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THE HORSE: /^ ^^^^ 
 HIS CARE AND TREATMENT, 
 
 FROM ENGLISH AND FRENCH AUTHORITY. 
 
 CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS IN 
 
 PURCHASING, CARE OF, RIDING, TRAINING, 
 
 ALL THE TRICKS OF DEALERS WHEN 
 
 SELLING AND BUYING. 
 
 THE RECIPES GIVEN IN THIS WORK ARE THE MOST 
 VALUABLE THAT CAN BE OBTAINED. 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 VALUABLE INFORMATION CONCERNING OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 CL^RKSON" &c CO., PUBLISHERS 
 
 1872. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, 
 
 By CLARKSON & CO., 
 
 In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington, D. C. 
 
 Printed by 
 Alfred Mudoe & Son, 34 School St., Boston. 
 
THE HORSE. 
 
 Good Mek, Good Horses. — A horse is never vicious or 
 intractable without a direct cause. If a horse is restive or timor- 
 ous, you may be sure tliat these faults arise from defects in his 
 education. He has been treated either awkardly or brutally. 
 Commence the education of a horse at his birth; accustom him 
 to the presence, voice and sight of man; speak and act gently; 
 caress him, and do not startle him. All chastisement or cruelty 
 confuses the animal and makes him wild. They are good men 
 wlio make good horses. 
 
 Horses, How to Judge and Select. — Color. — Light sor- 
 rel or chestnut, with feet, legs, and face white, are marks of kind- 
 ness. A deep bay, with no white hair, will be a horse of great 
 bottom, but a fool, especially if his face is a little dished. They 
 are always tricky and unsafe. A black horse cannot stand the 
 heat, nor a white one the cold. The more white about the head 
 the greater his docility and gentleness. Eye. — If broad and full 
 between the eyes, he may be depended on as a horse for being 
 trained to anything. Ears. — Intelligent animals prick up their 
 ears when spoken to; vicious ones threw their ears back. Face 
 and Neck. — Dished-faced horses must always be avoided, and a 
 broad forehead, high between the ears, indicates a very vicious 
 disposition; while a long thin neck indicates a good disposition; 
 contrawise, if short and thick; the nostrils of a good horse should 
 be large. 
 
 Horse, Points of a Good. — He should be about fifteen 
 and a half hands high; the head light and clean made; wide be- 
 tween the nostrils, and the nostrils themselves large, transpar- 
 ent and open; broad in the forehead; eyes prominent, clear and 
 sparkling; ears small and neatly set on; neck rather short, and 
 well set up; large arm or shoulder, well thrown back, and high; 
 withers arched and high; legs fine, flat, thin and small-boned; 
 body round and rather light, though sufficiently large to afibrd 
 substance when it is needed; full chest, aflbrding play for the 
 lungs; back short, with the hind-quarters set on rather ob- 
 
liquely. Any one possessing a horse of this make and appear- 
 ance, and weighing 1,100 or 1,200 pounds, may rest assured he 
 has a horse of all work, and a bargain well worth getting hold 
 of. 
 
 A well-shaped head, rather large; a long clean ear, full eye, 
 neck rather long, but not too much arched; strong withers, lying 
 well forward to catch the collar at the proper angle for draught, 
 and broad shoulders well spread into the back; back very straight, 
 ribs long and well rounded, hind legs bent at the hock, forelegs 
 forward, hind-quarters somewhat round, but not sufficiently so 
 to make them look short; the main and tail of strong, but not 
 coarse hair, and with a fetlock about two inches long; broad 
 knees, long hocks, short shanks, and hard ankles or fetlock 
 joints, and round hoofs, well opened behind; and the nearer you 
 can approach this description, the nearer the horse will be to per- 
 liection. 
 
 Hoof-Quarter, Cracked. — Many plans have been de- 
 vised by which to heal a quarter crack — such as scoring with a 
 knife, blistering, cutting with a sharp, hot iron, riveting and the 
 like, all which, in many cases, have proved a failure. If the fol- 
 lowing directions are adopted, the fore feet will be sound in three 
 months. Above the crack, and next to the hair, cut with your 
 knife an incision half an inch long, crosswise of the crack,"^and 
 about one quarter of an inch deep. Now from the incision draw 
 a line one quarter of an inch each side, parallel with the crack, 
 down to the shoe; then with your knife follow those lines, and 
 cut through the enamel or crust of the foot. Now there is a 
 piece of the crust to be taken out. This is done by loosening the 
 top of the piece next to the hair with your knife, then with your 
 forceps take hold of the piece and pull it off; that leaves a space 
 of half an inch of the crust taken out from the hair down to the 
 shoe. Fill the cavity with tar, and lace on a soft piece of leather 
 to keep the tar in its place. 
 
 Keep the animal quiet for three or four days, and he is ready 
 to drive, but it is best not to use him until the foot is perfectly 
 sound. Shoe with a bar shoe, leaving some spring to the heel, 
 so it will not. bear hard upon the weak quarter, and in three 
 months you will have a sound foot. 
 
 Horses, Age of b-y Teeth. — A horse has forty teeth — 
 ^ twenty-four double teeth, or grinders, four tushes, or single file 
 teeth, and twelve front teeth, called gatherers. As a general 
 thing, mares have no tushes. Between two and three years old, 
 the colt sheds his four middle teeth — two above and two below. 
 After three years old two other teeth are shed, one on each side 
 of those formerly changed ; he now has eight colt's teeth and 
 
eight horse's teeth; when four years of age he cuts four new teeth. 
 At five j^ears of age the horse sheds his remaining colt's teeth, 
 four in number, when his tushes appear. At six years of age his 
 tushes are up, appearing white, small and sharp, while a small 
 circle of young growing teeth is observable. The mouth is now 
 complete. At eight years of age the teeth have filled up, the 
 horse is aged, and his mouth is said to be full. By Eyelid. — 
 After a horse is nine years old, a wrinkle comes on the eyelid, at 
 the upper corner of the lower lid, and every year thereafter he 
 has one well-defined wrinkle for each year over nine. If, for in- 
 stance, a horse has three of these wrinkles, he is twelve; if four, 
 he is thirteen. Add the number of wrinkles to nine, and you 
 will invariably judge correctly of a horse's age. 
 
 Horse's Eyes, To Test a. — To test a horse's eyes, look at 
 the eye carefully, when the horse is in rather a dark stable. 
 Note the shape and size of the pupil carefully, carry this in your 
 mind while 5'ou turn your horse about to a strong, light. If the 
 pupil contracts and appears much smaller than in the first in- 
 stance, you may infer that the horse has a good strong eye ; but 
 if the pupil remains nearly of the same size in both cases, his 
 eyes are weak, and you had better have nothing to do with him. 
 
 Horse, to break of Pawijtg — Nail iron strips across the 
 horse's stall — say strips one inch wide and one-half inch thick, 
 six inches apart, securely nailed crossways his stall — and they 
 will soon make him sick of pawing, when he will no doubt find 
 some other way of passing away the time. If he takes to kick- 
 ing, fasten the trace chain around his fetlock; if to cribbing, 
 trade him off and let some one else cure him of that detestable 
 habit. 
 
 HORSE-COLLARS AND SADDLES, ETC., WoODEN". — Galled 
 
 shoulders and backs are to no small extent due to the soft pads 
 and cushions which are pressed upon the tender skin under which 
 the muscles play, and upon which great weight or draught is 
 borne. The skin thickens and gets tough to some extent, but 
 the softer or more padded the collar or saddle, the more liable 
 is the skin to blister and gall. This is because the perspiration 
 is retained, the skin softened and bone beneath. Horses whose 
 backs galled under padded saddles would get well when used 
 with well-fitting army saddles, which were simply hard wooden 
 trees covered with rawhide, dry and hard, almost like iron. Why 
 the hint has not been before taken we cannot imagine, but only 
 recently have we seen wooden horse-collars introduced. They 
 have been used for some time at the South — more, we fancy, 
 Irom necessity than from choice, but with the best results. Now, 
 1* 
 
twQ companies are manufacturing them in this city, and other 
 hard materials not liable to absorb water are being introduced. 
 Some are made to be used with hames; others have hooks or 
 other attachment places for traces upon the collar itself. One 
 patented material called " Flaxhorn " is very tough, capable of 
 being worked into very light strong collars, saddle-trees, har- 
 nesses, saddles, and pads. 
 
 A wooden collar for ordinary work can be made which opens 
 like ordinary hames, at the top, but the two parts are fastened 
 together at the bottom by a strong iron hinge. Others open to 
 go over the head of the horse at two points a little below the 
 trace-hooks on each side; others still, chietly in use for mules, we 
 believe, do not open at all, but are made in one piece, with two 
 spots cut out on each side, so that the collar will go over the head, 
 and not hurt the bony projections over the eyes. As we see it, 
 there is a great future for hard horse-collars, etc., and we fully 
 beUeve they will be not only lighter, but far easier for horses 
 than the heavy costly padded things they are now tortured with. 
 
 Horses, When Unsound. —Any of the following defects con- 
 stitute unsoundness in a horse: — 
 
 Lameness of all .kinds and degrees. Diseases of any of the 
 internal organs. Cough of every kind, as long as it exists. Colds 
 or catarrhs, while they last. Roaring, broken wind, thick wind, 
 grese, mange, farcy and glanders; megrims or staggers, founder, 
 convex feet, contracted feet, spavins and ringbones, enlargement 
 of the sinews or ligaments, cataracts and other defects of the 
 eyes, impairing sight. 
 
 The following may or may not occasion unsoundness, accord- 
 ing to the state or degree in which they exist: Corns, splints, 
 thrushes, bog-spavins, through pins,wind-galls, crib-biting. Curbs 
 are unsoundness unless the horse has worked with them for some 
 months without inconvenience. 
 
 Cutting, particularly speedy cutting, constitutes unsoundness 
 when it cannot be remedied by care and skill. Quidding, when 
 a confirmed habit, injures the soundness of a horse. 
 
 Defects, called blemishes, are: Scars from broken knees; 
 capped hocks, ^pUnts, bog-spavins, and through pins; loss of 
 hair from blisters or scars, enlargements from blows or cutting, 
 and also specks orstreaks on the corner of the eye. 
 
 Vices are : Restiveness, shying, bolting, running away, kicking, 
 rearing, weaving, or moving the head from side to side, string- 
 halt, quidding, slipping the halter. 
 
 Houses, Cake of. — The man having the care of horses 
 should be the embodiment of patience. His temper should al- 
 ways be unde'r perfect control. He should never inflict any un- 
 
necessary pain, for it is only by the law of kindness that a horse 
 can be trained and managed. No man ever yet struck a horse, 
 but that he made the horse the worse for it. Patience and kind- 
 ness will accomplish in every instance what whipping will fail to 
 do. Horses having a vicious disposition are invariably made so 
 from cruel treatment. 
 
 Horses are designed to work, and daily labor for them is as 
 much a necessity to their existence as to that of man's. It is 
 not the hard drawing and ponderous loads that wear out horses, 
 and make them pool", baulky and worthless; but it is the hard 
 driving, the worry by rough and inhuman drivers, that uses up 
 more liorse flesh, fat and muscle than all the labor a team per- 
 forms. Another great reason why there are so few really sound 
 animals, is because of their being put to work so soon. Horses 
 are not developed until they are five, six or seven years old, and 
 they should do very little work until they reach that period. 
 
 When a horse is worked hard its food should chiefly be oats; 
 if not worked hard, its food should chiefly be hay; because oats 
 supply more nourishment and flesh-making material than any 
 other kind of food; hay not so much. 
 
 Horses, Food for. — It is not possible to state the exact 
 quantity of food a horse requires to keep him in good working 
 condition. In all cases the horse himself tells whether he is 
 getting too much or too little. The best feed for ordinary horses 
 is hay and oats. Ten pounds of hay is a fair allowance of good 
 hay, and to fast-working horses, from fifteen, twenty, or twenty- 
 five pounds of oats; one-third of the hay may be given during 
 the day, the balance at night. Horses difter so much in the 
 quantity of hay they may eat without inconvenience in fact, 
 they vary so much in size, age, breeding, temper, condition, and 
 labor they are called upon to perform, that it is impossible to fix 
 upon any specific rules for feeding them. 
 
 Oats should be bruised for an old horse, but not for a young 
 one, bnecause the former, through age and detective teeth, can- 
 not chew them properly; the young horse can do so, and they 
 are thus properly mixed with the saliva and turned into whole- 
 some nutriment. Carrots given occasionally will give a fine, 
 silky appearance to the coat, and experiments have shown that 
 the best way to feed carrots is to give them with oats. If you 
 are in the habit of feeding four quarts of oats to a mess, give two 
 of oats and two of sliced carrots, and the result will be more 
 satisfactory than if each were fed separately. Youatt writes of 
 the carrot: " This root is held in much esteem. There is none 
 better, nor perhaps so good; when first given it is slightly diure- 
 tic and laxative ; but as the horse becomes accustomed to it these 
 effects cease to be produced. They improve the state of the skin. 
 
8 
 
 They form a good substitute for grass, aud an excellent altera- 
 tive for horses out of condition. To sick and idle horses they 
 render grain unnecessary. They are beneficial in all chronic 
 diseases connected with breathing, and have a marked influence 
 upon chronic cough and broken wind. They arc serviceable in 
 diseases of the skin, and, in combination with oats, they restore 
 a worn horse more than oats alone. It is also advantageous to 
 chop hay fed to a horse, and to sprinkle the hay with water that 
 has salt dissolved in it — a teaspoonful of salt to a bucket of 
 water is sufficient. Rack-feeding is wasteful. The better plan 
 is to feed with hay (chopped) from a manger, because the feed 
 is not then thrown about, and is more easy to chew and digest. 
 
 As often as once a week a change of food should be made — 
 one feed of cut hay and meal, or cut hay with shorts will do. 
 Musty hay on no account should be fed to horses. Let the food 
 be the best of its kind, for in the end it is the cheapest. 
 
 Horses, Water for. — In summer, when the horse sweats 
 much, he should have water four or five times a day; under 
 ordinary circumstances, two rules will guide the attendant. The 
 first is, never to let the horse get very thirsty; the second, to give 
 him water so often and in such quantity that he will not care to 
 take any within an hour of going to fast work. The quantity 
 of water which a horse will drink in twenty-four hours is uncer- 
 tain; it varies so much that one will drink quite as much as other 
 two or three. It is influenced by the food, the work, the 
 weather, and the number of services ; the demand for water also 
 increases with the perspiration. Horses at fast work, and kept 
 in hot stables, need a large allowance, which must be still larger 
 in hot weather; horses of slow work may be permitted to take 
 what quantity they please; but to those of fast work occasional 
 restriction is necessary. Restriction is always necessary before 
 fast work. A few quarts given an hour before going to work 
 ought to suffice. Water should always be given before rather 
 than after grain. Water your horses from a pond or stream 
 rather than" from a spring or well, because the latter is generally 
 hard and cold, w^Mle the former is soft and comparatively warm. 
 The horse prefers soft, muddy water to hard water, though ever 
 so clear. , • - ■ 
 
 Horse-feeding on the Road. — Many persons, in travel- 
 'ling, feed their horses too much and too often, coutmually stuffing 
 them, and not allowing them time to rest and digest their food; 
 of course they suffer from over-fulness and carrying unnecessary 
 weight. Horses should be well fed in the evening, and must not 
 be stufied too full in the morning, mid the travelling should be 
 moderate on starting when the horse has a full stomach. If a 
 
horse starts in good condition, he can go twenty or twenty-five 
 miles without feeding. 
 
 Horses, Cleaning. — When brought in from work, warm 
 with exertion, the liorse must be rubbed down and then 
 blanketed; but we would not blanket a horse in a good stable, 
 as a general rule, ex<;ept in extremely cold weather. A sharp- 
 toothed curry-comb is the dread of a line-skinned horse, and the 
 brush and straw wisp answer the same purpose much better, if 
 used as frequently as they should be. Mud should not be 
 allowed to dry on the legs of a horse; it is the cause of half the 
 swelled legs, scratches, and other affections of the feet with 
 which they are afflicted. 
 
 Horses, Stables for. — The floor of the stable should be 
 level, or nearly so. When it is inclined it causes the horse to 
 hang back, because the incline causes his loins and hind parts 
 to ache intolerably, and he hangs back in order, if possible, to 
 get his hind legs beyond tbe gutter, thus diminishing, by many 
 degrees, his standing up hill. The best bedding is that of straw, 
 fine shavings from a planing mill, or sawdus't — pine sawdust 
 being best, and oak sawdust the worst. They should be allowed 
 to stand on the naked floor as little as possible. " If I were 
 asked," said a noted stoek-raiser, '' to account for my horses' 
 legs and feet being in better order than those of my neighbor, I 
 should attribute it to the four following circumstances : First, 
 they are all shod with a few nails, so placed in the shoe as to per- 
 mit the foot to expand every time they move. Second, that they 
 all live in boxes, instead of stalls, and can move whenever they 
 please. Third, they spend two hours daily in walking exercise 
 when they are not at work. Fourth, that I have not a head- 
 stall or trace-chain in my stable. These four circumstances 
 comprehend the whole mystery of keeping horses' legs fine, and 
 their feet in a sound working condition up to an old age. 
 
 Horse Stables, To Deodorize. — Sawdust, wetted with 
 sulphuric acid, diluted with forty parts of water, and distributed 
 about horse stables, will remove the disagreeable ammonical 
 smell, the sulphuric acid combining with the ammonia to form a 
 salt. Chloride of lime slowly evolves chlorine, which will do the 
 same thing, but then the chlorine smells worse than the am- 
 monia. Sulphuric acid, on the contrary, is perfectly inodorous. 
 The mixture must be kept in shallow earthenware vessels. 
 The sulphuric acid used alone, either diluted or strong, would 
 absorb more or less of the ammonia; and besides this, the saw- 
 dust offers a large surface to the floating gas. 
 
10 
 
 Horses, Blanketing. — In reference to blanketing horses 
 in winter, it is doubtless true that blanketing keeps a horse's 
 coat smoother in winter, and hence fine carriage horses and 
 saddle horses will continue to be blanketed. But where horses 
 are kept more for service than for show, we think they had 
 better dispense with the blanket. Keeping them cons*tantly 
 covered makes them tender and liable to take cold. It is better to 
 give them a warm stable, and plenty of straw for bedding, and 
 good food. When they are to stand for any length of time out- 
 of-doors in a cold winter's day, they should have blankets. And 
 so when they come in from work steaming hot, they should be 
 allowed to stand a short time until they have partially cooled off; 
 then the blankets should be put on for an hour. Be careful and 
 not delay putting on the blanket until they have become chilled. 
 
 Horses, Poor, Hoav to Fatten. — Many good horses de- 
 vour large quantities of hay and grain, and still continue thin 
 and poor. The food eaten is not properl}^ assimilated. If the 
 usual feed has been unground grain and hay, nothing but a 
 change will efiect any desirable alteration in the appearance of 
 the animal. In case oil meal cannot be obtained readily, mingle 
 a bushel of flaxseed with a bushel of barley, one of oats, and 
 another bushel of Indian corn, and let it be ground into fine 
 meal. This will be a fair proportion for all his feed. Or the 
 meal or barley, oats and corn, in equal quantities, may at first 
 be procured, and one-fourth of oil cake mingled with it when 
 the meal is sprinkled on cut feed. Feed two or three quarts of 
 the mixture three times daily with a peck of cut hay and straw. 
 If the horse will eat that amount greedily, let the quantity be 
 gradually increased, until he will eat four, five or six quarts at 
 every feeding, three times a day. So long as the animal will eat 
 this allowance, the quantity may be increased a little every day. 
 !But always avoid the practice of allowing the horse to stand at 
 a rack well tilled with hay. In order to fatten a horse that has 
 run down in flesh, the groom should be very particular to 
 feed the Minimal no more than he will eat up clean and lick his 
 manger for more. Follow the above suggestions and the result 
 will be satisfactory. 
 
