766 Broadway
THE
HANDY HORSE-BOOK
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
''Must certainly the above title is no misnomer, for the 'Handy Horse-
Book' is a manual of driving, riding, and the general care and management
of horses, evidently the work of no unskilled hand." — Bell's Life.
"As cavalry officer, hunting horseman, coach proprietor, whip, and
steeplechase rider, the author has had lung and various experience in the
management of horses, and he now gives us the cream of his information
in a little volume, which will be to horse-keepers and horse-buyers all that
the ' Handy Book on Property Law,' by Lord St Leonards, has for years
past been to men of business. It does not profess to teach the horse-
keeper everything that concerns the beast that is one of the most delicate
as well as the noblest of animals; but it supplies him with a number
of valuable facts, and puts him iu possession of leading principles."—
AthencBum.
"The writer shows a thorough knowledge of his subject, and he fully
carries out the object for which he professes to have undertaken his task —
nam el j', to render horse-proprietors independent of the dictations of igno-
rant farriers and grooms." — Observer.
" We need only say that the work is essentially a multum in parvo, and
that a book more practically useful, or that was more required, could not
have possibly been written." — Irish Times.
"He propounds no theories, but embodies in simple and untechnical
language what he has learned practically; and a perusal of the volume
will at once testify that he is fully qualified for the task ; and so skilfully
is the matter condensed that there is scarcely a single sentence which does
not convey sound and valuable information." — Sporting Gazette.
" We can cordially recommend it as a book especially suited to the gene-
ral public, and not beneath the attention of 'practical men.'" — The Globe.
"Contains a very great modicum of information in'an exceedingly small
space. . . . There can be little doubt that it will, when generally
known, become the established vade mecum of the fox-hunter, the country
squire, and the trainer." — Army and Navy Gazette.
"A useful little work. ... In the first part he gives just the
amount of information that will enable a man to work his horse comfort-
ably, check his groom, and generally know what he is about when riding,
driving, or choosing gear."— Spectator.
" This is a book to be read and re-read by all who take an interest in the
noble, animal, as it contains a most comprehensive view of everything ap-
pertaining to horse-flesh ; and is. moreover, as fit for the library and draw-
ing-room as it is for the mess-table or the harness-room." — Sporting Maga-
zine.
" By all means buy the book ; it will repay the outlay." — Land and Water.
-V-A • .
% ..
ftf
THE
HANDY HOESE-BOOK
PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS IN DRIVING, RIDING,
AND THE GENERAL CARE AND
MANAGEMENT OF HORSES
BY
A CAVALEY OFFICER
FOURTH EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED
tijj (Emgratangs
WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS
EDINBURGH AND LONDON
MDCCCLXVIII
The Right of Translation is reserved'
MAJOR -GENERAL LORD GEORGE PAGET, C.B.
Inspector- fllnwral of (Cabalrg,
SON" OF THE DISTINGUISHED HORSEMAN AND HERO WHO COM-
MANDED THE CAVALRY AT WATERLOO, AND HIMSELF A LEADER
AMONG THE '"'IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED,"
THIS BOOK IS BY PERMISSION INSCRIBED,
IN TRIBUTE TO HIS SOLDIERLY QUALITIES, AND TO HIS CON-
SIDERATION FOR THE NOBLE ANIMAL WHICH HAS CARRIED
THE BRITISH CAVALRY THROUGH SO MANY DANGERS TO SO
MANY TRIUMPHS,
BY HIS LORDSHIP'S OBEDIENT SERVANT,
"MAGENTA."
PREFACE.
Finding myself a standing reference among my
friends and acquaintance on matters relating to
horse-flesh, and being constantly in the habit of
giving them advice verbally and by letter, I have
been induced to comply with repeated suggestions
to commit my knowledge to paper, in the shape of
a Treatise or Manual.
When I say that my experience has been prac-
tically tested on the road, in the field, on the turf
(having been formerly a steeplechase rider, as well
as now a hunting horseman), with the ribbons,
and in a cavalry regiment, I must consider that,
with an ardent taste for everything belonging to
horses thus nourished for years, I must either
have sadly neglected my opportunities, or have
V1U PREFACE.
picked up some knowledge of the use and treat-
ment of the animal in question*
Born and bred, I may say, in constant famil-
iarity with a racing - stable, and having been
always devotedly attached to horses, the wrongs
of those noble animals have been prominently
before my eyes, and I have felt an anxious desire
to see justice done to them, which, I am sorry
to say, according to my observation, is but too
seldom the case ; indeed, I have often marvelled
at the tractability of those powerful creatures
under the most perverted treatment by their
riders and drivers.
* It may be well to let my readers know how I became ex-
perienced on the road. In the days when coaching was in its
perfection (and when many country gentlemen indulged in their
fancy for the use of the "ribbons"), I became, during a long
interval from service, deeply and actively concerned in a
coaching establishment of the first order; and those who, some
years since, travelling between Dublin and Killarney vi-i
Limerick (a distance of about 185 miles), may have happened
to hear coachmen and helpers talking of the w Captain," will
recognise in the writer the individual thus referred to, who was
also in partnership with the famous Bianconi in the staging on
the Killarney line. Several years spent in such a school will
probably be considered a good apprenticeship to the study of
one branch of the subject herein treated upon — viz., the man-
agement of horses on the road.
PREFACE. IX
My object, therefore, in offering the following
remarks, is not to trench upon the sphere of the
professional veterinary surgeon or riding-master,
but to render horse-proprietors independent of the
dictation of ignorant farriers and grooms. In-
tending this little work merely as a useful manual,
I have purposely avoided technicalities, as belong-
ing exclusively to the professional man, and en-
deavoured to present my dissertations on disease
in the most comprehensive terms possible, propos-
ing only simple remedies as far as they go; though,
for the satisfaction of my readers, I may mention
that, as an amateur, I have myself devoted much
time and thought to the study of anatomy, and
that any treatment of disease herein recommended
has been carefully perused and approved by a
veterinary surgeon. Theories are excluded, and I
confine myself simply to practical rules founded on
my own experience.
Hints and remarks are here offered to the general
public, which, to practical men, will appear trifling
and unnecessary ; but keen and extended observa-
tion, carried on as opportunity offered, amongst all
classes and in many countries and climates, has
given me an insight into the want of reasoning
X PKEFACE.
exhibited by men of every station in dealing with
the noble and willing inmates of the stable, and
has assisted in suggesting the necessity for just
such ABC instructions as are herein presented
by the Public's very humble servant,
"MAGENTA."*
PREFACE TO THIED EDITION.
Increased attention having been directed to the
necessity for greater vigilance with regard to the
breeding and production of good and useful horses,
many readers have expressed a wish that I would
give some decided views on these subjects ; and
concurring with them as to the exigency of the
case, I have ventured, in an additional chapter in
this new and Third Edition, to make a few re-
marks, which, although doubtless patent to practical
men, are naturally looked for by the public in this
Manual, which has been so favourably received.
"MAGENTA."
* The soubriquet by which the Author is known in his regi-
ment.
PKEFACE TO FOUKTH EDITION.
The Third Edition of this little work, published
so recently as April last, being already out of
print, the Author, in presenting a new one, feels
called upon gratefully to acknowledge this un-
usual mark of favour on the part of the public.
Londox, November 1867.
CONTENTS,
PART
BREEDING,
SELECTING,
BUYING,
STABLING,
GROOMING,
HALTERING,
CLOTHING,
FEEDING,
WATERING,
GRAZING,
TRAINING,
EXERCISING,
WORK, .
BRIDLING,
SADDLING,
RIDING,
HARNESSING,
DRIVING,
DRAWING,
I
2
6
8
12
16
13
20
25
26
28
31
33
33
43
49
56
65
72
XIV
CONTENTS.
SHOEING, 75
vice, 84
SELLING, 89
CAPRICE, 90
IRISH HUNTERS, AND THE BREEDING OF GOOD
HORSES, 93
PART II.
DISEASES, 101
OPERATIONS, 102
TO GIVE A BALL, 104
TO GIVE A DRENCH, 105
PURGING, 106
THE PULSE, 109
DISEASES OF THE HEAD AND RESPIRATORY ORGANS, 109
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE AND URINARY ORGANS, 120
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS, . . .127
LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, ETC., . . .158
INDEX, , 164
LIST OF PLATES.
DRAWING COVER,
THE HACK.
THE WEIGHT-CARRYING HUNTER,
RIDING AT IT,
THE PROPER FORM, .
PREPARATORY CANTER,
frontispiece.
page
4
»
6
tt
53
}>
95
99
THE
HANDY HOES E-BOOK
P A E T I.
BREEDING.
A few words only of observation would I make on this
subject.'"" Palpably our horses, especially racers and
hunters, are degenerating in size and power, owing
mainly, it is to be feared, to the parents being selected
more for the reputation they have gained as winners
carrying feather-weights, than for any symmetrical
development or evidence of enduring power under the
weight of a man. We English might take a useful
lesson in selecting parental stock from the French, who
reject our theory of breeding from animals simply be-
cause they have reputation in the racing calendars, and
who breed from none but those which have shape and
power, as well as blood and performance, to recommend
them. They are also particular to avoid using for stud
purposes such animals as may exhibit indications of any
constitutional unsoundness.
* It, however, is treated more fully in a new section, page 93,
which, at the request of many readers, and in consequence of its
increasing interest to a large portion of the community, has been
added to this edition.
SELECTING.
SELECTING.
In selecting an animal, the character of the work for
which he is required should be taken into considera-
tion. For example, in choosing a hack, you will con-
sider whether he is for riding or for draught. In
choosing a hunter, you must bear in mind the peculiar
nature of the country he will have to contend with.
A horse should at all times have sufficient size and
power for the weight he . has to move. It is an act of
cruelty to put a small horse, be his courage and breed-
ing ever so good, to carry a heavy man or draw a heavy
load. With regard to colour, some sportsmen say, and
with truth, that " a good horse can't be a bad colour,
no mattes what his shade." Objection may, however,
be reasonably made to pie-balls, skew-balls, or cream-
colour, as being too conspicuous, — moreover, first-class
animals of these shades are rare ; nor are the roan or
mouse-coloured ones as much prized as they should be.
Bay, brown, or dark chestnuts,* black or grey horses,
are about the most successful competitors in the market,
and may be preferred in the order in which they are
here enumerated. Very light chestnut, bay, and white
horses are said to be irritable in temper and delicate in
constitution, t
* The French dealers of the present day choose, for gentlemen's
hack-horses, chestnuts with legs white half-way up, causing the
action to look more remarkable. "There's no accounting for
taste."
t It is to be remarked of bays, mouse-colours, and chestnuts,
having a streak of a darker colour over the backbone from mane
to tail (which sometimes, as with the donkey, crosses the shoulder)
SELECTING. 3
Mares are objected to by some as being occasionally
uncertain in temper and vigour, and at times unsafe in
harness, from constitutional irritation. More import-
ance is attached to these assumed drawbacks than
they deserve ; and though the price of the male is
generally from one-fourth to one-sixth more than that
of the female, the latter will be found to get through
ordinary work quite as well as the former.
To judge of the Age by the Teeth. — The permanent
nippers, or front teeth, in the lower jaw, are six. The
two front teeth are cut and placed at from two to three
years of age ; the next pair, at each side of the middle
ones, at from three and a half to four ; anoLgfche corner
pair between four and a half and five years of age,
when the tusks in the male are also produced.
The marks or cavities in these nippers are effaced in
the following order : — At six years old they are worn
out in the two centre teeth, at seven in the next
pair, and at eight in the corner ones, when the horse is
described as " aged."
After this, as age advances, these nippers appear to
change gradually year by year from an oval to a more
detached and triangular form, till at twenty their ap-
pearance is comj^letely triangular. After six the tusks
become each year more blunt, and the grooves, which
at that age are visible inside, gradually wear out.
The Hack to Ride. — A horse with a small well-shaped
head seldom proves to be a bad one ; therefore such, with
small fine_earSj should be sought in the first instance.
It is particularly desirable that the shoulder of a
riding hack should be light and well-placed. A high-
— that animals thus marked generally possess peculiar powers of en-
durance ; and rat-tailed ones, though ugly, prove very serviceable \j/
A
4 SELECTING.
withered horse is by no means the best for that purpose.
Let the shoulder-blades be well slanted as the horse
stands, their points light in front towards the chest.
Nor should there be too wide a front ; for such width,
though well enough for draught, is not necessary in a
riding-horse, provided the chest and girth be deep.
Asa matter of course the animal should be otherwise
well formed, with rather long pasterns (before but not
behind), — the length of which increases the elasticity of
his movement on hard roads. His action should be in-
dependent and high, bending the knees. If he cannot
walk well — in fact, with action so light that, as the
dealers say, "he'd hardly break an egg if he trod on
it " — raising his legs briskly off the ground, when
simply led by the halter (giving him his head) — in
other words, if he walks "close to the ground" — he
should be at once rejected.
With regard to the other paces, different riders have
different fancies : the trot and walk I consider to be
the only important paces for a gentleman's ordinary
riding-horse. It is very material, in selecting a riding-
horse, to observe how he holds his head in his various
paces ; and to judge of this the intending purchaser
should remark closely how he works on the bit when
ridden by the rough-rider, and he should also pay par-
ticular attention to this point when he is himself on his
back, before selection is made.*
* The extremes of various bad positions of the head when the bit
is put in operation are — the throwing up the nose horizontal with
the forehead, a trick denominated " stargazing," at which ewe-
necked horses are very ready, and getting the bit up to the angles
of the jaws. Such a horse can easily run away, and cannot be
commanded without a martingal. Another bad point is when the
animal leans his jaw firmly against the bit, and, placing his head
SELECTING. 5
Respecting soundness, though feeling fully compe-
tent myself to judge of the matter, I consider the half-
guinea fee to a veterinary surgeon well-laid-out money,
to obtain his professional opinion and a certificate of
the state of an animal, when purchasing a horse of any
value.
The Hack for Draught ought to be as well formed as
the one just described; but a much heavier shoulder and
forehand altogether are admissible.
No one should ever for a moment think of putting
any harness-horse into a private vehicle, no matter what
his seller's recommendation, without first having him
out in a single or double break, as the case may be,
and seeing him driven, as well as driving him himself,
to make acquaintance with the animal — in fact, to find
him. out.
The Hunter, like the hack, should be particularly
well-formed before the saddle. He should be deep in
the girth, strong in the loins, with full development of
thigh, short and flat in the canon joint from the knee
to the pastern, with large flat hocks and sound fore
legs. This animal, like the road-horse, should lift his
feet clear of the ground and walk independently, with
evidence of great propelling power in the hind legs
when put into a canter or gallop.
A differently-shaped animal is required for each kind
of country over which his rider has to be carried. In
the midland counties and Yorkshire, the large three-
quarter or thoroughbred horse only will be found to
have pace and strength enough to keep his place. In
close countries, such as the south, south-west, and part
between his fore legs, the neck being over-arched, goes where he
pleases : such is called by horsemen " a borer."
6 BUYING.
of the north of England, a plainer-bred and closer-set
animal does best.
In countries where the fences are height jumps — a
constant succession of timber, or stone walls — one must
look for a certain angularity of hip, not so handsome in
appearance, but giving greater leverage to lift the hind
legs over that description of fence.
A hunter should be all action ; for if the rider finds
he can be carried safely across country, he will neces-
sarily have more confidence, and go straighter, not
therefore requiring so much pace to make up for round-
about "gating" gaps and "craning." *
BUYING.
If you propose purchasing from a dealer, take care
to employ none but a respectable man. It is also well
to get yourself introduced to such a one, by securing
the good offices of some valuable customer of his for
the purpose ; for such an introduction will stimulate
any dealer who values his character to endeavour by his
dealings to sustain it with his patron.
Auction, — An auction is a dangerous place for the
uninitiated to purchase at. If, however, it should suit
you to buy in that manner, the best course to pursue
is to visit the stables on the days previous to the sale,
for in all well-regulated repositories the horses are in
* The racer not coming within the province of this little work, I
will only offer one maxim with reference to such horses in general
—viz., never race any horse unless you make up your mind to have
most probably a fretful, bad-tempered animal ever after. The
course of training and the excitement of contest wiU induce such
a result.
1/
BUYING. 7
for private inspection from two to three days before
the auction-day. Taking, if possible, one good judge
with you, eschewing the opinions of all grooms and
others — in fact, fastening the responsibility of selection
on the one individual — make for yourself all the ex-
amination you possibly can, in or out of stable, of the
animal you think likely to suit you. There is generally
a way of finding out some of the antecedents of the
horses from the men about the establishment.
Fairs. — To my mind it is preferable to purchase at
fairs rather than at an auction : indeed, a judge will
there have much more opportunity of comparison than
elsewhere.
Pricate Purchase. — In buying from, a private gentle-
man or acquaintance, it is not unusual to get a horse
on trial for three or four days. Many liberal dealers,
if they have faith in the animal they want to dispose
of, and in the intending purchaser, will permit the same
thing.
Warranty. — As observed under the head of "Select-
ing," it is never wise to conclude the purchase of a
horse without having him examined by a professional
veterinary surgeon, and getting a certificate of his actual
state. If the animal be a high-priced one, a warranty
should be claimed from the seller as a sine qua non ;
and if low-priced, a professional certificate is desirable,
stating the extent of unsoundness, for your own satis-
faction.*
* If you happen to buy a low-priced animal, and depend upon
your own opinion as to soundness, it is well to feel and look closely
at the back part of the fore leg, above the fetlock, and along the
pasterns, for cicatrices left after the performance of the operation
of unnerving, by means of which a horse will go perhaps appar-
ently sound while navicular disease is progressing in his foot, to
STABLING.
STABLING.
Ventilation is a matter of the first importance in a
stable. The means of ingress and egress of air should
be always three or four feet higher than the range of
the horses' heads, for two simple reasons : first, when
an animal comes in warm, it is not well to have cold
air passing directly on the heated surface of his body \
and, in the second place, the foul air, being the lightest,
always ascends, and you give it the readiest mode of
exit by placing the ventilation high up. The common
louver window, which can never be completely closed, is
the best ordinary ventilator.
Drainage ought to be closely investigated. The
drains should run so as to remove the traps or grates
outside the stable, or as far as possible from the horses,
in order to keep the effluvium away from them. All
foul litter and mass should be removed frequently
during the day; straw and litter ought not to be al-
lowed to remain under a horse in the daytime, unless
it be considered expedient that he should rest lying
down, in which case let him be properly bedded and
kept as quiet as possible. In many cases the practice
of leaving a small quantity of litter in the stall is a
fine cloak for deposit and urine left unswept under-
neath, emitting that noxious ammonia with which the
air of most stables is so disagreeably impregnated that
on entering them from the fresh air you are almost
stifled.
Masters who object to their horses standing on the
terminate in most serious consequences. — See " Navicular Disease,"
page 134.
STABLING. 9
bare pavement can order that, after the stall is thor-
oughly cleaned and swept out, a thin layer of straw
shall be laid over the stones during the daytime. In
dealers' and livery stables, and indeed in some gentle-
men's, the pavement is sanded over, which has a nice
appearance, and prevents slipping.
When the foul litter is abstracted, and the straw
bedding taken from under the horse, none of it should
be pushed away under the manger ; let it be entirely
removed : and in fair weather, or where a shed is avail-
able, the bedding should be shaken out, to thoroughly
dry and let the air pass through it.
Wheaten is more durable than oaten straw for litter :
but the fibre of the former is so strong that it will
leave marks on the coat of a fine-skinned animal wher-
ever it may be unprotected by the clothing ; however,
this is not material.
Light should be freely admitted into stables, not
only that the grooms may be able to see to clean the
horses properly, and to do all the stable -work, but if
horses are kept in the dark it is natural that they
should be more easily startled when they go into full
daylight, — and such is always the consequence of badly-
lighted stables. Of course, if a horse is ailing, and
sleep is absolutely necessary for him, he should be
placed separate in a dark quiet place.
Stalls should be wide, from six to seven feet across
if possible, yielding this in addition to other advan-
tages, that if the partitions are extended by means of
bars to the back wall, either end stall can be turned
into a loose-box sufficiently large to serve in an emer-
gency.
A Loose-Box is unquestionably preferable to a stall
10 STABLING.
(in which a horse is tied up all the time he is not at
work in nearly the same position), and is indispensable
in cases of illness. Loose-boxes should be paved with
narrow bricks ; and when prepared for the reception of
an animal whose shoes have been removed, the floor
should be covered with sawdust or tan, or either of
these mixed with fine sandy earth, or, best of all, peat-
mould when procurable, — any of which, where the in-
disposition is confined to the feet only, may be kept
slightly moistened with water to cool them.
In cases of general illness, straw should be used for
bedding ; and where the poor beast is likely to injure
himself in paroxysms of pain, the walls or partitions
should be well padded in all parts within his reach, and
as a further precaution let the door be made to open
outwards, and be fastened by a bolt, as latches some-
times cause accidents.
Partitions should be carried high enough towards the
head to prevent the horses from being able to bite one
another, or get at each other's food.
With regard to stable-kickers, see the remarks on
this subject under the head of "Vice " (page 85).
Racks and Mangers are now made of iron, so that
horses can no longer gnaw away the manger piecemeal.
Another improvement is that of placing the rack on a
level with and beside the manger, instead of above the
horses' heads; but notwithstanding this more reason-
able method of feeding hay when whole, it is far prefer-
able to give it as manger-food cut into chaff.
Flooring. — In the construction of most stables a
cruel practice is thoughtlessly adopted by the way of
facilitating drainage (and in dealers' stables to make
horses look large), viz., that of raising the paving to-
STABLING. 11
wards the manger considerably above the level of the
rear part. It should be borne in mind that the horse
is peculiarly sensitive to any strain on the insertions of
the back or flexor tendons of his legs. Thus in stalls
formed as described, you will see the creature endea-
vouring to relieve himself by getting his toes down be-
tween the flags or stones (if the pavement will admit)
with the heels resting upon the edges of them ; and if
the fastening to the head be long enough he will draw-
back still farther, until he can get his toes down into
the drain- channel behind his stall, with the heels upon
the opposite elevation of the drain. Proper pavement
in your stable will help to alleviate a tendency towards
what is called "clap of the back sinew." — See page
143.
The slope of an inch and a half or two inches is suf-
ficient for purposes of drainage in paving stables ; but
if the drainage can be managed so as to allow of the
flooring being made quite level, so much the better.
Should my reader be disposed to build stabling, he
cannot do better than consult the very useful and prac-
tical work entitled ' Stonehenge, or the Horse in the
Stable and in the Field.'
The horse being a gregarious animal, and much
happier in society than alone, will, in the absence
of company of his own species, make friends with the
most sociable living neighbour he can find. A horse
should not be left solitary if it can be avoided.
Dogs should never be kept in the stable with horses,
or be permitted to be their playfellows, on account of
the noxious emissions from their excrement. Cats are
better and more wholesome companions.
12 GROOMING.
GROOMING.
I do not profess to teach grooms their business, but
to put masters on their guard against the common
errors and malpractices of that class ; and with a view
to that end, two or three general rules are added which
a master would do well to enforce on a groom when
hiring him, as binding, under pain of dismissal.
1. Never to doctor a horse himself, but to acquaint
his master immediately with any accident, wound, or
symptom of indisposition about the animal, that may
come under his observation, and which, if in existence,
ought not to fail to attract the attention of a careful,
intelligent servant during constant handling of and at-
tendance on his charge.
2. Always to exercise the horses in the place ap-
pointed by his master for the purpose, and never to
canter or gallop them.
3. To stand by while a horse is having its shoes
changed or removed, and see that any directions he
may have received on the subject are carried out.
4. Never to clean a horse out of doors.
These rules are recommended under a just apprecia-
tion of that golden one, "Prevention is better than
cure."
If the master is satisfied with an ill-groomed horse,
nine-tenths of the grooms will be so likewise ; therefore
he may to a great extent blame himself if his bearer's
dressing is neglected.
Grooms are especially fond of using water in clean-
ing the horse (though often rather careful how they use
it with themselves, either inside or out) : it saves them
GROOMING. 13
trouble, to the great injury of the animal. The same
predominating laziness which prompts them to use
water for the removal of mud, &c, in preference to
employing a dry wisp or brush for the purpose, forbids
their exerting themselves to employ the proper means
of drying the parts cleaned by wet. They will have
recourse to any expedient to dry the skin rather than
the legitimate one of friction. Over the body they will
place cloths to soak up the wet ; on the legs they will
roll their favourite bandages. It is best, therefore, to
forbid the use of water above the hoof for the pur-
pose of cleaning — except with the mane and tail, which
should be properly washed with soap and water occa-
sionally.
When some severe work has been done, so as to
occasion perspiration, the ears should not be more
neglected than the rest of the body; and when they
are dried by hand-rubbing and pulling, the horse will
feel refreshed.
As already recommended, cleaning out of doors should
be forbidden. If one could rely on the discretion of
servants, cleaning might be done outside occasionally in
fine weather; but licence on this score being once given,
the probability is that your horse will be found shivering
in the open air on some inclement day.
The groom always uses a picker in the process of
washing and cleaning the feet, to dislodge all extrane-
ous matter, stones, &c, that may have been picked up
in the clefts of the frog and thereabouts ; he also washes
the foot with a long-haired brush. In dry weather,
after heavy work, it is good to stop the fore feet with
what is called "stopping" (cow-dung), which is not
difficult to procure. Wet clay is sometimes used in
14 GEOOMING.
London for the purpose in the absence of cow-dung.
Very useful, too, in such case will be found a stopping
composed of one part linseed-meal to two parts bran,
wetted, and mixed to a sticking consistency.
The evidence of care in the groomed appearance of
the mane and tail looks well. An occasional inspection
of the mane by the master may be desirable, by turning
over the hairs to the reverse side ; any signs of dirt or
dandriff found cannot be creditable to the groom.
Bandaging. — When a hunter comes in from a severe
day, it is an excellent plan to put rough bandages (pro-
vided for the purpose) on the legs, leaving them on
while the rest of the body is cleaning ; it will be found
that the mud and dirt of the legs will to a great extent
fall off in flakes on their removal, thus reducing the
time employed in cleaning. When his legs are cleaned
and well hand-rubbed, put on the usual-sized flannel
bandages. They should never remain on more than
four or six hours, and when taken off (not to be again
used till the next severe work) the legs should be once
more hand-rubbed.
Bandages ought not to be used under other circum-
stances than the above, except by order of a veterinary
surgeon for unsoundness.
In some cases of unsoundness — such as undue dis-
tension of the bursas, called "wind-galls," the effect of
work — a linen or cotton bandage kept continually
saturated with water, salt and water, or vinegar, and
not much tightened, may remain on the affected legs ;
but much cannot be said for the efficacy of the treat-
ment.
For what is called " clap," or supposed distension of
the back sinew (which is in reality no distension of
GROOMING. 15
the tendon, as that is said to be impossible, though
some of its fibres may be injured, but inflammation of
the sheath through which the tendon passes), the cold
lotion bandaging just described, in connection with the
directions given under the head of "Shoeing" (page
82), will be found very serviceable.
Grooms' Requisites are usually understood to com-
prise the following articles: — a body-brush, water-
brush, dandriff or "dander" brush, picker, scraper,
mane-comb, curry-comb, pitchfork, shovel and broom,
manure-basket, chamois-leather, bucket, sponges, dus-
ters, corn-sieve, and measures ; leather boot for poul-
tices, clyster syringe (requiring especial caution in use
—see page 159, note), drenching-horn, bandages (wool-
len and linen) ; a box with a supply of stopping con-
stantly at hand ; a small store of tow and tar, most
useful in checking the disease called thrush (page 135)
before it assumes a chronic form ; a lump of rock-salt,
ready to replace those which should be always kept in
the mangers to promote the general health of the ani-
mals as well as to amuse them by licking it; a lump of
chalk, ready at any time for use (in the same manner
as rock-salt) in the treatment of some diseases, as de-
scribed, pages 154 and 160.
Singeing, there is little doubt, tends to improve the
condition of the animal ; so much so, that timid users
do well to remember that animals which, before the
removal of their winter coat, required perpetual remin-
ders of the whip, will, directly they are divested of that
covering, evince a spirit, vigour, and endurance which
had remained, perhaps, quite unsuspected previously.
In fact, in most cases, the general health and appetite
seem to be improved.
16 HALTERING.
Singeing, when severe rapid work is done, enables
the horse °to perform his task with less distress, and
when it is over, facilitates his being made comfortable
in the shortest possible space of time.
Singeing, if done early in the winter, requires to be
repeated lightly three or four times during the season.
Clipping has exactly the same effect as the above,
and is preferable to it only in cases where, the animal's
coat being extremely long, extra labour, loss of time,
and flame, are avoided by the clipping process. Singe-
ing is best with the lighter coats, but sometimes thin
skinned and coated animals are too nervous and excit-
able to bear the flame near them for this purpose, in
which case the cause of alarm ought obviously to be
avoided, and clipping resorted to.
It is worth while to employ the best manipulators to
perform these operations.
With horses intended for slow and easy work, and
liable to continued exposure to the weather, singeing or
clipping only the under part of the belly, and the long
hairs of the legs, will suffice. Unless neatly and tastily
done, this is very unsightly on a gentleman's horse.
Clipping, if not done till the beginning of December,
seldom requires repetition.
In stony and rough countries, it is the habit of judi-
cious horsemen to leave the hair on their hunters' legs
from the knees and hocks down, as a protection to
them.
HALTERING.
The Head-Stall should fit a horse, and have a proper
brow-band ; it is ridiculous to suppose that the same
HALTERING. 17
sized one can suit all heads. Ordinary head-stalls have
only one buckle, which is on the throat-lash near-side ;
and if the stall be made to fit, that is sufficient. Other-
wise there should be three buckles, one on each side of
the cheek-straps, besides the one on the throat-lash.
