heeled Shoes_, when a horse is laid up, properly managed, prove a -most effectual palliation and aid in the cure of “clap of the back sinew” -(page 143). - -These shoes are made with calkins (joined by a light iron bar), which -should not be heavy, not more than an inch deep, and gradually reduced by -the smith as the disease abates. - -_Steeling the Toes_ is necessary with quick wearers on the road; but -particular cautions should be given to the smith to work the steel well -into the iron, for any protrusion of this hard metal above the iron will -occasion tripping, and possibly an irrecoverable fall. - -_Calking_ the hind shoes moderately on the outside quarter only, is most -essential to the hunter to prevent slipping, and to give him confidence -in going at his fences, and on landing. Its advantages can be well -understood by any sportsman who has experienced the difference between -walking himself a day’s simple shooting over soft slippery ground, or -taking a ten-mile walk on a half-wet road, in each case in boots with -headed nails, to enable him to have a hold in the ground, and undertaking -the same exercises in boots without nails, where one wearies himself with -efforts to keep his feet. - -I speak as a practical man, having probably come to less grief than most -others in hunting, which may be attributed mainly to the particular -attention bestowed on the calking of my bearers when I was a hard goer. -It seems an unimportant matter, but if looked into will be found to be -far otherwise. - -_Tips_, or half-shoes, which cover little more than the toe of a -horse, leaving the heels to come in direct contact with the ground, -are particularly serviceable in cases where the heels are disposed to -contraction, and, from my experience, can be used without injury in any -ordinary description of work while the frog is sound. - -The quarters of the feet being left by their use without the usual -confinement of the shoe, and being pressed to expansion on every movement -of the animal, naturally become strong and extended. Tips should become -gradually thinner, finishing in a fine edge towards the ends. I have seen -ill-made tips calculated to lame any horse, with the ends the thickness -of an ordinary shoe (though extending, which is the intention of tips, -less than half-way down the foot), as if the smith who made them expected -the heels to remain always suspended in mid air. - -_Slippers._—Regular sportsmen generally carry a spare shoe while hunting; -but if a shoe comes off one of the fore feet in the field or on the road, -and the rider is not provided with a proper shoe, he should at once -dismount and lead his bearer to the nearest forge, where an old shoe most -approaching to the size of the foot that can possibly be found should be -selected from the heap of cast ones that generally lies by in a forge, -and let it be tacked on with three or four nails only, so as to serve the -creature to get home, or until the proper shoe can be made. - -If a shoe comes off the hind foot, and the distance from home is not -above three or four miles, the animal can be led or occasionally ridden -that far without injury, especially if the softest side of the road be -selected for the track, the hind feet being generally much stronger than -the fore. - -_Travelling._—The day before a long journey, look to your horse’s shoes; -see that the clinches are well laid down and the shoes nailed tightly. -As a rule, do not have new shoes put on just before a journey, for the -least carelessness in fitting or nailing them may occasion more or less -lameness; should it be severe, disappointment and delay may result; while -if only apparently slight at starting, and the animal endure the pain -patiently during its work, the cause being in existence throughout will -produce its effects only too palpably when the day’s journey is over. If -old shoes are nearly worn, but will last the journey, let them by all -means remain on; but directly the work is over, send for any proper smith -whose forge is nearest, and have them taken off in the stable. Should -the forge not be at hand, the old slippers can of course be tacked on -when the horse, having had its rest, is taken to be shod. All shoes, for -road-work especially, should be made full long to cover the heels. It -should be borne in mind that, as the hoof grows naturally, the shoe is -brought forward and thereby exposes the heels. - - -VICE. - -In all cases where active vice, such as rearing, kicking, jibbing, -plunging, has to be combated, the work of correction is half done if the -horse is well tired in the first instance, or, in vulgar terms, “the -fiery edge taken off him,” by half an hour’s rapid loungeing, with his -neck well bent, chin into chest, on the softest and most tiring ground -that is available. For myself, if I find a horse vicious, I never think -of combating him if it can be helped, without having first reduced his -vigour a little; and all horsemen who undertake to conquer any seriously -bad habits are recommended to consider and adopt this practice, if indeed -such is not already their custom. - -_Kicking_, to the horseman, is a matter of very trifling consideration. -He may either amuse himself by letting the ebullition expend itself, or -it may be stopped by chucking up the horse’s head and increasing the pace. - -_Kicking in Harness_ is a different affair, being generally the prelude -to disaster, and must be guarded against.—_See_ page 58. - -_Kicking in the Stable._—Many animals, most gentle in other respects, -take inordinate fits of this practice, and generally in the dead of -night, as if to make up for their usual quietude on all other occasions; -most frequently they resort to the amusement without any apparent cause -of irritation whatever. They will do it when alone or when in company; -while, were it not for the capped hock and otherwise disfigured legs, as -well as the dilapidated stabling behind them, discovered in the morning, -you would think that “butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths.” In other -cases the habit proceeds from obvious bad temper or spite towards a -neighbour. There are many cures proposed for kicking in the stable. One -frequently successful is a round log of wood, four or five inches long -and about two in diameter, with a staple at one end of it, through which -a chain two or three inches long is passed and attached to a strap that -buckles round the pastern (just above the coronet) of one hind leg, or -a log in this way to each hind leg may be used if necessary. Another -means is to pad all parts of the stable that can be reached by the hind -feet. In many instances where this plan is adopted, the animal, no longer -hearing any noise suggesting to his fancy resistance from behind, will -cease kicking altogether, from no other explainable cause. For padding -use some pads of hay or oaten straw, covered with coarse canvass, and -nailed to all places within reach of his heels. Sometimes, where the -habit is supposed to arise from spite towards a neighbour, a change of -location will answer. In other cases nothing but arming all parts of the -stable within reach with furze bushes, or other prickly repellants, will -succeed. - -It will be well, in treating this vice, to try the remedies here -recommended in rotation; first with the otherwise quiet horse try the -log, then the padding, the change of location, and the prickly armour -in succession. It is a remarkable fact that horses seldom kick in the -stable during daylight; leaving a light in the stable through the night -may therefore effect a cure where all else has failed; but as light -interferes with sleep, it should be the very last resource. - -_Rearing_ is of little consequence in harness, and seldom attempted to -any extent; but to the rider it is, in my opinion, the most dangerous -of all bad habits to which a brute may be addicted. As I consider it -almost impossible for a horseman to cure a practised rearer, my advice -to the owner of such a beast would be, instead of risking his life in -the endeavour, to get rid of him to some buyer, who will place him -where, in the penal servitude of harness, he may perhaps eke out a -useful existence. However, should accident place you on a rearer, -directly he rises lay hold of the mane with one hand; this, while at once -throwing your weight forward where it should be, will enable you also to -completely slacken the reins, which is important. - -No one need be ashamed to adopt this plan. I have seen the best riders do -so. - -Vicious rearing may, on its first manifestation, be sometimes checked by -a determined and reckless rider giving a well-directed blow on the ear -with some bothering missile; but this is a venturesome proceeding, and -only in emergency should it be resorted to, as an ill-directed blow is -very likely to produce poll-evil, or knock the sight out of an eye. - -It is said that a bottle full of water, broken on the ear of a rearing -horse, proves an effectual cure; but happily the danger to the rider -during such treatment of his bearer, is a strong guarantee against the -frequent adoption of this barbarous practice. In many cases lowering one -hand with the rein on that side when the horse is just beginning to rise, -will have the effect of breaking the rear, the horse being urged forward -with the spur the instant his fore legs are down; but if, when he has -gained anything like the perpendicular, the rein or head be chucked, or -by any misfortune interfered with, the chances are that the brute will -walk about on his hind legs like a dancing dog, and most likely finish by -falling back on his rider. - -A martingal is sometimes found to be a preventive, especially a running -one. - -_Jibbing._—The disposition to this vice is generally called into action, -in the first instance, by the fret consequent on the abrasion of the neck -by the collar, or by the working of uneven traces (page 57). The use of -a saving-collar, and the careful adjustment of the traces, may therefore -obviate the propensity. - -Sometimes jibbing is the effect of bad handling when starting with a -heavy load. Where such a disposition evinces itself, the carriage should -be pushed from behind, or another horse placed beside, or, if possible, -in front of the jibber, to lead him off. - -_Shying_ may proceed from various causes, such as defective sight, -nervousness, or tricks; thus it may be the result of either -constitutional infirmity or of vice. From whatever cause proceeding, the -proper way to manage a shying horse is to turn his head _away from_ the -object at which he shies, in riding, pressing the spur to the same side -to which his head is turned; thus, if the object he dislikes be on the -right, turn his head to the left, and press your left leg, giving him -that spur, and _vice versa_, according to the side on which the object -to be avoided is found. If you have to deal with a bad shyer, your time -being precious, and you only care to get through your present ride with -the least unpleasantness possible, in addition to the above-mentioned -means, take him, if necessary, well by the head, the reins in each hand, -and saw or job his mouth rather sharply, keeping him in rapid motion till -you pass the object. - -Operating thus on his mouth _severely_, if necessary, will engage his -attention, and cheat him out of his apprehension for the moment. It -is bad horsemanship, and dangerous besides, to force a horse’s head -_towards_ an offending object while in motion; but if it is particularly -desirable that the animal should become familiarised with anything of -which he is shy, let him be brought to a standstill, and coaxed up -gradually to it, that he may assure himself of its harmlessness by -smelling and feeling it with his nose and lips, if possible. Punishment -by whip or spur—what is called “cramming” him up to a thing—is a vile -error. - -When a horse is found to evince a confirmed objection to passing a -particular place, and that he keeps bolting and turning viciously in -spite of all ordinary efforts to prevent it, take him at his own fancy, -and keep turning and turning him till he is so tired of that game that -he will only be too glad to go forward past the objectionable spot. A -horse’s sense of smelling is very acute, and sometimes a dead animal in -the ditch or field by the side of the road, though unseen, will cause an -abrupt and very unseating sort of a shy, with an ordinarily quiet beast -of sensitive olfactory nerves. - - -SELLING. - -If the horse you wish to dispose of be a fancy one, either for beauty, -action, or disposition, and a fancy price be required, efforts must be -made to obtain the fancy customer to suit, and time and attention must be -devoted to that object. But if he be of the ordinary useful class, unless -a purchaser be found at once, let the owner, directly he has made up his -mind to part with him, think of the best market available, whether public -auction, a fair, or private sale by commission. - -The public auction, with a good description of the animal’s merits, if -he has any, is the readiest and least troublesome mode of disposing of -all unsuitable property; and from my own experience, I should say that -the better plan is to make up one’s mind positively to dispose of such -the first time it is put up by the auctioneer, having, of course, placed -a reasonable and rather low reserve price on it, and provided that the -sale be fairly attended by purchasers; otherwise I should not allow my -property to be offered until a more favourable opportunity. - -A valuable and fancy animal, if his owner is not pressed to sell, had -better be disposed of by full advertisement and private sale at his own -stable. It is bad management to exhibit for sale an animal that is out -of condition; it always pays to make your horse look as well as possible -before he meets the eye of a customer. There is an old and true saying, -“no meat sells so well as horse meat”—of course animal flesh is here -alluded to. - - -CAPRICE.[27] - -All horsemen know how whimsical horses are, and the best riders feel a -certain amount of diffidence, and even awkwardness, on beginning with any -new mount, until a more perfect acquaintance is established between man -and horse. - -A horseman who identifies himself with his steed will sometimes by a -mere fluke hit off the means of having his own way with a capricious -though perhaps really well-disposed animal, if one only knew the way to -manage him. - -For instance, a first-class hunter of my own (Baronet), whose excellent -performance in the field, where I had seen him tried, induced me to -purchase him, soon gave evidence of a peculiarity for which, unknown to -me, he had made himself remarkable. No ordinary means could prevail upon -him to go through any street of a town except such as he pleased himself, -of which he gave me evidence the first day I had occasion to try him in -that way, walking on his hind legs directly his will was disputed on the -subject, even to the extent of a mere pressure on the rein at the side -he was required to turn. In my difficulty, instinct prompted me to drop -the reins and gently direct his progress with the point of the whip at -the side of his nose, and in this way he went ever after as quiet as -a sheep with me. Having discovered his caprice, I was always provided -with a handle of a whip or a switch of some kind for his benefit. Riding -him one day into Dycer’s, an old acquaintance of his, well aware of -his propensity, exclaimed in terms not complimentary to Baronet at my -possession of him, and was much amused when I told him my simple method -of managing this self-willed gentleman. - -The same sort of what I can scarcely help terming “instinct” that has -often taught me, and doubtless hundreds of other practical horsemen, -to meet the whims of their steeds so as to suit themselves, produced -a victory somewhat similar to the foregoing over an animal that, in -the presence of a large assemblage interested in his performance, most -determinedly refused to _trot_, though ridden successively by the most -skilled nagsmen Dycer’s yard could produce, as well as by Dycer himself. - -I proposed to try my hand, and the animal at first start pursued the same -uneasy half-canter with me; but perceiving that he seemed particularly -desirous to take a drink from a trough that happened to be in the way, -I allowed his attention to be distracted by taking as much water as he -pleased from it; and then turning him in the opposite direction from that -in which he had so obstinately persisted in his own gait, patting and -doing all I could to reassure him, dropping the bit-rein altogether, and -taking a very light and lengthened hold of the snaffle-rein, I let him -move off at his own pace, which, to the surprise of every one present -(my own, I admit, included), proved to be a walk, which he immediately -changed into a jog-trot all up the yard, winning for me a bet of twenty -sovereigns to one from the late Edward Dycer, that the horse could not be -made to trot within a quarter of an hour of the rider mounting. - -Now, it is only caprice that can account for the likes and dislikes of -horses about going lead or wheel in four-in-hand. One horse will not stir -till removed from the wheel, and another will be equally unmanageable -if assigned the leader’s part, while an exchange of places will perhaps -render both animals perfectly tractable. - -In double harness it may sometimes be observed that an animal, while -working by itself, or with others not faster, will casually show great -spirit, but when coupled with another possessing more life and action, it -will seem at once subdued from its former liveliness, and go along like -a slug, quite out of sorts at finding itself outpaced, &c., while its -more sprightly neighbour will exhibit a double ebullition of spirits, -as if in reproach to say, “Why can’t you come on?” To prove such cases -of whimsicality further, replace the apparent sluggard by coupling with -our vivacious steed a more lively and active animal, and you will see the -latter in his turn become subdued and “shut up,” in comparison with his -previous sprightliness. - -Again, although the animal is decidedly gregarious, a horse, from some -dislike to its companions or other whim, will absolutely pine and cease -to thrive in a stall