 Interfering. -7-T0 prevent interfering in a horse who is 
 turned out in the' front feet, the shoe should be applied to fit 
 closely on the inside, and the nails applied round the toe and to 
 the outside. In some instances a small piece of leather placed 
 betwixt the sole and the shoe, and allowed to project outwards, 
 has a very good eflect in preventing interfering. 
 
 Itch. — To cure a horse affected with itch, first reduce his 
 
11 
 
 daily allowance of food, putting him on alow diet, and then give 
 him a teaspoonful of a mixture of equal parts of sulphur and 
 antimony, and at the end of a week or ten days the sores will 
 have disappeared, and the horse will be covered with a fine coat 
 of new hair. 
 
 Kidneys, Ixflammation of. — (Nephritis.) — Symptoms: 
 Gradual loss of flesh, pain accross the back, impaired action of 
 the hind extremities, and the frequent passing of urine, which 
 is very highly colored In treating this affection, the horse 
 should be allowed perfect rest, and he should also have a gen- 
 erous diet of easily digested food, and plenty of mucilaginous 
 drinks. The loins may be rubbed every third or fourth day with 
 mustard, and one drachm of tartar emetic given every night. 
 This medicine can be conveniently administered mixed with the 
 food. 
 
 Kicking in Stall. — To prevent your horse from kicking in 
 the stall, fasten a short trace chain, about two feet long, by a 
 strap to each hind foot. A better way is to have the stalls made 
 wide enough so that the horse can turn in them easily. Close 
 them with a door or bars, and turn the animal loose. After a 
 while he will forget the habit, and stand tied without further 
 trouble. 
 
 Knee-Pan Displaced. — Feed the horse well on oats, bar- 
 ley, and sound hay; give him a drachm of powdered phos])hate 
 of iron daily in his food ; keep in a stall with a perfectly smooth 
 and level floor, and not less than five and a half or six feet wide; 
 apply a shoe with a bar welded to the toe, projecting two or three 
 inches, and then let it be turned up ; rub the joint with an oint- 
 ment made of one drachm of powdered cantharides to half an 
 ounce of lard, repeating the application next day if it has not 
 blistered. When a blister rises, wash it off* with soap and warm 
 water, and then anoint the part daily with lard, until the scab 
 and other effects have passed off", when another blister may be 
 applied. 
 
 Knee-Spjiung. — The best remedy for knee-sprung, or con- 
 tracted tendons, is a winter's run in a straw yard, or a summer's 
 run at grass. 
 
 Lampas. — This consists in a swelling of the first bar of the 
 upper palate. It is cured by rubbing the swelling two or three 
 times a day, with one-half an ounce of alum and the same quan- 
 tity of double refined sugar mixed with a little honey. 
 
12 
 
 Legs, Inflammation and Swelling of. — Eest, and the 
 application of an active blister to the swollen parts, will effect a 
 cure. No better blister can be used than the following: Take 
 resin and black pitch each four parts, beeswax three parts, sweet 
 oil eleven parts, Spanish flies six parts, euphorbium two parts. 
 Melt the resin, pitch and wax first, then add the oil, and when 
 thoroughly mixed remove from the fire; lastly, add very slowly 
 the powdered flies and euphorbium. Before the blister is ap- 
 plied, the hair should be cut close off", and the skin, if scurfy, 
 washed with Castile soap and warm water, after which it must 
 be thoroughly dried, and the blistering ointment rubbed in for 
 ten minutes. After applying the blister, the horse's head should 
 be tied up to prevent his biting the part, or rubbing it with his 
 nose. At the expirntion of two or three days most horses may 
 be set at liberty. In about a week rub sweet oil over the blis- 
 tered part. 
 
 Legs, Broken, To cure.— Instead of summarily shooting 
 the horse, in the greater number of fractures it is only necessary 
 to partially sling the horse by means of a broad piece of sail or 
 other strong clolh, placed under the animal's belly, furnished 
 with two breechings, and two breast-girths, and, by means of 
 ropes and pulleys attached to a cross beam above, he is elevated 
 or lowered, as may be required. By the adoption of this plan, 
 every facility is allowed for the satisfactory treatment of the 
 fractures. 
 
 Liniment for the Galled Backs of Horses. — White 
 lead moistened with milk. When milk is not to be procured, oil 
 may be substituted. One or two ounces mixed at a time will be 
 sufficient for a month. 
 
 Liniment for Bruises, Sprains, etc. — Take one pint of 
 alcohol, four ounces of Castile soap, one-quarter ounce of gum 
 camphor, one-quarter ounce of sal ammoniac. When these are 
 dissolved, add one ounce of laudanum, one ounce origanum, one 
 half ounce- oil of sassafras, and two ounces spirits of hartshorn. 
 Bathe freely. 
 
 Liniment, 2^erVe and Bone. — Take beefs gall one quart, 
 alcohol one pint, volatile liniment one pound, spirits of turpen- 
 tine one pound, oil of origanum four ounces, aqua ammonia four 
 ounces, tincture of Cayenne one-fourth pint, oil of amber three 
 ounces, tincture of Spanish flies six ounces. Mix. 
 
 Moon Eye. — Moon eye is a term applied to remittent in- 
 flammation of the eyes of the horse. From the remittent or 
 
13 
 
 periodical appearance of this disease, it has been supposed that 
 it recurred monthly, or with special changes of the moon — hence 
 the name Moon Eye or Moon Blinding. It is constitutional 
 hereditary disease, localizing itself in the eyes. This malady 
 attacks alike the young and the aged, the fat and the lean, while 
 the high bred and the mongrel, the lazy and the nervous, are 
 all equally prone to its baleful influence. Certain kinds of eyes 
 — especially the small sunken eye — seem disposed to contract 
 the disease. Of all the influences tending to the development 
 of moon eye, none is more clearly established than the heredi- 
 tary predisposition. During its prevalence the animal is almost 
 entirel}' useless. 
 
 Mouth, Sore. — Symptoms: Tlie mouth runs water, the 
 horse cuds, or throws hay out of his mouth. The cause of this 
 disease is often from frosted bits being put into their mouths, or 
 by eating poisoned weeds. To cure, take of borax three drachms, 
 two draclims of sugar of lead, one-half ounce of alum, one pint 
 of vinegar, one pint of sage tea. Shake all well together, and 
 wash the animal's mouth out every morning. Give him no hay 
 for twelve days. 
 
 The Mule. — There seems to be but little doubt that mules 
 are more economical than horses for farming purposes. The 
 expense of shoeing mules is much less than that of shoeing 
 horses, on account of the smallness of their feet, the hardness 
 of the hoof, and its freedom from disease. 
 
 Mule, Splint on. — To remove these bony formations, the 
 treatment consists in repeated blistering. Having first cut the 
 hair short, rub a little of the following ointment into the skin, 
 covering the splint, every night, until a free watery discharge is 
 produced from the surfiace: Take of biniodide of mercury two 
 drachms, lard, one ounce. Mix. If after an interval of a 
 fortnight, the splint does not appear much reduced in size, the 
 ointment should be re-applied and repeated at similar intervals. 
 
 iN'ASAL Gleet — or running at the nose — can be cured by 
 taking one-half a pound of resin, one-half a pound of blue 
 vitriol, and four ounces of ginger, grinding them all fine, and 
 giving the horse a spoonful two or three times a day, 
 
 Navicular Disease. — Symptoms : To prevent tension of 
 the injured parts the horse points his foot. Pointing is also 
 observed in corns and in bruises and injuries of the heel; but 
 long-continued pointing is to be dreaded as the harbinger of 
 incurable lameness. Lameness at first is often slight, and dis- 
 2 
 
14 
 
 appears after one-half an hour's work, from increased secretion 
 of syndia. In lifting his foot the horse bends his knee less than 
 natural, and — especially when first brought out — walks on his 
 toe; the toe of the shoe wears rapidly, while the heel exhibits 
 very slight wear. The horse steps or moves in a stilty 
 sort of way. In from four to eight weeks the hoof becomes 
 deeper, narrower at the heels; the sole becomes very concave, 
 and the foot appears no wider at the sole than at the coronet. 
 When the foot, and especially the elastic and insensible frog, 
 ceases to bear weight, it becomes absorbed, the quarters conse- 
 quently contract, and the sole ascends. This is most on horses 
 used on hard roads and paved streets; rapidity of action is the 
 cause in a great many instances. Tnatment. — In such cases 
 the practice of paring the quarters almost to the quick is 
 adopted. The toe is shortened, and the feet are enveloped in 
 poultices tor ten days, renewing the poultice twice a d£ij. The 
 horse should be fed on bran and oats scalded, with a mod- 
 erate allowance of hay. Give a dose of opening medicine at 
 the end of ten days; blister the coronet, and keep the hoof moist 
 with wet cloths. The sole may now be thinned, and the horse 
 kept standing on wet sawdust, and a second blister may be at 
 the same time applied. When the horse is shod for work, a 
 leather sole should be applied, and the space between the foot 
 and sole stufted with tar and tow. Turning the horse into a 
 damp pasture for six weeks will be attended with benefit. In a 
 great many instances this disease is incurable. 
 
 Ointment, Hoof. — Take one-half a pound of lard and four 
 ounces of rozin. Heat them over a slow fire until melted ; take 
 the pot of!' the fire, add one ounce of pulverized verdigris ; stir 
 well to prevent it from running over. When partially cool add 
 two ounces of turpentine. Apply it from the hair down one 
 inch. Work the horse all the time. 
 
 Ointment, Sloan's. — Resin four ounces, beeswax four 
 ounces, l^rd eight ounces, honey two ounces. Melt these arti- 
 cles slowly, gently bringing to a boil ; and, as it begins to boil, 
 remove from the fire and slowly add a little less than a pint of 
 spirits of turpentine, stirring all the time this is being added, 
 anti stir until cool. • , . 
 
 Over-reaching. — Make the shoe its natural length, or a 
 trifle longer — with the calk of the forward shoes highland the 
 heel calk low. The hoof will then stand farther forward, and 
 be more removed from the stride of the hind foot, which, being 
 shod Avith a low toe calk and high heel calk, will strike the 
 ground before it reaches the for« foot. An interfering horse 
 
15 
 
 ocenerally strikes with the inside of the hoof, about two inches 
 from the toe ; therefore make the shoe straighter oa the inside, 
 and rasp the hoof accordingly. 
 
 Palsy. — An attack of this kind is frequently followed by 
 wasting of the affected muscles — they lose their rounded form, 
 and present a more or less withered aspect. The most common 
 causes of this disease are idleness and plethora. It may result 
 from accidental violence, as blows or falls. Treatment. — First, 
 apply a blister over the loins. Then give the mare one of the 
 following pills every mornin;:: for eight or ten days : Take gen- 
 tian and ginger of each two drachms, linseed meal four drachms, 
 strychnine five grains. Mix with water for one pill. The diet 
 should be light, and the mare kept quiet in the stable, or — bet- 
 ter — a box stall. 
 
 Physic Ball. — Barbadoes aloes four, five or six drachms 
 (according to the size and strength of the horse), tartrate of 
 potassia one drachm, of ginger and Castile soap of each two 
 drachms, anise or peppermint twenty drops ; ' pulverize, and 
 make all into one ball with thick gum solution. Before giving 
 a horse physic, he should be prepared for it by feeding scalded 
 bran, in place of oats, for two days at the least, giving also 
 water which has the chill taken off, and continue this feed and 
 drink during its operation. If it should not operate in forty- 
 eight hours, repeat one-half the dose. 
 
 Pneumonia, Acvt^. — Symptoms. — They are first taken 
 with a dry, depressed cough, loss of appetite, but thirsty ; pulse 
 feeble, but frequently the extremities are cold — sometimes 
 when first taken, at others they retain their natural heat until 
 the disease assumes its worst appearance, and then the legs be- 
 come cold. Respiration is very active and laborious ; the ani- 
 mal pants all the time, stands with fore legs widely separated, 
 never lies down, and is loth to move. Some discharge copiously 
 from both nostrils a thick, slimy matter, sometimes mixed with 
 blood — in that case the whole body is excessively hot, and the 
 extremities also, but other symptoms the same. The treatment 
 in the early stage of this disease should be : 1. An abundant 
 supply of cool, "fresh air. 2. Abstinence from grain or corn. 
 3. Extra clothing and warm bandages to the legs. In all cases 
 itr is desirable that the patient should at once be removed to an 
 airy, loose box. 
 
 Poll Evil. — If there is only swelling and slight tenderness, 
 but without any fluctuation or pressure from contained matter, 
 give the horse as a laxative five drams of Barbadoes aloes, and 
 
16 
 
 rub the poll actively with an ointment made by mixing equal 
 parts of mercurial and iodine ointments. Repeat this applica- 
 tion, if necessary, to induce some blistering action. If matter 
 is already formed, as indicated by the fluctuation or pressure, 
 the swelling should be at once opened so as to let it escape. An 
 opening should then be made from the very lowest point of the 
 sac, so "that the matter may flow freely as soon as formed. If 
 obstinate, it may be injected several times a week, with a lotion 
 containing one-half a dram of chloride of zinc to a pint of water. 
 
 Poll Evil. {Norwegian cure.) — Cover the head and neck 
 with two or three blankets ; have a pan or kettle of the best 
 warm cider vinegar ; then hold it under the blankets ; steam 
 the parts by putting hot stones, brick, or iron into the vinegar, 
 and continue the operation until the horse perspires freely ; do 
 this for three mornings, and skip three, until nine steamings 
 have been accomplished. 
 
 Poll Evil and Fistula. — Common potash one-fourth 
 ounce, extract of belladonna one half drachm, gum Arabic one- 
 fourth ounce. Dissolve the gum in as little water as practicable ; 
 then, having pulverized the potash, unless it is moist, mix the 
 gum water with it and it will soon dissolve ; then mix in the ex- 
 tract and it is ready to use ; it can be used without the bella- 
 donna, but is more painful without it and does not have quite as 
 good an efl"ect. The best plan to get this into the pipes is by^ 
 means of a small syringe, after having cleansed the sore with' 
 soap-suds ; repeat once in two days, until all the callous pipes 
 and hard fibrous base around the poll evil or fistula is com- 
 pletel}^ destroyed. 
 
 PQW^DERS, Condition. — Two ounces resin, two ounces salt- 
 petre, two ounces black antimony, two ounces sulphur, two ounces 
 saleratus, two ounces ginger, one ounce copperas. One table- 
 spoonful to a dose once a day for three days ; then skip two or 
 three days, and give again until you have given in this way nine 
 doses, or even more if you like. It should be given in the spring 
 and fall, or at any tmie when the animal is not doing well. 
 
 Powders, Clean3Ikg. — Take of ginger two ounces, four 
 ounces fenugreek; one ounce black antimou}', and two ounces 
 rhubarb. Grind all fine, mix it well, and it is fit for use. Give 
 a large spoonful eveiy morning and night. It gives a good ap- 
 petite, and fine coat and life to the animal. 
 
 QuiTTOR. — The treatment of this disease is as follows : After 
 the shoe has been removed, thin j;he sole until it will yield to 
 
17 
 
 the pressure of the thumb ; then cut the under parts of the 
 wall in an oblique direction from the heel to the anterior part, 
 immediately under the seat of complaint, and only as far as it 
 extends, and rasp the side of the wall thin enough to give way 
 to the pressure of the over-distended parts, and put on a bar- 
 shoe rather elevated from the frog. Ascertain with a probe the 
 direction of the sinuses, and introduce into them a saturated so- 
 lution of sulphate of zinc, by means of a small syringe. Place 
 over this dressing the common poultice, or the turpentine oint- 
 ment, and renew the application every twenty-four hours. 
 Three or four such applications will complete a cure. It is rec- 
 ommended that^when the probe is introduced, in order to ascer- 
 tain the progress of the cure, that it be gently and carefully used, 
 otherwise, it may break down the new-formed lymph. 
 
 Horse, Hotv to Eide a. — The body of the rider is divided 
 into three parts, of which two are movable and one immovable. 
 One of the first consists of all the upper part of the body down to 
 the waist, the other of the lower part of the leg from the knee down. 
 The immovable portion is from the waist to the knees. The 
 rider should sit perfectly square on the middle of the saddle, the 
 upper part of the body presenting a free and unconstrained ap- 
 pearance, the chest not very much thrown forward, the ribs rest- 
 ing freely on the hips, the waist and loins not stiffened, and thus 
 not exposed to tension or efforts from the motions of the hors.e ; the 
 \q3per part of the body should lean slightly to the rear, rather than 
 forward ; the thighs, inclining a little forward, lie fiat and firm- 
 ly on the saddle, covering the surcingle, of which only a small 
 part behind the knee should be seen ; the lower part of the leg, 
 hanging vertically from the knees, touches the horse, but with- 
 out the slightest pressure ; the toes are pointed up without con- 
 straint, and on the same line with the knees, for if the toes are 
 turned outward, it not only causes the horse to be unnecessarily 
 pricked by the spurs (if worn), but the firmness of the seat is 
 lost ; the heels should be seven-eighths of an inch below the 
 toes; and the stirrups so adjusted that when the rider raises 
 himself on them, there may be the breadth of four fingers be- 
 tween the crotch and the saddle ; to make this adjustment, when 
 the rider has acquired a firm and correct seat, he should, with- 
 out changing that seat, push the bottom ot the stii'rup to the 
 hollow of the foot, and then, with the foot horizontal, feel a 
 slight support from the stirrup; when this is accomplished he 
 replaces the foot properly in the stirrup, and the heel will then 
 be seven-eighths of an inch below the toes. 
 
 To give the rider a correct seat, the instructor, having caused 
 him to mount, seizes the lower part of his leg, and stretches it 
 straight towards the fore-quarters of the horse, so as to bring the 
 
18 
 
 buttocks of the rider square on the saddle ;" then, resting one 
 hand on the man's knee, he seizes the lower part of the leg 
 with the other, and carries back the thigh and knee so as to 
 bring the crotch square on the saddle, the thighs covering the 
 surcingle, the lower part of the leg, from the knee down, also 
 over the surcingle, and sees that the rider does not sit too much 
 on his crotch, but has his buttocks well under him. He then ex- 
 plains to the rider that the firmness of the seat consists in this : 
 that the rider grasps the horse with his legs; that both thighs 
 press equally upon the saddle, in conformity with the movements 
 of the body, and that the general movements of the body and 
 thighs must conform to those of the horse. He should be 
 taught, too, how to hold the feet, without allowing him to place 
 them in the stirrups, for this is one of the most essential con- 
 ditions tor a good seat. 
 
 EiNGBONE. — This disease is generally caused by heavy 
 draught, especially in up-hill work. The first appearance of the 
 complaint is indicated by a hard swelling upon the top of the 
 j'etlock or pastern joint, accompanied by tenderness, pain, heat, 
 ^tc. Cooling appliances, such as cold water, soap, camphor, etc., 
 ^with a little laudanum, should be promptly applied, giving the 
 ;animal perfect rest, with green food or roots in connection with 
 liay — no grain. This may be followed by some convenient prep- 
 aration of iodine, like an ointment of iodide of lead and lard. 
 Rub in the ointment well, and follow up the treatment for sev- 
 eral weeks. If the case is an obstinate one, try blistering with 
 cerate of cantharidcs, continuing, at intervals, the use of the 
 iodine. Equal parts of turpentine and kerosene would no doubt 
 form a most excellent wash — the crude coal oil would be better 
 than that which has been refined. Hub it well into the hair 
 around and above the hoof. 
 