Let the fastening from the head-stall to the log be
of rope or leather. Chain fastenings are objectionable,
because, besides being heavy, they are very apt to catch
in the ring, and they make a fearful noise, especially
where there are many horses in the stable. By having
rope or leather as a fastener, instead of chain, the log
may be lighter (of wood instead of iron), and the less
weight there is to drag the creature's head down, the
less the distress to him. Poll- evil (page 1 1 7), it is said,
has frequently resulted from the pressure of the head-
stall on the poll, occasioned by heavy pendants.
Chains are more durable, and that is all that can be
said in their favour, except that they may be necessary
for a few vicious devils who are up to the trick of sever-
ing the rope or leather with their teeth.
See that the log is sufficiently heavy to keep the rope
or leather at stretch, and that the manger-ring is large
enough to allow the fastening to pass freely. If the
log is too light, or the manger-ring too small, the likely
result will be that the log will remain close up under
the ring, the fastening falling into a sort of loop,
through which the horse most probably introduces his
foot, and, in his consequent alarm and efforts to disen-
tangle his legs, chucks up his head, and away he goes
on his side, gets "halter -cast? most likely breaks one
of his hind legs in his struggles to regain his footing, or
at least dislocates one of their joints.
B
18 CLOTHING.
CLOTHING.
Opinions differ materially as to the amount of cloth-
ing that ought to be used in the stable. My view of the
matter is, that a stable being, as it should be, thoroughly
ventilated, necessitates the horses in it being to a cer-
tain extent kept warm by clothing. An animal that
has not been divested of his own coat by clipping or
singeing, will require very little covering indeed; for
nature's provision, being sufficient to protect him out of
doors, ought surely to suffice in the stable, with a very
slight addition of clothing. If he has been clipped or
singed, covering enough to make up for what he has
lost ought to be ample : by going beyond this the
horse is only made tender, and more susceptible of the
influences of the atmosphere when he comes to be ex-
posed to it with only a saddle on his back.
In parts of North America, I have observed, where
the stables are built roughly of wood, with many fis-
sures to admit the weather, horses are seldom, if ever,
sheeted. They are certainly rarely divested of their
coats ; but during work, as occasion may require, it is
usual for the rider, when stopping at any place, to leave
his horse "hitched " (as they call it) to any convenient
post or tree, in all weathers, and for any length of time,
and these horses scarcely ever catch cold.
The best SJieet is formed of a rug (sizeable enough to
meet across the breast and extend to the quarters), by
simply cutting the slope of the neck out of it, and fas-
tening the points across the breast by two straps and
buckles.
The Hood need only be used when the horse is at
CLOTHING. 19
walking exercise, or likely to be exposed to weather, or
for the purpose of sweating, when a couple of them,
with two or three sheets, may be used.— See page 32.
Horse-clothing should be, at least once a-week, taken
outside the stable, and well beaten and shaken like a
carpet.
Hollers should be looked to from time to time, to see
that the pads of the roller do not meet within three or
four inches (over the backbone), — in other words, there
should be always a clear channel over it, nearly large
enough to pass the handle of a broom through, so as to
avoid the possibility of the upper part of the roller even
touching the sheet over the spinal ridge, which, if per-
mitted, will be sure to cause a sore back, to the great
injury of the horse and his master, arousing vicious
habits in the former to resent any touch, necessary or
unnecessary, of the sore place on so sensitive a part,
and rendering him irritable when clothing, saddling,
or harnessing, or if a hand even approach the tender
place.
This is so troublesome a consequence of not paying
attention to the padding of rollers, that a master will do
well to examine them himself for his own satisfaction.
Knee-Gaps. — On all occasions when a valuable horse
is taken by a servant on road or rail, his knees should
be protected by caps. The only way to secure them is
to fasten them tightly above the knee, where elastic
straps are decidedly preferable, leaving the fastening
below the knee slack.
A Leather Boot, lined with sponge, or one of felt with
a strong leather sole, should be ready in every stable to
be used as required, in cases of sudden foot-lameness.
20 FEEDING.
FEEDING.
The cavalry allowances are 12 lb. hay, 10 lb. oats,
and 8 lb. straw daily, which, I know by experience, will
keep a healthy animal in condition with the work re-
quired from a dragoon horse, of the severity of which
none but those acquainted with that branch of the ser-
vice have any idea.
Until he is perfectly fit for the ranks, between riding-
school, field-days, and drill, the troop-horse has quite
work enough for any beast. I may add that few horses
belonging to officers of cavalry get more than the above
allowance, unless when regularly hunted, in which case
additional corn and beans are given.
With severe work, 14 lb. to 16 lb. of oats, and 12
lb. of hay, which is the general allowance in well-re-
gulated hunting-stables, ought to be sufficient. Beans
are also given in small quantity.
Some persons feed their horses three times a-day,
but it is better to divide their food into four daily
portions, watering them at least half an hour before
each feed.
The habit which some grooms have of feeding while
they are teazing an animal with the preliminaries of
cleaning, is very senseless, as the uneasiness horses are
sure to exhibit under anything like grooming causes
them to knock about their heads and scatter their food.
On a journey, according to the call upon the system by
the increased amount of work, so should the horse's
feeding be augmented by one-third, one-fourth, or one-
half more than usual. A few beans or pease may well
be added under such circumstances.
FEEDING. 21
In stables where the stalls are divided by bales or
swinging-bars, the horses when feeding should have
their heads so tied as to prevent them from consuming
their neighbour's food, or the result would be that the
greedy or more rapid eaters would succeed in devouring
more than their fair share, while the slower feeders
would have to go on short commons.
Oats ought always to be braised, as many horses,
whether from greediness in devouring their food, or
from their teeth being incapable of grinding, swallow
them whole ; and it is a notorious fact that oats, unless
masticated, pass right through the animal undigested.
When supplies have been very deficient with forces
in the field, the camp-followers have been known to
exist upon the grain extracted from the droppings of
the horses.
It should be remembered that not more than at the
utmost two days' consumption of oats should be bruised
at a time, as they soon turn sour in that state, and are
thus unfit for the use of that most delicate feeder, the
horse. All oats before being bruised should be well
sifted, to dispose of the gravel and dust which are al-
ways present in the grain as it comes from the farmer.
Unbruised oats, if ever used, should be similarly pre-
pared before being given in feed.
Hay ought always to be cut into chaff or may be
mixed with the corn, which is the only way to insure
the proper proportion being given at a feed. When the
hay is not cut but fed from the rack, never more than
3 lb. should be put in the rack at a time. If desirable
to give as much as 12 lb. daily, let the rack be filled
six times in twenty-four hours.
Beans must be invariably split or bruised. It is
22 FEEDING.
better to give a higher price for English beans than to
use the Egyptian at any price ; the latter are said to be
impregnated with the eggs of insects, which adhere to
the lining of the horse's stomach, causing him serious
injury. In India horses are principally fed on a kind
of small pea called "gram" — in the United States their
chief food is maize ; the oat-plant not succeeding well
in either of those regions.
Bran, — Food should be varied occasionally, and all
horses not actually in training ought to have a bran-
mash once a-week. The best time to give this is for the
first feed after the work is done, on the day preceding
the rest clay, whenever that may be.
Even hunters, after a hard day, will eat the bran
with avidity, and it is well to give it for the first meal.
Its laxative qualities render it a sedative and cooler in
the half-feverish state of system induced by the exer-
tion and excitement of the chase ; and according to my
experience, if given just after the work is done, the
digestive process, relaxed by the bran, has full time to
recover itself by the grain-feeding before the next call
is made on the horse's powers. If the bran is not
liked, a little bruised oats may be mixed through it to
tempt the palate. Whole grains of oats should never be
mixed with bran, as they must of necessity be bolted
with the latter, and passed through the animal entire.
Mash. — When only doing ordinary work, the follow-
ing mash should be given to each horse on Saturday
night after work, supposing your beasts to rest on
Sunday : —
Put half a pint of linseed in a two-quart pan with
an even edge ; pour on it one quart of boiling water,
cover it close, and leave to soak for four hours.
FEEDING. 23
At the same time moisten half a bucket of bran with
a gallon of water. When the linseed has soaked for
four hours, a hole must be made in the middle of the
bran, and the linseed mass mixed into the bran mass.
The whole forms one feed. Should time be an object,
boil slowly half a pint of linseed in two quarts of
water, and add it to half a bucket of bran which had
been previously steeped for half an hour or an hour in
a gallon of water.
If a cold is present, or an animal is delicate, the bran
can be saturated with boiling water, of which a little
more can be added to warm it when given.
Carrots, when a horse is delicate, will be found
acceptable, and are both nutritious and wholesome as
food. In spring and summer, when vetches or other
green food can be had, an occasional treat of that sort
conduces to health where the work is sufficiently mode-
rate to admit of soft feeding. When horses are coat-
ing in spring or autumn, or weak from fatigue or
delicacy, the addition to their food of a little more
nutriment may be found beneficial. The English
white pea is milder and not so heating as beans, and
may be given half a pint twice daily, mixed with the
ordinary feeding, for from one to three or four weeks,
as may be deemed advisable.
When an animal is " off his feed," as it is called, at-
tention should be immediately directed to his manger,
which is often found to be shamefully neglected, the
bottom of it covered with gravel, or perhaps the ends
and corners full of foul matter, such as the sour re-
mains of the last bran-mash and other half-masticated
leavings.
The introduction of any greasy or fetid matter into
24 FEEDING.
a horse's food will effectually prevent this dainty
creature from touching it. It used to be a common
practice at hostelries in the olden time, to rub the
teeth of a traveller's horse with a tallow candle or a
little oil ; thus causing the poor beast to leave his food
untouched for the benefit of his unfeeling attendant.
Again, the oats or hay may be found, on close exa-
mination, to be musty, which causes them to be rejected
by the beast.
Yv here no palpable cause for loss of appetite can be
discovered, reference should be made to a qualified
veterinary surgeon, who will examine the animal's
mouth, teeth, and general state of health, and probably
report that the lining of the cheeks is highly inflamed
in some part, owing to undue angularity or decay of
the teeth, and he will know how to act accordingly.
When horses are on a journey, or a long ride home
after hunting, some people recommend the use of
gruel ; but, from experience, I prefer giving a handful
of wetted hay in half a bucket of tepid water, or ale or
porter. — See page 37.
Feeding on Board Ship should be confined to chaff
and bran, mixed with about one-fourth the usual quan-
tity of bruised oats.
Though horses generally look well when " full of
flesh," there are many reasons why they should not be
allowed to become fat after the fashion of a farmer's
" stall-feds." Some really good grooms think this form
of condition the pink of perfection. They are mistaken.
An animal in such a state is quite unfit to travel at any
fast pace or bear continued exertion without injury,
and may therefore be considered so far useless.
He is also much more liable to contract disease, and
WATERING. 25
if attacked by such the constitution succumbs more
readily.
Moreover, the superfluous weight of the cumbrous
flesh and fat tends to increase the wear and tear of the
legs ; and if the latter be at all light from the knee to
the pastern, they are more likely to suffer.
On the other hand, it may be well to observe, by way
of caution, that it is by no means good management to
let a horse become at any time reduced to actual lean-
ness through overwork or deficient feeding. It is far
easier to pull down than to put up flesh.
These hints on feeding may be closed with a remark,
that in all large towns contractors are to be found ready
and willing to enter into contract for feeding gentle-
men's horses by the month or year. This is a very
desirable arrangement for masters, but one frequently
objected to by servants, who, however, in such cases
can easily be replaced by application to the dealer, he
having necessarily excellent opportunities of meeting
with others as efficient.
Contractors should not be allowed to supply more
than two or three days' forage at a time.
WATERING.
Horses are greater epicures in water than is generally
supposed, and will make a rush for some favourite
spring or rivulet where water may have once proved
acceptable to their palate, when that of other drinking-
places has been rejected or scarcely touched.
The groom's common maxim is to water twice a-day,
but there is little doubt that horses should Lave access
26 GRAZING.
to water more frequently, being, like ourselves or any
other animal, liable from some cause — some slight de-
rangement of the stomach, for instance — to be more
thirsty at one time than another ; and it is a well-
known fact that, where water is easily within reach,
these creatures never take such a quantity at a time as
to unfit them for moderate work at any moment. If
an arrangement for continual access to water be not
convenient, horses should be watered before every feed,
or at least thrice a-day, the first time being in the
morning, an hour before feeding (which hour will be
employed in grooming the beast) ; and it may be ob-
served that there is no greater aid to increasing their
disposition to put up flesh, than giving them as much
water as they like before and after every feed.
A horse should never be watered when heated, or on
the eve of any extraordinary exertion. Animals that
are liable to colic or gripes, or are under the effect of
medicines, particularly such as act on the alimentary
canal, and predispose to those affections, should get
water with the chill off.
Watering in Public Troughs, or places where every
brute that travels the road has access, must be strictly
avoided. Glanders, farcy, and other infectious diseases
may be easily contracted in this way.
GRAZING.
The advantage of grazing, as a change for the better
in any, and indeed in every, case where the horse may
be thrown out of sorts by accident or disease, becomes
very questionable, on account of the artificial state in
GRAZING. 27
which he must have been kept, to enable him to meet
the requirements of a master of the present day in
work. If the change be recommended to restore the
feet or legs, this object may be attained, and much
better, by keeping the creature in a loose-box without
shoes, on a floor covered with sawdust or tan, kept
damp as directed (page 10), to counteract whatever
slight inflammation may be in the feet and legs, or,
best of all, covered with peat-mould, as this does not
require to be damped, and the animal can lie down on
it; besides, the properties of the peat neutralise the
noxious ammonia, and it does not consequently require
to be so often renewed. In the loose-box also he can
take quite as much exercise as is necessary for an in-
valid intended to be laid up, and there he can be
supplied with whatever grain, roots, or succulent food
may be deemed necessary.
As for any other advantage to be derived from a run
at grass, unless for the purpose of using the herb as an
alterative, I never could see it : and even this end, un-
less the horse has a paddock to himself, can hardly be
gained ; for if there are too many beasts for the produc-
tion of the ground, the fare must be scanty, and each
animal half starved.
The disadvantages of changing a horse to grass from
the artificial state of condition are the following : —
1. That condition is sure to be lost (at least as far as
it is necessary to fit for work, especially to go across
country at a hunting pace, with safety to himself and
his rider), and not to be regained for a considerable
time, and at great cost.
2. The horse is exceedingly liable to meet with acci-
dent from the playfulness or temper of his companions.
28 TRAINING.
3. Worms of the most dangerous and pertinacious
description are picked up nowhere but at grass.
4. Many ailments are contracted from exposure and
hardship or bad feeding ; and owing to the animal
being removed from under immediate inspection, such
ailments gain ground before they are observed. More-
over, at grass the horse is more exposed to contagious
and epidemic diseases.
5. Horses suffer great annoyance from flies in sum-
mer time, not having long tails like horned cattle to
reach every part of their body ; and wherever any
superficial sore may be present, the flies are sure to find
it out.
As to aged animals, it is sheer cruelty (practised by
some masters with the best intentions and worst pos-
sible results) to turn them out to grass. Such creatures
have probably been accustomed in the earlier part of
their lives to warm stables, their food put under their
noses, good grooming, and proper care. You might
just as well turn out a gentleman in his old age among
a tribe of friendly savages, unclad and unsheltered, to
exist upon whatever roots and fruits he could pick
up, as expose a highly-bred and delicately-nurtured
old horse to the vicissitudes and hardships of a life at
grass.
TRAINING.
rarey's system.
The principle of this system is that of overpowering
the horse that may in some instances have even become
dangerous and useless, from having learned the secret
TRAINING. 29
that his strength gives him an advantage over his mas-
ter — man. Unconsciously deprived of his power of
resistance, his courage vanishes ; the spirit which rose
against all accountable efforts to subdue it, that would
scorn to yield to overweight, pace, work, or any other
evidence of man's power, and which in the well-dis-
position ed animal causes him to strain every nerve to
meet what is required of him rather than succumb, is
by Rarey's system subdued through a ruse so effected
that the power which overwhelms all the creature's
efforts at resistance appears to originate and be identi-
fied with the man who can thus, for the first time, take
liberties with him, which he has lost the power of re-
senting ; and man thenceforward becomes his master.
The method pursued by Mr Earey in subduing such
a vicious and ungovernable horse as Cruiser, is this :
Placing himself under a waggon laden with hay, to
which the animal is partly coaxed, partly led by guide-
ropes, and stealing his fingers through the spokes of
the waggon-wheel, he raises and gently straps up one
fore leg, and fastens a long strap round the fetlock of
the other, the end of which he holds in his hand and
checks when necessary. The beast, thus unconsciously
tampered with, is quite disposed to resent in his usual
style the subsequent impertinent familiarities of his
tamer; but being by the foregoing precautions cast
prostrate on his first attempt to move, and finding all
his efforts to regain his liberty and carry out reprisals
abortive, worn-out and hopeless, he at length yields
himself helplessly to his victor's obliging attentions, of
sitting on him as he lies, drumming and fiddling in his
ears, &c, and is thenceforward man's obedient and
tractable servant.
30 TRAINING.
There is no doubt that Mr Rarey's plan of thus
overcoming the unruly or vicious beast by mild but
effectual means, is the right one to gain the point, as
far as it goes; but breaking him in to saddle or draught,
improving his paces, or having ability in riding or driv-
ing any horse judiciously, must be considered another
affair, and only to be acquired through more or less
competent instruction, and by practice combined with
taste.
In training, the use of a dumb jockey* will be
found most serviceable to get the head into proper
position, and to bend the neck. Two hours a- day in
this gear, while the horse is either loose in a box or
fastened to the pillar-reins if in a stall, will not at all
interfere with his regular training, exercise, or work,
and will materially aid the former result.
I greatly advocate the use of the dumb jockey with-
out springs, even with formed horses, who, being daily
used to it, need no such adjuncts as bearing-reins, but
will arch their necks, work nicely on the bit, and ex-
hibit an altered show and style in action that is very
admirable in a gentleman's equipage.
Should my reader be much interested in breaking-in
rough colts, I recommend him to consult 'Stonehenge,'
by J. H. Walsh, F.R.C.S., editor of the ' Field.'
Training for Draught — Before the first trial in the
break- carriage, give your horse from half-an-hour to an
hour's quiet ringing in the harness, to which he should
have been previously made accustomed by wearing it
for a couple of hours the two or three preceding days.
The first start should be in a regular break, or strong
* The old-fashioned pattern, with leather gear, is, after all, the
best, as proved by the most practical men of the day.
EXERCISING. 31
but inexpensive vehicle, and stout harness, with also
saving-collar, knee-caps, and kicking-strap — no bearing-
rein. He should be led by ropes or reins (in single
harness on both sides of the head), and tried on a level,
or rather down than up a slight inclination. The place
selected should be one where there is plenty of unoccu-
pied roadway.
Better begin in double harness, and let the break-
horse with which the driver is to start the carriage
be strong and willing, so as to pull away the untried
one.
The Neck usually suffers during the first few lessons
in training to harness; and until that part of it where
the collar wears becomes thoroughly hardened by use,
it should be bathed with a strong solution of salt and
water before the collar is taken off, that there may be
no mistake about its being done at once. Should there
be the least abrasion of the skin, do not use salt and
water, but a wash of 1 scruple chloride of zinc to 1 pint
of water, dabbed on the sore every two or three hours
with fine linen rag, and give rest from collar-work till
healed ; then harden with salt and water ; and when the
scab has disappeared, and the horse is fit for harness,
chamber the collar over the affected part, and employ
for a while a saving- collar. A sore neck will produce
a jibbing horse, and therefore requires to be closely at-
tended to in his training.
EXERCISING.
It is desirable that a master should appoint a parti-
cular place for the exercising of his horses, coupled with
32 EXERCISING.
strict injunctions to his groom on no account to leave
it. No master should give his servants the option of
going where they please to exercise, their favourite re-
sort being often the precincts of a public-house, with a
sharp gallop round the most impracticable corners to
make up the time. An occasional visit of the master
to the exercising ground is a very salutary check upon
such proceedings.
The best possible exercise for a horse is walking — the
sod or any soft elastic surface being better than the road
for the purpose ; and if the latter only is available, use
knee-caps as a safeguard.
Two hours' daily exercise (if he gets it) at a, fast walk
will be enough to keep a hack fit for his work • and it
is usual with some experienced field-horsemen never to
allow their hunters, when once up to their work, to get
any but walking exercise for as much as four hours
daily, two hours at a time — that is, when they desire to
keep them " fit."
Ladies' and elderly gentlemen's horses ought most
particularly to be exercised, and not overfed, to keep
them tame and tractable, and to guard against accidents.
The foregoing directions refer to the 'preparations
for the master's work, and are what I should give my
groom.
Sweating. — In case it is desirable to prepare an ani-
mal for any extraordinary exertion, the readiest, safest,
and most judicious means is by sweating, carefully pro-
ceeded with, by using two or three sets of body-clothes,
an empty stomach being indispensable for the process,
and a riding-school, if available, the best place for the
necessary exercise, — a sweat being thus sooner obtained
free from cold air, and the soft footing of such a place
WORK. 33
saving the jar on the legs more even than the sod in
the field, unless it happen to be very soft.
Sweating is a peculiarly healthy process for either
man or beast ; and to judge of the benefit derived by
a horse through that means, from the effect of a heavy
perspiration through exercise on one's self, there seems
little doubt that it is very renewing to the plujsique.
Ringing or Loungeing with a cavesson, though not
ordinarily adopted, except by the trainer, is nevertheless
most useful as a means of exercise. It is a very suit-
able manner of "taking the rough edge off," or bring-
ing down the superabundant spirits of horses that have
been confined to the stable for some time by weather or
other similar cause producing restiveness, and is pecu-
liarly adapted for exercising harness-horses where it
may not be safe or expedient to ride them.
WORK.
The master on the road or in the field using his
bearer for convenience or pleasure, will do him less
injury in a day than a thoughtless ignorant servant will
contrive to accomplish in an hour when only required
to exercise the beast.
To the advice already given, never to allow your
horses to be galloped or cantered on a hard surface, it
is well to add, refrain from doing so yourself. On the
elastic turf these paces do comparatively little harm ;
but for the road, and indeed all ordinary usage, except
hunting or racing, the trot or walk is the proper pace.
My impression coincides with that of many experienced
sportsmen, that one mile of a canter on a hard surface
c
34 WORK.
does more injury to the frame and legs of a horse, than
twenty miles' walk and trot : for this reason, that in
the act of walking or trotting the off fore and near hind
feet are on the ground at the same moment alternately
with the other two, thus dividing the pressure of weight
and propulsion on the legs more than even ambling,
which is a lateral motion ; while in anything approach-
ing to the canter or gallop, the two fore feet and legs
have at the same moment to bear the entire weight of
man and horse, as well as the jar of the act of propul-
sion from behind.
Ambling is a favourite pace with the Americans,
whose horses are trained to it ; also with the Easterns.
It is, as before mentioned, a lateral motion, much less
injurious to the wear and tear of the legs than either
canter or gallop on the hard road, the off fore and hind
being on the ground alternately with the near fore and
hind legs.
Though unsightly to an Englishman's eyes, this pace
is decidedly the easiest of all to the rider, and may be
accelerated from four to six or eight miles an hour with-
out the least inconvenience. Some American horses are
taught to excel in this pace, so as to beat regular trotters.
By trotting a horse you do him comparatively little
injury on the road ; but observe the animal that has
been constantly ridden by ladies (at watering-places and
elsewhere), who are so fond of the canter : he stands
over, and is decidedly shaky on his legs, although the
weight on his back has been generally light. Observe,
on the contrary, the bearer of the experienced horse-
man ; although the weight he had to carry may have
been probably what is called " a welter," his legs are
right enough.
WORK. 35
The softness of the turf, as fitting it for the indul-
gence of a gallop, is indicated by the depth of the
horse-tracks ; there is not much impression left on a
hard road.
It should be always borne in mind that " it is the pace
that kills," and unless the wear and tear of horse-flesh
be a matter of no consideration, according as the pace
is increased from that of five or six miles per hour, so
should the distance for the animal's day's work be
diminished.
For instance, if you require him to do seven miles in
the hour daily, that seven miles must always be con-
sidered as full work for the day ; if you purpose going
eight miles per hour, your horse should only travel six
miles daily at that rate ; if faster still, five miles only
should be your bearer's limit ; if at a ten-mile rate,
then four miles; or at a twelve-mile rate, three miles
per day. But of course such regulations apply to daily
work only, as a horse is capable of accomplishing a great
deal more without injury, if only called upon to do so
occasionally.
A man may require to do a day's journey of thirty
miles, or a day's hunting, and such work being only
occasional, no harm whatever to the animal need result ;
but about eight or ten miles a-day at an alternate walk
or trot (say six-miles-an-hour pace) is as much as any
valuable animal ought to do if worked regularly.
No horse ought to be hunted more than twice a- week
at the utmost.
The work of horses, especially when ridden, ought to
be so managed that the latter part of the journey may
be done in a walk, so that they may be brought in
cool
36 WORK.
A horse in the saddle is capable of travelling a hun-
dred miles, or even more, in twenty-four hours, if re-
quired ; and if the weight be light, and the rider judi-
cious, such feats may be done occasionally without
injury : but if a journey of a hundred miles be contem-
plated, it is better to take three days for its perform-
ance, each day's journey of over thirty miles being
divided into two equal portions, and got through early
in the morning and late in the afternoon; the pace an
alternate walk and trot at the rate of about five miles
an hour, to vary it, as continuous walking for so long
as a couple of hours when travelling on the road, may
prove so tiresome that horses would require watching to
keep them on their legs ; and it is good for both horse
and man that the latter should dismount and take the
whole, or nearly the whole, of the walking part on bis
own feet, thus not only relieving his bearer from the
continual pressure of the rider's weight on the saddle on
his back, but as a man when riding and walking brings
into play two completely distinct sets of muscles, he
will, though a little tired from walking, find himself on
remounting positively refreshed from that change of
exercise.
This recommendation is equally applicable to the
hunting-field at any check, or when there is the least
opportunity. So well is the truth of the above remark
known to the most experienced horsemen, that some
of them, steeplechase riders, make it a practice before
riding a severe race to walk rapidly from five to ten
miles to the course, in preference to making use of any
of the many vehicles always at their disposal on such
occasions.
It is only surprising that the expediency of making
WORK. 37
dragoons dismount and walk beside their horses on a
march, at least part of the way, for distances of one or
two miles at a time, is not more apparent to those in
authority (many of them practical men), in whose power
it lies to make a regulation so very salutary for both
man and horse. The more the beneficial effect of such
an arrangement is considered, the more desirable it
would appear to be, especially in dry weather. The
great occasional relief to an overweighted horse of
being divested of his rider now and then, would rather
serve than injure the latter, on account of the variety
of exercise, as before remarked, while his handling of
the horse would decidedly be enlivened by the change.
Signals of Distress on increased pace. — Prominently
may be mentioned a horse becoming winded, or, as
sportsmen call it, having " bellows to mend," which in
proper hands ought seldom to occur, even in the hunt-
ing-field, as there are tokens which precede it — such
as the creature hanging on his work, poking his head
backwards and forwards, describing a sort of semicircle
with his nose, gaping, the ears lopping, &c.
Some horsemen are in the habit of giving ale or
porter (from a pint to a quart of either) to their horses
during severe work. This is not at all a bad plan, if
the beast will take it ; and as many masters are fond
of petting their animals with biscuit or bread, a piece
of either being occasionally soaked in one of the above
liquids when given, will accustom the creature so trained
to the taste of them.
After the work is over a little well-made gruel is a
great restorative ; and when a long journey is com-
pleted, a bran-mash might be given, as mentioned under
the head of " Feeding," page 22.
38 BRIDLING.
One of the worst results to be dreaded from a horse
going long journeys daily, is fever in the feet (page
132), which may be obviated by stopping the fore feet
directly they are picked and washed out at the end of
each day's journey. — See page 13.
After a long journey, it would be desirable to have
the animal's fore shoes at least removed.
The saddle ought not to be taken off for some time
after work ; the longer it has been under the rider, and
the more severe the work, the longer, comparatively,
it should remain on after use, in order to avoid that
frightful result which is most like to ensue from its
being quickly removed — viz., sore back. With cavalry,
saddles are left on for an hour or more after the return
from a field-day or march.
A numna or absorbing sweat-cloth under the saddle
is in cases of hard or continued work a great preserva-
tive against sore back.
When an extraordinary day's work has been done,
after the horse is cleaned and fed he should be at once
bedded down, and left to rest in quiet, interrupted only
to be fed.
BRIDLING.
Every horseman before he mounts should observe
closely whether his horse is properly saddled and
bridled.
Bits must be invariably of wrought steel, and the
mouthpiece in all bits should fit the horse's mouth
exactly in its width : the bit that is made to fit a six-
teen-hands-high is surely too large for a fourteen-hand
cob. The bit ought to lie just above the tusk in a
BRIDLING. 39
horse's jaw, and one inch above the last teeth with a
mare.
It must be adapted to the mouth and temper of the
horse as well as to the formation of his head and neck.
A riding-master, or the rider, if he has any judgment,
ought to be able to form an opinion as to the most
suitable bit for an animal.*
The ordinary Bridoon (or Double bridle, as it is called
in the North) is best adapted to the well-mouthed and
tempered horse, and is the safest and best bridle for
either road or field. Unfinished gentlemen as well as
lady equestrians, when riding with double reins to the
bits, are recommended to tie the curb-bit rein evenly in
a knot on the horse's neck (holding on]y the bridoon-
rein in the hand), provided his temper and mouth be
suitable to a snaffle. This is a practice pursued by some
even good and experienced horsemen where the temper
of a horse is high, in order to have the curb-bit to rely
upon in case he should happen to pull too hard on the
bridoon or snaffle, which otherwise would be quite suf-
ficient and best to use alone.