stabled with others, and be restored to its usual -spirits and health on removal to a loose-box. Such animals are generally -restless at night, and show great ability in smashing their head-collars. - -On the other hand, most horses like company, and will pine away if kept -alone. - -These things should be studied. - - -IRISH HUNTERS, AND THE BREEDING OF GOOD HORSES. - -Much attention has latterly been attracted to the deterioration in the -superior breeds of horses, having reference more to a decline of power -and endurance than to diminished swiftness. - -There is no reason why our old fame for breeding good horses of every -kind should not be maintained. Unrelaxed attention must nevertheless -be given to some well-known and established rules respecting breeding, -and more marked encouragement might with advantage be in every way -afforded to the production and rearing of young animals of a superior -and valuable description. We would therefore suggest that prizes for -young ones should be more liberally and generally awarded at exhibitions; -likewise a careful revision and alteration of many of the present -regulations in connection with racing. - -The importance of most careful scrutiny in selecting the progenitors -of horses can never be overrated; and though in Ireland experience has -proved in many instances that a good hunter can be produced from a dam -which, in England, would be considered too small, too plain, the _blood_ -in both parents has invariably been of the best. The mare, or perhaps her -parents, might have been half-starved—no uncommon result of the scarcity -of food during many successive years of adversity among the poorer -classes in the former country—but her progenitors had been large powerful -animals. - -As, in the due course of things, it results in time that every -denomination of useful horse, excepting, perhaps, the heavy dray and -cart horse breeds, is influenced by the characteristics transmitted more -particularly to the powerful, enduring, moderately fleet animal properly -designated the hunter, it is a subject of deep interest to the community -at large to know how the latter should be produced. - -The “Irish hunter” is admitted to possess in a remarkable manner the -qualities most desirable in a horse of that or the generally useful -class. Hardy, enduring, courageous, strong, short-legged, short-backed, -long-sided, tolerably fast, but any deficiency in speed made up for -by jumping power; all action, able to jump anything and everything; -intuitive lovers of fencing; their sagacity such that you have only to -get on their backs and leave the rest to themselves;—under ordinary -circumstances it is almost impossible to throw these animals. - -[Illustration: THE PROPER FORM] - -Such is the breeding that I should be inclined to cross with that of -the powerful English race-horse as sire, taking blood as nearly pure as -possible in both parents, for the purpose of securing valuable stock, -which would in time be dispersed over the country, and replace the -progeny of those weedy thorough-breds which, in Ireland especially, have -done much towards the decline in power and endurance of the present -generation of so-called Irish hunters. The parentage might, of course, be -reversed between sire and dam. - -As to the question of climate, any one really interested in discovering -its possible effects might be curious to know what would characterise the -produce of a high-bred English racer and Irish huntress foaled and reared -in France. - -As far as we can judge from the peculiarities of those horses with which -we are most familiar, extremes of either heat or cold are unfavourable to -the development of _size_; whereas, under both conditions, a vast amount -of endurance seems to be natural. - -The Norwegian and the Arab, differing materially in point of swiftness, -are both notorious for endurance. The plodding perseverance of the first -is well known; while the Arab, ridden at an even gait with a fair weight, -will go with impunity a greater distance, at a rate of eighteen to twenty -miles an hour, than the best European can do. In sporting language, the -Arab can “stay” better than the European. - -Arab breeders rarely offer a really high-bred animal for sale under four, -and generally five, years of age; hence he cannot receive the education -bestowed upon the European racer, who, before he is three, often at -less than two, years of age, is taught by the most scientific riders in -the world to “go from the post” at very nearly top speed—a species of -training that sometimes results in his beating horses which are really -superior in every respect except that of being ready at starting, and -capable of putting on their best speed at once. Besides, in those hot -climates the young animal has not the advantage of a soft elastic turf, -so essential to training, nor has he the assistance of proper trainers -and jockeys. - -It is much to be regretted that the breeders of Arabia cannot be tempted, -for almost any price, to part with truly high-bred mares, wisely -retaining them to breed for the benefit of their native land. - -Warmth of climate seems thus, as instanced in the Arab, to favour -swiftness and endurance; though, on the other hand, we may point to the -mild, moist, but scarcely warm climate of our islands, as having fostered -the production of animals possessing these qualities in the first degree, -in addition to size and power beyond those of the Arab. - -France has latterly, since the introduction of pure blood, produced some -splendid horses; but time must tell whether the perfections of these -animals are as lasting as those of others whose early growth may not have -been so much forced by a more genial climate. Therefore, as far as we -know at present, the climate of England is as favourable as that of any -other land to the production and development of perfection in the horse, -the specimens of which that she has presented being hitherto unsurpassed. - -It would appear that we make a serious mistake in not providing greater -encouragement to breeders and purchasers of yearlings and two-years-old -of the different descriptions. A decided advantage would, we think, -result from competition among these classes at horse-shows, due care -being necessarily given to placing them in a situation specially adapted -for them, and where they would be free from noise and excitement. Nothing -would tend more to incite to the careful breeding of horses among farmers -than the possibility of obtaining handsome prizes, and thereby securing -the prospect of early remuneration; while the opportunity for market -afforded by these exhibitions would present additional inducements to the -rearing and purchase of young animals. Having in view the encouragement -of a superior breed of horses, it is beginning at the wrong end not to -support it, in the first place, by allotting at such meetings the most -numerous and valuable prizes to the babies. - -Fortunately the ventilation given to this important subject of the -deterioration in our horses, more especially in that particular class -denominated the Irish hunter, has aroused the interest of the country at -large, and already led to more earnest efforts on the part of the landed -proprietors and breeders to regain lost ground. - -It ought to be borne in mind that the light weights allowed by the -present racing laws for Queen’s plates are, as examples for weighting in -other races, most pernicious. These grants from the Crown were originally -bestowed with the view to encourage the raising of strong thorough-breds, -capable of carrying twelve stone sometimes for four or even five mile -heats; therefore the present arrangement of weights is positively, -however unintentionally, a misapplication of those public funds. - -It is probably to the turfmen that the change in the character of -steeplechasing is greatly due; they found it their interest gradually -to alter the weights and distances, so as to bring profitably into play -their second and third rate beaten race-horses. Steeplechases were not -intended for these latter, whose perfection is in proportion to their -speed. Pace is not the chief desideratum in hunters, to prove the -qualities of which steeple or castle chases were instituted; power and -endurance are at least as essential: and it is contrary to the law of -nature, as well as of mechanics, to combine a maximum of speed with that -of power, and _vice versa_. Either will preponderate to the detriment of -the other. - -The difficulties, natural and artificial, presented by the general face -of the country in Ireland, have no doubt contributed to the development -of those qualities which render the Irish hunter so valuable. The style -of fence is continually varied; and in the course of a run there will -be encountered double ditches, with a narrow or wide bank, single ones, -stone walls, brooks, bullfinches, gates, wide drains, and occasionally -posts and rails, or iron palings—hurdles being, however, of rare -occurrence; but the horse that can master the above impediments to his -course will soon find out how to jump a hurdle. - -[Illustration: PREPARATORY CANTER] - -The Irish colt has sometimes also a kind of training not expressly -designed for him by his owner; for being not unfrequently left with other -animals in a field affording an insufficient supply of grass for them -all, he undertakes to prove the truth of the proverb that hunger will -break through stone walls, by jumping over if not through one to obtain -more or better food. - -Transplanted to England, the accomplished Irish hunter often finds -himself tested in a manner strange to him; the rate of speed is greater -than he has been accustomed to, for the Green Isle has not yet adopted -generally the extremely swift pace of hounds now so much in vogue -in England, and is thence, as regards the hounds and the horses, in -unquestionably the most sportsmanlike condition. It was never intended -that hunting should become steeplechasing; and the unnatural pace to -which hounds are now forced causes them often to overrun the scent after -they have got away; then, when at fault, the entire ruck of the field -have an opportunity of coming up, to be, of course, once more distanced, -at the repeated sacrifice of the sound principles of hunting, and to the -disadvantage of the true breed of hunters. - -If breeders of horses would give their full attention to the pursuit, -there is no reason why they should not be as successful in producing the -best description of every class of this animal, as breeders of sheep and -cattle are in their line. By judicious crossing, animals can be secured -with any peculiar characteristics that may be desired; and for the -encouragement of energy and exertion in this direction, we may remind -our readers that there is now so much competition for the possession -of first-class horses, that our Continental neighbours constantly -outbid us, having learned to value them even more than we do who have -been suffering our best sires to be bought up and removed from their -native soil to improve the foreign stock. It is not impossible that, -circumstances having directed so much attention to this subject, good -will in this as in many other cases spring out of evil, and the fostering -of valuable breeds of horses will become a more widely-recognised source -of emolument than it has been for many years past, regaining, likewise, -its proper standing among Britons as a matter of deep national interest -and importance. - - - - -PART II. - - -DISEASES. - -When I had nearly completed this little manual, chance placed in my way -a valuable work called the ‘Illustrated Horse-Doctor,’ by Edward Mayhew, -M.R.C.V.S., which has borne me out in many of my opinions regarding -various diseases, and given me some useful elucidation as to the latest -approved treatment of some ailments. - -I would strenuously recommend the work for its simplicity and usefulness -to country gentlemen and other owners of valuable horses who can afford -to purchase it; they would derive great assistance from it, not only -as far as regards the written matter, but also from the spirited and -very characteristic illustrations, exemplifying more clearly than any -description possibly can do, matters connected with the treatment of -horses under disease. - -As to this little work, any remedy herein advised to be used, without -reference to competent authorities, is practical and may be depended on, -though intended to be harmless in any event. - -However, every one must be aware that doctors will differ, and some who -are critics may have pet theories of their own, which they might here and -there prefer to parts of the practice here recommended. - -It may be borne in mind, nevertheless, that diseases, like politics, with -time and occasion are liable to change their character. - -Many diseases are far more easily prevented than cured; and I must, in -the very first instance, protest against the unnatural and injurious -warmth by heated foul air, so much advocated by grooms, as a means of -giving _condition_, to produce which, food, work, and air are the safe -and natural agents. - -Wherever a means of avoiding any disease herein touched upon has -suggested itself, it is prominently set forth, in just appreciation of -the golden rule, that “prevention is better than cure.” - - -OPERATIONS. - -As all painful operations can now be performed under the influence -of chloroform, the least compensation an owner can make to his poor -beast for the tortures he is put to, in order to enhance his value and -usefulness to his master, is to lay an injunction on the professional -attendant to make use of this merciful provision, in cases where severe -pain must otherwise be inflicted on the animal. - -Rarey’s method of casting for operations, or when a horse is so extremely -unruly as to require to be thrown down, may be thus quoted from his own -directions:— - -“Everything that we want to teach a horse must be commenced in some way -to give him an idea of what you want him to do, and then be repeated till -he learns perfectly. - -“To make a horse lie down, bend his left fore-leg and slip a loop over -it, so that he cannot get it down. Then put a surcingle round his body, -and fasten one end of a long strap around the other fore-leg, just above -the hoof. Place the other end under the surcingle so as to keep the strap -in the right direction; take a short hold of it with your right hand; -stand on the left side of the horse; grasp the bit in your left hand; -pull steadily on the strap with your right; bear against his shoulder -till you cause him to move. As soon as he lifts his weight, your pulling -will raise the other foot, and he will have to come on his knees. - -“Keep the strap tight in your hand, so that he cannot straighten his leg -if he rises up. Hold him in this position, and turn his head towards you; -bear against his side with your shoulder, not hard, but with a steady -equal pressure, and in about ten minutes he will be down. As soon as he -lies down he will be completely conquered, and you can handle him at your -pleasure. - -“Take off the straps and straighten out his legs; rub him lightly about -the face and neck with your hand the way the hair lies; handle all his -legs, and after he has lain ten or twenty minutes let him get up again. -After resting him a short time make him lie down and get up as before. -Repeat the operation three or four times, which will be sufficient for -one lesson. - -“Give him two lessons a-day: and when you have given him four lessons he -will lie down by taking hold of one foot. As soon as he is well broken to -lie down in this way, tap him on the opposite leg with a stick when you -take hold of his foot, and in a few days he will lie down from the mere -motion of the stick.” - -For the purpose of handling horses more easily _without casting them_, -when slight operations have to be performed, a twitch is used, made by -7 or 8 inches of cord formed into a noose, which is attached to about -2 feet of a strong stick. The noose is placed on the upper lip of the -horse, and by turning the stick round and round, it is tightened. The -pain thus occasioned to the animal subdues him to bear almost anything, -and he can thus be subjected to minor operations while standing, but -it is also as well to place a cloth over his eyes to prevent his being -too well informed of what is going on,—a precaution which may be used -with advantage under various other circumstances, such as measuring the -height, when the sight of the size-measure as placed against his shoulder -might alarm him;—in fact, upon any occasion when it maybe desirable that -a horse should not be aware of what is passing around him; for instance, -if he is unwilling to go on board ship or into a horse-van. - - -TO GIVE A BALL. - -Turn the animal round in the stall so as to have his head to the light, -making the least possible fuss or noise. - -Stand on a stool on the off side, and, gently putting your hand in the -mouth, draw the tongue a little out; place the fingers of the left hand -over it, and keep it firmly in this position by pressure _against the -jaw_—not holding the tongue by itself, as a restless horse, by suddenly -drawing back or sideways while his tongue is tightly held, may seriously -injure himself. - -The ball, having been oiled to cause it to pass easily, is to be taken -between the tips of the fingers of the right hand, and then, making the -hand as small as possible, pass the ball up the mouth by the roof to -avoid injury from the teeth. Directly the ball is landed well up on the -root of the tongue, take away that hand, and as soon as it is out of the -mouth, let the left hand release the tongue, which, in the act of being -drawn to its proper place, will help the ball down. - -An assistant standing at the near side may be useful to hand the ball to -the operator, and to _gently_ keep the jaws open while the ball is being -given. - -Have a warm drink ready to give immediately after the ball is taken. - -It may be remarked that in racing stables, where such things are -generally well done, young and small boys will, quite alone, coolly -take spirited, and often vicious animals, and in the most gentle manner -administer the ball, unsuspected by the beast himself, who is hardly made -aware of the operation