 Ringbone Remedies. — Pulverized cantharides, oils of spike, 
 origanum, amber, cedar, Barbadoes tar, and British oil, of each 
 t^yo ounces ; oil of wormwood one ounce, spirits of turpentine 
 four ounces, common potash one-half ounce, nitric acid six 
 ounces, oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid) four ounces, and lard three 
 pounds. Melt the lard and slowly add the acids ; stir well and 
 add the others, stirring until cold. Clip otf the hair, and apply 
 by rubbing and heating in ; in about three days, or when it is 
 done running, wash off with suds and apply again. In old cases 
 it may take three or four weeks, but in recent cases two or three 
 applications will cure. — 2. Take one-half pint spirits of turpen- 
 tine, one-half ounce blue stone, one-half ounce of red precipi- 
 tate. Shake well and use every morning ; and keejD the hoof 
 well greased. This will not only take otf the hair, but cause a 
 
19 
 
 severe blister. After healing, if there still be signs of lame- 
 ness, repeat the remedy. 
 
 EiNGWORM. — Wash the parts with a very stron^r infusion of 
 bayberry bark, wipe dry, and then smear the denuded spots with 
 a mixture of four ounces of pyroligneous acid, one ounce of tur- 
 pentine, the washing and dressing to be repeated until healthy 
 action is established. If the disease does not readily disappear, 
 give sulphur, cream of tartar, and sassafras, equal parts, in a 
 dose of six drachms daily. If tlie disease still lingers, sponge 
 the denuded parts with tincture of muriate iron. 
 
 Ru'N'AWAY Horses, To prevent injuries from. — This can be 
 done by electricity. A complete electric apparatus can be pur- 
 chased in a small case. Let one of these be fixed in an out-of- 
 the-way nook in the carriage, two wires to hook to harness, 
 beneath which have two very thin copper plates properly placed. 
 In the event of a runaway, the driver and inside occupants will 
 only have to press a glass knob to stop instantly the mad career 
 of the strongest horses. 
 
 Rupture. — Rupture or hernia is the protrusion of a bowel, 
 or some other part, from its proper cavity. It is sometimes con- 
 genital, and may then be produced at the same time that castra- 
 tion is performed. At other times rupture may be produced by 
 blows, kicks, or falls. A hernia is dangerous to life when it be- 
 comes compressed or strangulated by a stricture at the orifice of 
 protrusion. Skilful surgical aid should always be obtained in any 
 such case at once. But sometimes, in the absence of a veterina- 
 rian, any one may restore the gut by introducing the hand into 
 the bowel and drawing it up; the other hand, at the same time, 
 making gentle pressure upon the swelling in the abdomen. No 
 violence should ever be used in attempting this; and the bowels 
 should first be emptied by a clyster. 
 
 Scratches. — If a horse's blood is pure he will not have the 
 scratches. Give him a tablespoonful of saltpetre every day for 
 fifteen days, and be careful about his taking cold while feeding 
 it. It opens the pores so that he will take cold very easy. Along 
 with this take pure, dry white lead, pure oxide of zinc and gl}^- 
 cerine, of each half an ounce; fresh lard (free from rancidity) one 
 and one half-ounce. Mix the white lead, oxide of zinc, and gly- 
 cerine, to a uniform, smooth paste, then add the lard, a little at a 
 time, till a uniform, smooth ointment is formed. Wash the parts 
 with Castile soap and water, and dry with a cloth, then apply the 
 ointment two or three times daily with the fingers. Wash once 
 .in two or three days, and dry the spot well before dressing again. 
 
20 
 
 The horse should stand on a plank floor kept clean and dry; 
 and if used, all dust, sand and dirt should be washed oft* so that 
 the aff"ected parts may remain clean. If these directions are 
 strictly carried out, it will seldom, if ever, fail to cure the very 
 worst cases within a reasonable time. 
 
 Shoeing Hoeses. — Few horseshoers understand thoroughly 
 the anatomy of the horse's foot. The great mistake is made in 
 attempting to trim the hoof to fit the shoe, whereas the shoe 
 should be made to fit the hoof. Yery little trimming is needed 
 if the shoe is made right. The frog should never be touched by 
 the buttress, if the foot is healthy, as Nature has intended that 
 to be the spring or cushion to first receive the blow when the 
 foot is set down on the road, to guard the knee and shoulder from 
 the concussion. 
 
 Nothing can be more barbarous than the carving and cutting 
 of a horse's foot before shoeing, though on his skill m this many 
 a fiirrier prides himself. The idea that the frog must not be 
 allowed to bear on the ground — that the sole must be thinned 
 till it '' springs on the thumb," is a most pernicious one. 
 
 As you value your horse, do not let the blacksmith even scrape 
 the dirt ofi" the frog. It would be better if he could not see it, 
 because, if anything fit to be called a frog, he will beg, argue, 
 and try every means to persuade you to let him cut it. Do not 
 turn your back to him while he has the foot in his lap and knife 
 in his hand, or else oil' comes a portion of the frog. Lf the frog 
 is left to itself, it will, when nature gets ready, shed itself; but 
 the difterence between shedding and cutting is, that before shed- 
 ding the under frog is protected by a suitable covering, but when 
 cut it is exposed to the action of the air and water, which causes 
 it to crack, leaving those '' rags " which the blacksmith loves so 
 well to cut. Do not open the heels, as it increases the resistance 
 -ofiered to contraction. 
 
 The summer shoe needs to present a flat surface to the ground. 
 Make it of the same width and thickness from the toe to the 
 hpel. Have the seating deep, so as to prevent the sole pressing 
 upon the shoe as it descends. Have a clip at the toe to prevent 
 the shoe- slipping back, but none A,t the sides, as they not only 
 destroy too-m,udh of the hoof, but prevent expansion. Have the 
 fullering deep to receive the nail-heads, and have the nail holes 
 straight — neither inclined inwardly or outwardly. Have only 
 five nails to hold on the shoe — two on the inner, and three on 
 the outside. Place the two on the inner side about one and a half 
 inches from the top ; those on the outside may be placed larther 
 back towards the heel. The reason ia, that when the foot strikes 
 the ground it expands to relieve the horse of the shock of his 
 weight, and the inner side being thinner than the outside, the 
 
21 
 
 expansion is greater. By placing the nails far back we prevent 
 that expansion, thereby cramping the foot, which makes the 
 animal step short and quick, like one with tight boots. If we 
 take an old shoe, we find at the heels that it is worn down, and 
 also that it is smaller and bright, which is not done by the shift- 
 ing of the shoe, as you only find it at the heels, by the action of 
 the foot while expanding and contracting. Of course, this action 
 wears upon, but the toot is continually growing. 
 
 On fitting the shoe, do not let it burn the foot, as it makes a 
 strong foot brittle, and on a weak one hurting the horse. Be 
 sure it fits close to the foot. Bring in the heels, as not they, 
 but the nails prevent expansion. Do not get the nads larger 
 than necessary ; bring them out low down in the crust, and 
 make the clinchers very broad. Rasp below but not above the 
 clinchers, as the foot above is covered — if healthy — with a 
 varnish which excludes the air and water. 
 
 The hind shoe need not be so broad, but a little higher at the 
 heels. In this put seven nails, as the hind legs propel and the 
 front legs receive the weight. 
 
 The winter shoe needs toe and heel pieces to prevent the horse 
 from slipping. Have the inner cork not quite so sharp as the 
 outer one, so that if he ^steps upon the other foot it will not 
 cut it. 
 
 The outside of the hoof ought not to be at all touched by the 
 rasp, save at the very edge, as rasping tends to thicken the hoot 
 and make it coarse and clumsy. Shoes should be made just as 
 light as they possibly can be to answer the purpose. Ordinarily 
 they are one-third too heavy. A horse's hoof should be care- 
 fully cleaned every day, and oiling the hoof once or twice a week 
 is recommended. 
 
 Spavin. — Take one-half ounce oil of amber, one ounce oil of 
 spike, two ounces spirits of turpentine, one-half ounce nitric acid. 
 The acid must be put into the bottle last. Apply this mixture 
 thoroughly, and — though it will not remove the bunch — the 
 lameness will generally disappear. If the horse is over four 
 years old, you will fit a bar of lead just above it, wiring the 
 ends together so that it will constantly wear upon the enlarge- 
 ment, and the two together will cure nine cases out of every ten 
 in six weeks. 
 
 Spavin Cupe. — Take one ounce of origanum oil, one 
 ounce of British oil, one ounce of oil of spike, one ounce oil of 
 wormwood, one ounce gum myrrh, one gill of alcohol. Put the 
 oils together ; put the gum in the alcohol, and let it stand for 
 twenty -four hours, and then add it to the oils ; shake well .before 
 using ; apply it to the parts affected, and rub it in well with the 
 
22 
 
 hand, or heat it in with a hot iron. If it is applied for a sprain, 
 use it morning and evening. Wash clean once in three days. 
 
 Splint. — When a splint does not occasion lameness it need 
 not be interfered with. To cure, take volatile liniment (of the 
 U. S. Dispensatory) to which add one' dram of oil of origanum. 
 Apply this thoroughly twice a day, followed by rubbing the splint 
 with a round pine or bass wood stick, as hard as can be done 
 without abrading the skin. This treatment should be continued 
 several weeks, when it wil^ be discovered that the splints will 
 grow less and finally disappear. 
 
 Spraixs, General Treatment of. — Eest is the first re- 
 quirement. N"ext apply wet bandages until the heat is abated, 
 and until there is no pain on pressure ; then rub with some 
 simple ointment. 
 
 Staggers. — This is a functional disorder of the brain, which, 
 when once it has declared itself, is said to be beyond cure. The 
 following prescription may be tried. Give a mess twice per 
 week composed of one gal. of bran, one table-spoonful of sul- 
 phur, one spoonful of saltpetre, one quart of boiling sassafras 
 tea, one and one-fourth ounces assafetida. Keep the horse from 
 cold water for one-half a day afterwards. 
 
 Strangles. — Feed with light, cooling (green if it can be 
 had) food ; mix the food with sassafras tea, in which a spoonful 
 of powdered sulphur and a teaspoonful of saltpetre have been 
 added. 
 
 Stifle-Stepping, to Cure. — One-half a tea-cup of vine- 
 gar, the whites of two eggs, a piece of alum the size of a chestnut, 
 well beaten, dissolved and warmed. Twitch and knee-strap the 
 fore leg standing oft' from the aft'ected member. Apply with 
 the hand and rub it in well ; saturate a piece of flannel six 
 inches square, place it over the joint, cover this with a double 
 thickness of the same, long enough to lap behind the leg, and 
 draw it very^ tight. Now take a very hot flat-iron and iron it, 
 being cautious not to blister your horse too severely. Turn him 
 oat, and in one week repeat ; in the mean time bathe the parts 
 with a decoction 'of ^yhite-oak bark. 
 
 Sweeny. — A horse is said to be sweenied when the muscles 
 of the shoulder appear to have perished away, and the skin 
 seems to be attached closely to the shoulder-blade. These 
 symptoms may arise from chronic lameness in the foot or other 
 part of the limb. In such case, of course it is of no use to apply 
 
23 
 
 remedies to the shoulder. Cure the foot, and the shoulder will 
 come right, although stimulants aud rubbing will expedite it. 
 But genuine sweeny is quite diflerent from the above, although 
 the appearances are the same. It is caused by hard drawing in 
 a collar that is too large ; or where no whiffletree is ever used, 
 but the traces are hitched directly to the thills, as in ''jumpers," 
 as they are called ; or by jumping fences, or the like. The 
 presence of real sweeny may be discovered by moving the horse 
 in a circle, or causing bim to step over bars, when you can gen- 
 erally determine the seat of the lameness. For such cases Irri- 
 tants with friction, is the proper treatment. Blistering liniment, 
 or seton, or a piece of leather inserted under the skin, will cure 
 with rest. 
 
 Taming and Training. — Many persons pay for instructions 
 in training horses, and j^et they nearly all fail, simply because, 
 with all the instructions in the world, they cannot handle a 
 horse — it is not in them. To be a successful trainer you must 
 have a sympathy with the horse and a personal power of con- 
 trol. That which partakes of the power necesi^ary to subdue 
 and train, you will find in your own mind, your own love, will 
 and wisdom. If you have little or no instinctive love for the 
 horse, of course you are not the person to control him. Men 
 and women are often found who are said to have the natural 
 gift of controlling the horse; they love horses from instinct, as it 
 were. The secret in these cases consists in their intense love 
 for the horse. If you love the horse, you will, you can but know 
 how to make the horse love you. Love, in all grades of animals, 
 has its appropriate language; and when this language is ad- 
 dressed to the horse, it excites love, of course. A blow with a 
 whip or club does not come from love, but from combativeness, 
 and it excites combativeness or fear in the horse. If you want 
 to make a horse love you (and you must cause him to love you 
 if you control him), why of course you must love him and treat 
 him accordingly. Study the character of your horse — not the 
 nature of horses in general, but of the horse that you wish 
 to control. Horses differ in their dispositions as really as men 
 do, and each one is to be approached, attracted, pleased and 
 controlled accordingly. To make him Lie Doivn. — First, catch 
 your horse, then strap the near fore leg up round the arm of the 
 animal; lead him about on three legs until he becomes tired or 
 weary; he will then allow you to handle him anywhere; then 
 attach a strap with a ring to the off fore-fetlock; to this ring 
 fasten another strap, which being brought over the horse's back 
 to the near side, is put through the ring on the off fore-fetlock; 
 return the end of the strap to the near side, still keeping fast 
 hold, and move the animal on, aud pull ; he will then be thrown 
 
24 
 
 upon his knees, when, after struggling for some time, by gentle 
 usage he will lie down. After unloosing the straps, put him 
 through the same process as before, when the horse will lie 
 down whenever required. Uniformity is necessary in our meth- 
 od. It is by the repetition, by the constant recurrence of certain 
 motions, words, or actions, that we succeed. Many fail for the 
 want of uniformity in their method. They are loving and kind 
 by spells, then they are harsh and cruel. The horse is " im- 
 pressed," as it is said, with his master's wishes, when those 
 wishes are often and uniformly expressed in motions, words, 
 and actions! If man needs "precept upon precept, line upon 
 line," etc., in order to learn his lessons well, how much more true 
 is this of the horse, which is below man in consciousness and 
 the reflective faculties. Teaching him to Pace. — Buckle a four 
 pound weight around the ankles of his hind legs (lead is prefer- 
 able) ; ride your horse briskly with these weights upon his ankles, 
 at the same time twitching e»ih. rein of the bridle alternately; 
 by this means you will immediately throw him into a pace. After 
 you have trained him in this way to some extent, change your 
 leaded weights for something lighter; leather padding, or some- 
 thing equal to it, will answer the purpose; let him wear these 
 light weights until he is perfectly trained. This process will 
 make a smooth and easy pacer of any horse. To make him Trot. 
 — The secret consists in using rollers on the front feet. These 
 rollers are made of pieces of wood or horn turned round, as big 
 as a hickory nut, with a gimlet hole bored through the centre of 
 each, and about twelve of them strung on a string or narrow 
 strap (which should be much smaller than the hole), and then 
 tied or buckled very loose around the feter-lock joint next to the 
 hoof, so that they will play loose up and down when the horse is 
 in motion. As soon as the horse finds something on his feet, he 
 will lift them up higher and throw them out farther and hand- 
 somer; this he will soon learn permanently. Another secret is 
 that a small or medium sized flat is the best, and far superior to 
 the track S3'stem for teaching the horse or colt to gather quickly. 
 A very light skeleton or gig should be used in training. To ISit 
 on his Haunches. — First teach the horse to obey you, so that 
 when you say^, "Ho!" he will remain still. Then, having 
 taught '^hiiil to lie, down, let him get up on his fore legs, and 
 then stop him. The horse gets up in this way, and 3- on have 
 only to teach hint to hold his position for a while. It does not 
 strain the horse to sit,* and 3'ou must always use the word " Sit," 
 in connection with the feat; also the word " Down," when you 
 wish him to fall. To make him Follow you. — Take 3^our horse 
 to the stable, put on a surcingle and a bridle with short reins, 
 which may be checked up a little and fastened to the surcingle. 
 Then lead him about a few times, and letting go the bridle, con- 
 tinue to caress him, as you constantly say, '• Come along." If 
 
25 
 
 he lag, give him a light cut behind with a long whip. Continue 
 this until you succeed. Do not forget the element of " love " in 
 this as well as other feats. To Teach Mm to Pick u]) a Hand- 
 kerchief. — Spread on the sawdust a white cloth containing a lib- 
 eral supply of oats; lead the animal round the ring, and let him 
 take some of the oats. This is lesson ISTo. 1: its object being to 
 fix in the horse's mind a connection between the cloth and the 
 oats. The march round the circle being once or twice repeated, 
 he stops at the handkerchief as a matter of course. By dint of 
 practice — say a couple of weeks — he will learn to stop as read- 
 ily in a trot or a gallop as in a walk. After a time the handker- 
 chief must be doubled over and tied in a knot; the animal shakes 
 it to get at the grain; but not succeeding, lifts it from the 
 ground, which is just the thing wanted. When the horse has 
 done this a few times, and finds that, though he can shake noth- 
 ing out, he will receive a handful of oats as a reward, he may be 
 trusted to perform in public. The last step of all — persuading 
 the horse to carry the handkerchief to his owner — is easily 
 done. Of his own accord he will hold the cloth till it is taken 
 from his mouth, and there will be little dilficulty in coaxing him 
 to walk a few steps — when he knows that he will get a handful 
 of oats or a carrot for his obedience. Teaching him to Walk. — 
 For every-day use, the most economical gait for a horse is a fast 
 walk; and yet not half the thought is given to this essential that 
 there is to other things that secure to the horse a name rather 
 than intrinsic value. Colts can be taught to walk fast by follow- 
 ing them for a half day together (some one leading) with a small 
 switch, starting them, when inclined to go slow, into a quicker 
 pace. After they are harnessed, keep fast walking in mind; and 
 when on level ground, or going up a hill with a very light load, 
 urge them to their utmost, until four miles an hour becomes a 
 haoit. Teachinj him to Stand. — Take your horse on the barn 
 floor, and throw a strap over his back and fasten it to his right 
 fore foot; load him along, and, " Whoa," and at the same time 
 pull down the strap, which will throw him on three feet, and 
 make him stop suddenly. This is the best way known to teach 
 " Whoa," though you can put on the war bridle, and give him a 
 sharp jerk that will stop him about as soon as the strap to his 
 foot. Then put him in harness, with the foot strap, as directed 
 under the head of " Training to Harness," and drive him up to 
 the door. The moment he undertakes to move, take his foot 
 and say " Whoa." Get in your carriage and get out again; rat- 
 tle the thills; make all the noise getting in and out you can; 
 give him to understand, by snatching his foot each time he 
 moves, that he must stand until you tell him to go ; and after a 
 few times you can put the whole family in the carriage, and he 
 will not stir out of his tracks. 
 3 
 
26 
 
 TAivnNG, Peepaeatiox foe. — Take finely grated horse castor, 
 and oils of rhodium and cummin ; keep these in separate bottles, 
 well corked ; put some of the oil of cummin on your hand, and 
 approach the horse on the windy side. He will then move to- 
 wards you ; then rub some of the cummin on his nose ; give him 
 a little of the castor on anything he likes, and get eight or ten 
 drops of the oil of rhodium on the point of his tongue ; you 
 can then get him to do anything you please. Follow up your 
 advantage by all the kindness and attention possible towards 
 the animal, and your control is certain. 
 