The Curl-chain, when used, should be strong and
tight; it should invariably be supported by a lip-strap,
an adjunct that is really most essential, but which
grooms practically ignore by losing. The object of the
lip-strap is to prevent the curb, if rather loose, from fall-
ing over the lip, thus permitting the horse to get hold of
it in his mouth and go where he pleases ; it also guards
against a trick some beasts are very clever at, of catch-
ing the cheek or leg of the bit in their teeth, and mak-
* It has been truly said by the well-known Mr Elmore, that there
is a key to every horse's mouth, requiring only proper hands to
apply it.
40 BRIDLING.
ing off in spite of the efforts of any rider. If the curb
be tight, the lip-strap is equally useful in keeping it
horizontally, and preventing its drooping to too great
a pressure, thus causing abrasion of the animal's jaw.
The curb ought to be pretty tight, sufficiently so to
admit one finger between it and the jaw-bone.
The Snaffle with a fine-mouthed horse is well adapted
for the field — the only place where I would ever dis-
pense altogether with the curb-bit, and then only in
favour of a fine-mouthed well-tempered beast disposed
to go coolly at his fences.
On the road a horse may put his foot upon a stone
in a jog-trot, or come upon some irregularity ; and unless
the rider has something more than a snaffle in his hand,
he is exceedingly likely to suffer for it. Many a horse
that is like a foot-ball in the field, full of life and elas-
ticity, and never making a mistake, will on the road
require constant watching to prevent his tumbling on
his nose.*
At the same time, a horse should by no means be
encouraged to lean on the bit or on the rider's support,
which most of them will be found quite ready to do ; a
disposition in that direction must be checked by mildly
feeling his mouth (with the bit), pressing your legs
against his sides, and enlivening him gently with the
whip or spur.
The Martingal. — The standing or head martingal is
a handsome equipment — safe and serviceable with a
* The famous Irish jumper "Distiller" was notorious among
many other good fencers as a bungler on the road, though he
would jump a six-foot-six stone wall with ease, sporting two large
broken knees in consequence of his performance in that line ; and
in fencing he was also first-rate.
BRIDLING. 41
beast that is incorrigible about getting bis bead up, but
should be used in the street or on the road only.
The Ring-Martingal is intended solely for the field
with a horse whose head cannot be kept down ; but it
requires to be used with nice judgment, and handling
of the second or separate rein, which should pass through
it, especially when the animal is in or near the act of
taking his fences, when, with some horses, comparative
freedom may be allowed to the head, which should,
however, be brought down to its proper place directly
he is safely landed on his legs again by the use of this
second martingal-rein, which is attached to the bridoon
bit.
N.B. — If this second rein be attached to the snaffle
by buckles (and not stitched on as it ought to be), the
buckles of the rein should be defended from getting
into the rings of the martingal by pieces of leather
larger than those rings. Most serious accidents have
occurred from the absence of this precaution : the buckle
becoming caught in the ring, the horse's head is fixed
in one position, and not knowing where he is going, he
proceeds, probably without any control from the rider,
till both come to some serious mishap. The rein
stitched to the ring of the bit is the safest.
The Running -Rein, or other plan of martingal (from
the D in front of the saddle above the rider's knee
through the ring of the snaffle to his hand), should only
be used by the riding-master or those competent to
avail themselves of its assistance in forming the mouth
of a troublesome or untrained animal. Some experi-
enced horsemen, however, when they find they cannot
keep the nose in or head down with ordinary bits, in-
stead of using a martingal of any denomination, employ
42 BRIDLING.
(especially in the field) with good effect a ring, keeping
the oridoon or snaffle-reins under the bend of the neck ;
or a better contrivance is a bit of stiff leather three or
four inches long, with two D's or staples for the reins
to pass through on each side.
The Chifney Bit is the most suitable for ladies' use,
or for timid or invalid riders : it at once brings up a
hard-pulling horse, but requires very gentle handling.
I have known more than one horse to be quite un-
manageable in any but a Chifney bit.
The more severe bits are those that have the longest
legs or cheeks, giving the greatest leverage against the
curb. By the addition of deep ports on the mouth-
piece of the bit much severity is attained (especially
when the port is constructed turned downwards, in place
of the usual practice of making it upwards), which can
be increased to the utmost by the addition of a tight
noseband to prevent the horse from easing the port by
movement of his tongue or jaws.
It is almost needless to observe, that the reverse of
the above will be the mildest bits for tender-mouthed,
easy-going horses.
Twisted Mouthpieces are happily now almost out of
fashion, and ought to be entirely discountenanced ;
their original intention was to command hard-mouthed
horses, whose mouths their use can only render
harder.
The Noseband, if tightened, would be found very
useful with many a hard-pulling horse in the excitement
of hunting, when the bit, which would otherwise require
to be used, would only irritate the puller, cause him
to go more wildly, and make matters worse. I have
known some pullers to be more under control in the
SADDLING. 43
hunting-field with a pretty tight noseband and a snaffle
than with the most severe curb-bit.
The Throat-lash is almost always too tight. Grooms
are much in the habit of making this mistake, by
means of which, when the head is bent by a severe
bit, the throat is compressed and the respiration im-
peded, besides occasioning an ugly appearance in the
caparison.
It may be remarked also that, if not corrected, ser-
vants are apt to leave the ends of the bridle head-stall
straps dangling at length out of the loops, which is very
unsightly : the ends of the straps should be inserted in
these loops, which should be sufficiently tight to retain
them.
SADDLING.
A Saddle should be made to fit the horse for which
it is intended, and requires as much variation in shape,
especially in the stuffing, as there is variety in the
shapes of horses' backs.* An animal may be fairly
shaped in the back, and yet a saddle that fits another
horse will always go out on this one's withers. The
saddle having been made to fit your horse, let it be
placed gently upon him, and shifted till its proper
berth be found. When in its right place, the action of
the upper part of the shoulder-blade should be quite
free from any confinement or pressure by what saddlers
call the " gullet " of the saddle under the pommel when
the animal is in motion. It stands to reason that any
interference with the action of the shoulder-blade must,
* I may recommend Gibson, 6 Coventry Street, Leicester Square,
as an excellent, intelligent, and experienced saddler.
44 SADDLING.
after a time, indirectly if not directly, cause a horse to
falter in his movement.
N.B. — A horse left in the stable with his saddle on,
with or without a bridle, ought always to have his head
fastened up, to prevent his lying down on the saddle
and injuring it.
Girths. — When girthing a horse, which is always
done upon the near or left-hand side, the girth should
be first drawn tightly towards you under the belly of
the horse, so as to bring the saddle rather to the off side
on the back of the beast. This is seldom done by
grooms ; and though a gentleman is not supposed to
girth his horse, information on this as well as on other
points may happen to be of essential service to him ;
for the consequence of the attendant's usual method is,
that when the girths are tightened up, the saddle, in-
stead of being in the centre of the horse's back, is in-
clined to the near or left-hand side, to which it is still
farther drawn by the act of mounting, so that when a
man has mounted he fancies that one stirrup is longer
than the other — the near-side stirrup invariably the
longest. To remedy this he forces down his foot in the
right stirrup, which brings the saddle to the centre of
the animal's back.
All this would be obviated by care being taken, in
the process of girthing, to place the left hand on the
middle of the saddle, drawing the first or under girth
with the right hand till the girth-holder reaches the
buckle, the left hand being then disengaged to assist
in bracing up the girth. The outer girth must go
through the same process, being drawn under the belly
of the horse from the off side tightly before it is attached
to the girth-holder.
SADDLING. 45
With ladies' saddles most particular attention should
be paid to the girthing.
(It must be observed that, with some horses having the knack
of swelling themselves out during the process of girthing,
the girths may be tightened before leaving the stable so as to
appear almost too tight, but which, when the horse has been
walked about for ten minutes, will seem comparatively loose,
and quite so when the rider's weight is placed in the saddle.)
Siirrup-Irons should invariably be of wrought steel.
A man should never be induced knowingly to ride in a
cast-metal stirrup, any more than he ought to attempt
to do so with a cast-metal bit.
Stirrup-irons should be selected to suit the size of
the rider's foot ; those with two or three narrow bars
at the bottom are decidedly preferable, for the simple
reason, that in cold weather it is a tax on a man's en-
durance to have a single broad bar like an icicle in the
ball of his foot, and in wet weather a similar argument
may apply as regards damp ; besides, with the double
bar, the foot has a better hold in the stirrup, the rings
being, of course, indented (rasp-like), as they usually
are, to prevent the foot from slipping in them.
This description of stirrup, with an instep-pad, is
preferable for ladies to the slipper, which is decidedly
obsolete.
Latchford's * ladies' patent safety stirrup seems to
combine every precaution for the security of fair eques-
trians.
A balance-strap to a side-saddle is very desirable, and
in general use.
Where expense is no object, stirrups that open at the
* Latchford, 11 Upper St Martin's Lane, London, and all
saddlers.
46 SADDLING.
side with a spring are, no doubt, the safest for gentle-
men in case of any accident.
With regard to Stirrup- Leathers, saddlers generally
turn the right or dressed side out for appearance ; but
as the dressing causes a tightness on that side of the
leather, the undressed side, which admits of more ex-
pansion, should be outside — because, after a little wear,
the leather is susceptible of cracks, and the already ex-
tended side will crack the soonest. The leather will
break in the most insidious place, either in the D
under the stirrup-iron, where no one but the servant
who cleans it can see it ; or else, perhaps, where the
buckle wears it under the flap of the saddle. Stirrup-
leathers broken in this manner have caused many
accidents.
Invariably adjust your stirrup-leathers before mount-
ing.
To measure the length of the stirrup-leathers of a
new saddle, place the fingers of the right hand against
the bar to which the leathers are attached, and, meas-
uring from the bottom bar of the stirrup up to the
armpit, make the length of the leathers and stirrups
equal to the length of your arm, from the tips of the
fingers to the armpit. Before entering the field, in
hunting or crossing country, draw up the leathers two
or three holes shorter on each side; and when starting
on a long journey it is as well to do the same, to ease
both yourself and your bearer.
Clumped-soled Boots occasion accidents. If, in case
of yourself or your horse falling, the foot catch in
the stirrup, a boot with such a sole may prevent its
release.
The Crupper, though now obsolete for saddles, ex-
SADDLING. 47
cept in military caparison, would be decidedly beneficial
in keeping the saddle in its proper place on long jour-
neys, especially where, from the shape of the animal,
the saddle will come too much forward, interfering with
the action of the shoulders, and throwing the weight of
the burden unduly on the fore-quarters, thus increasing
the odds in favour of a tired beast making an irre-
trievable stumble.
The dock of the crupper should be seen to that it is
soft, and free from crusted sweat and dandriff, which
would naturally cause irritation and abrasion of the tail.
It should be always kept well greased ready for use.*
The Military Crupper, according to the rules of the
service, should be so loose between cantel and dock
as to admit of a man's hand being turned with ease
between the horse's back and the strap. If the crupper
be intended merely for ornament, such a regulation has
hardly any meaning, for it cannot be considered orna-
mental to see an apparently useless piece of leather
dangling at one side over a horse's hip ; and if the in-
tention be to make it useful, to keep the saddle from
going too far forward on ill-formed horses,t or in case of
* All the foregoing observations on saddlery apply equally to
ladies' saddles. Marked attention should be paid before they mount
to the girths, which should be very tight, to prevent the saddle
from turning, a lady's weight being often altogether on one side.
f As a good shoulder, such as will keep a saddle in its place, is
one of the great essentials in a gentleman's hack, or indeed in an
officer's charger, giving him leverage to lift his legs safely and
showily, it stands to reason that not many such will pass into the
ranks at the Government price for remounts, which, however, is
ample to supply animals suitable for the service, and does so in
regiments where the class of horse provided at once proves that the
whole sum allowed is invested in the remount itself, and proper
judgment exercised in purchasing.
48 SADDLING.
strong exertion, it is obvious that a loose strap (accord-
ing to orders) could hardly serve any such purpose. If
the crupper be for use, it would appear that after the
saddle is placed in its proper position on the animal's
back (the crupper being left at its full length for this
purpose), and previous to girthing, it should be short-
ened so as to retain the saddle in that place under any
circumstances, — not, however, that the crupper should
be so tightened as to inconvenience the beast, and half
cut his tail off; it will be tight enough to serve its
purpose if one or two fingers can be easily turned under
the strap.
The Breastplate may be necessary in hunting or
steeplechasing with horses that are light behind the
girth, or what is vulgarly called " herring-gutted," and
is used to prevent the saddle from getting too far back,
or, as the grooms say, the horse "running through
his girths." Animals trained to such trying work as
steeplechasing, or even hunting, will become much
smaller in the carcass than a trooper or an ordinary
gentleman's hack.
With dragoons this part of the equipment is gene-
rally ill -adjusted, as if to correspond with the inefficient
arrangement of the crupper, the breast -straps being
often too tight. Frequently, during manoeuvring in
the field or the riding- school, I have seen breast-straps
burst in consequence of their tightness ; and indeed it
stands to reason they can thus but interfere with a
horse's action in leaping or making more than ordinary
exertion. Their tightness not only renders discomfiture
imminent, but must drag the saddle forward out of its
place.
Altogether it might be desirable that commanding
RIDING. 49
officers of some cavalry regiments would study the pose
on horseback of Marochetti's sculptured dragoons, or
those of other eminent artists. The result would pro-
bably be a marked improvement in the position of the
saddle, and, consequently, in the general coup aVceil of
our cavalry, who, however, notwithstanding such minor
defects, have always maintained their superiority in
horsemanship, as well as in efficiency, over any other
cavalry in the world.
RIDING.
The seat, method of holding the hands, &c, should
be left to the riding-master,* with a friendly admoni-
tion to the learner to avoid the "stuck-up," one-handed
principle to a great extent, and to take a lesson when-
ever opportunity occurs from one of the "great un-
taught," t and, observing their ease and judgment in
the management of their bearers, endeavour to modify
their own horsemanship accordingly.
Kindness goes far in managing these noble animals.
How is it that many horses that are unmanageable
with powerful and good horsemen, can be ridden with
perfect ease and safety by ladies ? The first thing a
lady generally does after mounting, is to reassure her
* It might not be out of place to mention, for the information
of those who desire to be well taught, that, to my own know-
ledge, Allen's, in Seymour Place, Bryanstone Square, and Claren-
don's, in Great Brunswick Street, Dublin, are excellent riding-
schools.
f Those who probably have never received a professional riding-
lesson in their lives, but still, from intuitive taste, ride with ease
and ability.
D
50 RIDING.
steed by patting, or, in riding-school language, " mak-
ing much of him," taking up the reins with a very-
light hand, and giving him his head ; whereas a man
usually does the very reverse ; he takes a commanding
hold of the reins, presses his legs into the horse as the
signal for motion, perhaps with a rasp of both spurs
into his sides, indicating no great amiability of temper
— a state of things very likely to be reciprocated by a
high-spirited horse.
As before observed, every man ought himself to be
able to judge whether his horse is properly saddled and
bridled. I must still inveigh against misplacement of
the saddle, which grooms, it will be remarked, usually
place too far forward — a mistake which is of more con-
sequence than is generally considered.
Take a dragoon, for instance, weighing, with arms,
accoutrements, and kit, from fifteen to twenty stone ;
this weight, if allowed to fall unduly on the fore
quarter, must help to founder the charger, and bring
him into trouble on the first provocation. Let him
make the least stumble, and the weight of his burden,
instead of being back in its proper place, with the
man's assistance there to help him up, is thrown for-
ward, keeping the beast tied down, and preventing his
rising. But, taking appearances into consideration,
the forward placement of the saddle is most ungraceful,
reminding one of the position of an Eastern driving an
elephant, seated on his bearer's neck.
I have seen the tout ensemble of a magnificent cavalry
regiment strikingly deteriorated by the ungraceful and
absolutely unhorsemanlike misplacement of the saddles,
and consequently of the men — though the military
regulation on the subject is fair enough, directing a
RIDING. 51
saddle to be placed a handbreadth behind the play of
the shoulder. This would, perhaps, be a slight excess
in the other direction, were it not considered that, in
all probability, out of a hundred troop-horses so sad-
dled, ninety-nine would be found after an hour's trot-
ting to have shifted the saddle forward, for one on
whom it would have remained stationary or gone back.
It is well known that no rider should ever go fast
down-hill on the road, or round a corner, especially on
pavement ; but in the field, hunting or racing, down-hill
is the place to make play.
In the absence of an attendant to hold for mounting,
some horses are allowed to contract a habit that is liable
to cause accidents, of starting before the rider is com-
fortably seated in the saddle. Prevent this bad fashion
by gathering the snaffle-rein (not the curb) tightly up
before mounting, and when across the saddle, and be-
fore the right leg is in the stirrup, check any effort to
move off.
When a horse is alarmed, nothing so effectually re-
assures him as speaking to him. I have myself expe-
rienced the efficacy of gently using my voice on two or
three occasions, when I admit having been run away
with for a short time.
Though a horse ought never to be allowed to have his
own way, his rider should try every means before resort-
ing to actual punishment or fight, which may be some-
times unavoidable as the only chance of conquest.
An animal requiring such treatment should be handed
over to the rough-rider for subsequent teaching, if not
disposed of for more suitable employment than that of
a gentleman's horse.
Your bearer should not be allowed to keep a perpetual
52 RIDING.
lean upon your hand, more particularly when walking.
Should he stumble while thus leaning, he is not likely
to recover himself, but will fall helplessly on his knees.
Keep him as self-dependent as possible, though not
with a rein so slack as to leave him to himself alto-
gether. It is the business or amusement of the rider
to be on the alert for all casualties.*
To make a horse change his foot in canter, if you
find it difficult to do so by merely using hand and leg,
turn him as if to circle towards that side that you re-
quire the foot to lead — he will use the foot forward that
you wish in order to prop himself in turning. Thus, if
you circle round to the right, he will lead with the oft
fore foot ; and if you turn to the left, the near fore will
be advanced.
In using a curb, the rider should remember that if
it is properly placed, with a fair leverage, rough-hand-
ling of the lower or bit rein may drive a fine tempered
animal into a state of great irritation, or even prove an
incentive to rearing ;t and directly anything like this
* Talking of a horse being self-dependent in Ms movement on the
road, puts me in mind of a challenge once accepted by a very prac-
tical horseman, to ride a notorious stumbler (reduced by this de-
fect to mere farm-work) three times round Stephen's Green, Dub-
lin (a distance of over three miles), without falling. Given his
choice of bits, some being of the severest kind, he rejected them
all, desiring the groom to get him a common hemp halter, and
with this simple head-gear, riding bare-backed, he accomplished
the distance without the slightest mishap, and thereby won a large
bet. The groom, however, resumed the use of the bit to ride the
horse home (now feeling sufficient confidence to trust himself on
his back instead of leading him), when the animal fell on his knees
before he had gone a hundred yards.
t The incautious use of that rein, which has leverage on the curb,
is very apt, with young unformed horses, or such as have been only
accustomed to the bridoon or snaffle, to induce a notion of rear-
I
i hi
m
■ It
RIDING. 53
effect seems to be produced, that rein should be eased,
and the bridoon-rein borne up.
In fencing, the snafflle or bridoon bit and rein only
ought to be used ; this the rider should particularly bear
in mind. A rider with a hold of the curb-rein in fenc-
ing, getting the least out of his equilibrium, or giving
an involuntary check to the curb, may put any well-
mouthed animal entirely out of his own way, preventing
his jumping safely and confidently, and probably caus-
ing accidents. One of several reasons why the Irish
horses excel in fencing is, that it is very much the cus-
tom in that country to use snaffles in cross-country rid-
ing. The curb-rein may be taken up, if necessary, after
the jump is over. (Some horses, however, are such vio-
lent pullers, that, in the full tilt of going to hounds, where
the country is close and fencing frequent, it is almost
impossible to avoid using the curb-rein occasionally in
the act of jumping.)
While touching on cross-country riding, it may be
observed that many men who ought to know better,
often make a serious mistake in not leaving hunters
more to themselves than they do when going at and
taking their fences. Horses vary in their mode of pro-
gression; and whether the gait be slow or fast, any-
thing of a trained animal, when interfered with under
these circumstances, will be put out of his own way
(which is generally best suited to his peculiar temper
or ability), in placing his legs advantageously to make
his jump with safety.*
ing, especially in anything of a rough attempt to " rein back " with ;
indeed, this latter point of training should be accomplished with
the bridoon only.
* One can scarcely repress a smile on hearing cross-country mis-
54 BIDING.
Let your horse, if he is anything of a fencer, choose
his own way and pace to take his jumps.
In riding to hounds, if practicable, it is well to avoid
newly made or repaired ditches or fences : your steed
is apt to encounter such with diffidence ; he does not
take the jump with the same will, fears there's " some-
thing up," and from want of confidence may very pos-
sibly make a mistake.
It would be well, for cross-country horsemen more especially,
to bear in mind Sir Francis Head's observation, as applied to riders
as well as horses, that " the belly lifts the legs ; " meaning, I take
it, that if man or horse is out of tone from derangement of the
stomach or general debility, he cannot be up to the mark or fit
for any physical exertion. It is well known to steeplechase riders
and men who ride straight to hounds, that occasionally, in conse-
quence of inertion, indulgence, or dissipation, having deranged the
stomach or nervous system, a rider will be done up before his
steed, who, oppressed with a comparatively dead weight knocking
about on his back, will himself follow suit from want of being held
together, and probably come a burster at some jump before the
finish.
To a practical horseman the act of standing in the
stirrups will suggest itself as a matter of expediency to
ease himself, when the horse is pulling hard at or near
his full galloping pace.
The great advantage of a rider easing his bearer by
fortunes related, as they frequently are, in pretty nearly the fol-
lowing terms : — " I found my horse going sluggishly at his fences ;
and one place looking rather biggish, I shook him up with the bit,
and put both heels into him to rouse him, but somehow or other
the brute took off too soon, caught his fore feet, I suppose, against
something, and came such a cropper on the other side ! " or, " The
beast kept going at such a bat at his fences that I brought him to
book with my hands down, and with a good pull steadied him ; but
the brute with his awkwardness missed his footing on landing,
dropped his hind legs into the brook somehow, and fell back on me,
giving me a regular sousing ! "
RIDING. 55
walking up-hill is treated of under the head of " Work,"
page 36.
When a rider finds his horse going tender or lame,
he ought immediately to dismount and examine his
feet. If a stone has become bedded between the clefts
of the frog, or got between shoe and sole, and a picker
does not happen to be at hand, a suitable stone should
be sought wherewith to dislodge the one in the foot.
If no stone in the foot can be discovered as causing
the lameness, closer examination must be made in
search of a nail, a piece of iron or rough glass, or other
damage to the sole. If no apparent means of relief
present itself, the sooner the beast is led to the near-
est place where a proper examination of the foot can
take place the better.* For the amount of work a
horse can do, see remarks on that subject, under the
head of "Work," page 35; and to avoid broken knees,
see hints on that subject, pages 51 and 141.
Mounting of Lady in Side-Saddle. — The mounter,
being as close as possible to the animal, should place
his right hand on his right knee, and in it receive the
lady's left foot. When she springs she should straight-
en her left knee, at the same time having in her right
hand the reins, with a fast hold of the middle crutch,
and her left hand on the mounter's shoulder to help
her to spring up.
* In obscure lameness, to aid towards discovery of the affected
part, having first decided which leg or foot is diseased, it is not a
bad plan to walk the animal into a stream above the knees and
take him out again (or have water dashed at once fully over the
member), then kneel and closely observe which spot on the sur-
face dries first— that which does so will probably prove to be the
most inflamed part.
56 HARNESSING.
HARNESSING.
The General Mounting, whether of brass or sil-
ver-plated (to correspond with the mountings of the
carriage), or with leather- covered buckles, is all a
matter of taste; the leather being, however, the least
durable.
A Dry Harness -Room is indispensable, in which
there should be shallow presses with pegs, but no
shelves; otherwise, coverings should be provided for
harness and saddles to preserve them from flying dust.
Style. — In pairing horses for draught, if one be
rather larger than the other, the larger should be
placed on the near or left side, as the left-hand side of
the road being that on which vehicles travel, the near-
side horse will generally be going an inch or more lower
than the off-side one, and the difference of size in the
pair will be less perceptible.
If the animals are of an even size, and one be more
lazy than the other, that one should be placed at the
off side, being thus more conveniently situated to re-
ceive gentle reminders from the whip without obser-
vation. If one of the pair will carry his head higher
than the other, Ms coupling-rein* should run under
that of the animal that leans his head the most, so as
to bring their heads as much on a level as possible. An
ivory ring, to run the coupling-reins through, looks and
acts well.
Both manes should be trained to flow either in or
* In double harness, to increase your power in turning, shorten
the coupling-reins ; and to ease your horses, lengthen these to let
their heads work more straight forward.
HARNESSING. 57
out from the pole; the latter way is probably prefer-
able.
Horses left to stand harnessed in the stable should
be turned round in the stalls and fastened with the
T's of two pillar-reins passed through the rings of the
bridoon of bit. Should there be no pillar-reins in
pairs belonging to the stern-posts of each stall, tie the
horses' heads up with the rack-rein, so as to prevent
their lying down in the harness.
As a maxim, never leave a bridle on in the stable,
unless in the case where the head can be sustained by
a pair of pillar-reins from the stern-posts. Most seri-
ous accidents have occurred through neglect of this
rule.
In Talcing or "putting to" the shafts of a vehicle
must never be left on the ground while the horse is
being backed into them. If the shafts touch him he
will probably kick, or he may injure by standing on
them. In double harness, especially with spirited
animals, to prevent the danger of their backing, and
being induced to kick by coming in contact with the
splinter-bar when putting to, first confine them to the
point of the pole by the pole chains or leathers, so
lengthened as to enable the traces to be attached (the
outer ones first) to the carriage ; which done, tighten
the chains or leathers to their working length. Acci-
dents may thus be averted. From the moment horses
are " put to " their draught, until they are driven off,
some one should stand before their heads, whether they
be in single, pair, or four-horse harness.
Traces. — Great care should be taken in adjusting
these to prove that they are of an even length, as the
least deviation in equality is liable, by pressure on one
58 HARNESSING.
side, to produce a sore on the neck, under the collar of
the horse that happens to be on the side of the shortest
trace. — See "Jibbing," page 87.
The buckles of all traces and back-bands ought to be
provided with detached pieces of leather cut square the
width of those straps, and placed under the buckles the
tongues of which pass through these bits of leather ; the
straps, thus protected from being cut by the buckles,
will wear nearly thrice as long as otherwise, and there
is nothing unsightly in the arrangement.
In all cases draught-horses should be placed close to
their work — i.e., the traces should meet as short as will
just allow of the animals going down an inclination at
a brisk pace without coining in contact with the car-
riage ; the britching for single, and the pole-chains for
double harness, being tightened in proportion, to keep
the carriage from running on them down-hill.
For Pole-Chains and Swinging-Bars, see page 73.
The Karnes. — In order to divide the draught or
pressure of the traces on the shoulders a little, the
hames might be furnished with scroll draught eyes;
this, however, has become unfashionable from being
much used by cabmen, and for rough draught.
Hames Top- Straps. — Care should be taken that
these are perfectly sound and strong, especially in
double harness, where the strain of stopping and back-
ing the carriage of necessity comes upon them.
Britching and Kicking- Strap. — It is better in single
harness to have the britching made with side-straps
attached to the buckle or tug of the bach-band, and
not to pass over the shaft (confined there by a loop or
staple as is usual). These side-straps can be tightened
or loosened according to the size of the animal, and if
HARNESSING. 59
properly adjusted, effectually prevent any carriage from
running on the quarters. Across the horses' hips and
through these straps, confined by square metal D's,
passes the kicking-strap, which is attached to the tugs
on the shafts by buckles. This caparison, instead of
being unsightly, is positively more elegant than the
ordinary-shaped britching, and provides a kicking-strap
at all times with the britching.
The kicking-strap for double harness must always be
inelegant, nor can it be made as effectual as that for
single harness ; for which reason, if for no other, a kick-
ing horse should never be used in double harness under
a gentleman's carriage.
Britching is not generally used for double harness ;
but where appearances are not regarded, it finds place
amongst various other contrivances available to make
kickers, jibbers, bolters, plungers, and runaways, work
as placidly as if "they couldn't help it."*
The Terret-Pad must be left to the taste of the
owner and saddler, with an observation, that in single
harness it should be ascertained that the back-band
has always free play through it; and as a precaution, it
is desirable that in single harness the belly-band be al-
ways wrapped once round at least one of the shafts be-
fore the tug, whether the draught be on four or on a pair
of wheels. Neglect in this particular has often occa-
sioned accidents. The terret-pad is generally placed too
far forward; the shortening of the crupper remedies this.
In double harness have a care that the terret-pad trace
bearing-straps are not buckled too short. I have seen
fine tall horses greatly worn by these straps being too
* Any one desiring hints in that line can have the benefit of my
experience in dealing with such cattle, by applying to my publisher.
CO
HAKNESSING.
tight, tying the animals across the back, the undue
pressure being aggravated with each elevation of the
frame in the act of progression.
The Collar. — More care and judgment are necessary
in shaping the stuffing of the collar to fit a horse than
Fig. 1.— Front View of
a Collar, with the stuffing
placed as it should be for
wear with ease and safety.
a a, rim of collar all round.
b b, stuffing projecting
round outside of rim.
c c, stuffing to project in-
side at back of rim, for
the purpose of tighten-
ing the collar on the
neck in that situation,
and thus obviate ab-
rasion.
for any other part of the harness. The collar should
not press either on the mane or on the under part of
the neck round the gullet ; the pressure should be on
each side of the neck at c c in figure. Collars to fit the
ordinary run of horses ought to be shaped thus, by the
padding exclusive of the rim. The shape of the rim is
comparatively immaterial, but it must be strong to re-
tain the collar in shape. Any collar, be it ever so well
shaped, should be tried on the horse's neck before it
is taken into wear, to make sure that it is neither too
large nor too small.