he is undergoing. - -_To give a Drench._—Turn the animal round in his stall as in -administering a ball. Use a cow’s horn, the wide end having been closed -up by a tinman. - -Pour in the liquid at the narrow end, the mouth of which should be an -inch in diameter. - -The operator, standing on the off side, should have an assistant; both -should be tall, or make themselves so by standing on _firm_ stools or a -form. - -The assistant must raise the horse’s head till his mouth is above the -level of his forehead, and keep it in that elevated position _steadily_ -while the drench is administered—such position being necessary to -facilitate the passage of the liquid down the throat by its own gravity, -the tongue not being here an available agent, as with the ball. - -The operator, taking the wide end of the horn in his right hand, can -steady and assist himself by holding the upper jaw with his left, and, -leaving the tongue at liberty, will discharge the drench from the horn -_below_ the root of the tongue if possible. - -A proper drenching-horn should be always kept at hand, and be well -cleaned after use. - -A glass bottle should never on any account be substituted for the proper -instrument. - - -PURGING. - -Whenever an animal accustomed to high feeding and hard work is from any -cause laid by, it is most desirable (in pursuance of the golden rule that -prevention is better than cure) to take such opportunity to relax the -hitherto tightly-strung bow, by administering a mild purge. - -The object of this precaution is, that the absorbents, having been -accustomed to a perpetual call as the result of perspiration induced -by work, are liable, when the beast is left at rest for several days, -and this call is thus discontinued, to take on unhealthy action, and -engender diseases, the most fatal of which is that scourge “Farcy.” - -How many a fine horse, to all appearance in the best condition, have I -seen stricken with this fell malady, from no other accountable cause -than that which it is hereby proposed to guard against; besides, every -one knows that any animal kept at rest and fed up is more predisposed to -all kinds of inflammatory attacks, and when thus visited the system more -readily succumbs. - -More than this, every practical man is aware that an occasional aloetic -purge improves the health, condition, and vigour of a horse. - -It seems as if the aloes acted as a powerful tonic and renovator as well -as purge. - -What trainer will think of putting a lusty or ill-conditioned animal into -“fettle” without employing this purge as a partial means? - -It is very dangerous to give a purging medicine to a horse without first -preparing the bowels by relaxing them moderately with bran mashes. - -This is best done by giving about three or four sloppy mashes, three in -the course of the day preceding the administration of the purge (reducing -the quantity of hay to one-third the usual amount), and one the first -thing next morning, no water or hay being given beforehand that day; -about two or three hours after the mash, administer the purge, giving -just before and after it as much warm water as the beast will drink. - -No hay should be allowed this day or night, but as many sloppy mashes as -will be accepted should be given. - -Give two hours’ brisk walking exercise in clothes about six or eight -hours after the administration of the purge, and next morning, after a -mash and watering (always with warm water), two more hours of the same -exercise in clothes; but be careful _not_ to sweat the horse.—_See_ page -155. - -If the evacuations be fully free, less exercise is necessary; otherwise, -in a couple of hours repeat the walking at a brisk pace. When the desired -effect of the medicine has been satisfactorily produced, hay and corn may -be _gradually_ resorted to. - -While an animal is under the operation of purgative medicine the water -and mashes should be warmed, and the body well protected from cold by -clothing and the exclusion of draughts. - -The ordinary purge, consisting of Barbadoes aloes 4 drachms, extract -gentian 2 drachms, is mixed into a mass by any chemist. With some -delicate horses, subject to looseness, this purge may be too strong, and -should be reduced by a drachm of aloes and half a drachm of gentian. - -On the contrary, with large horses of a full habit, 5 drachms of -Barbadoes aloes, or even more, may be necessary, with 2 drachms of -gentian. In all cases where there is reason to suppose that the mucous -surfaces of the alimentary canal may be in a state of irritation, it is -much safer to give linseed-oil, say a pint at a time, to which may be -added, if speedy purging be essential, twenty drops of croton oil. - -The use of old dry hay will be found the most simple and ready primary -resource to stop purging and steady the action of the bowels, and a very -little bruised oats may also be given in such cases. - -Should the purge appear to gripe, copious clysters of warm water will -afford relief. - - -THE PULSE - -is easily found by placing the two forefingers under the middle of the -horse’s jowl or cheek-bone. The novice can feel about here till he -discovers pulsation, and having once made himself acquainted with its -seat, he will be the better able to judge of a horse when apparently out -of sorts. - -Inside the forearm, and in other spots, the pulse is equally superficial, -but under the edge of the cheek-bone is the most convenient place to find -it, or at the temple. - -A horse’s pulse in health beats from about 32 to 38 a minute—the smaller -the animal the faster the circulation will be. - -In brain affections the pulse is slower than natural, it is quickest -in inflammation of the serous and fibrous membranes—much slower in the -mucous ones. - - -DISEASES OF THE HEAD AND RESPIRATORY ORGANS. - -_Glanders._—As there is really no cure for this horrible disease, I -will not attempt any dissertation upon it, but, merely referring to the -remarks upon nasal gleet, page 116, advise all, _whenever they have -the least suspicion about the latter_, to consult a veterinary surgeon -immediately. - -The only preventive against the disease is to keep and work your horses -in a reasonable manner, give them plenty of pure air at all times, and to -guard them as carefully as possible from contagion. - -_Sore Eyes_ should be treated mildly by stuping with tepid water, and the -use of laxatives, as mashes, green food, or a mild purge, according to -the severity of the case. Keep in darkness. If the affection is acute, -consult a professional veterinary surgeon. - -_Common Cold and Influenza._—It should be remembered that cold air -seldom gives cold, but rather its action upon the exhalent vessels of -the skin when they are under the process of sweat, and when the exercise -that produced the latter has ceased. The superficial action of a low -temperature then proves an astringent, clogging the small exhalent and -exuding vessels, and by the derangement of the whole animal system, -immediately affects the respiratory organs, producing more or less fever. - -When disease is thus contracted, it is self-evident that the best way to -meet it is by forcing these small vessels into exudation (or sweat) as -rapidly as possible, which may readily be done by exercise and clothing -upon the very first suspicion that a chill has been taken, and _before -the animal is positively affected_. Once, however, that the debility or -feverish symptoms incidental to the disease are manifesting themselves, -active but entirely different measures must be resorted to. - -The premonitory symptoms of cold, and that scourge of the stud, -influenza, are, refusal of corn, staring coat, dull eyes, at first a thin -and soon a purulent discharge from one or both nostrils, with more or -less cough; pulse wired, sometimes very weak, but if highly inflammatory -symptoms be present, thin and rapid. - -Under these circumstances, if a professional veterinary surgeon is -procurable, the case should be referred to him; but rather than suffer -an ordinary farrier to deal with the animal, I will take the liberty in -this, as in other cases, to offer simple remedies that can do no harm, -and have in my own experience been beneficial. - -Bleeding is admissible only in extreme cases, and under professional -advice, at the commencement of an inflammatory attack, in affections -of the brain, or serous and fibrous membranes—_not in mucous ones_. In -cases, however, of sudden pulmonary congestion, or apoplexy of the lungs, -general depletion is indicated. Blood-letting should _never_ be had -recourse to in _distemper_ or _influenza_,[28] neither should purging -be thought of in such cases, as it lowers the system, which, on the -contrary, requires all the sustaining power possible. - -Give at once in the most inviting small mash of bran, or in the form of a -ball,— - - 2 drachms of nitre; - -giving little or no hay, and nothing but warm mashes of bran or linseed, -if they will be taken. If the symptoms are urgent, give in a ball,— - - 3 drachms of nitre, with - 1 drachm of camphor. - -Also _well hand-rub_, with a liniment composed of equal parts spirits -of turpentine and oil mixed, all under the windpipe, the gullet, within -three inches of the ear, by the parotid glands, and inside the jowls. Use -the liniment twice the first day if the symptoms are severe, and once -each day subsequently—abating its use according to the disappearance of -the disease. - -The horse should be placed if possible in a loose-box, and being kept -warm with plenty of sheets, hoods, and bandages, the door and window of -his stable should be thrown open during a considerable portion of the -warmer part of the day, to give him _plenty of fresh pure air_. - -The head should be kept as pendant as possible, in order to induce -the throwing of the nasal discharge, which will be further assisted -by steaming the nostrils, using a very large nose-bag (if possible of -haircloth), half-filled with common yellow deal sawdust, having an ounce -of spirits of turpentine well mixed through it; or better, hot bran -mashes, of which the poor beast may be tempted to pick a little when -first applied. - -Either application must be kept at a high temperature by the frequent -addition of hot water. - -The nose-bag must be used several times a day—kept on for twenty minutes -at a time, and never suffered to remain on the animal till its contents -(which should of course be frequently changed) become cold or offensive. -Or the nostrils may be steamed as well, in a more simple way, thus:—Fill -a bucket full of hay, stamp it down with the foot, pour _boiling_ water -upon it, renew the boiling water every ten minutes. Let a man hold the -horse’s head in the bucket over the steam for about half an hour at a -time, three or four times a day. - -As recovery progresses, _gradually_ resume ordinary feeding—remembering -that in this, as in all cases of illness where the constitution has been -debilitated, it has to be carefully rebuilt by food and suitable exercise -to fit the animal for work. It should be borne in mind that respiratory -diseases appear to be _very contagious_, for which reason, if for no -other, the patient on the first outbreak of distemper should be removed -away from the rest of the stud to a loose-box, if practicable; the -stall he leaves should be cleansed, and all his utensils kept _rigidly -separate_. - -White-wash and chloride of lime are useful and simple as disinfectants. - -This disease is more easily prevented than cured, and horse-owners do -well to avoid leaving an animal when heated, or after exercise, standing -unclothed in the cold or in a chilly draught. Also be careful about -transferring a horse suddenly from total exposure at grass, or from a -healthy airy stable to an ill-ventilated and crowded one. - -Though influenza or distemper are often considered to be epidemic, -contagion should be, as before observed, most carefully guarded against. -Some professional men hold these two designations to represent distinct -diseases. In influenza the animal becomes speedily attenuated, and the -whole system appears disordered and debilitated, occasionally with -lameness, as if from fever of the feet. - -There is generally one mark which may be permitted to be peculiar as -distinguishing some forms of influenza, particularly in certain seasons -during its prevalence, which is that of the mucous surfaces assuming a -yellow colour all over the body, and the white of the eye being also -tinged with that hue. - -When influenza assumes a serious character, the professional man must -be left to deal with it; but pending the arrival of such assistance, -the treatment here recommended can do no harm, the primary seat of the -disease being that of the respiratory organ. - -_Laryngitis, Bronchitis, Pleurisy._—I will not attempt to enter into -descriptions or prescribe separate modes of treatment for these and other -diseases of the respiratory organs, such delicate distinctions belonging -exclusively to the professional man; but while awaiting his advice, the -treatment recommended for common cold and influenza can do no harm in any -attacks of the upper air-passages; and when the lungs or cavity of the -chest appear to be affected, that advised as follows for inflammation of -the lungs is equally harmless:— - -_Inflammation of the Lungs_ or _Pneumonia_ is indicated by great -prostration and high fever, heaving of the flanks (an evidence of great -internal anguish); the legs are spread out to their fullest extent, as -if to prop up the body and prevent it from falling; the breathing is -difficult, and respiration quick; extremities cold; pulse quick and -hard, like wire to the touch; a look of pain and wretchedness marks the -countenance.[29] - -Such symptoms can be safely treated by a professional man only; but if -his services cannot possibly be procured, rub in a powerful mustard -poultice over the lungs, the seat of which I cannot better describe -to the uninitiated than as situated beneath that portion of a horse’s -surface which would be covered by a saddle if placed on his belly -directly underneath the situation it would have occupied on his back, -the pommel being close to the fore legs, omitting to blister the portion -of the belly which would be covered by the cantel of the saddle when -reversed, but continuing the blister between the fore legs to the front -of the chest. - -The hair need not be clipped off before the application of this poultice. -Give every six hours, till the arrival of the veterinary surgeon, from 30 -to 40 grains of ordinary grey powder mixed and administered in the form -of a ball.[30] Or, in place of grey powder, give Fleming’s tincture of -aconite, eight drops every hour in half a pint of cold water, until the -arrival of a veterinary surgeon. - -Let the animal have an _additional quantity_ of the purest air, with an -increased supply of clothing, and in cold weather the temperature should -be slightly moderated. The symptoms of recovery are denoted by gradual -cessation of heaving at the flanks; the extremities getting warmer; the -pulse less quick—softer to feel; and the animal appearing more lively. - -His strength must be kept up after the first day or two by drenches of -gruel, till mashes will be accepted. - -_Cough_, as before observed, generally accompanies influenza, distemper, -and common cold, but there are instances where cough may be present with -little or no fever or other derangement, in which case change of food -from corn to bran or linseed mashes, with a limited allowance of wetted -hay or chaff, may be sufficient to cure. - -As a rule, grooms should understand that when coughing is heard, they -are to give bran or linseed mashes till further orders; nor should an -animal suffering from cough be expected to do any but very light work or -exercise (every care being taken to avoid his being chilled), bran mashes -not affording sufficient sustenance to do heavy work upon. - -No person or owner should be satisfied with the state of his horses’ -health while they cough. Linseed mashes daily (page 23) will be found -excellent to ease and cure cough, also carrots and green food; but when -the cough is accompanied by fever, or other symptoms of ailment, treat -as for influenza, distemper, cold, or sore throat, as the indications of -derangement may direct you. - -_Nasal Gleet_ may possibly be occasioned by protracted irritation of -diseased molar teeth; but if persistent, especially of a thin, ichorous, -glairy, or size-like character, and confined to one nostril, generally -the left, the glands under the jaw being swollen and tender, the -Schneiderian membrane or mucous lining of the nose having a dull, pale, -or leaden hue, it should be looked on with suspicion, particularly if -confined to one nostril, and more so if the discharge adhere round the -rim of it. Cough is seldom present with glanders. - -In such cases consult a veterinary surgeon without a moment’s delay, and -be careful to prevent any part of your own body, or that of any other -person, coming in contact with such a discharge. It is very probably -incipient glanders of the most insidious and dangerous character. - -To more clearly distinguish the dangerous from the harmless gleet, it may -be remarked that when the discharge is thick and purulent, yellow, and in -full flow, and without a disposition to adhere to the nostril, though the -most alarming in appearance, it is least to be apprehended, proceeding -naturally from a heavy cold in the head, which, however, should of -course meet with immediate attention.