 Tendons, Contracted. — First try the effect of lowering 
 the heels a little more than the toe at each shoeing, and apply- 
 ing a shoe with a plate projecting an inch or two in front of the 
 toe. If there is much tenderness of the back sinews on pres- 
 sure, this form of shoeing must be avoided until that has been 
 removed. The thickened tendons must be rubbed daily with a 
 mixture in equal parts of strong iodine ointment and blue oint- 
 ment, until blistering takes place, when it may be discontinued 
 until the eftects have passed off. The horse should have a yard 
 to run in where he is not very Hkely to be excited to vigorous 
 or irregular action, or, if kept in-doors, let it be in a roomy box, 
 and give a moderate amount of walking exercise daily. Should 
 several months of this sort of treatment fail to restore in part, 
 it may be advisable, perhaps, to have the back sinews cut 
 through. 
 
 Thrush. — This is a discharge of very offensive matter from 
 the cleft of the frog. It is inflammation of the lower surface of 
 the sensible frog, and during which pus is secreted together with 
 or instead of horn. In its treatment, almost any astringent 
 substance will check thrush in its early stage. Tar and common 
 salt mixed is a very good api:»lication, and tar and sulphate of 
 zinc can also be highly recommended. Before the introduction 
 of either of these preparations, the frog should be carefully 
 inspected and all decayed parts removed. The dressing must 
 be pressed to the bottom of the cleft and commissures of the 
 frog, and this s^iouldbe repeated every other day or twice a week. 
 
 Tricks of Horse-Dealers. — Unless a man is accustomed 
 to horses, it is the greatest folly in the world to depend upon his 
 own knowledge in purchasing them, for there is a class of men 
 who make their living by bringing up horses with all manner of 
 defects, and which their art enables them to disguise just as 
 long as is sufficient to take in their dupes. In buykig as well as 
 selling are these deceptions practised. A few of these " tricks " 
 are as follows. To make a True-pulling Horse Baulk. — Take 
 
27 
 
 tincture of cantharides one ounce, and corrosive sublimate one 
 drachm. Mix, and bathe his shoulders freely at night. To 
 make a Horse appear as if Lame. — Take a sincrle hair from the 
 tail ; put through the eye of a needle ; lift the front leg, and 
 press the skin between the outer and middle tendon or cord ; 
 shove the needle through; cut off the hair on each side, and 
 let the foot down ; the horse will go lame in twenty minutes. 
 To makt a Horse stand hy his Food and not Eat it. — Grease the 
 front teeth and the roof of the mouth with common beef tallow, 
 and he will not eat until you have washed it out. To make a 
 Horse appear as if Badly Foundered. — Take a fine wire and 
 fasten it around the fetlock, between the foot and heel, and 
 smooth the hair over it. In twenty minutes the horse will show 
 lameness. Do not leave it on over nine hours. To Cure a 
 Horse of the Crib or Sucking Wind. — Saw between the upper 
 teeth to the gums. To Cover up the Heaves. — Drench the horse 
 with one-fourth pound of common bird shot, and he will not heave 
 until they pass through him. To make a Horse appeo.r as if he 
 had the Glanders. — Melt four ounces of fresh butter and pour 
 it into his ear. To Nerve a Horse that is Lame. — Make a small 
 incision about half way from the knee to the joint on the outside 
 of the leg, and at the back part of the shin bone you will find 
 a small wliite tendon or cord ; cut it off and close the external 
 wound with a stitch, and he will walk off" on the hardest pave- 
 ment and not limp a particle. To Disguise Lameness. — When 
 a horse goes dead lame in one shoulder, it can be disguised by 
 creating a similar lameness in the corresponding leg, by taking 
 off the shoe and inserting a bean between it and the foot. To 
 put Black Spots 071 a White Horse. — Take of powdered quick- 
 lime one-half a pound, and litharge four ounces. Well beat and 
 mix the litharge with the lime. The above is to be put into a 
 vessel, and a sharp ley is to be poured over it. Boil and skim 
 off the substance which rises on the surface. This is the color- 
 ing matter, which must be applied to such parts of the animal 
 as you wish to have dyed black. To Produce a Star on a Horse. 
 
 — Take a piece of tow-linen, the size of the wished-for star ; 
 spread on it warm pitch, and apply it to the shaved spot ; leave 
 it on for two or three days, when wash with a little asmart water, 
 or elixir of vitriol, two or three times a day until w^ell. When the 
 hair grows it will be white. To make an Old Horse appear 
 
 Young. — This is done by filing down the teeth, the dark mark- 
 ings on which are removed by a hot iron. Filling 'up the de- 
 pressions over the horse's eyes, by puncturing the skin over 
 the cavity, and filling through a tube by air from the mouth, and 
 then closing the aperture, when the brow will become smooth 
 
 — for a time. The white hairs are painted out, when the ani- 
 mal will altogether have a youthful appearance. 
 
28 
 
 Ueine, Stoppage of — Symptoms: Frequent attempts to urin- 
 ate, lookino; round at his sides, lying down, rolling and stretch- 
 ing. To cure, take one-half pound of hops, three drachms oil of 
 camphor; grind and mix. Make this into three pills. Give one 
 every day, with a drench made of a small spoonful of saltpetre 
 and two ounces of water. This will cure, as a general thing. 
 
 Waets, To Cure. — The safest and most effectual caustic for 
 destroying warts is chromic acid. Having first picked off the 
 rough outer surface of the warts so as to make them bleed, ap- 
 ply, by means of a small wooden spatula, a little of the dry acid, 
 rubbing it well in. This will cause a free discharge of watery 
 fluid from the surface. Jn a few days the wart is converted into 
 a tough, leather-like substance, which ultimately falls off, gen- 
 erally leaving a healthy sore, which soon heals. 
 
 Warts on a Horse's Nose. — Dissolve one-half pound of 
 alum in a quart of water; with a brush or cloth wet the warts 
 twice each day for four days, and they will disappear. 
 
 Water Farcin. — Symptoms: The horse is dull and loses 
 his appetite, and swells along the belly or chest and between the 
 fore legs. To cure: Rowel in the breast, and along each side of 
 the chest, as far as the swelling goes. Leave the rowels in until 
 the swelling goes down; give a spoonful of cleansing powders 
 morning and night. 
 
 Wen, To Cure a. — Take equal parts of soft soap and slaked 
 lime, well mixed. Lance the wen at the time of making the 
 application, or two or three days after. Two or three applica- 
 tions will cure. 
 
 Wind-Galls. — Wind-galls are puffy swellings above and be- 
 hind the fetlocks, caused "by the enlargement of the sheaths 
 through which the tendons pass. In recent cases nothing fur- 
 ther is required than rest, aperient medicine, and wet bandages 
 wra.pped firmly around the swellings. It may also be advisable 
 to remove. ihe shoe and shorten the toe to remove the tension 
 of the tendons. When there is lameness, and the swelling is in- 
 durated, hot fomentations for several hours a day, or poultices, 
 should be applied.' A woolen bandage should afterwards be ap- 
 plied, and camphorated spirits well rubbed in daily. 
 
 Wind in Horses, To Improve, — It will be found, if tar water 
 and powdered charcoal are mixed with the horse's feed, that it 
 will have a most beneficial effect on his wind and condition. 
 
29 
 
 Worms in Horses. — 1. Give every morning, one hour be- 
 fore feeding, three drachms of sulphate of iron and two drachms 
 of assafoetida; and every night, for a week, throw up an injection 
 of one ounce oil of turpentine and ten ounces of linseed oil. 
 Green food is to be preferred. 2. White- a'=^h bark burnt to ashes 
 and made into rather a very strong ley; then mix half a pint of 
 it with one pint of warm water, and give it all two or three times 
 daily. 
 
 Breasts, Sore. — A thorough application of strong alum 
 water or white oak bark to the breast of the animal, three days 
 before going to work, will toughen them so that they will not 
 get sore. Another excellent plan is, when you let your team 
 rest for a few moments during work, to raise the collar and pull 
 it a little forward, and rub the breast thoroughly with your naked 
 hand. 
 
 Breaking Down. — The suspensory ligament is attached su- 
 periorly to the back of the knee, and inferiorly to the back of the 
 fetlock joint. It is elastic and gives springiness to the limb. In 
 motion and in standing it passively supports the' horse's fetlock. 
 If this ligament is torn or cut across, the joint comes to the ground 
 and the toe turns up; if severely strained, the fetlock descends 
 unnaturally low. In breaking down, the fetlock is almost com- 
 pletely torn across, and the fetlocks come nearly or completely to 
 the ground. Considerable swelling soon ensues above and behind 
 the fetlock; there is great pain and symptomatic fever, and in 
 severe cases the tendons are generally sprained. When the sus- 
 pensory ligament is completely ruptured, and where the injury 
 occurs in both fore legs, treatment need not be attempted. In 
 severe cases the leg should be immersed in a pail of water, and 
 kept in it for several days. When the pain and fever subside, 
 wet bandages may be used. A dose of opening medicine should 
 also be given. Bran mashes and hay should constitute the horse's 
 diet at the first, and when pain and fever subside the diet may 
 be more liberal. In bad cases a high-heeled shoe may be ap- 
 plied, or the horse may be slung so as to relieve the aftected leg 
 of weight. 
 
 Blood, Fulness of. — When this condition appears, the 
 eyes appear heavy, dull, red or inflamed, and are frequently 
 closed as if asleep; the pulse is small and oppressed; the heat 
 of the body somewhat increased; the legs swell; the hair also 
 rubs off. Horses that are removed from grass to a warm stable, 
 and full fed on hay and corn, and not sufliciently exercised, are 
 very subject to one or more of these symptoms. By regulating 
 the quantity of food given to him, by proper exercise and occa- 
 sional laxatives, a cure may soon be effected. 
 
30 
 
 Bowels, Loose. — In cases of chronic diarrhoea, a good 
 remedy is to put powdered charcoal in the feed, and if the dis- 
 ease depends on a digestive function — the Hver included — give 
 a few doses of the following: Powdered golden seal two ounces, 
 giijger one ounce, salt one ounce. Dose one-half an ounce twice 
 jSi day. 
 
 BoTS. — Bots are the larvae of the gad fly, of which there 
 are three different kinds. The female gad fly, during the sum- 
 mer months, deposits her ova on the horses' legs or sides, and 
 they become firmly attached to the hair. After remaining on 
 the leg for some time, perhaps four or five days, they become 
 ripe, and at this time the slightest application of warmth and 
 moisture is sufficient to bring forth the latent larvte. At this 
 period, if the tongue of the horse chances to touch the egg, its 
 operculum is thrown open, and a small worm is produced, which 
 readily adheres to the tongue, and with the food is conveyed 
 into the stomach, and therein is lodged and hatched. It clings 
 to the cuticular coat by means of its tenacula, between which 
 lis its mouth; and in such a firm manner does it adhere to the 
 jlining of the stomach, that it will suffer its body to be pulled 
 jasunder without quitting its hold. Bots are often supposed to 
 'do a good deal of harm, but except in cases where they accumu- 
 late in very large numbers, we are of the opinion that they are 
 almost harmless, because in ordinary cases they are chiefly 
 attached to the cuticular coat, and the cuticular coat of the 
 stomach is not possessed of a great degree of sensibility. Most 
 horses that have been running at pasture during the summer 
 months become affected more or less with bots, and their pres- 
 ence in the stomach is thus accounted for. When a horse is 
 troubled with the bots, it may be known by the occasional nip- 
 ping at their own sides, and by red pimples and projections on 
 the inner surface of the upper lip, which may be seen plainly by 
 turning up the lip. To remove them, take of new milk two 
 quarts, molasses one quart, and give the horse the whole amount, 
 fifteen minutes afterward give two quarts of very warm sage 
 te£l, and thirty minutes after the tea give one pint of linseed oil 
 (or enough to operate as a physic). Lard has been used, when 
 the oil could not be obtained, with the same success. The cure 
 will be complete, as the milk and molasses cause the bots to let 
 go their hold, the tea puckers them up, and the oil carries them 
 entirely away. The spring is the only season in which there is 
 a chance to effectually remove them. 
 
 Cataract.— This can be removed from a horse's eye with 
 finely pulverized burnt alum, blown into the horse's eye through 
 a goose quill. Or take oil of wintergreen, get a small glass syr- 
 
31 
 
 inge, and inject a few drops into the eye, and after three days 
 repeat the application. 
 
 Catarrh, Nasal, or Coryza. — This malady is commonly 
 known as a cold; it is an inflammation of the membrane lining 
 the interior of the nose, and is observed in all the domestic ani- 
 mals. It occurs frequently after sudden changes in the tem- 
 perature of the atmosphere, which checks or diminishes largely 
 the action of the skin. In the early stage the animal is fever- 
 ish; the membrane of the nose is dry and infected; the animal 
 also frequently sneezes and coughs. There is a watery mucus 
 discharge from one or both nostrils, which by degrees assumes a 
 yellowish color. In young animals this affection is generally 
 associated vv^ith swellings beneath the jaws. When the disease 
 extends over a longer period than a fortnight it assumes a 
 chronic type. Treatment. — Dissolve one-half an ounce of nitre 
 in a pint of water, and administer this to the patient daily, or it 
 may be mixed with the water which the horse drinks. A bran 
 mush should be given every other day. When the disease 
 assumes a chronic form, which' is seldom the case, injecting the 
 nose with a weak solution of alum will remove the discharge. 
 Young horses are very apt to have swelled legs unless they get 
 walking exercise for a short time every day. This is owing 
 partly to the weakness of the circulation, and partly to a dete- 
 riorated state of the blood having been engendered during the 
 horse's sickness. 
 
 Castration. — A most important point to be considered is 
 the proper time for the operation to be performed, and when 
 that is satisfactorily decided, employ none other than a thor- 
 oughly competent individual to assume the duty. Very many 
 of the defects observable in geldings are attributable to too 
 early or too late a period of castration, and might have been, in 
 a great measure, avoided by a judicious selection of the time 
 suitable for its occurrence. A colt whose development will war- 
 rant his being cut at five or six months of age, will be in very 
 slight danger from the operation; but few are so formed, much 
 the larger number requiring a year's full growth to sufficiently 
 perfect them, and others exceeding even that age. The withers, 
 neck and shoulders are the most frequently deficient, and are 
 parts that are most dependent upon castration lor their proper 
 appearance in the horse. The weather of late spring or early 
 autumn will be found the most suitable time for castrating, when 
 the air is dry and temperate. Upon no consideration should 
 the animal, after being cut, be exposed to wet or inclement 
 weather, or unsheltered from too hot a sun. Close confinement, 
 or unlimited exercise, is equally prejudicial to an early and sue- 
 
32 
 
 cessful healing of the parts, and moderate liberty should in all 
 cases be allowed the patient. 
 
 Speaking of the operation, Mr. Youatt says: "The old 
 method of^opening the scrotum (testicle bag) on either side, and 
 cutting off the testicles, and preventing bleeding by a temporary 
 compression of the vessels, while they are being seared with a 
 hot iron, must not, perhaps, be abandoned; but there is no 
 necessity of that extra pain, when the spermatic cord (the blood 
 vessels and the nerve) is compressed between two pieces of 
 wood as tightly as in a vise, and then left until the following 
 day, or until the testicle drops otf." He also objects to the 
 unnecessary pain inflicted upon colts by corping them, and states 
 that it is accompanied with considerable danger. With regard 
 to the method of castration by Torison, he adds: "An incision 
 is made jiito the scrotum, and the vas deferens is exposed and 
 divided; the artery is then seized by a pair of forceps contrived 
 for the purpose, and is then twisted round six or seven times. 
 It retracts without untwisting the coils, and bleeding ceases, the 
 testicle is removed, and there is no sloughing or danger. The 
 most painful part of the operation, which is that of the firing- 
 irons or the clamps is avoided, and the wound readily heals." 
 
 ClickijS^g. — This is noticeable by a disagreeable clicking 
 noise made by the horse striking the toe of his hind shoe against 
 the inner edge of the fore one. To prevent this annoying habit, 
 shoe the hind foot short at the toe — that is to say, set the shoe 
 as far back as is compatible with security and safety; the fore 
 shoe should be forged narrow with the inner margin filed round 
 and smooth. 
 
 Colic, Symptoms: The horse often lies down, and suddenly 
 rises again with a spring; strikes his belly with his hind feet, 
 ^stamps with his fore feet, and refuses every kind of food, etc. 
 The following is said never to fail in curing cases of colic: Aro- 
 matic spirits of ammonia one-half an ounce, laudanum one and 
 a. half ounce; mix with one pint of water, and administer. If 
 not relieved, repeat the dose in a short time. Another and a 
 better remedy is to take a piece of carpet, blanket, or any thick 
 material, la-rge 'enough to cover the horse from his fore to his 
 hind legs, and frohi the spine to the floor as he lies, and wring 
 it out in hot watev as -hot as you can stand. You need not fear 
 scalding the animal. J^pply this to the horse, and cover it with 
 a similar dry cloth. As soon as the heat diminishes much, dip 
 the wet cloth again in hot water. 
 
 Collar, How to Fit a Horse. — An excellent plan, and one 
 that will not injure the collar, is to dip it in water until the 
 
33 
 
 leather is thoroughly wet, then put it on the horse, secure the 
 hames firmly, keeping it there until it becomes dry. It is all the 
 better if heavy loads are to be drawn, as that causes the collar to 
 be more evenly fitted to the neck and shoulder. If possible, the 
 collar should be kept on from four to five hours, when it will be 
 perfectly dry, and retain the same shape ever afterwards; and as 
 it is exactly fitted to the form of the neck, will not produce 
 chafes, nor sores on the horse's neck. 
 
 Corns. — Corns occur to horses with the best of feet. The 
 high heeled and contracted quartered, the low as well as the 
 broad, all occasionally become afflicted with this annoying dis- 
 ease, the common cause being the worst of shoeing. Success in 
 the treatment of corns must rest entirely upon the intelligent 
 understanding of the shoer. If he is master of the art, he will 
 see at a glance what parts of the foot require to be removed. In 
 the preparation of the foot no matter what its form, so long as 
 there is no reason to suspect suppuration, no '' paring out the 
 corn " should be permitted. When such officious exploration is 
 permitted, the healthy condition of the whole foot is interfered 
 with; the scooping out of the horn, at the angle formed by the 
 wall and bar interferes with the natural growth of these parts, 
 causes them to tilt over and to press directly upon the seat of 
 the corn, thus inflicting injuries which frequently terminate in 
 suppuration. Let the horse's foot be properly adjusted in all its 
 parts, always leaving as broad and level a bearing surface as 
 possible. With regard to the shoe, unless the condition of the 
 horse's foot requires some special modification for its protection, 
 we prefer a plain shoe, a small clip at the toe, moderately broad 
 web, and of uniform thickness from toe to heel. 
 