Some horses' heads are large in proportion with the
size of collar they require ; in such cases, out of com-
passion for the poor animal over whose head the small
collar has to be forced at the risk of injuring his eyes,
the collar, which is generally closed, should be made
open at the top, to fasten with buckle and strap.
HARNESSING. 61
Under ordinary circumstances the open collars are not
preferable, as the opening and closing weakens the rim,
and is likely to put them out of shape ; but as grooms
have a fashion of putting the collar on with the rigid
hames tightly buckled round it, the whole process of
forcing a small closed collar over a beast's larger head
is so repulsive to him that in time he learns to dread
the very sight of a collar. The plan of putting on the
collar with the hames attached to it should never be
permitted.
Saving-Collar, and description of make. — This is
generally formed by harness -makers of basil with
quilted padding. More serviceable than this will be
found the saving-collar cut of single leather, from the
soft or belly part of the cow-hide. A breast-strap is
placed at the bottom of the collar with a loop and
buckle at the end, through which the belly-band of the
terret-pad passes to confine the collar.
Every owner of harness should be provided with one
or two saving-collars of this description to be used
where severe work is expected, on long journeys, or
with animals new to harness. They should be open at
the top, to fasten there with two buckles and narrow
straps, the tightening or lengthening of the latter en-
abling it to be fitted to the horse's size. Some care is
necessary to observe that the regular collar does not
rub the buckles of the saving-collar against the horse's
neck and make a sore.
The saving-collar should be always kept well moist-
ened with grease or oil, and carefully looked to after
use, the crusted sweat and dandriff being scraped off it.
In the absence of a saving- collar, the collar itself should
be watched in the same respect.
62 HARNESSING.
The bridles generally in use for harness appear to
require little or no improvement.
The Bit must be equally adapted to the horse's
mouth, &c, as for riding (page 38), except that -with
harness, while to all appearance using the same kind of
bit with a pair of horses, the leverage on the mouths
can be altered, by placing the billets or buckle-end of
the driving-reins high or low in the cheeks of each,
according to the animal's temper, his bearing on it,
&c.
In placing the billets in the bit, it should be borne
in mind that the more use is made of the curb the more
will be taken out of the horse ; therefore, when a long
journey or severe work has to be done, animals should
be driven in snaffle, or the billets should be placed as
near as possible to the mouthpiece of the bit.
Experience only can demonstrate the difference in the
wear and tear of the general physique, resulting from
a judicious arrangement or otherwise of the reins and
bit.
Blinkers. — The question of "blinkers or no blinkers"
can best be answered by the observation, that if you
can find horses that may be depended upon to work
safely and steadily without them, they may be dis-
pensed with ; but as such animals are rare, blinkers are
likely to continue in general use.
Placing crests or ornaments on blinkers, unless the
latter are light and well hollowed, and kept extended
in front by stiff blinker-straps, is a practice likely to
be injurious to the animals' eyes ; in fact, all blinkers,
unless light and well hollowed, are dangerous for the
eyes, and of course the increased weight of crests and
their fastenings aggravates the objection.
HARNESSING. 63
Heavy forehead -bands and rosettes, though orna-
mental, are anything but desirable, as far as the horse
himself is concerned.
The Noseband of the harness bridle, like the riding
one, can by tightening be made very useful with some
descriptions of hard-pulling horses. — See "Noseband,"
page 42.
The Breastplate, or head-stall martingal, can be made
useful in the same way. — See page 40.
Throat-lash. — See page 43.
Reins. — Saddlers generally suit the reins admirably
to the work for which they are intended. A buff
hand-piece with pullers is decidedly preferable to plain
leather, as its roughness enables the driver to have a
much firmer hold of the reins, but will become slippery
in wet.
The Bearing-Rein is only used to keep up a horse's
head and give him a showy appearance, therefore no
experienced person will use it except with that object,
and it is injurious in every other respect. — (See " Broken
Knees," pages 52 and 141.)
Crupper. — This strap is intended to keep the terret-
pad and back-band in their proper places, and to
restrain the former from running too far forward or
pressing on the withers (see "Sore Withers," page
151) ; also as a sustainer to the terret-pad against the
bearing-rein when the latter is strained into its hook.
Grooms have a very improper habit of leaving the
whole of the hinder part of the harness suspended in
one mass by the crupper-dock on a peg in the wall of
the harness-room ; this should not be allowed. Let the
terret-pad when not in use be always placed across
a proper saddle-rack, with the britching and crupper
64 HARNESSING.
suspended therefrom ; or let them, at all events, be put
somewhere by themselves.
To put on Harness.— First, while the horse's head
is towards the manger, place the terret-pad loosely
across the back— take hold of the tail, and carefully
turn down the hair over the end of the flesh ; thus
grasping and holding the tail and its hair together in
the left hand, with the right draw the crupper-dock
over it, and adjust the latter to its place at the root
of the tail, being careful not to leave a single^ loose
hair under it. Then arrange your terret-pad in the
place where it should work by shortening or length-
ening the crupper-strap ; which done, tighten the belly-
band.*
Now turn the horse in his stall, and, your collar and
names having been hung up close at hand, slip the
wide end of the former by itself over the head.
Leave the collar so, on the narrow part of the neck,
till you place your names within the collar-rim, and
fasten them thereto by buckling the top strap over the
narrow part or top of the collar : now turn the collar
and names round on the neck in the direction of the
side over which the mane hangs.
Put on the bridle and attach driving-reins, tempo-
rarily doubling their hand-piece through the terrets.
Fasten the horse thus harnessed to the pillar-reins till
you are ready to "put to."
To take off Harness, begin by removing the reins and
bridle ; then take off the names by themselves, then the
collar, and lastly the terret-pad and crupper.
* When a bame martingal strap is used, the pad belly-hand
should not be finally buckled until it has been passed through the
other.
DRIVING. 65
DRIVING.
In driving, a man should sit up against Lis work, and
he thoroughly propped by his legs and feet, with the
left or rein hand held well into his body, in front of
or a little below the waist. Nothing looks more un-
graceful than to have the reins at arm's-length, held out
at a distance from one's chest.
A driver should always be seated before any one else
in or about the vehicle ; and having carefully taken a
firm hold of the reins in his left hand before mounting
his seat, they should so remain, and never be shifted.
But should the driver be either obliged or find it con-
venient to allow others to be seated first, he will then
of necessity have to mount from the off or right side,
in which case he will in the first place have to take the
reins in his right hand until seated, when he will at
once transfer them to their proper position in his left.
The whip should invariably be placed in the socket,
or be handed carefully to the driver after he has mount-
ed. To mount with it in hand is highly dangerous; the
sight of it over the blinkers, or an accidental touch to
an animal when the driver is unprepared, may startle
and set off a team — while holding a whip in the act of
mounting renders that piece of gymnastics doubly awk-
ward to accomplish. All turns and manoeuvres may be
effected by the fore-finger (and thumb if necessary) of
the right or whip hand, either on the off or the near side
rein, according as the direction of the intended move-
ment is towards the right or left." But in driving four-
* Yankee fashion is to drive with a rein in each hand. This style
in Ireland is humorously described as "driving with a rein in
each hand and a whip in the other."
E
66 DRIVING.
in-hand, unicorns, or tandems, insert the fourth finger
of the whip-hand between the lead and wheel reins
on the side you want to pull, to turn or direct your
horses.
With four-in-hand the general principle is, while
allowing only a certain amount of play to the heads of
your leaders, to keep your wheelers well in hand, ready
for any sudden emergency, bearing in mind that it is
only with them, as they are attached to the pole, that
you can stop the carriage.
A driver having occasion to raise his right hand for
any purpose, should first place the whip transversely
under the thumb of the left or rein hand (above, but
upon, one of the reins), leaving the other hand at
liberty; indeed, the whip should always lie in this
transverse position, whether in the right or the left
hand, unless when in use for correction. Many horses
are very clever at watching the whip over the blinkers,
and careless pointing forward with it may keep a high-
spirited animal in a continual fret.
To ascertain how each horse is doing his work, judge
not only by the test of the willing horse bearing more
on your hand ; see also how each horse keeps his
traces. In whichever case they are slack, you may
depend that that horse has no draught upon him ; if
tight, he is doing his share of the work, or more. A
good whip will correct the defaulter so as to avoid an-
noying the other horse. There is no better criterion of
skill in the use of the whip than this.
With the leaders in tandem and four-in-hand, and in
low-seated carriages, unless the dash-board be very high,
the reins are apt to get under the horses' tails. In such
cases, to avoid a kicking match, no immediate attempt
DRIVING. 67
should be made to replace the reins while they are con-
fined ; but a very light lash of the whip on the leg will
engage the attention of the animal, and while the tail
is switched up on the touch of the lash, the reins may
be released. Horses should always be kept well in hand,
unless that, upon a long and tiresome journey, some
consideration may be shown for what they have to go
through. Under such circumstances, attention may well
be directed to the manner the billets are placed in the
bit (page 62).
On the level a fair pace can be maintained, but up
hill no merciful man will ever press his beasts. When
a heavy load has to be drawn up a sharp short hill, it
is not a bad plan to cheat the horse out of the first half
of it by going at it with an impetus, suffering the pace
to merge into a walk without further pressure as the
first impetus declines.
When the ascent is long and gradual, horses should
be allowed to walk " the whole way, which can always
be admitted of on ordinary roads, where the pace is not
intended to exceed eight miles an hour, as the speed
may be accelerated when the fall of ground is reached,
without distressing the animals.
Let a man suppose himself to be obliged to wheel
a hand-cart with a heavy burden for a given distance
within a given time, on an undulating roadway, and he
will soon discover the course he would pursue to effect
his object ; he would certainly save himself by going
very slowly up the hills, and make up the time and dis-
tance with most ease by rolling the vehicle at a rapid
rate down the declivities. Let the principle of working
thus exemplified be always applied to the usage of
horses in harness.
68 DRIVING.
An old driving maxim may be added, though not
recommended by the metre : —
" Up the hill spare me ;
Down the hill let me run and bear me ;
On the level never fear me."
Or,
" Walk me a mile out and a mile in ;
Up the hill spur me not,
Down the hill I'll walk or trot ;
On the plain spare me not ;
In the stable forget me not."
I have driven a great deal in my life, and have never
met with an accident from driving at a fair trot down
a moderate hill, with plenty of road-room, and no turn-
ing to be made till after gaining the level, the team
being well in hand throughout.
This observation applies equally to any number of
horses ; but with tandem or four-in-hand the wheelers
should be held particularly tight, and the leaders pulled
back.
If, in descending a hill, the wheel can be drawn along
rough stones without the horses being also brought on
them, it is desirable to avail of such a drag.
In such hilly countries as Wales, Devon, &c, the
constant use of a skid is indispensable. The uniniti-
ated may not quarrel with me for reminding them of
the necessity for keeping always to their own or the left
side of the road (the right on the Continent, in America,
and other countries). In turning a corner, however, if
it be to the left you intend going, before you make
your turn get from your proper side of the road a little
towards the right, if possible, and from thence make
your turn, by which means you will more easily reach
the left, or your proper side, of the new route you in-
tend to take, besides being able to see everything that
DRIVING. 69
is approaching en the other. To turn a right angle
you must have space accordingly, and it is better to
make use of that which you see insured to 3^011 than to
be depending on that which is uncertain.
It is hardly necessary to remark that it is infinitely
safer to make your turns at a slow pace than faster.
Turning quickly round corners is reckless work, but the
faster your pace the more necessary it is to get to the
wrong side of the road when turning to the left before
you make your turn to the new, or before entering a
narrow gateway or passage. When the turn is to the
right, you will keep to your own or left side of the road.
Where a narrow gateway has to be entered with four
wheels, having brought your vehicle fairly in front of
it, place your pole directly over the centre or bolt stone ;
in the absence of this guide, mark with your eye some
object in the centre, and bring your pole right over it.
The wheels will take care of themselves, if there is at
all room for the carriage.
With single harness the horse is brought direct at the
gate, and kept very straight, his hind feet passing over
the centre object.
In driving- through crowded streets or in a narrow
way, especially with vehicles coming rapidly towards
you, and every prospect of a collision, take a stronger
hold of your horses, and moderate your pace, remember-
ing that, if you cannot avoid grief, the less the impetus
the less the crash, if it should come. This result is
amusingly exemplified by the stage-coachman's defini-
tion of the difference between the results of road and
rail accidents. Coach ey says, ' If even an upset occur
on the road, there you are ; but if an accident takes
place by rail, where are you ?"
Remember to collect your horses well in hand before
70 DRIVING.
you alter your course on the road, or to cross it, in
order to have them alert and handy for any emergency.
When travelling in damp weather, the roads being
sticky, half wet and dry, your horse requires saving
and consideration, no matter to what extent the wind
may be blowing, if it goes only in the same direction
as himself. When the roads are perfectly dry with a
light wind blowing against your horse, he travels under
the more favourable circumstances.
Neither blinkers nor bit should ever, upon any con-
sideration, be removed from a horse while he is attached
to a carriage, whether to feed or for any other purpose.
Want of caution in this respect has been a fertile source
of most serious accidents.
When a horse falls irretrievably in harness, the
driver should avoid leaving his seat till some assistant
can go to the animal's head, who, placing his coat or
some soft substance between it and the road, to prevent
injury to the eyes, presses one or both knees lightly on
the neck, but so as to prevent the beast from rising ;
which done, the driver can get down from his seat, and,
availing of all the aid he can procure, frees all the har-
ness as rapidly as possible, and, running back the car-
riage from the horse, assists him to rise. To disengage
buckles easily in such cases, instead of dragging at the
point of the strap in the usual way, force both ends of
it to the centre of the buckle, which will cause the
tongue to turn back, and so free the strap.
When a fall in harness occurs on slippery pavement
such as some of the London streets, or in frosty weather,
before the horse is permitted to make any effort to rise,
some ashes, dry clay, sand, sawdust, hay or straw, or
even any old rug or piece of cloth or carpet, should be
DRIVING. 71
so placed as to prevent him from slipping in his ineffec-
tual and distressing endeavours to recover his legs.
Backing. — When a horse takes to backing, and dan-
ger is threatened, if you cannot get him forward, and
have no assistant to take him by the head, the more
rapidly you bring the brute's head to the point where
he aims at bringing his tail the better. It is a bad
habit, however, to give an animal, to allow of his being
taken by the head when he is obstreperous, and should
only be resorted to when quite unavoidable.
Kicking in Harness. — When there is no kicking-strap
or other means of restraint available, and an animal
seems disposed to persist in kicking, the driver, retain-
ing his seat, should direct some one to hold up one of
the fore feet (if he finds a difficulty in doing so, doub-
ling the knee and tying a handkerchief tightly round it)
so as to prevent the foot reaching the ground, which
done, the driver may help to unharness, while the other
assistant takes hold of the horse's head.
Shying. — See page 88.
Runaicays are frequently checked by sawing the
mouth. In such cases, retain your presence of mind,
determined to stick to the ship to the last ; if you have
the luck to meet with an ascent, that is your time to
get a pull.
A horse that has once run away, especially if, in con-
nection with that feat, he has met wuth any noisy dis-
aster or breakage, is never, as long as he lives, safe to
drive again. It only remains for his owner to use hu-
manity and judgment in disposing of him.
Stubborn horses, or jibbers, in single harness. — On
the first appearance of this disposition at starting, the
neck should be examined, to discover whether the fit
72 DRAWING.
may not have been occasioned by indispositon to work
against an ill-fitting or dirty collar, which may have
produced abrasion or tenderness of the skin under it
(see page 61). If the unpleasantness proceed from
innate stubbornness in the brute, and simple means
do not succeed in single harness, place him in double
harness, beside a well-tempered, good worker, that will
drag him aicay, starting down-liill. In this manner
the habit, if not confirmed, will be overcome. In ex-
treme cases, different appliances have been used with
varied success in making the beast move on — such as a
round pebble, about the size of a hen's egg, placed in
the ear, and secured with a cord tied round the latter,
near the tip, or stuffing a glove in each ear. I have
also seen coachmen put two or three handfuls of mud
into the horse's mouth, and rub it against his palate
with good effect, or tap him with a stick at the back of
the fore legs, j ust under the knee.
Letting a stubborn beast stand for hours in harness
in the spot where he has taken the fit, and, w T heu he
has become well hungered, placing a feed of corn before
him and gradually walking away with it, is a dilatory
proceeding sometimes resorted to, but scarcely worth
DRAWING.
The size of horses should be in proportion to the
weight and size of the vehicle and loads they are in-
tended to move, upon the principle, easily demonstrated
by experiment, that weight drags weight. For in-
stance, a horse having to drag a cart up a hill, will do
so more easily with the driver on his back than other-
DRAWING. 73
wise, as the weight of the man assists the horse against
the weight he has to move. The latter part of this
argument only refers, however, to short distances, or to
starting a draught.
The higher the wheels are, and the closer together,
whether they be two or four, the lighter will be the
draught. In fact, to render the draught as easy as pos-
sible, the axles ought to be on a level with the trace-
hooks, or point of traction, or as nearly horizontal as
possible with the traces and their place in the leg of
the hames. It is self-evident that if a horse has to be
pulling up, it is like his having to raise a certain part
of the weight of the carriage with every step he moves ;
and the faster he goes, the more injuriously does this
principle operate against him.
The point of the pole-and-chain attachment should be
always so elevated from its insertion in the carriage as
to be on a level with the rings of the hames through
which the pole-chains pass. On the point of the pole
should be a revolving steel cross-tree, from eight to ten
inches in length, in the ends of which the pole-chains
or leathers are inserted. The working of this contriv-
ance will, to any practical man, demonstrate its utility.
In light double harness, I much prefer using swing-
ing-bars instead of one inflexible splinter-bar, unless for
very heavy draught. Horses should be placed close to
their work. For adjusting the traces to that effect, see
page 58.
It should be remembered that the farther forward in
a carriage the weight to be drawn is placed, the easier
will be the draught on the horse. Thus the weight of
one man at the extreme end of the vehicle (like a con-
ductor on an omnibus) has as much effect on the trac-
74 DRAWING.
tion as that of two men on or near the driving-seat.
The deader the weight, let it be placed as it may, the
greater the trial of the horse ; therefore inanimate
matter is heavier on traction than anything having life.
Vehicles of which the lower carriage and axles are
kept braced together by a perch steadying the action of
the wheels, are much, the easiest on the draught. The
Americans are well aware of the advantages of such a
construction for encountering the roughness of many of
their roads. Not only are all their pleasure carriages,
or "buggies," so constructed, but the waggons have a
perch that by an admirable arrangement can be de-
tached, to allow of the carriage being lengthened when
required to carry timber or other lading. The perch,
being in two pieces, can be coupled by the simple con-
trivance of a movable iron band and pin, giving a
freedom, most desirable in a rough country, to the
movement of the lower carriage. This contrivance
works well, and might with advantage be applied to
our military train-waggons and ambulance-carts. Horses
cannot but suffer from the present construction of car-
riages in general use, where the axles are left unsup-
ported and unbraced to encounter the roughness and
inequalities of the road.
Axle-Boxes. — Proper lubrication of the axle-boxes is
too often sadly neglected. Even Collinge's patent will
not run freely without periodical aid in proportion to
use, and it is no harm to make an occasional examina-
tion of the wheels of a carriage when they are lifted off
the ground by setters, to see that there is thorough
freedom in the working of them, by spinning them
round with one's finger against the spokes. The re-
application of gutta-percha or leather washers is essen-
SHOEING. 75
tial, as the amount of friction by work will wear that
requisite.
For a few days after the washers are replaced, the
boxes should not be screwed too tightly, but subse-
quently they should be re-tightened. The noise of
wheels joggling upon their axles indicates want of
screwing up, or of washers.
A round tire is decidedly easier for draught than a
flat-edged one.
Carriages, immediately after use, should be cleaned,
or at least have water dashed over them, to prevent the
mud from drying on the paint, which can scarcely fail
to deteriorate it, and give it a premature appearance of
wear.
SHOEING.
Some horses are very averse to being shod, through
some fright the first time of shoeing, or bad manage-
ment. It is better to overcome such shyness or vice
by gentleness or stratagem than by force of any kind.
Some few animals even require to be cast, or placed
under the influence of the painful twitch. Before re-
sorting to any force, however, the following means
should be tried in preference to others : — Let whoever
is in the habit of riding or exercising the horse mount
him when regularly bridled and saddled, the girths be-
ing a little looser that if intended for work ; ride to the
side of the forge, and there let him (his rider still on his
back) be shod the first time ; on the second visit to the
forge, if it be spacious enough, he may be ridden into it
for the same purpose.
In shoeing, the smith's rule ought to be to fit the
76 SHOEING.
shoe to the foot, not the foot to the shoe, according to
the general practice of those gentry.
In London and all large towns, the best thing a gen-
tleman can do is to contract with a veterinary surgeon
for the shoeing as well as the doctoring of his horses.
The night previous to a horse being shod or removed,
the groom should stop his feet, to soften them, and en-
able the farrier to use his drawing-knife properly, and
without injury to that instrument.
In shoeing, any undue accumulation of sole may be
pared away; judgment must, however, be used in this
particular, as the feet of some animals grow more sole
than others, and superfluous increase tends to contrac-
tion, whereas care must be taken not to weaken the sole
of ordinary growth. I am aware that great difference
of opinion exists on this subject, but I speak from prac-
tical experience of the results of opposite modes of treat-
ment in this particular.
If no shoes were used, the wear and tear of work
would provide for the disposal of this accumulation,
which, as nature is interfered with by the use of shoes,
must be artificially removed.
If the frog be jagged it may be pared even, but the
sound parts should not be cut away, and on no account
should the smith's drawing-knife be allowed to divide
the bars or returns of the foot — an operation technically
called by the trade "opening the heels," to which falla-
cious practice farriers are pertinaciously addicted, be-
cause, in some one case of dreadfully contracted feet,
they may have seen or heard of temporary relief being
given by this process, with the natural result, which
they ignore, of the remedy proving itself in time worse
than the disease.
SHOEING. 77
If farriers are allowed, they will almost invariably
drive as many shoe-nails round the inside quarter as the
outside. This is a lamentable mistake, especially re-
garding the fore feet, as the foot being thus nearly all
round confined to the shoe, its proper action is inter-
fered with, preventing a possibility of its natural and
gradual expansion in action from the toe towards the
heel, as the horse lays his foot upon the ground, with
all weight, as well as the act of projmlsion, pressed
on it.
The reason for liberating the inside quarter in prefer-
ence to the outside is, that the inside, being more under
the centre of gravity, will be found to expand and con-
tract more than the outside, as will be proved by the
removal and examination of a shoe that has been in use
three or four weeks. On observing the part of the shoe
that has been next the foot, it will be distinctly per-
ceived that the friction of the inside quarter of the foot
has worn a cavity in the portion of the shoe which has
been under that quarter of the foot, while the side that
has been under the outside quarter bears comparatively
little evidence of friction above it.
This being an established fact, it seems desirable that
the full number of nails should be driven round the out-
side quarter, and not more than one or two (for hunting
purposes) on the inside from the toe. (Six nails alto-
gether is the cavalry regulation.)
If your horses are not quick wearers on the road, the
fore shoes should be removed within two or three weeks
after shoeing (care being taken that the clenches of the
nails in the hind feet are at the same time properly
levelled to the hoof to prevent brushing), and let them
be re- shod every five or six weeks.
78 SHOEING.
In all foot ailments, whenever a horse is lame, al-
though the disease may not apparently be in the foot,
let the shoe first be carefully removed, and the shoeless
foot examined by as competent a farrier as can be pro-
cured (in the absence of a veterinary surgeon), by pin-
cers round the nail-holes, gently pressing wall and sole
together, by the hammer tapping the sole, and a judici-
ous use of the drawing-knife, to detect the possible seat
of disease.
I have known a lame horse to be brought to a reput-
edly-experienced amateur horse-doctor, the cause of dis-
ease being so evidently inflammation of the sheath of
the tendon, that the animal was ordered to be treated
accordingly — viz., with cold applications ; and this not
succeeding, firing the leg was resorted to, after which,
the weather being suitable, it was thought expedient to
let the beast have a run at grass. As a preliminary
the shoes were removed, in the course of which opera-
tion a bed of gravel was found to have secreted itself
in the foot of the supposed diseased leg, and the in-
flammation occasioned by the gravel having gone up,
caused what appeared to be marked disease about the
tendon.
Such were the results of neglecting the precautions
here recommended.
Brushing, or cutting, is a very tormenting weakness
in the horse, whether behind or before, and often highly
dangerous in the latter case.
The ordinary practice of farriers under such circum-
stances is to rasp away the inside quarter of the offend-
ing hoof, as well as doubly thickening the shoe under
the weakened wall, leaving the toe to extend itself
forward. This is a great mistake, yielding only a tern-
SHOEING. 79
porary improvement, not at all tending towards a cure.
On the contrary, it would be better to shorten the toes
by degrees ; and on no account should a rasp be put near
the wall of the inside quarter, in order to let it get as
strong as possible towards the heel.
I would certainly allow no nails to be driven inside,
but let the shoe be fastened round the outer quarter of
the foot, the shoe itself being of equal thickness on both
quarters as an ordinary shoe ; but on putting it on, it
should not be suffered to project outside the inside quar-
ter, and the shoes might here be rasped to guard against
rough edges, which might injure the pastern of the op-
posite leg during work.
A strong clip should also be thrown up on the outside
quarters of these shoes to catch the wall and effectually
prevent them from shifting towards or projecting be-
yond the inside quarter, which might cause them to
come in contact with the opposite pastern-joint while in
motion. Until the brushing be somewhat remedied,
an india-rubber ring or a bit of leather, and elastic
strap round the pastern, will prevent it from receiving
present injury. If the above treatment is attended to
and persevered in, the probability is that in nine cases
out of ten a cure will be effected in course of time.
Corns. — Every horse -owner ought to make himself
acquainted with the part of the sole between the frog
and the wall on the inside quarter of the fore foot,
called the seat of corns (see pages 131 and 140), and
every time that a horse is shod or removed, in paring
the foot the drawing-knife should be used to clean
away this cavity (without weakening the adjacent wall),
where the disease originates from undue pressure of the
shoe on the inside quarter of that susceptible spot, or
80 SHOEING.
from friction of the coffin-bone, on the inside of the
sole, above the seat of corn. The shoe ought to rest
entirely on the wall of the foot, and not on any part of
the sole.
Roughing and Frosting is simply drawing out the
old nails about the toes and replacing them with very
large sharp-headed ones, called frost-nails. Horse-nails
being made purposely of a soft metal, are unfit for
frosting, as the heads wear down so quickly. If
smiths would steel the heads of frost-nails, they would
last much longer. This precaution against slipping,
however, is only effectual in slight frosts. In regular
frosting, the nails are carried completely round, with
the addition of sharp calkins being turned on the heels
of all four feet, and sometimes also short spikes or
cogs turned down from the toes; but the latter are
common only in severe climates, though their use is
quite as desirable in England, especially to assist horses
in ascending slippery hills, where the cogs on the heels
have little or no hold in the ground. Cogs or calkins
should be rasped by the smith, to sharpen them, every
couple of days.
Although it may be inconvenient and expensive to
have horses prepared in frosty weather, it is highly
necessary to do so where work is required of them.
The very extraordinary exertion that is needed on the
part of the animal to keep his feet when unprepared,
as well as the fret to his energies, takes a vast deal
more out of him in one day's work than a month's
daily use would do under ordinary circumstances, not
to speak of the risk of pecuniary loss from accident.
It is a most pitiable thing to see the poor beasts
struggling in their high courage and good temper to
SHOEING. 81
do their best, for what I can only call cruel or thought-
less masters, to say nothing of the liability of the
animals' breaking their knees and bringing their riders
or drivers to serious trouble, smashing harness and
vehicles, &c.
I have always found servants most ingenious in
making objections to having their horses prepared for
frost, the grand secret being their anxiety to keep them
in the stable the whole time the frost lasts, that they
may be saved from the trouble of cleaning either them
or their caparison, carriages, &c. They will alarm you
with the stereotyped objections, "tearing the horses'
feet to pieces," " driving fresh nail-holes," "ripping off
shoes," " his feet won't bear a shoe after," &c. I never
knew an ordinary sound foot to be reduced to such a
condition, by simply changing shoes, that a good smith
could not fasten a shoe on.
The only tangible objection to calkins to which atten-
tion need be drawn is, that during their use, unless the
horse is moved about in his stable with great caution
in cleaning or otherwise, he is apt to tread with them
on the coronet of the opposite foot, which is a very
serious affair, inflicting a nasty jagged wound on one of
the most sensitive vascular parts of the animal.*
The Bar Shoe going all round the foot is intended to
protect weak or thrushy heels.
* There is a useful and inexpensive contrivance for very tem-
porary roughing patented and sold by John Coppard & Co., 24
Meet Street, who, on being communicated with, will forward de
BCiiptive particulars. There is also a capital and more permanent
arrangement prepared and sold by Mr Morris of 21 Rathbone Place
Oxford Street, being an improvement on Mr White's plan of frost-
ing horses' shoes, by screwing three sharpened cogs into each-one
at each heel and one at the toe-the shoes when put on being pre-
pared to receive them. & 1
P
82 SHOEING.
Wide-webbed or Surface Shoes are used with flat-
footed, weak-soled horses : leather being often intro-
duced above them to save the soles from being damaged
by extraneous substances on the road. Put on with the
ordinary shoe, it is said to lessen the jar of the tread.
High-heeled Shoes, when a horse is laid up, properly
managed, prove a most effectual palliation and aid in the
cure of " clap of the back sinew " (page 143).
These shoes are made with calkins (joined by a light
iron bar), which should not be heavy, not more than an
inch deep, and gradually reduced by the smith as the
disease abates.
Steeling the Toes is necessary with quick wearers on
the road ; but particular cautions should be given to
the smith to work the steel well into the iron, for any
protrusion of this hard metal above the iron will occa-
sion tripping, and possibly an irrecoverable fall.