—(_See_ “Cold, Influenza,” page -110.) For the prevention of nasal gleet, observe the same precautions as -those recommended against cold, &c. (page 109), and keep your horses as -much as possible to themselves. - -In travelling, horses run great risks, and, of course, such diseases are -less likely to be contracted in first-class hostelries than in inferior -and hack stabling. - -_Poll-Evil_ is generally occasioned by a bruise on the head, behind -the ears, near the neck, by pressure of the head-stall, &c. (_see_ -“Haltering,” page 16), when, if great care be not exercised to cure -the sore promptly, sinuses or cavities will form, eating away into the -more important parts of the adjacent structure. Here, also, unless an -immediate cure be effected by the means directed for the treatment of -sores (_see_ “Water-dressing,” page 160, and “Zinc Lotion,” page 158), -accompanied with the removal of the head-stall or any aggravating -pressure, the veterinary surgeon ought to be consulted at once. - -Avoiding the causes will be the best preventive of this disease. - -_Shivering Fits_ in general precede or are the commencement of a feverish -attack; therefore, in such cases, no heating food must be allowed. -Substitute hot mashes, increase the clothing, and administer a febrifuge, -as nitre, 2 drachms, repeated in two hours. Or, if nitre in the mash will -not be accepted, give two ounces of sweet spirits of nitre in half a pint -of cold water. - -_Shivers_ in the stable, proceeding from nervous sensibility, are -frequently the result of recent excitement, caused by a band, an organ, -or other unusual noise, or even by the sudden entrance of the beast’s own -attendant, the bounding of a cat, &c. - -_Strangles_ generally attacks young horses about the age of maturity, or -when first stabled. Debility gradually possesses them; the throat, and -particularly the parotid glands under the ears, are sore and swelled, -tending to distinguish this disease from ordinary cold and influenza; -a discharge from the nose is also present. The sooner the suppurative -process can be induced in the throat the better. - -For this purpose rub in turpentine and oil (one part turpentine to two -parts oil) once or twice a-day, which, when the skin becomes tender, must -be carefully done with a sponge. - -When the suppuration is ripe, a professional man should let it out with a -knife, and recovery speedily ensues. - -As great debility is attendant on this disease, the system should be kept -up by bruised and scalded corn, and the appetite tempted in every way by -green meats, minced carrots, &c., if requisite. Plenty of air is also -essential. - -It ought to be superfluous to remark that under such circumstances -neither bleeding, purging, nor reducing means of any kind should be -adopted, the bowels being merely kept open by bran and occasional linseed -mashes, which will assist the mucous surfaces. The chill to be taken off -the drink. - -_Soreness of the Throat_ frequently accompanies distemper or cold, and is -indicated by want of appetite, constant endeavour to swallow the saliva, -_difficulty in imbibing liquids_, which, instead of going down the -throat, appear to be returned through the nostrils, noisy gulping, &c. - -Rub the throat at once with a mixture of equal parts turpentine and oil, -and keep up the irritation on the skin. - -Administer 2 drachms of nitre once or twice the first twenty-four hours, -the animal being, of course, laid by from all work, and placed in a -loose-box; let him be fed on bran and linseed mashes, and given green -food, carrots, and anything that will tempt his appetite. - -Avoid purging, bleeding, or anything that will lower the system—a rule to -be most particularly observed in all diseases of the respiratory organs, -unless severe inflammation be present, when a professional man only can -judge to what extent the lowering process may be necessary. - -_Broken Wind_ is caused by a large number of the air-cells of the lungs -becoming fused, as it were, into one large air-cell, thus diminishing the -aërating surface, and rendering the lungs weaker. It is indicated by a -sudden inspiration and a long, almost double, expiration; the flanks and -abdomen are observed to suddenly fall down, instead of being gradually -expanded. - -Broken wind is, in fact, emphysema of the lung, and there is said to be -no absolute cure for it; but it may be alleviated by restricting the -animal in hay and water, and giving the latter only in small quantities, -not more than half-a-pint at a time, and moistening all food. - -Take care he does not eat his bed, which he will make every effort to do. -He should have no straw about him in the day, and be muzzled at night. - -_Lampas_ does not belong properly to these diseases, indicating some -derangement in the alimentary canal, but is here mentioned to guard -against a brutal practice commonly resorted to by farriers as a cure for -the disorder. - -The groom complains that his charge is “off his feed,” and fancies that -the palate is swollen more than usual—the fact being that he never -examined it at any other time; and the farrier proceeds to cure the -rejection of food by searing the poor beast’s mouth with a red-hot iron, -or scarifying it with a knife. The reasonable treatment of an ailment -proceeding from heat or disorder of the stomach will be to withhold all -heating food, at all events to a great extent, giving occasional mashes, -also tonics and alteratives, the latter to those of full habit, the -former in cases of evident debility. - - -DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE AND URINARY ORGANS. - -_Diarrhœa_ and _Dysentery_.—The first (diarrhœa, or mere looseness) is, -in the horse, seldom more than a temporary debility. In many cases it is -an effort of nature to relieve herself, and will probably effect its own -cure. - -The symptoms require no definition, except that it may be remarked -that they are almost invariably unaccompanied by pain or any other -inconvenience. Rest, and the use of more astringent food, and leaving a -piece of chalk in the manger (which, with horses subject to diarrhœa, -should never be absent), will in all probability arrest the attack, which -may, to a certain extent, proceed from a predisposition to acidity. - -Animals disposed to this disease should be fed on a drier description of -food. - -_Dysentery_ is, on the contrary, a highly dangerous illness, accompanied -with pain. - -It mostly commences with excessive purgation, the evacuations being mere -foul water in appearance, and stinking. The beast will drink greedily; -the pulse is weak; great anguish of body perceptible, the perspiration -breaking out in patches. - -On the first appearance of such dangerous symptoms, procure the -assistance of a professional man; but in the interval the following -drench may be given:— - - Laudanum, 1 oz. } Mix. - Powdered chalk, ½ oz. } - - or, - - Catechu, powdered, 1 drachm. } Mix. - Chalk, ½ oz. } - - or, - - Sulphuric ether and laudanum, of each one ounce. - -Also injections of cold linseed-tea. The dose may be repeated in three -or four hours, if medical assistance does not arrive. As great care -is necessary in the diet, as well as general treatment, after partial -recovery, everything should be done under professional advice. - -An attack of dysentery is very likely to be caused by the existence of -some acrid matter in the intestines, or by an overdose, or too constant -use, of aloes. - -As with diarrhœa, horses predisposed to dysentery ought always to have a -lump of chalk in the manger, and constant or over-doses of aloes should -be avoided. - - -COLIC AND GRIPES. - -As these diseases are sudden, and require prompt treatment, it is well to -have some idea of the kind of remedy to be employed, pending the arrival -of the veterinary surgeon. Some animals are peculiarly subject to them, -from a susceptible state of the alimentary canal. Cold water, taken on an -empty stomach, or when a beast is heated, will cause the malady. - -The symptoms are distress, evinced by pawing, lifting of the fore and -hind feet towards the stomach, the head being turned towards the sides, -with a look of anguish; a cold sweat will sometimes bedew the body. A -desire to lie down may be exhibited, and when on the ground the animal -rolls about in evident agony. The upper lip is strained upwards from the -teeth, almost closing the nostrils, and the pulse indicates derangement -of the system. - -When the true character of the ailment has been ascertained, it is well -to inquire as to the character of the evacuations. If they are in a lax -state, and a cause for the same can be discovered, of course discontinue -it, and use astringent clysters for the bowels (page 159). If there -be reason to apprehend that some offending matter is retained in the -alimentary canal, use emollient laxatives and clysters (pages 158 and -159). But if anything like costiveness is present, and other remedies -fail, recourse must be had to that of “back-raking,” a process which -need not be here explained, being well known to every experienced groom, -any one of whom may safely be intrusted with the operation, the only -necessary precaution being to have rather a small hand used, and that -_well_ lubricated with lard or oil. Let all the fæcal matter that can be -reached be carefully extracted. Afterwards a warm enema, composed of one -pint of turpentine mixed in two quarts of hot soap-suds, and a soothing -drench of - - 1 oz. sulphuric ether, - 1 oz. laudanum, - 1 pint oil, - -will be found efficacious. - -In the early stages, “gripes,” as they are called, may be cured by simply -“back-raking,” followed by a drench of a bottle of ale, warmed and mixed -with one ounce of powdered ginger, and a brisk trot in heavy clothing. - -Under highly inflammatory symptoms, the professional man attending will -probably bleed. - -To guard against colic, avoid giving cold water when the beast is heated, -or on a fasting stomach. With horses subject to gripes the water should -always be given with the chill off, if possible, or just previous to a -good grooming or other gentle exercise tending to circulate internal -warmth. Never allow any animal the opportunity of gorging himself with -any kind of food after the stomach has been weakened by extra-severe work -and long fasting. - -For costiveness only give soft bran or linseed mashes, or green feeding; -and see treatment for excessive or painful costiveness, page 122. - - -DIABETES, - -or profuse staling, is unfortunately a common disease, and is generally -attributed to something wrong in the water, but bad provender may -occasion it. - -Thirst is generally very great. - -Give catechu, 2 drachms at a time, two or three times daily, in mashes. - -Change the food or water, whichever on examination seems most -objectionable. Give no hay or grass, but plenty of linseed tea to drink; -give _good_ bruised or scalded oats, with a small quantity of warm bran -mixed in each feed, and leave a lump of chalk in manger: or administer -diluted phosphoric acid, one ounce to one pint lukewarm water, twice -daily, till the symptoms abate, then gradually reduce the dose.[31] - -A horse once found to be subject to this disease should be very carefully -fed and watered. - - -WORMS - -are indicated by a state of the coat called “hide-bound” and “staring,” -with loss of condition and indisposition to work; by a slimy mucus -covering the dung-balls; also occasionally by the adherence of the -parasites round the anus, and thin evacuation in the fæces. - -They cling so pertinaceously to the internals, that they will eat through -the coat of the stomach, and are never likely to be removed by a single -dose of any medicine. Spirit of turpentine is highly recommended as a -cure, but if given it must be diluted largely—one part turpentine to four -parts oil. - -Practical experience of various remedies for worms justifies me in -recommending one to two grains of arsenic and twenty grains of kamela -twice daily (each dose mixed in a handful of wet bran, and given with -oats or other feeding) for eighteen days, and a purge the nineteenth -morning. - -The horse may get _moderate_ work during the administration of the -_powders_. - -Common salt is also considered a good remedy: about a tablespoonful daily -mixed with the food. - -To guard against these pests, avoid the use of Egyptian beans; but -as “bots” are mostly taken in at grass by the animal licking off and -swallowing their larvæ laid in the hair of the legs, it is almost -impossible to exclude them. In a few cases they are bred in the internals -without any accountable cause, and against this no precaution can avail. - -_Liver Diseases_, or the farriers’ “Yellows,” so called from the fact -that such cases are marked by the eyelids, linings of the nose, and lips -when turned up, being found to be tinged more or less with yellow. - -Here mercury must be administered, and aided by subsequent purging, as is -necessary with the human subject. - -Thus, give half a drachm to a drachm of calomel mixed in a little flour, -and put in a mash of bran one evening, and next morning follow it up with -the aloes purge-ball (page 108). - -If the “yellows” be very marked, with other derangement of the system, -give for two days one drachm of calomel daily in doses of half a drachm -each, mixed in mashes as described above; and after two drachms have been -taken in this way, administer on the third morning the aloetic purge. - -_Inflammation of the Kidneys and Bladder._—With regard to internal -inflammation arising from various causes, the symptoms of distress -bear a general resemblance to each other: legs spread out, extremities -cold, breathing accelerated, and a look of pain pervading the animal’s -whole appearance, except that in diseases of the urinary organs there -is generally a straddling gait; and on observance of the genitals, some -marked action in this region on the part of the beast will be discovered. - -Such attacks can only be properly treated by a professional man, -therefore lose no time in procuring his services; but, in the meanwhile, -I shall observe that inflammation of the kidneys is, sad to say, too -common to admit of its being passed by without offering some caution and -advice regarding it, more for the purpose of prevention than cure. - -Disease of the kidneys is generally brought on by the _misuse_ by grooms -of their favourite diuretics; a dose of nitre to “fine his legs,” or -“bloom his coat,” or for any other purpose to save themselves trouble, -is the groom’s specific for the poor creatures under their care; but -so injurious are diuretics that masters ought to make their secret -administration, as commonly practised by the class referred to, a case of -instant dismissal. - -The kidneys of the horse are peculiarly susceptible of action; so much -so, that purges frequently, in place of acting as intended, will take -effect on them. - -It should, besides, be borne in mind that while the kidneys are in -artificial action and secreting an extra quantity of urine which is being -passed away, the creature should have the same opportunity of rest, and -as much consideration given him, as if he were in a state of purgation. -The secretion is blood in its changed form, and is a serious call on the -system. All this does not enter into the head of an ignorant groom, who, -on the contrary, will work or treat the poor suffering creature as if he -was in his best vigour. - -Inflammation of the kidneys is marked by an appearance of general -distress—hind legs straddled, the backbone hogged, urine small in -quantity, tenderness over the loins when pressed. - -If a practitioner be not procurable, immediately place warm mustard -poultices over the loins, and cover them with sheepskins. - -Give half a drachm extract of belladonna with half an ounce laudanum in -a pint of linseed tea every four hours, and inject constantly with warm -linseed tea. - -_Inflammation of the Bladder_ presents very similar symptoms to that of -the kidneys, only that the bladder being farther away from the backbone, -instead of the latter being hogged, it is rather depressed. In this -case, as in inflammation of the kidneys, call in the veterinary surgeon; -meanwhile give the drink recommended for the kidneys, and though the -surgeon’s decision is desirable with regard to mustard blistering, the -use of this counter-irritant should not be too long delayed; therefore, -in the event of his non-arrival within an hour or so, apply mustard -blister to the stomach far back (between the flanks), as being nearest -the seat of this disease. - - -DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. - -Once more the old proverb that “prevention is better than cure” deserves -to be dwelt upon, for very many diseases under this head can be -prevented, and very few can ever be cured. - -Generally speaking, the fore feet and hocks of a horse are the most -susceptible of disease induced by wear and tear—the fore feet, because -the greater part of the weight of the animal is borne upon them; and the -hocks behind, because they are the propelling power. - -It is remarkable in cases of lameness, that when the disease is seated in -the feet, the lameness becomes temporarily aggravated on work; whereas -if it proceed from disease in the legs, it becomes apparently less after -the limbs have been worked a while. With regard to animals keeping their -condition while labouring under lameness, experience has taught me that -horses lame in the fore feet will, if able to work at all, continue to -do so without apparently losing condition from the fret of lameness; but -when the hind legs are the seat of disease, the condition evaporates very -rapidly. This, I imagine, is because an animal lame in the fore feet will -lie down and take more rest than when sound; whereas if lame behind, he -will not take sufficient rest, as rising and lying down cause him pain; -hence he continually stands, and, of course, aggravates the disease. - -[Illustration: FIG. 2.