 Colts, Their Care and Management. — Much harm arises 
 from improper weaning. A good method is, when the colt is 
 four or five months old, to put a strong halter upon him, place 
 him in a stall, and put his mother in an adjoining stall, with a 
 partition between, so arranged that they can see each other, 
 and, if possible, get their heads together. The first day let the 
 colt nurse twice — the next day once. Feed the mare upon dry 
 hay and dry feed, and about half milk her two or three times a 
 day until dry. • Feed the colt upon new-mown grass or fine 
 clover hay, and give him a pint of oats twice per day, and in 
 about two weeks you will have your colt weaned, and your mare 
 dry, and your colt looking as well as ever. When he is one year 
 old he has as much growth and development of muscle as one 
 two years old weaned in the usual manner. When the mare 
 becomes dry, colt and mare may be again turned in pasture. 
 An opinion generally prevails among farmers that, from the 
 
34 
 
 time the foal is taken from its dam up to coming to maturity, it 
 should not be " pushed," as the saying is, nor fed on grain, for 
 fear it would injure one so young and tender. This accounts 
 for the great number of moping or spiritless and unthrifty colts 
 that are scarcely able to drag one leg after another. Their very 
 appearance, cadaverous and pitiful looks, seem to convey to the 
 mind of every sensible man that they are the victims of a 
 wretched system of starvation, which enervates the di^restive or- 
 gans, impairs the secretions, and impoverishes the blood. 
 Hence the deficiency in the development of bone and muscle. 
 The muscles and tendons, being so illy supplied with material 
 for growth and development, become very weak, and afl^brd but 
 little support to the bones and joints, so that the former become 
 crooked and the latter weak — defects which no after feeding, no 
 skill in training can counteract. It must be known to breeders 
 that from the time of birth up to maturity, colts require food 
 abounding in flesh-making principle, nitrogenous compounds — 
 oats, corn, etc.; otherwise they must naturally be deficient in 
 size, symmetry, and powers of endurance. Therefore they 
 should be regularly fed and watered ; and their food should con- 
 sist of ground oats, wheat bran, and sweet hay, in quantities 
 sufficient to promote their growth. Finally, proper shelter 
 should always be provided for them. They should not be ex- 
 posed, as they often are, to the vicissitudes of the weather, under 
 the false notion of making them tough and hardy. Equally un- 
 wise is it to confine colts to close, unventilated, and filthy sta- 
 bles, deprived of light, exercise, and pure air. They should be 
 groomed every da}^; a clean skin favors the vitalization of the 
 blood. They should be permitted to gambol about as much as 
 they choose. Exercise develops muscle, makes an animal active 
 and spirited, and increases the capacity of the lungs and chest. 
 By the above means, and proper attention to the principles of 
 breeding, the business of raising colts may become both credit- 
 able and profitable. 
 
 Colt, To Prevent from Jumping. — Pass a good stout sur- 
 cingle around his body; put on his halter, and have the halter 
 strap long' enough to go from his head, between. his fore legs, 
 then through the surcingle, and back to one of his hind legs. 
 Procure a tliill strap, and buckle around the leg between the foot 
 and joint; fasten the baiter strap in this — shorter or longer, as 
 the obstinacy of tlie case may require. It is also useful to keep 
 colts from running where there is likely to be danger from the 
 result. If the thill strap should cause any soreness on the leg, 
 it may be wouLd with a woolen cloth, and it would be well to 
 change from one leg to the other occasionally. 
 
35 
 
 Colt, Callus on. — Take one ounce of bitter sweet, one 
 ounce of skunk cabbage, one ounce of blood root ; steep and mix 
 with lard ; make an ointment, and apply once or twice a day. 
 This is considered a sure remedy. 
 
 Cough. — Take powdered squills one ounce, ginger two 
 ounces, cream of tartar one ounce ; mix well, and give a 
 spoonful every morning in bran. Another remedy is to give the 
 animal a feed of sunflower seed. 
 
 Ceibbing. — There is supposed to be no remedy for this habit, 
 but a person who has tried it says that a horse can be cured o± 
 cribbing by nailing a sheepskin, wool side up, wherever there is 
 any chance for the horse to bite. 
 
 Distemper, — The treatment of distemper should consist in 
 good nursing rather than active or oflicious medication. In the first 
 instance the animal should, if convenient, be removed to a loose 
 box, with extra clothing, flannel bandages to the legs, dei)riva- 
 tion of grain, warm mashes, and a small quantity of damped hay. 
 If the running .at the nose is considerable, the throat very sore, 
 and the cough troublesome, it will be advisable to wrajD several 
 folds of thick flannel around the throat, which should be kept 
 constantly wet with alcohol, or weak camphor and spirit — that 
 is, one part camphor dissolved in sixteen parts alcohol. A dose 
 of four drachms of either nitrate or sulphate of potass, dissolved 
 in the drinking water, may be given once or twice each day. 
 Active stimulants, particularly blisters, are wholly inadmissible. 
 Demulcent drinks, such as hnseed tea, hay tea, or oat or corn- 
 meal, are useful and often acceptable. The animal should 
 remain quiet in his box until all irritation in his throat has com- 
 pletely passed away. Even when the horse is " convalescent," 
 the owner must not be in a hurry to get him into fast work, 
 because the membrane of the larynx (upper jDortion of the wind- 
 pipe) will continue to be for some time very susceptible of 
 irritation and inflammation. In the advanced stages, if the 
 debility is great and the appetite poor, much benefit is derived 
 from the administration of tonics and stimulants. The followino- 
 may be given daily: Iodide of iron one drachm, extract of gen- 
 tian four drachms; mix for to make one ball, or dissolve'in a 
 pint of ale and then give as a drink. In cases, however, which 
 are progressing favorably. Nature had better be left to herself 
 and tonics should only be resorted to when the symptoms really 
 indicate the need of them. 
 
 Dressing Hoof. — A good preparation, and one that will 
 give the horse's hoof a rapid and healthy growth, is to take ot 
 
36 
 
 oil of tar one pint, beeswax one and one-half pounds, whale oil 
 lour pints. The above ingredients should be mixed and melted 
 together over a slow fire, and applied to all parts of the hoof at 
 least once or twice a week. 
 
 Eye, Ii^flammation of. — Keep the horse quiet, and dress 
 the eye repeatedly Avith the following lotion: Take of tincture of 
 opium two ounces, and of water one pint; mix. Much depends 
 upon a proper application of the lotion, and a most advantageous 
 proceeding is to attach several folds of linen rag to the headstall 
 so as to cover the eye, and by being repeatedly saturated it will 
 keep up constant evaporation, as well as a cooling effect. The 
 horse should also be removed from excessive light. When the 
 inflammation has been subdued, the opacity — more or less of 
 which is sure to remain — must be treated by the application 
 of either iodide of potassium or nitrate of silver, prepared thus: 
 Take of iodide of potassium twenty grains; water one ounce; 
 mix; or take of nitrate of silver five grains; distilled water one 
 ounce; mix. To be applied daily by means of a carael's-hair 
 brush saturated with the lotion and drawn gently across 
 the eye. 
 
 Farcy. — In most cases farcy is indicated by the appearance 
 of one or more pustules, which break into a very peculiar, deep, 
 abrupt ulcer, having thick inverted edges, which bleed freely on 
 the slightest touch. The matter discharged from a farcy bud is 
 either of a dirty, dingy yellow color or of a glue-like character; in 
 either case it is offensive. Or it may be bloody or ichorous. In the 
 latter case it abrades the surface on which it falls, or gravitates 
 its regular corded lines into the cellular tissues, and hence it 
 helps to spread the disease. In other cases this complaint com- 
 mences with a very painful swelling of the hind leg, followed by the 
 peculiar intractable ulcers described above. In treatment the 
 horse should receive good care, fresh air, regular, moderate exer- 
 cise, and be carefully kept apart from all others. Give daily in 
 food for a fortnight two drachms of iodide of iron, four grains 
 of cantharides, with two drachms each of powdered ginger and 
 aniseed. The ,ulcers or sores should be dressed daily with 
 carbolic acid.- 
 
 Feet, Horses^, Care of. — Every person may see upon 
 turning up the bottom of a horse's foot, an angular projection 
 pointing towards the toe, termed the frog and its bars, the 
 remainder or hollow part being technicahy called the sole, 
 though the entire bottom of the foot might better receive this 
 name. It is certain, however, that the '' frog and sole " require 
 
37 
 
 pressure — a congenial kind of pressure without concussion — 
 that shall cause the sensible, inside, or quicksole to perform its 
 functions of absorbing the serous particles secreted or deposited 
 therein by the blood vessels. If the frog and its bars are per- 
 mitted to remain in such a state as to reach the ground, wherever 
 the sod happens to be soft or yielding, the hollow part of the sole 
 receives its due propoi-tion of pressure laterally, and the whole 
 sole or surface of the foot is thus kept in health. 
 
 Every veterinarian of sense will perceive the necessity of 
 keeping the heels apart, yet though the immediate cause of their 
 contracting is so universally known and recognized, the injudi- 
 cious method — to call it by no harsher name — of paring away 
 the frog and sole, which prevents the bars from ever touching 
 the ground, is still continued to an alarming extent. 
 
 So much for prevention. When disease comes on, which may 
 be accelerated by two other species of mismanagement, another 
 course is usually followed not less injudicious than the tirst men- 
 tioned original cause of all the mischief. 
 
 Horses' hoofs are of two distinct kinds or shapes — the one 
 being oval, hard, dark-colored, and thick; the; other round, 
 palish, and thin in the wall or crust of the hoof. The tirst has a 
 different kind of frog from the latter, this being broad, thick and 
 soft, while the oval hoof has a frog that is long, acute and hard. 
 The rags, which hard work and frequent shoeing occasion on the 
 horny hoof of the round foot, produce ragged frogs also, both 
 being thus pared away to make a fair bottom to receive the 
 shoe — burning hot! — the whole support is so far reduced, and 
 the sensible sole coming much nearer the ground, becomes 
 tender and liable to those painful concussions which bring on 
 lameness — principally of the fore feet. Contraction of those 
 kinds of heels which belong to the cart-horse, andpommice-foot, 
 are the consequence. 
 
 The oval foot pertains to the saddle-horse, the hunter, and bit 
 of blood-kind, whose bold projecting frogs the farriers remove, 
 and these being compelled to perform long and painful journeys, 
 ever starting or going off with the same leading leg, and contin- 
 uing the same throughout, lameness is contracted in that foot, 
 which none can account for, nor even find out whereabouts it 
 maybe seated. Applications of "the oyals " (that egregious 
 compound of folly, ignorance, and brutality) follow the first ap- 
 pearance of this lameness, and are made alike to the shoulder, 
 the leg, and the sole, under the various pretences of rheumatism, 
 strain in the shoulder, and founder. The real cause, however, 
 is not once thought of, much less removed, but, on the contrary, 
 the evil is usually augmented by removing the shoe and draw- 
 ing the sole to the quick, perhaps, in search of suppostitious 
 corns, surbatings, etc. — pretended remedies that were never 
 4 
 
38 
 
 Known to cure, but which might have been all prevented by the 
 simplest precautions that can be imagined. These are: — 
 
 1. Let the frog and sole acquire their natural thickness. 
 
 2. Leadoflf sometimes with one leg, sometimes with another. 
 
 3. Stuff the hollow of the hoofs (all four of them) with cow 
 dung or tar ointment, changing it entirely once a day. In every 
 case it is advisable that he be worked moderately, for it is use- 
 less to talk to the owners of horses about giving the afflicted 
 animal an entire holiday at grass. 
 
 Feet, Brittle. — In a large majority of cases brittleness of 
 hoof owes its origin to mismanagement of the feet, and espe- 
 cially to excessive moisture, the use of swabs, the bath-tub, etc. 
 In all cases where the hoof is naturally brittle the feet should be 
 kept dry rather than wet. If convenient, we would remove the 
 shoes, and rasp the wall moderately short and round at its mar- 
 gin. Having cut the hair oft" short around the entire coronet, a 
 little iodide of mercury ointment should be rubbed in. This 
 will cause a rapid growth of horn. The horse should be kept 
 during the day in a roomy box having a layer of tan or sawdust 
 spread over the floor. When removed to his stall at night the 
 feet should be washed clean, and, after being wiped dry, every 
 part of the hoof should be freely anointed with the tbllowing 
 composition : Take of oil of tar and beeswax of each four ounces, 
 honey and beef suet of each two ounces, whale oil eight ounces; 
 melt the beeswax and beef suet first, then add the honey and 
 other ingredients, stirring the whole until nearly cold. All 
 sousing of the feet must be avoided. 
 
 Feet, Conteacted. — Horses which stand nearly or quite 
 the year round, sometimes from year to year in the stable, are 
 apt to have the feet get into a dry and fevered condition, the 
 hoof becomes dry, hard, and often contracted, frequently also 
 ,very brittle, and the horse sometimes sufters lameness in conse- 
 quence. One of the most eftective means of remedying these 
 difiiGulties, where the horse cannot be spared to be turned loose 
 into pasture for quite a season, is in the spring, when the ground 
 is' breaking up, and the winter's frost disappearing, and no last- 
 ing freeze is to be apprehended, to have all the shoes taken off, 
 and drive the^ht^rse daily, about business as usual, without them. 
 The roads re'maiil muddy and soft, usually, so that a horse may 
 be 'thus driven dplyfor a period of three or four weeks, and a 
 great improvement is effected in the feet in every respect. 
 
 Feet, To Prevent Snotv-Balling. — Clean their hoofs 
 well, then rub thoroughly with thick soap suds before going out 
 in the snow. 
 
39 
 
 Fistula. — Make a free opening in the lowest part of the sac 
 and inject it daily with a lotion containing 2 drachms of chloride 
 of zinc to a pint of soft water. 
 
 Flies on Horses. — As a preventive of horses being teased 
 by flies, take two or three small handfuls of walnut leaves, upon 
 which pour two or three quarts of cold water; let it infuse for 
 one night, and pour the whole next morning into a kettle, and let 
 it boil for a quarter of an hour. When it becomes cold it will be 
 fit for use. No more is required than to moisten a sponge, and, 
 before the horse goes out of the stable, let those parts which are 
 most irritable be smeared over with the liquor — namely, be- 
 tween and upon the ears, the neck, the flanks, etc. N'ot only 
 the lady or gentleman who rides out for pleasare will derive 
 pleasure from the walnut leaves thus prepared, but the coach- 
 man, the wagoner, and all others who use horses during the 
 summer. Or take smart weed and soak it in water, and in the 
 morning apply it to the horse, all over him, with a sponge. A 
 decoction of quassia chips, made by boiling them in water, has 
 also been recommended. 
 
 Fracture. — Severe lameness is sometimes caused by the frac- 
 ture of one or two bones on the inside of the hoof — namely, the 
 coflin of the navicular bone. Inclosed as these bones are on the 
 inside of the hoof, and fenced in laterally by the cartilages, it 
 is often difficult to detect, and we are obliged to depend on the 
 general symptoms: the horse halts exceedingly, the foot is hot, 
 and the pain extreme. As these bones are confined in the hoof 
 no displacement can take place, tlierefore no crepitus can be 
 detected. In all cases of fracture of either bone, a careful exam- 
 ination will, however, reveal the existence of a swelling at the 
 back of the heels, immediately above the frog, and more or less 
 fulness over the coronet of the foot. The treatment may be in- 
 dicated in a few words — rest, absolute rest, is all-important. 
 So long as the horse exhibits evidence of acute pain whenever 
 his weight is imposed on the lame limb, the quieter he is kept 
 the better. Warm baths, or cloths frequently moistened with a 
 mixture of equal parts of alcohol and water, are useful adjuncts. 
 It may be added that, in all cases of serious injury of the stifle, 
 the hip-joint, or the pelvis, the horse is able to bring his heels 
 " fair and square " upon the floor. In fracture of either the na- 
 vicular or coffin bone, lameness sometimes continues long after 
 recovery. It may turn out permanent. 
 
 Foot. Pummice. — This is indicated by the hoofs spreading 
 more and more, and losing their shape. A properly construc- 
 ted round (bar) shoe is the only reliable remedy, for it can be 
 
40 
 
 worn indefinitely without detriment to any part of the foot. 
 The main object of treatment is to protect and |)reserve the de- 
 formed sole. The shoe must be chambered so as not to touch 
 the sole, and no paring away of the latter must be allowed. 
 Keep the feet clean and dry as possible. 
 
 Foot, Sand Crack in. — This, as its name imports, is a crack 
 or division of the hoof from above downward, and into which 
 sand and dirt are too apt to insinuate themselves. It occurs 
 both in the fore and the hind feet. In the fore feet it is usually 
 found in the inner quarter, but occasionally in the outer quarter, 
 oecause there is the principarstress or effort towards expansion 
 in the foot, and the inner quarter is not so strong as the outer. 
 In the hind feet the crack is almost invariably found in the front, 
 oecause in the digging of the toe into the ground, in the act of 
 drawing, t]:e principal stress is in front. If the crack be super- 
 ficial — does not penetrate through the horn — it will cause no 
 lameness, yet must not be neglected. If the crack has extended 
 to the sensible parts, and you can see an}'- fungus flesh, with a 
 small drawing knife remove the edges of the cracked horn that 
 press upon it. Touch the fungus with caustic, dip a roll of tow 
 or linen in tar, and bind it ver}- firmly over it. The whole foot is to 
 be kept in a bran poultice for a few days, or until the lameness 
 is removed. A shoe may then be put on, so as not to press on 
 the diseased part The pledget of tow may now be removed, 
 the crack filled with comj)osition, and the animal may be then 
 turned into some soft meadow. 
 
 Founder. To Cure. — Clean out the bottom of the foot thor- 
 oughly, hold up firml}^ in a horizontal position, and pour in a 
 tablespoonful of spirits of turpentine, if the cavity will hold 
 that much ; if not, pour in what it will hold without running 
 over ; touch the turpentine with a red-hot iron (this will set it 
 on fire) ; hold the hoof firmly in this position till it burns out, 
 and care must be taken that none runs on the hair of the hoof, 
 lest the skin be burned. If all the feet are affected, burn tur- 
 I^entine in all of them. Relief will speedily follow, and the 
 animal will be ready for service in a short time. Second. The 
 seeds of the sunflower — a pint of the Avhole seed — given in his 
 feed, immedifitely the founder is discovered. — Third. By stand- 
 ing the foundered horse up to his belly in water. 
 
 Galled Back. — So soon as an abrasion is discovered on the 
 Dack of a horse, the animal should be excused from duty for a 
 few days ; the abraded parts should be dressed twice daily with 
 a portion of the tincture of aloes and myrrh. This simple treat- 
 ment will soon heal the parts. Should there be no abrasion, but 
 
41 
 
 simply a swelling attended with heat, pain and tenderness, the 
 parts should be frequently sponged with cold water. Occasion- 
 ally the skin undergoes the process of hardening (induration). 
 This is a condition of the parts, known to the farriers of old as 
 " sitfast," and the treatment is as follows : Procure one ounce 
 of iodine, and smear the indurated spot with a portion of the 
 same twice daily. Some cases of galled back and shoulders are 
 due to negligence and abuse ; yet many animals, owing to a 
 peculiarity of constitution, will chafe, as the saying is, in those 
 parts which come in contact with the collar, and neither human 
 foresight nor mechanical means can prevent the same. 
 