Calking the hind shoes moderately on the outside
quarter only, is most essential to the hunter to prevent
slipping, and to give him confidence in going at his
fences, and on landing. Its advantages can be well
understood by any sportsman who has experienced the
difference between walking himself a day's simple
shooting over soft slippery ground, or taking a ten-
mile walk on a half-wet road, in each case in boots with
headed nails, to enable him to have a hold in the
ground, and undertaking the same exercises in boots
without nails, where one wearies himself with efforts to
keep his feet.
I speak as a practical man, having probably come to
less grief than most others in hunting, which may be
attributed mainly to the particular attention bestowed
on the calking of my bearers when I was a hard goer.
SHOEING. 83
It seems an unimportant matter, but if looked into will
be found to be far otherwise.
Tips, or half-shoes, which cover little more than the
toe of a horse, leaving the heels to come in direct con-
tact with the ground, are particularly serviceable in
cases where the heels are disposed to contraction, and,
from my experience, can be used without injury in any
ordinary description of work while the frog is sound.
The quarters of the feet being left by their use with-
out the usual confinement of the shoe, and being pressed
to expansion on every movement of the animal, natur-
ally become strong and extended. Tips should become
gradually thinner, finishing in a fine edge towards the
ends. I have seen ill-made tips calculated to lame any
horse, with the ends the thickness of an ordinary shoe
(though extending, which is the intention of tips, less
than half-way down the foot), as if the smith who made
them expected the heels to remain always suspended in
mid air.
Slippers. — Regular sportsmen generally carry a spare
shoe while hunting; but if a shoe comes off one of the
fore feet in the field or on the road, and the rider is
not provided with a proper shoe, he should at once
dismount and lead his bearer to the nearest forge,
where an old shoe most approaching to the size of the
foot that can possibly be found should be selected from
the heap of cast ones that generally lies by in a forge,
and let it be tacked on with three or four nails only, so
as to serve the creature to get home, or until the proper
shoe can be made.
If a shoe comes off the hind foot, and the distance
from home is not above three or four miles, the animal
can be led or occasionally ridden that far without in-
84 VICE.
jury, especially if the softest side of the road be selected
for the track, the hind feet being generally much stronger
than the fore.
Travelling. — The day before a long journey, look to
your horse's shoes ; see that the clinches are well laid
down and the shoes nailed tightly. As a rule, do not
have new shoes put on just before a journey, for the
least carelessness in fitting or nailing them may occa-
sion more or less lameness ; should it be severe, disap-
pointment and delay may result ; while if only appar-
ently slight at starting, and the animal endure the pain
patiently during its work, the cause being in existence
throughout will produce its effects only too palpably
when the day's journey is over. If old shoes are nearly
worn, but will last the journey, let them by all means
remain on ; but directly the work is over, send for any
proper smith whose forge is nearest, and have them
taken off in the stable. Should the forge not be at
hand, the old slippers can of course be tacked on when
the horse, having had its rest, is taken to be shod.
All shoes, for road-work especially, should be made full
long to cover the heels. It should be borne in mind
that, as the hoof grows naturally, the shoe is brought
forward and thereby exposes the heels.
VICE.
In all cases where active vice, such as rearing, kick-
ing, jibbing, plunging, has to be combated, the work of
correction is half done if the horse is well tired in the
first instance, or, in vulgar terms, " the fiery edge taken
off him," by half an hour's rapid loungeing, with his
VICE. 85
neck well bent, chin into chest, on the softest and most
tiring ground that is available. For myself, if I find
a horse vicious, I never think of combating him if it
can be helped, without having first reduced his vigour
a little ; and all horsemen who undertake to conquer
any seriously bad habits are recommended to consider
and adopt this practice, if indeed such is not already
their custom.
Kicking, to the horseman, is a matter of very trifling
consideration. He may either amuse himself by let-
ting the ebullition expend itself, or it may be stopped
by chucking up the horse's head and increasing the pace.
Kicking in Harness is a different affair, being gener-
ally the prelude to disaster, and must be guarded against.
— See page 58.
Kicking in the Stable. — Many animals, most gentle
in other respects, take inordinate fits of this practice,
and generally in the dead of night, as if to make up
for their usual quietude on all other occasions ; most
frequently they resort to the amusement without any
apparent cause of irritation whatever. They will do it
when alone or when in company ; while, were it not for
the capped hock and otherwise disfigured legs, as well
as the dilapidated stabling behind them, discovered in
the morning, you would think that " butter wouldn't
melt in their mouths." In other cases the habit pro-
ceeds from obvious bad temper or spite towards a
neighbour. There are many cures proposed for kick-
ing in the stable. One frequently successful is a round
log of wood, four or five inches long and about two in
diameter, with a staple at one end of it, through which
a chain two or three inches long is passed and attached
to a strap that buckles round the pastern (just above
86 VICE.
the coronet) of one hind leg, or a log in this way to
each hind leg may be used if necessary. Another
means is to pad all parts of the stable that can be
reached by the hind feet. In many instances where
this plan is adopted, the animal, no longer hearing any
noise suggesting to his fancy resistance from behind,
will cease kicking altogether, from no other explainable
cause. For padding use some pads of hay or oaten
straw, covered with coarse canvass, and nailed to all
places within reach of his heels. Sometimes, where
the habit is supposed to arise from spite towards a
neighbour, a change of location will answer. In other
cases nothing but arming all parts of the stable within
reach with furze bushes, or other prickly repellants,
will succeed.
It will be well, in treating this vice, to try the rem-
edies here recommended in rotation ; first with the
otherwise quiet horse try the log, then the padding,
the change of location, and the prickly armour in suc-
cession. It is a remarkable fact that horses seldom
kick in the stable during daylight ; leaving a light in
the stable through the night may therefore effect a cure
where all else has failed ; but as light interferes with
sleep, it should be the very last resource.
Rearing is of little consequence in harness, and sel-
dom attempted to any extent ; but to the rider it is, in
my opinion, the most dangerous of all bad habits to
which a brute may be addicted. As I consider it
almost impossible for a horseman to cure a practised
rearer, my advice to the owner of such a beast would
be, instead of risking his life in the endeavour, to get
rid of him to some buyer, who will place him where,
in the penal servitude of harness, he may perhaps eke
VICE. 87
out a useful existence. However, should accident place
you on a rearer, directly lie rises lay hold of the mane
with one hand ; this, while at once throwing your
weight forward where it should be, will enable you also
to completely slacken the reins, which is important.
No one need be ashamed to adopt this plan. I have
seen the best riders do so.
Vicious rearing may, on its first manifestation, be
sometimes checked by a determined and reckless rider
giving a well-directed blow on the ear with some bother-
ing missile ; but this is a venturesome proceeding, and
only in emergency should it be resorted to, as an ill-
directed blow is very likely to produce poll- evil, or
knock the sight out of an eye.
It is said that a bottle full of w r ater, broken on the
ear of a rearing horse, proves an effectual cure ; but
happily the danger to the rider during such treatment
of his bearer, is a strong guarantee against the frequent
adoption of this barbarous practice. In many cases
lowering one hand with the rein on that side when the
horse is just beginning to rise, will have the effect of
breaking the rear, the horse being urged forward with
the spur the instant his fore legs are down ; but if,
when he has gained anything like the perpendicular,
the rein or head be chucked, or by any misfortune in-
terfered with, the chances are that the brute will walk
about on his hind legs like a dancing dog, and most
likely finish by falling back on his rider.
A martingal is sometimes found to be a preventive,
especially a running one.
Jibbing. — The disposition to this vice is generally
called into action, in the first instance, by the fret con-
sequent on the abrasion of the neck by the collar, or by
88 VICE.
the working of uneven traces (page 57). The use of a
saving-collar, and the careful adjustment of the traces,
may therefore obviate the propensity.
Sometimes jibbing is the effect of bad handling when
starting with a heavy load. Where such a disposition
evinces itself, the carriage should be pushed from be-
hind, or another horse placed beside, or, if possible, in
front of the jibber, to lead him off.
Shying may proceed from various causes, such as
defective sight, nervousness, or tricks ; thus it may be
the result of either constitutional infirmity or of vice.
From whatever cause proceeding, the proper way to
manage a shying horse is to turn his head away from
the object at which he shies, in riding, pressing the
spur to the same side to which his head is turned ; thus,
if the object he dislikes be on the right, turn his head
to the left, and press your left leg, giving him that
spur, and vice versa, according to the side on which the
object to be avoided is found. If you have to deal
with a bad shyer, your time being precious, and you
only care to get through your present ride with the
least unpleasantness possible, in addition to the above-
mentioned means, take him, if necessary, well by the
head, the reins in each hand, and saw or job his mouth
rather sharply, keeping Mm in rapid motion till you
pass the object.
Operating thus on his mouth severely, if necessary,
will engage his attention, and cheat him out of his ap-
prehension for the moment. It is bad horsem anship , (f
and dangerous besides, to force a horse's head towards
an offending object while in motion ; but if it is
particularly desirable that the animal should become
familiarised with anything of which he is shy, let him
'-■ .
SELLING. 80
be brought to a standstill, and coaxed up gradually to
it, that he may assure himself of its harmlessness by
smelling and feeling it with his nose and lips, if possible.
Punishment by whip or spur — what is called " cram-
ming" him up to a thing — is a vile error.
When a horse is found to evince a confirmed objec-
tion to passing a particular place, and that he keeps
bolting and turning viciously in spite of all ordinary
efforts to prevent it, take him at his own fancy, and
keep turning and turning him till he is so tired of that
game that he will only be too glad to go forward past
the objectionable spot. A horse's sense of smelling is
very acute, and sometimes a dead animal in the ditch
or field by the side of the road, though unseen, will
cause an abrupt and very unseating sort of a shy, with
an ordinarily quiet beast of sensitive olfactory nerves.
SELLING.
If the horse you wish to dispose of be a fancy one,
either for beauty, action, or disposition, and a fancy
price be required, efforts must be made to obtain the
fancy customer to suit, and time and attention must be
devoted to that object. But if he be of the ordinary
useful class, unless a purchaser be found at once, let
the owner, directty he has made up his mind to part
with him, think of the best market available, whether
public auction, a fair, or private sale by commission.
The public auction, with a good description of the
animal's merits, if he has any, is the readiest and least
troublesome mode of disposing of all unsuitable pro-
perty ; and from my own experience, I should say that
90 CAPRICE.
the better plan is to make up one's mind positively
to dispose of such the first time it is put up by the
auctioneer, having, of course, placed a reasonable and
rather low reserve price on it, and provided that the
sale be fairly attended by purchasers ; otherwise I should
not allow my property to be offered until a more favour-
able opportunity.
A valuable and fancy animal, if his owner is not
pressed to sell, had better be disposed of by full adver-
tisement and private sale at his own stable. It is bad
management to exhibit for sale an animal that is out of
condition ; it always pays to make your horse look as
well as possible before he meets the eye of a customer.
There is an old and true saying, "no meat sells so well
as horse meat" — of course animal flesh is here alluded to.
CAPEICE.""
All horsemen know how whimsical horses are, and
the best riders feel a certain amount of diffidence, and
even awkwardness, on beginning w r ith any new mount,
until a more perfect acquaintance is established between
man and horse.
A horseman w T ho identifies himself with his steed will
* A suggestion has been made by one of the ablest reviewers of
the first edition of this work, to add a chapter on caprices of horses ;
and doubtless such would be so extremely interesting, that the
temptation to insert notes under this head in my first edition was
only overcome by the determination to avoid being led into anecdote,
which has been strictly observed throughout, as being out of keep-
ing with the concise style in which it was intended that the book
should be produced. A few practical hints are, however, here
classed under the head of " Caprice."
CAPRICE. 91
sometimes by a mere fluke hit off the means of having
his own way with a capricious though perhaps really
well-disposed animal, if one only knew the way to
manage him.
For instance, a first-class hunter of my own (Baronet),
whose excellent performance in the field, where I had
seen him tried, induced me to purchase him, soon gave
evidence of a peculiarity for which, unknown to me,
he had made himself remarkable. No ordinary means
could prevail upon him to go through any street of a
town except such as he pleased himself, of which he
gave me evidence the first day I had occasion to try him
in that way, walking on his hind legs directly his will
was disputed on the subject, even to the extent of a
mere pressure on the rein at the side he was required
to turn. In my difficulty, instinct prompted me to drop
the reins and gently direct his progress with the point
of the whip at the side of his nose, and in this way he
went ever after as quiet as a sheep with me. Having
discovered his caprice, I was always provided with a
handle of a whip or a switch of some kind for his bene-
fit. Riding him one day into Dycer's, an old acquaint-
ance of his, well aware of his propensity, exclaimed in
terms not complimentary to Baronet at my possession
of him, and was much amused when I told him my
simple method of managing this self-willed gentleman.
The same sort of what I can scarcely help terming
"instinct" that has often taught me, and doubtless
hundreds of other practical horsemen, to meet the whims
of their steeds so as to suit themselves, produced a vic-
tory somewhat similar to the foregoing over an animal
that, in the presence of a large assemblage interested in
his performance, most determinedly refused to trot.
92 CAPRICE.
though ridden successively by the most skilled nags-
men Dycer's yard could produce, as well as by Dycer
himself.
I proposed to try my hand, and the animal at first
start pursued the same uneasy half-canter with me ; but
perceiving that he seemed particularly desirous to take
a drink from a trough that happened to be in the way,
I allowed his attention to be distracted by taking as
much water as he pleased from it ; and then turning
him in the opposite direction from that in which he had
so obstinately persisted in his own gait, patting and
doing all I could to reassure him, dropping the bit-rein
altogether, and taking a very light and lengthened hold
of the snaffle- rein, I let him move off at his own pace,
which, to the surprise of every one present (my own, I
admit, included), proved to be a walk, which he imme-
diately changed into a jog-trot all up the yard, winning
for me a bet of twenty sovereigns to one from the late
Edward Dycer, that the horse could not be made to trot
within a quarter of an hour of the rider mounting.
Now, it is only caprice that can account ^or the likes
and dislikes of horses about going lead or wheel in
four-in-hand. One horse will not stir till removed from
the wheel, and another will be equally unmanageable if
assigned the leader's part, while an exchange of places
will perhaps render both animals perfectly tractable.
In double harness it may sometimes be observed
that an animal, while working by itself, or with others
not faster, will casually show great spirit, but when
coupled with another possessing more life and action,
it will seem at once subdued from its former liveliness,
and go along like a slug, quite out of sorts at finding
itself outpaced, &c, while its more sprightly neighbour
THE BREEDING OF GOOD HORSES. 93
will exhibit a double ebullition of spirits, as if in re-
proach to say, " Why can't you come on 1 " To prove
such cases of whimsicality further, replace the apparent
sluggard by coupling with our vivacious steed a more
lively and active animal, and you will see the latter in
his turn become subdued and "shut up," in comparison
with his previous sprightliness.
Again, although the animal is decidedly gregarious,
a horse, from some dislike to its companions or other
whim, will absolutely pine and cease to thrive in a stall
stabled with others, and be restored to its usual spirits
and health on removal to a loose-box. Such animals
are generally restless at night, and show great ability in
smashing their head-collars.
On the other hand, most horses like company, and
will pine away if kept alone.
These things should be studied.
IRISH HUNTERS, AND THE BREEDING OF
GOOD HORSES.
Much attention has latterly been attracted to the
deterioration in the superior breeds of horses, having
reference more to a decline of powder and endurance
than to diminished swiftness.
There is no reason why our old fame for breeding
good horses of every kind should not be maintained.
Unrelaxed attention must nevertheless be given to some
well-known and established rules respecting breeding,
and more marked encouragement might with advantage
be in every way afforded to the production and rearing
94 IRISH HUNTERS, AND
of young animals of a superior and valuable description.
We would therefore suggest that prizes for young ones
should be more liberally and generally awarded at
exhibitions ; likewise a careful revision and alteration
of many of the present regulations in connection with
racing.
The importance of most careful scrutiny in selecting
the progenitors of horses can never be overrated ; and
though in Ireland experience has proved in many in-
stances that a good hunter can be produced from a dam
which, in England, would be considered too small, too
plain, the blood in both parents has invariably been of
the best. The mare, or perhaps her parents, might
have been half-starved — no uncommon result of the
scarcity of food during many successive years of adver-
sity among the poorer classes in the former country —
but her progenitors had been large powerful animals.
As, in the due course of things, it results in time that
every denomination of useful horse, excepting, perhaps,
the heavy dray and cart horse breeds, is influenced by
the characteristics transmitted more particularly to the
powerful, enduring, moderately fleet animal properly
designated the hunter, it is a subject of deep interest
to the community at large to know how the latter
should be produced.
The " Irish hunter" is admitted to possess in a re-
markable manner the qualities most desirable in a horse
of that or the generally useful class. Hardy, enduring,
courageous, strong, short -legged, short -backed, long-
sided, tolerably fast, but any deficiency in speed made
up for by jumping power; all action, able to jump any-
thing and everything; intuitive lovers of fencing; their
sagacity such that you have only to get on their backs
u ,
THE BREEDING OF GOOD HORSES. 95
and leave the rest to themselves; — under ordinary
circumstances it is almost impossible to throw these
animals.
Such is the breeding that I should be inclined to
cross with that of the powerful English race-horse as
sire, taking blood as nearly pure as possible in both
parents, for the purpose of securing valuable stock,
which would in time be dispersed over the country,
and replace the progeny of those weedy thorough-breds
which, in Ireland especially, have done much towards
the decline in power and endurance of the present
generation of so-called Irish hunters. The parentage
might, of course, be reversed between sire and dam.
As to the question of climate, any one really inter-
ested in discovering its possible effects might be curious
to know what would characterise the produce of a high-
bred English racer and Irish huntress foaled and reared
in France.
As far as we can judge from the peculiarities of those
horses with which we are most familiar, extremes of
either heat or cold are unfavourable to the development
of size; whereas, under both conditions, a vast amount
of endurance seems to be natural.
The Norwegian and the Arab, differing materially in
point of swiftness, are both notorious for endurance.
The plodding perseverance of the first is well known ;
while the Arab, ridden at an even gait with a fair
weight, will go with impunity a greater distance, at a
rate of eighteen to twenty miles an hour, than the best
European can do. In sporting language, the Arab can
"stay " better than the European.
Arab breeders rarely offer a really high-bred animal
for sale under four, and generally five, years of age ;
96 IRISH HUNTERS, AND
hence he cannot receive the education bestowed upon
the European racer, who, before he is three, often at
less than two, years of age, is taught by the most
scientific riders in the world to "go from the post" at
very nearly top speed — a species of training that some-
times results in his beating horses which are really
superior in every respect except that of being ready at
starting, and capable of putting on their best speed at
once. Besides, in those hot climates the young animal
has not the advantage of a soft elastic turf, so essential
to training, nor has he the assistance of proper trainers
and jockeys.
It is much to be regretted that the breeders of Arabia
cannot be tempted, for almost any price, to part with
truly high-bred mares, wisely retaining them to breed
for the benefit of their native land.
Warmth of climate seems thus, as instanced in the
Arab, to favour swiftness and endurance; though, on
the other hand, we may point to the mild, moist, but
scarcely warm climate of our islands, as having fostered
the production of animals possessing these qualities in
the first degree, in addition to size and power beyond
those of the Arab.
France has latterly, since the introduction of pure
blood, produced some splendid horses ; but time must
tell whether the perfections of these animals are as
lasting as those of others whose early growth may not
have been so much forced by a more genial climate.
Therefore, as far as we know at present, the climate of
England is as favourable as that of any other land to
the production and development of perfection in the
horse, the specimens of which that she has presented
being hitherto unsurpassed.
THE BREEDING OF GOOD HORSES. 97
It would appear that we make a serious mistake in
not providing greater encouragement to breeders and
purchasers of yearlings and two-years-old of the dif-
ferent descriptions. A decided advantage would, we
think, result from competition among these classes at
horse-shows, due care being necessarily given to placing
them in a situation specially adapted for them, and
where they would be free from noise and excitement.
Nothing would tend more to incite to the careful breeding
of horses among farmers than the possibility of obtain-
ing handsome prizes, and thereby securing the prospect
of early remuneration ; while the opportunity for market
afforded by these exhibitions would present additional
inducements to the rearing and purchase of young
animals. Having in view the encouragement of a
superior breed of horses, it is beginning at the wrong
end not to support it, in the first place, by allotting at
such meetings the most numerous and valuable prizes
to the babies.
Fortunately the ventilation given to this important
subject of the deterioration in our horses, more espe-
cially in that particular class denominated the Irish
hunter, has aroused the interest of the country at large,
and already led to more earnest efforts on the part of
the landed proprietors and breeders to regain lost
ground.
It ought to be borne in mind that the light weights
allowed by the present racing laws for Queen's plates
are, as examples for weighting in other races, most per-
nicious. These grants from the Crown were originally
bestowed with the view to encourage the raising of
strong thorough-breds, capable of carrying twelve stone
sometimes for four or even five mile heats ; therefore
98 IRISH HUNTERS, AND
the present arrangement of weights is positively, how-
ever unintentionally, a misapplication of those public
funds.
It is probably to the turfmen that the change in the
character of steeplechasing is greatly due ; they found
it their interest gradually to alter the weights and dis-
tances, so as to bring profitably into play their second
and third rate beaten race-horses. Steeplechases were
not intended for these latter, whose perfection is in
proportion to their speed. Pace is not the chief desid-
eratum in hunters, to prove the qualities of which
steeple or castle chases were instituted ; power and
endurance are at least as essential : and it is contrary
to the law of nature, as well as of mechanics, to com-
bine a maximum of speed with that of power, and vice
versa. Either will preponderate to the detriment of
the other.
The difficulties, natural and artificial, presented by
the general face of the country in Ireland, have no
doubt contributed to the development of those qualities
which render the Irish hunter so valuable. The style
of fence is continually varied ; and in the course of a
run there will be encountered double ditches, with a
narrow or wide bank, single ones, stone walls, brooks,
bullfinches, gates, wide drains, and occasionally posts
and rails, or iron palings — hurdles being, however, of
rare occurrence ; but the horse that can master the
above impediments to his course will soon find out
how to jump a hurdle.
The Irish colt has sometimes also a kind of training
not expressly designed for him by his owner ; for being
not unfrequently left with other animals in a field
affording an insufficient supply of grass for them all,
/
\
THE BREEDING OF GOOD HORSES. 99
he undertakes to prove the truth of the proverb that
hunger will break through stone walls, by jumping
over if not through one to obtain more or better food.
Transplanted to England, the accomplished Irish
hunter often finds himself tested in a manner strange
to him ; the rate of speed is greater than he has been
accustomed to, for the Green Isle has not yet adopted
generally the extremely swift pace of hounds now so
much in vogue in England, and is thence, as regards
the hounds and the horses, in unquestionably the most
sportsmanlike condition. It was never intended that
hunting should become steeplechasing ; and the unnat-
ural pace to which hounds are now forced causes them
often to overrun the scent after they have got away ;
then, when at fault, the entire ruck of the field have an
opportunity of coming up, to be, of course, once more
distanced, at the repeated sacrifice of the sound prin-
ciples of hunting, and to the disadvantage of the true
breed of hunters.
If breeders of horses would give their full attention
to the pursuit, there is no reason why they should not
be as successful in producing the best description of
every class of this animal, as breeders of sheep and
cattle are in their line. By judicious crossing, animals
can be secured with any peculiar characteristics that
may be desired ; and for the encouragement of energy
and exertion in this direction, we may remind our
readers that there is now so much competition for the
possession of first-class horses, that our Continental
neighbours constantly outbid us, having learned to
value them even more than we do who have been suf-
fering our best sires to be bought up and removed
from their native soil to improve the foreign stock. It
100 THE BREEDING OF GOOD HORSES.
is not impossible that, circumstances having directed
so much attention to this subject, good will in this as
in many other cases spring out of evil, and the foster-
ing of valuable breeds of horses will become a more
widely-recognised source of emolument than it has
been for many years past, regaining, likewise, its proper
standing among Britons as a matter of deep national
interest and importance.
PAET II.
DISEASES.
When I had nearly completed this little manual,
chance placed in my way a valuable work called the
1 Illustrated Horse - Doctor,' by Edward Mayhew,
M.E.C.V.S., which has borne me out in many of my
opinions regarding various diseases, and given me
some useful elucidation as to the latest approved
treatment of some ailments.
I would strenuously recommend the work for its
simplicity and usefulness to country gentlemen and
other owners of valuable horses who can afford to pur-
chase it j they would derive great assistance from it,
not only as far as regards the written matter, but also
from the spirited and very characteristic illustrations,
exemplifying more clearly than any description pos-
sibly can do, matters connected with the treatment of
horses under disease.
As to this little work, any remedy herein advised to
be used, without reference to competent authorities, is
102 OPERATIONS.
practical and may be depended on, though intended to
be harmless in any event.
However, every one must be aware that doctors will
differ, and some who are critics may have pet theories
of their own, which they might here and there prefer
to parts of the practice here recommended.
It may be borne in mind, nevertheless, that diseases,
like politics, with time and occasion are liable to change
their character.
Many diseases are far more easily prevented than
cured ; and I must, in the very first instance, protest
against the unnatural and injurious warmth by heated
foul air, so much advocated by grooms, as a means of
giving condition, to produce which, food, work, and air
are the safe and natural agents.
Wherever a means of avoiding any disease herein
touched upon has suggested itself, it is prominently
set forth, in just appreciation of the golden rule, that
"prevention is better than cure."
OPERATIONS.
As all painful operations can now be performed under
the influence of chloroform, the least compensation an
owner can make to his poor beast for the tortures he is
put to, in order to enhance his value and usefulness to
his master, is to lay an injunction on the professional
attendant to make use of this merciful provision, in
cases where severe pain must otherwise be inflicted on
the animal.
Rarey's method of casting for operations, or when
a horse is so extremely unruly as to require to be
OPERATIONS. 103
thrown down, may be thus quoted from his own
directions : —
" Everything that we want to teach a horse must be
commenced in some way to give him an idea of what
you want him to do, and then be repeated till he learns
perfectly.
" To make a horse lie down, bend his left fore-leg and
slip a loop over it, so that he cannot get it down. Then
put a surcingle round his body, and fasten one end of
a long strap around the other fore-leg, just above the
hoof. Place the other end under the surcingle so as
to keep the strap in the right direction ; take a short
hold of it with your right hand ; stand on the left side
of the horse ; grasp the bit in your left hand ; pull
steadily on the strap with your right ; bear against his
shoulder till you cause him to move. As soon as he
lifts his weight, your pulling will raise the other foot,
and he will have to come on his knees.
" Keep the strap tight in your hand, so that he can-
not straighten his leg if he rises up. Hold him in
this position, and turn his head towards you ; bear
against his side with your shoulder, not hard, but with
a steady equal pressure, and in about ten minutes he
will be down. As soon as he lies down he will be
completely conquered, and you can handle him at your
pleasure.
" Take off the straps and straighten out his legs; rub
him lightly about the face and neck with your hand
the way the hair lies ; handle all his legs, and after he
has lain ten or twenty minutes let him get up again.
After resting him a short time make him lie down and
get up as before. Repeat the operation three or four
times, which will be sufficient for one lesson.
104 TO GIVE A BALL.
" Give him two lessons a-day ; and when you have
given him four lessons he will lie down by taking hold
of one foot. As soon as he is Avell broken to lie down
in this way, tap him on the opposite leg with a stick
when you take hold of his foot, and in a few days he
will lie down from the mere motion of the stick."
For the purpose of handling horses more easily
without casting them, when slight operations have to
be performed, a twitch is used, made by 7 or 8 inches
of cord formed into a noose, which is attached to about
2 feet of a strong stick. The noose is placed on the
upper lip of the horse, and by turning the stick round
and round, it is tightened. The pain thus occasioned
to the animal subdues him to bear almost anything,
and he can thus be subjected to minor operations
while standing, but it is also as well to place a cloth
over his eyes to prevent his being too well informed of
what is going on, — a precaution which may be used
with advantage under various other circumstances, such
as measuring the height, when the sight of the size-
measure as placed against his shoulder might alarm
him; — in fact, upon any occasion when it may be desir-
able that a horse should not be aware of what is
passing around him ; for instance, if he is unwilling to
go on board ship or into a horse-van.
TO GIVE A BALL.
Turn the animal round in the stall so as to have his
head to the light, making the least possible fuss or
noise.
Stand on a stool on the off side, and, gently putting
TO GIVE A DRENCH. 105
your hand in the mouth, draw the tongue a little out ;
place the fingers of the left hand over it, and keep it
firmly in this position by pressure against the jaiv —
not holding the tongue by itself, as a restless horse, by
suddenly drawing back or sideways while his tongue is
tightly held, may seriously injure himself.
The ball, having been oiled to cause it to pass easily,
is to be taken between the tips of the fingers of the
right hand, and then, making the hand as small as pos-
sible, pass the ball up the mouth by the roof to avoid
injury from the teeth. Directly the ball is landed well
up on the root of the tongue, take away that hand, and
as soon as it is out of the mouth, let the left hand re-
lease the tongue, which, in the act of being drawn to
its proper place, will help the ball down.
An assistant standing at the near side may be useful
to hand the ball to the operator, and to gently keep the
jaws open while the ball is being given.
Have a warm drink ready to give immediately after
the ball is taken.
It may be remarked that in racing stables, where
such things are generally well done, young and small
boys will, quite alone, coolly take spirited, and often
vicious animals, and in the most gentle manner ad-
minister the ball, unsuspected by the beast himself,
who is hardly made aware of the operation he is under-
going.
To give a Drench. — Turn the animal round in his
stall as in administering a ball. Use a cow's horn, the
wide end having been closed up by a tinman.
Pour in the liquid at the narrow end, the mouth of
which should be an inch in diameter.
The operator, standing on the off side, should have
106 PUEGING.
an assistant ; both should be tall, or make themselves
so by standing on firm stools or a form.