—Section of Foot.] - -The foot is thus sectionised and described by Delaware P. Elaine, Esq.:— - -“On examining a perpendicular section of the foot and pasterns, there -appear the coffin-bone (_a_), the navicular or nut bone (_b_), the -coronary or little pastern bone (_c_), the large pastern bone (_d_), the -back sinew or great flexor tendon of the foot (_e_), the same tendon -sliding over the navicular bone (_f_), its termination or insertion into -the bottom of the coffin-bone (_g_), the elastic matter of the sensible -frog (_h_), the insensible or horny frog (_i_), the horny sole (_k_), -which includes the parts of the sensible foot; the outer wall of the hoof -(_l_), the elastic processes (_m_), the attachment of the extensor tendon -to the coffin-bone (_n_), and its attachment to the coronary bone (_o_), -which completes the section. - -“The coffin-bone (_a_) adapts itself to the figure of the hoof, or rather -is adapted by nature to this eligible form. The eminence in its front -receives the insertion of the tendon of the great extensor muscle of the -foot. This important muscle has its upper attachment to the humerus or -arm-bone, where it is principally fleshy; but as it passes downwards it -becomes tendinous, expanding over every joint, both to prevent friction -and to embrace and give firm attachment to each bone with its opposed -bone, by which a firm connection of the various parts is maintained, and -a simultaneous movement of the whole limb is effected. In the hinder limb -this extensor tendon and its two less or tendinous adjuncts arise from -the tibia, and in part from the femur, but in their origin are fleshy. - -“In the sides of the coffin-bone are attached lateral cartilages, and -around its surface are marks of the attachment of the laminated substance. - -“The coronary, or small pastern bone (_c_), is seen to rest on the -coffin-bone (_a_), with which it articulates by its lower end; its -posterior part also may be seen to be closely articulated both with the -coffin and with the navicular or nut bones (_f_), whose attachments to -them are effected by ligaments of great power and some elasticity. Nor is -it possible to view this horny box and its contents without being struck -with the admirable display of mechanism and contrivance which meets our -eye. We are apt to say, ‘as strong as a horse,’ and some of us use horses -as though they were made of imperishable stuff; but surely, when we well -consider the subject, we shall see both the necessity and the morality of -using them with discretion.” - -This description of the structure of the foot will probably better enable -the uninitiated to understand the seat and nature of various ailments of -that part of the horse which are here touched upon. - -[Illustration: FIG. 3.] - -[Illustration: FIG. 4.] - -Blaine further describes the construction of the hoof thus:— - -“The hoof itself is conical, or rather, as Clark observes, slightly -truncated, and is a secretion as well from the vascular parts of the foot -as from the skin, as our nails are formed from the portion of skin called -quick. The structure of the hoof is firm and fibrous. Externally it is -plane and convex, but internally concave and laminated. The quarters -are the lateral parts. As the horn approaches the heels it becomes soft -and is reflected inwards. The heels are parted by the horny frog (_b_, -fig. 3); and without, the frog on each side the hoof inflects its fibres -to form the bars which are seen on the under surface (_c_, fig. 4). In -a healthy foot, fig. 4, the heels are round, wide, and smooth (_a_, -_a_), the frog fully expanded, the bars or binders distinct (_c_, _c_), -no corns in the usual angle (_d_), the sole broad and concave (_d_). -In a diseased foot, fig. 3, the heels are high, and drawn together -by contraction (_a_, _a_), the frog narrow, and filled with fissures -from contraction and thrush (_b_), corn frequently present (_d_), the -sole greatly shortened in its transverse diameter, which is morbidly -counterbalanced by the increased heights in the truncated form (_c_). -When the hoof is removed, the sensible or fleshy sole (_h_, section of -foot), above which it immediately lies, presents itself, covering the -whole of the horny sole, except so much as is taken up by the sensible -frog (_h_). This part is exquisitely sensible and vascular, and thus -we learn why injuries to it from puncture produce such serious effect, -and why very slight pressure from contraction of the hoof gives so much -pain. The sensible frog and the sensible sole form the insensible frog -and sole; but when from pressure, too much moisture, or other causes, -the sensible frog, instead of forming horn, secretes pus or matter as in -thrush, the structure of the whole becomes injured, and the frog, thus -losing its support, gradually wastes and decays. It is therefore evident -that no thrush can be entirely harmless, as is erroneously supposed. - -“Above the sensible frog is the great flexor tendon, or back sinew, -inserting itself into the vaulted arch of the coffin (_a_, section of -foot). This important tendon, arising from its parent muscle above the -knee, whose origin is taken from the humerus and ulna, in its passage -unites with an assistant flexor, but which latter is principally -distributed to the pastern bones, while the perforans, so called because -it is perforated by the assistant flexor tendon, is inserted into _the -vault_ of the coffin; in the posterior extremities the attachments of -these two leading flexors and a smaller _lateral_ one are from the femur -and tibia. - -“_The Sensible Laminæ._—Around the surface of the coffin-bone, it has -been noticed that there are linear indentations to which about five -hundred fibro-cartilaginous leaves are attached. Each of these is -received between two of the horny lamellæ, which line the interior of the -horny hoof; and when it is considered what a vast surface of attachment -is formed by these means, the strength of the union will not be wondered -at. No common violence can separate these parts, and their use as a -spring (for they are extensile) to support the action of an animal at -once weighty, strong, and extremely agile, must be apparent. - -“The vessels and nerves of the foot are derived from the metacarpal -arteries, veins, and nerves, which pass behind the pastern, when the -main trunks divide to proceed to each side of the foot, and are ramified -from thence throughout. It is a division of the metacarpal nerve on each -side of the lesser pastern, or on each side of the larger, as occasion -suits, which forms the nerve operation now in vogue as a remedy (?) for -navicular disease.” - -_Laminitis_, or _Fever of the Feet_, although generally the result of too -long a journey, or any exercise where excessive and continuous concussion -has been occasioned to the feet, frequently arises from other causes. It -is often what is termed secondary, as one of the sequelæ of inflammatory -diseases of a more constitutional character.—(_See_ “Metastasis,” page -155.) The laminæ are plates (technically, semi-cartilaginous leaves -received between the horny lamellæ which line the interior of the hoof) -resting on the inside of the horny hoof, and giving an elastic support, -whereby the whole weight of the horse’s structure is thrown against the -wall of the hoof and kept off the side. It is not surprising, therefore, -that these causes should produce derangement here. - -As laminitis generally attacks the fore feet, the poor beast in his -anguish endeavours to throw his weight off them by resting on his hind -quarters, which are tucked under him, with the fore legs and feet pushed -out before him merely to keep him from falling; he can barely hobble if -he attempts to move. If the fever be only slight and in one foot, he will -point it, while extreme lameness and unnatural heat in the foot mark the -disease. The shoe should (in this as in all cases of foot-lameness) be -instantly removed by a smith brought to the stable instead of giving the -poor creature the pain of limping to the forge. - -The foot should be put into cold water, constantly renewed, and kept in -it all day; at night a bran poultice or water-dressing should be left on -(_see_ “Water-dressing” and “Poultices,” page 160). Also administer a -purge. - -In acute cases, bleeding at the toe is sometimes practised by paring -away there till the veins appear. This is a very questionable remedy, -and there is little doubt that the use of the knife only aggravates the -inflammation. - -The fact is, that beyond its incipient stage none but the veterinary -surgeon is competent to deal with this disease. - -Its prevention is best secured by requiring moderate work only, and at -the proper road-paces—viz., walking and trotting—keeping the feet moist, -wetting them occasionally during a long journey, and _regularly stopping -them directly after each day’s severe work_.—_See_ “Grooming,” page 12. - -_Navicular Disease_ is, unfortunately, a very common one with horses; and -when the delicate structure of the foot is considered in connection with -the rough usage the creature gets on hard roads while carrying a heavy -weight on his back, it is only surprising that the feet bear such jarring -at all. - -The navicular is the small pulley-bone over which the flexor tendon -passes, and being the most active of any of the foot-bones, is the most -likely to be injured by ill usage (_see_ page 128). The symptoms are -lameness, with more or less pointing of the foot when at rest, and heat -towards the quarters of the lame foot. - -Unlike laminitis, the lameness is inconsiderable at first, and increases -as the disease progresses. - -Being so deep-seated, it is very difficult to cure. In the incipient -stages the most effectual remedy appears to be the insertion of -frog-setons, requiring the assistance of a veterinary surgeon. In most -instances the case is hopeless, and many a fine horse is sold to limp out -a life of misery, drawing a hack cab, or, with a refinement of cruelty, -is subject to the operation of unnerving the foot, which, by destroying -sensation in that part, enables the animal to travel without apparent -lameness, though the disease continues to progress till part of the foot -has been known to drop off in work. Being a result of work to which all -horses are liable, no mode of prevention can be recommended. - -_Lateral Cartilages._—Another ailment of the foot is more common than -is generally supposed, called “Disease of the Lateral Cartilages.” It -requires the skill of an anatomist to decide upon its presence. In fact, -this and navicular disease are both very obscure in their origin and -diagnostics, and a surgeon only can properly deal with them, as well as -with all other diseases that are not very distinctly marked, and in their -early stages not important. - -_Thrush._—A disease of the frog: the cleft becomes eaten away, and a foul -matter is secreted. It more frequently attacks the hind than the fore -feet. - -By some it is said to be constitutional, but it is much more probably the -result of neglect of the foot in the stable, the hind feet being oftener -affected, from the fact of the urine and fæces coming more immediately -under their tread. - -At every shoeing or removing, the frog should be perfectly cleared -of all defective parts by the knife, and where the disease has once -manifested itself the cleft should be kept continually stopped with tar -and tow. A return to a healthy state is likely to be tedious, therefore -continued attention to these directions is necessary. If a severe case, -use a bar-shoe, to avoid the wear and tear of the road, and which -will also help to keep the pledgets of tar and tow in their place. To -prevent thrush, let the litter and bedding be completely removed from -the horse every morning till bedtime at night; let the pavement be kept -scrupulously clean through the day; attend and wash the feet, examine -them frequently, and upon the slightest sign of the disease use the -remedial means. - -_Quittor._—This is a disease of the feet, wherein, either from delicacy -of or accident to the sole, the sensible part becomes affected. A -suppurative sinus is formed, eating away till it often comes out at the -coronet. Once it reaches this, the animal, unless of great value, might -as well be destroyed, the restorative process being of a most tedious and -expensive character, requiring continual manipulation by a surgeon. - -By careful shoeing (where nails are not driven out of their proper -direction) and a most exact examination of the foot where any extraneous -matter, such as glass, gravel, &c., is suspected of having entered or -damaged it, quittor will most probably be avoided. - -_Canker_ seldom attacks gentlemen’s horses, or well-bred ones. It is -literally a change of a portion of the foot into a kind of fungus, -sometimes commencing in the sole, sometimes in the frogs, and is -aggravated by foul litter, bad stabling, and general bad care. - -As no dressing or external application will restore the foot without -manipulation, a surgeon only can deal with it. - -_Cracked and Greasy Heels._—Animals of languid circulation in the -extremities are more susceptible of such diseases, which are induced and -aggravated by lazy ignorant grooms pursuing their objectionable practice -of wetting the legs, and leaving them to dry themselves.—_See_ page 13. - -Symptoms are tumefaction and soreness of the hinder part of the pasterns, -even to fissures emitting matter. - -Clip away the hair in the first instance, so as to be able to cleanse the -sore by washing it with warm water and soft soap, drying it perfectly. -Then apply glycerine lotion (page 158). - -If the sore seems likely to incapacitate the animal from work, -administer a mild aloetic purge (page 108). Very serious consequences -may result from the indolence of grooms in neglecting this ailment. In -acute cases, the sore, eating into the tendon, produces mortification and -death. I have myself lost a valuable animal from this disease, through -the gross neglect of my grooms in my absence. - -Except in the very earliest stages, and in palpably trifling cases, a -veterinary surgeon should be consulted, especially in what is called -“grease,” or matter running from these cracks. The preventive means -are, never to allow water to your horses’ legs above the coronet on any -pretence whatever, and if by accident or work they get wet, to have them -rubbed dry as promptly as possible. - -_Shelly Hoofs_ (or splitting open of the external part of the horny -hoof).—The feet of some horses are more subject to this disease than -those of others, from the fibrous structure being more dry with them. - -This fibrous structure forming the hoof is found, on microscopic -examination, to resemble a lot of hairs all glued together into a -hardened mass, and where the adhesive matter is of a drier character -than usual, the hoofs are more brittle. With some horses this results in -“shelly hoofs;” they don’t split, but are perpetually breaking away. With -this description of hoofs, tar is the best possible application. Neither -grease nor oil should ever be used—these only aggravate the disease, as -on close observation they will be found to act as powerful astringents, -excluding the healthy action of air and moisture upon the part most in -need of them. Strange to say, tar, from its pungent properties, induces -healthy action in the part, and is peculiarly adapted to promote the -growth of the fibrous structure as well as lubricating it. - -_Sand-Cracks_ seldom go diagonally, but are either horizontal or -vertical. I shall endeavour to exemplify the simple principle of this -disease with a simple principle of remedy, dealing with it like a split -in a board on which I desired to put an effectual stopper. In such a -case I should carefully gouge out a small hole at each end of the split, -beyond which hole the fissure would be certain not to pass. With the hoof -the same principle can be carried out by filing an indentation directly -across each end of the crack, only taking care not to file deeper than -the insensible part of the hoof; or the end will be answered by using a -red-hot firing-iron instead of a file, taking the same precaution not -to touch the sensible part. I should also weaken along the edges of the -crack itself by rasping them down. Over the crack, if deep, should be -strapped a thin pad of tow and tar, to induce reproduction and prevent -foreign substances from entering the fissure. - -Unless by the grossest neglect, no sand-crack will have been allowed -to go beyond the reach of the foregoing treatment, but in some cases -the effect of negligence and ignorance is seen in the horizontal crack -running almost round the foot. In such cases it will generally be found -that with a flat foot (inclined to greater malformation) the toes have -been suffered to extend, shoeing after shoeing, by the smith allowing -a great accumulation of wall over the toe, until the centre has become -weakened into a fissure. Such a state of things seldom or never occurs in -a gentleman’s stable, but is to be met with among farm-horses or those -accustomed to heavy draught. - -The careful strapping-up with tar and tow, which must be constantly -attended to, rest, and the indentation process, will, with _time_ and -_care_, effect a cure. - -Sand-crack, especially the vertical, is more dangerous and tedious the -nearer it is to the coronet. This once divided, the case becomes serious, -the coronet being very vascular, and a split here requires a great deal -of care to induce it to take on union. Unless the closing commences -at the coronet, and continues as the hoof grows _down_, it will never -close _at all_; in fact, if the coronet be divided, it is fortunate if -the crack does not go the whole way down to the shoe. If it does not, -the lower end should be weakened by filing an indentation at its lower -extremity, weakening the sides of the crack by rasping them, and keeping -the hoof strapped round with dressings of tar and tow, also (a most -_important_ part of the treatment) paring away the wall of the foot -(above the shoe and immediately under the crack) an inch—that is, half an -inch on each side of it—making as large a vacuum as can with safety to -the sensible parts of the foot be pared away, directly under the crack -and over the shoe; the object of this being that all parts of the wall -except that under the crack shall press on the shoe. It is obvious that -by the above means every movement of the horse, in place of aggravation, -will tend towards alleviation of the disease, by pressing the weakened -sides of the fissure together. For the foregoing reasons, in the case of -a vertical crack the shoes had better remain on, while in the worst cases -of the horizontal crack, as its weight round the bottom tends to weaken -the centre of the hoof where the crack is likely to be situated, it had -better be removed (or light tips worn), its absence also enabling the -wall of the hoof under the crack to be rasped as thin as possible. In -vertical cracks the use of a bar-shoe will tend to keep the foot together -(page 81). - -_Corns_ are occasioned by the inflexible shoe pressing on that part -of the sole, or possibly from friction of the bones upon its internal -surface. They present the appearance of a red effused bruise, almost -invariably situated on the heel of the sole of the inside quarter of the -fore feet.