 Glanders. — Glanders is a disease of very malignant type, 
 and consists in a discharge from one or both nostrils of matter 
 which, b}' transfer or inoculation, will produce the disease in 
 any other animal. It is also characterized by tumefaction of the 
 submaxillary and lymphatic glands. The lymphatic glands en- 
 large, a pustular eruption appears upon the skin, followed by 
 suppurating, bloody, gangrenous ulceration in various parts, 
 giving rise to small tumors, known as farcy buds. These gradu- 
 ally suppurate, and secrete a specific virus. The physiology and 
 pathology of it is this : It occurs under two forms — namely, 
 glanders and farcy. Many veterinarians have considered these 
 varieties to be distinct diseases, but numerous experiments have 
 demonstrated that they have their origin in the common animal 
 poison. It appears, however, that there are two grades or vari- 
 eties of this disease. Thus, if glanders be defined to be a disorder 
 with a running of matter from the nose, enlargement and indura- 
 tion of the glands, farcy consists in the formation of a number of 
 tumors on ditferent parts of the body, which soften and ulcerate. 
 It may be shortly stated that, in the primary stage of glanders, 
 the nasal passages especially suffer, while in farcy it is the lym- 
 phatic system which is first affected. The catalogue of remedies 
 proposed is endless. Sulphate of copper, sulphate of iron, can- 
 tharides, arsenic, and recently sulphate of soda and carbolic 
 acid, have been used, but without benefit, and to the disappoint- 
 ment of the hopes which had been entertained of them. The 
 disease is pronounced incurable by standard authorities, and an 
 animal having it should be killed, rather than experimented on. 
 
 Gravel. — Steep one-half pound of hops in a quart of water, 
 and give it as hot as the horse can stand it. 
 
 Grese. — This is a white, offensive discharge from the skin 
 
 of the heels. Wash the part well with warm soapsuds twice a 
 
 day, and if the swelling be great, apply a poultice to it ; when 
 
 the sores are cleansed, touch them with a rag or feather dipped 
 
 i* 
 
42 
 
 in a solution of chloride of zinc, one grain to the ounce ol 
 water. 
 
 Hair, Loss of. — To promote the growth of hair, where the 
 skin has been deadened by bruises or rubbing, take of quinine 
 eight grains, finely powdered galls ten grains, powdered capsi- 
 cum five grains, oil of almonds and purelard of each one ounce, 
 oil of lavender twenty drops ; mix thoroughly, and apply a small 
 quantity to the denuded parts two or three times a week. Where 
 there is falling out of the hair of the mane and tail, take glycer- 
 ine two ounces, sulphur one ounce, acetate of lead two drachms, 
 water eight ounces. To be well mixed, and applied by means 
 of a sponge. 
 
 Halter-Pulling. — A new way to prevent horses pulling at 
 the halter, is to put a very small rope under the horse's tail, 
 bringing the ends forward, crossing them on the back, and tying 
 them on the breast. Put the halter strap through the ring, and 
 tie to the rope in front of the breast. When the horse pulls, 
 he will, of course, find himself in rather an uncomfortable po- 
 sition, and discontinue the effort to free himself 
 
 Harness, Care of. — First take the harness apart, having 
 each strap and piece by itself, and then wash it in warm soap- 
 suds. When it has been cleaned, black every part with the follow- 
 ing dye: one ounce extract of logwood, 12 grains of bichromate of 
 potash, both pounded fine; put it into two quarts of boiling rain 
 water, and stir until all is dissolved. When cool it may be used. 
 You can bottle and keep for future use if you wish. It may be 
 applied with a shoe-brush, or anything else convenient. When 
 the dye has struck in, you may oil each part with winter strained 
 lard oil, dissolving in the oil (by gentle heat) one ounce of paraf- 
 fine to one pint of oil, or the same amount of paratfine candle 
 will answer, applied with a paint-brush, or anything convenient. 
 A few hours after wipe clean with a woollen'cloth, which gives 
 the harness a glossy appearance. The preparation will not in- 
 jure the leather or stitching, makes it soft and pliable, and 
 abviates'the necessity of oiling as often as is necessary by the 
 ordinary, method. 
 
 'Harness or Boot Polish, Yery Fine. — Put half a pound 
 pf gum shellac, broken up in small pieces, in a quart bottle or 
 jug; cover it with alcohol, cork it tight, and put it on a shelf 
 in a warm place; shake it well several times a day, then add a 
 piece of ^um camphor as large as a hen's egg-^ shake it well, 
 and in a few hours shake it again, and add one ounce of lamp- 
 black; if the alcohol is good, it will be dissolved in three days; 
 
43 
 
 then shake and use. If it gets too thick, add alcohol — pour out 
 two or three teaspoonfuls in a saucer, and apply it with a small 
 paint brush. If the materials are all good, it will dry in about 
 five minutes, and will be removed only by wearing it ofl', giving 
 a gloss almost equal to patent leather. The advantage of this 
 preparation above others is, it does not strike into the leather 
 and make it hard, but remains on the surface, and yet excludes 
 the water almost perfectly. This same preparation is admirable 
 for harness, and this does not soil when touched, as lamp-black 
 preparations do. 
 
 PIeaves. — This disease is indicated by a short, dull, spas- 
 modic cough, and a double-jerking movement at the flank during 
 expiration. If a horse suffering from this disease is allowed to 
 distend his stomach at his pleasure, with dry food entirely, and 
 then to drink cold water, as much as he can hold, he is nearly 
 worthless. But if his food be moistened, and he be allowed to 
 drink a moderate quantity only at a time, the disease is much 
 less troublesome. To cure this complaint, feed no hay to the 
 horse for thirty-six or forty-eight hours, and give only a pailful 
 of water at a time. Then throw an armful of well cured smart 
 weed before him, and let him eat all he will. Great relief, if not 
 a perfect cure, will follow. Another remedy is sunflower seed, 
 feeding one or two quarts of the seed daily. 
 
 Hide-Bound. — To recruit a hide-bound horse, give nitrate 
 potassia (or saltpetre) four ounces, crude antimony one ounce, 
 sulphur three ounces. Nitrate of potassia and antimony should 
 be finely pulverized, then add the sulphur, and mix the whole 
 well together. Dose — A tablespoonful of this mixture in a bran 
 mash daily. 
 
 Hoof-Bound. — Cut down several lines from the coronet to 
 the toe all around the hoof, and fill the cuts with tallow and soap 
 mixed; take ofl" the shoes, and (if you can spare him) turn the 
 animal into a wet meadow, where his feet will be kept moist. 
 Never remove the sole nor burn the lines down, as this increases 
 instead of diminishing the evil. 
 
 HOESE MEDICINES. 
 
 Dr. Cole's King of Oils. — 1 oz. green copperas; 2 oz. 
 white vitriol; 2 oz. common salt; 2 oz. linseed oil; 8 oz. molasses. 
 Boil over a slow fire fifteen minutes, in a pint of urine; when 
 almost cold, add 1 oz. of oil of vitriol and 4 oz. of spirits turpen- 
 tine. Apply to wounds with a feather. A very powerful 
 liniment. 
 
44 
 
 Mexican^ Mustang Liniment. — Petroleum, olive oil. and 
 carbonate of ammonia, each equal parts; and mix. It is one of 
 the best liniments in use. 
 
 Merchant's Gargling Oil. — Take 2|- gals, linseed oil; 2^ 
 gals, spirits turpentine; 1 gal. Western petroleum; 8 oz. liquor 
 potass; sap green, 1 oz. Mix all together and it is ready for 
 use. 
 
 Arabian Condition Powders. — Ground ginger, 1 lb.; 
 sulphuret of antimony, 1 lb.; powdered sulphur, 1 lb.; salt- 
 petre. 1 lb. Mix all together; and administer in a mash, in such 
 quantities as may be required. The best condition powder in 
 existence. 
 
 Blistering Liniment. — 1 part Spanish flies, finely pow- 
 dered; 3 of lard; and 1 of yellow rosin. Mix the lard and rosin 
 together, and add the flies when the other ingredients begin to 
 cool. To render it more active, add one pint spirits turpentine. 
 
 For Strains and Swellings. — Strong vinegar saturated 
 with common salt, used warm, is good for strains and reducing 
 swellings. 1 oz. of white vitriol; i oz. of green copperas; 2 tea- 
 spoonfuls of gunpowder, all pulverized together, and dissolved 
 in 1 quart of soft water, and used cold, rubbing in thoroughly, 
 is one of the best applications known for reducing swellings. 
 
 Hoof-Bound Wash. — Spirits of turpentine, 4 oz. ; tar, 4 oz. ; 
 whale-oil, 8 oz. Mix, and apply to the hoofs often. 
 
 Hoofs, To Toughen. — Wash them frequently in strong 
 brine, and turn brine upon the bottoms, and soak a few minutes 
 each time. 
 
 Cough. — Quit feeding musty hay, and feed roots and laxative 
 food. Sprinkle human urine on his fodder, or cut up cedar 
 boughs and mix with his grain; or boil a small quantity of flax- 
 seed, and mix it in a mash of scalded bran, adding a few ounces 
 of sugar, melasS'es, or honey. Administer lukewarm. If there 
 should be any appearance of heaves, put a teaspoonful of ground 
 ginger once per day, in his provender, and allow him to drink 
 freely of lime water. • 
 
 Colic Cure. — Bleed freely at the horse's mouth; then take 
 ^ lb. raw cotton, wrap it around a coal of fire, so as to exclude 
 the air; when it begins to smoke, hold it under his nose till he 
 becomes easy. 
 
45 
 
 To Cure Distemper. — Take 1^ gals, of blood from the neck 
 vein; then administer sassafras oil, 1^ ounces. Cure, speedy 
 and certain. '' 
 
 Founder Cured in 24 Hours. — Boil or steam stout oat- 
 straw for half an hour, then wrap it around the horse's leg quite 
 hot, cover up Avith wet woollen rags to keep in the steam; in 6 
 hours renew the application, take 1 gal. of blood from the neck 
 yem, and give one quart linseed oil. He may be worked next 
 day. 
 
 Cure for Staggers. — Give a mess twice a week, composed 
 of bran, 1 gal.; suli)hur, 1 table-teaspoonful; saltpetre, 1 spoon- 
 ful; boihng sassafras tea, 1 quart; assafcetida, U oz. Keep the 
 horse from cold water for half a day afterwards. 
 
 King-Bone and Spavin. — Take sweet oil, 4 oz.; spirits tur- 
 pentine, 2 oz.; oil of stone, 1 oz. Mix, and applv three times 
 per day. If the horse is over four years old, or in any case when 
 this IS not sufficient, in addition to it, you will fit a bar of lead 
 just above it, wiring the ends together, so it constantly wears 
 upon the enlargement; and the two together will cure nine 
 cases out of every ten, in six weeks. 
 
 To Tame Horses. — Take finely-grated horse castor, oils of 
 rhodium and cummin; keep them in separate bottles well-corked; 
 put some of the oil cummin on your hand, and approach the horse 
 on the windy side. He will then move towards you. Then rub 
 some of the cummin on his nose, give him a little of the castor on 
 anything he likes, and get eight or ten drops oil rhodium on his 
 tongue. You can then get him to do anything you like. Be 
 kind and attentive to the animal, and your control is certain. 
 
 Best Remedy for Heaves. —Balsam of fir and balsam of 
 copaiba, 4 oz. each, and mix with calcined magnesia sufficiently 
 thick to make it into balls; mid give a middling-sized ball nic^ht 
 and morning for a week or ten days. ° 
 
 Cure for Bots in Horses. — Give the horse first, 2 quarts > 
 of new milk, and 1 quart molasses, fifteen minutes afterwards 
 give 2 quarts very strong sage tea; 30 minutes after the tea, 
 give 3 pints (or enough to operate as physic) of curriers' oil. 
 The molasses and milk cause the bots to let go their hold, the tea 
 puckers them up, and the oil carries them completely away. 
 Cure certain, in the worst cases. 
 
 Certain Ring-bone and Spavin Cure. — Venice turpen- 
 
46 
 
 tine and Spanish flies, of each 2 oz.; euphorbium and aqua- 
 ammonia, of each 1 oz.; red precipitate, ^ oz.; corrosive sublimate, 
 } oz. ; lard, 1^ lbs. Pulverize all, and put into the lard; simmer 
 slowly over coals, not scorching or burning; and pour off, free 
 of sediment. For ring-bones, cut off the hair, and rub the 
 ointment well into the lumps once in forty-eight hours For 
 spavins, once in twenty-four hours for three mornings. Wash 
 well previous to each application with suds, rubbing over the 
 place with a smooth stick to squeeze out a thick, yellow matter. 
 This has removed very large ring-bones. 
 
 BoxE Spavins, French Paste. — SBOO Recipe. — Corro- 
 sive sublimate, quicksilver, and. iodine, of each 1 oz. Rub the 
 quicksilver and iodine together; then add the sublimate, and 
 lastly the lard, rubbing them thoroughly. Shave off the hair the 
 size of the bone enlargement; grease all around it, but not where 
 the hair is shaved off: this prevents the action of the medicine, 
 except on the spavin. Then rub in as much of the paste as will 
 lie on a three-cent piece, each morning, for three or four morn- 
 ings. In from seven to eight days, the whole spavin will come 
 out; then wash the wound with suds for an hour or so, to remove 
 the poisonous effects of the paste; afterwards heal up the sore 
 with anv good healing salve, or Sloan's Horse Ointment, as per 
 recipe above, keeping the sore covered while it is healing up. 
 
 Another very Valuable Recipe for Ring-Bone. — 
 
 Pulverized cantharides, oils of spike, origanum, amber, cedar, 
 Barbadoes tar, and British oil, of each 2 oz. ; oil of wormwood. 1 
 oz. ; spirits turpentine, 4 oz.: common potash, ^ oz. : nitric acid, 
 6 oz.; sulphuric acid, 4 oz.; lard 8 lbs. Melt the lard, and slowly 
 add the acids; stir well, and add the other articles, stirring till 
 cold; clip off the hair, and apply by rubbing and heating in. In 
 about three days, or when it is done running, wash off with soap- 
 suds and apply again. In old cases, it may take three or four 
 weeks, but in recent cases, two pr three applications have 
 cured. 
 
 Another. —r Pulverized cantharides, oils of origanum and 
 amber, ancl 'spirits turpentine, of each 1 oz. ; olive oil, ^ oz.; 
 sulphuric acid, 3 drachms; put all except the acid, into alcohol; 
 stir the mixture, -add the acid slowly, and continue to stir till 
 the mixture ceases to smoke; then bottle for use. Apply to 
 ring-bone or spavin with a sponge tied on the end of a stick, 
 as long as it is absorbed into the parts; twenty -four hours after, 
 grease well with lard; and in twenty -four hours more, wash off 
 well with soap-suds. One application is generally sufficient for 
 spavins, but may need two; rin^-bones, always two or three 
 
47 
 
 applications, three or four clays apart, which prevents loss of 
 hair. This will stop all lameness but does not remove the lump. 
 
 Splint and Spavin Liniment. — Oil of origanum, 6 oz.; 
 gumcami^hor, 2 oz. ; mercurial ointment, 2 oz.; iodine ointment, 
 
 1 oz.; melt bj^ putting all into a wide-mouthed bottle, and setting 
 it in a kettle of hot water. Apply it to bone spavins or splints, 
 twice daily for four or tive days, and a cure is guaranteed. 
 
 Liniment for Sweeny. — Alcohol and spirits turpentine 
 of each, 8oz.; camphor-gum, pulverized cantharides, and capsi- 
 cum, of each, 1 oz.; oil of spike, 3 oz.; mix. Bathe this liniment 
 in with a hot iron, and a certain cure is sure to follow. 
 
 For Looseness or Scouring in Horses or Cattle. — 
 Tormentil root powdered. Dose for a horse or cow, 1 to 1^ oz. 
 It may be stirred into 1 pint of milk, and given; or it may be 
 steeped in 1^ pints of milk, then given from three to six times 
 dail}^, until cured. 
 
 Scours and Pin-Worms in Horses and Cattle. — White 
 ash bark burnt into ashes, and made into a rather strong lye; 
 then mix ^ pint of it with 1 pint warm water, and give all two 
 or three times daily. This will certainly carry off the worms, 
 which are the cause, in most instances, of scours and looseness. 
 
 English Stable Liniment, very strong.— Oil of spike, 
 aqua-ammonia, and oil of turpentine, each 2 oz. ; sweet oil, and 
 oil of amber, each 1^ oz.; oil of origanum, 1 oz. Mix. 
 
 Colic Cure for Horses. — Spirits turpentine, 3 oz.; lauda- 
 num, 1 oz.; mix; and for a horse give all for a dose, by putting it 
 into a bottle with half a pint of warm water. If relief is not 
 obtained in an hour, repeat the dose, adding half an ounce of the 
 best powdered aloes, well dissolved. Cure certain. 
 
 Liniment for fifty cents per Gallon. — Best vinegar, 
 
 2 quarts; pulverized saltpetre, ^ lb.; mix, and set in a cool place 
 till dissolved. Invaluable for old swellings, sprains, bruises, etc. 
 
 Saddle and Harness Galls, etc. — White lead and linseed 
 oil, mixed as for paint, is almost unrivalled for healing saddle, 
 harness, or collar galls and bruises. Try it, applying with a 
 brush. It soon forms an air-tight coating, and soothes the pain, 
 powerfully assisting nature. 
 
 Grease Heel. — Lye made from wood-ashes, and boil white 
 
48 
 
 oak bark in it till it is quite strong, both in lye and bark-ooze; 
 when it is cold, it is fit for use. Wash off the horse's leg with 
 Castile soap; when dry, apply the above 13'e with a swab fastened 
 on a lon^^ stick to keep out of his reach, as the smart caused by 
 the application might make him let fl}- without much warning; 
 but it is a sure cure, onl}^ it brings off the hair. To restore the 
 hair after the cure is effected, make and apply a salve by stewing 
 elder bark in old bacon; then form the salve by adding a little 
 resin, according to the amount of oil when stewed, or | lb. resin 
 to each pound of oil. 
 
 Valuable Remedy foi^ Heaves. — Calcined magnesia, 
 balsam of fir, balsam copaiba, of each 1 oz.; spirits turpentine, 
 2 oz.; put them all into 1 pint best cider vinegar; give for a 
 dose, 1 tablespoonful in his feed, once a day for a week; then 
 ever}' other day for two or three months. Wet his hay with 
 brine, and also his other feed. He will cough more at first, but 
 looser and looser till cured. 
 
 To Distinguish and Cure Distemper. — Wet up bran 
 with rather strong lye; if not too strong, the horse will eat it 
 greedily. If they have the distemper, a free discharge from the 
 nostrils, and a consequent cure will be the result, if continued a 
 few days; but, if only a cold, with swelling of the glands, no 
 change will be discovered. 
 
 Remedy for Founder. — Draw about a gallon blood from 
 the neck; then drench the horse with linseed oil, 1 quart; now 
 rub the fore-legs long and well with water as hot as can be borne 
 without scalding. 
 
 Physic for Cattle.— Take /ia//only of the dose above for 
 a horse, and add to it glauber-salts, 8 oz.; dissolve all in gruel, 1 
 quart, and give as a drench. 
 
 . Blister, Liquid. — Take ^ a pint of linseed oil, 1 pint of 
 spirits of turpentine, and 4 oz. of aqua ammonia; shake well and 
 it is fit for use. Aj^ply every third hour until it bUsters. 
 
 ,BiG Leg. — To cure, apply the above Liquid Blister every 
 third hour until it blisters. In three days wash the leg with 
 linseed oil. In six tiays wash it clean with soap and water. 
 Repeat everj' six days until the swelling goes down. If there 
 should be an}' callous left, apply spavin ointment. 
 
 Big Head. — When this disease occurs, every care must be 
 devoted to improving the general health. Let work be regular 
 
49 
 
 and moderate. Have the stable clean, dry, and well ventilated. 
 Feed on sound hay and oats, either bruised or cooked. With- 
 hold all Indian corn — above all if raw and hard. 4 or o lbs. oi 
 linseed cake may be given daily. Give every day, in the feed, 2 
 
 Balsam, Wound. — Gum benzoin in powder 6 oz. balsam of 
 sam of tolu in powder 3 oz., gum storax 2 oz., frankincense in 
 powder 2 oz., gum myrrh in powder 2 oz., socotorine aloes in 
 powder 3 oz., alcohol 1 gal. Mix them all together and put 
 them in a digester, and give them a gentle heat tor three or four 
 days, and then strain. 
 