The assistant must raise the horse's head till his
mouth is above the level of his forehead, and keep it
in that elevated position steadily while the drench is
administered — such position being necessary to facilitate
the passage of the liquid down the throat by its own
gravity, the tongue not being here an available agent,
as with the ball.
The operator, taking the wide end of the horn in his
right hand, can steady and assist himself by holding
the upper jaw with his left, and, leaving the tongue at
liberty, will discharge the drench from the horn below
the root of the tongue if possible.
A proper drenching-horn should be always kept at
hand, and be well cleaned after use.
A glass bottle should never on any account be sub-
stituted for the proper instrument.
PURGING.
Whenever an animal accustomed to high feeding and
hard work is from any cause laid by, it is most desir-
able (in pursuance of the golden rule that prevention
is better than cure) to take such opportunity to relax
the hitherto tightly-strung bow, by administering a
mild purge.
The object of this precaution is, that the absorbents,
having been accustomed to a perpetual call as the result
of perspiration induced by work, are liable, when the
beast is left at rest for several days, and this call is
thus discontinued, to take on unhealthy action, and
PURGING. 107
engender diseases, the most fatal of which is that
scourge " Farcy."
How many a fine horse, to all appearance in the best
condition, have I seen stricken with this fell malady,
from no other accountable cause than that which it is
hereby proposed to guard against ; besides, every one
knows that any animal kept at rest and fed up is more
predisposed to all kinds of inflammatory attacks, and
when thus visited the system more readily succumbs.
More than this, every practical man is aware that an
occasional aloetic purge improves the health, condition,
and vigour of a horse.
It seems as if the aloes acted as a powerful tonic and
renovator as well as purge.
What trainer will think of putting a lusty or ill-con-
ditioned animal into " fettle " without employing this
purge as a partial means 1
It is very dangerous to give a purging medicine to
a horse without first preparing the bowels by relaxing
them moderately with bran mashes.
This is best done by giving about three or four
sloppy mashes, three in the course of the day preceding
the administration of the purge (reducing the quantity
of hay to one-third the usual amount), and one the first
thing next morning, no water or hay being given before-
hand that clay; about two or three hours after the mash,
administer the purge, giving just before and after it as
much warm water as the beast will drink.
No hay should be allowed this clay or night, but as
many sloppy mashes as will be accepted should be
given.
Give two hours' brisk walking exercise in clothes
about six or eight hours after the administration of the
108 PURGING.
purge, and next morning, after a mash and watering
(always with warm water), two more hours of the same
exercise in clothes ; but be careful not to sweat the
horse. — See page 155.
If the evacuations be fully free, less exercise is neces-
sary; otherwise, in a couple of hours repeat the walking
at a brisk pace. When the desired effect of the medi-
cine has been satisfactorily produced, hay and corn may
be gradually resorted to.
While an animal is under the operation of purgative
medicine the water and mashes should be warmed, and
the body well protected jrom cold by clothing and the
exclusion of draughts.
The ordinary purge, consisting of Barbadoes aloes 4
drachms, extract gentian 2 drachms, is mixed into a
mass by any chemist. With some delicate horses, sub-
ject to looseness, this purge may be too strong, and
should be reduced by a drachm of aloes and half a
drachm of gentian.
On the contrary, with large horses of a full habit, 5
drachms of Barbadoes aloes, or even more, may be ne-
cessary, with 2 drachms of gentian. In all cases where
there is reason to suppose that the mucous surfaces of
the alimentary canal may be in a state of irritation, it
is much safer to give linseed-oil, say a pint at a time,
to which may be added, if speedy purging be essential,
twenty drops of croton oil.
The use of old dry hay will be found the most simple
and ready primary resource to stop purging and steady
the action of the bowels, and a very little bruised oats
may also be given in such cases.
Should the purge appear to gripe, copious clysters of
warm water will afford relief.
DISEASES OF THE HEAD, ETC. 109
THE PULSE
is easily found by placing the two forefingers under the
middle of the horse's jowl or cheek-bone. The novice
can feel about here till he discovers pulsation, and hav-
ing once made himself acquainted with its seat, he will
be the better able to judge of a horse when apparently
out of sorts.
Inside the forearm, and in other spots, the pulse is
equally superficial, but under the edge of the cheek-bone
is the most convenient place to find it, or at the temple.
A horse's pulse in health beats from about 32 to 38
a minute — the smaller the animal the faster the circula-
tion will be.
In brain affections the pulse is slower than natural ,
it is quickest in inflammation of the serous and fibrous
membranes — much slower in the mucous ones.
DISEASES OF THE HEAD AND RESPIRATORY
ORGANS.
Glanders. — As there is really no cure for this horrible
disease, I will not attempt any dissertation upon it, but,
merely referring to the remarks upon nasal gleet, page
116, advise all, whenever they have the least suspicion
about the latter, to consult a veterinary surgeon imme-
diately.
The only preventive against the disease is to keep
and work your horses in a reasonable manner, give
them plenty of pure air at all times, and to guard them
as carefully as possible from contagion.
110 DISEASES OF THE HEAD
Sore Eyes should be treated mildly by stuping with
tepid water, and the use of laxatives, as mashes, green
food, or a mild purge, according to the severity of the
case. Keep in darkness. If the affection is acute, con-
sult a professional veterinary surgeon.
Common Cold and Influenza. — It should be remem-
bered that cold air seldom gives cold, but rather its
action upon the exhalent vessels of the skin when they
are under the process of sweat, and when the exercise
that produced the latter has ceased. The superficial
action of a low temperature then proyes an astringent,
clogging the small exhalent and exuding vessels, and
by the derangement of the whole animal system, imme-
diately affects the respiratory organs, producing more or
less fever.
When disease is thus contracted, it is self-evident
that the best way to meet it is by forcing these small
vessels into exudation (or sweat) as rapidly as pos-
sible, which may readily be done by exercise and
clothing upon the very first suspicion that a chill has
been taken, and before the animal is positively affect-
ed. Once, however, that the debility or feverish
symptoms incidental to the disease are manifesting
themselves, active but entirely different measures must
be resorted to.
The premonitory symptoms of cold, and that scourge
of the stud, influenza, are, refusal of corn, staring coat,
dull eyes, at first a thin and soon a purulent discharge
from one or both nostrils, with more or less cough ;
pulse wired, sometimes very weak, but if highly in-
flammatory symptoms be present, thin and rapid.
Under these circumstances, if a professional veteri-
nary surgeon is procurable, the case should be referred
AND RESPIRATORY ORGANS. Ill
to liim ; but rather than suffer an ordinary farrier to
deal with the animal, I will take the liberty in this, as
in other cases, to offer simple remedies that can do no
harm, and have in my own experience been beneficial.
Bleeding is admissible only in extreme cases, and
under professional advice, at the commencement of an
inflammatory attack, in affections of the brain, or
serous and fibrous membranes — not in mucous ones.
In cases, however, of sudden pulmonary congestion, or
apoplexy of the lungs, general depletion is indicated.
Blood-letting should never be had recourse to in dis-
temper or influenza* neither should purging be thought
of in such cases, as it lowers the system, which, on the
contrary, requires all the sustaining power possible.
Give at once in the most inviting small mash of
bran, or in the form of a ball, —
2 drachms of nitre ;
giving little or no hay, and nothing but warm mashes
of bran or linseed, if they will be taken. If the symp-
toms are urgent, give in a ball, —
3 drachms of nitre, with
1 drachm of camphor.
Also well hand-rub, with a liniment composed of equal
parts spirits of turpentine and oil mixed, all under the
windpipe, the gullet, within three inches of the ear,
by the parotid glands, and inside the jowls. Use the
liniment twice the first day if the symptoms are severe,
and once each day subsequently — abating its use ac-
cording to the disappearance of the disease.
The horse should be placed if possible in a loose-box,
* A little Avork on blood-letting, by Professor Hugh Ferguson of
Dublin, is well worthy of consultation on the subject.
112 DISEASES OF THE HEAD.
and being kept warm with plenty of sheets, hoods, and
bandages, the door and window of his stable should
be thrown open during a considerable portion of the
warmer part of the day, to give him irtenty of fresh
pure air.
The head should be kept as pendant as possible, in
order to induce the throwing of the nasal discharge,
which will be further assisted by steaming the nostrils,
using a very large nose-bag (if possible of haircloth),
half -filled with common yellow deal sawdust, having
an ounce of spirits of turpentine well mixed through
it ; or better, hot bran mashes, of which the poor beast
may be tempted to pick a little when first applied.
Either application must be kept at a high tempera-
ture by the frequent addition of hot water.
The nose-bag must be used several times a -day —
kept on for twenty minutes at a time, and never suf-
fered to remain on the animal till its contents (which
should of course be frequently changed) become cold or
offensive. Or the nostrils may be steamed as well, in
a more simple way, thus : — Fill a bucket full of hay,
stamp it down with the foot, pour boiling water upon
it, renew the boiling water every ten minutes. Let a
man hold the horse's head in the bucket over the steam
for about half an hour at a time, three or four times
a-day.
As recovery progresses, gradually resume ordinary
feeding — remembering that in this, as in all cases of
illness where the constitution has been debilitated, it
has to be carefully rebuilt by food and suitable exercise
to fit the animal for work. It should be borne in mind
that respiratory diseases appear to be very contagious^
for which reason, if for no other, the patient on the
AND RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 113
first outbreak of distemper should be removed away
from the rest of the stud to a loose-box, if practicable;
the stall he leaves should be cleansed, and all his uten-
sils kept rigidly separate.
White-wash and chloride of lime are useful and simple
as disinfectants.
This disease is more easily prevented than cured, and
horse-owners do well to avoid leaving an animal when
heated, or after exercise, standing unclothed in the cold
or in a chilly draught. Also be careful about trans-
ferring a horse suddenly from total exposure at grass,
or from a healthy airy stable to an ill-ventilated and
crowded one.
Though influenza or distemper are often considered
to be epidemic, contagion should be, as before observed,
most carefully guarded against. Some professional men
hold these two designations to represent distinct dis-
eases. In influenza the animal becomes speedily at-
tenuated, and the whole system appears disordered and
debilitated, occasionally with lameness, as if from fever
of the feet.
There is generally one mark which may be permitted
to be peculiar as distinguishing some forms of influen-
za, particularly in certain seasons during its prevalence,
which is that of the mucous surfaces assuming a yellow
colour all over the body, and the white of the eye being
also tinged with that hue.
When influenza assumes a serious character, the pro-
fessional man must be left to deal with it ; but pending
the arrival of such assistance, the treatment here re-
commended can do no harm, the primary seat of the
disease being that of the respiratory organ.
Laryngitis, Bronchitis, Pleurisy. — I will not at-
H
114 DISEASES OF THE HEAD
tempt to enter into descriptions or prescribe separate
modes of treatment for these and other diseases of the
respiratory organs, such delicate distinctions belonging
exclusively to the professional man ; but while await-
ing his advice, the treatment recommended for common
cold and influenza can do no harm in any attacks of
the upper air-passages ; and when the lungs or cavity
of the chest appear to be affected, that advised as
follows for inflammation of the lungs is equally harm-
less : —
Inflammation of the Lungs or Pneumonia is indi-
cated by great prostration and high fever, heaving of the
flanks (an evidence of great internal anguish) ; the legs
are spread out to their fullest extent, as if to prop up
the body and prevent it from falling ; the breathing is
difficult, and respiration quick ; extremities cold; pulse
quick and hard, like wire to the touch; a look of pain
and wretchedness marks the countenance.*
Such symptoms can be safely treated by a profes-
sional man only ; but if his services cannot possibly be
procured, rub in a powerful mustard poultice over the
lungs, the seat of which I cannot better describe to the
uninitiated than as situated beneath that portion of a
horse's surface which would be covered by a saddle if
placed on his belly directly underneath the situation it
would have occupied on his back, the pommel being
close to the fore legs, omitting to blister the portion of
the belly which would be covered by the cantel of the
saddle when reversed, but continuing the blister be-
tween the fore legs to the front of the chest.
* The difference between this disease and attacks of the lower
viscera is, that the animal does not kick about, but generally stands
as if hopeless and helpless.
AND RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 115
The hair need not be clipped off before the applica-
tion of this poultice. Give every six hours, till the
arrival of the veterinary surgeon, from 30 to 40 grains
of ordinary grey powder mixed and administered in the
form of a ball.* Or, in place of grey powder, give
Fleming's tincture of aconite, eight drops every hour in
half a pint of cold water, until the arrival of a veterin-
ary surgeon.
Let the animal have an additional quantity of the
purest air, with an increased supply of clothing, and in
cold weather the temperature should be slightly mode-
rated. The symptoms of recovery are denoted by grad-
ual cessation of heaving at the flanks ; the extremities
getting warmer ; the pulse less quick — softer to feel ;
and the animal appearing more lively.
His strength must be kept up after the first day or
two by drenches of gruel, till mashes will be accepted.
Cough, as before observed, generally accompanies in-
fluenza, distemper, and common cold, but thero are
instances where cough may be present with little or no
fever or other derangement, in which case change of
food from corn to bran or linseed mashes, with a limited
allowance of wetted hay or chaff, may be sufficient to
cure.
As a rule, grooms should understand that when cough-
ing is heard, they are to give bran or linseed mashes
till further orders • nor should an animal suffering from
* Practical men will tell you that the readiest and best way to
mix grey powder, as water will not make it adhere, is with saliva in
the palm of the hand, from whence it is transferred by a blunt knife
to the horse's tongue near the root, the tongue being drawn out for
the purpose. I can vouch for the efficacy of this not very elegant
proceeding where expedition is an object, having witnessed it
myself.
116 DISEASES OF THE HEAD
cough be expected to do any but very light work or
exercise (every care being taken to avoid his being
chilled), bran mashes not affording sufficient sustenance
to do heavy work upon.
No person or owner should be satisfied with the state
of his horses' health while they cough. Linseed mashes
daily (page 23) will be found excellent to ease and cure
cough, also carrots and green food ; but when the cough
is accompanied by fever, or other symptoms of ailment,
treat as for influenza, distemper, cold, or sore throat, as
the indications of derangement may direct you.
Nasal Gleet may possibly be occasioned by protracted
irritation of diseased molar teeth ; but if persistent,
especially of a thin, ichorous, glairy, or size-like char-
acter, and confined to one nostril, generally the left,
the glands under the jaw being swollen and tender, the
Schneiderian membrane or mucous lining of the nose
having a dull, pale, or leaden hue, it should be looked
on with suspicion, particularly if confined to one nostril,
and more so if the discharge adhere round the rim of
it. Cough is seldom present with glanders.
In such cases consult a veterinary surgeon without a
moment's delay, and be careful to prevent any part of
your own body, or that of any other person, coming in
contact with such a discharge. It is very probably in-
cipient glanders of the most insidious and dangerous
character.
To more clearly distinguish the dangerous from the
harmless gleet, it may be remarked that when the dis-
charge is thick and purulent, yellow, and in full flow,
and without a disposition to adhere to the nostril,
though the most alarming in appearance, it is least to
be apprehended, proceeding naturally from a heavy
AND RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 117
cold in the head, which, however, should of course
meet with immediate attention. — (See " Cold, Influ-
enza," page 110.) For the prevention of nasal gleet,
observe the same precautions as those recommended
against cold, &c. (page 109), and keep your horses as
much as possible to themselves.
In travelling, horses run great risks, and, of course,
such diseases are less likely to be contracted in first-
class hostelries than in inferior and hack stabling.
Poll-Evil is generally occasioned by a bruise on the
head, behind the ears, near the neck, by pressure of the
head-stall, &c. (see " Haltering," page 16), when, if great
care be not exercised to cure the sore promptly, sinuses
or cavities will form, eating away into the more import-
ant parts of the adjacent structure. Here, also, unless
an immediate cure be effected by the means directed
for the treatment of sores (see " Water-dressing," page
160, and "Zinc Lotion/' page 158), accompanied with
the removal of the head-stall or any aggravating pres-
sure, the veterinary surgeon ought to be consulted at
once.
Avoiding the causes will be the best preventive of
this disease.
Shivering Fits in general precede or are the com-
mencement of a feverish attack ; therefore, in such cases,
no heating food must be allowed. Substitute hot
mashes, increase the clothing, and administer a febri-
fuge, as nitre, 2 drachms, repeated in two hours. Or,
if nitre in the mash will not be accepted, give two
ounces of sweet spirits of nitre in half a pint of cold
water.
Shivers in the stable, proceeding from nervous sensi-
bility, are frequently the result of recent excitement,
118 DISEASES OF THE HEAD
caused by a band, an organ, or other unusual noise, or
even by the sudden entrance of the beast's own attend-
ant, the bounding of a cat, &c.
Strangles generally attacks young horses about the
age of maturity, or when first stabled. Debility grad-
ually possesses them ; the throat, and particularly the
parotid glands under the ears, are sore and swelled,
tending to distinguish this disease from ordinary cold
and influenza ; a discharge from the nose is also present.
The sooner the suppurative process can be induced in
the throat the better.
For this purpose rub in turpentine and oil (one part
turpentine to two parts oil) once or twice a-day, which,
when the skin becomes tender, must be carefully done
with a sponge.
When the suppuration is ripe, a professional man
should let it out with a knife, and recovery speedily
ensues.
As great debility is attendant on this disease, the
system should be kept up by bruised and scalded corn,
and the appetite tempted in every way by green meats,
minced carrots, &c, if requisite. Plenty of air is also
essential.
It ought to be superfluous to remark that under such
circumstances neither bleeding, purging, nor reducing
means of any kind should be adopted, the bowels being
merely kept open by bran and occasional linseed mashes,
which will assist the mucous surfaces. The chill to be
taken off the drink.
Soreness of the Throat frequently accompanies dis-
temper or cold, and is indicated by want of appetite,
constant endeavour to swallow the saliva, difficulty in
imbibing liquids, which, instead of going down the
AND RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 119
throat, appear to be returned through the nostrils, noisy
gulping, &c
Eub the throat at once with a mixture of equal parts
turpentine and oil, and keep up the irritation on the
skin.
Administer 2 drachms of nitre once or twice the first
twenty-four hours, the animal being, of course, laid by
from all work, and placed in a loose-box ; let him be
fed on bran and linseed mashes, and given green food,
carrots, and anything that will tempt his appetite.
Avoid purging, bleeding, or anything that will lower
the system — a rule to be most particularly observed in
all diseases of the respiratory organs, unless severe in-
flammation be present, when a professional man only
can judge to what extent the lowering process may be
necessary.
Broken Wind is caused by a large number of the air-
cells of the lungs becoming fused, as it were, into one
large air-cell, thus diminishing the aerating surface,
and rendering the lungs weaker. It is indicated by a
sudden inspiration and a long, almost double, expira-
tion ; the flanks and abdomen are observed to suddenly
fall down, instead of being gradually expanded.
Broken wind is, in fact, emphysema of the lung, and
there is said to be no absolute cure for it • but it may
be alleviated by restricting the animal in hay and water,
and giving the latter only in small quantities, not more
than half-a-pint at a time, and moistening all food.
Take care he does not eat his bed, which he will
make every effort to do. He should have no straw
about him in the day, and be muzzled at night.
Lampas does not belong properly to these diseases,
indicating some derangement in the alimentary canal,
120 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS, ETC.
but is here mentioned to guard against a brutal prac-
tice commonly resorted to by farriers as a cure for the
disorder.
The groom complains that his charge is "off his
feed," and fancies that the palate is swollen more than
usual — the fact being that he never examined it at any
other time ; and the farrier proceeds to cure the rejec-
tion of food by searing the poor beast's mouth with a
red-hot iron, or scarifying it with a knife. The reason-
able treatment of an ailment proceeding from heat or
disorder of the stomach will be to withhold all heating
food, at all events to a great extent, giving occasional
mashes, also tonics and alteratives, the latter to those
of full habit, the former in cases of evident debility.
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE AND UKINARY
ORGANS.
Diarrhoea and Dysentery. — The first (diarrhoea, or
mere looseness) is, in the horse, seldom more than a tem-
porary debility. In many cases it is an effort of nature
to relieve herself, and will probably effect its own cure.
The symptoms require no definition, except that it
may be remarked that they are almost invariably unac-
companied by pain or any other inconvenience. Rest,
and the use of more astringent food, and leaving a piece
of chalk in the manger (which, with horses subject to
diarrhoea, should never be absent), will in all probability
arrest the attack, which may, to a certain extent, proceed
from a predisposition to acidity.
Animals disposed to this disease should be fed on a
drier description of food.
COLIC AND GRIPES. 121
Dysentery is, on the contrary, a highly dangerous
illness, accompanied with pain.
It mostly commences with excessive purgation, the
evacuations being mere foul water in appearance, and
stinking. The beast will drink greedily ; the pulse is
weak ; great anguish of body perceptible, the perspira-
tion breaking out in patches.
On the first appearance of such dangerous symptoms,
procure the assistance of a professional man \ but in the
interval the following drench may be given : —
Laudanum, 1 oz. ) ^ x
Powdered chalk, § oz. )
or,
Catechu, powdered, 1 drachm. ) ^^
Chalk, \ oz. i
or,
Sulphuric ether and laudanum, of each one ounce.
Also injections of cold linseed-tea. The dose may be
repeated in three or four hours, if medical assistance
does not arrive. As great care is necessary in the diet,
as well as general treatment, after partial recovery,
everything should be done under professional advice.
An attack of dysentery is very likely to be caused by
the existence of some acrid matter in the intestines, or
by an overdose, or too constant use, of aloes.
As with diarrhoea, horses predisposed to dysentery
ought always to have a lump of chalk in the manger,
and constant or over-doses of aloes should be avoided.
COLIC AND GRIPES.
As these diseases are sudden, and require prompt
treatment, it is well to have some idea of the kind of
122 COLIC AND GRIPES.
remedy to be employed, pending the arrival of the vete-
rinary surgeon. Some animals are peculiarly subject
to them, from a susceptible state of the alimentary canal.
Cold water, taken on an empty stomach, or when a
beast is heated, will cause the malady.
The symptoms are distress, evinced by pawing, lift-
ing of the fore and hind feet towards the stomach, the
head being turned towards the sides, with a look of
anguish ; a cold sweat will sometimes bedew the body.
A desire to lie down may be exhibited, and when on
the ground the animal rolls about in evident agony.
The upper lip is strained upwards from the teeth,
almost closing the nostrils, and the pulse indicates
derangement of the system.
When the true character of the ailment has been as-
certained, it is well to inquire as to the character of the
evacuations. If they are in a lax state, and a cause for
the same can be discovered, of course discontinue it,
and use astringent clysters for the bowels (page 159).
If there be reason to apprehend that some offending
matter is retained in the alimentary canal, use emollient
laxatives and clysters (pages 158 and 159). But if
anything like costiveness is present, and other remedies
fail, recourse must be had to that of " back-raking," a
process which need not be here explained, being well
known to every experienced groom, any one of whom
may safely be intrusted with the operation, the only
necessary precaution being to have rather a small hand
used, and that well lubricated with lard or oil. Let all
the faecal matter that can be reached be carefully ex-
tracted. Afterwards a warm enema, composed of one
pint of turpentine mixed in two quarts of hot soap-suds,
and a soothing drench of
DIABETES. 123
1 oz. sulphuric ether,
1 oz. laudanum,
1 pint oil,
will be found efficacious.
In the early stages, "gripes," as they are called, may
be cured by simply " back-raking," followed by a drench
of a bottle of ale, warmed and mixed with one ounce
of powdered ginger, and a brisk trot in heavy clothing.
Under highly inflammatory symptoms, the profes-
sional man attending will probably bleed.
To guard against colic, avoid giving cold water when
the beast is heated, or on a fasting stomach. With
horses subject to gripes the water should always be
given with the chill off, if possible, or just previous to
a good grooming or other gentle exercise tending to
circulate internal warmth. Never allow any animal the
opportunity of gorging himself with any kind of food
after the stomach has been weakened by extra-severe
work and long fasting.
For costiveness only give soft bran or linseed mashes,
or green feeding; and see treatment for excessive or
painful costiveness, page 122.
DIABETES,
or profuse staling, is unfortunately a common disease,
and is generally attributed to something wrong in the
water, but bad provender may occasion it.
Thirst is generally very great.
Give catechu, 2 drachms at a time, two or three times
daily, in mashes.
Change the food or water, whichever on examination
124 WORMS.
seems most objectionable. Give no hay or grass, but
plenty of linseed tea to drink; give good bruised or
scalded oats, with a small quantity of warm bran mixed
in each feed, and leave a lump of chalk in manger : or
administer diluted phosphoric acid, one ounce to one
pint lukewarm water, twice daily, till the symptoms
abate, then gradually reduce the dose.*
A horse once found to be subject to this disease should
be very carefully fed and watered.
WORMS
are indicated by a state of the coat called "hide-bound"
and "staring," with loss of condition and indisposition
to work; by a slimy mucus covering the dung-balls ;
also occasionally by the adherence of the parasites round
the anus, and thin evacuation in the faeces.
They cling so pertinaceously to the internals, that
they will eat through the coat of the stomach, and are
never likely to be removed by a single dose of any
medicine. Spirit of turpentine is highly recommended
as a cure, but if given it must be diluted largely — one
part turpentine to four parts oil.
Practical experience of various remedies for worms
justifies me in recommending one to two grains of arse-
nic and twenty grains of kamela twice daily (each dose
mixed in a handful of wet bran, and given with oats
* This will be found almost a specific ; it is recommended by Mr
Mayhew, and is said to have originated with Mr Woody er, V.S., at
Paddington. Professor Dick is also reputed to have been very suc-
cessful in the treatment of this disease, by the use of small and
repeated doses of iodine or iodide of potassium.
WORMS. 125
or other feeding) for eighteen days, and a purge the
nineteenth morning.
The horse may get moderate work during the ad-
ministration of the powders.
Common salt is also considered a good remedy:
about a tablespoonful daily mixed with the food.
To guard against these pests, avoid the use of Egyp-
tian beans; but as "bots " are mostly taken in at grass
by the animal licking off and swallowing their larvae laid
in the hair of the legs, it is almost impossible to ex-
clude them. In a few cases they are bred in the in-
ternals without any accountable cause, and against this
no precaution can avail.
Liver Diseases, or the farriers' "Yellows," so called
from the fact that such cases are marked by the eyelids,
linings of the nose, and lips when turned up, being
found to be tinged more or less with yellow.
Here mercury must be administered, and aided by sub-
sequent purging, as is necessary with the human subject.
Thus, give half a drachm to a drachm of calomel
mixed in a little flour, and put in a mash of bran one
evening, and next morning follow it up with the aloes
purge-ball (page 108).
If the "yellows" be very marked, with other de-
rangement of the system, give for two days one drachm
of calomel daily in doses of half a drachm each, mixed
in mashes as described above ; and after two drachms
have been taken in this way, administer on the third
morning the aloetic purge.
Inflammation of the Kidneys and Bladder. — "With
regard to internal inflammation arising from various
causes, the symptoms of distress bear a general resem-
blance to each other : legs spread out, extremities cold,
126 WORMS.
breathing accelerated, and a look of pain pervading the
animal's whole appearance, except that in diseases of
the urinary organs there is generally a straddling gait ;
and on observance of the genitals, some marked action in
this region on the part of the beast will be discovered.
Such attacks can only be properly treated by a pro-
fessional man, therefore lose no time in procuring his
services; but, in the meanwhile, I shall observe that
inflammation of the kidneys is, sad to say, too common
to admit of its being passed by without offering some
caution and advice regarding it, more for the purpose
of prevention than cure.
Disease of the kidneys is generally brought on by the
misuse by grooms of their favourite diuretics ; a dose of
nitre to "fine his legs," or "bloom his coat," or for any
other purpose to save themselves trouble, is the groom's
specific for the poor creatures under their care ; but so
injurious are diuretics that masters ought to make their
secret administration, as commonly practised by the class
referred to, a case of instant dismissal.
The kidneys of the horse are peculiarly susceptible of
action ; so much so, that purges frequently, in place of
acting as intended, will take effect on them.
It should, besides, be borne in mind that while the
kidneys are in artificial action and secreting an extra
quantity of urine which is being passed away, the crea-
ture should have the same opportunity of rest, and as
much consideration given him, as if he were in a state
of purgation. The secretion is blood in its changed
form, and is a serious call on the system. All this does
not enter into the head of an ignorant groom, who, on
the contrary, will work or treat the poor suffering crea-
ture as if he was in his best vigour.
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 127
Inflammation of the kidneys is marked by an appear-
ance of general distress — kind legs straddled, the back-
bone hogged, urine small in quantity, tenderness over
the loins when pressed.
If a practitioner be not procurable, immediately place
warm mustard poultices over the loins, and cover them
with sheepskins.
Give half a drachm extract of belladonna with half
an ounce laudanum in a pint of linseed tea every four
hours, and inject constantly with warm linseed tea.
Inflammation of the Bladder presents very similar
symptoms to that of the kidneys, only that the bladder
being farther away from the backbone, instead of the
latter being hogged, it is rather depressed. In this case,
as in inflammation of the kidneys, call in the veterin-
ary surgeon ; meanwhile give the drink recommended
for the kidneys, and though the surgeon's decision is
desirable with regard to mustard blistering, the use of
this counter-irritant should not be too long delayed;
therefore, in the event of his non-arrival within an hour
or so, apply mustard blister to the stomach far back (be-
tween the flanks), as being nearest the seat of this disease.
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
Once more the old proverb that " prevention is better
than cure" deserves to be dwelt upon, for very many
diseases under this head can be prevented, and very few
can ever be cured.
Generally speaking, the fore feet and hocks of a horse
are the most susceptible of disease induced by wear
and tear — the fore feet, because the greater part of the
128 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
weight of the animal is borne upon them ; and the hocks
behind, because they are the propelling power.
It is remarkable in cases of lameness, that when the
disease is seated in the feet, the lameness becomes tem-
porarily aggravated on work ; whereas if it proceed from
disease in the legs, it becomes apparently less after
the limbs have been worked a while. With regard to
animals keeping their condition while labouring under
lameness, experience has taught me that horses lame in
the fore feet will, if able to work at all, continue to do
so without apparently losing condition from the fret of
lameness ; but when the hind legs are the seat of dis-
ease, the condition evaporates very rapidly. This, I
imagine, is because an animal lame in the fore feet will
lie down and take more rest than when sound ; whereas
if lame behind, he will not take sufficient rest, as rising
and lying down cause him pain ; hence he continually
stands, and, of course, aggravates the disease.
The foot is thus sectionised and described by Dela-
were P. Blaine, Esq. : —
7c
Fig. 2.— Section of Foot.
" On examining a perpendicular section of the foot
and pasterns, there appear the coffin-bone (a), the
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 129
navicular or nut bone {b), the coronary or little pastern
bone (c), the large pastern bone (d), the back sinew or
great flexor tendon of the foot (e), the same tendon
sliding over the navicular bone (/), its termination or
insertion into the bottom of the coffin-bone (#), the
elastic matter of the sensible frog (Ji), the insensible or
horny frog (/), the horny sole (/r), which includes the
parts of the sensible foot ; the outer wall of the hoof
(I), the elastic processes (m), the attachment of the ex-
tensor tendon to the coffin-bone (n), and its attachment
to the coronary bone (p), which completes the section.
" The coffin-bone (a) adapts itself to the figure of the
hoof, or rather is adapted by nature to this eligible
form. The eminence in its front receives the insertion
of the tendon of the great extensor muscle of the foot.
This important muscle has its upper attachment to the
humerus or arm-bone, where it is principally fleshy ;
but as it passes downwards it becomes tendinous, ex-
panding over every joint, both to prevent friction and
to embrace and give firm attachment to each bone with
its opposed bone, by which a firm connection of the
various parts is maintained, and a simultaneous move-
ment of the whole limb is effected. In the hinder
limb this extensor tendon and its two less or tendinous
adjuncts arise from the tibia, and in part from the
femur, but in their origin are fleshy.
" In the sides of the coffin-bone are attached lateral
cartilages, and around its surface are marks of the at-
tachment of the laminated substance.
" The coronary, or small pastern bone (c), is seen to
rest on the coffin-bone (a), with which it articulates by
its lower end ; its posterior part also may be seen to
be closely articulated both with the coffin and with the
l
130 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
navicular or nut bones (/), whose attachments to them
are effected by ligaments of great power and some elas-
ticity. Nor is it possible to view this horny box and
its contents without being struck with the admirable
display of mechanism and contrivance which meets our
eye. We are apt to say, 'as strong as a horse/ and
some of us use horses as though they were made of
imperishable stuff ; but surely, when we well consider
the subject, we shall see both the necessity and the
morality of using them with discretion."
This description of the structure of the foot will pro-
bably better enable the uninitiated to understand the
seat and nature of various ailments of that part of the
horse which are here touched upon.
Blaine further describes the construction of the hoof
thus : —
" The hoof itself is conical, or rather, as Clark observes,
slightly truncated, and is a secretion as well from the
vascular parts of the foot as from the skin, as our nails
are formed from the portion of skin called quick. The
structure of the hoof is firm and fibrous. Externally
it is plane and convex, but internally concave and
laminated. The quarters are the lateral parts. As the
horn approaches the heels it becomes soft and is re-
flected inwards. The heels are parted by the horny
~N « a,
Fig. a Fig. 4.
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 131
frog (b, fig. 3); and without, the frog on each side the
hoof inflects its fibres to form the bars which are seen
on the under surface (c, fig. 4). In a healthy foot, fig.
4, the heels are round, wide, and smooth (a, a), the frog
fully expanded, the bars or binders distinct (c, c), no
corns in the usual angle (d), the sole broad and concave
(d). In a diseased foot, fig. 3, the heels are high, and
drawn together by contraction (a, a), the frog narrow,
and filled with fissures from contraction and thrush (b),
corn frequently present (d), the sole greatly shortened
in its transverse diameter, which is morbidly counter-
balanced by the increased heights in the truncated form
(c). When the hoof is removed, the sensible or fleshy
sole (h, section of foot), above which it immediately lies,
presents itself, covering the whole of the horny sole,
except so much as is taken up by the sensible frog (h).
This part is exquisitely sensible and vascular, and thus
we learn why injuries to it from puncture produce such
serious effect, and why very slight pressure from con-
traction of the hoof gives so much pain. The sensible
frog and the sensible sole form the insensible frog and
sole; but when from pressure, too much moisture, or
other causes, the sensible frog, instead of forming horn,
secretes pus or matter as in thrush, the structure of the
whole becomes injured, and the frog, thus losing its
support, gradually wastes and decays. It is therefore
evident that no thrush can be entirely harmless, as is
erroneously supposed.
" Above the sensible frog is the great flexor tendon,
or back sinew, inserting itself into the vaulted arch of
the coffin (a, section of foot). This important tendon,
arising from its parent muscle above the knee, whose
origin is taken from the humerus and ulna, in its pas-
132 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
sage unites with an assistant flexor, but which latter is
principally distributed to the pastern bones, while the
perforans, so called because it is perforated by the as-
sistant flexor tendon, is inserted into the vault of the
coffin ; in the posterior extremities the attachments of
these two leading flexors and a smaller lateral one are
from the femur and tibia.
" The Sensible Laminw. — Around the surface of the
coffin-bone, it has been noticed that there are linear
indentations to which about five hundred fibro-cartil-
aginous leaves are attached. Each of these is received
between two of the horny lamellae, which line the in-
terior of the horny hoof ; and when it is considered
what a vast surface of attachment is formed by these
means, the strength of the union will not be wondered
at. No common violence can separate these parts, and
their use as a spring (for they are extensile) to support
the action of an animal at once weighty, strong, and
extremely agile, must be apparent.
" The vessels and nerves of the foot are derived from
the metacarpal arteries, veins, and nerves, which pass
behind the pastern, when the main trunks divide to
proceed to each side of the foot, and are ramified from
thence throughout. It is a division of the metacarpal
nerve on each side of the lesser pastern, or on each side
of the larger, as occasion suits, which forms the nerve
operation now in vogue as a remedy (?) for navicular
disease."
Laminitis, or Fever of the Feet, although generally
the result of too long a journey, or any exercise where
excessive and continuous concussion has been occa-
sioned to the feet, frequently arises from other causes.
It is often what is termed secondary, as one of the
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 133
sequelae of inflammatory diseases of a more constitutional
character. — (See "Metastasis," page 155.) The laminae
are plates (technically, semi-cartilaginous leaves received
between the horny lamellae which line the interior of
the hoof) resting on the inside of the horny hoof, and
giving an elastic support, whereby the whole weight of
the horse's structure is thrown against the wall of the
hoof and kept off the side. It is not surprising, there-
fore, that these causes should produce derangement here.
As laminitis generally attacks the fore feet, the poor
beast in his anguish endeavours to throw his weight
off them by resting on his hind quarters, which are
tucked under him, with the fore legs and feet pushed
out before him merely to keep him from falling ; he
can barely hobble if he attempts to move. If the fever
be only slight and in one foot, he will point it, while
extreme lameness and unnatural heat in the foot mark
the disease. The shoe should (in this as in all cases of
foot-lameness) be instantly removed by a smith brought
to the stable instead of giving the poor creature the
pain of limping to the forge.
The foot should be put into cold water, constantly
renewed, and kept in it all day ; at night a bran poul-
tice or water-dressing should be left on (see " Water-
dressing" and "Poultices," page 160). Also adminis-
ter a purge.
In acute cases, bleeding at the toe is sometimes prac-
tised by paring away there till the veins appear. This is
a very questionable remedy, and there is little doubt that
the use of the knife only aggravates the inflammation.
The fact is, that beyond its incipient stage none but
the veterinary surgeon is competent to deal with this
disease.
134 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
Its prevention is best secured by requiring moderate
work only, and at the proper road-paces — viz., walking
and trotting — keeping the feet moist, wetting them
occasionally during a long journey, and regularly stop-
ping them directly after each day's severe work. — See
" Grooming," page 12.
Navicular Disease is, unfortunately, a very common
one with horses ; and when the delicate structure of
the foot is considered in connection with the rough
usage the creature gets on hard roads while carrying
a heavy weight on his back, it is only surprising that
the feet bear such jarring at all.
The navicular is the small pulley-bone over which
the flexor tendon passes, and being the most active of
any of the foot-bones, is the most likely to be injured
by ill usage [see page 128). The symptoms are lame-
ness, with more or less pointing of the foot when at
rest, and heat towards the quarters of the lame foot.
Unlike laminitis, the lameness is inconsiderable at
first, and increases as the disease progresses.
Being so deep-seated, it is very difficult to cure. In
the incipient stages the most effectual remedy appears
to be the insertion of frog-setons, requiring the assist-
ance of a veterinary surgeon. In most instances the
case is hopeless, and many a fine horse is sold to limp
out a life of misery, drawing a hack cab, or, with a
refinement of cruelty, is subject to the operation of un-
nerving the foot, which, by destroying sensation in that
part, enables the animal to travel without apparent
lameness, though the disease continues to progress till
part of the foot has been known to drop off in work.
Being a result of work to which all horses are liable, no
mode of prevention can be recommended.
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 135
Lateral Cartilages. — Another ailment of the foot is
more common than is generally supposed, called " Dis-
ease of the Lateral Cartilages." It requires the skill of
an anatomist to decide upon its presence. In fact, this
and navicular disease are both very obscure in their
origin and diagnostics, and a surgeon only can properly
deal with them, as well as with all other diseases that
are not very distinctly marked, and in their early stages
not important.
Thrush. — A disease of the frog : the cleft becomes
eaten away, and a foul matter is secreted. It more fre-
quently attacks the hind than the fore feet.
By some it is said to be constitutional, but it is much
more probably the result of neglect of the foot in the
stable, the hind feet being oftener affected, from the
fact of the urine and faeces coming more immediately
under their tread.
At every shoeing or removing, the frog should be
perfectly cleared of all defective parts by the knife, and
where the disease has once manifested itself the cleft
should be kept continually stopped with tar and tow.
A return to a healthy state is likely to be tedious, there-
fore continued attention to these directions is necessary.
If a severe case, use a bar-shoe, to avoid the wear and
tear of the road, and which will also help to keep the
pledgets of tar and tow in their place. To prevent
thrush, let the litter and bedding be completely re-
moved from the horse every morning till bedtime at
night ; let the pavement be kept scrupulously clean
through the day ; attend and wash the feet, examine
them frequently, and upon the slightest sign of the dis-
ease use the remedial means.
Quittor. — This is a disease of the feet, wherein, either
136 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
from delicacy of or accident to the sole, the sensible
part becomes affected. A suppurative sinus is formed,
eating away till it often comes out at the coronet. Once
it reaches this, the animal, unless of great value, might
as well be destroyed, the restorative process being of a
most tedious and expensive character, requiring con-
tinual manipulation by a surgeon.
By careful shoeing (where nails are not driven out
of their proper direction) and a most exact examination
of the foot where any extraneous matter, such as glass,
gravel, &c, is suspected of having entered or damaged
it, quittor will most probably be avoided.
Canker seldom attacks gentlemen's horses, or well-
bred ones. It is literally a change of a portion of the
foot into a kind of fungus, sometimes commencing in
the sole, sometimes in the frogs, and is aggravated by
foul litter, bad stabling, and general bad care.
As no dressing or external application will restore
the foot without manipulation, a surgeon only can deal
with it.
Cracked and Greasy Heels. — Animals of languid cir-
culation in the extremities are more susceptible of such
diseases, which are induced and aggravated by lazy
ignorant grooms pursuing their objectionable practice
of wetting the legs, and leaving them to dry themselves.
— See page 13.
Symptoms are tumefaction and soreness of the hinder
part of the pasterns, even to fissures emitting matter.
Clip away the hair in the first instance, so as to be
able to cleanse the sore by washing it with warm water
and soft soap, drying it perfectly. Then apply glycerine
lotion (page 158).
If the sore seems likely to incapacitate the animal
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 137
from work, administer a mild aloetic purge (page 108).
Very serious consequences may result from the indolence
of grooms in neglecting this ailment. In acute cases,
the sore, eating into the tendon, produces mortification
and death. I have myself lost a valuable animal from
this disease, through the gross neglect of my grooms in
my absence.
Except in the very earliest stages, and in palpably
trifling cases, a veterinary surgeon should be consulted,
especially in what is called " grease," or matter running
from these cracks. The preventive means are, never to
allow water to your horses' legs above the coronet on
any pretence whatever, and if by accident or work they
get wet, to have them rubbed dry as promptly as
possible.
Shelly Hoofs (or splitting open of the external part
of the horny hoof). — The feet of some horses are more
subject to this disease than those of others, from the
fibrous structure being more dry with them.
This fibrous structure forming the hoof is found, on
microscopic examination, to resemble a lot of hairs all
glued together into a hardened mass, and where the
adhesive matter is of a drier character than usual, the
hoofs are more brittle. With some horses this results
in " shelly hoofs ;" they don't split, but are perpetually
breaking away. With this description of hoofs, tar is
the best possible application. Neither grease nor oil
should ever be used — these only aggravate the disease,
as on close observation they will be found to act as
powerful astringents, excluding the healthy action of
air and moisture upon the part most in need of them.
Strange to say, tar, from its pungent properties, induces
healthy action in the part, and is peculiarly adapted
138 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
to promote the growth of the fibrous structure as well
as lubricating it.
Sand- Cracks seldom go diagonally, but are either
horizontal or vertical. I shall endeavour to exemplify
the simple principle of this disease with a simple prin-
ciple of remedy, dealing with it like a split in a board
on which I desired to put an effectual stopper. In such
a case I should carefully gouge out a small hole at each
end of the split, beyond which hole the fissure would be
certain not to pass. With the hoof the same principle
can be carried out by filing an indentation directly
across each end of the crack, only taking care nGt to file
deeper than the insensible part of the hoof ; or the end
will be answered by using a red-hot firing-iron instead
of a file, taking the same precaution not to touch the
sensible part. I should also weaken along the edges of
the crack itself by rasping them down. Over the crack,
if deep, should be strapped a thin pad of tow and tar,
to induce reproduction and prevent foreign substances
from entering the fissure.
Unless by the grossest neglect, no sand-crack will
have been allowed to go beyond the reach of the fore-
going treatment, but in some cases the effect of negli-
gence and ignorance is seen in the horizontal crack
running almost round the foot. In such cases it will
generally be found that with a flat foot (inclined to
greater malformation) the toes have been suffered to
extend, shoeing after shoeing, by the smith allowing
a great accumulation of wall over the toe, until the
centre has become weakened into a fissure. Such a
state of things seldom or never occurs in a gentleman's
stable, but is to be met with among farm-horses or
those accustomed to heavy draught.
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 139
The careful strapping-up with tar and tow, which
must be constantly attended to, rest, and the indenta-
tion process, will, with time and care, effect a cure.
Sand-crack, especially the vertical, is more dangerous
and tedious the nearer it is to the coronet. This once
divided, the case becomes serious, the coronet being
very vascular, and a split here requires a great deal
of care to induce it to take on union. Unless the
closing commences at the coronet, and continues as the
hoof grows down, it will never close at all; in fact, if
the coronet be divided, it is fortunate if the crack does
not go the whole way down to the shoe. If it does
not, the lower end should be weakened by filing an
indentation at its lower extremity, weakening the sides
of the crack by rasping them, and keeping the hoof
strapped round with dressings of tar and tow, also (a
most important part of the treatment) paring away the
wall of the foot (above the shoe and immediately under
the crack) an inch — that is, half an inch on each side
of it — making as large a vacuum as can with safety to
the sensible parts of the foot be pared away, directly
under the crack and over the shoe; the object of thin
being that all parts of the wall except that under
the crack shall press on the shoe. It is obvious that
by the above means every movement of the horse, in
place of aggravation, will tend towards alleviation of
the disease, by pressing the weakened sides of the
fissure together. For the foregoing reasons, in the case
of a vertical crack the shoes had better remain on,
while in the worst cases of the horizontal crack, as its
weight round the bottom tends to weaken the centre of
the hoof where the crack is likely to be situated, it had
better be removed (or light tips worn), its absence also
140 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
enabling the wall of the hoof under the crack to be
rasped as thin as possible. In vertical cracks the use
of a bar-shoe will tend to keep the foot together (page
81).
Corns are occasioned by the inflexible shoe pressing
on that part of the sole, or possibly from friction of
the bones upon its internal surface. They present the
appearance of a red effused bruise, almost invariably
situated on the heel of the sole of the inside quarter of
the fore feet. — See illustration, fig. 3, page 130.
When neglected, they occasion severe lameness, and
go on to suppuration.
Broken knees are also frequently the result of ne-
glected corns.
A horse that is habitually properly shod is never
likely to have a corn. It arises entirely from want of
attention and judgment in the smith. The groom,
who should always stand by when a horse is shoeing,
ouo-ht to be instructed to see that the farrier with his
©
drawing-knife invariably pares out the sole at the
seat of corn ; it can be no injury whatever to the foot
when properly done, and is the best preventive of
corns. Also take proper care that the shoes are so
put on that they cannot by possibility press upon the
sole.
For prevention, keep the seat of corn well pared
away, and dress with tar, unless in the suppurating
state, when it requires poultices (page 160), and the
ordinary treatment for that state, and full rest.
Over-reach or Tread proceeds from the shoe of one
foot coming in contact with the soft or sensible part
above the hoof of the other. As the parts likely to
be affected round the coronet are full of vessels, the
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 141
simplest remedial means are the safest — viz., water-
dressing (page 160) in the first instance, and afterwards
chloride of zinc lotion (one grain to the ounce of water),
or glycerine.
Broken Knees. — Most travellers on the road know
what style of thing this is, so it is needless to describe
it.
In bad cases, where the bones are exposed, and there
is any appearance of synovia or joint -oil, place the
horse in the nearest convenient stable, and leave him
there to be attended to by a professional man as soon
as possible. When the abrasion is merely superficial,
take the animal quietly to his stable, if near.
' In any event, wash the wound with warm water,
which, if it be at all deep, should be done by squeez-
ing the water above the wound, and allowing it to run
down, as this part of the leg is very delicate and sensi-
tive, and rough handling with a cloth or sponge should
be avoided.
Afterwards apply a lotion of chloride of zinc, one
grain to the ounce of water.
Tie the creature's head up in such a way as that he
cannot possibly lie down, until the healing process has
assumed sufficient health to render it safe to allow of
the knee being used in lying down and getting up.
Give one or two mild purges, according to the time
he is laid up and the healthiness of the wound. To
promote the growth of hair, use, when the knee is per-
fectly healed, hog's lard mixed with very finely pow-
dered burnt leather to colour it ; it is as good and safe
a thing as can be employed for the purpose. Otherwise
use loeak mercurial ointment. For prevention, avoid
the use of bearing-reins in harness ; in shafts, keep the
142 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
weight off your horse's back ; keep out of the way of
ruts and stones upon the road, and be very careful of
your beast when the work you are giving him is calcu-
lated to make him leg-weary.
In riding, teach your bearer to depend on himself,
not on you : at the same time, don't leave him to him-
self altogether. Go gently round sharp turns, and don't
ride fast down-hill on the road, though on the turf or
in harness the pace may be accelerated with impunity.
Avoid inflicting sudden, injudicious, and undeserved
chastisement ; restrain starts or alarms ; have your
horses properly prepared in frosty weather ; also be
sure that the seat of corn is kept well pared out in
shoeing. If your saddle has shifted forward out of its
place, dismount and regirth it where it fits, so that
when you remount your weight will be properly placed
away from the shoulders.
When the road is the only place available to have
your horses exercised, see that your grooms put on the
knee-caps.
Splints are a well-known affection of the fore leg,
presenting the appearance of a bony protrusion along
the canon or shank, which, though unsightly, is not
very important, unless when lameness ensues.
As it is not my intention to enter into professional
technicalities in this work, I shall merely remark that,
by letting the horse continue in moderate work, though
lame, with the application of Stevens's ointment, accord-
ing to the directions accompanying it, absorption of the
bony matter will be obtained, or, at all events, it will
become so far resolved that the surrounding structures
being able to accommodate themselves to what remains
of it, their action will not be interfered with, and lame-
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 143
ness will consequently no longer appear. Veterinarians
sometimes perform a simple operation for splints which
is said to be efficacious — namely, that of dividing the
periosteum with a bistuary, the periosteum being that
membrane which encases all bones like a skin. When
this is cleverly done, there is little or no disfiguration
left. Setons also are sometimes run over the exostosis
or bony excrescence, but I deal only with simple reme-
dies. As splints cannot be prevented, being a common
result of work in young horses, the next best thing to be
done is to resolve them while in an incipient state.
Clap of the Back Sinew — i.e., inflammation of the
sheath under which the flexor tendon passes (as the
most able practitioners deny that the tendon itself can
be stretched, though it is liable to rupture about its
insertions) — is best treated, according to some, by cold
refrigerant lotions, Goulard lotion, solution of acetate
of lead, &c.
I prefer plain water-dressing (page 160) placed loosely
round the affected part of the leg, and the use of a
high-heeled shoe (page 82). When the attack is be-
yond the reach of such mild treatment, the veterinary
surgeon will probably advise blistering and firing to act
as a perpetual bandage.
Moderate work on even surfaces will be the best pre-
ventive of this disease, and having the pavement of
your stables made nearly level, as described under the
head of "Stabling" (page 8).
Wind-Galh are undue distensions of the bursse or
bags of synovia at the back and sides of the lower part
of the canon or shin intended to lubricate the adjacent
structure. Though unsightly, and no improvement to
the action of the horse, they can be reduced by external
144 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS.
absorbents (page 159), also by bandages with refrigerant
repellants, such as vinegar and water (see " Grooming,"
page 12).
Riding-Bone is an unhealthy enlargement round the
pastern above the coronet, generally in front, and may
be removed in the incipient stage by external absorbents
(page 159), beyond which a professional man had better
be consulted.
Wrench or Wrick, occasioned by accident or strain in
work over a rough path by a slip, presents generally
no external swelling or indication of suffering beyond
lameness in movement ; but on close examination, in-
flammation will be discovered by extra heat about the
part affected. Remove the shoe, give plenty of rest,
and apply water-dressing (page 160) round the affected
part. A purge may be administered, as recommended
in all cases where the animal is laid up for several days.
To avoid wrench, care should be observed in starting,
turning, and working a horse, especially on uneven
ground or when heavily laden.
Mallenders and Sallenders denote a scurvy state of
the skin inside the bend of the knees and hocks. Let
the parts be cleansed with hot water and soft soap, and
rub in equal parts of hog's lard and mercurial ointment
mixed ; if there be a positive crack or sore, use the
chloride of zinc lotion (see page 158) till healed. Keep
a good attentive groom, and see that he does his work,
as such blemishes are occasioned by carelessness and
want of cleanliness.
Spavin is like splint, a bony excrescence, but on the
lower part of the leg, at the inside of the hock towards
the front, occasioned by local derangement from over-
work of the structure.
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 145
If it does not produce lameness it had better be left
alone ; but otherwise, the horse being placed in a loose-
box, rest should be given, and treatment with absor-
bents (page 159), the use of Stevens's ointment, &c,
persisted in. A mild purge or two during the process
will be beneficial.
As in nearly all affections of the legs and feet, proper
reasonable work and due care will avert the disease or
disfigurement.
Curb is an enlargement of the tendon or its sheath
at the lower part of the back of the hock, with a good
deal of local inflammation attending it.
It is greatly occasioned by the fashion some riders
have of habitually throwing their horses back on their
hocks by severe use of the bit.
Use water-dressing to reduce inflammation, then ab-
sorbents, such as Stevens's ointment (page 159). Give
rest, &c, as directed for Spavin.
String-Halt is a well-known and only too conspicuous
defect or affection of the nerves of the hind limbs, or
emanating from the spine.
As its local origin is obscure, so also is the method
of dealing with it.
It is in no way dangerous, though unsightly, and
seriously deteriorating to the value of the animal, al-
though it is said not to interfere much with his work-
ing powers.
Capped Hock is a pursy swelling over the os calcis
or heel-bone at the end of the hock, generally produced
by kicking either in the stable or against some object
in harness, or possibly in consequence of exertion in
getting up and lying down on a scanty bed, especially
where the paving-stones are uneven.
K
146 DISEASES OF THE EEET AND LEGS.
Use hot fomentations, loose water-dressing, followed
by rubbing in iodine ointment, if necessary, for re-
duction, but this must be done with judgment and
careful observance of the effect the iodine produces.
Or, after using hot fomentations for a week, apply gas
water (which cau be obtained from any gas - works)
with a sponge dabbed on every hour during the day.
This treatment, if persisted in, is said to be very effica-
cious.
For prevention, keep a good bed for your horse to lie
on at night. See " Kicking in the Stable " (page 85)
and " Kicking-Strap " (page 58).
Tlwrongli-Pin and Bog-Spavin are, like wind-galls,
an undue distension of the bursae containing the
synovia intended to keep the surrounding parts of the
leg lubricated ; such distension interfering with the
circulation of the vein in front of the hock is de-
nominated " Blood " (or Bog) Spavin ; at the back
and sides of the hock these distensions are called
Thorough-Pin.
The treatment is with hot fomentations and gas
water, as in " capped hock," or other absorbents, espe-
cially Stevens's ointment, iodine ointment, blisters, and
actual cautery, which remedies had better be tried in
rotation, the three latter only by a practitioner ; but
unless the distensions produce lameness, it is perhaps
preferable not to meddle with them at all.
There are other diseases of the feet and legs, but
requiring very delicate definitions : they must be left
altogether to the professional man.
As a rule, in all cases where it may be considered
desirable to use stimulating or strong absorbing treat-
ment externally to cure lameness, the inflammation
FARCY. 14;
should be first fully abated by local cooling applica-
tions ; and in severe cases, purges administered before
the application of blisters or powerful absorbents.
FARCY.
This dreaded disease is, I believe, like glanders, in-
curable, and generally ends in glanders itself.
Some practitioners seem to be under the impression
that it only attacks worn-out and ill-conditioned ani-
mals ; but from personal losses and sad experience T
may venture to differ entirely from such an opinion,
and to state that I have seen horses in the finest con-
dition lost by it. No doubt feeble animals are very
liable to it, but the disease is not confined to such con-
stitutions. I have remarked that, when contracted by
high-conditioned horses, it can be traced to their being
called on occasionally to do extra work, followed by
entire rest for days together, as a sort of equivalent for
the spurt of work done, during which period of rest
(considered necessary on account of the beast's sup-
posed state of exhaustion) his powers are taxed with the
same amount of high feeding as if he were in full work.
Thus the absorbent system seems to become diseased,
and farcy-buds appear, accompanied by craving thirst,
in which case, or on the least suspicion of the disease,
reference should at once be made to a professional man.
From these buds (whence after a time matter is seen
to exude) small cords may be traced leading to other
swellings, rather serving to distinguish the early stages
of farcy from surfeit, besides that in surfeit the lumps
appear indolent and scabby.
148 EINGWOEM.
To guard against this scourge of the stable, as the
disease is contagious, be careful what company your
horses keep, and let reason be used in the working,
feeding, exercising, and general care of your stud.
What is called Water Farcy is neither dangerous
nor contagious, and arises from debility of the system,
occasioned probably by over-work and indifferent
feeding.
It is generally marked by a dropsical swelling of the
legs, mostly the hind ones. It is not common in gentle-
men's stables, where horses are less worked and better
cared for than their neighbours.
The best cure is friction to the swelling, moderate
work, and improved feeding; and give a ball twice
a- day, each dose with
Sulphate of iron, ... 2 drachms.
Powdered ginger, . . . 2 ,,
Powdered gentian, . . . 2 „
To be mixed with palm-oil or lard.
RINGWORM.
Ringworm is characterised by one or more scurfy or
scaly circular patches on the skin where the hair has
fallen off. As soon as discovered, let the parts be
washed with soap and tepid water twice a-day; and
when they have been gently but perfectly dried, apply
rather thickly the following ointment over the spots : —
Animal glycerine, . 1 ounce.
Spermaceti, . . 1 „
Iodide of lead, . . 2 drachms.
Rub the glycerine and spermaceti together, and when
SURFEIT. 149
thoroughly incorporated, add the iodide of lead ; give
also every night the following drink : —
Liquor arsenicalis, . . 1 ounce.
Tincture of muriate of iron, 1^ „
Water, .... 1 quart.
Mix. — Dose, half a pint.
Continue this drink until the disease has disappeared.
Should ulceration remain about the circumferent
edges after the central bare spot has been apparently
cured, apply to the affected circuit six times a-day per-
sistently the following lotion : —
Chloride of zinc, . 2 scruples.
"Water, ... 1 pint.
The animal should be thrown up from work during
this treatment, which may be requisite for a month, and
good food given.
Administer also a powerful alterative or two during
the course of treatment, more particularly if the case is
obstinate.*
Other practitioners recommend, with the administra-
tion of alteratives, the simple application of a solution
of nitrate of silver, 30 grains to 1 ounce of water (dis-
tilled), applied every second day to the eruptions, until
they are destroyed.
SURFEIT
is an eruption on the skin, and generally gives way, if
attended to immediately on its appearance, by relaxing
the bowels mildly, giving partly green food instead of
hay and bran mashes ; at the same time keep up the
* This treatment is recommended by Mr Mayhew.
150 SURFEIT.
strength by feeding with the best oats and a little beans,
alternately with the laxative treatment.
Should these means not suffice, or the disease become
worse, consult a medical practitioner, who will probably
administer diuretics ; or if you cannot procure a profes-
sional man, give the following excellent tonic and alter-
ative drink, recommended by Mr Mayhew : —
Liquor arsenicalis, . . 1 ounce.
Tincture of muriate of iron, 1^ „
Water, .... 1 quart.