—_See_ illustration, fig. 3, page 130. - -When neglected, they occasion severe lameness, and go on to suppuration. - -Broken knees are also frequently the result of neglected corns. - -A horse that is habitually properly shod is never likely to have a corn. -It arises entirely from want of attention and judgment in the smith. -The groom, who should always stand by when a horse is shoeing, ought to -be instructed to see that the farrier with his drawing-knife invariably -pares out the sole at the seat of corn; it can be no injury whatever -to the foot when properly done, and is the best preventive of corns. -Also take proper care that the shoes are so put on that they cannot by -possibility press upon the sole. - -For prevention, keep the seat of corn well pared away, and dress with -tar, unless in the suppurating state, when it requires poultices (page -160), and the ordinary treatment for that state, and full rest. - -_Over-reach_ or _Tread_ proceeds from the shoe of one foot coming in -contact with the soft or sensible part above the hoof of the other. As -the parts likely to be affected round the coronet are full of vessels, -the simplest remedial means are the safest—viz., water-dressing (page -160) in the first instance, and afterwards chloride of zinc lotion (one -grain to the ounce of water), or glycerine. - -_Broken Knees._—Most travellers on the road know what style of thing this -is, so it is needless to describe it. - -In bad cases, where the bones are exposed, and there is any appearance of -synovia or joint-oil, place the horse in the nearest convenient stable, -and leave him there to be attended to by a professional man as soon -as possible. When the abrasion is merely superficial, take the animal -quietly to his stable, if near. - -In any event, wash the wound with warm water, which, if it be at all -deep, should be done by squeezing the water _above_ the wound, and -allowing it to run down, as this part of the leg is very delicate and -sensitive, and rough handling with a cloth or sponge should be avoided. - -Afterwards apply a lotion of chloride of zinc, one grain to the ounce of -water. - -Tie the creature’s head up in such a way as that he cannot possibly lie -down, until the healing process has assumed sufficient health to render -it safe to allow of the knee being used in lying down and getting up. - -Give one or two mild purges, according to the time he is laid up and the -healthiness of the wound. To promote the growth of hair, use, when the -knee is perfectly healed, hog’s lard mixed with very finely powdered -burnt leather to colour it; it is as good and safe a thing as can be -employed for the purpose. Otherwise use _weak_ mercurial ointment. For -prevention, avoid the use of bearing-reins in harness; in shafts, keep -the weight off your horse’s back; keep out of the way of ruts and stones -upon the road, and be very careful of your beast when the work you are -giving him is calculated to make him leg-weary. - -In riding, teach your bearer to depend on himself, _not_ on you: at the -same time, don’t leave him to himself altogether. Go gently round sharp -turns, and don’t ride fast down-hill on the road, though on the turf or -in harness the pace may be accelerated with impunity. Avoid inflicting -sudden, injudicious, and undeserved chastisement; restrain starts or -alarms; have your horses properly prepared in frosty weather; also be -sure that the seat of corn is kept well pared out in shoeing. If your -saddle has shifted forward out of its place, dismount and regirth it -where it fits, so that when you remount your weight will be properly -placed away from the shoulders. - -When the road is the only place available to have your horses exercised, -see that your grooms put on the knee-caps. - -_Splints_ are a well-known affection of the fore leg, presenting the -appearance of a bony protrusion along the canon or shank, which, though -unsightly, is not very important, unless when lameness ensues. - -As it is not my intention to enter into professional technicalities in -this work, I shall merely remark that, by letting the horse continue -in moderate work, though lame, with the application of Stevens’s -ointment, according to the directions accompanying it, absorption of -the bony matter will be obtained, or, at all events, it will become so -far resolved that the surrounding structures being able to accommodate -themselves to what remains of it, their action will not be interfered -with, and lameness will consequently no longer appear. Veterinarians -sometimes perform a simple operation for splints which is said to be -efficacious—namely, that of dividing the periosteum with a bistuary, the -periosteum being that membrane which encases all bones like a skin. When -this is cleverly done, there is little or no disfiguration left. Setons -also are sometimes run over the exostosis or bony excrescence, but I deal -only with simple remedies. As splints cannot be prevented, being a common -result of work in young horses, the next best thing to be done is to -resolve them while in an incipient state. - -_Clap of the Back Sinew_—_i.e._, inflammation of the sheath under which -the flexor tendon passes (as the most able practitioners deny that the -tendon itself can be stretched, though it is liable to rupture about -its insertions)—is best treated, according to some, by cold refrigerant -lotions, Goulard lotion, solution of acetate of lead, &c. - -I prefer plain water-dressing (page 160) placed loosely round the -affected part of the leg, and the use of a high-heeled shoe (page -82). When the attack is beyond the reach of such mild treatment, the -veterinary surgeon will probably advise blistering and firing to act as a -perpetual bandage. - -Moderate work on even surfaces will be the best preventive of this -disease, and having the pavement of your stables made nearly level, as -described under the head of “Stabling” (page 8). - -_Wind-Galls_ are undue distensions of the bursæ or bags of synovia at -the back and sides of the lower part of the canon or shin intended to -lubricate the adjacent structure. Though unsightly, and no improvement -to the action of the horse, they can be reduced by external absorbents -(page 159), also by bandages with refrigerant repellants, such as vinegar -and water (_see_ “Grooming,” page 12). - -_Riding-Bone_ is an unhealthy enlargement round the pastern above the -coronet, generally in front, and may be removed in the incipient stage -by external absorbents (page 159), beyond which a professional man had -better be consulted. - -_Wrench_ or _Wrick_, occasioned by accident or strain in work over -a rough path by a slip, presents generally no external swelling or -indication of suffering beyond lameness in movement; but on close -examination, inflammation will be discovered by extra heat about the part -affected. Remove the shoe, give plenty of rest, and apply water-dressing -(page 160) round the affected part. A purge may be administered, as -recommended in all cases where the animal is laid up for several days. To -avoid wrench, care should be observed in starting, turning, and working a -horse, especially on uneven ground or when heavily laden. - -_Mallenders_ and _Sallenders_ denote a scurvy state of the skin inside -the bend of the knees and hocks. Let the parts be cleansed with hot -water and soft soap, and rub in equal parts of hog’s lard and mercurial -ointment mixed; if there be a positive crack or sore, use the chloride of -zinc lotion (_see_ page 158) till healed. Keep a good attentive groom, -and see that he does his work, as such blemishes are occasioned by -carelessness and want of cleanliness. - -_Spavin_ is like splint, a bony excrescence, but on the lower part of the -leg, at the inside of the _hock_ towards the front, occasioned by local -derangement from overwork of the structure. - -If it does not produce lameness it had better be left alone; but -otherwise, the horse being placed in a loose-box, rest should be given, -and treatment with absorbents (page 159), the use of Stevens’s ointment, -&c., persisted in. A mild purge or two during the process will be -beneficial. - -As in nearly all affections of the legs and feet, proper reasonable work -and due care will avert the disease or disfigurement. - -_Curb_ is an enlargement of the tendon or its sheath at the lower part of -the back of the hock, with a good deal of local inflammation attending it. - -It is greatly occasioned by the fashion some riders have of habitually -throwing their horses back on their hocks by severe use of the bit. - -Use water-dressing to reduce inflammation, then absorbents, such as -Stevens’s ointment (page 159). Give rest, &c., as directed for Spavin. - -_String-Halt_ is a well-known and only too conspicuous defect or -affection of the nerves of the hind limbs, or emanating from the spine. - -As its local origin is obscure, so also is the method of dealing with it. - -It is in no way dangerous, though unsightly, and seriously deteriorating -to the value of the animal, although it is said not to interfere much -with his working powers. - -_Capped Hock_ is a pursy swelling over the _os calcis_ or heel-bone at -the end of the hock, generally produced by kicking either in the stable -or against some object in harness, or possibly in consequence of exertion -in getting up and lying down on a scanty bed, especially where the -paving-stones are uneven. - -Use hot fomentations, loose water-dressing, followed by rubbing in -iodine ointment, if necessary, for reduction, but this must be done with -judgment and careful observance of the effect the iodine produces. Or, -after using hot fomentations for a week, apply gas water (which can be -obtained from any gas-works) with a sponge dabbed on every hour during -the day. This treatment, if persisted in, is said to be very efficacious. - -For prevention, keep a good bed for your horse to lie on at night. See -“Kicking in the Stable” (page 85) and “Kicking-Strap” (page 58). - -_Thorough-Pin_ and _Bog-Spavin_ are, like wind-galls, an undue distension -of the bursæ containing the synovia intended to keep the surrounding -parts of the leg lubricated; such distension interfering with the -circulation of the vein in front of the hock is denominated “Blood” (or -Bog) Spavin; at the back and sides of the hock these distensions are -called Thorough-Pin. - -The treatment is with hot fomentations and gas water, as in “capped -hock,” or other absorbents, especially Stevens’s ointment, iodine -ointment, blisters, and actual cautery, which remedies had better be -tried in rotation, the three latter only by a practitioner; but unless -the distensions produce lameness, it is perhaps preferable not to meddle -with them at all. - -There are other diseases of the feet and legs, but requiring very -delicate definitions: they must be left altogether to the professional -man. - -As a rule, in all cases where it may be considered desirable to use -stimulating or strong absorbing treatment externally to cure lameness, -the inflammation should be first fully abated by _local_ cooling -applications; and in severe cases, purges administered before the -application of blisters or powerful absorbents. - - -FARCY. - -This dreaded disease is, I believe, like glanders, incurable, and -generally ends in glanders itself. - -Some practitioners seem to be under the impression that it only attacks -worn-out and ill-conditioned animals; but from personal losses and sad -experience I may venture to differ entirely from such an opinion, and -to state that I have seen horses in the finest condition lost by it. -No doubt feeble animals are very liable to it, but the disease is not -confined to such constitutions. I have remarked that, when contracted -by high-conditioned horses, it can be traced to their being called on -occasionally to do extra work, followed by entire rest for days together, -as a sort of equivalent for the spurt of work done, during which period -of rest (considered necessary on account of the beast’s supposed state of -exhaustion) his powers are taxed with the same amount of high feeding as -if he were in full work. - -Thus the absorbent system seems to become diseased, and farcy-buds -appear, accompanied by craving thirst, in which case, or on the least -suspicion of the disease, reference should at once be made to a -professional man. - -From these buds (whence after a time matter is seen to exude) small cords -may be traced leading to other swellings, rather serving to distinguish -the early stages of farcy from surfeit, besides that in surfeit the lumps -appear indolent and scabby. - -To guard against this scourge of the stable, as the disease is -contagious, be careful what company your horses keep, and let reason be -used in the working, feeding, exercising, and general care of your stud. - -What is called _Water Farcy_ is neither dangerous nor contagious, and -arises from debility of the system, occasioned probably by overwork and -indifferent feeding. - -It is generally marked by a dropsical swelling of the legs, mostly the -hind ones. It is not common in gentlemen’s stables, where horses are less -worked and better cared for than their neighbours. - -The best cure is friction to the swelling, moderate work, and improved -feeding; and give a ball twice a-day, each dose with - - Sulphate of iron, 2 drachms. - Powdered ginger, 2 ” - Powdered gentian, 2 ” - - To be mixed with palm-oil or lard. - - -RINGWORM. - -Ringworm is characterised by one or more scurfy or scaly circular patches -on the skin where the hair has fallen off. As soon as discovered, let -the parts be washed with soap and tepid water twice a-day; and when they -have been gently but perfectly dried, apply rather thickly the following -ointment over the spots:— - - Animal glycerine, 1 ounce. - Spermaceti, 1 ” - Iodide of lead, 2 drachms. - -Rub the glycerine and spermaceti together, and when thoroughly -incorporated, add the iodide of lead; give also every night the following -drink:— - - Liquor arsenicalis, 1 ounce. - Tincture of muriate of iron, 1½ ” - Water, 1 quart. - - Mix.—Dose, half a pint. - -Continue this drink until the disease has disappeared. - -Should ulceration remain about the circumferent edges after the central -bare spot has been apparently cured, apply to the affected circuit six -times a-day persistently the following lotion:— - - Chloride of zinc, 2 scruples. - Water, 1 pint. - -The animal should be thrown up from work during this treatment, which may -be requisite for a month, and good food given. - -Administer also a powerful alterative or two during the course of -treatment, more particularly if the case is obstinate.[32] - -Other practitioners recommend, with the administration of alteratives, -the simple application of a solution of nitrate of silver, 30 grains to -1 ounce of water (distilled), applied every second day to the eruptions, -until they are destroyed. - - -SURFEIT - -is an eruption on the skin, and generally gives way, if attended to -immediately on its appearance, by relaxing the bowels mildly, giving -partly green food instead of hay and bran mashes; at the same time keep -up the strength by feeding with the best oats and a little beans, -alternately with the laxative treatment. - -Should these means not suffice, or the disease become worse, consult a -medical practitioner, who will probably administer diuretics; or if you -cannot procure a professional man, give the following excellent tonic and -alterative drink, recommended by Mr Mayhew:— - - Liquor arsenicalis, 1 ounce. - Tincture of muriate of iron, 1½ ” - Water, 1 quart. - - Mix, and give daily half a pint for a dose. - -_Hidebound_ requires the same treatment as surfeit. - -_Mange_ is generally the result of insufficient food and other privations -endured at grass, and of the neglect of the skin consequent on animals -being turned out for a time to take care of themselves. - -It is highly contagious, and is now admitted to be occasioned by an -insect which is engendered in the foul coat. - -A capital wash is recommended by Mr Mayhew, viz.:— - - Animal glycerine, four parts. - Creosote, half a part. - Oil of turpentine, one part. - Oil of juniper, half a part. - -About a pint and a half is said to be the quantity required to make one -dressing. Every portion of the entire coat should be saturated with this -wash, and thus left for two clear days, when it should be washed clean -with soft soap and warm water, equal care being taken to omit no part of -the body, which should afterwards be thoroughly dried and the coat well -dressed or whisked. - -When all is dry and clean apply a second dressing, proceeding as directed -for the first, and a third after the two days have elapsed and the -second cleaning process has been thoroughly gone through, after which -the disease ought to be eradicated. A mere disposition to scratching is -generally successfully treated by giving bran mashes night and morning -for some days, and part green food instead of hay. Others recommend for -mange, as most successful, the following application, to be well rubbed -in once a-week all over the animal with a stiff horse-brush:— - - Barbadoes tar, 1 part. - Linseed oil, 3 parts. - - To be mixed and gently warmed in a pan. - -The whole of the horse’s body to be thoroughly washed with soft soap and -warm water, and PERFECTLY _dried_, previous to rubbing in the foregoing -application. - - -SORE BACK, WITHERS, AND SITFASTS, - -should be carefully attended to with poultices or water-dressing (_see_ -page 160), while a disposition to throw off pus is present, after which -the application of healing agents (among which chloride of zinc lotion -and glycerine are now prominent) is the proper course, but applicable -only to decidedly trifling and superficial cases. It is imperative, if -a cure be desired, that no pressure whatever from the saddle or any -other cause of irritation be permitted; therefore, unless a saddler can -effectually chamber and pack the saddle so as to prevent the possibility -of its touching on or near the sore, the saddle must not be used at all. - -The worst and common result of sores on the back is, that sinuses or -cavities, with an almost imperceptible orifice, insidiously eat away like -poll-evil into the more important part of the adjacent structure. Here -the aid of the veterinary surgeon is indispensable. - - (Being myself acquainted with