 Ball, Cough — Pulverized ipecac | of an oz., camphor 2 oz. 
 squills ^ an oz. Mix with honey to form into mass, and didvide 
 into 8 balls. Give 1 every morning. 
 
 Balls, Diuretic. — Castile soap scraped fine, and powdered 
 rosin, each 3 teaspoonfuls; powdered nitre 4 teaspoonfuls, oil of 
 juniper 1 small teaspoonful, honey a sufficient quantity to make 
 into a ball. 
 
 Balls, Fever. — Emetic tartar and camphor each | oz., and 
 nitre 2 oz. Mix with linseed meal and molasses to make eight 
 balls, and give one twice a day. 
 
 Ball, Physic. — Take 2 oz., of aloes, 1 oz., of turpentine, and 
 1 oz., of flour; make into a paste with a few drops of water, 
 wrap in a paper, and give them with a bailing iron. 
 
 Ball, Purgative. — Aloes 1 oz., cream tartar and Castile 
 soap ^ oz. Mix with molasses to make a bail. 
 
 Ball, Worm. — Assafelida 4 oz., gentian 2 oz., strong mercu- 
 rial ointment 1 oz. Make into mass with honey. Divide into 
 sixteen balls. Give one or more every morning. 
 
 Baulky Horses, To Cure. — A man, in order to be able to 
 control a horse, must first learn to control himself. One method 
 to cure a baulky horse is to take him from the carriage, and 
 whirl him rapidly round till he is giddy. It requires two men to 
 accomplish this — one at the horse's tail. Don't let him step 
 out. Hold him to the smallest possible circle. One dose will 
 often cure him; two doses are final with the worst horse that 
 ever refused to stir. Another is to fill his mouth with dirt or 
 gravel from the road, and he will at once go — the philosophy 
 of this being that it gives him something else to think of. 
 5 
 
50 
 
 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, 
 
 Animals, Effect of Kindness on. — The efficacy of the 
 soothing word, the gentle touch, has only to be honestly tried to 
 be fully appreciated. It may be set down as a fixed fact that 
 whenever a horse or a cow or an ox is timid and shy — will not 
 allow a person to approach or handle, unless it is so situated that 
 it cannot escape —a wrong system of treatment has been pur- 
 sued. The animals of the farmer are naturally disposed to be 
 docile and affectionate. They recognize the voice and hand of 
 a friend almost as soon as a human being would, and manifest 
 their affection in a variety of ways, which none but the kind 
 master or keeper will observe. Have you not seen teamsters 
 who could manage their teams by a soft word far better than 
 others could do by blows and harsh words? Animals almost in- 
 variably partake of the character of their masters. The kind, 
 gentle and considerate master will generally have kind, gentle 
 animals; while the rude, impetuous and cruel master will rarely 
 fail to have animals whose dispositions will mate with his own. 
 Is not gentleness the true method? 
 
 CATTLE. 
 
 Cattle, Age of, How to Tell. — The age of the ox or 
 cow is told chiefly by the teeth, and less perfectly by the horns. 
 The temporary teeth are in part through at birth, and all the in- 
 cisors are through in twenty days; the first, second, and third pairs 
 of molars afe through in thirty days; the teeth have grown large 
 enough to touch each other b}^ the sixth month; they gradually 
 wear and fall in eighteen months; the fourth permanent molars 
 are through iit' the fourth month ; the fifth at the fifteenth month ; 
 the sixth at two years. The temporary teeth begin to fall at 
 twent^'-one montjis-, ami are entirely replaced by the thirty-ninth 
 to the forty-fifth month. The development is quite complete at 
 from five to six years. At that time the border of the incisors 
 has been worn a little below the level of the grinders. At six 
 years the first grinders are beginning to wear, and are on a level 
 with the incisors. At eight years the wear of the first grinders is 
 very apparent. At ten or eleven years, used surfaces of the 
 
51 
 
 teeth bear a square mark, surrounded by a white line ; and this 
 is perceived on all tlie teeth by the' twelfth year; between the 
 twelfth and the fourteenth year, this mark takes a round form. 
 The rings on the horns are less useful as guides. At ten or twelve 
 months the first ring appears; at twenty months to two years 
 the second; at thirty to thirty-two mouths the third; at forty to 
 forty-six months the fourth; at fifty-four to sixty months the fifth 
 ring, and so on. But, at the fifth year, the three first rings are 
 indistinguishable, and at the eighth year all the rings; besides, 
 the dealers file the horns. 
 
 Cattle, Catarrh in". — Malignant catarrh, or coryza, has 
 been confounded with the cattle plague or rinderpest, in some 
 point of which there is a resemblance. SymjHoms. — In first 
 stage, a shivering fit may be o!)served; dulness, head held low, 
 ears pendulous, the visible membranes of which are of a bhiish- 
 red color and dry; eyes closed and swollen, tears flow, and light 
 cannot be endured; muzzle dry and hot, saliva discharged abun- 
 dantly; painful cough, pulse frequent and full, heart's action 
 feeble, bowels costive, feces black and hard, but after a short 
 time diarrhea ensues; urine scanty, offensive, and of a high 
 color; is thirsty, but eats nothing. The second stage occurs 
 within eighteen or twenty-four hours from the appearance of the 
 first signs of disturbance, and is denoted by a very marked change 
 in thecharacter of the discharges. The membranes of the eyes 
 and nose now furnish a purulent secretion, having an admixture 
 of blood and ichor, which irritates and makes sore the skin over 
 which it flows. Within the sinuses of the head large accumula- 
 tions of pus occur, and when the bones over them are tapped by 
 the fingers (percussed) a dull sound is emitted. If the mouth 
 is opened, red patches will be observed, which in some places will 
 have fallen off", exposing a foul ulcer beneath, and the membranes 
 are now of a deeper purple hue, and the breath fetid. The animal 
 is lame, and experiences great pain when urine or duug is dis- 
 charged. Pregnant animals are almost sure to cast their young 
 (abort). In the third stage great prostration is evident. 
 Sloughing of membranes extensive, and probably the horns and 
 hoofs have come off". The pulse has become imperceptible, and 
 convulsions ensue, with general coldness. The thermometer in- 
 dicates a rapid and unusual fall, ninety to ninety-five degrees F. 
 being the amount of heat that can be registered at the rectum. 
 Sometimes ulceration of the cornea is eff"ected before death, and 
 the contents of the eyeball discharged, giving rise to a great 
 amount of additional pain. Duration. — From four to nine or 
 eleven days. Treatment. — Remove the animal from the pas- 
 ture, and place it in a comfortable, cool place, with good bedding. 
 Cooling or evaporating lotions, water, etc., should be constantly 
 
52 
 
 applied to the head. Injections of warm water should be thrown 
 up. The following laxative drink may be administered: — 
 
 Take of Epsom salts twelve pounds, ground ginger two ounces, 
 treacle one-half pound, and warm ale one and one-half pints. 
 Mix and give to a two year old beast; three-quarters for one 
 year old; one-half at six months, and one-quarter for lesser 
 animals, as calves, sheep, and large pigs. Two or four drachms 
 of nitre in water may be given three or four times a day. Solu- 
 tions of carbolic acid, or sulphurous acid gas and chlorine in 
 water, should be used for the purpose of dressing the wounds 
 and cleansing the points of discharge, etc. It may also be nec- 
 essary to open the sinuses and sponge them, using the same 
 solutions. 
 
 Cattle, Choked, to Believe. — In choking, the accum^u- 
 lation of gas (chiefly sulphuretted hydrogen) is the cause of the 
 animal's death. This gas can be decomposed by the forcing of 
 chloride of lime doAvn the animal's throat. A strong solution of 
 salt and \tater will also eftect the same object. Another mode 
 of relief is to force the animal to jump over the bars of a gate 
 or fence, as high as >he will jump, and when she touches ground 
 on the opposite side the obstruction will be ejected. Another 
 plan is to take a loaded gun, slip up by the side of the animal, place 
 the muzzle directly between the horns, about three inches for- 
 ward of them, and discharge the piece. A sudden spring of the 
 animal backward results, and the obstruction is removed. And 
 yet another is to use four or tive feet of three-quarter rubber 
 hose, and push the obstruction down. 
 
 Cattle, Black Leg ix. — This can be cured by thoroughly 
 washing the diseased leg in strong soap suds; rub till dry; then 
 scrape the knots with a dull knife; then take one ounce of vitriol 
 and dissolve in strong vinegar, after which the leg must be very 
 thoroughly bathed and dried. 
 
 . Cattle, Feeding and Care of. — The two great points in 
 the feeding of cattle are regularity and a particular care to the 
 weaker individuals. ' On this last account there ought to be 
 plenty of rack' or trough room, that too many may not feed to- 
 gether; in which very common case the weaker are not only 
 trampled down by- the stronger, but they are worried, cowed 
 and spiritless; than which there cannot be a more unfavorable 
 state for thrift; beside, they are ever compelled to shift with the 
 worst of the fodder. To prevent this, the weaker animals should 
 be kept and fed apart. The barn or stable should be kept warm 
 in winter. During the winter months, whenever the sun shines, 
 turn them into the yard, and they will soon find the sunny side, 
 
53 
 
 and begin to stretch themselves and show increased comfort. A 
 good plan is to feed them meal or roots early in the morning, 
 without any hay, and turn them out a little after sunrise, and 
 then feed hay, either in the yard or at the adjoining stack, put- 
 ting them back in the stalls as early as 4 P. m., stormy or ex- 
 treme cold weather excepted, wdien they should be kept comfort- 
 ably housed the most of the time. In fattening, the farmer should 
 remember that it does not pay to feed grain to a poor creature 
 — one that does not take on flesh rapidly. This kind of stock 
 should at once be disposed of for what it will bring. The next 
 important point is to feed plentifully, without stint, and to do 
 this regularly and not too often, as the stock will eat and lie 
 down and ruminate. 
 
 Cattle, Film on Eyes of. — To remove it, apply clean lard, 
 warm or cold, whichever way it can be got into the eye best. 
 Its application will cause no pain, and should be applied until 
 the film is removed. Another method is to apply powdered 
 sugar. 
 
 Cattle, Foot and Mouth Disease in. — On the first in- 
 dication of this disease, the affected cattle should at once be 
 separated from the healthy, so as to secure against the spreading 
 of the disorder. Next make a mixture composed of five pounds 
 of alum to twelve gallons of soft water, four quarts of salt, and a 
 small quantity of tar, and with a sponge or rag wash the inside 
 of the mouths thoroughly of those not affected. Next bathe the 
 lower portion of the legs with suds formed from carbolic disin- 
 fecting soap, to which is added one quart of salt, to about one 
 gallon of suds. Repeat the bathlns" and washing once a day for 
 seven days. The affected animals should be treated in the same 
 manner with the exception of washing the inside of the mouth 
 twice a day — once with the mixture given above, and once with 
 wormwood steeped in vinegar. To the division of the hoof ap- 
 ply suds at first, and afterwards apply a mixture of pitch and 
 tar. The buildings should be thoroughly disinfected by carbolic 
 acid, chloride of lime, and other disinfectants, and if the cattle 
 themselves be treated with the fumes of burning sulphur, it will 
 help to prevent further infection, for which purpose drop small 
 pieces of brimstone upon live coals, contained in suitable me- 
 tallic vessels (so as to avoid all risk of communicating fire), and 
 allow the fumes to mingle with the air of the lean-to, or building 
 containing the cattle, and to penetrate the coats of the beasts, 
 and to be inhaled to such extent as can be borne by the atten- 
 dant without serious discomfort. Let this be regularly repeated, 
 daily or twice daily while the danger continues, using from one 
 to two ounces each time, according to the extent of the danger. 
 5* 
 
54 
 
 Finally, the animals should be kept in a dry, comfortable place, 
 suitably ventilated, and receive good nursing, including the ut- 
 most cleanliness. No bleeding must be allowed, nor should ac- 
 tive purgatives be given them. If unable to take their usual food, 
 their strength should be sustained by giving mashes of coarse- 
 ground wheat, with bran, or other similar diet. 
 
 Cattle, Hoof Rot in. — For a cure, take one teacupful of 
 sharp cider vinegar, one and one-half tablespoonfuls of copperas, 
 one and one-half tablespoonfuls of salt. Dissolve gradually on 
 the hot stove, but do not let it boil. When cool, apply it on the 
 aftected limb and hoof, and also swab out the mouth of the ani- 
 mal wit.h the mixture. Two or three applications generally 
 effect a cure. This preparation can be used in the foot and 
 mouth disease in connection with the above treatment. 
 
 Cattle, Hoven or Bloat in. — A certain remedy for this 
 is to take a pail of water, fresh from the stream, and pour it 
 from a jug forward of the hip bones, rubbing it on with the 
 hands. It will be found that the bloat will at once commence to 
 go down, and by applying two or three more pailfuls complete 
 a*estoration Mali result. 
 
 Cattle, Lice on, to Destroy. — 1. Camphor dissolved in 
 spirits, is an effectual remedy 2. One part lard and two parts 
 coal oil, melted together and applied, will kill lice without fail. 
 3. A strong brine, thickened with soft soap will also kill. 4. 
 Two or three applications of kerosene oil, applied by carding the 
 animal, and dipping the teeth of the card in the oil, is conven- 
 ient, harmless and effectual. 5. Feeding onions to the animal 
 will make the lice travel in from ten to fifteen hours. 
 
 Cattle, Mange in. — This is caused by improper^treatment 
 of the animal through the winter, rendering it debilitated and 
 unable to support the change when the grass comes on. Na- 
 ture, overloaded, will relieve herself by this eruption on the 
 skin, which, once introduced, will quickly spread through an en- 
 tire dair}^ Tl>e treatment required is proper attention to clean- 
 liness, food, drinl>:, and plenty of sunlight. 
 
 Cattle PLAaiJE. — Chloride of copper is now extensively 
 used in Germany as a preventive against the cattle plague. The 
 mode of administering the specific is as follows: A solution is 
 first made by dissolving one-quarter of an ounce of the green 
 crystallized salts in spirits of wine. In this solution a pad of 
 cotton is soaked for a little while, and is then laid on a plate and 
 set on fire in the centre of the stable, the animals' heads being 
 
55 
 
 turned towards the flame, so as to make them breathe the fumes. 
 The operation is performed morning and evening, and a spirit- 
 lamp filled with the solution left burning in the stable every 
 night. The liquid is also administered internall}^ with the ad- 
 dition of one-half an ounce of chloroform for the above quantity, 
 a teaspoonful being put into the animal's drink three times a 
 day. 
 
 Cattlp:'s Horns, Sawing Off. — A celebrated professor of 
 a London Yeterinary College has said, concerning this practice: 
 I consider this to be a very "gross act of cruelty, and for this rea- 
 son — that the horns of oxen are very unlike those of the deer 
 species. They have a large proportion of bone growing out from 
 the bone of the head, and that is surrounded by a heavy sensi- 
 tive structure, so that to cut the animal's horns, they had to go 
 below where it is simply horny, and the animal had to sufler 
 much pain. The nearer the operation was performed to the 
 skull, the greater the suffering. That bone was hollow — that is 
 to say, it had not one single horned cavity — but it had several 
 cells, which extended into the head, though not to the brain, but 
 close to it. These cavities were exposed, by the removal ot the 
 horns, to the air ; and as they are lined with a delicate, sensitive 
 membrane — there being, besides, a delicate, sensitive covering 
 outside — great suffering must be caused. The cavities were 
 never intended by Nature to be exposed to the air, which 
 brought on an inflammatory condition. These cavities were 
 very apt to be inflamed, and the inflammation was very likely to 
 be extended to the membranes of the brain, causing madness, 
 lockjaw, or other dangerous results. This operation is one of 
 the most painful and unwarrantable that could possibly be per- 
 formed on cattle. 
 
 Cattle, Snake-Bitten, Remedy for. — Cattle or horses 
 are usually bitten in the feet. When this is the case, all that is 
 necessary to do is to drive them into a mudhole, and keep them 
 there for a few hours ; if upon the nose, bind the mud upon the 
 place, in such a manner as not to interfere with their breathing. 
 
 Cattle, Sore Mouth in. — Take a weak solution of car- 
 bolic acid — say one to five drops to the ounce of water — wash-, 
 ing the mouth every few hours, allowing a httle to be swallowed, 
 and following this with mild tonics, and food that will not irri- 
 tate the mouth. 
 
 Cattle, Warts on. — 1. To remove warts from cattle, 
 mix equal parts of blue vitriol, lard and honey, and anoint 
 them once in four or five days ; they will be removed without 
 making a sore. 2. Wash with a strong lye made of pearl-ash 
 
5Q 
 
 and water three times a day. 3. Or make two or three applica- 
 tions of lunar caustic. 
 
 Cows, Abortion in — The predisposing cause for this dis- 
 ease is constitutional in the animal, while the exciting cause 
 may be ill-treatment at the time of pregnancy, damp surround- 
 ings, food in which ergot of rye may be found, impure water, 
 etc. The predisposing cause can be avoided by giving the gen- 
 erative organs of the animal a rest. The doing of this, by a free- 
 dom of from six months to a year from pregnancy, will insure 
 freedom from abortion — especially so if care is taken in the 
 avoiding of all supposable exciting causes. Many farmers may 
 not be willing to endure the loss involved in this suggestion ; 
 but it will be a gain in the end, because no animal aborts with- 
 out, in a greater or less measure experiencing such a shock to 
 her system as will tell on her future health and value. 
 
 Cows, Care of. — 1. Cows should run dry six weeks be- 
 fore calving ; if milked closely towards calving, the calves will be 
 poorer. 
 
 2. A cow newly come in should not drink cold water in 
 cold weather, but moderately warm water. Calves, intended for 
 raising, should be taken from the cow within a few days, and 
 they will be less liable to suck when they are old. Feed them first 
 on new milk, for a short time, and then on skim milk, taking care 
 that all the changes are gradual, by adding only a portion at 
 first. 
 
 3. Hearty eaters are desirable for cows, and may usually be 
 selected while calves. A dainty calf will be a dainty cow. 
 
 4. Heifers dried up too earl}^ after calving, will always run 
 dry about the same time in after years — therefore, be careful to 
 milk closel}^ the first year, until about six weeks previous to the 
 
 ' time for calving. 
 
 5 ; Spring cows should come in while they are yet fed on hay, 
 and before they are turned to grass, which will be more likely to 
 p-event caked bag and milk fever. 
 
 6. The best times for feeding the cow are early in the morn- 
 ing, at noon, and a little before sunset. 
 
 7. Abundance -of the purest water must always be supplied, 
 and it ought in all cases, Avhen practicable, be what is understood 
 as soft water. In 'winter the water giv^en should be warmed to 
 the temperature of the air on a summer day. 
 
 8. The food given should be as nearly in its natural state as 
 possible. Cooking food, slops, brewers' grains, etc., are all objec- 
 tionable, where either firm, healthy flesh, or pure, rich milk is 
 desired. 
 