Mix, and give daily half a pint for a dose.
Hidebound requires the same treatment as surfeit.
Mange is generally the result of insufficient food and
other privations endured at grass, and of the neglect of
the skin consequent on animals being turned out for a
time to take care of themselves.
It is highly contagious, and is now admitted to be
occasioned by an insect which is engendered in the foul
coat.
A capital wash is recommended by Mr Mayhew,
viz. : — ■
Animal glycerine, .
four parts.
Creosote,
half a part.
Oil of turpentine, .
one part.
Oil of juniper,
half a part.
About a pint and a half is said to be the quantity
required to make one dressing. Every portion of the
entire coat should be saturated with this wash, and thus
left for two clear days, when it should be washed
clean with soft soap and warm water, equal care being
taken to omit no part of the body, which should after-
wards be thoroughly dried and the coat well dressed or
whisked.
SORE BACK, WITHERS, AND SITFASTS. 151
When all is dry and clean apply a second dressing,
proceeding as directed for the first, and a third after the
two days have elapsed and the second cleaning process
has been thoroughly gone through, after which the dis-
ease ought to be eradicated. A mere disposition to
scratching is generally successfully treated by giving
bran mashes night and morning for some days, and
part green food instead of hay. Others recommend for
mange, as most successful, the following application, to
be well rubbed in once a-week all over the animal with
a stiff horse-brush : —
Barbadoes tar, . . 1 part.
Linseed oil, ... 3 parts.
To be mixed and gently warmed in a pan.
The whole of the horse's body to be thoroughly washed
with soft soap and warm water, and perfectly dried,
previous to rubbing in the foregoing application.
SORE BACK, WITHERS, AND SITFASTS,
should be carefully attended to with poultices or water-
dressing (see page 160), while a disposition to throw off
pus is present, after which the application of healing
agents (among which chloride of zinc lotion and glycer-
ine are now prominent) is the proper course, but appli-
cable only to decidedly trifling and superficial cases. It
is imperative, if a cure be desired, that no pressure
whatever from the saddle or any other cause of irrita-
tion be permitted; therefore, unless a saddler can
effectually chamber and pack the saddle so as to prevent
the possibility of its touching on or near the sore, the
saddle must not be used at all.
152 WOUNDS.
The worst and common result of sores on the back is,
that sinuses or cavities, with an almost imperceptible
orifice, insidiously eat away like poll-evil into the more
important part of the adjacent structure. Here the aid
of the veterinary surgeon is indispensable.
(Being myself acquainted with, anatomy, I used to get a depend-
ing orifice as near as possible to the bottom of the sinus (as dis-
covered with a probe) by a bistuary, laying the sinus open all the
way ; or if the direction were rather superficial, by the insertion of
a seton-needle about the width of the sinus, run out at bottom,
leaving the seton in to direct the discharge. The latter operation,
if carefully conducted, is decidedly the simplest and best when prac-
ticable.)
For prevention of sore back avoid injurious pressure
from an ill-fitting saddle ; also removing it too quickly
from the back of a heated animal (see " Work," page
37). Pressure of the terret-pad (see page 59), or of the
roller from not being properly chambered over the ridge
of the back (see page 19), must also be carefully guarded
against.
WOUNDS,
if deep or dangerous, should meet with the immediate
attention of a surgeon, as none but anatomists should
deal with them. Generally speaking, the loss of a mo-
derate quantity of blood is rather beneficial than other-
wise, tending to avert inflammation. Where water-
dressing (see page 160) can be applied, nothing is better
in the first instance ; and when the wound is fairly
cleansed and evidently healing, the chloride of zinc
lotion (see page 158) will advance that process and help
to dry it up. When the surface is perfectly healed and
a new skin formed, the growth of the hair will be pro-
CRIB-BITING AND WIND- SUCKING. 153
moted by the application of hog's lard coloured with
very finely powdered burnt leather.
MEGRIMS OR EPILEPSY
may proceed from the effects of the sun in very hot
weather, from congestion of the blood-vessels of the
brain and head, or from disordered stomach or indiges-
tion. The horse when at work suddenly evinces a dis-
inclination to proceed, appears bothered, and shows un-
accountable perverseness — sometimes staggers and falls.
Release him at once from whatever work he may be at ;
if the cause can be descried, treat in the most reason-
able way accordingly. If the illness is supposed to
proceed from the heat of the sun or congestion of the
head, dash water on the head and keep it enveloped in
cold wet cloths ; also cool the system by aperients, giv-
ing rest for some time. If from indigestion, repeated
mild aperients should be administered.
It is a strange fact known to those who are experi-
enced on the road, that these fits are seldom or never
taken during work at night. When such attacks are
habitual the animal is only fit for farm- work.
CRIB-BITING AND WIND-SUCKING.
Some able veterinarians declare these habits to be
the result of an endeavour to eject acidity from the
stomach as the horse cannot vomit, while others com-
pare it to the human belch. It is almost impossible to
cure a crib-biter ; the only thing that can be done is,
to palliate and prevent it, which is essential, as the
154 CRIB-BITING AND WIND-SUCKING.
habit is not only injurious to the horse himself , but one
that, strange to say, is most readily imitated by his
companions ; in whatever stable such an animal may
be, the others are liable to become crib-biters.
By leaving a lump of rock-salt in horses' mangers
many ailments may be averted. Licking it is a re-
source to them in their hours of solitary confinement.
In the present instance a lump of chalk might be
added, for the animal to amuse himself at any moment
that he is left without a muzzle (which should be made
for him by an experienced saddler, and constantly
used). The chalk being essentially antacid, is decidedly
useful if the habit is supposed to result from acidity.
As the muzzle should not be left off for any length
of time, the food should be prepared to be taken up
in the most rapid form — viz., a small quantity of chaff
to bruised oats. When the beast finds by experience
that his feeding-time is limited, with starvation for the
alternative, he will probably prefer his food to gnawing
the iron during the short space allowed him without
his muzzle. A simple remedy sometimes used with
good effect is, keeping a tightened strap round the
creature's neck when he is not feeding ; and I have
known the covering of every portion of the stall within
Iris reach with rabbit or sheep skins, the hair outside,
to effectually check a crib-biter for the time being, — the
habit being resumed, however, on his removal to an-
other stall."
* A few of the low class of horsedealers are very clever at passing
off a cribber or wind-sucker.
I have known cases where one might remain in a stable for hours
with a cribber and not detect him. By keeping a continual watch
over the animal and thrashing him directly he attempts to crib, he
has been taught to beware of transgressing in this style in the
METASTASIS. 155
METASTASIS.
As this term is frequently used by practitioners, it
may be well to explain that it is a Greek word signify-
ing a removal from one place to another, employed as
a technical designation in describing a change of the
seat of disease from one part of the animal structure
to another, which is by no means uncommon : for
instance, when the feet are attacked with fever, that
malady will appear to remove itself to some other and
probably distant part, and fix itself on the lungs or
other viscera, the same way that inflammation of the
lungs and other parts of the upper structure will change
amongst themselves, or from their own seat of disease
to the feet/" I have even known superpurgation (occa-
presence of any one, and thus even a veterinary surgeon may be
deceived, for he is not supposed to lose his time looking after such
details of trickery.
* For example, an animal is in nearly a hopeless state from in-
flammation of the lungs and pleura, perhaps as a complication of
distemper. Suddenly there is an amelioration in the symptoms ;
the hurried breathing resumes the characteristics of ordinary re-
spiration — the owner, or veterinary surgeon in attendance, pro-
nounces the patient to be out of danger — the improvement is re-
garded as almost miraculous. But in about twenty-four hours,
often less, the horse is observed to move with difficulty in the
stable ; if he lies down, he is disinclined to get up ; when standing,
the fore feet are kept considerably more in advance than usual,
the hind ones far forward under the body, so that they may as
much as possible relieve the fore feet and legs from the superin-
cumbent weight. In aggravated cases, as the heels of the fore feet
are the parts which bear the most weight in progression, the horse,
when forced to walk, which he can only accomplish with great
difficulty, elevates the toe at every step, bringing the heel, instead
of it, to the ground. The horse'is then suffering from acute lamin-
itis, or what is more generally in horse-parlance termed "founder."
156 SETONS.
sioned, in a pair of horses, by undue, but not severe
work when under the irritation of the medicine) to
cause fever of the feet, by a metastasis, changing the
seat of irritation from the internals to the extremities —
a very palpable case in point.
SETONS.
The insertion of a seton properly belongs to the pro-
fessional man, and only for the guidance of persons
who, from living in remote neighbourhoods or other
causes, cannot possibly procure the assistance of such,
the following information is inserted, in order to obviate
the necessity for some ignorant farrier being permitted
to perform the operation after his own fashion. The
skin is first divided, by surgical scissors made for sucli
purposes, to the width of the seton-needle to be used,
which must be wide or narrow, according to the orifice
required, with white linen tape passed through its eye,
about the same width as the needle and orifice. The
needle is then inserted at the opening, and, passing
superficially under the skin, is directed towards the
point where the lower or depending orifice is intended
to be, and where the needle and tape are drawn out.
Sufficient tape must be left at each extremity to admit
not only of its being tied round small rolls of tow
which keep the tape from running through at either
side, but some inches of the tape should be left in ad-
dition at one end, to allow of a portion being drawn out
at one orifice each day, and a fresh piece with dressing
being drawn in at the other.
In cases where there is already an upper orifice with
SETONS. 157
sinuses, the surgeon (if he does not lay the place entirely
open with a knife, which, if the sinuses are deep-seated,
he will do) will insert the seton-needle at such orifice,
no incision with the scissors being necessary, the direc-
tion of the sinuses having been first ascertained by the
careful use of the probe. The dressing to be applied
to the tape will be either chloride of zinc lotion, Venice
turpentine, or tincture of arnica lotion (see " Lotions"),
according as the healing or discharging process may
be desired, the first being the healing application.
Farriers attempting this operation will even now adopt
an old and most objectionable practice of tying the two
ends of the seton-tape together, and turning it round
at each fresh dressing ; the consequence being that, if
anything happen to catch in the loop thus made, the
whole piece of skin may be dragged out.
LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, &c.
AS A RULE, ALL VOLATILE OILS OIL TINCTURES SHOULD BE
ADMINISTERED IN COLD WATER, OR LIQUID.
Strong Healing Lotion. — Chloride of zinc, two
scruples ; water, one pint.
Weaker, as for Sore Mouth, §c. — Chloride of zinc,
one scruple ; water, one pint.
To encourage Pus, and heal subsequently. — Tincture
of arnica, one ounce ; water, one pint.
To keep off Flies from Wounds or Bruises. — Apply a
rag dipped in solution of tar.
Glycerine Lotion. — Glycerine, half pint ; chloride of
zinc, half ounce ; water, six quarts.
To abate External Inflammation. — Vinegar, two
ounces ; Goulard lotion, one ounce ; water, two pints.
Liniment for the Neck in Cold and Distemper, Sore
Throat, fyc. — One part spirit of turpentine, two parts
oil, mixed, or equal parts of each, and rubbed in once
or twice daily.
Purges. — A mild purge is composed of — aloes, four
drachms ; extract of gentian, two drachms.
A very mild Laxative Drench. — Castor-oil, three
ounces ; linseed-oil, two ounces ; warm gruel, one pint
— Mix
LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, ETC. 159
Of linseed-oil alone the ordinary dose is one pint.
If ineffectual, to be repeated, with the addition of
twenty drops of croton-oil.
Alterative Ball (for surfeit and skin diseases). —
Cream of tartar, half drachm ; nitre, two drachms ;
flowers of sulphur, half ounce — Mix in mass.
External Absorbents. — Iodine ointment and tincture,
Stevens's ointment,' 55 ' water-dressing.
Restoratives or Renovators — Drenches. — A quart of
stout, morning or evening; hay- tea, when mashes are
refused ; gruel properly prepared (page 161) and lin-
seed mashes (page 22).
Soothing Drench in Colic. — Sulphuric ether, one
ounce; laudanum, one ounce; linseed-oil, one pint.
Astringent Drenches (for diabetes). — Diluted phos-
phoric acid, one ounce; chilled water, one pint.
Or — Oak-bark, one ounce ; alum, quarter ounce ;
camomile tea, one pint — Made into a drench.
Feeding on old hay is generally effectual to check
purging.
Clysters^ (for diarrhoea, dysentery, or over-purgation).
— Laudanum, one ounce — Mixed in three pints warm
thin starch, repeated every half-hour, as long as neces-
sary. (The above is soothing and astringent.)
(For inflammation of the bladder or kidneys.) — In-
jections of warm linseed-tea constantly repeated. ;
(For dysentery.) — Injections of cold linseed-tea.
(For colic.) — Injection of one pint of turpentine
* Prepared and sold by Mr H. R. Stevens, V.S., 8a Park Lane,
London, W., and all chemists.
t The use of the clyster syringe by unskilled hands is very dan-
gerous — serious injury to the rectum being the common result ;
therefore great caution should be used to insert the pipe (well
greased) slowly and not too high up the channel.
160 LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, ETC.
mixed in two quarts of hot soap-suds. (Soothing and
laxative.)
Ointment (to recover hair). — Equal parts hogs' lard
and mercurial ointment, with very finely poivdered
burnt leather to colour it.
Poultices are made of bran or linseed-meal, with
boiling water, and applied as hot as bearable. They
are seldom used except for the feet, in which cases the
leather shoe is useful.
Water-dressing (for sores, &c.) — Pads of linen kept
continually fully saturated with water, and entirely
over them is kept fixed a waterproof covering of oiled
silk or calico (gutta-percha is too liable to tear), to pre-
vent evaporation. The pads should be changed every
three or four hours, and cleansed where they are in-
tended to promote effusion of matter.
For Acidity. — A lump of chalk kept in the manger.
For General Health. — A lump of rock-salt always in
the manger.
For Worms. — One to two grains of arsenic and
twenty grains of kamela twice daily (each dose mixed
in a handful of wet bran, and given with oats or other
feeding) for eighteen days, and a purge the nineteenth
morning. The horse may get moderate work during
the administration of the powders. Or, common salt,
a tablespoonful daily, to be mixed with the food.
Strong Mustard Blister. — For cases of acute inflam-
mation, mustard to be made into a paste, eight ounces;
oil of turpentine, two ounces — To be well rubbed into
the chest or belly in severe inflammation.
Blisters should never be applied to a horse's four legs
at the same time, as is the practice with some farriers.
Two legs only should be blistered at once, and an in-
LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, ETC. 161
terval of three or four days suffered to elapse before the
application of the remaining blisters. The animal's
head should be tied up for at least thirty hours after
the blister is put on, to prevent his gnawing the part ;
but if a cradle round the neck can effect the same pur-
pose in cases where other parts are blistered, its use is
preferable to tying up the head.
Sedative. — To allay excitement after a wound, &c. :
tincture of aconite, ten to twenty drops, in drench of
one pint of water with chill off.
To make Gruel. — Mix well a pound of oatmeal in a
quart of cold water ; put this mixture in a stew-pan
containing three quarts of boiling water, stir all well
over the fire till it becomes thick, then leave it aside to
cool sufficiently to be eatable.
Disinfectant. — As it will perhaps be useful to any
proprietor of horse-flesh, who may unfortunately have
had contagious disease in his stables, such as farcy or
glanders, to know how premises should be disinfected
according to the most approved means, the following
recommendations of Government for purifying the holds
of ships, during the prevalence of rinderpest, are ap-
pended : —
Suggestions for Disinfecting Holds of Ships. — The
Government has issued the following circular to the
shipowners and veterinary inspectors of Irish ports.
It must not be forgotten that the importation of raw
hides is still permitted.
" 23c? August 1SC5.
" The usual means had recourse to for the purpose of disin-
fecting the holds of vessels (such as washing and subsequently
applying diluted disinfecting solutions, the most generally used
L
162 LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, ETC.
of which is chloride of lime), do not possess sufficient efficacy,
particularly within the limited time that can be devoted to that
purpose, without interfering with the commercial interests of
the vessels.
" It would occupy too much time to carefully scour and after-
wards apply a disinfecting fluid to the entire surface of a ship's
hold, in which, generally, there are many crevices and parts
that cannot be reached by the hand or brush. Such crevices
and parts are capable of retaining the contagious and infectious
principles in all their virulence.
"Holds of vessels, and all other chambers from which the
external air can be excluded for a time, can be, comparatively
speaking, most effectually disinfected by filling them with
chlorine gas, the great disinfecting principle of chloride of lime.
The gas insinuates itself into every chink, crevice, and part of
the chamber in which it is confined, and more effectually de-
composes the contagious and infectious compounds, whether
they be solid, fluid, or aeriform, than any other disinfectant
equally easy of application, and as cheap. The mode of disin-
fecting the hold of a vessel with chlorine is, to place a quantity
of common salt and black oxide of manganese in a strong basin,
which may be put into a bucket, to the handle of which a rope
has been attached. Pour on the salt and black oxide of man-
ganese their combined weight of sulphuric acid ; then let the
bucket containing the basin a little way down into the hold by
the rope attached to its handle. The chlorine gas, being heavier
than the atmospheric air, will quickly displace the latter and
fill the hold. In a short time, when the hold has become filled
with chlorine, the hatches may be battened down for about half
an hour.
" Previous to using the hold again for live freight, a current
of air should be admitted through it to remove the chlorine.
' ' Many recommend the use of charcoal ; but it is not alone
more difficult of application, but it is much less of a disinfectant
than a deodoriser. Charcoal will not, like the chlorides, decom-
pose the matter of disease. If the damp matter of glanders, or
sheep-pox, be well mixed with a strong solution of chloride of
lime, it will seldom produce bad effects by inoculation ; but if
pure charcoal of any kind be used, the contagious principle of
the diseased matter is not at all diminished in its virulence —
LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, ETC. 163
quite the contrary ; similar results are found if cow-pox be the
matter used in the experiment.
" The cost of the readiest materials for the production of
chlorine gas is very trifling. The salt is not |d. per pound ;
black oxide of manganese but 4d. per pound ; and sulphuric
acid l|d. per pound. These are the retail prices. A couple of
pounds weight of each would suffice for a large-sized hold.
"The attention of the customs, shipowners, and veterinary
inspectors is directed to the above disinfecting means.
(Signed) " Hugh Ferguson,
Her Majesty's Veterinary Surgeon,
Principal Government Veterinary Inspector, Ireland."
INDEX.
Page
Absorbents 159
Absorbent system 106
Acidity 160
Aconite, tincture of 161
Age, to judge of. 3
Ale and porter 24, 37
Alteratives 159
Ambling or pacing 34
American stabling 18
American carriages 74
Arabian horses 95
Arnica lotion 157, 158
Arsenic 124, 160
Auction 6, 89
Axle-boxes 74
Backing 71
Back-raking 122
Back, sore 38, 151
Ball, manner of giving 104
Bandaging 14
Bark of oak 159
Beans and pease 20, 21
Bearing-rein 63, 141
Bedding 9, 10, 27, 38
Belladonna 127
Belly-band, caution 59
Bits 38, 62, 70
Bladder, inflammation
of 127, 159
Bleeding Ill
Blinkers 62, 70
Blisters and absorbents 159, 160
Blood 94
Page
Board ship 24, 104
Boot of leather 19
Bran mash 22
Break carriage 5, 30
Breaking or training 29
Breaking to harness 30
Breastplate 48
Breeding 1, 93
Bridling 38
Britching 58
Broken knees 141
Broken wind 119
Bronchitis 113
Bruised oats 21
Brushing 78
Buying 6
Calkins or cogs 80, 82
Calomel 125
Canker 136
Cantering 33, 52
Capped hock 145
Caprice 90
Carriages 73, 75
Carrots 23
Casting 102
Cavalry remounts 47
Cavesson 33
Chat! 10, 154
Chain fastenings 17
Chalk 15, 154,160
Chifneybit 42
Chloride of zinc 158
Chloroform 102
INDEX.
165
Clap of the back sinew 143
Cleaning in-doors 12, 13
Climate 95
Clipping 16
Clothing 18
Clysters 159
Clysters, danger of
using 15, 159
Cold and influenza 110
Colic and gripes 108, 121
Colic drench 159
Collar 60
Colour 2
Contagion 26, 112, 116
Contractors 25
Corns 79, 131, 140
Costiveness 123
Cough 115
Conpling-rein 56
Cracked and greasy heels 136
Crib-biting 153
Croton-oil 108, 159
Crupper 46, 63
Curb 145
Dandriff. 14
Dealers 6, 7
Diabetes 123
Diabetes drench 159
Diarrhoea or dysentery. . .120, 159
Digestive organs, diseases of 120
Diseases 101
Disinfectants 113, 161
Diuretics, and danger of 126
Dogs and cats 11
Dragoons 36, 47, 48, 50
Drainage 8
Draught or traction 58, 72
Drench, way of giving 105
Driving 65
Dumb jockey 30
Dysentery 120, 159
Exercising 31, 107
Exhibitions 94, 97
Eyes, sore 110
Fairs 7
Falling in harness 70
Farcy 26,107,147
Febrifuges 117
Feeding 20
Feeding on board ship 24
Feet, diseases of 127
Fencing 53
Fever of the feet, or
laminitis 132, 133, 155
Fits 117, 153
Flooring 10, 143
Fomentations 146
Foot, construction of 128
Foot-stopping 13, 38
French horses 1, 2, 96
Frosting 80
Gas water 146
Girthing 44
Glanders 26, 109
Glycerine 158
Goulard lotion 158
Grazing 26
Grey powder 115
Gripes 108, 121
Grooming 12
Grooms' doctoring 12
Grooms' requisites 15
Gruel, how to make 161
Hack for draught 5
Hack to ride 3
Halter-cast 17
Haltering 16
Hames 58, 61
Harnessing 56
Harness-room 56
Hay 21
Head, diseases of 109
Head-stall 16
Heels, cracked or greasy 136
Hidebound 150
Hills, to ascend or descend 67, 68
Hood 18
Horse shows 94, 97
Hunter 5, 94
Inflammation of bladder 125, 159
Inflammation of kidneys 125
Inflammation of lungs... 114, 155
Influenza 110
Indian gram 22
Iodine ointment 159
Irish hunters 93
Jibbers 71, 87
Jumping 53
166
INDEX.
Kicking in harness 59, 71, 85
Kicking in stable 85
Kicking-strap 31, 59
Kidneys, inflammation of..... 125
Knee-caps 19, 31
Knees, broken 141
Lameness 55, 78, 128, 140
Lampas 119
Latches, danger of 10
Lateral cartilage, disease of... 135
Laudanum 121, 159
Laxatives 158
Leather boot 19
Leather soles 82
Legs, diseases of 127
Light 9
Liniments 158
Linseed mash 22
Linseed-oil 108, 158
Litter 9, 135
Liver, diseases of. 125
Logs to head, tie 17
Loose-boxes 9
Lotions 141, 158
Loungeing or ringing 33, 84
Lungs, inflammation of 114, 155
Mallenders and sallenders .
Mane ,
.144
. 14
.150
Mangers 10
Martingals 40
Mash, to make 22
Megrims 153
Mercurial ointment 141, 160
Mercury. — See Calomel.
Metastasis 155
Mounting of lady in side-
saddle 55
Mustard blister 160
Navicular disease 7, 134
Neck, sore 31
Nitre 117, 126
Nose, discharge from, or
nasal gleet 110, 116
Noseband 42, 63
Numna or sweat-cloth 38
Oak bark j59
Oats, bruised 21
Ointments 141, 160
Operations 102
Operations, slight 104
Opium, tincture of 121, 123
Out of doors, cleaning 12, 13
Over-reach or tread 140
Pace, generally considered 34, 96
Partitions 10
Pavement 9, 10, 11, 143
Pease 20, 22
Peat or tan as bedding 10, 27
Phosphoric acid 124, 159
Picker 13,15
Pole-chains and swinging-
bars 73
Poll-evil 17, 117
Porter and ale 24, 37
Poultices 160
Private purchase 7, 90
Prizes 94,97
Public troughs 26
Pulse 109
Purges 108, 158, 159
Purging 106
Purging, to stop 108, 121
Putting to, indraught 57
Quittor 135
Kace-horses 1, 6
Racing laws 97
Racks and mangers 10
Rarey's system 28, 102
Rearing up 52, 86
Restoratives, in work 24, 37
Riding 49
Ringing or loungeing 33
Ring-bone 144
Ring- worm 148
Rollers 19, 152
Roughing and frosting 80
Runaways 71
Saddling 43
Sallenders 144
Salt 15,125,154, 160
Sand-cracks 138
Saving-collar 30, 61
Sedative 161
Selecting •. 2
Selling 89
INDEX.
167
Setons 152, 156
Sex 3
Shape 1, 3, 5,6, 94
Sheet, shape 18
Shelly hoofs 137
Shipboard 24, 104
Shivering fits 117
Shoeing 75
Shying 88
Side-saddle, for mounting
lady to 55
Side-saddle and girths 44, 45
Singeing 15
Sitfasts 151
Size 1,2,72, 95
Skin diseases 148, 149, 150
Smelling, sense of 89
Solitude 11, 93
Sore back 38, 151
Sore eyes 110
Sore heels 136
Sore mouth 24, 158
Sore neck 31
Sore throat 118
Sore withers 38, 151
Soundness 5
Spavin, blood !.146
Spavin, bone 144
Splinter and swinging bars ... 73
Splints 142
Stable requisites 15
Stabling 8
Staggers 153
Staling, profuse 123
Stalls 9
Steaming the head 112
Stevens's ointment 142, 145, 159
Stirrup irons and leathers 45, 46
Stonehenge 11, 30
Stones on the road 13, 40, 55
Stopping feet 13, 38, 76, 134
Strain of back
sinew 11, 14, 82, 143
Strangles 118
Straw 9,10
String-halt 145
Stubbornness 71, 87
Stumbling 40, 52
Surfeit 147, 149
Sweating 32
Synovia 141, 143, 146
Tar 15,135,138,140,158
Teeth 3, 24,116
Terret-pad and belly-
band 59, 61
Tinctures, administration of 158
Tips 83
Thorough-pin 146
Throat-lash or band 43
Throat, sore 118
Thrush 15, 131, 135
Traces 57
Training 28
Travelling 36, 84
Troop-horses 47, 50
Trotting 34
Turpentine 157, 158
Twitch 75, 104
Unnerving •. 7, 134
Urinary organs, diseases
of. 125,127,159
Ventilation,
8, 18, 102, 109, 112, 115, 118
Vice 84
Vinegar 144, 158
Walking exercise 32
Warranty 5, 7
Water, externally 12, 136
Water-dressing 160
Water farcy 148
Watering 25
Wheels 73
Whip 65
Wind-galls 14, 143
Wind-sucking 153
Withers, sore 38, 151
Work 33
Worms 28, 124, 160
Worm-powder 124
Wounds 152
Wrick or wrench 144
Yellows 125
Young horses 94, 97
Zinc, chloride of 158
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Vol. I. The Glenmutchkin Railway.— Vanderdecken's Message Home.— The
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tar. — The Iron Shroud.
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Wellington Hurst.— Christine : A Dutch Story.— The Man in the Bell.
Vol. VII. My English Acquaintance.— The Murderer's Last Night. — Narration
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Willis, B.D.— The Wags.— The Wet Wooing : A Narrative of '9S — Ben-na-
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Vol. VIII. The Surveyor's Tale. By Professor Aytoun.— The Forrest Race
Romance. — Di Vasari : A Tale of Florence. — Sigismund Fatello. — The
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Haunters.— The Duellists.
Vol. XL TheNatolian Story-Teller.— The First and Last Crime. — John Rintoul.
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Vol. XII. Tickler among the Thieves ! — The Bridegroom of Barna. — The Invol-
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POETICAL WORKS OF THOMAS AIRD.
Fourth Edition. In 1 vol. fcap. Svo, 6s.
POEMS.
By the Lady FLORA HASTINGS. Edited by her Sister, Second Edition,
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THE POEMS OF FELICIA HEMANS.
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THE ODYSSEY OF HOMER.
Translated into English Verse in the Spenserian Stanza. By PHILIP STAN-
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WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS. 11
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THE COURSE OF TIME: A POEM.
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POEMS AND BALLADS OF SCHILLER.
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ST STEPHEN'S;
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field — Carteret — Chatham — Pitt — Fox — Burke— Sheridan— Wilberforce—
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THE PHYSICAL ATLAS OF NATURAL PHENOMENA.
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A GEOLOGICAL MAP OF EUROPE.
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Geological Survey of Great Britain and Ireland ; and JAMES NICOL,
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GEOLOGICAL AND PALjEONTOLOGICAL MAP OF THE
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GEOLOGICAL MAP OF SCOTLAND.
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INTRODUCTORY TEXT-BOOK OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.
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THE PAST AND PRESENT LIFE OF THE GLOBE:
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of have the facts and phenomena of biology been presented in at once so systematic and succinct a form,
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WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS. 13
THE GEOLOGICAL EXAMINATOR:
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THE GEOLOGY OF PENNSYLVANIA:
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the Coal-Fields of North America and Great Britain. By Professor HENRY
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PHYSIOLOGY OF COMMON LIFE.
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NARRATIVE OF THE EARL OF ELGIN'S MISSION TO
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NOTES ON NORTH AMERICA:
Agricultural, Economical, and Social. By Professor J. F. W. JOHNSTON.
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14 BOOKS PUBLISHED BY
THE ROYAL ATLAS OF MODERN GEOGRAPHY.
In a Series of entirely Original and Authentic Maps. By A. KEITH
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INDEX GEOGRA PHICUS :
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ATLAS OF SCOTLAND.
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WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS. 15
THE BOOK OF THE FARM.
Detailing the Labours of the Farmer, Farm-Steward, Ploughman, Shepherd,
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for Students in Practical Agriculture. By HENRY STEPHENS, F.R.S.E.
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" The best book. I have ever met with. " — Professor Johnston.
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A CATECHISM OF PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE.
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