anatomy, I used to get a - depending orifice as near as possible to the bottom of the - sinus (as discovered with a probe) by a bistuary, laying - the sinus open all the way; or if the direction were rather - superficial, by the insertion of a seton-needle about the width - of the sinus, run out at bottom, leaving the seton in to direct - the discharge. The latter operation, if carefully conducted, is - decidedly the simplest and best when practicable.) - -For prevention of sore back avoid injurious pressure from an ill-fitting -saddle; also removing it too quickly from, the back of a heated animal -(_see_ “Work,” page 37). Pressure of the terret-pad (_see_ page 59), or -of the roller from not being properly chambered over the ridge of the -back (_see_ page 19), must also be carefully guarded against. - - -WOUNDS, - -if deep or dangerous, should meet with the immediate attention of -a surgeon, as none but anatomists should deal with them. Generally -speaking, the loss of a moderate quantity of blood is rather beneficial -than otherwise, tending to avert inflammation. Where water-dressing -(_see_ page 160) can be applied, nothing is better in the first instance; -and when the wound is fairly cleansed and evidently healing, the chloride -of zinc lotion (_see_ page 158) will advance that process and help to dry -it up. When the surface is _perfectly_ healed and a new skin formed, the -growth of the hair will be promoted by the application of hog’s lard -coloured with very finely powdered burnt leather. - - -MEGRIMS OR EPILEPSY - -may proceed from the effects of the sun in very hot weather, from -congestion of the blood-vessels of the brain and head, or from disordered -stomach or indigestion. The horse when at work suddenly evinces a -disinclination to proceed, appears bothered, and shows unaccountable -perverseness—sometimes staggers and falls. Release him at once from -whatever work he may be at; if the cause can be descried, treat in the -most reasonable way accordingly. If the illness is supposed to proceed -from the heat of the sun or congestion of the head, dash water on the -head and keep it enveloped in cold wet cloths; also cool the system by -aperients, giving rest for some time. If from indigestion, repeated mild -aperients should be administered. - -It is a strange fact known to those who are experienced on the road, that -these fits are seldom or never taken during work at night. When such -attacks are habitual the animal is only fit for farm-work. - - -CRIB-BITING AND WIND-SUCKING. - -Some able veterinarians declare these habits to be the result of an -endeavour to eject acidity from the stomach as the horse cannot vomit, -while others compare it to the human belch. It is almost impossible to -_cure_ a crib-biter; the only thing that can be done is, to palliate and -prevent it, which is essential, as the habit is not only injurious to -the horse himself, but one that, strange to say, is most readily imitated -by his companions; in whatever stable such an animal may be, the others -are liable to become crib-biters. - -By leaving a lump of rock-salt in horses’ mangers many ailments may be -averted. Licking it is a resource to them in their hours of solitary -confinement. In the present instance a lump of chalk might be added, -for the animal to amuse himself at any moment that he is left without -a muzzle (which should be made for him by an experienced saddler, and -constantly used). The chalk being essentially antacid, is decidedly -useful if the habit is supposed to result from acidity. - -As the muzzle should not be left off for any length of time, the food -should be prepared to be taken up in the most rapid form—viz., a small -quantity of chaff to bruised oats. When the beast finds by experience -that his feeding-time is limited, with starvation for the alternative, he -will probably prefer his food to gnawing the iron during the short space -allowed him without his muzzle. A simple remedy sometimes used with good -effect is, keeping a tightened strap round the creature’s neck when he -is not feeding; and I have known the covering of every portion of the -stall within his reach with rabbit or sheep skins, the hair outside, -to effectually check a crib-biter for the time being,—the habit being -resumed, however, on his removal to another stall.[33] - - -METASTASIS. - -As this term is frequently used by practitioners, it may be well to -explain that it is a Greek word signifying a removal from one place to -another, employed as a technical designation in describing a change of -the seat of disease from one part of the animal structure to another, -which is by no means uncommon: for instance, when the feet are attacked -with fever, that malady will appear to remove itself to some other and -probably distant part, and fix itself on the lungs or other viscera, the -same way that inflammation of the lungs and other parts of the upper -structure will change amongst themselves, or from their own seat of -disease to the feet.[34] I have even known superpurgation (occasioned, -in a pair of horses, by _undue_, but not severe work when under the -irritation of the medicine) to cause fever of the feet, by a metastasis, -changing the seat of irritation from the internals to the extremities—a -very palpable case in point. - - -SETONS. - -The insertion of a seton properly belongs to the professional man, -and only for the guidance of persons who, from living in remote -neighbourhoods or other causes, cannot possibly procure the assistance -of such, the following information is inserted, in order to obviate -the necessity for some ignorant farrier being permitted to perform the -operation after his own fashion. The skin is first divided, by surgical -scissors made for such purposes, to the width of the seton-needle to be -used, which must be wide or narrow, according to the orifice required, -with white linen tape passed through its eye, about the same width as -the needle and orifice. The needle is then inserted at the opening, and, -passing superficially under the skin, is directed towards the point where -the lower or depending orifice is intended to be, and where the needle -and tape are drawn out. Sufficient tape must be left at each extremity -to admit not only of its being tied round small rolls of tow which keep -the tape from running through at either side, but some inches of the tape -should be left in addition at one end, to allow of a portion being drawn -out at one orifice each day, and a fresh piece with dressing being drawn -in at the other. - -In cases where there is already an upper orifice with sinuses, the -surgeon (if he does not lay the place entirely open with a knife, which, -if the sinuses are deep-seated, he will do) will insert the seton-needle -at such orifice, no incision with the scissors being necessary, the -direction of the sinuses having been first ascertained by the careful -use of the probe. The dressing to be applied to the tape will be either -chloride of zinc lotion, Venice turpentine, or tincture of arnica lotion -(_see_ “Lotions”), according as the healing or discharging process may -be desired, the first being the healing application. Farriers attempting -this operation will even now adopt an old and most objectionable practice -of tying the two ends of the seton-tape together, and turning it round at -each fresh dressing; the consequence being that, if anything happen to -catch in the loop thus made, the whole piece of skin may be dragged out. - - -LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, &c. - -AS A RULE, ALL VOLATILE OILS OR TINCTURES SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED IN COLD -WATER, OR LIQUID. - -_Strong Heeding Lotion._—Chloride of zinc, two scruples; water, one pint. - -_Weaker, as for Sore Mouth, &c._—Chloride of zinc, one scruple; water, -one pint. - -_To encourage Pus, and heal subsequently._—Tincture of arnica, one ounce; -water, one pint. - -_To keep off Flies from Wounds or Bruises._—Apply a rag dipped in -solution of tar. - -_Glycerine Lotion._—Glycerine, half pint; chloride of zinc, half ounce; -water, six quarts. - -_To abate External Inflammation._—Vinegar, two ounces; Goulard lotion, -one ounce; water, two pints. - -_Liniment for the Neck in Cold and Distemper, Sore Throat, &c._—One part -spirit of turpentine, two parts oil, mixed, or equal parts of each, and -rubbed in once or twice daily. - -_Purges._—A mild purge is composed of—aloes, four drachms; extract of -gentian, two drachms. - -_A very mild Laxative Drench._—Castor-oil, three ounces; linseed-oil, two -ounces; warm gruel, one pint—Mix. - -Of linseed-oil alone the ordinary dose is one pint. If ineffectual, to be -repeated, with the addition of twenty drops of croton-oil. - -_Alterative Ball_ (for surfeit and skin diseases).—Cream of tartar, half -drachm; nitre, two drachms; flowers of sulphur, half ounce—Mix in mass. - -_External Absorbents._—Iodine ointment and tincture, Stevens’s -ointment,[35] water-dressing. - -_Restoratives or Renovators—Drenches._—A quart of stout, morning or -evening; hay-tea, when mashes are refused; gruel properly prepared (page -161) and linseed mashes (page 22). - -_Soothing Drench in Colic._—Sulphuric ether, one ounce; laudanum, one -ounce; linseed-oil, one pint. - -_Astringent Drenches_ (for diabetes).—Diluted phosphoric acid, one ounce; -chilled water, one pint. - -Or—Oak-bark, one ounce; alum, quarter ounce; camomile tea, one pint—Made -into a drench. - -Feeding on old hay is generally effectual to check purging. - -_Clysters_[36] (for diarrhœa, dysentery, or over-purgation).—Laudanum, -one ounce—Mixed in three pints warm thin starch, repeated every -half-hour, as long as necessary. (The above is soothing and _astringent_.) - -(For inflammation of the bladder or kidneys.)—Injections of warm -linseed-tea constantly repeated. - -(For dysentery.)—Injections of cold linseed-tea. - -(For colic.)—Injection of one pint of turpentine mixed in two quarts of -hot soap-suds. (Soothing and _laxative_.) - -_Ointment_ (to recover hair).—Equal parts hogs’ lard and mercurial -ointment, with _very finely powdered_ burnt leather to colour it. - -_Poultices_ are made of bran or linseed-meal, with boiling water, and -applied as hot as bearable. They are seldom used except for the feet, in -which cases the leather shoe is useful. - -_Water-dressing_ (for sores, &c.)—Pads of linen kept _continually fully_ -saturated with water, and entirely over them is kept fixed a waterproof -covering of oiled silk or calico (gutta-percha is too liable to tear), -to prevent evaporation. The pads should be changed every three or four -hours, and cleansed where they are intended to promote effusion of matter. - -_For Acidity._—A lump of chalk kept in the manger. - -_For General Health._—A lump of rock-salt always in the manger. - -_For Worms._—One to two grains of arsenic and twenty grains of kamela -twice daily (each dose mixed in a handful of wet bran, and given with -oats or other feeding) for eighteen days, and a purge the nineteenth -morning. The horse may get _moderate_ work during the administration of -the powders. Or, common salt, a tablespoonful daily, to be mixed with the -food. - -_Strong Mustard Blister._—For cases of acute inflammation, mustard to be -made into a paste, eight ounces; oil of turpentine, two ounces—To be well -rubbed into the chest or belly in severe inflammation. - -_Blisters_ should never be applied to a horse’s four legs at the same -time, as is the practice with some farriers. Two legs only should be -blistered at once, and an interval of three or four days suffered to -elapse before the application of the remaining blisters. The animal’s -head should be tied up for at least thirty hours after the blister is put -on, to prevent his gnawing the part; but if a cradle round the neck can -effect the same purpose in cases where other parts are blistered, its use -is preferable to tying up the head. - -_Sedative._—To allay excitement after a wound, &c.: tincture of aconite, -ten to twenty drops, in drench of one pint of water with chill off. - -_To make Gruel._—Mix well a pound of oatmeal in a quart of cold water; -put this mixture in a stew-pan containing three quarts of boiling water, -stir all well over the fire till it becomes thick, then leave it aside to -cool sufficiently to be eatable. - -_Disinfectant._—As it will perhaps be useful to any proprietor of -horse-flesh, who may unfortunately have had contagious disease in -his stables, such as farcy or glanders, to know how premises should -be disinfected according to the most approved means, the following -recommendations of Government for purifying the holds of ships, during -the prevalence of rinderpest, are appended:— - -_Suggestions for Disinfecting Holds of Ships._—The Government has issued -the following circular to the shipowners and veterinary inspectors of -Irish ports. It must not be forgotten that the importation of raw hides -is still permitted. - - “_23d August 1865._ - - “The usual means had recourse to for the purpose of - disinfecting the holds of vessels (such as washing and - subsequently applying diluted disinfecting solutions, the most - generally used of which is chloride of lime), do not possess - sufficient efficacy, particularly within the limited time that - can be devoted to that purpose, without interfering with the - commercial interests of the vessels. - - “It would occupy too much time to carefully scour and - afterwards apply a disinfecting fluid to the entire surface of - a ship’s hold, in which, generally, there are many crevices - and parts that cannot be reached by the hand or brush. Such - crevices and parts are capable of retaining the contagious and - infectious principles in all their virulence. - - “Holds of vessels, and all other chambers from which the - external air can be excluded for a time, can be, comparatively - speaking, most effectually disinfected by filling them with - chlorine gas, the great disinfecting principle of chloride of - lime. The gas insinuates itself into every chink, crevice, - and part of the chamber in which it is confined, and more - effectually decomposes the contagious and infectious compounds, - whether they be solid, fluid, or aeriform, than any other - disinfectant equally easy of application, and as cheap. The - mode of disinfecting the hold of a vessel with chlorine is, to - place a quantity of common salt and black oxide of manganese in - a strong basin, which may be put into a bucket, to the handle - of which a rope has been attached. Pour on the salt and black - oxide of manganese their combined weight of sulphuric acid; - then let the bucket containing the basin a little way down into - the hold by the rope attached to its handle. The chlorine gas, - being heavier than the atmospheric air, will quickly displace - the latter and fill the hold. In a short time, when the hold - has become filled with chlorine, the hatches may be battened - down for about half an hour. - - “Previous to using the hold again for live freight, a current - of air should be admitted through it to remove the chlorine. - - “Many recommend the use of charcoal; but it is not alone - more difficult of application, but it is much less of a - disinfectant than a deodoriser. Charcoal will not, like the - chlorides, decompose the matter of disease. If the damp - matter of glanders, or sheep-pox, be well mixed with a strong - solution of chloride of lime, it will seldom produce bad - effects by inoculation; but if pure charcoal of any kind be - used, the contagious principle of the diseased matter is - not at all diminished in its virulence—quite the contrary; - similar results are found if cow-pox be the matter used in the - experiment. - - “The cost of the readiest materials for the production of - chlorine gas is very trifling. The salt is not ¼d. per pound; - black oxide of manganese but 4d. per pound; and sulphuric acid - 1½d. per pound. These are the retail prices. A couple of pounds - weight of each would suffice for a large-sized hold. - - “The attention of the customs, shipowners, and veterinary - inspectors is directed to the above disinfecting means. - - (Signed) - - “HUGH FERGUSON, - Her Majesty’s Veterinary Surgeon, - Principal Government Veterinary Inspector, Ireland.” - - - - -FOOTNOTES - - -[1] It may be well to let my readers know how I became experienced -on the _road_. In the days when coaching was in its perfection (and -when many country gentlemen indulged in their fancy for the use of the -“ribbons”), I became, during a long interval from service, deeply and -actively concerned in a coaching establishment of the first order; and -those who, some years since, travelling between Dublin and Killarney -_via_ Limerick (a distance of about 185 miles), may have happened to hear -coachmen and helpers talking of the “Captain,” will recognise in the -writer the individual thus referred to, who was also in partnership with -the famous Bianconi in the staging on the Killarney line. Several years -spent in such a school will probably be considered a good apprenticeship -to the study of one branch of the subject herein treated upon—viz., the -management of horses on the road. - -[2] The soubriquet by which the Author is known in his regiment. - -[3] It, however, is treated more fully in a new section, page 93, which, -at the request of many readers, and in consequence of its increasing -interest to a large portion of the community, has been added to this -edition. - -[4] The French dealers of the present day choose, for gentlemen’s -hack-horses, chestnuts with legs white half-way up, causing the action to -look more remarkable. “There’s no accounting for taste.” - -[5] It is to be remarked of bays, mouse-colours, and chestnuts, having -a streak of a darker colour over the backbone from mane to tail (which -sometimes, as with the donkey, crosses the shoulder)—that animals thus -marked generally possess peculiar powers of endurance; and rat-tailed -ones, though ugly, prove very serviceable. - -[6] The extremes of various bad positions of the head when the bit is put -in operation are—the throwing up the nose horizontal with the forehead, -a trick denominated “stargazing,” at which ewe-necked horses are very -ready, and getting the bit up to the angles of the jaws. Such a horse can -easily run away, and cannot be commanded without a martingal. Another -bad point is when the animal leans his jaw firmly against the bit, and, -placing his head between his fore legs, the neck being over-arched, goes -where he pleases: such is called by horsemen “a borer.” - -[7] The racer not coming within the province, of this little work, I -will only offer one maxim with reference to such horses in general—viz., -never race any horse unless you make up your mind to have most probably a -fretful, bad-tempered animal ever after. The course of training and the -excitement of contest will induce such a result. - -[8] If you happen to buy a low-priced animal, and depend upon your own -opinion as to soundness, it is well to feel and look closely at the back -part of the fore leg, above the fetlock, and along the pasterns, for -cicatrices left after the performance of the operation of unnerving, by -means of which a horse will go perhaps apparently sound while navicular -disease is progressing in his foot, to terminate in most serious -consequences.