57 
 
 Cows, Dairy, to Select. — Cows of extraordinary milk- 
 ing qualities are as often found among the natives as among 
 grade and thoroughbred animals ; and, as a rule, the progeny of 
 these extra-milkers become the best cows, and every heifer-calf 
 from such should be raised, except it fails to carry the mark in- 
 dicating a good milker. This mark is the upward growth of the 
 hair on the inside of the thighs of the calf from immediately 
 behind the udder, as high as the hair goes. If it be found run- 
 ning up in a very smooth and unbroken column — all the other 
 things being equal — with good care and continued fine growth, 
 there will scarcely be a failure. But whatever extraordinary 
 qualities the cow may possess, unless this mark is found on the 
 calf, it is not worth raising for a dairy cow. There are several 
 other signs and conditions indicative of valuable milking quali- 
 ties, some of which attend the first described. Smooth and fair- 
 sized teats; a large and long milk vein ; slim neck; and some- 
 times six teats; a yellow skin, apparent about the eyes and nose, 
 and other bare spots, are indications of rich milk, and one of 
 the indications of a good cow. 
 
 Cows, Farrow, What to Do With. — Feed them liberal- 
 ly, and they will give rich milk, though, perhaps, not much of 
 it. Let them have three or four quarts of meal a day through 
 the winter and spring, and do not stop giving it to them when 
 grass comes. As soon as it dries them up they will be fit for the 
 butcher. 
 
 Cows, Bloody Milk in. — To cure, give a tablespoonful of 
 milk in a little bran or meal, and renewing the dose the second 
 or third day. Another remedy is to give a tablespoonful of sul- 
 phur in a little dry bran, once a day — in very bad cases, twice a 
 day. 
 
 Cows, Garget in. — This disorder is very frequent in cows 
 after ceasing to be milked : it affects the glands of the udder 
 with hard swellings, and often arises from the animal not being 
 clean milked. It may be removed by giving a pint of beans 
 a day, for four or five days. The beans should be soaked and 
 mixed with meal to make the cow eat them ; but the better way 
 is to grind the beans, and feed a pint a day with other meal. 
 This will be found a sure remedy. Another plan is to give the 
 cow one teaspoonful of the tincture of arnica, in bran or shorts, 
 three times a day, and bathe the bag thoroughly with it as often. 
 The arnica for bathing should be reduced one-half in warm 
 water, and bathe with the hand. 
 
 Cows, Hard-Milking. — The causes for cows holding up 
 
58 
 
 their milk are various — irregularity in time of milking, imper- 
 fect milking, and lack of water in pastures ; over-driving in 
 bringing the animals home ; the taking of the calf away — and 
 especially will this be the case where the calf, while being 
 reared, is kept in a situation where the mother can keep up an ac- 
 quainlance with it ; and finally the presence of a vicious or 
 sulky disposition in the cow, the slightest dissatisfaction making 
 them hold up their milk. The remedy in usual cases is, besides 
 the avoidance of the apparent cause, gentleness, kind words, and 
 a system of petting the animals, so as to gain their confidence 
 and affection, coupled with plenty of good water and feed. 
 
 Cows, Kicking. — Cows seldom kick without some good rea- 
 son for it. Teats sometimes are chapped or the u*dder tender ; 
 harsh handling hurts them, and they kick. Sometimes long 
 and sharp fingernails cut their teats, and sometimes the milk- 
 er pulls the long hairs on the udder, while milking. Shear off 
 the long hairs, cut long linger-nails close, bathe chapped teats 
 with warm water, and grease them well with lard, and always 
 treat a cow gently. She never will kick unless something hurts 
 her, or she fears a repetition of former liurts. When handled 
 gently cows like to be milked. When treated otherwise, they 
 will kick and hold up their milk. Occasionally a cow is found 
 that, like some men, has a bad, ungovernable temper, that flies 
 at merely imaginary oftences. For'this class take a small strap 
 long enough for the purpose, and bend the foreleg so as to bring 
 the foot up to the body. Then put the strap round the arm and 
 small part of the leg, near the hoof, crossing between, so as not 
 to slip off over the knee, and buckle. In this condition, it is an 
 impossibility for a cow to kick ; they may come to the knee, a 
 few times, but are soon quiet. Never, as some do, confine the 
 hind legs, either singly or together, for in doing this there is 
 danger of spoiling the animal. Milkers should study the tem- 
 per of the cows they milk, and find out whether a cow kicks on 
 account of pain or wilfulness. If it is from bad temper, the 
 strap applied to the foot is a ver}^ good way to subdue her, but 
 you shouM avoid whipping and beating in all cases. 
 
 Cows, RhetjmaTism IN. —The treatment of rheumatism should 
 consist in placing , the animal in a moderately warm place, and 
 giving diet of a generous character. In cases where the pain is 
 severe, the tincture of aconite, in twenty drop doses, may be 
 given with advantage. Friction to the joints will be found ben- 
 eficial ; and, where much swelling exists, the liniment of am- 
 monia may be rubbed in daily. Cooling appliances do not seem 
 to suit this complaint. The enlargements in the joints some- 
 
59 . 
 
 times become chronic, and should then be treated with appli- 
 cations of the tincture of iodine. 
 
 Cows, Milking, The Eight Method of. — Some persons 
 in milking seize the root of the teat between the thumb and 
 forefinger, and then drag upon it until it slips out of their grasp. 
 In this way teat and udder are subjected to severe traction for 
 an indefinite number of times, and in rude hands are often 
 severely injured. Others, again, by carelessness and want of 
 thoroughness, will cause the usual quantity of milk to shrink 
 one-third in two weeks. In many localities more cows are 
 ruined from faults of bad milking than from all other causes 
 that act specially on the udder. The proper mode of milking is 
 to take the teat in the entire hand, and, after pressing it upward, 
 that it may be well filled from the capacious milk reservoir 
 above, to compress it first at the base between thumb and fore- 
 finger, then successively by each of the three succeeding fingers, 
 until completely emptied, ihe teat is at the same time gently 
 drawn upon, but any severe traction is altogether unneces- 
 sary, and highly injurious. 
 
 Cow^s, To Increase their Milk. — Give your cows, three 
 times a day, water slightly warm, slightly salted, in which bran 
 has been stirred at the rate of one quart to two gallons of water. 
 You will find, if you have not tried this daily practice, that the 
 cow will give twenty-five per cent more milk, and she will 
 become so much attached to the diet that she will refuse to drink 
 clear water unless very thirsty, but this mess she will drink al- 
 most any time and ask for more. The amount of this drink 
 necessary is an ordinary water-pail full each time, morning, noon 
 and night. Avoid giving cows '' slops," as they are no more fit 
 for the animal than the human. 
 
 Cows, Milk Eever in. — Immediately there are indications 
 of milk fever, the animal should be restricted to an exclusive 
 hay diet. This treatment should be followed, even in summer 
 time, unless the animal is kept in very close pasture and shows 
 no tendency to fatten. This moderate feeding of hay only 
 should be continued until the fourth or fifth day after calving, 
 at which time the full flow of milk is established, and the dan- 
 ger of puerperal fever has become slight. 
 
 - Cows, Old, When to Kill. — It is a question among far- 
 mers as to what age cows can be properly used for dairy pur- 
 poses, and when it is best to dispose of them on account of age. 
 It will depend somewhat on the breed of the animals and the 
 usage they have received. As a general rule, when a cow has 
 
60 
 
 entered her teens, she has approximated closely the limit of her 
 usefulness in the dairy line. A good farmer has remarked that 
 a cow was never worn out so long as there was any room on her 
 horns for a new wrinkle. 
 
 Cows, SELF-SuCKliiTG. — A good, simple and cheap arrange- 
 ment to prevent cows from sucking themselves, or each other, 
 may be made by making a halter as follows: Take two or three 
 straps two inches wide, and long enough to reach around the cow's 
 nose. Stitch the edges together, and the ends also, with sharp 
 nails inserted every one and a half-inches, so that the points will 
 stand outward. The heads of the nails should be very large, 
 and should be between the two straps when sewed together. 
 Now fasten two side straps, with a buckle on one end of one, so 
 that when the part with the nails is around the nose the side 
 straps may be buckled together over the head, back of the 
 horns; the part that goes around the nose should be large enough 
 to allow the animal to eat freely. This arrangement will be 
 effectual, but many think it cruel, especially in fly time. A much 
 more desirable and effectual method is to put on a good strong 
 halter, put the animal in a good stall, keep her clean, and feed 
 as much cooked meal as she will eat, until her milking season 
 nearly runs out, and then send her to the butcher. Doing this, 
 it will be found that the milk will pay for the extra feed and care, 
 and the beef will be in prime condition. 
 
 Cows, Swelled Bags in". — An excellent remedy for swelled 
 bags of cows, caused by cold, etc., is one-half an ounce of cam- 
 phor gum to two ounces of sweet oil; pulverize the gum, and 
 dissolve over a slow fire. 
 
 Cows' Teats, Warts on^. — Warts on the teats of cows 
 usually extend no deeper than the skin. They should not be 
 removed while the cow gives milk. The most eftectual way is 
 to take hold of the end of a wart with pliers, and cut it off w*ith 
 sharp shears. The cut should not be deeper than the skin. This 
 remedy will not hurt a cow as much as clipping the skin does 
 sheep when they are being sheared: or a piece of small wire 
 may be twisted around a large wart sufliciently tight to obstruct 
 the circulation of 'the blood, and left on till the wart drops off, 
 leaving the surface- smooth. 
 
 Chalk for Calves. — When an animal is found licking his 
 fellow, it is proof that uneasiness is present in the stomach, and 
 the licking of his neighbor is a habit contracted by instinct, 
 with a view of removing the unpleasantness. Unfortunately 
 instinct is not at all times sufficient to avoid dangerous prac- 
 
61 
 
 tices, and, if we take for granted that the stomach is at all times 
 fully charged with acrid matter, we shall without hesitation tind 
 a remedy. It is only necessary to place within their reach shal- 
 low troughs, in which is kept a supply of common chalk. If an 
 animal has a superabundance of acrid secretion, it will most cer- 
 tanily swallow some of the chalk which will as certainly neu- 
 tralize the excess of acrid. If an animal has not acrid in ex- 
 cess, and partakes of the chalk, it will do no harm. It is often 
 too late to administer remedies to young stock, and the placing 
 of chalk within their reach cannot be made too early. 
 
 Cooking Food for Stock. — The great profit of steaming 
 food to feed to stock is, that it converts much of the woody fibre 
 of hay, straw, etc., into soluble, fit-forming nutriments. It is 
 commonly supposed that, as cattle chew the cud, all the nutri- 
 ment is extracted from the hay, fodder, grain, etc., eaten. So far 
 from this, nothing short of boiling or its equivalent, steaming, 
 can convert woody fibre into soluble nutriment. The same rule 
 is applicable to grain, potatoes, and roots generally; heat is 
 essential to dissolving the starch of grains and roots to render 
 it available, as well as to dissolve the elements out of woody 
 fibre. The heat of the animal system, together with the gastric 
 juices, perform, but imperfectly, the same that steaming or cook- 
 ing does. Experience and careful experiments have demon- 
 strated that a very much larger proportion of food is assimilated 
 into the system if cooked than if fed uncooked. In very cold 
 weather a greater amount of heat-forming matter is required to 
 keep up animal heat than in mild or warm weather. At such 
 times extra hay or straw may be fed, to sustain this heat, with- 
 out cutting and steaming, yet this latter process would add 
 largely to its nutriment, without diminishing its heat-forming 
 power. In this connection the following directions will be found 
 serviceable : To Cook Hay. — Cut it, wet it well, put it in upright 
 tanks or casks, with false bottom and tight cover, press it down 
 firmly, pass the steam in under the false bottom, and cook until 
 done. To Cook Corn. — Soak as many barrels, half full, as you wish 
 to cook, from fifteen to twenty-four hours; turn on st eamand cook 
 until done, when the barrels should be full. To Hake Mush. — • 
 Fill as many barrels half-full of water as you wish to make bar- 
 rels of mush; bring the water nearly to a boil bypassing the 
 steam to the bottom; stir in each barrel from one and a half to 
 one and three-fourths bushels of meal until well mixed; then 
 cook until done, when the barrels should be full. To Cook 
 Vegetables. — Fill the barrels full, and, if no other cover is at 
 hand, chop the top fine with a shovel; then cover them over 
 with bran meal or provender, and cook until done; have holes 
 in the bottoms of the barrels to carry off condensed steam. 
 6 
 
62 
 
 Cotton" Seed for Stock. — Very many farmers believe 
 that cotton seed for stock is superior to corn, and ample experi- 
 ment seems to confirm this view. To cook cotton seed, take a 
 large kettle, which holds from five to six bushels, set it upon a 
 brick furnace, fill it with cotton seed fresh from the gin, and 
 then fill up the kettle with water, and boil something less than 
 one-half an hour; then empty the seed into troughs, and let the 
 cattle and hogs to them. The milk and butter have none of 
 that cotton-seed taste which the green or uncooked seed gives. 
 Both cattle and hogs will keep in good order winter and sum- 
 mer on seed thus prepared; and when you are ready to fatten 
 pork, you have only to add an equal quantity of cotton-seed and 
 corn, and boil as above. Experience has proved that it will fat- 
 ten much sooner and be equally good as when fattened on corn 
 alone. Your cows will give an abundance of milk all winter 
 when fed in this manner, with but one bushel of corn to four of 
 cotton-seed. 
 
 Condimental Food, Thorley's.— The advertisements of 
 patentees of this English preparation would lead to the belief 
 that their " cattle food " contains more real nourishment than 
 the ordinary kinds of food which have hitherto been given; but 
 chemical analysis shows the incorrectness of these statements. 
 There is no secret in the composition, for the test is at hand in 
 a simple analysis. The following is an ordinary formula to 
 make one ton of the meal: Take of Indian meal nine hundred 
 weight, locust beau finely ground six hundred weight, best lin- 
 seed cake three hundred weight, powdered tumeric and sulphur 
 of each forty pounds, saltpetre twenty pounds, licorice twenty- 
 seven pounds, ginger three pounds, aniseed four pounds, cori- 
 ander and gentian of each ten pounds, cream of tartar two 
 pounds, carbonate of soda and levigated antimony each six 
 pounds, common salt thirty pounds, Peruvian bark four pounds, 
 fenugreek twenty-two pounds. The reader will observe that 
 the chief ingredients are corn meal, locust bean, and linseed 
 oake; these form its bulk, and constitute nine-tenths of the 
 whole, the remainder being made up of " condiments." There 
 can be no doubt whatever that the nutritive materials which 
 the compound contains are purchased at an enormous expense, 
 an.d really does not pay for the purchase. 
 
 Calyes, Caee of.»— To raise good calves — those that will 
 make good cows — they must be well fed from their birth, as it 
 is impossible to stint a calf in food till one year — or more — 
 old, and then bring the animal into as good condition, in all 
 respects, as could be done if the animal had been well fed. Al- 
 low the calf to suck until the milk is fit to use. To learn it to 
 
63 
 
 drink, take the calf from the cow at the time mentioned, and 
 fasten it with about six feet of rope in a box stall; then milk 
 the cow, and standing off just far enough for the calf to reach 
 you, wet one finger with milk, put it in its mouth, and gently 
 lower your hand until it is immersed in the milk in the pail; let 
 it continue to have the finger until it has received enough. This 
 is lesson number one. The second lesson is given in this wise: 
 Dip the finger in the milk and place it in its mouth, and when 
 you have brought its mouth in contact with the feed, gradually 
 withdraw your finger and the thing is done. It may be neces- 
 sary to repeat this at the third time. The secret is that you 
 must stand just far eno-ugh so that the calf can just reach the 
 pail of feed, as the rope will then be taut, and hence he cannot 
 reach you, or butt over and spill his milk or feed. It may be 
 remarked in this connection, that calves will thrive better on 
 milk that is not rich in butter than on what is commonly called 
 very rich milk. The nutritive elements of milk reside chiefly ia 
 the casein. If you have a cow that gives particularly rich milk, 
 and one that gives a quality poorer in butter, it is better in every 
 way to feed the calf on the milk of the latter. The calf will 
 thrive better, and you get more butter from the milk of the first 
 cow. 
 
 Calves, Lice and Vermin on. — The best applications to 
 destroy lice, nits, etc., is a thorough application of kerosene oil. 
 It is much better than ointment of any kind. 
 
 Calyes, To Cure Scours in. — Take one pint of red-oak 
 acorns, break the shells, and steep thoroughly in three pints of 
 water, and you will have one quart of tea. Give one pint of the 
 same, warm, for the first dose, and the remainder twelve hours 
 after, if necessary. I never knew more than two doses required 
 to effect a cure. ' 
 
 Hollow Horn, or Horn Ail. — This disorder usually at- 
 tacks cattle in the spring, after a severe winter; likewise those 
 that are in very poor flesh, or those that have been overworked 
 and exposed to severe storms, or reduced by any other diseases, 
 are predisposed to take it. The symptoms are as follows: Eyes^ 
 dull, discharging yellow matter, dizziness, loss of appetite, shak- 
 ing of the head, bloody urine, coldness of the horns, stupidity 
 and great debility. The remedies that are recommended are 
 as numerous as they are contradictory. One authority advises 
 boring gimlet holes in the horns three inches from the head, 
 while another advises not to bore at all; one advises to bleed in 
 the neck in the same manner as a horse is bled, while another 
 deprecates bleeding. Another advises to put a mixture of strong 
 
64 
 
 vinegar (one-half a teaspoonful), fine salt and ground black 
 pepper (of each a tablespoouful), and, after allowing it to stnnd 
 over night, to put a tablespoouful in each ear of the animal 
 affected. Another advises the cutting of the hair off the top of 
 the head, and then pour or rub strong spirits of camphor there- 
 on. And still another advises the pouring of the camphor in the 
 ears. Where so many remedies and so much advice is offered, 
 it is to say that not much is known of the real nature of the 
 disease. 
 
 Pigs, How to Select Good. — The desirable points in a 
 good pig are: Sufficient depth and length of body to insure 
 suitable lateral expansion; broad on the loin and breast. The 
 bones small and joints fine; legs no longer than, when fully ftit, 
 to just prevent the animal's belly from trailing on the ground 
 when walking; feet firm and sound; the toes to press straightly 
 on the ground and lie well together; the claws should be healthy, 
 upright and even. The head small, the snout short, forehead 
 somewhat convex and curving upward; the ears small but 
 pendulous, somewhat inclined forward; light and thin. His car- 
 riage should be lively, sprightly rather than dull and heavy; a 
 lively bright eye, and he should carry his head up rather than 
 down. Those colors which are characteristic of the best breed 
 are to be chosen. The thinner the hair of a black pig the nearer 
 allied it is to the j^eapolitan, and consequently the less hardy, 
 either to endure the cold and change of seasons, or to resist 
 disease. White color indicates a connection with the Chinese. 
 Mixed colors show marks of particular breeds; thus, if light or 
 sandy, or red with black marks, the Berkshire blood is detected, 
 etc. 
 
 Kings, Bull, To Insert. — This can be done in three 
 ways: 1. By burning' the hole through with a pointed rod of 
 iron heated in the forge, thus piercing and searing the wound at 
 the same time. 2. By punching out the hole with an instrument 
 like a leather punch of large size. 3. By piercing the gristle of 
 the nose- with a steel-tipped rod (cold), of which the point is 
 formed with two cutting edges. Perhaps it may be an improve- 
 ment to UTake'the section of the end, just above the point, tri- 
 angular, or in the shape of a four-pointed star. This last mode 
 is said to be the-, jH'eferable one. A point of iron about three 
 inches long, and hollowed out at the large end, like the barrel 
 of a key, to receive the round end of the open ring, is used after 
 the hole has been pierced, as a guide to the ring. 
 
THE HORSE: 
 
 HIS CARE AND TREATMENT, 
 
 ENGLISH AND FRENCH AUTHORITY. 
 
 BOSTON : 
 
 CLAKKSON & CO., PUBLISHERS. 
 
 1872. 
 
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