—_See_ “Navicular Disease,” page 134. - -[9] The old-fashioned pattern, with leather gear, is, after all, the -best, as proved by the most practical men of the day. - -[10] It has been truly said by the well-known Mr Elmore, that there is a -key to every horse’s mouth, requiring only proper hands to apply it. - -[11] The famous Irish jumper “Distiller” was notorious among many -other good fencers as a bungler on the road, though he would jump a -six-foot-six stone wall with ease, sporting two large broken knees in -consequence of his performance in that line; and in fencing he was also -first-rate. - -[12] I may recommend Gibson, 6 Coventry Street, Leicester Square, as an -excellent, intelligent, and experienced saddler. - -[13] Latchford, 11 Upper St Martin’s Lane, London, and all saddlers. - -[14] All the foregoing observations on saddlery apply equally to ladies’ -saddles. Marked attention should be paid before they mount to the girths, -which should be very tight, to prevent the saddle from turning, a lady’s -weight being often altogether on one side. - -[15] As a good shoulder, such as will keep a saddle in its place, is -one of the great essentials in a gentleman’s hack, or indeed in an -officer’s charger, giving him leverage to lift his legs safely and -showily, it stands to reason that not many such will pass into the ranks -at the Government price for remounts, which, however, is _ample_ to -supply animals suitable for the service, and does so in regiments where -the class of horse provided at once proves that the whole sum allowed -is invested in the remount itself, and proper judgment exercised in -purchasing. - -[16] It might not be out of place to mention, for the information of -those who desire to be well taught, that, to my own knowledge, Allen’s, -in Seymour Place, Bryanstone Square, and Clarendon’s, in Great Brunswick -Street, Dublin, are excellent riding-schools. - -[17] Those who probably have never received a professional riding-lesson -in their lives, but still, from intuitive taste, ride with ease and -ability. - -[18] Talking of a horse being self-dependent in his movement on the -road, puts me in mind of a challenge once accepted by a very practical -horseman, to ride a notorious stumbler (reduced by this defect to mere -farm-work) three times round Stephen’s Green, Dublin (a distance of over -three miles), without falling. Given his choice of bits, some being of -the severest kind, he rejected them all, desiring the groom to get him a -common hemp halter, and with this simple head-gear, riding bare-backed, -he accomplished the distance without the slightest mishap, and thereby -won a large bet. The groom, however, resumed the use of the bit to ride -the horse home (now feeling sufficient confidence to trust himself on his -back instead of leading him), when the animal fell on his knees before he -had gone a hundred yards. - -[19] The incautious use of that rein, which has leverage on the curb, -is very apt, with young unformed horses, or such as have been only -accustomed to the bridoon or snaffle, to induce a notion of rearing, -especially in anything of a rough attempt to “rein back” with; indeed, -this latter point of training should be accomplished with the bridoon -only. - -[20] One can scarcely repress a smile on hearing cross-country -misfortunes related, as they frequently are, in pretty nearly the -following terms:—“I found my horse going sluggishly at his fences; and -one place looking rather biggish, I shook him up with the bit, and put -both heels into him to rouse him, but somehow or other the brute took off -too soon, caught his fore feet, I suppose, against something, and came -such a cropper on the other side!” or, “The beast kept going at such a -bat at his fences that I brought him to book with my hands down, and with -a good pull steadied him; but the brute with his awkwardness missed his -footing on landing, dropped his hind legs into the brook somehow, and -fell back on me, giving me a regular sousing!” - -[21] In obscure lameness, to aid towards discovery of the affected part, -having first decided which leg or foot is diseased, it is not a bad plan -to walk the animal into a stream above the knees and take him out again -(or have water dashed at once fully over the member), then kneel and -closely observe which spot on the surface dries first—that which does so -will probably prove to be the most inflamed part. - -[22] In double harness, to increase your power in turning, shorten the -coupling-reins; and to ease your horses, lengthen these to let their -heads work more straight forward. - -[23] Any one desiring hints in that line can have the benefit of my -experience in dealing with such cattle, by applying to my publisher. - -[24] When a hame martingal strap is used, the pad belly-band should not -be finally buckled until it has been passed through the other. - -[25] Yankee fashion is to drive with a rein in each hand. This style in -Ireland is humorously described as “driving with a rein in each hand and -a whip in the other.” - -[26] There is a useful and inexpensive contrivance for very temporary -roughing, patented and sold by John Coppard & Co., 24 Fleet Street, who, -on being communicated with, will forward descriptive particulars. There -is also a capital and more permanent arrangement prepared and sold by Mr -Morris of 21 Rathbone Place, Oxford Street, being an improvement on Mr -White’s plan of frosting horses’ shoes, by screwing three sharpened cogs -into each—one at each heel and one at the toe—the shoes when put on being -prepared to receive them. - -[27] A suggestion has been made by one of the ablest reviewers of the -first edition of this work, to add a chapter on caprices of horses; and -doubtless such would be so extremely interesting, that the temptation to -insert notes under this head in my first edition was only overcome by the -determination to avoid being led into anecdote, which has been strictly -observed throughout, as being out of keeping with the concise style in -which it was intended that the book should be produced. A few practical -hints are, however, here classed under the head of “Caprice.” - -[28] A little work on blood-letting, by Professor Hugh Ferguson of -Dublin, is well worthy of consultation on the subject. - -[29] The difference between this disease and attacks of the lower viscera -is, that the animal does not kick about, but generally stands as if -hopeless and helpless. - -[30] Practical men will tell you that the readiest and best way to mix -grey powder, as water will not make it adhere, is with saliva in the -palm of the hand, from whence it is transferred by a blunt knife to the -horse’s tongue near the root, the tongue being drawn out for the purpose. -I can vouch for the efficacy of this not very elegant proceeding where -expedition is an object, having witnessed it myself. - -[31] This will be found almost a specific; it is recommended by Mr -Mayhew, and is said to have originated with Mr Woodyer, V.S., at -Paddington. Professor Dick is also reputed to have been very successful -in the treatment of this disease, by the use of small and repeated doses -of iodine or iodide of potassium. - -[32] This treatment is recommended by Mr Mayhew. - -[33] A few of the low class of horsedealers are very clever at passing -off a cribber or wind-sucker. - -I have known cases where one might remain in a stable for hours with a -cribber and not detect him. By keeping a continual watch over the animal -and thrashing him directly he attempts to crib, he has been taught to -beware of transgressing in this style in the presence of any one, and -thus even a veterinary surgeon may be deceived, for he is not supposed to -lose his time looking after such details of trickery. - -[34] For example, an animal is in nearly a hopeless state from -inflammation of the lungs and pleura, perhaps as a complication of -distemper. Suddenly there is an amelioration in the symptoms; the hurried -breathing resumes the characteristics of ordinary respiration—the owner, -or veterinary surgeon in attendance, pronounces the patient to be out -of danger—the improvement is regarded as almost miraculous. But in -about twenty-four hours, often less, the horse is observed to move with -difficulty in the stable; if he lies down, he is disinclined to get up; -when standing, the fore feet are kept considerably more in advance than -usual, the hind ones far forward under the body, so that they may as -much as possible relieve the fore feet and legs from the superincumbent -weight. In aggravated cases, as the heels of the fore feet are the parts -which bear the most weight in progression, the horse, when forced to -walk, which he can only accomplish with great difficulty, elevates the -toe at every step, bringing the heel, instead of it, to the ground. The -horse is then suffering from acute laminitis, or what is more generally -in horse-parlance termed “founder.” - -[35] Prepared and sold by Mr H. R. Stevens, V.S., 8A Park Lane, London, -W., and all chemists. - -[36] The use of the clyster syringe by unskilled hands is _very -dangerous_—serious injury to the rectum being the common result; -therefore great caution should be used to insert the pipe (well greased) -slowly and not too high up the channel. - - - - -INDEX. - - - Page - - Absorbents 159 - - Absorbent system 106 - - Acidity 160 - - Aconite, tincture of 161 - - Age, to judge of 3 - - Ale and porter 24, 37 - - Alteratives 159 - - Ambling or pacing 34 - - American stabling 18 - - American carriages 74 - - Arabian horses 95 - - Arnica lotion 157, 158 - - Arsenic 124, 160 - - Auction 6, 89 - - Axle-boxes 74 - - - Backing 71 - - Back-raking 122 - - Back, sore 38, 151 - - Ball, manner of giving 104 - - Bandaging 14 - - Bark of oak 159 - - Beans and pease 20, 21 - - Bearing-rein 63, 141 - - Bedding 9, 10, 27, 38 - - Belladonna 127 - - Belly-band, caution 59 - - Bits 38, 62, 70 - - Bladder, inflammation of 127, 159 - - Bleeding 111 - - Blinkers 62, 70 - - Blisters and absorbents 159, 160 - - Blood 94 - - Board ship 24, 104 - - Boot of leather 19 - - Bran mash 22 - - Break carriage 5, 30 - - Breaking or training 29 - - Breaking to harness 30 - - Breastplate 48 - - Breeding 1, 93 - - Bridling 38 - - Britching 58 - - Broken knees 141 - - Broken wind 119 - - Bronchitis 113 - - Bruised oats 21 - - Brushing 78 - - Buying 6 - - - Calkins or cogs 80, 82 - - Calomel 125 - - Canker 136 - - Cantering 33, 52 - - Capped hock 145 - - Caprice 90 - - Carriages 73, 75 - - Carrots 23 - - Casting 102 - - Cavalry remounts 47 - - Cavesson 33 - - Chaff 10, 154 - - Chain fastenings 17 - - Chalk 15, 154, 160 - - Chifney bit 42 - - Chloride of zinc 158 - - Chloroform 102 - - Clap of the back sinew 143 - - Cleaning in-doors 12, 13 - - Climate 95 - - Clipping 16 - - Clothing 18 - - Clysters 159 - - Clysters, danger of using 15, 159 - - Cold and influenza 110 - - Colic and gripes 108, 121 - - Colic drench 159 - - Collar 60 - - Colour 2 - - Contagion 26, 112, 116 - - Contractors 25 - - Corns 79, 131, 140 - - Costiveness 123 - - Cough 115 - - Coupling-rein 56 - - Cracked and greasy heels 136 - - Crib-biting 153 - - Croton-oil 108, 159 - - Crupper 46, 63 - - Curb 145 - - - Dandriff 14 - - Dealers 6, 7 - - Diabetes 123 - - Diabetes drench 159 - - Diarrhœa or dysentery 120, 159 - - Digestive organs, diseases of 120 - - Diseases 101 - - Disinfectants 113, 161 - - Diuretics, and danger of 126 - - Dogs and cats 11 - - Dragoons 36, 47, 48, 50 - - Drainage 8 - - Draught or traction 58, 72 - - Drench, way of giving 105 - - Driving 65 - - Dumb jockey 30 - - Dysentery 120, 159 - - - Exercising 31, 107 - - Exhibitions 94, 97 - - Eyes, sore 110 - - - Fairs 7 - - Falling in harness 70 - - Farcy 26, 107, 147 - - Febrifuges 117 - - Feeding 20 - - Feeding on board ship 24 - - Feet, diseases of 127 - - Fencing 53 - - Fever of the feet, or laminitis 132, 133, 155 - - Fits 117, 153 - - Flooring 10, 143 - - Fomentations 146 - - Foot, construction of 128 - - Foot-stopping 13, 38 - - French horses 1, 2, 96 - - Frosting 80 - - - Gas water 146 - - Girthing 44 - - Glanders 26, 109 - - Glycerine 158 - - Goulard lotion 158 - - Grazing 26 - - Grey powder 115 - - Gripes 108, 121 - - Grooming 12 - - Grooms’ doctoring 12 - - Grooms’ requisites 15 - - Gruel, how to make 161 - - - Hack for draught 5 - - Hack to ride 3 - - Halter-cast 17 - - Haltering 16 - - Hames 58, 61 - - Harnessing 56 - - Harness-room 56 - - Hay 21 - - Head, diseases of 109 - - Head-stall 16 - - Heels, cracked or greasy 136 - - Hidebound 150 - - Hills, to ascend or descend 67, 68 - - Hood 18 - - Horse shows 94, 97 - - Hunter 5, 94 - - - Inflammation of bladder 125, 159 - - Inflammation of kidneys 125 - - Inflammation of lungs 114, 155 - - Influenza 110 - - Indian gram 22 - - Iodine ointment 159 - - Irish hunters 93 - - - Jibbers 71, 87 - - Jumping 53 - - - Kicking in harness 59, 71, 85 - - Kicking in stable 85 - - Kicking-strap 31, 59 - - Kidneys, inflammation of 125 - - Knee-caps 19, 31 - - Knees, broken 141 - - - Lameness 55, 78, 128, 140 - - Lampas 119 - - Latches, danger of 10 - - Lateral cartilage, disease of 135 - - Laudanum 121, 159 - - Laxatives 158 - - Leather boot 19 - - Leather soles 82 - - Legs, diseases of 127 - - Light 9 - - Liniments 158 - - Linseed mash 22 - - Linseed-oil 108, 158 - - Litter 9, 135 - - Liver, diseases of 125 - - Logs to head, tie 17 - - Loose-boxes 9 - - Lotions 141, 158 - - Loungeing or ringing 33, 84 - - Lungs, inflammation of 114, 155 - - - Mallenders and sallenders 144 - - Mane 14 - - Mange 150 - - Mangers 10 - - Martingals 40 - - Mash, to make 22 - - Megrims 153 - - Mercurial ointment 141, 160 - - Mercury.—See Calomel. - - Metastasis 155 - - Mounting of lady in side-saddle 55 - - Mustard blister 160 - - - Navicular disease 7, 134 - - Neck, sore 31 - - Nitre 117, 126 - - Nose, discharge from, or nasal gleet 110, 116 - - Noseband 42, 63 - - Numna or sweat-cloth 38 - - - Oak bark 159 - - Oats, bruised 21 - - Ointments 141, 160 - - Operations 102 - - Operations, slight 104 - - Opium, tincture of 121, 123 - - Out of doors, cleaning 12, 13 - - Over-reach or tread 140 - - - Pace, generally considered 34, 96 - - Partitions 10 - - Pavement 9, 10, 11, 143 - - Pease 20, 22 - - Peat or tan as bedding 10, 27 - - Phosphoric acid 124, 159 - - Picker 13, 15 - - Pole-chains and swinging-bars 73 - - Poll-evil 17, 117 - - Porter and ale 24, 37 - - Poultices 160 - - Private purchase 7, 90 - - Prizes 94, 97 - - Public troughs 26 - - Pulse 109 - - Purges 108, 158, 159 - - Purging 106 - - Purging, to stop 108, 121 - - Putting to, in draught 57 - - - Quittor 135 - - - Race-horses 1, 6 - - Racing laws 97 - - Racks and mangers 10 - - Rarey’s system 28, 102 - - Rearing up 52, 86 - - Restoratives, in work 24, 37 - - Riding 49 - - Ringing or loungeing 33 - - Ring-bone 144 - - Ringworm 148 - - Rollers 19, 152 - - Roughing and frosting 80 - - Runaways 71 - - - Saddling 43 - - Sallenders 144 - - Salt 15, 125, 154, 160 - - Sand-cracks 138 - - Saving-collar 30, 61 - - Sedative 161 - - Selecting 2 - - Selling 89 - - Setons 152, 156 - - Sex 3 - - Shape 1, 3, 5, 6, 94 - - Sheet, shape 18 - - Shelly hoofs 137 - - Shipboard 24, 104 - - Shivering fits 117 - - Shoeing 75 - - Shying 88 - - Side-saddle, for mounting lady to 55 - - Side-saddle and girths 44, 45 - - Singeing 15 - - Sitfasts 151 - - Size 1, 2, 72, 95 - - Skin diseases 148, 149, 150 - - Smelling, sense of 89 - - Solitude 11, 93 - - Sore back 38, 151 - - Sore eyes 110 - - Sore heels 136 - - Sore mouth 24, 158 - - Sore neck 31 - - Sore throat 118 - - Sore withers 38, 151 - - Soundness 5 - - Spavin, blood 146 - - Spavin, bone 144 - - Splinter and swinging bars 73 - - Splints 142 - - Stable requisites 15 - - Stabling 8 - - Staggers 153 - - Staling, profuse 123 - - Stalls 9 - - Steaming the head 112 - - Stevens’s ointment 142, 145, 159 - - Stirrup irons and leathers 45, 46 - - Stonehenge 11, 30 - - Stones on the road 13, 40, 55 - - Stopping feet 13, 38, 76, 134 - - Strain of back sinew 11, 14, 82, 143 - - Strangles 118 - - Straw 9, 10 - - String-halt 145 - - Stubbornness 71, 87 - - Stumbling 40, 52 - - Surfeit 147, 149 - - Sweating 32 - - Synovia 141, 143, 146 - - - Tar 15, 135, 138, 140, 158 - - Teeth 3, 24, 116 - - Terret-pad and belly-band 59, 61 - - Tinctures, administration of 158 - - Tips 83 - - Thorough-pin 146 - - Throat-lash or band 43 - - Throat, sore 118 - - Thrush 15, 131, 135 - - Traces 57 - - Training 28 - - Travelling 36, 84 - - Troop-horses 47, 50 - - Trotting 34 - - Turpentine 157, 158 - - Twitch 75, 104 - - - Unnerving 7, 134 - - Urinary organs, diseases of 125, 127, 159 - - - Ventilation 8, 18, 102, 109, 112, 115, 118 - - Vice 84 - - Vinegar 144, 158 - - - Walking exercise 32 - - Warranty 5, 7 - - Water, externally 12, 136 - - Water-dressing 160 - - Water farcy 148 - - Watering 25 - - Wheels 73 - - Whip 65 - - Wind-galls 14, 143 - - Wind-sucking 153 - - Withers, sore 38, 151 - - Work 33 - - Worms 28, 124, 160 - - Worm-powder 124 - - Wounds 152 - - Wrick or wrench 144 - - - Yellows 125 - - Young horses 94, 97 - - - Zinc, chloride of 158 - -PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Handy Horse-book, by Maurice Hartland Mahon - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HANDY HORSE-BOOK *** - -***** This file should be named 62993-0.txt or 62993-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/9/9/62993/ - -Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - |