i^-<'- iA'''/*^ A M 5^ (■^^a. .^^ JOHN A. SEAVERNS *%?, ■^TT*?** > .t»A ( MANNING'S HO^SE BOOK COMPRISING FACTS CONCERNING THE VARIOUS BREEDS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS, BREAKING, TRAINING, SHELTERING, BUYING, SELLING, GENERAL CARE, AND ALL DISEASES TO WHICH THEY ARE SUBJECT THE CAUSES, HOW TO KNOW, AND WHAT TO DO ; GIVEN IN PLAIN, SIMPLE LANGUAGE, AND WITH DIRECTIONS THAT ARE EASILY UNDERSTOOD, EASILY APPLIED, AND REME- DIES THAT ARE WITHIN REACH OF THE PEOPLE. ALSO, THE RECENT, APPROVED, HUMANE METHODS FOR THE PREVENTION OF ANY DISEASE, AND RESTORATION OF HEALTH. CAREFULLY PREPARED, AFTER A RIPE EXPERIENCE OF TWENTY-FIVE YEARS IN STOCK-RAISING AND AN EXTENSIVE PRACTICE IN VETERINARY SURGERY, J. RUSSELL MANNING, M. D., V. S. FULLY ILLUSTRATED. PHILADELPHIA, PA. : HUBBARD PUBLISHING COMPANY. Copyrisrht, by HtiBBAKD Brothebs, 1882; iTABLE OF CONTENTS. ]X CHAPTER IX. BENEFITS OF KIND AND CAREFUL TREATMENT. L Abusing a Faithful Servant. — II. What are Barbarities.— III. A Picture from Life. — TV. Tk* Other Side. — V. A Good Farmer's Surroundings. — VI. Farmer Unthrift's Farm. — VII. Hit Home.— VIII. The Careful Man's Theory.— IX. Using the Means We Have.— X. An Infalli We Rule 141 CHAPTER X. HOW TO BUY. I. How to Get Correct Information. — II. The Buyer Must Know What He Wants. — III. Propor» tions of the Horse.— IV. The Cleveland Bay for Profit.— V. The Light Harness Horse.— VI. Saddle Horses of all Gaits.— VII. The High-Bred Hunting Horse.- VIII. Racing Horses.— IX. What the Racer Should be.— X. To Avoid Vices and Defects ; How to Detect.— XI. Other Faults and Imperfections -.. . 166 CHAPTER XI. HOW TO BUY, CONTINUED. L Buying Cheap Horses.— II. Color, in relation to Value.— III. Action.— IV. Fast walking Horses.- V. What a Horse should be.— VI. What Constitutes Unsoundness.— VII. Defini- tiou of Unsoundness.- VIII. Illustration of Form and Symmetry.— IX. The Body and Limbs. — X. The Body as Standing Facing You. — XI. Front View of Fore-quarters. — Show- ing Different Bad Conformations.— XII. The Hind-quarters.— XIII. The View from Behind.— XIV. What Not to Buy.— XV. Buying for Blood ITS CHAPTER XII. RACING, OR TURF HORSES. L Early History of the English Blood Horse.— II. How He was Improved.— III. The Amerimn Blood Horse.- IV. Celebrated American Horses.— V. History of Their Performances.— VI. Training to Trotting — 19» DISEASES OF THE HORSE. THEIR CAUSES ; HOW TO KNOW THEM, AND HOW TO CURE THEM. CHAPTER I. I. Introduction.'II. External Manifestation of Disease 3M CHAPTER II. DISEASES OF THE SKIN AND SUB-CUTANEOUS TISSUES. l- Scratches.— n. Grease.— m. Thrush.— IV. Swelled Ankles.— V. Swelled Legs.— VI. Snrfttt. VU. Mange.— VIU. Ring-worm.— IX. Hide-bound. —X. Saddle Galls, or Sitfasts.- XI. Fun- jouBCoUar Ttunor.— XJI. Warts.- XIII. Vermin. -~XIV. Larva in the Skin.— XV. Tetter. « XVI. Rat-tailB.— XVn. Mallenders andSallenders.-XVIH. PoU-evil.— XIX. Fistula Mf CHAPTER III. DISEASES OF THE GLANDS AND NASAL MEMBRANES. I OUnders.—II. Farcy —HI. Diatemper.— IV. Nasal Gleet.— V. Na«a? Polypas 46i6 X TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. DROPSICAL AFFECTIONS. I. Dropsy of the Heart.— n. Dropsy of the Brain.— Til. Dropsy of the Chest.— IV. Dropsy of the Skis of the Chest.— y. Dropsy of the Scrotum.— VI. Dropsy of the Abdomen $ti CHAPTER V. DISEASES OF THE THROAT, CHEST, AND LUNGS. I Chest Founder. — II. Bronchitis. — III. Pneumonia, or Inflammation of the Lungs.— IV. Con« sumption.— V. Pleurisy.— VI. Colds.- VII. Enlarged Glands.- VIII. Swelled Throat. —LK. Chronic Cough.— X. Malignant Epidemic— XI. Dilficulty of Breathing.— XII. Broken Wind, Bellows, Heaves.— XIII. Influenza.— XIV. Pink Eye.— XV. Bleeding from the Nose.— XVI Strangles.— XVII. Spasmodic Action of the Glottis and Epiglottis ~ 336 CHAPTER VI. DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 1. iSonr Stomach. "^n. Colic— III. TheBot.— IV. Inflammation and Rupture of the Colon. —V. In- flammation and Bleeding of the Rectum. — VI. Spontaneous Salivation. — VII. Inflanunstion of the Stomach. — VIII. Soreness and Itching of the Anus. — ^IX. Chronic Gastritis.- X. Spasm of the Diaphragm. — XI. Rupture of the Stomach. — XII. Gk>rged Stomach. — XIII. Inflammation of the Peritoneum.— XIV. Strangulation of the Intestines.— XV. Functional Diseases of the Liver. ~-XVI. Parasites which Affect the Intestines. — XVII. Diarrhoea (44. CHAPTER VII. DISEASES OF THE LIVER, URINARY ORGANS, &C. I. Jaundice. — II. Enlargement of the Spleen. — III. Inflammation of the Kidneys.— IV. Proftase Staling, or Diabetes. — V. Bloody Urine, or Haematuria. — VI. Thick and Albuminous Urine. — VU. White or Lime Urine. — VIII. Gravel, or Stone in the Bladder. — IX. Suppression of the Urine.— X. Inflammation of the Bladder.— XI. Foul Sheath.— XII. Rupture of the Bladder.— XUI. Spasm of the Urethra.— XIV. Inflammation of the Organs of Generation 365> CHAPTER VIII. DISEASES OF THE TEETH AND SIOUTH. I. Teething, or Dentition.— II. Shedding Teeth.— Ill Blind Teeth.— IV. Decay ol the Teeth.— V. Scurvy.— VI. Stump-sucking, or Crib-biting. — VII. Lampas. — VIII. Inflammation in and Around the Teeth.— IX. Slavering.— X. Inflammation of the Tongue. — XI. Sharp and Project- ing Teeth.— XII. Scald Mouth.— XIII. Aptha.— XIV. Inflammation of the Parotid Gland.— XV. Fistula of the Parotid Duct 37*= CHAPTER IX. DISEASES OF THE HEART, BLOOD, Ac. I. Thumps.- n. Scrofula. — III. Fever, or General Inflammation.— IV. Enlargement of the Heart. —V. Fatty Degeneration of the Heart.— VI. Enlargement of the Arteries.-VII. Inflammauon •f the Jugular Vein.— VIII. Inflammation of the Absorbents.— IX. Scarlatina aM CHAPTER X. DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. I. Ilydrophobia, or Rabies.— 11. Mad Staggers, or Phrenitis.— III. Blind Staggers, Megrims, »» Vertigo.— IV. Apoplexy, or Sleepy Staggers.— V. Abscess within the Brain 399^ TABLE OF CONTENTS. xi CHAPTER XI. '^"' DISEASES OF THE MUSCLES AND TENDONS. I. Blood Sparin.—n. Bog Spavin.— HI. Curb.— IV. Thorough-pin.— V. Tetanus, or Lockjaw.— VI. Cramps.— VII. Khcumatism.— VIII. String-halt ^| CHAPTER XII. DISEASES OP THE EYE. I. Ktturally Weak Eyes.— II. Sore Eye-lids.— III. Moon eyes.— IV. Cataract.— V. Hooks or Inflammation of the Haw.— VI. Dimness of Vision.— VII. Worms in the Eye.— VIII. Par. ulent Ophthalmia. — IX. Fungoid Tumors in the Substance of the Eye. — X. Impediment ia the Lachrymal Duct. — XI. Gutta Serena „„. 42* CHAPTER XIII. DISEASES OF THE BONES. I. Big Head and Big Jaw.— H. Sweeny of the Shoulder.— HI. Sweeny of the Hip. ^TV. Bone Spar* in.— V. EnlargedHock.— VI.— Bing-bone.— Vn. Stifle.— Vni. Splint.— IX. Sore shins, Inflam- mation of the Metacarpal Bones. — ^X. Botten Bones. — XI. Inflanmiation of the Knee Bone. XH. Caries of the lower jaw 43k CHAPTER XIV. DISEASES OF THE FEET. X. Ulceration of the Foot (naTicnlar disease) . — H. Cracked Hoof. — ^HI. Hoof Bot.— IV. Corns. — ^V. Contraction of the Hoof (narrow heel).— VI. Injuries of the Frog.— VH. Founder— VIII. Nail Pricking.— IX. Canker.- X. Sand Crack.— XI. False Quarter— XH. Quitter. -XHI. Too Crack.— XIV, Pumice Foot.— XV. Seedy Toe.— XVI. Ossified Cartilages.— XVH. Side Bones. XVm. Incised Wounds of the Sole 451 CHAPTER XV. WOUNDS AND INJUBIES AND TSEIR EESULT8. I. Strains and Sprains.— II. Overreach.— III. Brushing, or Speedy Cut. — IV. Broken Knees.— V. Capped Elbow. —VI. Frost-bite.— VII. Burns and Scalds.— VIH. Rupture.— IX. Choking.— X. Wounds Penetrating the Abdominal Cavity. — XI. Contused Wounds. — XII. Lacerated Wounds.— XIII. Punctured Wounds.— XIV. Broken Hock.— XV. Dislocations.— XVL Various Fractures. — XVII. Various Distortions. — XVIII. Diseases of the Ear 46S CHAPTER XVL POISONS. I. Internal Poison. — II. Poisonini; from Stings. — III. Poisoned Skin 48Z CHAPTER XVII. VETERINABY SUBGERT. I Castrating.— n. St:>*ding.— HI. Tracheotomy.— IV. Periosteotomy.— V. Neurotomy. -4n. Dt- Tlaion of tiie Tendons. Ac., Ac., &o.... «8» Zli TABLE OF CONTENTfl. CHAPTER XVIII. MISCELLANEOUS MINOR DISEASES. I. MeUnoaia, or Black Pigment Tumors.— II. Epithelial Cancer.— in . Dropey of the Lungs. Stings aod Bites.— V. Fallingoff of the Hair.— VI. Acute Irritation of the Skin.— VII. Hard«»- ingof the Skin. — VIII. Exotosis of the Lower Jaw.— IX. Swelling, by Pressare ef the Bridle.— X. Sore Nose .—XI . Roaring, or High Blowing. — XII. Wind Galls. — XUI. Rupture of the Ham- string. — XIV. Broken Wind. — XV. Internal Hemorrhage. — XVI. Partial Paralysis i^fj CHAPTER XIX. Medicines: What to Keep; How to Obtain ; H«w to Prepare; and How to Give Them 600 CHAPTER XX. Implements: What to Keep; How to Use 615 ILLUSTRATIONS. florae, skeleton of 39 ** longitudinal section of 42 Horse's Lead, vertical section of 43 Horse, bones of the foot 44 " " " " sectional view of 44 " foot and lower leg, vertical section^f 45 '' external parts of 4^ Agood horse for light driving 66 A good horse for all work « £6 Light hunting horse ^ 68 Heavy " ^ 69 English roadster ^ 60 " coach horse 61 Gen. Grant's Arabian Stallions 65 English race horse, Eclipse 69 Norman Percheron stallion 76 " " mare 7? Clydesdale stallion, " Young Wellington " 81 '♦ Satellite," the Hambletonian trotting stallion *« , 84 Shetland ponies 91 Shales 99 Dervish 100 Golddust 101 Poitou a88 109 Horse's head with bearing-rein 124 " without " ]24 Team of the cruel and improvident master 146 " " kind and careful master 147 Barn of the provident master 149 Farmer Unthrift's barn 160 " " home 150 The barn of the cruel master 151 Model halter on model colt Iftl Team of the kind master 152 " " cruel master 152 Shiftless man's door-yard gate 152 " field gate 152 High-bred roadster 156 Finely bred roadster 1*7 Good family horse 158 Proportions of the horse 159 Cleveland Bay 161 Goldsmith Maid 25t Movement in trotting S^ 19 20 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOB. FAGH Fine trotter in light harness 104 Good form for saddle horse jg5 Horse of good action jgg Model form for speed in running jgg Progression of blind horse m Movement in walking 176 Side and front view of heads, good 182 " " " bad 183 Side view of fore-quarters, showing good shoulder 184 " " " bad conformation 186 Front view, showing breast and limbs, good 187 " of fore-quarters, showing bad conformations 191 Good hind-quarters 192 Side view of hind-quarters 194 Back view of hind-quarters 195 . " " bad 196 External manifestations of disease 256 First stage of confirmed grease exudation 26S Sjecond " " " 263 Horse aflFected with surfeit 271 One of the causes of hide-bound in horses 277 Poll-evil during first stage 288 " " second stage 289 Slight enlargement, which may end in fistulous withers 292 Fistulous withers, worst stage 292 A fit subject for founder or bronchitis 321 A horse dressed for bronchitis 322 A cough of incurable bronchitis 324 Case of congestion 324 Position assumed by horse with an attack of pneumonia 325 Horse's head with cold 330 " " " lymphatic gland swollen 331 Nose-bag for steaming horse with cold 8Sl '* ' " the throat blistered 333 SetQQ in the throat of a horse 333 A horse quidding 334 The act of coughing , „ 334 Bit bearing upon jaw 338 Confirmed influenza 339 Opening the abscess of strangles 343 The first stage of spasmodic colic 346 The second stage of " " 346 The third stage of " " 347 The first stage of flatulent " 348 Hofse dying of flatulent colic 348 Aestrus hemorrhoidalis 350 " eggs, larvae and fly 350 Nose strained upward 352 Application of an ammoniacal blister 353 Horse suffering from acute gastritis 354 Unnatural attitude indicative of abdominal injury 358 Position assumed by horse suffering from abdominal injury 35# Test for hemorrhage of the liver . 36# Colt picking hair (torn its leg, giving proof of worms 361 Symptoms attending disease of urinary organs 367 Test for inflammation of the kidneys •...«..«...„ 36& ILLUSTRATIONS. 21 PAGR Horse suffering fpom bloody urine 370 Position assumed by borse having albuminous urine 371 Horse suffering witb tootb-ache 380 Burning for lampas 381 Effects of cruel use of bit 388 Aptba 384 Countenance of a borse witb rabies 400 Destructive impulse of hydrophobia 401 Horse during the mad stage of staggers 404 Expression characteristic of megrims 409 A horse dying witb abscess within the brain 414 A horse mad from inflammation of the brain 414 Test for tetanus 419 Slings for tetanus or fractured limb 420 Mode of feeding horse with chronic tetanus 421 Showing how far a horse with tetanus is capable of motion 421 Horse having string-halt 424 Mode of blinding a borse and applying lotion to the eye 430 Extirpation of the eye 432 Obstruction of the lachrymal gland 433 Eye effected by gutta serena 434 Foot, incapable of being raised from ground by reason of spavin 439 Natural position of foot when raised from the ground during an easy trot 43S Closing cfrack in hoof 453 Acute fever in the feet 457 The low choke 476 Manner of using seton needle 405 A horse suffering from drastic poison 482 Tumor caused by curb chain 493 How to bear the sound made in a horse's windpipe 496 Internal hemorrhage 497 Horse suffering from partial paralysis of the hind legs 49S THE HORSE ; 5HIS: HISTORY, BREEDS, CHARACTERISTICS AND MANAGEMENT. THE HOKSE. CHAPTER I. mS HISTORY AS A COMPANION AND SEBVANT OF MAN. eOimSCTED WITH MAN FROM A VERY BARLY AGE. HIS IMPORTAKCE AS A HELPER IN TBM. WORK OP THE WORLD. HIS SUPERIORITY OVER THE OTHER ANIMALS. THE HORSK AND HIS RIDER BECOME IN SOME MEASURE ONE CREATURE. HIS NATIVITY : DOUBT CONCERNTNG IT. HIS EXISTENCE UPON EARTH PROBABLY CONTEMPORANEOUS WITH' THAT OF MAN. THE MOST ANCIENT AUTHORS ALLUDE TO HIM. HB PASSES INTO DIF- FERENT PARTS OP THE GLOBE. WILD HERDS IN THE EASTERN CONTINENT. ORIGIN OP THE WILD HERDS IN AMERICA. FOUND AS A DOMESTIC AMONG NEARLY ALL PEO- PLE. GREATER LIABILITY TO DISEASE IN A DOMESTIC THAN IN A WILD STATE. SUBJECT TO DETERIORATION UNDER IGNORANT MANAGEMENT. THE WISDOM OF THE. ARABS AS BREEDERS AND KEEPERS. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AMONG MEN AS TO SYS- TEMS OF BREEDING : ATTENTION CALLED TO ITS TREATMENT IN THIS WORK. KNOWL- EDGE AND SKILL NECESSARY TO HIS PROPER CARE. " And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind : and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let us make man in, our image, after our likeness ; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth. " Although the precise period at which the horse was subjected to th© use of man is unknown, it is not unreasonable to conjecture that it was at a time long anterior to his mention in history ; and it is probable that since the day when man was made master of all other created things, no animal has been more constantly his companion and friend ; and that no other has contributed so much assistance in subduing wild nature and. making everything subservient to his will and promotive of his happiness. Other animals, particularly sheep and cattle, have shared with the horse this usefulness to mankind, it is true : and in our present civilized state, when mechanical ingenuity is making such rapid strides in dispensing with 33 84 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. animal labor, it may be, as i« sometimes claimed, that the wool-bearinQ and milk-giving animals — especially considering that these same animals furnish also a large proportion of our flesh food — are to be held as taking the i)recedence ; but as to adaptability, becoming, as it were, a creature of all work ; as to comeliness and quickness of motion ; as to a certain sym- l)athy with his master that makes him at times so to partake of his spirit and motions as to seem one with him ; as to a readiness of submission to drudgery as well as to proud employments, he is without a rival in the world. It is affirmed by many that the horse is a native of Asia, but of this we really know nothing. Others affirm with equal, or almost equal, plausi- bility, that he is a native of central Africa. "Where all is conjecture, it is needless in a practical work of this character to speculate. Wherever his primal home may have been, it is at least within the bounds of proba- bility that his existence in Asia, in his present state of development, is contemporary with that of man upon earth. Some among the very earli. est records of the human race contain allusions to him as a well known animal, in the service of man. The description in the Book of Job, a production admitted to be of the very highest antiquity, is a case in point. He is mentioned here, in glowing terms, as a martial adjunct to his mas- ter — and not as a newly-discovered or recently-subdued creature, but as one with which the world was familiar. Sculptured images of horses as beautiful of form almost as the noble Arabian of to-day have been found among the ruins of the cities of the desert. He is mentioned by Moses in connection with the Egyptians ; and records older than the writings of Moses point to his having been known and used by that singular people from the dawn of their wonderful civilization. We find him thus in both Asia and Africa ; and during all the historic period he has been present with man as though native to the soil of many districts of both Continents. Whether borne thither by natural result of migi-atory wandering, in a wild state, or whether by the ever-spreading human family, there is little to guide us in determining. In the more thinly populated districts of Asia, notably in Southern Siberia, great wild herds have been long known to exist. Though, as we have previously intimated, there must have been a noble breed of horses in Arabia in the days of their most ancient cities, the introduction of the present breed into that country is thought to have been of a comparatively modern date. It seems clear that long subse- quent to the beginning of the Christian era there were few horses in Arabia, and those few of no striking excellence, and that the now cele- brated Arabians have either sprung from good horses introduced into the THE HORSfi, HIS ORIGIN, ETC. ZH country ^thin the last thousand years, or are the result of judicious breeding and kindly care bestowed upon a native stock. He was brought as a domestic animal to the New World, by the early adventurers ; — and no trace of him, (if we except a kind of cloven-footed species), having been found upon the Continent, we can account for the herds of wild horses, known to have long existed in different parts of North and South America, upon no other supposition than that they are the descendants of certain Andalusian mares and steeds brought over by the Spaniards, and abandoned by them when they could no longer render them service, or left free to escape to the forests on the death of their masters in battle. There is a story current — of doubtful authenticity, however — that all these immense herds, in both North and South America, are sprung from one stallion and two mares that escaped from the expe- dition of De Soto through Florida, Georgia, and elsewhere. Be this aa it may, there are now many great herds — a single one, especially in South America, sometimes numbering many thousands. As a domestic animal, the horse is found among almost every people on the globe ; and his uses vary ^ith the degree of civilization enjoyed by his owners. It may be remarked also that this degree of usefulness is intimately associated with the degree of his deterioration and with the diseases to which he is subject. In a wild state, he is almost free from disorders of every kind, — so much so that unless killed by accident or by deprivation of necessary food and drink, as is sometimes the case, he lives to a great age — dying in the course of nature, it is believed, at from thirty to sixty years. Among the Arabs, whejre his condition approaches more nearly to a natural state than among any other people, except the [ndians, and where his laborious service to his master is limited almost exclusively to carrying a single rider, he displays his greatest perfections as a domestic animal, and enjoys the greatest immunity from disease. Among the leading nations of Europe and their colonies, where he is for the most part made literally *'a beast of burden" in the different capaci- ties of animal for the saddle and for every species of draught, and wher« man practices almost unrestrained not only his active cruelties but many umvitting enormities, he is said by good authority to be constantly deter- iorating and becoming more and more subject to diseases and to prema- ture death. Among the Arabs, too, the best breeds are preserved in their purity i whereas, among more civilized nations all efforts of man to improve th« stock, or even to preserve any desired quality, result at last in rendering the subjects of his experiments more liable to fall into various disorder*, and, except in rare instances, in ultimate failure. 36 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. It may not be iirelevant to state in this connection that the great excel, lence of the Arabian of the present day, whatever may have been his •ri'i-in, is due in part to the extraordinary affection felt for him by his master, which manifests itself in the extreme care that is lavished upon him, and to which he is almost as sensitive as a human creature ; in part to his freedom from that severe labor by which the horses of other na- tions are prematurely broken, stiffened, and deprived of spirit ; and partly, no doubt, by the steps which are taken, not so much to improvey but to preserve y a choice breed. While other nations, notably the Eng- lish, French and American, are engaged in ceaseless endeavors to im- prove, and, according to some authorities, constantly making lamentable failures — defeating their own ends by the systems of breeding, training, and use, which they adopt — the wild sons of the desert maintain for their horses from age to age the superiority which they were first found to possess. Men differ in opinion as to the cause of all this, and the mooted ques- tions of crossing and in-and-in breeding find their respective champions, and the discussion is from time to time renewed ; but the fact remains that the horses of Arabia excel all others ; while another important fact seems to be most generally overlooked, that the Ai*abs neither cross nor actually breed in-and-in, but, having by some means obtained a noble race they guard equally against admitting admixture of blood and against too close consanguinity. The subject of breeding, however, mil be found to have been more fully discussed under its proper head ; and in conclusion it will perhaps be sufficient to urge upon the attention of the intelligent owner and breeder some few facts which have been touched upon in the course of this brief sketch, namely : That among horses in a wild state disease is rarely known, though admixture of blood most probably does take l)lace, and, for aught we know to the contrary, as close in-and-in breeding as the most pronounced advocate of that system could wish. Tims, we find exemption from destructive disorders, but ordinarily no strongly marked characteristics of race constantly prevailing, and but rarely among them what may be termed really fine animals. Again, that among the horses of the Arabs and the American Indians^ disease is almost as rare as among the Avild herds. And again, among those nations where the horse is in the highest degree useful, becoming more the slave than the companion of man, he is the subject of a multi- tude of infirmities scarcely equalled in number by those to which map. is himself heir. It has been said that in becoming the companion and the ser- vant of man, he has partaken, in some measure, of both man's spirit and K.s physical frailties. In battle, he adds to the terrors of the conflict THE HORSE, HIS ORIGIN, ETC. 37 by his fierceness as well as by his strength and swiftness ; in the stables of careless opulence, he becomes the pampered victim of abundance, and falls a prey to diseases that come by irregular exercise and surfeiting ; with hard and driving task-masters, in the marts of trade, and subject to the exactions of business, he is soon stiffened, spavined, and generally broken as to both conformation and locomotion ; while among the poorer class of tillers of the soil and other toilers, he seems to become spiritless and dull, and subject to diseases that come rather from want of care than from either over-work or actual deprivation of food and drink. In his best estate, he is the noblest of the lower animals ; in his worst, he is still a property of man, and a helper in his work. A knowledge of his ailments, and the possession of that skill necessary to his relief, is therefore essential to every one who owns even the commonest of the kpecios. 3 CHAPTER n. ILLUSTRATED DESCRIPTION. iBCMsrrr for a comprehensive idea op the construction of the hobse, and thk ra lations of his parts. scientific terms used, but explained. subsequent portions of the work more readily understood by reference to this chapter. knowledge of structure indispensable to surgery. skeleton; SECTION- AL VIEW OK THORAX, ABDOMEN, AND PELVIS; VERTICAL SECTION OF HEAD; SECTION OF FOOT ; FRONT AND BACK VIEW OF FOOT ; AND EXTERNAL PARTS. In order that the reader may obtain a clear and comprehensive knowl- edge of the construction of the horse in all his parts and of the propel relations of those parts, it is thought best to introduce here, in one con* nected view, a description of the frame-work or skeleton, as seen in Fig. 1 ; of the internal organs and their positions, as seen in Fig. 2 ; of the head and its contents, Fig. 3 ; of the peculiar formation of the foot, Figs. 4, 5, and 6, and of the external parts of the animal. Fig. 7. It will be observed that while we have used the ordinary scientific terms in naming these various parts, we have annexed, wherever necessary, such explanations as will enable the plain reader to get the full meaning intended to be conveyed. Some attention devoted to the subject here will of course supersede th6 necessity of constantly recurring and tedious explanations throughout the subsequent part of the work. The clearness and fulness of the illus- trations provided leave nothing more, we think, to be desired on that . head ; and if the reader chance to find, in our directions as to the treat- ment of any disease, allusions to the structure of certain parts which h© has not Avell in mind, or terms used with which he is not entirely familiar, his difficulties can be speedily removed by reference to this chapter. Any attempt to perform those surgical operations, however simple, vrhich sometimes ])ecome necessary in the treatment of domestic animals, must of course be directed by that knowledge of form, structure, and ^ated functions which we endeavor here to impart. 38 ILLUSTRATED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1. Skeleton. Explanations. — A — Cervical vertebrae, or seven bones or joints of th» ^eck. B, B — Dorsal vertebrse, or the eighteen larger joints of the back-bone. C — Lumbar vertebrae : — ^the six joints of the back-bone lying between the upper ends of the false ribs, and the upper edge of the haunch bone* D — Sacrum, or bone which forms the back part of the pelvis. E — Coccygeal bones, or tail bones. F, F— Ribs. 6 — Costal cartilages, or the cartilages by which the ends of the rib« *re joined. H — The scapula, or shoulder blade. I — The humerus, or large round bone between the point of the shoul- der and the elbow, or upper part of the fore-leg. K. K — The radiuses, the outer bones of the fore-legs, extending frodfi humerus to knee. 40 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. L — The ulna, the larger of the two bones of the upper part of fore- leg, Iving l)ehind the radius and extending from the knee to the lower part of chest. M — The carpus, or knee, composed of: 1, the scaphoid, or bone bav- in"' a boat-like form ; 2, the semi-lunar, or bone resembling a half-moon ; 3, the cuneiform, or wedge-shaped bone ; 4, the trapezium, or bone re- sembling the mathematical figure of that name ; 5, the trapezoid, or bone reeembling a trapezoid; 6, the os magnum, or great bone of the knee;' 7, the unciform, or hook-shaped bone ; 8, the pisiform, or pea-shaped bone. ^ K — The large metacarpal or cannon, the big Ijone of the fore-leg reaching from the knee to the ankle. — Small metacarpal or "splint bones," the two smaller bones of the lower part of the fore-legs. P p — The sessamoid bones — ^two small bones found in the substance of the tendons at the joining of the fore-leg to the ankle. QjQ — Phalanges, embracing: 1, the upper pastern bone ; 2, the os co- rona, or lower pastern bone ; 3, the os pedis, or first bone in the leg, inside the hoof — the coffin-bone ; and na^^culare, a small ship-shaped bone, at the back of the lower pastern, not marked in the figure. R — The pelvis, or basin, composed of : 1, the ilium, or flank bone ; 2, the pubis, or fore-part of one of the bones of the pelvis ; 3. the ischium, or hinder and lower part of the hip-bone. S — The femur, or thigh bone. T — The patella, or small bone covering the stifle joint — ^the joint of the hind leg near the flank. U — The tibia, or large, long bone between the hock and the stifle joint. Y — The fibula, the small, long bone behind and attached to the tibia. W — The hock, or that joint of the hind leg between the stifle-joint and the fetlock, embracing the following small bones: 1, the os calcis, or back point of the hock ; 2, the astragalus, or upper bone of the hock that supports the tibia ; 3, the cuneiform magnum, or largest Avedge- ahaped bone ; 4, the cuneiform medium, or middle-sized wedge-shaped bone ; 5, the cuneiform parvum, or smallest w^edge-shaped bone ; 6, that •mall bone of the hock having a somewhat cubical form. X — Large metatarsal, the front bone of the hind leg, between the hock wid tlie pastern joint, below which are 1, 2, 3, the phalanges of the hind leg. Y. The small metatarsal, or small bone of the hind leg in rear of large metatarsal. Z — The head, embracing: 1, the inferior maxilla, or lower jaw; 2, the superior maxilla, or upper jaw; 3, anterior maxilla, or outer part' of ILLi:8TlJATi;i) DESCUll'TlUX. 41 che jaw; 4, the nasal bone, or bone in front of the nostrils; 5, the ma^ lar, or prominent cheek-bone ; 6, the frontal or forehead bone ; 7, parie> tal, the sides and upper part of the skull bones— (wall bones) ; 8, occi- pital, the bone of the hinder part of the head ; 9, the lachrymal, or bone inclosing the lachrymal gland and duct ; 10, the squamous, or scaly por- tion of the temporal bones; 11, the petrous, or hard part of the tem- poral bones inclosing the organs of hearing. To summarize, the spine is divided into cervical, dorsal, and lumbar vcrte})rffi, or joints, in all, thirty-one ; the tail contains about seventeen joints ; the dorsal vertebrae, mth eighteen ribs attached on each side, £tad the breast-bone (which is not shown in the figure), form the thorax, or cavity inclosing the heart, lungs, &c., — thirty-seven bones ; the fore part is made up of forty bones, taking both sides together ; the pelvis, or basin, of three bones ; the remainder of the hinder part, of thirty-eight bones ; the cranium of ten ; the face and lower jaw of eighteen ; of teeth there are forty (in the male) ; the small bones of the interna! ear, taking both, are eight ; and the hyoid, or tongue bone, consists of five parts. It is not the province of this work to enter into minute anatomical de scriptions ;' and for all really practical purposes the foregoing will he found ample. It must however be borne in mind that a thorough study of the anatomy and frame work of the animal is absolutely necessary to a perfect under- standing of how to breed, rear, care for, break and train an animal. At; the same time, neither the horse breeder, trainer, or driver, needs to un-- derstand them so critically as must the veterinarian. The one repuireJt simply a general knowledge of the several parts, the other must under- stand intimately and critically each and every part, not only in itself but with reference to its bearing and influence on, and relation to other parts of the body. Thus what we give in illustration, while not going into mi- nutia such as would be necessary to make the veterinary expert, will be fully sufficient for the instruction and every day use of the practical man, whether he be breeder, trainer, or simply the gentleman who drirea for pleasure. 42 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOB. ILLUSTRATED DESCRIPTION. 43 Explanations. — 1 — The occiput, or that part of the skull whicli forms the hind part of the head. 2 — The cerebellum, or hinder and smaller di- rision of the brain. 3 — The cerebrum, or front and larger division of the brain. 4 — The nasal membrane, or cartilage between the nostrils. 5 — The tongue. 6, (5 — Joints of the neck bone, 7, 7, 7, 7 — The spinal cord, or marrow. 8 — The pharynx, or ou^dtj bounded by the membrane- ous and muscular walls beneath the l)a.sc of the skull, into which the nose and mouth both open, and which is continuous below the oesophagus. 9, 9, 9 — The oesophagus, or passage through which food and drink go into the stomach. 10 — The orifice of the stomach passing through the diaphragm. 11 — The pylorus, or the orifice of the stomach through which the food passes into the intestines. 12, 12 — The hinder surface of the diaphragm, or membrane which separates the stomach and bowels from the heart and lungs. 13, 13 — The trachea, or windpipe. 14 — The lungs. 15 — The heart, a — The stomach, b — The spleen, or milt, c — The left kidney, d — The broad ligament of the uterus or womb, with the left por- tion, and the ovary or that part which contains the seed displayed, e — The rectum, or terminal portion of the large intestines, f — The anus, g, h, i, j, k, 1 — Internal muscles of the thigh. Tig. 3. Vertical Section of Horse's Head. TKis cut illustrates still more fully the structure of the head and it* contents, a — The frontal bone, showing sinus or channel beneath, b— - The parietal or wall bone, covering the brain, c — The nose bone, d — The occipital or back head bone, e, e~-The Atlas, or first bone of the neck, showing the spinal marrow in its center. f~The ethmoid or sieve- like bone, through which the^lfactory or nerve of smelling passes, g — The sphenoid or wedge-like bone, which, with the ethmoid, supports the base of the brain, h — Part of the lower maxillary or jaw bones, with the lower incisor teeth . 1 — The cerebrum , or large brain . 2 . — The cere- bellum, or small brain. 3 — The medulla oblongata, or upper portion of 44 ILLUSTRATED !ST0C:K DOCTOU. the spinal marrow. 4 — The .spinal marrow. A — The turbinated bones, or thin, bony plates, in the form of a seroll or horn, found in the iLoH. trils, and serving to give wider distribution to the linmg membrane of the nose. II — The se])tuni nasi, or caitilaginous division between the two nos- trils. C, C — The lips. D. The tongue. E — The epiglottis, or valve of the larynx. F — The traehea, or windpipe. G — The oesophagus or gullet. It will be observed that the great object in the formation of the cran- ium, that of furnishing a firm cover and a sure protector of the brain against all ordinary accidents, is secured by the emplo^'ment of nine bones, arranged in this manner : The two frontal bones (a), make up the anterior or forward i)art ; the parietals (b), comprise the upper and cen- tral parts, and cover the outer lobes of the cerebrum ; the occipital bono (d), a single bone of great solidity, is at the back of the head; a little lower, and back of the occipital bone, is the aperture through which the spinal cord, together Avith some nerves and an artery, make their exit from the brain. Here the bone is smooth and rounded for the purpost; of jointing with the atlas, the first bone of the neck. The sphenoid bono (g), forms the inferior and central part of the cranium. The ethmoid (f ), through which the olfactory nerve passes, together with the sphenoid, *s /loted above, assists in upholding the base of the brain. In proximity to the facial bones are found sinuses bearing names derived from their nearness to particular bones. The temporal bones forming the sides of the cranium are composed oi' two parts, the squamous, or scaly, and the petrous, or stone-like. The petrou'i portion of the temporal bone -contains the organs of hearing, having upon its inside surface the openings for the passage of the auditory L.crvo ; and upon its outside, large passages for the conveyance of sound Pig. 4. Front and back view ov THr. lUlNKS OF TH FOOT. Fig. 5. Skctional view of thb BONES of the foot. ILLUSTRATED DESCRIPTION. 49 Fig. 6. Vertical Section of the Foot AND Lower Leg. Fiss. 4 and 5, taken in connec- tion, will serve to give the reader still more definite knowledge than that conveyed by the skeleton of the rela- tive situation of the different parts of the horse's foot, and the terms applied to each. The bones exhibited in the front and back Adew, Fig. 4, are : c, c — The coffin bone, or first bone of the leg. d — The sessamoid bone, b, b — The small pastern, a, a — ^The large pastern. The parts exhibited by Fig. 6 are : a — The large metacarpal or cannon bone, b — The os suffraginis, or large pastern bone. c — One of the ses- samoid bones, d — The os coronse, or small pastern bone, e — The navic- ular bone. f — The os pedis, or cof- fin bone, g, g, g — The flexor perfor- ans, or penetrating tendon, h, h — The flexor perforatus, or penetrated tendon, i — The extensor tendon, j — The suspensory ligament, k, k — The capsular ligament, or membraneous elastic bag surrounding the joint. 1 — The fetlock joint, m — The pastern joint, n — The coffin joint, o — Tlie horny crust, p, p — The horny sole, q — The frog. r. — The sensible laminge. t — The sensible frog, u — The cushion. v — The navicular joint. ,.^ It will be observed that the parts exhibited by Fig. 5 are plainly named on the engraving. Every thoughtful reader will observe further that these parts of the horse are most wonderfully put together. The delicate and well- adapted mechanism is not surpassed by that of any mechanical combination ever produced. The entire structure is one that secures the utmost elasticity and freedom of movement, with the immense strength needed in the usual work of the horse. An understanding of this must go far toward compelling care »nd attention in all that pertains to the foot of the animal. Shoeing, and especially service on rough, stony places, should be subjects of constant regard. The next cut furnishes a beautiful and comprehensive view of the terms applied to the various parts of the animal, and it can but prove of great use to those who would not only "talk horse" themselves, but understand the talk of others — especially of veterinary writers when treating of dis- orders, their location, and the proper means for their relief. As these parts are known among all veterinary writers of any prominence, by the names ifr 46 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. epectively given to them here, it is evident that in order to intelligently COOb prehend the directions, not only of this work, but of any other worthy author- ity, the reader should be perfectly familiar with the " Points " of the horse ai given in this illustration. Fig. 7. KxiKRNAL Taris ok the Horse. Explanation. — 1. The muzzle. 2 — The face. 3 — The forehead. 4— The poll. 5— The crest. 6— The jowl. 7— The gullet. 8— The wind- pipe. 9 — Point of the shoulder. 10 — The breast. 11. — The arm. 12 —The elbow. 13— The girth. 14— The flank. 15— The sheath. 16— The stifle. 17— The ^vithers. 18— The back. 19— The loins. 20^ The hip. 21— The croup. 22— The dock. 23— The quarter. 24— The thigh or gaskin. 25 — The hamstring. 26 — The point of hock. 27 — The hock, (hough) 28 — ^The cannon bone of hind leg. 29 — The fetlock. 30 — The large pastern. 31 — The small pastern. 32 — The coronet. 33 — The hoof. 34— The knee. 35— The cannon of fore leg. 36— Tliefet- lock. 37— The heel. 38— The large pastern. 39— The smaW ^Ur^k, 40— The hoof. CHAPTER m. HOW TO TELL A HORSE'S AGE., » XlfOWLEDGE OF CHANGES IN THE TEETH THE ONLY MEANS. THIS CHAyTOa TO BB STUDIED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACCOMPANYING CHART. BUYERS LIKELY, WITH- OUT THIS KNOWLEDGE, TO BE DECEIVED. INCISORS CHIEFLY TO BE RELIED ON. CONDITION OF A FOAL'S MOUTH. THE CHANGES THAT FOLLOW. HOW FOAL TEETH ARK TO BB DISTINGUISHED FROM HORSE TEETH. WEARING AWAY OF THE GRINDER OR ENAMELLED PORTION. NUMBER OF TEETH EN A FULL-GROWN ANIMAL. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HORSES AND MARES AS TO NUMBER. INCISORS, HOOKS, AND "wOLF'S TEETH." HOW TO DETERMINE AGE TILL FOAL IS TWO YEARS OLD. HOW FROM TWO TO OLD AGE. THE HORSE OF MEDIUM SIZE TO BE TAKEN AS A STANDARD. SHOOTING UP AND GRINDING OFF. IRREGULAR TEETH ; HOW TO JUDGE. PECULIAR HARDNESS OP BONES AND SLOWNESS OP CHANGE IN CERTAIN BREEDS. THE MULE; AGE HARD TO FIND OUT WITH EXACTNESS. DECEPTIONS ; HOW TO DETECT. CRIB BITERS ; HOW TO EXAMINE. TERMS DEFINED. The age of a horse is to be accurately determmed only by an examina- tion of the teeth, with a knowledge of the changes which, from time to time, take place in them. The following directions, studied in connec- tion with the drawings exhibited on the accompanying chart, and the ex- planations written under them, will enable any one of ordinary acuteness and powers of observation, to judge for himself, and thus to avoid that most common of all the jockey's impositions, a liability to be deceived in the age of horses held for sale. The incisors furnish the chief indications ; and to them the attention must be mostly directed ; but the back and hook teeth should be observed to some extent, as their condition may occasionally serve to correct and more frequently to corroborate the indications of the incisors. When first foaled, the colt has no incisors. Twelve back teeth have in most cases forced their points by this time through the gums ; but it is not until from two to three months afterward that the four nippers ap- pear ; in six weeks the nippers are seen ; and in about eight months the four comer teeth. There are now, at eight or nine months old, twenty- 48 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. four teeth, (upper and lower), QAWedi foal-teeth . These are all changea by the fifth or sixth year, and those that follow are called horse-teeth. The back teeth appear as follows : the three front double pair are seen At birth, and are afterward changed ; the fourth double pair appear from the eio-hth to the ninth month ; (this fourth double pair are the first that remain stationary, and they are found in every year-old colt) ; the fifth double pair, or fifth four, appear in the second or third jq'av ; the sixth, usually in the fourth or early in the fifth year. These three double pairs of back teeth (last named), remain unchanged, as do also the four hook teeth. The hook teeth are uncertain as to time of appearance, coining some times at the end of the third year, sometimes in the middle or at the end of the fourth, sometimes in the middle or at the end of the fifth, some- times at the beginning of the sixth. Observ^e particularly that the incisors of the foal differ from those of the horse : (1) By their regular, conical formation; (2) by a narrow contraction called the neck, ^dsible almost in the center of the body of each tooth, while nothing of the kind is seen in horse-teeth ; (3) by their smaller size, even when full grown. The milk teeth, (or those teeth which are cast or shed), taken from the jaws of dead foals and compared with horse-teeth similarly obtained, are found to be only about half as long as the latter. The breadth is not to be depended on, since the milk teeth of large foals appear almost as broad as those of small horses. AYhen the nippers become horse-teeth, they form a great contrast to the middle and corner teeth. The size of these last will at once show them to be milk teeth. (4) By the fact that the outer surface of the foal-teeth is smooth and striped with brown, while on horse-teeth the same surface is divided by a dirty A^ellow indentation inclining toward the center, which is sometimes double upon the upper teeth. One should stud}'^ the form of the incisors by carefully examining those taken from dead horses of different ages. Each incisor vfHW. be found to consist of a hard, enamelled part, called the grinder, which has protruded above the gum ; of a bony substance, which has been for the most part hidden in the gum ; and of a root, which has occupied the cavity of the jaw-bone. These teeth, (of the foal as well as of the horse), are slowly but coii- tinualW worn away by biting and ch3wing, so that the length is constantly decreasing, — sometimes evenly and regularly, — so that in old age the tooth that was once two and a half or three inches Ions; is found to be not exceeding half an inch in length. The breadth generally decreases in about the same proportion ; but with this difference in foal and horse- teeth, that the thickness and breadth of foal-teeth are constantly decreas- THE HORSE, HIS AGE, HOW TO TELL IT. 49 Ing from the grinder or hard enamelled part to the end of the root, while horse-teeth decrease from the root upward. The grinder, or hard, grat- ing portion of the tooth, which has not yet been used, has somewhat the form of an egg ; it is three times as broad as thick, and hollowed out in the shape of a funnel, which hollow has two sharp edges inclosing it. This socket or hollow is called the mark. In the center of this mark, a sort of kernel may be seen — a tube commencing at the end of the root — that contains the nerves of the tooth ; but this inner hole must always be distinguished from the mark, which is the outer depression, lying next to the sharp edges. The inner cavity is a funnel-shaped socket, of hard, enamel shell, around which, and inside the outward shell, is a thick fluid, which remains during the life of the tooth, becoming, by degrees, gray matter. This fluid averages about four lines in depth in the lower incis- ors and about eight in the upper ones. The outer edge of each incisor a,lways rises a line or two above the inner edge ; therefore, when the upper and lower are first grated together, only the outer edges touch for some time ; and the inner edges do not touch until the outer ones are worn down to an equal height with them. Horse-teeth generally do this in about one year. At the age of two and a. half, the teeth begin to change, and those which then appear are called Horse-teeth. (See chart. Fig. 7, A). A full grown stallion or gelding has 40, and a mare 36 teeth^the male having four hook teeth which are lacking in the female, except that some- times she has imperfect teeth in the corresponding part of the mouth. Those teeth found in some young horses, next to the first double teeth, and called "wolf's teeth," are not included in this number, as they are not real teeth, — frequently not breaking through the gums at all, and usually, in any case, disappearing in eight or nme years. Twenty-four of the true teeth, in both horses and mares, are situated in the upper part of the mouth, (that is, in both jaws, above the lips). They are divided into six double pairs, counting upwards from below, so that those situated next to the incisors in all the four rows are first ; those next to them, second ; and so on to the last pair, which are called back teeth. Twelve others are in the lower part of the mouth, surrounded by the lips, six in the upper and six in the lower jaw, standing, each lot, m the form of an arch, and occupying the entrance to the hollow of the mouth. These twelve are called incisors. The four innermost, two in each jaw^- those forming the key of each arch^are called nippers ; the other two :ji «ach arch are called corner teeth ; and those between the nippers and the forner teeth are called middle teeth. Each of these teeth in the lower jaw rubs against the corresponding one in the upper jaw. The teeth of the upper jaw are broader and thicker than those of the lower. The four 50 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. hooks are seated alone, over each corner tooth, but nearer to the cornef teeth of the upper than those of the lower, so that they, (the hooks), never come iu contact with each other. The horse has always attained the age of four and a half or five years before he has a full number of perfect teeth. Before this time, th« younger the animal the fewer the teeth, and even these are not all perma- nent. The more a permanent incisor loses m length, by friction, the more it also loses in width, so that the nearer the friction surface approaches to the root, the narrower and thicker it must appear. Every new hook tooth is cylindrical and somewhat hooked, with a cone^ shaped projecting grinder, and this is surrounded by a spoon-shaped edge, turned toward the hollow of the mouth, so that the cone cannot be seen from the outside ; and the whole grinder, or hard, enamelled part, has the appearance of the back part of the bowl of a spoon — the edge, like a screen, suiTounding the short cone, but so that two deep furrows remain between. Except this grinder, the rest of the body is uniformly round, and the surface almost even. As pre\iously said, however, these by themselves afford no reliable indication as to age. Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 show how the age of a colt may be determined till he is two years old. The following further explanations, taken in connection with the chart from Fig. 7 to Fig. 46, inclusive, will teach how the age, from two to thirty, can be ascertained. Large horses have, of course, larger teeth than small ones ; but taking a horse of medium size as a standard, one can make allowances for either larger or smaller, and easily arrive at just conclusions. The incisors being our main reliance, our remarks must be understood to refer chiefly to them. The length of the tooth of a horse of medium size is three inches, or thirty-six lines. After the changed tooth has arrived at its proper length, it shoots up a line regularly every year, and if the teeth stand right, the grinder is worn off a line every year. It is also, as has been said, worn off in both width and breadth, so that the grinder becomes, from year to year, shorter and smaller, as shown by the chart. If, however, the teeth stand too far forward, (in-egular teeth, seo ehart. Fig. 41), they do not wear down in the same proportion as they shoot upward, and they become very long. The age in this case can be ascertained with ease and exactness by observing directions given under Fig. 41, and noticing with care the following points : At the age of five years, the corner teeth of the low^er jaw have grown up five lines above the gum ; each middle tooth, seven lines ; and each nipper, nine. At eight years, and older, each corner tooth of the same horse projects only THE HORSE, HIS AGE, HOW TO TELL IT. 51 four, the middle teeth, six, and the nippers, eight lines above the gums. This is absolutely necessary to be taken into account, because it is the only means by which one can decide with certainty as to the age of a horse whose teeth have become longer than they would have been if set right and wearing regularly. The foregoing remarks and directions are based upon the assumption that there is no peculiarity about the individual animal or the breed to which he belongs that would materially interfere with the principles laid do^\ai. It remains, however, to notice that to those breeds of horses which develop very slowly, of which the Spanish horse may be cited as an example, the rules are a little more diflScult of application. The bones of these, and perhaps of some few other kinds, seem to be harder, and the teeth change somewhat later and appear to wear down more slowly ; so that it sometimes happens that such horses, after their fifth vear, appear a year or two younger than they really are ; but the same animals are apt to be more than ordinarily strong, hardy, and long-lived, and to be taken at a diminished age really detracts nothing from their worth. The age of a mule is somewhat difficult to determine with exactness, owing to the cause just stated. Deceptions may be practiced with very thrifty young horses, when it is desirable to make them appear of suitable age for work or for breeding, by knocking out the incisors a year sooner than they would naturally change themselves. If a purchaser suspects deception, he can determine the matter by closely examining the remaining teeth. If the nippers have changed, and the inner edges of the corner teeth have not yet come into contact, the foal is but one year old — and so on. The opposite cheat — that of trying to make a horse appear younger than he really is by burning artificial marks in upon the teeth — can be detected by closely examining the enamel and the effect of the mark upon it. When a horse has reached an advanced age, say twelve to twenty, the enamelled surface has become so minute that burning in as large a mark as is found in horses considerably younger would disturb the whole enamel and so leave a means of detecting the fraud. In the case of crib-biters, that wear out their teeth prematurely, and so appear really older than they are, examination must be directed to the comer teeth, which are seldom injured ; or, if the corner teeth prove to be injured, deduct from the apparent age as many lines as are wanting to make the teeth of the natural length. To feed constantly, from weaning time, upon hard, unshelled corn, sometimes produces the same effect as crib-biting, and the same directions must be followed in forming an estimate. 52 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. We close the chiiptcr with a short vocabulary, by reference to whiclb the reader may more readily api)rehend the meaning of the terms Employed in the ensuing chart. Incisor. — A cutter ; a fore-tooth which cuts or bites. In the horse, those twelve teeth, six in the upper jaw, six in the lower, which are surrounded by the lips, are called incisors. Grinder. — As used in the present chapter, it denotes the hard, grating, upper portion of the front teeth. Line. — One-twelfth of an inch. IVIark. — As used with reference to horse teeth, it denotes that depres- t;ion in the grinder lying inside the sharp edges and adjacent to them. Nippers. — ^Those two teeth in each jaw that occupy the middle of the semi-circular row. Corner Teeth. — The two outer of the six front teeth in each jaw. Middle Teeth. — The teeth between the nippers and the comer teeth. Hooks. — Four teeth, two in each jaw, situated over corner teeth, or beyond the incisors, reckoning from the front of the lips, and having a cylindrical and somewhat hooked shape. Milk Teeth. — The front teeth of a foal which appear at about thre9 flDonths of age and are cast within two or three years. CHAPTER IV. DIPPERENT BREEDS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. I. THE INFERIOR VARIETIES: MANY FOUND IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. SOME GOOD, BITl LITTLE KNOWN OF THEM. II. SOME CONSIDERED AS TO WORK RATHER THAN BREED; THE FARM HORSE; THE HUNTER; THE HACKNEY; HORSES FOR HEAVY DRAFT. lU. THE ARABIAN. IV. THE BARB. V. THE ENGLISH THOROUGHBRED. VI. THE PERSIAN. VII. THE TURK. VIII. THE TURKOMAN. IX. THE EGYPTIAN. X. THE DONGOLA. XI. THE NORMAN PERC HERON. XII. THE THOROUGHBRED IN AMER- ICA. XIII. THE MORGAN. XIV. THE NARRAGANSETT PACER. XV. THE CANA- DIAN. XVI. THE CONNESTOGA. XVII. PONIES. I. The Inferior and Little Known. Among the great variety of horses there are many that are either of inferior importance or so little known that it is deemed unnecessary to notice them in detail. India, China, Japan, Siam, several of the Euro- pean States, and North and South America, have horses that are in some instances widely different from each other, as well as from the approved breeds ; but they are not known to possess any remarkable excellence, or any distinctive points that are constantly reproduced in their offspring, — so that a mere casual reference to them, with very general statements as to qualities and characteristics, is considered to be sufficient. In India alone there are various stocks, known to have been so loner in the various regions of that great country as to seem native to the soil ; but with the exception of the Turko, recognized to be a cross between the Turkoman or South Tartary breed and the Persian, they are regarded as cold blooded and inferior. The Turko is said to carry himself in a grand and stately way, and to be both beautiful and tractable. The Tartar and Calmuck horses, with the exception of the Turkoman, which is described elsewhere in this chapter, are for the most part small and ill-made. They are hardy, however, being able to perform great journeys, with burdens disproportioned to their size, and to live on tl.i.^ poorest fare. 4 53 64 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. The horses of China are small, and have no points of excellence as tm either shape or spirit. The horses of 1 urkestan have been described by some as having heavy heads and ewe-necks, with long legs and a scanty? body ; while otbei-* speak of high crests and long, bony bodies, and assert these hor»e# crossed with those of Persia, produce magnificent animals — elegant* active, strong, and larger than the best Arabians. In Bokhara is a breed of small and shaggy but stout horses, called Kussaks, which has attracted some attention. Their manes and tails are long as compared with their general make up. Bel2:ium, Holland, and the German states have breeds of horses noted only, or chiefly at least, for being large, strong, and well-formed, and admirably adapted to purposes of heav}^ draft. In the forests of Sweden, Finland, and Norway is found a race of horses in a half wild state, from which the inhabitants, mthout taking upon themselves the trouble of breeding and rearing, suppW themselves when the creatures are wanted for use. They are small, but well-formed. active, and spirited. The Hungarian horse, though e^'idently of the same origin as those of Germany, is somewhat lighter than they, and possesses more spirit and action. He shows some signs of oriental blood, to which he probably owes his superiority to his neighbors. The horses of Iceland run at large and pick up their own scanty fare, wherever they can find it, until they are needed by the inhabitants, when they are caught and subjected to use. The origin of these animals is in doubt. Some assert that their progenitors were carried into that island from the forests of SAveden ; others, that they were of the stock of ponies found in the Scottish isles. They are small, but active, and gen- erally well disposed. The horses of Italy were formerly much better than now. Few of them may at present be regarded as possessing any striking excellence. There are said to ))e some, among the people of Naples, that are large, cf fine appearance, and excellent as carriage horses. The French people have many breeds, adapted to the saddle, the light «arria«-e, cavalry, and light artillery, besides those that are required for the plow and the cart. The most famous among them is the Norman, or Norman Percheron, which is described elsewhere in this chapter. The fact is well established that the horses of Spain, previous to tho Moorish conquest, were possessed of many noble qualities ; but they were much improved by a mixture of Barb blood, consequent upon th» \xvasion and the introduction of horses from the Barbary States. The^ THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, Eio. !)?> ttill show both their original and derived excellences ; and a pure-blood Spanish Barb is a fine and beautiful creature. In the plains of South America, Mexico, Texas, and the Western Territories of the United States are found great herds of wild horses, of vrhich there are different varieties, though they must have had a common origin, as we have stated in Chapter I. Chance mixture with horses imported into the country subsequentl}^ to those brought from Spain, together ^ith the influences of different climates and food to which they have long been subject, may perhaps account for this. The most marked types of these wild Americans are the Mustang and the Indian ponies, which are noticed on succeeding pages. As a general thing they retain the strildng characteristics of their old Spanish or Audalusian progenitors ; in size, shape, and spirit they show whence they are derived. Their heads are pretty and their limbs clean. They are capable of great endurance ; and though not especially rapid in action, it is related of them that they are sometimes ridden at the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour for a stretch of eighty miles, without an3i:hing more than a temporar}^ halt and such little food as could be hastily eaten. Seldom is any gait knoT^^l among them except a walk and a lope ; but an occasional pacer is discovered. Many of them do well for the saddle ; but care is required in handling them. In the hands of the cruel or inconsiderate, their wild nature returns to them, and they become intractable and even dangerous. H. Some Considered as to Work, rather than Breed. In treating of the different stocks and specifying distinguishing points, it is perhaps not amiss to consider some characteristics that should mark animals chosen or set aside for special purposes. And yet in this considera- tion it must not be forgotten, that very few horses, comparatively, are kept for but one class of duties. Few horses are for the saddle exclusively, as compared with those who render service in harness at times, as well as under saddle. And so with other grades of horses. A varied work is usually required, and ■especially so among farmers, and the well-to-do residents of cities and villages. The good farm horse cannot, of course, be confined to any particular breed. If he combines within himself certain desirable qualities, it is iiot pertinent to inquire particularly what blood he carries. Some pointif that should distinguish him may be thus enumerated : He should b« close-built and strong, but not gross and clumsy, since he is to serve as i) sort of horse of all work — doing duty, by turns, under the saddle, and before the plow, the farm-waojon and the carriage. M ILLUSTKATED STOCK DOCTOK. - ,:•• ;:i""' ■■'■•V' A Good Horse for Light Driving. A Good Horse for all Work. THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. 57 Fifteen to sixteen hands mark the proper stature ; and his limbs should be sinewy without absolute heaviness, while his feet should >)e of medium size. He should be reasonably springy under the saddle, and active, without dash, in light harness . To these he should add a certain thrif tiness, that mil enable him to appear well even under good, close work, if well treated ; and in temper he should be mild. His breaking in and training should have been such as to render him readily adaptable to any work that he may be called upon to perform about the country home. The hunter^ or horse for the chase, speaking mth reference to a pastime which is still common in England, but to which little or no importance is attached in this country, is usually the better esteemed for having some blood, but more for the absolute feats of speed and leaping which he may be able to perform, and for his ability to stand a hard day's run. The best hunters are said to be a combination of the thorough-bred with some coarser animal — producing more strength, substance, and hardihood, with less length of body. He is at the present time what may be oalled three-quarters bred ; and he is lighter and more fleet than formerly. The engraving upon the page next following, entitled "A light hunting horse," conveys an excellent idea of what tliis horse is now most commonly found to be. That is to say, a horse of good style and form, capable of long con- tinued exertion under the weight of an ordinary sized man, and also capable of showing as high a rate of speed as possible, combined with an aptitude to leap successfully such obstacles as may ordinarily interpose In all this class of horses, whether they be light or heavy weight animals, blood — that is, the possessor of a fair amount of thorough blood as trans- mitted by thoi ough-bred sires — is absolutely necessary. It gives style, form, hard and fine bones, muscular tissue, lung power, and all this means endurance to perform feats under which the cold blooded horse would soon succumb. Such a horse as the engraving shows will not only make a capital saddle horse, but also a most valuable horse for general utility, if properly broken, good for the light carriage and buggy and good also at a load if properly trained and handled ; but let it always be remembered that in as much as you put a saddle horse, and especially a hunting horse, to labor, you detract from his value in the field. This is to be regretted possibly, especially by those of somewhat limited purse, but such is the fact nevertheless. The best work in many lines cannot be had at one and the same time from one and the same animal. Excellence in some poiati necessitates unfitness elsewhere. ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. During the last century, lunvever, and the tirst of this, it was deemed Wteentiafthat he should be a heavier hoi-se — an animal capable of making prodigious leaps while carn-mg a heav\^ weight. This t^-pe is weU reprd' Stated by the subjoined cut of "A heaA-ier hunting horse." THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. 59 The Hackney, as the horse of all saddle and light harness purposes, the eommon roadster, or general knock-about, is temied in England, may he Considered in pretty much the same light as the good farm-hor^e pro- ▼iously noticed. Among the English people it seems to be essential tkat an animal must at least be supposed to possess some blood before he can be considered a good hackney. "When known, or believed, to have 9 69 ILLUSTKATEL) STOCK DOCTOR. streak of the thorough-bred in him, and to possess the foUowmg charac- teristics, nothing more is desirable : He must be about fifteen hands high ; both his fore and hind parts must be strong and well muscled ; he should be short in the back and Well ^upled ; his chest should bo wide and deep, allowing full play for thr) /ungs ; his head should be light and his neck carried well up ; his limns should be clean and bony, and with somewhat oblique pasterns ; ho should be quick and springy ; and in temper he should be kind and easily »ontrolled. THE JIOKSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. 61 Of Heavy Draft Horses there are several breeds in both England and the United States ; or rather, several kinds that have some of the blood and gome of the characteristics of the old heavy draft animals. When it became the fashion in England to seek admixture with the heavy mares and stallions of Belgium or Flanders, the English draft stock was really much improved, though several English breeds soon lost thereby, for th« most part, their identity. The Cleveland Bay, a powerful horse, though not of extraordinary size, was found chiefly in the four Counties of Yorkshire, Durham, Lin- colnshire, and Northumberland. He was capable of carrying a great Weight , and of maintaining under it a rapid rate of speed . A lighter horse , and one better adapted to the carriage, was produced by crossing the g2 ILLUSTR-VTED STOCK DOCTOR. Cleveland mare with a good-sized thorough-bred stallion. The best hunters and hackneys, having an arched crest and i)roud action, were pro- duced bv crossinir the Cleveland mare with a horse liirhter than the tru« thorough-breds, yet possessing real spirit and quick movement. The Cleveland, as a distinct breed, is nearly extinct. The Suffolk Punch is considered to be an excellent heavy draft horse. He is believed to be the offspring of the Suffolk cart-mare and the Nor- man stallion. When further crossed with the Yorkshu'e half-bred, (the product of the Cleveland Bay and the thorough-bred), he is active, spir- ited, and indomitable at a pull. The Suffolk, now hardly known as a distinct breed, was a horse of good size, being ordinarily from fifteen to sixteen hands high, and v^ry stout in proportion. His distinguishing color was sorrel ; he had a large head ; his shoulders were thick on top and low ; his chest was round and deep ; he had round legs and short pastenis ; his back was long ; his croup high ; his flanks full ; his quarters heavy and strong ; and he was every way a spirited and determined animal, active and enduring. The Clydesdale horse, found principally on the Clyde in Scotland, was the product of certain Scottish mares with Flanders stallions. He is a larger horse than the Suffolk, but less clumsy in appearance, as his head is better and his baiTel lighter. He has a long neck and deep legs : and is strong, hardy, patient, and a faithful puller. Some of the horses in the United States said to be of this stock presei'\e most of these charac- teristics, but their bodies are rounder and their neck^ are not pai-ticularly noted for length. An extended description will be given farther on. Between Lincolnshire and Staffordshire, in the midland counties of England, is found Avhat is called the Heavy Black Horse, a large, well- built animal, of splendid appearance, and much in demand m London and elsewhere as a wagon-horse ; but no horses of this partloulai* kind are kno\\'n to have been brought to America for breeding jiurpo^es. Of American heavy draft stock, the Vennont cart-horse is desening of special mention. He is said by one who is considered good authority to exist in Vermont and adjacent States as a distinct breed, and to be the very model of what a good cart-horse should be — cjuick and full of power, yet easily managed. As a general thing, he has a well-set head, a lofty crest, thin withers, mane and tail medium, and clean fetlocks. He has sufficient action to insure a good rate of speed, and makes, upon tlio whole, a fine show. His origin seems doubtful. There is a pony appearance about him, though often more than sixteen hands high — his peculiar shortness oi bftck, roundness of body, and general compactness contributing to maVg 1H£ HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. ftl ? 2 < s Q 5- O F ,^-v^ m THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. him seem much less in bulk than he is found to be by actual measure* iilent. III. The Arabian. We come now to notice some of the most distinct, strongly marked, »nd valuable breeds, among which the Arabian, or that species of the Arabian best known to us, is justly celebrated. Whether the' present pure blood Arab is native to Arabia or imported ; whether of recent origin or of a lineage as ancient as the sculptured ruins of Nineveh and Babylon, it is needless to inquire ; but the people of that country claim that they have authentic pedigrees reaching back for more than two thousand years ; while on the other hand, it is asserted by some who have tried to discover the real origin of this famous stock that prior to the thirteenth century the horses of Arabia were a poor race and lightly esteemed. Be that as it ma}^, the horse of the present day, so renowned throughout the world, undoubtedly began to attract notice some five or six hundred years ago, since which time he has grown into his great repute ; and now the best horses of most civilized lands are thoufirht to derive their hiofhest claims to noble descent from the Arabic Kochlani, and those of his congeners that have shared his excellences. In a subsequent chapter the subject of breeding will be appropriately treated ; but we may advert here to a singular fact in connection with the sons of the desert and the horse that shares their name and their affec- tions. So thoroughly are the principles of breeding understood among them, or such is their extraordinary care, (and perhaps climatic influence may have something to do TN-ith it), that their horses long since reached a degree of perfection unrivalled in any country, and this perfection is steadily maintained. Travelers differ as to the number and names of the distinct breeds of liorses which are found in Arabia ; but a comparatively recent Mohamme- dan writer, who seems to have had more than ordinary opportunities for knowing the facts in the case, has stated that there are six distinct breeds, which he names and characterizes thus : (1) The Dgclfe, found chiefly in Arabia Felix, seldom seen at Damas- cus, but common in the neighborhood of Anaze. Horses of this breed arc of lofty stature, have narrow chests, but are deep in the girth, and their ears are long. They are remarkable for spirit and fleetness, but are exceedingly tractable, and their abilit}^ to endure hunger and thirst is a remarkal)le feature. A two-year-old colt, he says, will co>st in his own country two thousand Turkish piasters. (2) The Secaloni, a breed from the eastern part of the desert, som«« what inferior to the Dgelfe, though resembling him in most points. ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 65 (3) The Mefki, he informs us, is a handsome horse ; but he is not so fleet as either the DgeKe or the Secaloni. In figure, he bears a resem- blance to the Spanish or Andalusian stock. (4) A fourth breed is called the Sabi, which is similar to the Mefki, but seems to possess no specially useful or striking qualities. (5) The Fridi. This breed is very common ; but they are often vicious and untrustworthy, and lack some of the excellent qualities possessed by file best of the others. (6) The Nejdi, found chiefly in the region of Bussorah. These are said to be at least the equals of the Dgelfe and the Secaloni. Some judges assert that there is no horse to be compared with them, and they stand very high in the market. This wi'iter considers the Dgelfe and the Nejdi to be the most valuable. They are known to be the favorites of the horse-fanciers of India, many fine animals of these stocks having been carried tliither by the sportsmen of that country. Other writers make mention of but three distinct breeds, to which they attribute names different from those above given ; and it is difficult to reconcile the statements of the two, and to determine whether they have really agreed in any way in pointing out the same animal, though by diverse names, as possessing the striking excellences which have made a certain breed famous and well known to us. Writers of the latter class speak of an inferior race, little esteemed, at home or abroad, which they call the Attechi. These are sometimes found in a wild state. Then come the Kadischi, a sort of half-breed stock, possessing some points of resem- blance to the true blood, and being sometimes imposed upon dealers for the genuine. Finally, they describe a superb race, the pure descendants of some extraordinary ancestors, and these they call the Kochlani or Kailhan. The best of them are found among the Shammar and Aneyza tribes. The Arabs themselves pretend to trace the Kochlani back to the days and the stables of Solomon. While this cannot be credited, it is known that some of them have written pedigrees for at least four hundred years, kept with the most extreme care, and always on the side of the mare. These animals are sometimes sold to foreigners ; but they bear almost fabulous prices, and it is believed to be a very rare thing for a true Kochlani to fall into the hands of a strans^er. The striking points of the pure Arab maybe thus stated: In size, he is considerably smaller than the modern thorough-bred, scarcely ever exceeding in height fourteen and a half hands. His head is extraordinary for its beauty, — the forehead being broad and square, the muzzle short and fine, so that some of them seem as though they could really ** stick their noses into a tumbler." The face, upon which the veins appear «^ II.LUSTRATKD STOCK DOCTOR. THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. Q^ beautifully coursed, is bony; the nostrils are wide; the, well-set ears are small, while the eyes are large, promment and brilliant. The necu:, vising beautifully from the shoulders, and well arched, is xery fine ; the withers arc high and moderately thin ; the shoulder, inclining backward, is perfect in form and position — muscular as well as finely shaped. Tho body is light and narrow before ; but behind the arms the chest io expanded and affords sufficient capacity for the lungs ; the hips, though somcAvhat narrow, are well united to the back, and the quai*ters are strong, muscular, and well set. The legs are small, flat, sinewy ; the pasterns are oblique in their position ; the croup is high, while the tail is set on mth considerable arch. The muscles of the arm, like those of the ham, are full and strong. The bones of the leg are large in propor- tion to the size, there being no superfluous fatty matter, but full, free, strong, and clean tendons and suspensory ligaments. The hocks are large, ])ut free from both curbs and spavins ; while the feet are small and sound. The elbow joint is prominent but fine, and generally plays clear of the body. Especially does the Arab differ from other breeds in the superior fineness of his muzzle ; the somewhat hollowed but graceful face ; the fully developed jaws that yet give no impression of heaviness ; the beau- tifulh^ pricked and exquisite shape of the ear ; the conspicuous neatness of the leg beloAV the knee ; and the beautiful make of the hind quarters. The fleetest among them are also noted for a straight-dropped hind leg, which is always regarded as a good point. A true Arabian has been described as "looking the gentleman all over, with a bearing as statel;^ as that of an autocrat." In spirit he is as noble as in his physical formation. Though kind and docile when mth his native master, he is sensitive and full of spirit, and when excited is so indomitable that he would run or pull to the death rather than yield. With a cruel master he is apt to become in a measuro ungovernable ; but his intelligence is such that proper treatment will soou win his confidence and remove a vicious habit. His sagacity is as remarkable as his susceptibility to kind treatment. Instances are not wanting in which his master, overcome by the heat of the desert, and lost in a lethargic sleep, has been watched over by hu faithful animal, and guarded from the approach of man and beast. The colors mostly prevalent among them are bay, gray, and chestnut. Occasionally a black is found. He is not so swift as the best English, French, and American courser* nor is it here that his great excellence must be sought. That arises from a combination of qualities, to some of which the best of other breeds am wholly strangers. 68 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. He IS peculiarly adapted to that waste and barren country, and to th© uses for which he is prized by the a\ andering tribes. The food and drink upon which he can live and perform great journeys Avould be wholly inad- equate to the keeping of one of ours which we are pleased to call thrifty. As has ])ccn said, this remarkaljle stock has long maintained its essen- tial purity ; nor docs it show, in recent times, any tendency to degenerate. Those good Arabians that are offered for sale to British residents and other horse dealers in the markets of Bengal and Bombay command prices ranging from seven hundred and fifty to one thousand dollars ; and it is said by travelers that their best mares are seldom if ever sold. IV. The English Thorough-bred. We have already referred to different varieties of English horses, some of which have had more or less influence upon those of our own country : but the most excellent and famous of all is the thorough-bred, or race- horse, descended chiefly from imported Arabians, Barbs, and Turks. The animal known to-day as the real English thorough-bred is perhaps of almost purely eastern origin. His excellences are derived, it is thought, from an admixture of various pure breeds, native to those regions to which the noblest of the race are indigenous, so far as either history or tradition determines. Ai-abia, Sjni-ia, Persia, Turkestan, Nubia, Abys- sinia, and the Barbary States, all have breeds closely connected with each other, and yet possessing different characteristics ; but the English race- horse is a superior animal to any of them ; and his blood cannot now be improved by crossing with any known stock. There seems to be in him a larger mixture of the Barb than of any other breed ; but the earliest and most celebrated importations into Eng- land were Arabians. Much attention has long been paid there to the improvement of racing stock. The minds of Englishmen were most probably turned to this by the accession of the Norman Conquerors ; at any rate, soon after the Normans were established in the island, the firs Arabian of which any record has been preserved was imported. Thr was in 1121, during the reign of Henry I. Then, an authenticated case of importation from Arabia took place in the reign of James I. This horse was condemned, not having met the popular expectation ; but the true value of eastern blood began now to be appreciated, and the White Turk was soon brought over ; then a horse known as the Helmesley Turk ; Boon afterward, Fairfax's Morocco Barb. The interest in the improve- ment of racing stock then so actively manifested has never suffered more than a temporary abatement, and in no other country than in England has such success been attained. During the troublous times consequent upon the overthrow of Charles I. and the accession of the Puritans to THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. 69 Dover, there seems to have been a declme ; but a love of racing, and a wjrresponding desire to produce tlie best horses for this purpose, wat reyived upon the restoration of Charles II. to the throne. This pn»(» himself sent to the east to purchase brood mares and stallions, but hf 7C ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. affected chiefly Barbs and Turks. !Maiiy of his wealthier subjects engaged in like enterprise on their own private account. But the most marked improvement of English stock followed the introduction into that country of the Darley Arabian, a fine and vigorous rtall'iou imported during the latter jiart of Queen Anne's reign by one Mr. Darley. Several horses of great repute descended from him, of ivhich the most noted were Almanzer, Fljdng Childers, and Bartlett's Childers ; and from the Childers, besides numerous others, of more or* less celebrity, Childers, Blaze, Samson, Snap, and Eclipse deserve special mention. Of the last named, it is recorded that though he was thick- winded or what is termed a "roarer," he never lost a race and never paid a forfeit ; and that three hundred and thirty-four of his descendants proved to be winning horses. During the reign of Louis XIV., of France, and when the Ai-abian stock, the descendants of the Darley, were already in high repute, a horse called the Godolphin Arabian, but which was really a beautiful Barb, of excellent spirit and action, was rescued by one Mr. Coke from the igno' ble employment of drawing a cart in the streets of Paris, (where his striking characteristics seem to have been wholly overlooked), and carried to England. He is said to have been about fifteen hands high, of abro^vn color, and to have been distinguished by the height of his crest and for round and drooping quarters. From him is descended much of the finest racing blood in England. We have spoken of the thorough-bred as a pure-blooded horse ; and though this ought doubtless to be understood with some limitations, as even in the best of the stock there is probably some tinge of old Eng- lish and Spanish blood ; yet, such has been the great care bestowed upou him that he is regarded as ' ' the eastern horse brought to the very highest state of perfection." It is certain that, as previously remarked, he is in some respects superior to the best of the original breeds. This has been brought about by long continued careful attention to breeding, to feed- ing, to all those points, in fact, necessary to the elimination of vicious strains and the preservation and improvement of those qualities that tend to the one great end in view — fleetness, with a corresponding power of endurance. The climate of England is said to be peculiarly favorable to the horse ; and this influence has perhaps contributed something to the making of the English racer a pre-eminently fine and much admired animal. The following may be regarded as his distinguishing points : His chest is his one and only mark of superior strength ; this is wide and deep. His body is round, his flanks and belly light. His ears ar« fine ; his eyes prominent ; his nostrils are wide ; his lips are small and thic, while he is remarkably wide between the jaws. He has a long and THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. 7 1 fine neck, to which a thm mane lies close. His withers are uncommonly thin and high ; his back is low at the withers, then straight to the haunches. Measured from the haunches to the turn of the rump, he is long ; from the turn of the rump to the tip of the hock he is long and thin. He has great power of springing, to force himself forward, by reason of his leg* standing rather under the body than erect. His buttocks rarely touch each other ; his legs below the knee and hock are small, and the cords stand out conspicuously. His tail is slight and thin-haired, sometime* Blightly waved ; the hair of his legs is very fine ; he has no fetlock tufts, and his hoof is small and cupped. His color is generally bay, brown, or chestnut ; his height varies from fifteen to seventeen hands. His coat is tliinner and the hair more silky than in common breeds. The soundness of feet and legs, and the poAvers of endurance, which characterize the Arab, have been transmitted to the thorough-bred ; and while the latter is not himself well suited to heavy harness work, or indeed to any of vbe general purposes of the farmer, animals are often obtained by judicious crosses with him which are admirably adapted to various uses. He is valued solely for the turf, and for light single draft, except, as we have before remarked, for the improvement of the general stock of horses by admixture ; and for this latter purpose we are largely dependent upon him in America as well as in Great Britain. V. The Barb. The horse of the Barbary States has long been known for his excellent qualities ; and he is especially remarkable for fine and graceful action. His powers of transmission are great, so that his marked traits are found in his descendants at remote periods and after commixture of various and inferior breeds. He has impressed himself particularly upon the Spanish horse and the English racing stock. It is thought that the horses of Spain owe all their excellences to Barb blood, which was brought into that country by the Moors, at the time of the conquest. The Barb is found chiefly in Morocco, Fez, and Tripoli, and with the exception of an excellent species found in the kingdom of BournoU; he U the only African horse deserving of special mention. The horse of Boumon is represented by some as being superior to both the Arabian and the Barb. In addition to what has been said in those sections in which we have treated of the Arabian and the thorough-bred, the following description, of the Barb will be sufficient to convey to the mind of the reader wh.i. a true horse of this breed really is : 72 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. In height, he is from fourteen to fifteen hands ; his chest is round ; hU •houlders arc broad, but light, and somewhat obliquely sloping ; Yna >vnthers are thin and rather higli ; his loins are straight and short ; lun flanks and ribs are round and well developed ; his haunehes are strong ; his croup is somewhat too long for nice corresiDondence with the rest of the body ; his quarters are muscular and full ; his legs are clean, and the tendons are clearly marked ; his pasterns, like his croup, are some- what too long and slanting, but not so much so as to amount to real defect ; and his feet are sound and of good shape. But his head is especially beautiful. It is small and lean, while the ears are of medium size and admirably placed. The mane is rather meager ; but the neck rises boldly from the mthers, and gives an impression of ease and grace in carriage. In spirit and fleetness he is not regarded as the equal of the Arab much less of the real thorough-bred; but in a certain native vigor and in form he is superior. VI. The Persian. No traveler to whose writings we have access in this country has sufficiently described the horses of Persia to enable us to point out with exactness the diiference between the inferior and the better breeds tha"" are known to exist in that country. The term the Persian horse i. ordinarily applied to the most excellent of all, which has been celebrated for hundreds of years longer than the Arabian. At the present day, he ha3 a large proportion of Arab blood in his veins. As a general thing, he is somewhat taller than the Arabians ; and in beauty and speed he is their equal ; but his powers of endurance are not so great. VII. The Turkish. This horse is believed to be descended from the best stock of Arabs,—. crossed, however, with some breed that has given him greater proportions than his ancestors ; at any rate, the Turldsh horse of to-day is full uixteen hands high, often more ; and he is more muscular than the Ai-al), though still of elegant appearance, cleanlimbed and active. It is asserted by some that he is descended from Arabs and Persians ; and it is known that he possesses many of the best qualities of these stocks. Though strong and of sufficient spirit, he is docile, and well adapted to domestic uses. An arched neck, with a high crest, is a striking characteristic of the '»reed. VIII. The Tiirkoman. k& we have said elsewhere, none of the Tartar breeds except the Turko* THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. 73 (nan or South Tartary horse are worthy to be rated among the better class of animals. He is famous for purity of blood, for good speed, and for wonderful powers of endurance. It is related that one of them has been known to travel nine hundred miles, bearing a rider, in eleven successive days. He is not really a graceful animal, however, as his head is rather large, and his legs are long in proportion to liis height, which is from fifteen to sixteen hands. Other domesticated horses among Tlic T rtai-s are evidently of the same breed as the wild horses which are found in various parts of the coulitry and in immense numbers, as the characteristics of the wild are exhibited in a marked manner in the domesticated. Indeed, it is known that these wild herds are often drawn upon for recruits when necessity drives the inhabitants to add to their stock of serviceable animals. All these inferior creatures are small and narrow ; they have long necks, apparently weak legs, large heads, and light barrels. The prevailing color is a reddish sorrel, with a black stripe along the back. Their manes and tails are black, except at the roots, where th,e hairs preserve this reddish cast. Their general appearance is rough and inelegant : but they are of the most hardy nature ; and, contrary to appearance, they are rapid travelers. They live and even perform long and arduous journeys upon the sparsest and poorest food. IX. The Egyptian. It is represented by some who have devoted more than ordinary cai'e to the study of the origin of breeds, and to the horse in his relations to various peoples and countries, that the horse of the ancient Egyptians was identical with an inferior race that afterward existed among the Assyrians. Some sculptures, found among the ruins of Nineveh, care- fvilly executed and well preserved, portray a horse wholly different from that nobler animal carved in other bas-reliefs found in the same ruins. He is said to have been the Egyptian horse ; and as thus conveyed to us, he was a large and heavy animal, having a coarse and ill-proportioned head, but a high crest. The modern Egyptian is also of unpleasing aspect. From wheresoever derived, he is rough and ugly. Frequently his legs, knees and neck become positive defects ; but a good head is occasionally found. Hd would scarcely be deserving of mention were it not that he is spirited and impetuous ; and this, together with his weight, renders him valuable for heavy cavalry, in which capacity he has won some celebrity. His powers of endurance are not gi-eat. X. The Dongola. This horse is also entitled to consideration chiefly upon the ground of 74 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. his being greatly prized ajs a war horse. Unlike the Egjqitian, howevei, he has not only speed but powers of endurance ; and some have described him as both beautiful and tractal)lc. Yet, even those who have had opportunities for personal observation do not agree in their descriptions and their estimates. One speaks of him as being deficient in substance and wanting in stout nesss ; while another thinks him to possess the highest type of symmetry, size, and strength. From another we get this more particular description : In height, he is full sixteen hands 5 his body is short ; his neck is long and slim ; he has a fine crest ; and his withers are high and sharp ; but his breast is narrow, his qiiaiters and flanks are flat, and he has a rather ugly back. He is found in the kingdom of Dongola and in adjacent regions. XI. Wild Horse of America. That the horse existed in America at some far distant epoch is undeni- able since the fossil remains found prove this conclusively, and progress- ing naturally from age to age into more and more perfectly developed types. Yet at the discovery of America at the several points by the early navigators, no mention is made of native horses, as would surely have been done if such had been known to the Indians. America is undoubtedly indebted for her wild or feral horses which have roamed the great valleys of the Pacific slope, the immense plains of the West and South-west, and the grassy portions of Mexico, to the early Spanish adventurers on the Pacific slope, as were the wild horses of the great plains and of Texas to the horses abandoned by De Soto when he turned his face eastward towards the Mississippi, after having abandoned his search for the fountain of youth and the new Eldorado. So Mexico and the Isthmus were stocked with horses in like manner, for it is futile to suppose that the increase of horses escaping from the Spanish conquer- ors ef South America would have made their way northward through interminable and tangled forests, and mountain fastnesses, but that rather they would have betaken them to the pampas, which in reality they did. Thus in a comparatively short time they covered most areas of country w^ith immense droves, in reality as wild and as free as though they had always existed there. That the facts arc as we have stated, is patent from the fact that the produce resembles in many close characteristics the Spanish and Andalu- sian horses of the early Spanish adventurers, as did those found wild in I\GW Foundland resemble the French horse of that period ; as does the Canadian pony of the present day, although diminished in size from insuf- ficient food and the inclemencies of the climate through the long generations which have passed since their introduction into Acadia in X604, and into Canada four years later. THE HOESE, I^IEEEEEIST BREEDS, ETC XII. The Norman Percheron. v;> Among the striking and useful breeds, no horse has attracted more attention during the hist half -century than the Norman Percheron, other- wise known simply as the Percheron, — a stock peculiar to La Perche, » 76 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. district in France. Volumes have been written respecting this horse, anti Various theories as to his origin and development have been advanced, by inter- ested partizans at times, and again by pure lovers of horses who pursued truth for truth's sake alone. One ^vritor insists that he is descended from what eomc call the i^rimi- tive or natural horse, the pure blood Arabian, crossed with a stock of heavy draft horses existing in that section, but w'ithout historic mention, prior to the Crusades. He thinks that aftc^r the defeat of the Saracen ^hief, Abderame, by Charles Martel, in Vouille, in which battle a host of 3araceiis peiished, the cavalry of the enemy, Oriental horses of marked haracter, true Arabs, fell into the hands of the French, — thence many of •hese horses were brought by their victorious masters to the districts of Normandy and La Perche. Here commixture of blood wdth a heavier horse of excellent quality followed, and the cross resulted in producing the now celebrated Percheron. The native race referred to is thought by some to have been the old war horse of the Normans — heavy, bony and slow — good for cavalry use during the days of chivalry, when the carrying of a knight and his armor required an animal of great strength and powers of endurance. Others think that it was a stock of horses then peculiar to Brittany and used for draft rather than for war. One author asserts that the Percheron is descended from a remote cross between the Andalusians (after their commixture with the Morocco Barbs) and the Normans ; and this somewhat fanciful reason is given for the active agency of man in l)ringing it about : that the Norman, though pow- erful, was too slow for a fully caparisoned knight — ^the Andaljsian or Spanish Barb Avas too light — and a cross wuis effected for the purpose of securing a horse that combined speed with pow'er. But it is not within the scope of the present work to enter into minute pai-ticulars of this kind, nor to indulge in the discussion of mooted points that have a merely curious interest. Whatever may have been the origin of the Percheron, it is evidentl}'^ a pure race, one capable of producing and reproducing itself unchanged thi'ough a long succession of 3'ears, and without deterioration of qualities when like sires are bred to like dams. Even wiien the Percheron stallion is put to the ser\nce of inferior mares, he impresses himself in a remark- able manner upon his offspring, transmitting to them his own striking characteristics. Percheron mares bred to inferior stallions affect in like manner, and in almost equal intensity, their progeny — though the rule is that the stallion exerts the greater influence in determining the character 3f the foal. THE HORSE, P.VFFPENT BREEDS, ETC. 7. The old Norman stock is said to have transmitted to this race their ex- traordinary bone and muscle, while the Arab or Andalusian or whatevet may have been the cross, give the spirit and action. The Norman hai 78 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOK. been described as being capable of carrying great burdens at a reasonabI« rate of spe^d ; to have been large, compact, muscular, and possessing the greatest endurance. The points of the Percheron may be stated as follows : The head is short ; the brow is broad, and has that hollow of profile between the eyes and nostrils sometimes known as the dish-face — (in this greatly resembling the Arab) ; but the head in general is not heavier than seems in keeping with the general massiveness of the frame ; the neck is long, well-arched and heavy, but, like the head, not dispropor- tioned to the general bulk. The back is short ; they are well ribbed up and round barrelled ; their legs are particularly short from the knees and hocks downward ; they are heavily haired, but have not such shaggy fetlocks and feet as this would seem to indicate ; their sinews are iron~ like ; and their feet are hard, sound, apparently insensible to disease. In height, they are from fourteen and a half to fifteen and a half hands, the latter being rather more than the average. Gray is the characteristic, almost the only, color. For hard work on ordinary fare the Percheron is unequalled ; and his energy and endurance are wonderful. He will keep his condition where another horse would die of hard labor and neglect. Though full of spirit, unflinching under even painful effort, he is yet docile. In mere speed he is by no means the equal of the thorough-bred ; but for quickness of movement at heavj^ draft he has no rival. Hitched to a light carriage or wagon he is capable of maintaining a good rate of speed for a long time together, or of making comparatively short journeys with a rapidity that is astonishing. One, carrying a light vehicle and the driver, is known to have made 55 3-5 miles over a hilly and difficult road, in four hours and twenty-four minutes ; and another, harnessed in like manner, is said to have traveled 58 miles and back in two consecutive days, without being touched with the whip, occupying four hours and less than two minutes going, and four hours, one and a half minutes returning. The Percheron of to-day makes an excellent cross with either the Arab or the English thorough-bred. For the improvement of our draft stock in the United States, no other horse is to be compared to him. Bred to good mares, this half-breed would partake more of the qualities of the sire than of the dam, and the progeny would be almost the equals of th* pure French horses. Another step, bringing a pure imported stallion to the service of these half-breeds, would give us a race of horses for all Work that would so far excel the ordinary race of scrubs as to seem almost like a different species of animal. At Oaklawn, Du Page Co., 111., is one of the largest stud farms of the world, and it is devoted exclusively to the Percheron stock. THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC, 7^ XIII. The Clydesdale Horse. The west of Scotland has been long famous for its draught horses. Away in the upper ward of Lanarkshire, the progenitors of that noble race of horsea 60 called Clydesdale, from the Vale in which they were originally reared, were first brought to the front and made famous throughout the whole of Scotland ; so much so that the common work horse of that country is now, to all intents and purposes, a Clyde ; and many of the Shire Horses of England are deep in their blood also. Where the originals came from, and how they were bred, are questions that have often been discussed in the public press. Tradition, without any founda* tion in facts, points to the importation of Flemish Stallions into the above ward nearly two centuries ago, by one of the Dukes of Hamilton, who sought improvement in his stock. Whether such is the case or not, certain it is that by some means or other, the farmers in that country possessed a grand lot of brood mares, from which the Clydesdales of the present day owe their activity and hardiness. Our own opinion is, that they grew up into the state of perfection in which they were found about the beginning of the last century, through the judicious mating of the home stock, and that up to that time, little or no fresh blood was intro- duced. The upper ward of Lanarkshire is a wild and somewhat bare country, with a thin soil, which, however, is admirably adapted for grazing purposes ; the farms are small, and the husbandmen who made their livelihood from the profits of the soil, were a shrewd and saving race, with a love for their stock born in them. Proud of their cattle and horses, and considerably skilled in their care, they developed for the district in which they lived, a class specially suited to their wants. In kine they modelled, as it were, the Ayrshire Cow, and in horses, more esjjecially in this particular district, they produced and kept continually im- proving the Clyde. Just as on the banks of the Tees, long years ago, there existed a grand race of cattle, so on the hills that rise gently away from the waters of the Clyde, a class of horses belonged to it, which were associated with no other shire or county in Great Britain, till a more enlightened day with the aid of the printing press spread their fame abroad, and created for them an immense demand. Thus we find the horses about the year 1720, when Mr. John Paterson, of Lochlyoch, introduced a Flemish Stallion. Whether through the introduction of this horse or otherwise, the Lochlyoch mares became very famous, and from them, directly or indirectly, most of the noted stock of the present day trace their origin. From the Lampits mare, a descendant of the above stock, came Glancer (335), the horse that may be called the father of the present race of Clydes* dales. 80 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. In a table compiled for the " Clydesdale Horse Society " it is astonishing »m fee the influence that this horse has wielded. Without any system, most of the breeders were ignorant that such a horse ever existed, till the herculeaa labors of Mr. Dykes, secretary to the above society, ferreted out all these facts. It is most interesting to study the relationships of the various crack horses of the present day. Wherever you begin, the pedigree by some means runs into Glancer (335). Gradually, but surely, from those wild uplands, Clydesdales have spread, as it were, over the whole world. They found, early in this century, a congenial home amid the richer soils of Galloway, and while thriving there, they obtained even a greater notoriety on the bare hillsides of Kintyre. Branching out thus, they spread over all Scotland, reaching some favored Bpots in England, and within later years they have found their way to America and Australia, where they are as much prized as upon their native heath. In the Antipodes, they have no rival, but in the United States they come into competition with the " Pereherons." The inherent value of the Clydesdale lies in his reproducing powers. Bred for generations among themselves, ofttimes bred in and in, they are most im- pressive, and put upon the common mares of this continent, the produce is a splendid farmer's horse, while those animals which have two or three crosse* of this blood, are becoming exceedingly valuable for draying in towns, and, owing to their special fitness for heavy work, at the present moment the demand far exceeds the supply. The indications are, that the Clydesdales and Pereherons will gradually become the work horses of America. Farmers who in olden times (and, we are sorry to say, even in these days), mijrely scratch their land, have no use for either of those breeds, but as agriculture advances, as science surely overcomes brute force, when the days of deep ploughing and thorough cultivation become a necessity, then will the- husbandman know the value of heavy, well-built horses. To attain this end, horses of the above breeds must be used. Each will serve their end, but for wear and tear it is likely the Clydes will eventually take the lead. It is true, the Clydesdales of the present day are not so hardy as they w^ere. The system of feeding for show, carried to great excess by the Scotch breeders, has given rise to diseases among pure-bred animals, which they do not happily reproduce, and which has tended to make some of the best horses that ever were bred, but indiifercnt stock -getters. Then little attention was paid to systematic breeding. The old way and style which, no doubt, was conducted with great success as far as it went, did not tend to produce so many good horses as we may expect under the skilful mating of both well-bred and good-looking animals. 91 g2 ILLUSTRATED tSTOCK rxXJTOR. Just as we have seen grade bulls vie in excellency with the thoroughbred, sa it was with the Clydesdale horse. Five years ago, through the efforts of various parties, all lovers of the Clyde, a society was established for registering pedigrees, and their operations have met with signal success. They have laid the foundation of a system by which breeders can attain grand results from a careful and judicious selection of good blood. And so in America they have a Stud Book, drawn up on the same basis as the Scotch publication, and here breeding is being carried on, more especially by Western breeders, with a zest second only to that of the farmers in Scotland. This American and Colonial demand for good horses with pedigrees, has given a great impetus to breeding at home, and it is likely we shall see some grand results from the efforts that are being made. Blessed with perseverance, and holding their own judgment at a premium, no men are better suited for this work than the small dairy farmers from the regions of Ayrshire, Galloway and Lanarkshire. It is to them and some larger farmers and proprietors we need to look for the grand colossal horses which have made, and are destined to make, the name of the Clydesdale more famous than ever. The main feature of the Clydesdale is its size, combined with activity and hardiness. Bred upon a bare, and not very prolific soil, they thrive well upon being transplanted to a more generous and richer location. It is the universal practice among the west of Scotland breeders to keep their young stock in a semi- wild state, giving them only as much food as is necessary for health and develop- ment until they are between two and three years old. Great capacity for endurance is thus secured. A fat colt is never seen, scarce even among those reserved for the stud. Treated thus when they are young, they grow up hardy, with clean bones and well-developed muscles, and almost entirely free from hereditary disease. And^ perchance, no horse of the present day, excepting those existing on the Arabian deserts, can compare for genuine and valuable intelligence with those we are now writing about. Treated for generations by their masters as companions, that is, after they had received their primary education, a sense almost human in some cases is found engraved in their nature. Just as the Scottish Collie and the noble Newfoundland have developed almost supernatural instincts, so the Clydesdale horses, being the companions as well as slaves of a class of men who took pride in their sagacity, have come to be looked on as possessing a rarely and widely defined instinct. Thus they combine strength, soundness and sense, the three attributes necessary to make a horse successful in the wagon or plough. THE POINTS OF THE CLYDESDALE. The writer had much to do with the formation of the Clydesdale Stud Book, THE HORSE. DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETa 8S and for a full description 'and history of the breed of horses we refer our readers to this volume. In the meantime we cannot do better than abridge as shortly as possible the beau ideal of the horse as given there : The kead, a broad jaw, ending, as a rule, in a not very fine or well-developed muzzle, but with large, open nostrils. The eye full and vigorous, yet mild. The forehead broad and full, especially between the eyes. The ears long and active. The neck should be strong and massive, supporting the head gaily, and •bowing on its top a good development of muscle. The shoulder should be oblique, like a thoroughbred, so that the horse can Btep out boldly. The legs should be short from the fetlock to the knee, and comparatively long from the knee upwards. The forearm should be well developed, showing lots of muscle. The bones must be hard and flinty, flat-shaped, with no fleshiness; both muscle and bone seeming entirely separate. Lots of hair is essential. Of little use itself, it shows forth quality and strength of bone, and is typical of the pure-bred horse. The knees should be big and bony. The feet of the Clydesdale are nearly invariably good ; great, big, widely developed hoofs of the best quality, and connected with the leg with sloping pasterns, which help every horse to go up and down hill. Nothing, in our idea, is so essential to a draught horse as good pasterns. The chest should be broad and full. The back and barrel should be straight and round, with the ribs going well back towards the quarters. In this particular we find the weak part of the Clydesdale. He is not altogether so symmetrical as he should be, as a rule, in this respect. Broad, low-set quarters, with muscular thighs descending into broad and proportionately-developed hocks, sum up the good points of the hind end of the Clydesdale. Avoid fleshy hocks ; let them be clean cut and devoid of fat or puffing. The hind leg should be short, broad, flat, clean and slightly inclined for- ward, while the pastern should also incline forwards ere it joins the hoof. The height of the Clydesdale averages about sixteen hands two inches ; over that height they become clumsy, except when very well developed. The best color undoubtedly is brown, with white marks, and, so far as possible, this color is being adopted among breeders. Good action is sure to be possessed by a horse modeled on the above type. Both walking and trotting, there will be a style and majesty that attracts the eye and is useful when at work. ,lj < X a 03 i-H Ul ^Cl. s C/i . k>^ ^ J «fc i c J o w o ;w !3 si < ^ (» u (9 ,_2 * z a t c e 11. THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. 85 XIV. The Thorough-bred in America. The Flemish and Danish horses, large, strong, hea\y draft breeds, have had more or less influence upon the horses of the United States, particu- larly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the northwestern States ; but no other blood is so widely disseminated among our various stocks as that of the English thorough-bred. We have been dependent chiefly upon this animal for the improvement of the horses among us ; and from a time long prior to the Revolution, it has been the custom of our most ambitious Dreeders to import from England both stallions and mares, but more especially the former, for this purpose. Leonard Calvert, Lord Baltimore, sometime between 1740 and 1750, presented to a Mr. Ogle an English thorough-bred stallion, by which the colonial horse of that portion of the country was much improved ; and this same gentleman. Ogle, imported Queen Mab, shortly after he came in possession of "Spark," the Baltimore horse. Selima, a mare sired by the Godolphin Arabian, w^as brought over by one Col. Trasker ; Miss Cohalle, or Wilkes' Old Hautboy Mare, was imported by Col. Colville ; Jennie Cameron, Crab, and others, by different persons, at various times. It was not until within about fifty years ago that any reliable stud book or turf register began to be kept in the United States ; so that it is often diflicult to establish a claim to good pedigree extending beyond that time ; but many valuable importations are known to have taken place previous to 1829 ; and the register since kept shows that there is a very large ad- mixture of English blood in many parts of the country. The work stock of the southern States before the war, as now, was, of course, drawn mostly from States farther north and east, and was of in- different character ; but much attention was paid in that part of the country to raising stock ; and all horses raised there have more or less of the thorough-bred in them. Many really fine animals were found there, — the race-horse preserved in his purity, — but the true thorough-bred has rarely been found at any time in the northern States. In New England, the good driving horse, the horse of all work, medium sized and stoutly- built, is mostly found ; in New York, they have animals representing almost every variety of breed known in the United States, and among them the descendants of many famous racers. In Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the Northwest generally, they have a great Tariety of heavy draft horses — some of them of gi*eat size — not. much attention having been paid, as yet, to saddle, light carriage, and race horseg in the West however, consideraMe improvement has been madf by the introduction of fine stallions from Kentucky and Tennessee, r 1 both the thorough-bred and the Morgan strain. In Kentucky and Teu- aessee, the breeds are various, but there is a very laro^e admixture of th«i 6 J.^ 86 « ILLUSTKATED STOCK DOCTOR. thorough-bred. Their saddle, light carriage, trotting and racing stock are justly renowned. Scarcely any country in the world is better adapted to the production of fine horses than the blue-grass region of Kentucky ; and it constitutes a sort of Arabia of the West, to whose breeders and trainers the buyers of the United States, sometimes even foreign gentl©' men, come to purchase mares, stallions, and trained coursers. The American thorough-bred retains man}^ of the striking character- istics of the Arabian and his best old world representatiA'^e, the Englisfi racer ; and in speed he compares Avell with the best horses of England. He is more stoutly built, however, and capable of more endurance than the English horse. XV. The Morgan Horse. A story is current to the effect that during the war of the Revolution, one of the British officers. Gen. DeLancy, rode a very beautiful stallion, of great value — said to have been a true thorough-bred. This horse was stolen by one Smith, an American, and retained within the American lines. He was the sire of a colt from a Wild Air mare ; and the colt, being foaled or having become by purchase the property of one Justin Morgan, of Randolph, Vermont, received the name of his master, and his descendants xiave ever since been known as the Morgan horse. The stolen stallion, called "The True Briton" or "Beautiful Bay," has been described as not only beautiful, but as having possessed great action, and being capable of leaping fences, hedges, and ditches, bearing a rider, from which it has been argued that he was not a thorough-bred, since that stock cannot jump ; but he was in any event a remarkable horse, and his valuable qualities have been transmitted to his descendants. Of so pure blood and marked character was he that his powers of repro- ducing himself equalled those of the most unmistakable Arabian ; and the Morgan blood is perceptible after various crosses, and that too, with many inferior breeds. So rriarkcd are the characteristics of these horses, and so different are they, in some particulars, from other races, that they seem fully entitled to be considered a distinct breed. They are in great repute, also, in many portions of the country ; and some efforts have been made with much success, to bring the stock back to its former and better condition, by breeding from the best and most strongly marked stallions and mares. They are stout and hardy, while at the same time of good form-^ capable of performing tlie greatest amount of labor, and that, too, with quickness of movement. They are always in demand, and command the highest market prices. The following are the distinguishing points of a true Morgan : THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC- 87 in height he is from fourteen to sixteen hands ; in weight sufficiently hi-dvy for this height, with no appearance whatever of coarse bulkiness. Ij", is compactly built, and of great strength ; his action is fine, his endurance unsurpassed, and in spirit he is indomitable — never failing at a pull, if rightly handled — yet patient and trustworthy. As roadsters and horses of all work they are excellent — having no equals, perhaps, in this country. He walks fast, and many horses of this breed have been extraordinary trotters. In harness he is quiet, but nimble, and of eager movement. Bay, chestnut, and black are the prevaihng colors. The mane and tail are rather heavy and coarse, and in general wavy. The head is not extremely small, but there is no superfluous muscle or fatty matter about it ; the face is straight, the forehead broad, the ears are small, fine, and set far apart, the nostrils are wide, the lips are close and firm, the muzzle is small, the eyes are not large, but very dark, prominent, set wide apart, and full of animation. The back is short ; tie shoulder-blades and hip-bones are large and oblique, the loins broad and muscular ; the body is long, round, deep, and closely ribbed up ; the chest- bone is prominent, the chest mde and deep, the legs seem rather short for the height, but they are close-jointed, and though thin, they are vciy wide, hard, clean, and yet with powerful muscles ; the feet are small and round ; the hair is short and flossy at almost all seasons ; the fetlocks are moderately long, and there is some long hair up the backs of the legs. In some parts of the country the Morgans are the premium horses, and their peculiar adaptability to all the ordinary purposes of the farmer is such that they enjoy a high degree of favor. As a breed, they are unusually long-lived, and this constitutes one of their great points of excellence. XVI. The Narragansett Pacer. This breed, now almost unknown as a distinct one, was remarkable chiefly as being natural pacers, and of such peculiar action as to render them peculiarly easy under the saddle. Though small, they were hardy and full of power, and their docility was such as to render them very pleasant to handle. The stock are said to have been imported into Ncm^ England, from Andalusia, by one Gov. Robinson, and to have been bred chiefly in Rhode Island, where they were long held in great repute. Good saddle horses were in much demand in Cuba, and prior to the time when the Narragansett Pacer began to attract attention, the Cubans had been dependent for their horses upon the mother country. But the voyage was long, the risk considerable, and the cost great, and when it was once ascertained that a superior saddle animal, (according to the taste of gg ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. the times), could ])e had in Rhode I.shmd, much nearer home, a trade was at once opened, which continued, with much protit to the Khode J-iland Dreeders, till the roadways of the West Indies became so much improved as to render the introduction of light carriages a natural consequence. A iomewhat different horse was then required, and the trade in America r. •tock began to decline. As the Cuban market became less and less prof- itable, the interest of the stock-owiiers experienced a corresponding de- crease, till at last the effort to preserve the pacer as a distinct breed ' ceased altogether. At the present day, though the influence of the Narragansett Pacer upon New England horses is in many instances perceptible, he is no longer known in his former purity. XVII. The Vermont Draft Horse. Vermont has given the United States one of the two celebrated families of draft horses, than which few of the breeds have combined greater excellence. Animals with lofty crests, thin withers, short backed, round barrelled, close ribbed, clean and sinewy limbed, that would at first be taken for ponies. Standing next to them they would be found to be sixteen hands high and over, and on the scales they would tilt the lever at from 1150 to 1250 pounds. Of the origin of the Vermont draft horse but little is known, but it is more than probable that the old Suffolk cart horse, imported into Massachusetts in 1821, the Cleveland bay, brought there in 1825, and the thorough-bred horses introduced in 1828, bred upon the best common mares of the country, have produced a class of horses, the lighter ones of which were driven to the stage coaches of thirty to fifty years ago, as they have seldom been driven in any other hill country. And this class was grand for heavy work. The heavier specimens of which furnished the best heavy team horses in the country, not excepting the Cones- toga, a horse fully a hand higher, and admirable in every respect for heavy draft, as we used to see them, in the great six and seven horse teams coming from the mountains of Pennsylvania through to New York. It is to be re- gretted that the furor over the Morgans since that time has caused the Ver- mont draft horse to become quite rare, so that now it is rather difficult to find a good specimen of the breed as it once existed. The disappearance of these fine old horses, however, is of a piece with the disappearance of many other relics of the good old times. We think fondly of what once prevailed, and it seems as though nothing ever could be so good again, but those who never knew our favorites seem quite content, and get on full as well as though our pet things never had existence. Thus the essential things of one age sink from sight in another. THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. -89 XVIII. The Canadian. This horse, when pure, is entitled to be considered distinct. He can l»y no claim, of course, to being regarded as the natural horse, no more than the Norman, Percheron or the English thorough-bred ; but his char, acteristics are so marked as to render him worthy of being classed sep«> rately and noticed mth some minuteness. He is supposed to be descended from the Norman-French horse,J brought over by the pioneers of Canada ; but how crossed, (though he is evidently the result of a cross), it is impossible to say. In some partic- ulars, he so much resembles the old horse of Normand^'^ as to seem the unmistakable descendant of that stock ; whereas in others he is so unlike him as to indicate that the cross must have been with a very strongly marked animal, of great powers of transmission. The distinguishing characteristics may be stated as follows : The average height is about fourteen hands ; the body is solid, compactly put together, but somewhat inclined to flatness of side ; the head is rather large for a horse of the height stated, but it is well formed and lean, so that it does not appear out of proportion and cumbersome ; the forehead is broad ; the ears are wide apart, and carried well up ; the eye is small and clear, and has a bold expression ; the chest is broad and full ; the shoulder is strong, but inclining to be straight and rather lo w and heavy at the withers ; the loins are fine ; the croup round and fleshy ; the thighs muscular ; the legs comparatively heavy and joints pretty large, but the bones are flat, and no race of horses has sounder and more powerful limbs ; and none can equal the Canadian as to feet — these being tough, hard, iron-like, and free from disease, even under the most unfavorable circumstances. This seems to be one of his most valuable chai^cteristica of body. Bad handling, awkward shoeing, hard travel — nothing In the bounds of reason seems to affect his feet. Diseases of this part are almost absolutely unknown. The mane and tail are peculiar, being very heavy, and in almost all cases, wavy. The back sinews are shaggy-coated, nearly to the knee, and the fetlocks are long. The prevailing color is black ; but browns and chestnuts are frequently found ; sometimes sorrels and duns, having manes and tails lighter than the body. Occasionally there may be found a dark iron-gray, with' black legs. Canadians are long-lived, easily-kept, and capable of the greatest endurance. They are heavy enough for the purposes of the farmer ; and as roadsters, while they are not to be regarded as rapid travelers, they maintain a reasonable rate of speed, say six miles an hour, for long jour- 90 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. ne3's and continuously, and this Avhile carrying a heavy weight. It ii nothing iniconimon for them to do tifty miles a day for many days in succession ; and some have been known to do seventy, eighty, even ninety miles, at a single stretch of one day. The breed is widely spread, but chie€y in a mixed state, (inferior to the true Canadian in almost every instance), in the Northern and Eastern States. Few horses are entitled to more O'Onsideration at the hands of those who would obtain the best medium-sized and easily-kept animals for the farm , and for mefdium heavy and moderaty^ly rapid draft. XIX. The Connestoga. A somewhat peculiar horse of all-work, said to hav-<« originated as a distinct stock in the valley of Connestoga. They are believed to be descended from Flemish and Danish cart-horses brought c^er by the early German settlers of this part of the country, with a probable admix- ture of the ordinary draft horse in common use in the German Stat^^s at that day. There is, however, no record of the origin of the breed, and all speculation may be at fault. They resemble for the most part the Flemish horse, especially in color, all the prevailing Flemish colors except black being found among them in like proportion. The Connestoga is a tall horse, often seventeen hands high ; but his limbs are light for his height, and he is not inclined to be full of flesh, having a muscular rather than a fatty heaviness, so that he is very power- ful in proportion to his weight. He is used chiefly for wagons, canal boats, and heavy carriages, for which purposes he is both strong and quick enough. He is less distinct than formerly, and no pains are taken to preserve the bre"*^ as such. XX« Ponies. The small, or pony breeds, are numerous ; but the only ones deserving special mention are the Shetlands, the Indian, and the Mexican Musfcmg. The former is the most distinct and best type of the ponies of the Old World, while the Indian and the Mustang are the chief, if not the only joative kinds, kno^vn among us. There are ponies somewhat similar to the Shetlands in th^ northern parts of Sweden and of Iceland, in Wales, and on the southAvestern coast of England. All these little animals seem to have originated m latitudes to which the horse is not native, and to be dwarfed des3endants of large and powerful progenitors. Noticing first the Shetlands ^ those of most perfect form, though of THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. n small size, are found in the extreme northern isles of Yell and Unst. In height, they do not average more than nine or ten hands ; and man/ are found that do no exceed seven and a half. It is held that no trua Shetland can be so tall as eleven hands. In form they are round and 92 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. closely ribbed up ; the head is well shaped — lean and bony, wide in th« brow, sometimes slightly basin-faced, like the Arab ; the ears are very small, well placed, are carried erect; the eyes are large and bright, with a fine look of intelligence ; the neck is short and thick, and covered with a great mass of coarse mane ; the shoulder is sloping, thick, and having little elevation at the withers ; the loins are broad but finely formed ; the quarters are well made, but not large in proportion to other parts ; th« back is gently curving, with never an}^ tendency towards what is called sway-back ; the legs and feet are of excellent shape, and of the most powerful texture, so that the Shetlander is a stranger to all those diseases of the feet and legs to which many horses are subject, and a lame Shetland is almost unknown ; the tail, like the mane, is of great volume. When roaming wild they live on the poorest fare, and are exposed to all the inclemencies of the seasons. When they cannot pick up their scanty subsistence upon the uplands, by reason of the snows of winter, they betake themselves to the sea shore and live upon kelp and sea weed. When taken by the peasants of those localities which they most inhabit, and reduced to subjection, they still require but little food and little care. Their endurance is very great ; and though they are of course incapable of great speed, they ^vill carry weights largely disproportioned to their size, and keep up a uniform pace of from four to five miles an hour throughout the day, accomplishing forty, even fifty miles between morning and evening Avith apparent ease. They are gentle, affectionate, easily trained, and as children's horses, and for all other purposes for which a pony can be at all serviceable, they are the best of all found in either hemisphere. The prevailing colors are black, brown, and a dark sorrel. The Mexican Mustang, one of the most widely known and distinct of American ponies, is found chiefly on the prairies of Texas and Mexico. His origin is doubtful ; though it is affirmed that notwithstanding his di'minutive size, and some striking points of degeneracy, there is clear indication of Spanish origin. It is difficult, however, to account for the difference between him and other wild horses, that discover in size aa well as in general formation that they are the descendants of animals left or lost upon the American continent by the early Spanish discoverer* »nd conquerors. These ponies are undersized ; of very slight limbs ; often ugly and dis- proportionately made ; with long neck, long back, and long, slender and weak posteriors. Their hoofs are often badly formed, tending to flatness and irregularity. Their heads, however, though long, are lean, w«41 shaped, and wellset ; and their nostrils are wide. Their manes and THE HORSE, DIFFERENT BREEDS, ETC. 93 tails are fine. They have some activity and spirit, and are sometimes vicious, but not difficult to subdue. In a wild state, they are easily out- winded by well-tranied horses of the larger breeds ; but domestication seems to have the effect of improving their powers of endurance, as thej do good service for the Comanche Indians as a cavalry horse — carrying those warriors, and enabling them successfully to evade the pursuit of well-trained United States cavalry. Almost every color is found among them. The Indian Pony, another American, is thought to be a degenerated Korman^ — ha\ang sprung from horses of that stock brought to Canada by the first French emigrants, and allowed by some means to escape into the forests, as was the case with certain Andalusians farther south. Wandering, from generation to generation, in those cold regions, and under circumstances altogether unfavorable to the production of generous growth, they have become dwarfed and in other particulars modified as to form. They seem in their present state to be a perfectly distinct animal ; and they possess many points of excellence. They are found in the upper Mississippi country, on the borders of Canada, and west of the great lakes, and are used chiefly by the different tribes of northern Indians. Great herds of them are found in a wild state on the north- western prairies. They are a larger animal than the Mustang, and in most respects far superior to him. Though he is to be considered a true pony, he is often thirteen, sometimes even fourteen, hands high. The body is very strongly built, being round-ribbed, short-barreled, and with powerful limbs. The neck is thick and short ; the legs are covered with thick hair, and seem somewhat heavy and clumsy, but they are as firm, mus- cular, iron-like and sound, as those of the Shetlands. The mane is very heavy, often falling on both sides of the neck, while the forelocks cover the eyes, and give a sort of shaggy appearance about the upper portion of the head ; the tail is also heavy and generally inclined to be wavy. They have a high crest, and quite a proud carriage of the head. They are docile, intelligent, sure-footed, capable of enduring all the rigors ot a northern Winter, and able to perform long-continued journeys, at a moderate pace, while carrying or drawing disproportionate burdens. Their courage is so high that they do not readily succumb to any hard* snip, however trying its nature, and though coupled with poorness and acantiness of fare. CHAPTER V. BBEEDING AND RAISING I. IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT. II. THE BEST STOCK THE CHEAPEST. HI. H»» REDITARY TENDENCIES AND IMMATURITY TO BE GUARDED AGAINST. IV. PRINCI- PLES OP TRANSMISSION. V. THE TWO METHODS, " IN-AND-IN " AND ''CROSS" BREBIH ING CONSIDERED. VI. TREATMENT OP THE MARE AFTER BEING SERVED, DURtNO PREGNANCY, ETC. VII. HOW TO KNOW WHETHER A MARE IS IN FOAL.— — VIII. HOW TO KNOW TIME OP FOALING. IX. ABORTION, OR SLINKING THE FOAL. X. HOW TO RAISE COLTS. XI. MULES. I. Importance of the Subject. No subject connected with the rearing and use of stock can be of more importance to the farmer and stock-grower, the intelligent, practical bus- iness man, than that of breeding. That it is every way more profitable to any one who rears and trains a single colt to have that colt of the very best rather than of any indifferent quality is almost too palpable to need a moment's consideration. That it is possible for every man of observa- tion and good judgment to improve his stock is equally obvious. There is no line of work which horses are called upon to perform that has not its peculiar requirements, that can be better met by some specific kind of animal than by one chosen at haphazard. It is a matter, then, of the plainest common sense that every one who means to rear a horse for his own use should consider beforehand to what purposes he will most prob- ably devote it. If it is designed for market, he needs no less to consult his interests by determining what markets are accessable to him, and what description of animal will be apt to find most ready sale therein, at most remunerative prices. For the farmer who wants to bre«d and rear horses of all work, it would be manifestly foolish to seek a high-priced pure-blooded race, for hii 94 THE HOUSE, BREEDING AND RAISING. 95 mares, unless the mares themselves were of such type as to render it necessary to breed to high and elegant stallions in order to obtain those medium-sized, but compact, and moderately quick-paced animals that are «o well adapted to all the wants of the farmer. On the other hand, one wanting a light and fleet animal would set his inconsiderateness in a striking manner who should so disregard all the dic- tates of sound sense as to hope to succeed by any chance selection of either mares or stallions. , n. The Best Stock the Cheapest. It may be laid down as the lirst rule — a foundation principle — ^that the very best and purest stock that is really adapted to the end in view should he sought after. It costs even less to feed a horse of good blood and lineage than it does to maintain a scrub ; it costs no more to shelter him ; it costs less to groom him and keep him in condition than it does to keep the scrub from looking like a scare-crow ; his movement is almost invariably smoother and steadier for the same rates of speed ; his temper is generally better ; his pluck and energy not less so ; and if it is found necessary to put him upon the market, he brings a better price. The service of a stallion known to be of good, generous blood, and possessing adequate powers of transmis- sion, must of course cost more ; there must be a dam adapted to the obtaining of a foal of the best t3rpe possible from such a sire ; but the penny-wise, pound-foolish policy of refusing to avail one's self of these advantages, when in the bounds of possibility, is too apparent. Taking it for granted, then, that the best, in this case, is always the cheapest — that the finer and purer the horse can be, other things being equal, the more useful, more easily maintained, and more marketable he is bound to be, it remains to consider some points that must always be re-^ gtrded by the intelligent breeder, who seeks wisely to adapt means to ends rather than to trust to chance. m. Hereditary Tendencies and Immaturity to be Guarded Against. A caution most needful to be insisted upon at the outset is that relating to the transmission of tendencies to disease and of actual disease itself. It seems that no man in his right senses, knowing the results to the human family when this consideration is disregarded, would think for a moment of utterly ignoring the possibilities of evil consequences ; but ordinary observation leads to the disclosure of the fact that among horses diseases and impaired constitutional powers are often transmitted tQ this way. Mares at an advanced age, too stiff, too weak, too slow to go ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. be of any further active use, are turned to account for breeding purposes — and the result is, a weak foal, lacking thrift and lacking spirit. Mares hacked about until they are ring-boned, spavined, and splinted, or perhaps dropsical or ^\'ith a glanderous tendency, — no longer useful on the farm or on the road, are relieved from the work which they can no longer do with any chance of profit, and sent to the stallion. Result: a foal ^\^th a rickety or knotty osseous system, or with a tendency to some form of dropsy, or ready, in the presence of any exciting cause, to develop a case of glanders. And so of other disorders, more especially of roaring, thick-wind, blindness, contracted feet, grease, and affections of the brain and nervous system. Some mares have a peculiar predispo- sition to surfeit, some to swelled legs, some to vertigo, some tt) a sort of unaccountable viciousness. No wise breeder can afford to disregard these things. If he wishes to rear a horse^'for service, he wants a sound foal ; for he knows he can get from such a one more work for less cost than from one unsound in bone, muscle, secretions or integument. If he designs to breed for market he is aware that neither a puny nor a diseased creature can be palmed off there either to his profit or his credit. To insure healthy, active, thrifty progeny, then, the dam must be sound and vigorous; and this is no less true of the sire. We dwell less upon the latter because it is of far less frequent occurrence for a broken down and diseased stallion to be kept for the service of mares than for mares of this description to be put to breeding because they are known to be fit for nothing else, but are erroneously deemed useful for this. The condition of the stallion, however, must not be overlooked. Every breeder must have a care to choose a vigorous stallion, and one free from blemishes, mal-formation and hereditary taints. Nor should mares be put to breeding too young. They should be full grown and vigorous, and when their powers begin to fail they should no longer be subjected to this service. It is the practice of some to begin to breed at two years of age. This is injurious to the mare, and otherwise unprofitable to the owner. The growth of the mare is hindered ; her form is modified both by the weight of the stallion and by carrying the foal. And the foal itself is apt to lack fullness and power, yet, it takes from the young mother that sustenance which she needs for her own development, so that she is dwarfed, while it grows up a mora or less puny creature — of insufBeicnt vafue to compensate for the injury done to the dam. No mare should be so used till she is at least three years old — four would be the better and more profitable age. It is said that mares which are allowed to mature, and are well treated afterwards, will not lose enough of their natural vigor to disqualify them for bringing forth good foals till after they are twenty years old ; but it is idle to THE HORSE, BREEDIXG AND RAISING. 0^ expect good, strong, well-formed, thrifty, and spirited o:ffspring from a mare that is either too young or too old ; or that is subjected, even in maturity, to hard work, poor and insufficient food, and cruel handling. rv. Principles of Transmission. Let us next notice this principle, that ivhen the dam a7id the sire both JI)Ossess a due amount of vigor, the foal will combine in itself the most marked characteristics of both ; while any quality that is peculiar to either of them is api to be prominent in the offspring. This applies to both dis- position and physical conformation. It will be seen from this statement that no matter what the general line of policy to be pursued by the breeder, that of in-and-in, or that of crossing, he must select his stallions and mares mth the view to having one supplement the other. If the mare is deficient in any point, the horse should be full or predominant there, and vice versa ; and if any pe- culiar trait is desired, that should be very strongly developed in either sire or dam, while merely nominal in the other. Another special point to be considered is this : that for the production of a full-formed, symmetrical, vigorous, and thrifty foal, the mare should be proportionately larger than the horse. An overgrown stallion, of great power, serving a mare of diminutive size, or of size somewhat less in pro- portion than his oavu, will beget her a strong embryo that will require more room and more nourishment than the mare can afford ; and the result must be weakness, and, probably, deformity — almost inevitably diminutive size. Men's mmds were particularly called to this fact in Great Britain when, during a course of years, the farmers of Yorkshire thought that by breeding their mares to the very largest stallions they could find, and without regard to the size of the mare, ihey could meet the demand in LondC/^ for great overgrown horses, which it was then the fashion to drive in coaches and other heavy carriages. The result was a race of almost worthless creatures. In other points than mere size, more depends upon the selection of the mare than that of the horse. The great majority are mares bred after their own stock unless the stallion is so powerful as to neutralize or over- come this physiological peculiarity ; so that it is necessary for her to be of good lineage if the best results are wanted. If she has come from dis-= eased, vicious, or in any way evil ancestry, though she may be free from perceptible taint, the bad pomts of her stock will very probably appear in her offspring. This principle makes it necessary to have a regard for her color and for the color that is known to have been prevalent in her line, since any dirty, vari-tinted, and other^\^se disagi-eeable colors may appear in a foal of hers if her progenitors have had such a hue. §g ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. V. The tveo Methods, "In-and-in" and "Cross" Breeding Considered. As for the two leading methods of breeding, circumstances generally determine which the farmer or other breeder on a moderate scale is to adopt. He is now almost always under the absolute necessity of cross- ino- ; and the main point with him is, Itoic to cross, in order to secure the best results. The main directions are already laid down, with sufficient minuteness to enable anyone of ordinary intelligence to judge as to the best means. One point must not be overlooked, that really to improve the stock of horses as to blood — to obtain a strain that has the power of transmitting itself, and of so continuing in a steady line of improvement, recourse must be had to pure blooded horses. The English racer or thoroughbred is almost our sole reliance in this respect ; although an Arab may occasionally be found. The true Norman Percheron is endowed with this characteristic of pure-blooded horses — he has great, power? of impressing himself upon his offspring, and perpetuating the strain ; but he is too heavy for the ordinary run of mares in this country j and if heavy draft stock rather than the lighter horse of all w^ork is wanted, the Percheron mare should also be used — -or some other of equal lenolli and weight. Good mares of the common mixed breeds in the United States, bred to the light Arab, Barb, or thorough-bred stallions, will almost invariably produce foals partaking of their own size and strength, and of the finer forms, activity, and wind of the stalhon. It is difficult to lay down any specific rule for crossing. The whole matter must be left to the good sense of the breeder, after the general state- ment of principles previously set forth- If the breeder has in view a mere racer, and is unable to obtain both thorough-bred mare and stallion, let hinx seek the racing stallion, at least, and one that will, as previously directed, supplement his mare — supply the points in which she i'- want- ino- for that specific purpose. If he -wishes a trotter, the same ca»e must be observed. As trotting horses are of late days in great demand in the United States, we insert here a cut of one of the most celebrated of the Old World trotters, the "Marshland Shales," a horse foaled m 1802, and which was known to old age as the very best m the British Isles. A careful study of his conformation, will be of advantage to those who seek to learn the peculiar points of a horse of knoAvn excellence. H© was a half-bred ; and the impression long prevailed among the sporting men of England, (if it is even yet extinct), that no pure thorough-bred nor Arabian could excel as a trotter. Now, let the reader compare him with "Dervish," and note the point* of difference. *'Der\nsh" was a little bay Arab, exceedingly fine, and remarkable for a darting or straight trot — throwing out his fore-leg and THE HORSE, BREEDING AND RAISING. 99 rtraighteiiing the knee before tiie foot touched the ground. He waa sound, hard}^ and a powerful foal-getter ; and ii cross with such a horso, C4»oQ any well-formed, large and reasonably long-bodied mare, would be •pt to produce the beau ideal of a trotter — moderately large, long, yet compact, and with light and clean yet powerful limbs. Notice particularly the cut representing ''Gold Dust," a Kentucky uorse, foaled near Lexington, the property of L. L. Dorsey, a few years pnor to the civil war. He was mixed blooded, haWng been sired by 100 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Vermont Morgan, a great trotter, while his dam had in her both Arabian and thorough-bred blood. It is worthy of consideration on the part of the breeder that the cclta of *'Gold Dust" showed stronger marks of their Arabian and Eugiisii ancestry, which came by his dam's side, and remotely, than of the Moriran, his sire, so superior is the pure blooded horse as a transmitter •f his own qualities, and an improver of breed. " Gold Dust" h Avoith^f THE HORSE, BREEDING AND RAISING. 101 3f study. He was not only beautiful, but a horse of the finest action — . a fast Avalker and famous as a trotter. When native American stallions such as he can be found, the owner of good mares need not repine if he finds it impossible to come at the much-to-be-desired pure blooded foreigner. He may rest assured of getting improved colts, and of mich character as will, if judiciously handled, perpetuate, to some extent at least, their own grood qualities. If it is heavy draft stock that is to be sought, the Norman Percheron 102 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOK. stallion, as we have previously intimated, ought to be had, provided the breeder has mares of such size as to render it judicious to put them to so large a horse ; otherwise, the Norman Percheron mare may be most advantageously bred to some nati^'e stallion, say a Morgan, a good Canadian, or some other compactly built and quicV-paced horse. But it is unnecessary to extend these suggestions. If the breeder will •onsider with care what he really wants, and observe the points upon which wc have touched, he will be at no loss to judge intelligently what course to pursue when cross-breeding is his only resource. He may often, of course, find it difficult to obtain just the stallion which his judgment tells him he should have for his class of mares ; but this is a pointed argument in favor of that care which our farmers should long ;ago have exercised in this matter. Intelligent attention to the improve- ment of our stock throughout the Union vdW soon make it possible for them to select their stallions^ rather than to be forced to take up ^ith every hack that comes along with a flourish of red surcingles and a wonderful pedigree, manufactured to order. As to in-and-in breeding, but little need be said. All the long-winded, voluminous, and learned discussions of the subject have resulted iji adding but little more to our stock of knowledge than this : that too close in-and-in breeding is likely to bring about weakness, malformation, and general deterioration ; but that to fix and preserve and intensify a certain strain, the Jew, (to speak in a figure), must not intermarry with the heathens round about him. In other words, to have true Morgans, both sire and dam must be of that stock, though of different families : to keep up the real Norman Percheron horse, we must have Norman Percherons, both male and female, to breed from ; and so on. The objection to close in-and-in breeding seems to be here : that nearness of kin is apt to be associated ^vith likeness of qualities, both physical and mental, (if we may so speak of the horse) ; and thus the great requirement that one parent must supplement the other is not complied with. If there is a weak point in both, the weakness is perpetuated and made worse, whereas a weak point in one should be counteracted b}' a correspondingly strong point in the other. If it could be known with absolute certainty that two animals, close of kin, had strongly marked opposite traits of character, constitution and conformation, they might be bred to each other, and with the best of results. Such is sometimeg the case ; but it is not likely to be, and the rule should be as we hav« gaid — let the strain be the same, but the kinship as far removed as possible. This is believed by the most candid obsen^ers to be the secret of Arab success. The individual breeder knows not alone his own animals, but those of his tribe, and of other tribes as well Moreover, the Arab* THE HORSE, BREEDING AND RAISING. 103 are close observers and astute judges of horse flesh, and an intelhgent son of the Desert could by no reasonable means be induced to breed his mare to a stallion m which his eye had marked some weakness or evil tendency which he knew the mare likewise to possess, however slight the indications might ])e in either. Then, to recapitulate briefly ; if the breeder has it in his power to keep up a certain stock, let him guard against the slightest admixture of heathen blood ; and to be as sure as possible of no evil results, let him look to se- curing sires and dams as ^videly removed from kinship as possible ; but ho can never afford to disregard the point previously so much insisted upon, as a principle to be observed in crossing, that if either parent has a fault, the other must be correspondingly strong there. VI. Treatment of the Mare After Being Served, During Pregnancy, etc. It is proper next to notice some little matters of detail in connection with the management of brood mares. Forty-four weeks is regarded as the time which a mare goes with foal ; but this must be taken as mean time, since one occasionally brings forth a perfect colt four or five weeks sooner, and others will go equally as long beyond this period. When once the time of a mare is known, the breeder can generally regulate her going to the horse so as to have the colt appear at whatever season he consideres most desirable, but without this knowl- edge he cannot. After- having been served by a horse, the mare should be allowed to stand idle awhile, as conception will be far more apt to take place if she IS left to herself. If put to brisk motion, or to any strain immediately after copulation, she is apt to fail of conception. She should also be kept away from strmg-proud or badly castrated geldings, not only at this period, but during her entire pregnancy, as they are apt to worry her to the casting of the conception, or, at a later period, to slinking the foal. After she has been allowed a reasonable season of quiet, moderate work will be rather beneficial than injurious ; and this may be kept up until about the time of foaling. Special care should always be exercised to guard her against being kicked, heavily thrown, or inordinately strained in any way. It sometimes occurs that at the time of foaling, a false presentation is made, producing difliculty of delivery ; but no reUable instructions can be here given as to what course to pursue in these cases ; and it is best to seek the aid of some skillful veterinary surgeon. The mare which has had a colt will be found in season sometime withitt the next thirty days, and she ought to go to the horse at this time if she is to be bred at all. The ninth day after foaling will generally be found rM ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. to Iv the right time. Whenever indications of heat are discovered, th» matter should not be dehiyed, as the season may pass off and not return. After putting, the days of trial are the ninth, then, if she refuses, the •eventh after this, and upon a second refusal, the fifth after this, which is sutficient to prove her. vn. How to Know Whether a Mare is in PoaL It is often important for both breeders and traders to know whether x mtire is really in foal : and one wTiter has published the following direc- tions for determining this point, which he says may be implicitly relied on : '•After the first service of the horse, and before the next trial, on ex- suuininjx the vagina, or bearing, if conception has not taken place it will be of a fresh, bright, or florid and moist appearance, with a clear drop appearing: at the lower part, and which, if touched, will mcline to extend : but if conception is present, a different appearance of the surface of the vaeina will be presented. It ^\t11 be found dry. and of a dirty broAvn or rust color : and a dark, brown looking drop will replace the former clear di-op. "NMien these latter appearances are present, pregnancy may be re- garded as certain." Vm. How to Know Time of Foaling. Two days, (in some mares only one), before foaling, a sort of sticky «ibstance will be found protruding from each teat, somewhat resembling drops of milk. Care should now be taken to provide a suitable place for her, as this is a certain indication of near delivery. She should be removed from other animals, and a careful person should see to her often enough to guard against accidents. Before the signs referred to, as shown by the teats, however, there is cfci each side of the spinal column, from the tail to the haunch, a furrow- like fold ; and the bag will generally be found considerably increased in size. These signs show that deliver^' is not very remote, but cannot be relied on to denote the day. rX. Abortion, or Slinking the Foal. When about half the time of pregnancy is passed, more than ordinary pains should be taken with the mare, as it is at this time, if at all, that •he is apt to slink. She ought now to have better feeding, and even gentler handling than she had pre\-iously ; though at all times the o\vner but consults his own interests when he carefully guards her against ill wsasre. She has more need of food, and is less able, at this time, to «(idure hunger, as the rapid growth of the foetus makes a constant and THE HORSE, BREEDING AND RAISING. 105 severe draft upon her system.. Want of care may cause abortion ; and if a mare once casts her foal, she is apt to do so at a corresponding period of pregnancy afterwards, — more especially if like provocation occurs. Various other causes of abortion, some of which may be briefly adverted to, for the purpose of pointing out certain preventive measures and sug- gesting others. Blows, strains, and any violent excitement may have this effect ; and it is said that to allow a mare to see and smell food to which she has been accustomed, and of which she is fond, without suffer- ing her to eat of it, will cause slinking. Feeding hogs or other stock upon corn, in sight of a mare that is not also thus fed, is, for this reason dangerous. Sympathy is a known cause : a pregnant mare, seeing an- other cast her foal, is apt to be affected in like manner. Nervous spasms, or a sort of animal hysteria, resulting from sympathy of the womb with a diseased stomach or other organ, occasionally results in causing the foal to be cast. Some affirm that a smell of blood, or of freshly slaugii- tered meat, will do it. If a mare slinks because of a hurt, a strain, or some acute attack of disease, she is not apt to fall into the habit of abortion, pro\aded proper care is taken to guard against exciting causes at a corresponding period of her next pregnancy. When once this tendency is established, however, it is difficult to coun- teract it, as the slinking is more than likely to take place at times when the mare is not under observ^ation. If symptoms of casting chance to be discovered in time, it may be prevented by promptly burning pigeon feathers, (or those of other birds, if these cannot be obtained), on a hot pan, or a psm of coals, and holding them so that she will be obliged to inhale the smoke. X. How to Raise Colts. If the colt is healthy and thriving, he should be weaned at from five to six months old. If allowed to run with the dam after this period, he is an unnecessary burden to her, since he has already learned to pick up and devote to his own use other sustenance, and he may most judiciously be taken away. If at this time the dam is still inclined to furnish milk 80 copiously as to render the udder painful to her, she should be looked after for a few days, to see that the over fullness does not result in inflam- mation and swelling. If necessary, draw away the milk by hand once a day for three days. It is a good plan to keep her at this time on dryer food than usual, and at more than ordinarily steady work. This course .vill tend to prevent the secretion of the usual quantity of milk, and the »dder will soon be dry. log ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. No matter how well born a colt may be he can never amount to anything if raised a starvelhig. If the dam is what she should be, he will have been furnished with abundant sustenance from the time of conception to that of delivery, which is one of the secrets of full-formed, finely-proportioned, vigorous foals. From foal-time to weaning he will have been kept vigorous and growing by the quantity and character of the milk fuiTiished him, together with such little food as he has early learned to partake of at the manger and in the pasture of the dam . And now, upon being weaned, it is of the utmost importance that he have liberal food and suflGicient protection from the inclemencies of the weather. This must be carefully attended to during the whole period of growth if he is expected to make any adequate return to the owner. Bruised oats and bran have been recommended as the very best food to be given for a considerable time after weaning. In any event let his food be supplied with regularity ; and it must be nutritious, yet of such kind and so disposed as to be easily partaken. He should not be stabled too much, nor in any otner way too closely confined — being allowed all that range and exposure to out-door weather common to older stock in the more clement seasons ; but he should never be left out in cool rains nor in the storms and biting cold of Winter. If & place is provided in which he may always shelter himself when the condition of the weather inclines him to seek cover, it will save trouble and yet insure a natural growth and that hardihood which comes of sufficient contact with cold and heat. For this purpose a straw rick is sometimes recommended — so constructed as to furnish shelter on the leeward side. This will give at the same time both bedding and a light species of food. Provision must of course be made for his obtaining readily, and at such times as the wants of nature ma}^ dictate, plenty of pure water — the purer the bette/. Thus much as to food, drink, and shelter. Another point of impor- tance must not be omitted in his raising, that is, familiarizing him with his master or with whomsoever has charge of him. He should be handled sufficiently and in such a way as thoroughly to overcome all shyness, and to lead him to feel that man is his frietid. This confidence once established, his training — when the proper time comes for that — will be easily and successfully accomplished ; his subsequent relations Avith his master will be always pleasant, and his value thereby much enhanced. And this, indeed, touches a fundamental principle in the care of all dumb beasts. Lead them to recognize that man is their friend ; that they can depend on him to advance their comforts, and to secure their welfare. THE HORSE, BREEDING AND RAISING. 107 XI. Mides. The breeding and rearing of mules, so common in many portions of the United States, requires more than a passing consideration. To obtain the best results in crossing with the ass demands as much intelliorent care as in the case of the horse : and the mule-breeder will find it much to his advantage thoroughly to inform himself as to how these results are to be obtained. Many mistaken impressions prevail as to the relative usefulness of the mule, as compared with the cost of breeding and maintenance. It is thought by the inexperienced that he is almost equally adapted to every kind of draft work to which the horse may be put ; that his power as a pack-animal is much greater than that of the horse ; that his endur- ance is greater ; that he can subsist on less food ; and that he demands every way less care. All these things are set down to his advantage ; but in most instances the impressions are wholly erroneous. As a general thing, he is not well adapted to road or to city purposes at all. Especially are hard roads and pavements destructive to him if he is large of body and disproportionately small of leg. He is not so stout as a horse of proportionate size ; he is utterly incapable of carrying so great burdens as some have represented, even if loaded and attended by experienced packers, — particularly if the journey is to be continuous and the roads are at all heavy ; his powers of endurance are not greater than those of the hardier kinds of horses ; he will consume as much food as a horse of proportionate size, if required to do like work and to maintain a like con- dition ; and as to care, he can do without it — so can a horse — but both fail thereby of that eminent thriftiness, sprightliness and longevity which is to be expected of animals to 'which it is extended. On the other hand, and to his- discredit, it is commonly thought that he is naturally vicious, and wholly incapable of appreciating kindly treat- ment — that the only way to control him is by violence. Hence, those who handle him generally feel as though they are justifiable in whipping, beating, kicking and whatsoever other cruelties they may choose to inflict. This is a grievous, foolish and wicked mistake. The mule has one means of defense, and his heels are dangerous to those who wantonly provoke or startle him and place themselves in his way. His long ears are sensi- live, and by roughly handling them his combativeness is easily aroused, and distrust is awakened to that degree that renders him almost unman- ageable. Yet, the mule may be so raised and trained as to make him gentle, obedient, even affectionate and ready to follow his master like a dog — so trusty that only the one always necessary precaution need be observed in dealing with him — to keep out of the way of his heels, which ]08 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. he throws out as instinctively when startled, irritated or approached by * stransrer, as a cat thrusts out her claws. It has been remarked that "when a mule gets perfectly gentle, he is unfit for service;" and that, taken in connection with the prevailing method of training him, is doubt- less true ; but there is a better way, and, if followed, it would result m we have stated above. Now, while the mule is not adapted to everything, and endowed with powers that are adequate to endure starvation and brutal treatment while in the performance of hard and faithful service, he is admirably calcu- lated to meet many of the wants of individuals and corporations ; and his breeding, rearing and training are matters for intelligent consideration. For supplying the army he cannot be replaced ; for towing canal boats he answers admirably ; for hauling cars inside of coal mines, he is indis- pensable ; for the general knock-about work of a farm he is good in all temperate climates ; and in a cotton and sugar country, where it is warm and sandy, he is most especially valuable. Though he cannot endure everything and still meet every requirement of a heartless task-master, he is yet gifted with a hardihood that is admirable, and recuperative powers that are astonishing. Seemingly half dead, utterly broken down and worthless, he Avill, with a little rest and care, soon be again ready for service. In breeding for mules no less attention should be paid to the selection of suitable mares and a suitable jack than in the case of horses. It is folly to use old, worn-out, diseased, ill-formed, ill-conditioned mares, and yet hope to obtain a good foal. As a general thing a great, overgrown, long-legged mule is next to worthless. He is expensive to keep and unreliable as a worker — lacking wind, strength and nimbleness. The medium-sized, clean, compact mule is by all odds the best, unless a team can be found to combine more than the ordinary height with round bodies, not disclosed to fleshiness, and larger, stronger legs than usual, with feet above the common size — which is seldom the case. The Spanish or Mexican mule — the offspring of stout, close-built, active Mustang or Mexican mares is superior in endurance to any known in the United States. He requires less food, takes it quicker, and is always in bettei fix for travel. If it is more profitable to raise good animals than poor ones, (and no man of ordinary intelligence can doubt this proposition), select mares for mule bearing that are sound, compactly built, and yet without any contractedness of body — active, strong, every way service- able. Then, the choice of a suitable jack is important — doubly so from the fact that the great majority of mares breed after the jack in the matter of legs and feet, and, if it is a good and powerful jack, the foal will generally bear his marks, which is a matter of some imnortauce. TIIE HOUSE, BREEDING AND RAISING. 109 since mules so marked are always regarded by experienced stock men as being most hardy and valuable. The jack should be large — the larger the better, other things being equal, since it is impossible to find one so much surpassing in size the mares we have described as to render him pbjectionable on account of disproportion, as may easily be the case with 110 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. a horse. Most especially must the breeder have an eye to his legs and feet ; for here, if at all, the mule is apt to be a failure — having a horse's body, ready to take on flesh beyond his requirements, mounted on legs that are too slight of bone and too small of muscle, with feet below the standard size for highest usefulness. The cut on preceding page is a portrait of a large and powerful Poitou ass, an animal much valued in that district of France for breeding heavy draft mules from cart mares. The one here represented has been de- scribed as being fourteen and one-fourth hands high ; greatest girth, seventy-seven inches ; girth behind the shoulders, sixty-six inches ; length of ear, fifteen inches ; ears, tip to tip across, thirty-two inches ; with hoofs much larger than those of the common ass. Compare him with the small, light ass, now in too common use among us. The differ- ence seems to be almost one of kind ; and with these representations in his mind, no observant stock-grower can be persuaded to put up with a poor pretense of a jack for the ser\ice of his mares. As for the treatment of mares that are to be thus bred, no farther directions need be laid down, since it must be substantially the same as that prescribed for the breeding of horse foals. The like instructions relative to weaning, feeding, and sheltering the colt must also be carried out ; and too much importance cannot be attached to beginning early the work of familiarizing him with man. He should be taught to regard his keepers without fear, to allow himself to be haltered, and readily to submit to direction aiUd guidance. If this is done, he will be easily trained, when the proper time shall have arrived ; and if properly handled and judiciously taught then, he will be not only a useful, but a trusty and agreeable animal. CHAPTER VI. HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN A HOBSE. L AXBRICAN VS. ENGLISH FOALS. U. AT WEANING TIME. III. THE FIRgT LBgSON.^» rV. TRAININQ. V. TRAINING TO WORK. VI. TRAINING TO BACK. VII. TRAINING TO SADDLE AND HARNESS. VIH. TO HANDLE A HORSE. IX. HOW TO HANDLE A. VICIOUS COLT. X. SADDLING AND HARNESSING. XI. HOW TO SUBDUE A VICIOUS HORSE. Xn. HOW TO TRAIN TO THE SADDLE, XIII. TRAINING TO TROT IN HA*. NESS. XIV. HOW TO TRAIN TO TROT IN LIGHT HARNESS. XV. HOW TO TRAIN FOR THE PLOW. XVI. TRAINING TO THE WAGON. XVII. HOW TO TRAIN A RACER. , ICnn. TRAINING A STALLION I. American vs. English Foals. It is a common remark among Englishmen visiting America that ouv horses are more easily controlled and managed in the breaking in and training than English horses, and hence they have been led into the error of supposing that they were deficient in courage and spirit. Nothing could be farther from the fact. The true reason is, the growing foals in the United States are more the companions of the children of the farmer than in England. They are not as a rule, beaten and abused, and thus do not find their real powers of resistance as they do in England under the handling of hirelinsfs of little intellio^ence, and almost no education. In the United States the fondling of the colts and fillies commences almost with birth. They are special pets of the boys of the family. On the farm, and even on the road, the mares are often regularly worked with the colts running at the feet, a very bad plan for the colts, acd 111 1 1 2 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. especially so for the mares, but which, nevertheless, early accustoms the youDg animals to strange sights, while it renders them tame and confiding. n. At Weaning Time. The true education of the colt or filly should begin early ; at weaning time. They should then be haltered and taught to lead, to stand quietly in the stall when tied. After this is thoroughly understood the colts may then have their liberty, for there is nothing more healthful, or better calculated to develop those powers necessary to the exhibition of speed, endurance, or great muscular exertion, than constant, every-day exercise, which all young animals naturally take in their play, and this often of the most violent character. III. The First Lesson. The first lesson the young foal should be taught is to come readily at call. This is easily accomplished by pf'oviding one's self with delicacies, such as sugar and salt, of which horses are especially fond. If there are a number of them they will all take the lessons together, and easier, for the most intelligent will assist the others. At the same time they must be taught to be quiet by a light tap of the whip to unruly ones. In haltering, the colt or filly should be approached from the near side, the halter in both hands. Let the colt smell it until it no longer fears it, when, holding it properly in the left hand the right hand may be passed over the colt's neck and taking the strap of the halter it may be drawn on and buckled almost before the colt knows it. In case the colt should be wild, shy, or vicious, it must be confined in some place where the halter may be put on, but no haste must be manifested, until at the moment when it is to be buckled. Then do it quietly and quickly. If very strong, two ends of rope, each ten feet long, should be attached to the ring of the halter, and a free passage out of the stable allowed, one man holding each rope. In the case of a colt three or more years old, and strong, these ends should be twenty feet long, and the halter should have a cavcsson so the muzzle will be pinched during violent struggles. The men holding the ropes — there may be one or more, according to the struggles of the animal — are not to seek to throw the colt or horse, but simply to restrain him in his struggles to escape. The A^ard should be soft so that if the colt falls it will not ))e injured. But if the animal does fall, when down it should be firmly held so for five minutes, or until resistance entirely ceases. As a rule, before the expiration of fifteen minutes, the colt will take a lick of salt from the hand and thereafter follow quietly. As soon as the colt gives up he should be led to the stable, THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. 113 tied, given a little water and fed, and then be left to himself, being certain he can neither break the halter or injure himself. As before stated, the foal once haltered, taught to stand quietly, and to lead kindly it may then be given its liberty until of the proper age for training. The animal three years old and over once in hand should be thoroughly broken and made way wise without delay. IV. Training. , The regular training of a colt or filly should begin at the age of two years past. There are many urgent reasons for this ; first, the animal has neither the full strength, nor the disposition to resist, that it will have at a more mature age ; second, it is more tractable, and will acquire its les- sons more easily ; third, it will not have contracted habits of self-will difficult to be broken off ; and fourth, lessons in flexions of the body may be taught that will naturally increase its usefulness in whatever direction it may be wanted. In the whole manner of breaking and training the trainer must not only understand himself, but the young horse as well and also as of special importance, the particular use for which the animal is intended. If the colt is of cold blood, that is of no particular breeding, it will not pay to spend much time on its education. It is simply to be taught to lead qui- etly, to stand still to be harnessed and unharnessed, to be accustomed to the ordinary sights and objects he will encounter, to work quietly at the plow, or other farm implements, and to the w^agon on the road, and to stand quietly when tied on the public streets. If to be trained as a road horse, or as a saddle horse, or both, or as a hunting horse, a trotting horse, or a racer, all these will require special, and sometimes, long con- tinued lessons according as the animal is intelligent and tractable or otherwise. It should always be remembered, however, that there is nothing gained by cruelty and abuse. A contrary animal may be punished, but it should always be done calmly and with judgment. V. Training to Work. The first lesson for any use is implicit and perfect obedience to the will of the master. This thoroughly accomplished the rest of the task is com- paratively easy, it is only a question of time. It is supposed the animal is entirely free from acquired vice, that it has been halter broken, and taught to stand quietly at the end of tbe halter, to follow quietly, to lead by the side of the master, and to stand quietly in the stable. The next step is to procure a bitting bridle, a strong bridle with a heavy •mooth snaffle bit with a tongue piece and keys depending from the center 114 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. of the ^it, it must also have a check rein that may be lengthened or shorte^-tjd, and two side straps one on each side. The harness is simply a very wide strong surcingle, with padded back piece, having at the top a strap i /id buckle to form a loop for the check rein and also a buckle on each Sude of the surcingle in which to buckle to side straps. To the rear of the pad of the circingle is attached a back strap and round crupper strap, zhe latter to buckle and unbuckle. Take the harness, and approaching the colt in the stall, let him smell "t until satisfied, then put it on without undue haste or fuss. If the colt ii.. nervous or skittish, talk to him and take time. The harness on, put on the bridle, giving plenty of length to the check rein and side straps, so the colt will not be unduly hampered, and let it out in a smooth, tight yard, following it about ^vith thcAvhip under the arm. Sometimes a strong colt will struggle and sweat violentljs but if he has been properly handled heretofore, he will take the subjection pretty much as a matter of course. Let him exercise an hour a day for a few days, tightening the check rein and side straps gradually, until his head is brought into proper position, but not a constrained position. When he ceases to fret at the harness, pass the snap of a leading rope through the near ring of the bit and snap it into the oif one. This rope should be about fifteen feet long. Taking the end in the hand, exercise the colt in a circle, allo^ving him to walk if he will. When somewhat tired let him stop and standing in front of him, say come, tapping him lightly on the fore-legs with the whip. If he pulls, hold him firmly, but without undue violence while he resists, tap- ping him on the fore-legs at intervals, using the word come. He will soon find the way to escape the whip to be to get near to you. Then fondle him and give him a trifle of sugar or salt and let him follow to the stable. So proceed from day to day, exercising him in a circle both to the right and left, (lunging it is called), gradually increasing his pace to a fair trot, until he will trork as you want him, turning at the word to the right or left circle, or to stand and come to his master at the word of command. VX. Learning to Back. This is one of the most difficult thimgs to teach a colt properly, and one most commonly slurred over. No horse is properly trained for the most simple use, until he will back as readily and as perfectly as he wiU go forward. It should be taught him while in the bitting harness, so that at the command to back he will do so to the extent of one or more steps. This is done first by stps \ing in fuont of the colt and taking a Tcin in each hand ; or take hold ^ >. \he rings of the bits themselves. At THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. Il5 the word bach, use pressure enough to curb the neck somewhat, but not enough to force the body in such a position as to cause the center of gravity of the animal to be strongly displaced. In backing, a hind leg should be lifted first, then a fo7e leg, and so on in rotation, the reverse as in walking. When the animal will back promptly and in line for ten or fifteen steps consecutively, the fur-ther lessons may be safely left until the time when the rider is in the sttddle or in the vehicle behind the horses. Sometimes the motion may bb made by standing at the side of the animal. However it is accomplished, if strong resistance is made the lesson must begin again and again until it is entirely comprehended and well executed. When so, a slice of sweet apple, carrot, a little sugar, or something the animal likes may be given it. vn. Training to Saddle and Harness. We have stated that the colt should be broken at two years old. At this age, however, it should never be put to hard labor. The work at two years old should be more in the nature of exercise than anything else, and this exercise should be to insure proper flexions of the body and limbs than for the amount of work the animal will accomplish, bearing in mind always, as before stated, what the animal is designed for. If as a saddle horse solely, or in connection with light driving, it is absolutely essential that the flexions should be thorough. The word flexion is but another name for rendering the head, neck, body and limbs perfectly supple. The animal must first have been rendered so quiet and obedient that he will not strongly resist the will and action of the trainer. Put a bridle with a curb-bit on the colt, being careful to know that it tits and that there is space between the chain and jaw, so the finger can be easily slipped between. Standing in front of the horse, seize the right curb-rein with the right hand, about six inches from the branch of the bit, and the left rein with the left hand at about half the distance from the branch. Draw the right hand towards the body, pushing at the same time with the left, so as to turn the bit in the horse's mouth. If the horse backs, continue the operation until he yields. When the horse flexes his jaw and lowers his head, let the left hand slip along the rein to the same distance as the right, then drawing the two reins equally bring the head near the breast, and hold it there oblique and perpendicular, until it is sustained of itself. The horse will give notice by champing the bits. The jaw is flexed to the left by a contrary move as given above. So the horse may be made to hold his head up, and perpendicular, to lower it, so the trainer can make the horse flex his neck to the right and left. 116 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Standing at his shoulder, the trainer may make him move the hind-legs to one side or the other, the fore-leirs remaining stationary, or to move the fore parts in a circle the hind-legs remaining intact, and this by meana that will naturally suggest themselves. But in all this there must be no ill temper displayed by the trainer no matter how bad the horse may act. Even if it be necessary to punish him the operator must be perfectly cool, never speaking in a loud voice or doing anj^hing to cause undue resistance in the animal. The object is to teach the animal subjection to the will of man, and this can never be done by intemperate violence. Our practice has always been to break at two years old so the animal may become way-wise, flexible to the bit, to draw light loads, and under the saddle to walk, trot, or gallop, at com- mand. Then at the age of three to four years, we let it again have its liberty The reason of this is, at this age the colt is shedding some prin- cipal teeth, and therefore not fit for work. If the lessons have been carefully given they will never be forgotten. If however he be properly fed, in the stable, he may continue to do light work through his third and xourth year. In no case, however, should he be put to heavy draft until he is five years past. As a carriage horse, the animal should not have hard work until he is the same age. Then he will get better and better until eight years old, and often do good service at the age of fifteen to eighteen and sometimes when past twenty years of age. There are more horses ruined between the ages of four and five years than at any other age. vni. To Handle a Horse. As we have stated, the foal should be handled as early as possible, and by different persons, to early accustom it to different sights and sounds, but always gently. It should be carefully brushed so as not to irritate it ; its feet should be lifted and lightly tapped with a hammer ; a head stall should be put on the foal having a ring but no strap, but so the strap may be attached at any time to lead and exercise it. Thus, the trainer beside it, the colt may be taught to walk, to trot, or stand still, allowing it to do pretty much as it likes, within bounds. Never beat it under any circumstances at this age. Reward it with a trifle of sugar, or a little bread, or a slice of carrot, and fondle it when it has done well. Remember the future horse is to be the servant of man for ten or fifteen years of his life, and that it will pay to take pains ^vtth the education of so noble an animal, if well bred. In this day and generation it is money thrown away to breed or handle any other, whatever the breed may be. When the foal is six months old strap a pad to its back and attach stirrup THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. 117 leathers so they may flap about. In the Spring following its birth put a colt's bit in his mouth, with keys attached. Rein him comfortably to the surcingle, tn which a crupper must be attached. In this, however, everything must be easy to the animal. Don't try to get his head up. He may be flexed from time to time, that is taught to open his jaw to the left and right ; to turn his head to the right and left shoulder ; to raise and lower his head ; to turn with his hind or his fore-feet in a circle, those not used being the pivot ; to come to his traiiier at the word ; ta back, to guide right or left by the rein ; in fact at the age of two years he may be made pretty well way wise, so that when actually ridden, or hitched beside a steady horse, there -will be little fear or resistance to combat. To get him used to the rattling of a wagon, tie him by a lead- ing strap to the trace buckle of the back band to the off and also to the near horse in the team. This will instruct him and get him used to the word, and to walking and trotting quietly. All this may seem like taking a great deal of trouble, but remember that much of it may b« done while doing the ordinary labor of the farm. IX. How to Handle a Vicious Colt. Suppose you come into possession of a wild colt at three or foar years old, or one that has never been handled. Put him in a close place like a narrow stall, where he cannot turn round or by any means escape. Put on a cavesson halter (a cavesson is a nose-band) and It may end under the jaw in a running noose, so as to press with force when drawn tight. Have lunging straps attached to the halter ring and securely fastened. Allow the young horse free access out of the stable, being careful not to throw him down before he gets out. Let the yard be rather small, but quite tight, and with none near except his trainer and assistant, who holds the ropes. Thus with a strong man to each rope acting in concert tbd tJbe near fetlock of the fore-foot, raise the foot and buckle the end tightly around the arm of the fore-leg next the body, thus you have one foot firmly held up. Put the loop of the second or long strap about the fet- lock of the off fore-leg, and pass the end of the strap through the ring of the surcingle under the horse. Do not be in a hurry, and in no case lose your temper. If it takes two hours, well and good, you have the horse then perfectly under command however vicious he may be. See that there is entirely free egress out of the stable and let him go. Approach him slowly, but without hesitation, steadying him by the voice. If he show fight do not hesitate, he is on three legs and nearly powerless, except to bite, or to strike you in the act of rearing. Seize him by the near bridle rein about twelve inches from the bit, and placing yourself immediately at his near quarter, or just behind his shoulder, gather the long strap in the right hand and when the horse rears draw up the other leg. If the horse struggles let him do so. It will not be necessary to exert much strength, simply tact and coolness in steering him. When he oomes down it must necessarily be on his knees. If he continue tc struggle let him exhaust himself. It will rarely take over five minutes, and never ten by the watch. Having him on his knees always seek la draw the head from you by pulling on the rein that comes over the neck. Once you have the head turned keep pulling on him until he gives up completely and lies down. Use no violence on the rein. It is only to be used to steer or guide the horse. It is the strap that does the work. However many attempts he may make to regain his liberty it will only •nd in the more complete discomfiture of the hors^o Once down unlaM THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. 121 A lies still hold his head still by sitting on it. When completely sub- dued, stroke his head, rub him on various parts of the body, soothe and caress him, and especially handle him wherever he is disposed to b« touchy, being careful always to be on your guard, that if he resist he may be immediately checked. Show him a buffalo robe, an umbrella, or anything he would be likely to frighten at, and always let him smell it until satisfied. Sit on his side, handle his feet, tap them, and at last remove the straps from his feet, and continue to fondle him. If he attempt to rise hold down his head firmly, and bend up one fore-leg. If he get the advantage do not struggle with him but let him rise to his feet again. Lay him down until he gives completely up. He will soon come to lie down quietly at the word, simply by tving up one foot, and at last will do so at your bidding without tying. When down and quiet pass your hand repeatedly over his body, breathe in his nostrils, gently open his mouth, give him soothing words, and when on his feet give him a taste of some- thing he likes. This is substantially Rarey's plan, and it may be practiced successfully on very vicious horses, as we have done. As a rule, however, the direc- tions previously given will be found to be fully effectual in bredking «olt XII. How to Train to the Saddle. No person should attempt to break a horse to the saddle unless he be a thorough horseman himself. It is not sufficient that he be able to stick on a horse's back with or without a saddle. He must be able to do so, ftnd without aid from the bridle, when the horse is undergoing any of the movements likely to occur when on his feet. The bridle is used simply to steady a horse under certain circumstances, and as a signal to guide him. If the trainer be not able to ride thus, and with ease to himself aad the horse,. he has no business as a trainer. Walking. — A fast walk is the most valuable of all the gaits of the horse. To walk rapidly is the first and most persistent of the lessons to be given. To teach a horse to walk fast the head must be kept moder- ately well up, and yet but little real weight should be borne on the bridle —only just enough to assist the swaying motion and nodding head always exhibited in fast walking. During the acquirement of this gait, no other should be aliowed, and when the horse shows signs of fatigue, the lesson should end. In this, the seat of the rider is important, it should be easy and with sufficient grip of the limbs to steady the rider, and with play of the lowar part of the legs to keep the horse well up to his work, and assist \22 \LLU8TRATED STOCK DOCTOK. in increasing the gait. Thus by care and practice almost any horse can be gotten up to four miles an hour and a really active cue to five. In breaking to walk fast to the wagon, there should be just sufficient bearing on the reins to steady the horse. The check-rein should be quite loose, for no horse can walk fast and easily with his head gagged back in an viiiiatural position. The horse, however, should be first trained to walk fast under the saddle, and by the means we have indicated. Then, when harnessed, he will not forget the lessons given, and may even be improved in his walk, if not already brought up to his maximum speed. A naturally slow walking horse may be made to walk much faster ; a fast walking horse may be greatly improved in his gait, but a lazy, slow dolt will never pay for any education beyond that of honestly pulling such a load as he may be able to comfortably move. For the saddle he is a nuisance, and no attempts whatever, should be made to bring him out as a riding horse. If a good one, however, bring out his walking powers. Like the trotter, he will improve until he is eight or ten years old. How TO Train to Trot. — ^Every farmer's boy thinks he knows how to drive a trotting horse to a wagon. Very few really do. iStill fewer un- derstand-how to trot a horse under the saddle. If properly performed it is the least exhausting to the horse within the limit of his natural speed, and need not be unpleasant to the rider. That it is among the best and most pleasant exercise the horseman can take is without doubt. Certain drivers have denied that the trot and the pace were natural to the horse. Every person who has been among the wild horses of the plains knows the contrary. It is a fact, however, that the trot is but a modification of the walk. There are two styles of motion for the rider ; one the rising motion, by which the rider eases himself in the stirrups- Hot ungraceful when properly performed — the other where the rider keeps a close seat, supporting himself by the knees and stirrups. The elbows should be kept rather close to the side, and with only just enough bearing on the curb and snaflle to keep the horse's head correct and the animal under perfect command. In fact, under no circumstances is the rein and bit for any other use but to guide and steady the horse. The rider maintains his equilibrium, keeps his seat, and renders himself en- tirely at home in the saddle, through the science of equitation and the proper pressure of the limbs against the saddle. Until this is thoroughly accomplished, no i)erson has any business trying to train a horse to sad- dle gaits. The rider must train himself first. In the trot, when the rider rises in the stirrups, the snaffle-rein only •hould be used, a rein in each hand, and once grasped and properly ar- ranged, the arms must be held rather close to the body, but without THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. IHZ clinging tliereto. The feet should rest in the stirrup so the heel is well down, the leg from the knee down fully straight, and moving but little. The rise and fall of the body must be as slight as possible, only suf- ficient to escape thumping, and to ease the horse. The head of the horse should be kept pretty well up, the limbs of the horse well under control-. The rider will appear to supjiort the horse with the bit. lu fact, he does not. He simply holds the lioi.sc to his pace. There is this difference between road i\aiiu and race riding: in riding for pleasure, the animal is never severely pu^^hed, whatever the gait may be. In riding a trotting or running race, the animal must put forth ali his powers, the only object being that he extend himself as much as pos- sible, and without reference especially to the style of going. As a rule, race riders are disqualified for riding or trotting a horse gracefully on the road. In trotting, always train the horse to slacken his pace and stop if de- sired, by slacking the rein, and at the word. In square trotting, the hoofs move in exact time, 1, 2, 3, 4. Some horses acquire a pace denoted by the time 1,2. With this motion it is difficult to rise easily in the sad- dle, and it should not be allowed. To ease the horse's wind let him walk or canter slowly ; or better, give him a jog trot. The jog trot, however, is under no circumstances to be allowed when traveling on the road in company. After a hard ride at any gait, it eases the tired horse immensely, Xni. Training to Trot in Harness- In trotting in harness the horse is more firmly held than when undej the saddle, and for obvious reasons. Yet here a dead strong pall is to be avoided. The horse is simply to be supported and steadied by the bit. The driver must learn by his own study, and by observing others, how to do this. The bit must be adapted to the horse. A boring, hard mouthed brute could not be driven with comfort in a bit that would suit a sensitive mouth. Very many trotting drivers spoil their horses' mouth* and make them pullers. The pull of a trotting horse should never be such as to tire the well trained muscles of the driver, even thousrh it be a lady. Indeed, one of the best drivers we ever knew was a lady, and she was superior by the delicacy and yet firmness with which she handled the reins. In training to trot in harness, the object should be to keep the horse squarely to his work, and at the top of his speed, without forcing him beyond it. In fact, no horse comes to his best trotting speed until he is at least eight years old. Do not force him beyond his power, and above all do not rein him m 1C4 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. hard as to make him a borer. One of the best pair of road trotters w» ever broke, were trained with curb bits, and when under smooth motion were apparently driven with a loose rein ; such, however, was only ap- parent ; they had been given such delicate mouths by careful driving that the least indication kept them in proper form. Below we give two illustrations : one showing a horse unduly checked and gagged back, the other with the head in an easy-going position. The use of the bearing rein is sinipl}'^ to keep the horse from getting his head too low, not to draw it back in an unnatural position. Under the saddle this is precisely the use of the curb. Borse's head wna bearing-rein. horse's head without bearing-reiit. The Pacing Gait. — This is a gait natural to many horses, and exceed- ingly difficult to teach a horse that it is not natural to. On the other hand it is not difficult to make a trotter of a pacer. In pacing, a horse lifts both feet on a side simultaneously, and on perfectly smooth ground it may be made an exceedingly fast gait. It is easy to the rider but Ungraceful in the extreme, from the fact that, as in sculling a boat, the body is swayed from side to side. If the horse has the pace naturally he should be trained to increase the pace by precisely the same general rules for increasing the trotting pace ; by keeping him well in hand and inducing him by every possible means to increase his stride. The rack, amble, and single foot, as it is sometimes called, are all but modifications of the pacing stride and the gallop, just as the jog-trot and the walk are modifications of the trot. The amble is a slow, smooth gallop, or rather canter, and must be taught to the horse under the curb. The rack is a modification of the pace, the feet instead of being lifted up simultaneously side by side, represented by the figures 1-2, may be represented by the figures 1-2, 3-4, that is, the feet are not lifted regularly as in the walk. Single foot is a trained rack. It requires patience and time to teach, «tcept in a horse having a natural adaptation thereto. Once the animal THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. 125 catches the idea be sure to let him know that you appreciate it, and wish him to preserve it. It is difficult to give written instrucitons, for rules which would accom- plish the matter with one horse and rider, with another would totally fail. There is only this fixed rule : The horse must be in complete subjection to the will of the rider before anything but the natural gait is attempted. All these gaits, and the canter as well, are taught by using patience, keeping the feet of the animal well under him, and keeping him sufficiently well curbed so he cannot extend his stride until he fully understands what you want of him. Changing the Leading Foot. — In developing any gait the horse should be made to start with either foot as desired. It should be one of the first lessons, taught. To do this turn the horse's head somewhat by pulling the rein and pressing the heel slightly on the side opposite to the leg which it is desired to move. This will turn his head and croup slightly out of the proper line of progression, something that the horse naturally does when he starts. To change the leading leg, if, for instance, he is leading with the off fore-leg, rouse the horse, turn his head to the right, while the left heel reminds him to throw his croup out of line, upon which, by a peculiar motion the change is effected. GrALLOPiNG. — The gallop is often stated to be the fastest gait (vf the horse. This is however not strictly true. When a horse is going at the top of his speed under whip and spur, the whole animal is extended to the utmost, the head and tail straight out, and the animal going close to the ground. The slower he goes the more upright he holds himself, un- til when in the fashionable canter — the most distressing gait for the horse — he is almost on his haunches. All that is necessary to get the horse into the gait is to rouse him, give him a check for the leading foot, and restrain the gallop to the requirements of the case. The hand gallop is an easy going pace, both for the horse and the rider, and may be said to be half speed. The gallop proper is such a gait as will exhaust the horse in going ten or twelve .miles. Running 19 that gait which cannot be continued longer than from one to three miles without seriously distressing the horse. Being one of the natural gart« of the horse it is only necessary to rouse the lazy horse to the prop^ Bpeed, or to check the ambitious one to the pace desired. XTV. How to Train to Trot in Light Harness. Trotting in light harness is generally considered to mean, being hitched to a light vehicle, either single or double and being driven for pleasure. Used in this manner horses may be driven either with the curb, tha 126 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOK. cnafflc, or other trotting bit according to the delicacy of the hand of the driver, or mouth of the horse. We prefer, after they are way wise and used to the curb, to drive them thus, until they have acquired the proper carriage, and this entirely without the bearing rein. The object accom- plished in this is, the horse becomes entirely subservient to the driver but at the same time learns to rely on himself so far as sure-footedness is concerned. When he will go in proper form he may be driven with a trotting bit, until he has learned to extend himself fully, when he may again be placed in the curb, and if delicately handled w^ill give satisfaction any where on the road. Thus trained under the curb, when used with a trotting bit, they may be made to exhibit all the style they are capable of at an ordinary gait, and niay be shaken up instantly for a brush and ex- tend themselves to the utmost. In trotting at any speed the horse must be trained to take hold of the bit, so he may be steadied by the rein. He must never be allowed to suppose that this hold of the bit is for the purpose of pulling on. It is to be used simply to steady himself, and as a means of quick comprehen- sion of the driver's wishes. XV. How to Train for the Plow. In training a team for plowing, they must be made to walk at such a pace as will lay the best furrow, to walk evenly and straight ahead, with- out pulling apart or crowding each other, to obey the slightest check of the driver in laying out lands, and at the end of the furrow to come im- mediately and quickly about. To this end the reins should be carefully adjusted, the whiffle trees should be as light as will suffice to do the work, and the team must never be over driven. In stony or grubby land they must be kept so completely under control, as never to spring for- ward when the plow strikes an obstruction. In turning quartering about at the end, on square lands, in plowing right handed furrows, the near horse should back slightly, that the off horse may not step on his feet, and the traces should be kept slack enough so the plowman may easily enter the point of the plow in the next furrow. In back furrowing, the section of the circle described must be that which will bring the plow, with the aid of the plowman, most easily to the next furrow, the off horse in this case, keeping slightly behind. In plowing there is nothing gained by hurrying a team, and then ftopping to rest. Plowing is hard work because it is a constant strain on ^^rticular sets of muscles. The team, however, may be very much eased THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. 127 by the tact of the plowman in holding his team up in plowing through hard or tough places, by knowing that the harness fits perfectly, and by always having his plow clean and in a condition to scour. In laying out land the team should be rather wider apart than when plowing furrow after furrow, or so the plowman may see the line stakes between the horses. In laying out lands always have the reins of such length that they may be carried over the left hand plow handle. Thus by taking the right hand rein a little beyond the center the hand may easily grasp the handle. A pull directly back will carry the horses ge& and carrying the hand forward will tighten the near rein and carry the horses haw^ while a steady bearing will keep the team in a direct line ahead. The only position for the reins if carried otherwise than on the handle is to carry them just above the hips, and of such a length that when the team is going at ease they will be loose, and yet may be easily tightened by the plowman walking a little farther in the rear than usual. With a hard-mouthed team "feeling their oats" this will do. By the means we have indicated, if the lines are nicely adjusted, the team may be made to pulJ on the plow, and once used to this way of driving we have never known of its being abandoned, except for a time as a change. The practice of carrying a rein in each hand adopted by some good plowmen is not to be commended, except with a kind team. In this case to carry them over the left handle is easier, whether the team be wild or gentle. In any case the reins should never be carried over the neck It is awkward, and the team is never under control. Carried over one shouU der and under one arm is an improvement upon this awkward plan, XVI. Training to the Wagon. But little need be said on this score if attention has been paid to >fhav has been said previously. Upon good roads and with an ordinary load the team should be kept up to their maximum gait in walking. When the road is good in some places and bad in others, as country roads usually are, the load must be such as the team can move by hard pulling in the worst places. After a heavy pull always give the team a breathing spell, and in the middle of a pull if the team can start the load once stopped- This any honest team will do unless the bottom is miry, that is, unless from standing the team and wheels sink deeper and deeper. In this case, the only way is to keep going until firm ground is reached. The average driver is sure to hurry his team in the mud. They should be taught to pull steadily and slowly, and when started again, after rest* 128 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. ing, to take hold of the load steadily and with a growing impulse until it moves. XVn. How to Train a Racer. The training of racing stock, whether for running or trotting, is a fine art, and one which it would take a volume to properly describe in print. There a.re certain essentials, however, which are easily understood, and which every one who breeds stock for speed should know. The colt having been taught to gallop easily and naturally, should be put upon good sound oats and the cleanest hay. He should be carefully blanketed and groomed and his legs hand rubbed until fine. The exercise should be daily, upon a good course, and ridden under the direction of a horse- man who is thoroughly up in his business. When this cannot be, tha work must be done under the instruction of the master. In race riding, the jockey throws about all his weight in the stirrups, steadying himself with the knees and thighs. The seat of the body is carried well back, the loin slightly arched, so the weight will not; be brousfht too far forward, as the breech would be if the rider should stand straight in the stirrups. A jockey of ordinary weight will be found to carry his leg, from the knee, slightly thrown back ; thus by stiffening his knee he can change his center of gravity without ceasing to stand in the stirrups. Very light jockeys ride with longer stirrups, throwing their weight principally on their thighs, and with their breech raised entirely from the saddle, thus giving them a strong hold on the horse. Standing in the stirrup, however, cannot be long endured, and is only used for fast racing or galloping over bad ground, rough or deep, or in the case of a hill that must be passed quickly over. Training to racing speed on the farm may be summed up as follows : a smooth track, regular feeding four times a day with the soundest of oats and hay, with a bran mash often enough to keep the bowels in regu- lar condition ; the most careful grooming, with plenty of hand rubbing of the legs ; sweating exercise every day, and thorough cleaning afterwards ; a trial gallop to extend the limbs, with an occasional spurt to note the in- crease of speed, and occasionally a fair trial at the distance which the horse is trained, to test his speed, powers of endurance, improvement, •nd capabilities. XVili. Training a Stallion. The training of a stallion should commence from the time that it is in- Unded to keep him as such, and certainly from the age of one year. THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIlf. 12S when colts are usually gelded. He should be exercised in a close yard, first at the end of the halter, and at length without bridle or halter rein, and made to advance, to back, to circle, to describe a figure eight, to rear and come down at the word of command, to kneel, to sit on his haunches, to lie down, and especially to come instantly to Ms keeper at the word of command. All this takes time, but is labor well spent, for henceforth his usefulness as a sire, and escapes from accidents by being kicked, may depend upon his thorough training. Any observing person will have noted that in fully half the cases a stallion will be found dragging his keeper about like a puppet. All this may be avoided by proper care and training, 8o the horse will retain his full exhuberance of spirit, and yet be entirely under control. His care and keeping should be of the best possible, and his daily exer- cise enough to keep his muscles firm, certainly not less than eight mile* a day during the season of service. However well trained the stallion, when it comes to actual service, there is always a time when he may refuse to obey. Then he must be made to do so at whatever cost, and U> accomplish the object, the whip must be used to any extent suflicient to conquer him. Cut sharp and strong, but with temperate judgment. Do not rain a succession of blows. This will only make him fight. A few well-directed blows will generally suflice, if they are sharp and cutting. Do not be afraid oi drawing blood. If it can be done at the first stroke, so much the better. Give him time to think before you strike the second time. Give him the order you wish him to execute. If there is the least hesitation, strike again, and so on until he is conquered. If he has been properly trained previously, he will handle nearly as easy as a geld- ing. If not, he may become a brute, dangerous for any man to handle. Above all, a stallion once trained, never intrust him to an incompetent keeper, and never allow a valuable one to be ridden during the season of hard service. If he travels from one station to another, or is otherwise exercised, it should be with a leading rein, the rider being on anoth^ horse. CHAPTER Vn HOW TO SHELTEB. >lirORTABLE SHELTER ECONOMICAL. 11. CONSIDERATION IN C0N8TRTTCTIN0 STABUHb ' in. MANGERS AND RACKS. IV. HOW TO INSURE A GOOD TEMFERATUKK. V. CLKAM* INO THE STABLES. VI. THE LOFT. —— VII. THE HARNESS ROOM. — VHI. THB OOT «HXD. IX. WATER. I. Comfortable Shelter Economical. Although the horse is found wherever civilized man has made his home, aivd has been subjected by barbarian tribes wherever subsistence may be found Summer and Winter, yet in a wild state he is only found where the Winter and the Summer climate is mild enough to furnish herbage the year round. While it is true that the horse will stand weather as inclem- ent as cattle, yet the owner who subjects either horses or cattle to the storms of Winter, not only makes no money from them, but deserves to lose them entirely. Thus the humane man always consults his best iuterests when he keeps his horse stock not only well fed but comfortably k^used. n. Considerations in Constructing Stables. The first consideration in the construction of a stable is the number of horses to be kept. After this comes in economy of space in connection with convenience, ventilation in connection with the health of the horses, 130 THE HORSE, HOW TO SHELTER. 131 4tfid lastly the cost. In the construction of stables the question of warmth, convenience and ventilation are the prime integers, and whatever the character of the structure it must combine these three essentials, else it is a failure. In the construction of stables the horse and carriage floor, including harness and tool room, and the loft, in which should be situated the bins for oats, shelled corn, corn in the ear, meal and bran, with suitable spouts and slides for delivering the feed on the lower floor, are all that is necessary. Every stable, however, should be supplied with a ventilating pipe placed about midway over one of the centre stalls. If there ar« more than four horses kept there should be two, and one in addition for each other four, but all connecting with the principal air shaft at the peak of the roof. Where the horses are near the ground, and especially if the first story, or the walls of the whole building be of brick, there should be at least two courses above the ground laid in water-lime, to prevent the dampness from the gi'ound ascending up the walls by capillary attraction. How- ever the foundation be laid there must be perfect drainage, either natural or artifical. under the stable. Many valuable horses have been lost through iiiactention to this simple matter. The size of the stable must of course correspond to the number of horses to be kept, and the number of vehicles to be sheltered. The width of the stalls should not be less than five feet each — six is better — and there should be at least one loose box in every stable, however small. If there are a number of breeding mares there should be one loose box to each four horses. These boxes should not be less than ten by twelve feet. Fourteen feet in depth for the stall is little enough. The travis or partition between stalls should not be less than six feet six inches long. If the stable is fourteen feet deep seven feet is better. It should b« seven feet high at the head and five feet at the rear part. m. Mangers and Backs. The mangers and racks should be of the most substantial character, and, if expense is no object, of enameled iron, as to the mangers, and of iron as to the racks. If made of wood, oak or elm is a good materiaL However made there should be no rough edges to annoy the horses, nor splinters to wound. The top of the cap should not be less than three feet three inches from the floor, nor more than three feet six inches. The manger to be about thirteen inches wide at the top, nine inches at the bottoir and eleven inches deep. The caps may be four inches deep tnd three inches wide, securely placed. The sides and bottom of tim 132 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. manger may be of inch oak, or other hard wood. If made of pine thty should be of inch and a half thickness, IV. How to Insure a Good Temperature. If the stable be of brick or stone, it may or may not be lined with wood with an air space between. If of wood, there should always be a lining, and the sheathing upon which the weather boarding is nailed should be covered with tarred paper. Ventilation must be attended to ; this is best secured by orifices at proper distances next the ceiling, that may be opened or closed at pleasure, and provided with lattice work to throw the air up when opened. This with the doors and windows in Summer ^vill give plenty of ventilation and in Winter the ventilators alone will suflSce. It is one of the most essential points in building a stable in our American climate, with torrid Summers and Arctic Winters, that no expense be spared to make the buildings comfortable. We are decidedly in favor of a vestibule, large enough to hold a harnessed team, or if preferred, if the carriage room be large enough and separated by a close partition from the stable, as it should be, this may be made to do. From this the entrance to the stable may be a sliding door, through which to lead the horses ; the object being to prevent the rush of cold air into the stable chilling every horse in it. Whore more than five horses are kept in a stable we advise a close par. tition between each four stalls and their accompanying loose box. The reason is, that in each compartment an equal temperature is retained. It is not so much the degree of cold that affects horses, as sudden changes of temperature. Thus each may have its separate ventilation and air shaft, and conduce very much to the comfort of the animals kept therein. V. Cleaning the Stable. Cleanliness in the stable is of the utmost importance. There should b» sufficient bedding under the horses at all times to insure cleanliness ; all damp portions together with the droppings should be removed twice a day. We have never found a better nor more economical way than to use a wheel barrow, with sides sufficiently wide and flaring to hold the load a man may handle, in which the manure and damp bedding could be thrown and wheeled on planks immediately to the pile. Where it ia thrown out of windows it often heats so as to be offensive in Summer, «nd in Winter these windows, besides often allowing the wind and storm to beat in, are objectionable in many ways. THE HORSE, HOW TO SHELTEK. 133 VI. The Loft. We have already advised that the granary be in the loft, the shoots, however, should not enter the stable ; first, because they create more or lesB dust, and second, they are liable to contract more or less effluvia from the stable. They should communicate with a room by itself, suf- ficiently large for sifting oats and mixing feed. The granary must also be made rat proof, which is best done by covering the bottom and two feet of the sides, and the top with sheet iron. The floor of the whole loft should also be covered with a tight floor of planks, plowed and grooved, so that by no possibility dust or trash can drop through ; the loft should also be high enough to hold straw for bedding, and hay enough for at least two months' feed. In fact, if it be a farm barn, it were better to hold enough, if possible, for the Winter. This might de- tract somewhat from the architectural appearance of the building, unless the storage and stable room be large below. In any event we should not build any stable, however small, less than eight feet high, with a loft above of the same height, and in the case of a large building we should extend the loft to ten, twelve or fourteen feet as the size of the ground floor might allow. Vn. The Harness Boom. The harness room should be as complete as possible with suitable pegs for harness and seats or frames for saddles. It should also be provided with a saddler's horse for sewing .raps, awls, needles, wax, thread, etc. ; also a table for oiling harness, and if it have a boiler set in a stove foi heating water, it will often be called in requisition in Winter, not only for its hot water facilities, but for drying harness and saddles as weU Vm. The Out Shed. If the stable is provided with an out-shed for cleaning horses when th* weather is not inclement, it will be found to save much dust and dirt in- side. If this shed be a vestibule to the stable, with sliding windows, so much the better. It may even be used, in case of need, for temporary •tables or for baiting a double team when it is not considered necessary to unharness. In fact there are many uses to which it may be put aside from the protection it would give the stable, in opening the doors in oold and inclement weather. IX. The Surroundings. Every stable should have a smooth, close yard, with a tight high fenot 134 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. •urrounding it, and if one side can be covered with a shed roof, fourteen feet wide, so much the better. This yard should be about 30 or 40 feet wide, and if it contains a place in the center of strong posts for a man to take shelter in from a vicious brute, it is not amiss. We once saw a lifn saved in this way, from an ugly bull, which broke from his fastening* and would have killed his keeper but for this safeguard. There should also be a grass lot near for cutting forage in Summer for soiling, and for turning in a sick horse occasionally. X. Water. The water supply is important. If taken from a well and pump it L» absolutely essential that there be no contamination from the drainage of the stables and yards. If a tank can be so arranged that it will not freeze, build one by all means, and connect by pipes, pumping the water by means of a windmill. Or the tank may be situated where it will sup- ply the house, and a pipe laid to the stable underground, ending in a penstock. In this case, the windmill and tank may be entirely isolated from the bam or house, and the water carried for any distance, provided Ui« bead is higher thaa the outflow. CHAPTER Vm. HOW TO FEED, WATEB A1ST> GBOOM. %. LATINO THK FOUNDATION. II. WHAT TO FEED. in. WHEN TO FEED. IV. Win TBRTNG. V. KIND3 AND QUANTITIES OP FOOD TO BE GIVEN. VI. HOW TO PRR- PARKTHE FOOD. VU. HOW TO MAKE MASHES, GRUELS AND HAY-TEA. VIU. THB VALUE OP HAY AND STRAW. IX. FEEDING GRAIN. X. STABLE CARE AND GR001IS< ING. XI. THE TIME TO CLEAN. XII. CARE OF THE FEET. ^— XIU. BLANEETBOa WHSN NECESSARY. PROPER TOOLS FOR THE STABML I. Laying the Foundation. The feeding of horses must be either simple or complex according to the circumstances under which they are placed and the nature of the work required of them. It would, for instance, be as foolish with the farm or ordinary work horse to pamper with fire- warmed stables, highly stimulating food, and exquisite grooming, together with all the parapher- nalia of blankets, hoods, bandages for the legs, and necessities of tht trotting or racing stable, as it would be to allow this latter class to re- ceive only the same care and attention usually bestowed upon the team kept solely for the plow and other drudgery of the farm. At the same tim« the extremes to which horses are subject, either on the farm or in racing •tables, might well be modified in very many cases to the health and w«Jk 185 136 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. being either of the farm horse or the pampered and high-bred racei. That is to say, racers are often "drawn down" too fine, and the ordinary work horse too often suffers from neglect. Thus in the first class we see a number of diseases seldom shown in the stables of horses with suf- ficient care, w^hile the stables of horses carefully kept seldom suffer with the class of diseases found when horses are allowed to go dirty from day to day, and often from week to week. To commence at the beginning, the breeder who would succeed with any class of horses, should see that the mare, while carrjdng the foal, has sufficient food and shelter, and that the foal itself is sufficiently nour- lAed during the period of growth. Nothing is gained by insufficient shelter and food, whatever the use for which the animal is intended, and this brings us to the question of the food itself. n. What to Feed. In the West the feed of all horses of whatever class is oats, Indian •«rn, bran and hay. Whatever the work to be done, bran should always be kept, since a horse being off his feed, or slightly ailing from any cause not indicative of violent disease, bran mashes with good nursing wjftl bring him out all right in nine cases out of ten. So, in the Winter "when horses are confined to hard food, a bran-mash once a week should be given, and this generally on Sunday morning. On the farm there is Hothing better than an occasional feed of roots — carrots, Swedish turnips, or mangel wurtzel — being valuable in the order named. If a peck of these could be given daily as an evening or noonday meal, the good effects of this feeding w^ould be quickly shown. For the mares before foaling time, for the farm or draft horse, for the carriage horses of the citizen, and even for the fast driven roadster, or racer, when not being driven to exhaustive work, these will be found valuable. The foal itself should be learned to eat roots as quickly as possible, auo.d if the mare takes kindly to them it will not be a difficult matter for the foal to learn to eat them. As to the other food of the young colt or filly, oats alone with grass or hay, according to the season, should be allowed. In the Winter, half oats and half corn may be given with ben- efit, unless the young things are intended for racing or trotting, and are kept in warm stables ; then Indian corn would not be desirable, as being too heating under the circumstances. For the ordinary farm team, or other horses of slow work, Indian corn may be the main dependence in Winter, in connection with good hay ; especially so if a few roots can be allowed as a portion of the daily Wroveoder. For fast working horses, sound oats and hay will be tb* THE HORSE, HOW TO FEED, WATER AND GROOM. • ISf principal dependence, but in the Winter we have always giren ome-thiri of the weight of the daily grain ration in Indian Corn, and we have aiwajv thought, with decided benefit. ni. When to Feed. The importance of strict regularity in feeding is underestimated by nine-tenths of the ordinary feeders, and by fully one-half of the stable- men having the care of well bred horses. The horse, for whatever pur- pose he is used, if actively employed, should not get less than three feeds a day, besides the hay he eats during the night. All fast working horses should have four feeds a day. The hours of feeding are of prime im- portance. These should be, as closely as possible, at six in the morning, at noon, and at six at night, except at those pressing seasons of extra labor, when the morning feed may be an hour earlier and the evening feed an hour later. In this case, however, nose-bags should be carried to the field, or they should be turned to the wagon at 10 A. M. and at 4 P. M. to take one-third their usual allowance, as given morning and evening, which meals, as a rule, should be rather more than the noonday feed. When corn is the main dependence as feed these lunches should be of oats, and if bruised so much the better. Fast working horses should receive their food four times a day, at six in the morning, at ten, at two, and at nine at night. Carriage horse« should be fed the same number of times, the first feed being at six, and the last after their real work for the day is done, say at nine at night, since simply going to some place of amusement at eleven o'clock oi later can hardly be called work. The mid-morning and afternoon meala will depend upon the hours at which they are generally used, nine A. M and 1 P. M. being the usual times for feeding. IV. "Watering. Watering and the water used is of fully as much importance as t%& feeding. A horse is particular as to the water he drinks, but yet may be accustomed to any water without detriment if it be fit for human use. The water of large lakes, rivers and running brooks is best and in the order named. That of ponds without outlet or inlet the worst ; in fact pond water should never be used ; well water is altogether better and may be given without fear, when used constantly, but as with man, the hors» accustomed to lake or river water, which is always partially soft, should be given well water, when necessity requires, with care and only in small quantities, the change being gradually made. Water should always Im 138 ILLUSTIJiriSD STOCK DOCTOR. effered before feeding, and never given in large drafts immediately after feeding ; two to four quarts may be given with benefit immediately aftei dry feed, to properly moisten the stomach, and it may be freel}^ given in two or three hours after feeding. When driving, water should be offered, especially in hot weather, at every stop, but only a few quarts should be taken at a time, for a heated horse, like a heated man, will take more than is good for him. Upon stopping, wash the horse's mouth with a tponge soaked in water, and let him swallow each time two or three light fiips, just enough to moisten the throat, and upon starting give him four to six quarts each as the occasion seems to demand. Under no circum-. stances allow a heated horse to drink heartily. Farm teams and slow draft horses, at ordinary labor, may be allowed what they will naturally drink, but when heated the same rule must be observed as with hard driven horses. With these simple rules kept in view any intelligent owner or driver may keep his team fresh and without danger. V. Kinds and Quantities of Food to be Given. We have already spoken of the proper food to be given under ordinary circumstances ; they are sound, whole grain, and bright, clean hay. Cer' tain classes of horses, as omnibus horses, stage horses, car horses, and the draft horses of large mercantile firms in cities, are generally feci ground feed and cut hay. When the hours of feeding and rest may be estimated with accuracy, this is on the whole as conducive to the health of the animal as may be, when the economy of such feeding is considered, especially when we remember that in large cities a regular veterinary sur- geon is employed, who visits the stables regularly to look after the well- being of the horses, and also where the superintendents and foremen are supposed to be experts. On the farm, and in the stables of road-driving horsemen, and where carriage horses are kept, cut feed may very properly and economically form from one-third to one-half of the daily food given. When only one feed is given it should be in the morning ; when two are given, they Bhould be the morning and evening feeds. As to the quantity to be given, no definite rule can be laid down. The 'horse must have a quantity fully sufficient to keep him well up to his work. Hard working horses may, if regularly fed, have what grain and bay they will eat clean, and in this case there is no better. judge than the animal itself, except in the case of ravenous gluttons, sometimes found among horses as in the human family. Ela])orate rules have been laid down by theorists, including a per cent, of grain according to the weight «f the animal. In practice they will not work, since the labor, conditiou THE HORSE, HOW TO FEED, WATER AND GROOM. 139 of the animal, temperature of the season, and of stables must be xjonsid- ered. In the large omnibus stables where all the work is to be got out of horses that they can endure, from ten to fourteen pounds of cut hay per day are given, with from eighteen to twenty pounds of corn meal. Mix into provender, and on it they vnW go from eighteen to twenty miles each day. With this about three pounds of salt may be allowed each i month. Some stable men do not feed nioic than one pound, arguing that a large quantity produces profuse staliu.r ; others feed up to four. In times of extra severe labor the cornmeal is increased by about thr^e pounds. It would be better if the three pounds of meal where omitted and one extra feed of six quarts of whole oats be substituted, and given daily. The average hvery horse may be kept in good condition on twelve pounds of hay and eight pounds of cornmeal daily, to be given at two feeds with the addition of six quarts of oats at noon, eight pounds of hay to be fed cut, with the meal, and four pounds from the manger. This same feed would do for ordinary farm horses at usual work, or if the grain is fed whole, five quarts of shelled corn, or its equivalent in ears, and six quarts of oats, with what hay will be eaten should keep the ani- mal in working condition. VI. How to Prepare the Food. In preparing chopped feed, half the hay to be used, or clean, bright, long straw cut into about three-quarters to one inch lengths, should be put into the mixing trough half an hour before it is to be mixed, and thoroughly moistened. On this throw the meal, mill-feed, or whatever article is to be used, and moisten it. Then cover with sufficient hay to make the mess for the desired number of horses, weighing both hay and meal. Let it stand until feeding time, when the whole should be worked over and over until thoroughly mixed. If salt is given with the mess, put in the required quantity for each horse, from one-quarter to half an ounce per horse each feed. Many stablemen mix the mess half a day in advance, but this we do not like. Horses, like men, like their food fresh. An iron box is best for mixing, and it should be thoroughly cleaned after each meal. Vn. How to Make Mashes, Gruel and Hay-tea. The ordinary sweet mash, as usually made, is to take four quarts ot good bran, moisten it gradually with hot water, and then mix with what boiling water will bring it up to the proper consistency for eating, cover- ing it with a cloth and feeding either warm if the animal will eat it * « t^O ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. or else cold. What salt will lie on a quarter dollar may or may not ba mixed with it. A better mash, especially for dry fed horses, is to boil two quarts of oats and a pint of linseed, for each horse, for about throe hours, and tnen mix with it sufficient bran to bring it to a proper consistency. Cover with a cloth and feed cold. Such a mash given once a week, if the horses are OR average feed, will keep their bowels in condition. If off their feed, add a little salt and a half jiint of molasses. Gruel is one of the best possible things for a beaten out horse. Stir gradually in a gallon of water, a pint or a quart of oat-meal, or half flour and half corn-meal, according as the horse likes it thick or thin, and fill up the pail with cold water. If the horse hesitates about drinking it, give him first a mouthful of water. If he be very tired a quart of sound ale will do him good, but under no circumstances, when exhausted, should he be given a feed either of grain or hay. If the horse will take nothing else, turn down a bottle of sound ale, rub him until dry and refreshed, and then feed. Hay TEA is also a good stimulant. To make it — fill a bucket three- quarters full of bright, clean hay, pour over it enough boiling water to fill the pail, and cover tight, to keep in the steam. Press the hay down occasionally, let it stand fifteen minutes, turn off, and add water enough to make a bucket three-quarters full. Give to the horse when the liquid is cool enough to drink. Vni. The Value of Hay and Straw. In the feeding of horses the principal use of hay is to distend the stomach. For this reason lean horses, and those just off the pasture on coarse feed, require more than those which are regularly stabled and groomed. The change to grain must not be too sudden, else indigestion is apt to set in. Once a horse is used to full rations of grain, if oats are used, or corn meal and bran, he may get along daily with from six to eight pounds of hay a day. The hay, however, must be of the very best, bright, clean and free from dust. There is no economy in feeding bad hay. It is the cause of heaves, broken wind and other diseases produced by indigestion. Good clean straw is altogether better than poor hay. Straw is altogether the best material for bedding, and should always be used when it can be had. In the West it is plenty, and yet not one farmer in ten uses it for bedding in sufficient quantity or renews i*oft«^ '^n'Tigh. THE HORSE, HOW TO SHELTER. Hi IX. Feeding Grain. The most economical way of feeding grain on the farm is in its wholo state. Oats and corn should be shaken in a sieve with a mesh so small that it will not go through, all dust and light matter blown away, and all stones, bits of iron or wire, carefully picked out. It will pay the farm- er to do this as well as any other stable man. In feeding corn allow one-half the measure ©f shelled corn that would be deemed sufficient of oats, since corn weighs about double that of oats. If corn in the ear is fed, one-third more by measure heaped should be allowed than when shelled grain is used. In other words the stable must use seventy pounds of ear corn when fifty-six of shelled corn would be given, or 112 pounds of oats. Some horses eat their grain better for being moistened. If so, moisten it, but as a rule we like to feed whole grain dry, since the horse is obliged to grind it better to get it in condition for swallowing. Horses with bad teeth always bolt their food whole. All such horses, and also aged ones, should be fed cut hay and ground feed. X. Stable Care and Training. The importance of steadiness and care in the management of the stable and in the cleaning of horses cannot be over-estimated. A brutal stable- man, or one which a horse fears, should be immediately discharged. There is indeed now and then a horse that requires to be kept in terror. These of course are exceptions. The competent stable-man should use neither fear nor brutality. Not half the so-called strappers (cleaners) are fit to be about a horse. Many stable-men imagine the curry comb is an instniment for cleaning the legs and body of the horse. It is an instrument for cleaning the brush and for loosening the scurf on the fleshy — not bony parts of the body. In using the curry comb, do so lightly, carrying it in circlea rather than in straight lines. Use a wisp of hay for rubbing the dust from the legs, and a corn cob for the fetlocks, finishing with the brush. In brushing, do so thoroughly, with firm, long strokes, where possible, being careful in working about the head and bony parts. Clean the brush often by passing it over the teeth of the curry comb. When the scurf and dust are thoroughly cleaned out, go over the horse with a damp wisp of hay, and finish with dry cloths, being particular to get any particles of dirt out of the fetlocks, the ears, about the head, next the tail, below the thighs, under the jaws, and between the fore-legs. A horae 142 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. thus cleaned, whether he belongs to the farm or the city stable will not occasion ehame on the part of the owner. It is a question among horsemen, whether when a team comes in wet and muddy at night, it is proper to wash them. We have never fouild advantage in so doing. Clothe them warmly, bandage the legs loosely, and when dry, clean them, at least so far as removing the dirt, and getting up a glow at the surface is concerned. Thus handled, horses will seldom be found liable to surfeit, scratches, grease, and other diseases induced by checking the natural perspiration. XI. The Time to Clean. Clean when the horse is. dirty. Always once a day when the horse is kept in the stable. Horses that run in the fields in Summer, or in the shed yard in Winter require no cleaning. Nature provides a natural scurf that defends them from the changes of the weather. Before work horses are littered down for the night they should be again thoroughly cleaned if necessary. As, for instance, if the animal has been on the road or in the field ; it is important and will lighten the morning cleaning, apart from real necessity of the case. Whenever the horse comes into the stable from the plow or wagon, for the day, he should be thoroughly cleaned when dry enough ^ and if sweat- ing or otherwise wet should be thoroughly scraped at once. The scraper is a thin, flexible piece of wood ; a section of barrel hoop makes a good one. In any event a horse once in the stable, clean him thoroughly, un- less he be taken out again after being "baited." If he remain in the stable long enough for the operation, clean him especially as to the limbs, and if there is time, as to the body. It may seem like a good deal of work, but it will pay. Xn. Care of the Feet. The feet are half the horse, in fact a horse with bad feet, is as near a worthless animal as possible. Attention to the feet is therefore of the first importance. In this connection shoeing is to be attended to. Know that the blacksmith understands his business. There are as many igno^ rant botch-workmen in cities as in the country. The horse's foot should be a study, and every horseman should understand the anatomy of the foot ; this will be given in its proper place. How to care for the feet is in place here. When the horse is brought in from work, each foot should be lifted, cleaned, and examined with the picker to see that no gravel or •ther hard substance has found lodgment between the shoe and hoof, or THE HORSE, HOW TO SHELTER. 143 about the frog. Examine the frog to see that no substance is wedged therein, and that no nail or other sharp object has pierced the sole. If the hoofs are inclined to be hard and dry, fill them with a mixture of cow-dung and clay, or with oakum saturated with tar and petroleum. Watch them for contraction of the hoof, caused by allowing the shoe to remain on too long, or from bad shoeing. If the frog gets torn and rag- ged, cut the ragged edges but leave the frog intact. If the hoof be found pierced with a nail, and you are not perfectly sure you have pulled out' every bit, cut it out at whatever labor it may be to you, or pain to the animal. Then dress the wound with a pledget of tow saturated with tar. If the hoofs are inclined to be hard and brittle, oil them occasionally, or let the horse stand, say for an hour or two, or for a half day on Sunday, in a box of soft clay and cow-manure, coming prettywell up the hoofs. Thus by the exercise of care and judgment you may keep the feet, what they ought to be, the better part of the horse. Xiil. Blanketing— When Necessary. A blanket is always necessary when the horse is standing in the stable in Winter. A light sheet is about as necessary in Summer, during fly time. A blanket should always be thrown over the horse in cold weathev, or even in the cool weather of Spring and Autumn, when standing after being driven. A horse should always be blanketed when standing in a draft, or in the rain, using a cloth or rubber blanket as the case may be. In blanketing a horse, see that the blanket is sufficiently large to cove^ the animal from the neck to the tail, see also that the breast flaps are sufficient to protect this sensitive part, and that the blanket is Urge enough to cover the sides and flank fully. If nov^ do not buy it at any price. Buy a blanket for each horse, and having them use them when necessary, buckling them on so they will stay. Very many stable-men have a number of blankets for each horse ; this is well enough if they can afford it, but one blanket to each horse, with enough in reserve so a dry blanket may be had as occasion requires, and with a good surciMgle to •ach blanket, is all that is really necessary. Xrv. Proper Tools for the Stable. The tools necessary for cleaning a horse properly may be very few or many. As a rule any horse may be properly cleaned with a scraper, a curry comb, a brush, a sponge, a comb, a wisp of straw, and a rubbing cloth. Horse pails both for washing the horse and for watering are in. dispensable to any stable but never use one for the other. These shoulcj 144 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. be of oak, half an inch thick, and with strong iron bails, and to hold fourteen quarts. The set of cleaning tools should be provided for every two horses. Every stable should have two manure forks, one of steel and one of wood, splint broom, a scoop shovel, and a wheel-barrow. With these any stable may be kept clean, and if the eye of the master is kept on the help, the horses will not suffer for want of care. And these essen- tials to a stable, and the treatment suggested, are urged on the score of economy. They^ay. We also urge them from humane considerations, and those of neatness and system . In all respects kindness and attention to a horse axe both satisfactory and remunerative. CHAPTER IX. BEICEFITS OF KHTD AND CABEFCTL TBEATUEHT. k. .ABO00O A FAITHFXJI, SBRVAKT.—^n. WHAT ARE BARBARrmS. ni. A FICTCTai >WM| U7B. IV. THE OTHSR SIDE. V. A GOOD FARMER'S SURROUNDINGS. VI. FAJUC^ unthrbpt's barn. — — vn. his home. — — vin. the carefui. man's theort.— — cp osiNa the josans ws have. z. AN 1NFAI4LIB1.B rule. L Abusing a Faithful Servant The horse is the most useful servant of man, as he is one of the moefe noble of animals. He is fortunate if he falls into the hands of a kind and considerate master. Fully one-half of the horses used in civilized countries are driven by persons brutal in ♦^heir temper and instincts, who, coming into possession of a horse suffering from disability, inflicted by some former owner, or perhaps reduced in value by age, are sold for » 3ong, and thereafter the poor tortured brutea wear out a most miserable existence, until at length they drop in their tracks, literally driven to death. This picture is not overdrawn. Go into any of our cities, and on to many of the farms of the land, and see animals in every stage of incurable disorders. On farms horses disabled for city use m the posse* •ion of some renter, whose only aim seems to be to see how soon and on how little food he can wear out the miserable animal. Contrast thcM With the horses that are carefully fed and cared for, and by actual count the result will be surprising even to a veterinarian. As a rule, the horses of the better class of farmers fare the best. They •re not pampered, it is true, neither are they overdriven or overworked. If they remain on the farm, they are capable of full work until they aM 146 146 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. twenty years old. How many arrive at this age? Not one in fifty. TWi most of them die under seven years of age. n. What A.re BarbEirities. Their name is legion. It is barbarous to overload or overdrive aii> ^^\9 ' U) or'nQ them insufficient food and water ; to allow them to stAud TllK TBAM OF THK CKUBL AND IMPROVIDENT MASTER, AND THE USUAL SURROUNuINGfl day after day uneleaned and in filth, denying them even the poor boon of rleaning themselves ; to work them during the progress of spavin or rin^ hone, navicular disease, with corns, gravel, or other painful ailments of THE HORSE, KIND TREATMENT. 14Y the foot ; to let them stand shivering in the cold, or in apologies for sta- bles, in inclement weather without blankets ; to drive them in the mud and Tnire and neglect to clean them ; to ride them under torturing sad- dle*, or to drive them in galling collars and harness ; to use badly fitting *HE TEAM OF THE KIND AND CAREFUL MASTER, AND THE NATURAL SURROUNDINCB. or torturing bits, and then jerk their tender mouths because their agon,^ will not allow them to carry their heads directly in line or go straight ahead ; to ride or drive through deep mud at a pace which quickly ex- hausts the animal, and then beat with a loaded whip, because they flag, or spur them until their sides are a gore of blood ; to keep the poor 148 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. •Features in terror, from fear of the whip, and then beat with renewed vigor because the innocent brute does not comprehend what the master reallv does not know himself ; to give the faithful servant over to th* tender mercies of some man who calls himself a blacksmith, who either pricks him with a nail, pares down the hoof and the frog to the quick. and then because the poor animal cringes, holds back or perhaps stum- bles, beats him for it. Such are a few of the more common of the cruelties inflicted, and which may be seen day by day by any who will notice. A man cannot pass along the streets in any large city, on any day, without seeing some of these things. The observing man need not travel far in the country to see some such picture as we present of the farmer who believes in letting his stock shift for themselves when not at work, and is careful not to over-feed when they struggle with the plow or wagon. m. A Picture from Life. But, sav some readers, the picture on page 146 is a fancy sketch. Not at all. It is drawn from life. The superannuated, rat-tailed horse, with one ear gone, blind, spavined, ill kept and ill fed ; the mule, still more rat-tailed than the horse, intact only as to his ears, the broKea-down fence, the edge of the marshy pond, serving as a wallowing place for hogs, and as a watering place for the family and stock ; the dilapidated stable ; the log cabin — all are true to life. There is but one redeeming feature in the whole scene : the wife begging that a little land may be left in front of the house unplowed. "Will it be granted? Not so. The ragsred edged plow will cut as close to the corner of the cabin as possible, and then bear off in a circle in the near distance beyond. Land is too valuable to spare any next the house, but the weeds and dilapidated fence tell a tale of plenty of land bcA^ond. If the traveler chose he might learn the cause of all this. A history made in the comer grocery of the village, over the broken bridge. Contrast this with the companion picture we give on page 147, and which tells a very different tale. IV. The Other Side. It is of the farmer who is well-to-do by his own tact and energy. His team is trained to almost human intelligence. Strong, able horses, whose dams were kindly worked and carefully fed. When foals they were early teu^ht to take their oats. In Winter they were carefully housed, their training commencing within a few days of their birth ; broken in at two THE HORSE, KIND TREATMEN1 , 149 y«ars old, worked gently, and at three past given full Iibeil> again until four. They are now six years old, trained to go without £nes, a grnr and a bay; well bred; weighing 1250 each; capable of going a nJie in four minutes to the farm wagon. How much think 3'ou they are worth? Let us whisper it ; $800 has been refused. A foolish farmer is he noi, to keep so much money in 2^ farm team? Perhaps not. He aska $1200^ and he will get it. He has fulfilled the conditions we have given as to breeding, feeding, watering, care, shelter, breaking and training. The}? have lacked for nothing he could give them, and in turn refuse nothing they maj be able to do for him . V. A Good Parmer's Surroundings. The surroundings of a man in any condition in life, whether he be rich or poor, are an index to his character The animus of all men is to make money, but some possess in connection, a love of the beautiful. Without method in labor no man can be successful. The farmer who has method, and an eye for the beautiful, and onl}^ comfortably well off, perhaps, will show his bam yards and surroundings something like the following iU*»« tration ; THE BARN OF THE PROVIDENT MASTER. His oams are tight and ample, and filled to the ridge-pole with foddei His yrrds are protected with shelter-belts and wind-break?. hi enter, the roof of the hovel rent and torn, the delapidated doors propped 10 150 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. op with rails, the weather-boards fallen or falling off, and the whole thing shaky, like the master's mind. Fine stock, fat, and well groomed, have come out of hovels of barns ; they were made warm and comfortable. It is not the most expensive structures that always contain the best stock, but in the end the better barn will b« built. ^Ve have never seen good stock issue from such a bam as we have shown, and it only needs to show the house the farmer lives in, with its brush heap, its line of ragged clothes, the ragged, dirty children, «nd generally dilapidated appearance, to complete the pictorial story of neneral unthrift Vn. Farmer TTnthrift's Home. FARMER VXIHRIFTS BARN. FARMER UNTHRIFT'S HOME. Suob a man will raise his colts from spavined and broker down mares , mey will shift for themselves upon scanty pasture in SumUi r, ai d in the brush in Winter. He believes in hardening his stock, and he (V^s it j hardens them into "runts," not worth a month's keeping. They are literally broken to work, broken in body and temper with cruel blows j they are halter-broken too, the halter is a rope knotted a!)0ut the neck, like the poor old horse shown on next page, tied outside the bani for th« benefit of the fresh air it may get ; a starved out skeleton horse, contein- platin"" the skeleton of a barn. Even in such a barn there are cajjabilitir that may be utilized for comfort. It may be reshingled, and r^ew ch.] hoarded, and the doors hung on their hinges. It may even bf) patched ^p 80 as not to leak, and be banked up to keep out the cold. But will ft i THE HORSE, HOW TO SHELTER. 151 »e? Hardly ! The picture of the old house, the wreck of a horse, the old rope around the neck, the rotten barn, all tell of more money spent at the dram-shop than for the maintenance and comfort of the family oi the well-being of the stock. THK BARN OF THE CRUBL MASTER. A MODEL HALTER ON A MODEL COLT. Vin. The Carefiil Man's Theory. As an accompaniment to this we give an illustration of a well-kept colt in a model halter for unbroken horses. By slipping both ends of the chin strap through the ring of the tying rope, it is a halter for a well broken horse. The man who possesses such stock and fixtures may not be rich ; probably is not, but he is a careful, thinking, reading, method- ical man, who believes in doing everything well. He uses no cruel bridles, gives his colts no excuse for getting cast in their halters. Hia harness seldom galls the team, and when it does, it is remedied at the first indication. However dirty his team goes into the stable, it always comes out clean and blooming ; not only this, such a master never finally leaves his team for the night, after a hard day's labor, until it is dry, well groomed, well littered down, and in every way comfortable for the night. In the morning his team are always ready for the field or road ; and however eager or spirited they may be, will travel along together, eithef ahead of or behind the master, and looking like the picture that we hem give on following page — a lordly team, that only could belong to a kind and considerate master. They are not too many. The cruel, or shiftless, or drunken master* are plenty enough. The farm stock of many get barely enough to eat» and that in an irregular and improvident kind of way. They never paB rery heavy loads, the master has not many to haul, and he believ* s Ml 152 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. skim plowing. When he comes home, he "runs them into the barn/' Buch as it is ; or they take the yard for it, and in the morning very closely xeuemble the picture on the left • TBAM OP THE KIND MASTBR. TEAM OF THE CRUEL MASTER. A "humped up," hungry, thirsty pair of servants to a cruel, because improvident master. Such a man may not be cruel in the sense of beating. He may be really a kind-hearted man, a good neighbor, "thoroughly honest, as the world goes," he may even be a good Christian man, or think so at least. He is cruel nevertheless. More cruel perhaps than the brute who belabors his beasts and then repents. Cruel in his improvidence, in his neglect of his farm and his stock. HIS DOOR-TARD GATE. UlS FIELD-GATE Is it any wonder that in the morning the team should be found in tho yard, waiting for their breakfast. The wonder is that there should b« anyth.ng, either in the house or out for either man or beast to breakfast on. If to neglect we add a cruel or brutal disposition, the animals of the firm are to be pitied, and the household likewise pitied, and pra^^ed for. This chapter is pictorial, and not particularly given to practical infor- mation on the care of horses. It is a chapter of contrasts, and given deliberately, as indicating far more eloquently than mere words can, the ^fference between careful and kind treatment of stock, and cruel of THE HORSE, KIND TREATMENT. 153 neglectful treatment. It is, in fact, the story of thrift and unthrift. We expect few whom it might benefit will see it. The unthrifty man whom we have depicted, seldom sees books, and we might almost say, never buys one. Those however who do, may perform good missionary work among the class we have represented, by showing them how quickly thrift will follow good intentions, religiously kept, backed up by honest hidustry, guided by careful judgment, and accompanied by a will to perform. It will repair houses and barns, build gates and fences, culti-^ vate smiling fields, rear and train good stock, lift the mortgage off the farm , educate the growing family, and bring comfort and happiness to a once cheerless and suffering family. IX. Using the Means We Have. In the foregoing;, it is not to be understood that expensive appearances are necessary for training a horse, neither is it to be understood that costly buildings are necessary. We have stated more than once that any farm animal may be kept in the most comfortable manner, in a structure made of poles and hay, and we will add, kept in as good health as in ex- pensive stables. The reason is that the master who uses care in making a simple structure warm and comfortable has humanity to start with, and generally gives his own personal care and supervision, while in costly stables the animals are usually left to the care of men hired for the pur- pose. The owner, often, from the pressure of other business pursuits, being unable to do more than to drive a favorite animal or team. In perhaps a majority of cases he knows little or nothing of how a horse should be cared for, and of course nothing as to the fitness of those whom he pays for doing the work. The object of this work is to present in a condensed form the best prac- tices, founded upon common sense, and the experience of superior stockmen in the care of animals. A study of these pages will enable any person to acquire a good idea of the simplest and best means for arriving at a correct knowledge of how animals should be bred, raised, fed, trained, and cared for. He may thus understand how to do the work himself, or, in case he be a man of business, or wealth and leisure, he may quickly know whether the help he relies on are doing their duty, not only in feed- ing and cleaning, in exercising and the general care of the animals under them, but also know at a glance, whether the animals are treated with the kindness and consideration that dumb brutes, but faithful servants, deserve from man. The closest and most constant attention to these points will abundantly pay every farmer, and every wise farmer will be certain to J»estow such care. I^ n-LUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. X An Irfellible Bule. We hare known a bmtal 5t.i'""c-r^. r. :■> f ?g a horse in the most terrible maimer, simply to get rid of id* own ugline^, as he expressed it, while at in the care of servants ehiMld fail to know that they are doing their duty. It is not enough that the Etable-men feed the regular rations, that they clean and exExcise pro|>- »lj. It should be made impcHtant that in all their interoourse with the animaU under tfafir care, thej be not vndiilj punished, nor in any otbev CHAPTER IL. HOW TO BUY. C HOW TO GET CtXKKECT IKFOBMATIOX. II. THE BUYEB MrST KNOW WHAT HE WAST* III. PEOPORTIOKS OF THE HOKSE. n*. THE CLEVELAND BAY FOR PROFIT. Y. THE LIGHT HARNESS HOBSE. VI. SADDLE HOESES OF ALL GAITS. VII. THE HIGH. BRED HUNTING HORSE. VIII. RACING HORSES. IX. WHAT THE RACER SHOULD BE. X. TO AVOID VICES AND DEFECTS — HOW TO DETECT, XI. OTHER FAULTS ANI» IMPERFECTIONS. I. How to Get Correct Information. Every horse owner sooner or later becomes a judge of what he is buy- ing. If he depends entirely upon the lessons learned through cheats that are practiced upon him by sharp jockeys, life is too short for him ever to become an adept in distinguishing vice, unsoundness, ''dosed up" and used up horses as among the various tricks and swindles practiced upon the ignorant and unwary. Generally after being cheated, or absolut«»ly swindled a few times, the breeder goes to the only correct source of information, concisely written and carefully illustrated books. He is thus enabled not onl}^ to study, but subsequently to carry in his mind what he has read and seen ; he comes to compare critically the living animal with the illustrations and descriptions, and thus becomes an expert himself, and in a hundredth part of the time by which he could acquire correct information in any other way. This is precisely the means used by any professional man in the acquisition of true knowledge in the pursuit of his profession, whether it be in a learned profession or in th« education to practical art. Thereafter practice makes perfect. n. The Buyer Must Know What he Wants. Suppose he is looking for stock from which to breed trotting horses. He must then consider the t^^ie of horse he wishes to breed : whether fol 155 156 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. speaj alone, or for style and speed. That is, first class road horses, or larg.'^, strong, able horses, combining in as great a degree as may be large Bize^ strength, endurance and such style as may be conformable with this oias>«. of horses. As showing what may be done in colts got by breeding up out of roomy mares of fair style, bred to high class trotting stallions, we give three cuts of stallions, certainly good enough for sires, and as models of what such horses should be. The first showing eminent breeding, with i THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY 157 style enough ; nitlier straight on his fetlocks, according to the idea of nilmy i;ood horsemen, but with length enough, from our standpoint, to o-ire flexibility. A horse compact and smooth, with excellent flat and Bincwy limbs, good feet, ample chest, good lungs, fine eye, broad for©. head, and strong jaws. The head not the ideal of modern '* blood horsemen," but nevertheless showing docility and intelligence in a high degree. Shelving also high breeding in every part. 158 ILLLSTIiATED STOCK DOCTOK. The cut on page 157 is of a horse of great style and endurance, line all over. A horse that will go with iiis head well uo : Urn's exceedingly tine, mane rather light, but with plenty of tail, as a hor: should have; evidently showing Morgan blood, dashed with Bell F( .ndcr and othei thorough blood. Between the two, for real and intrinsic- merit, the first should be taken There is plenty of style about him, and strength. There is also a body of tine character on limbs of great power. Such will be found accept- able and sought after a' ways by gentlemen wanting a single horse, or a pair for driving on the road, or for driving in the city park-ways in th« THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 159 afternoon. Either of the two will make capital and stylish saddle horses, if well trained, such as no gentleman of ordinary weight or any lady need be ashamed of when taking the afternoon trot or canter on the fashionable boulevards or park-drives of our large cities, or on the streets or roadings of cities having no parks. The first the best horse, the sec- ond the most stylish. The third cut we give is that of a horse of large size and strong build, j adapted for drawing as a single horse for the coupe, or one of a team to the family carriage ; as one of a pair for a coach or barouche ; one that will give satisfaction almost anywhere, if not driven over eight miles an hour, and capable as well of hauling loads on good roads, at a fast walking pace. A horse of this stamp, sixteen to sixteen and a half hands high, not particularly heavy set, rather long-limbed, with rangy neck and good head, with plenty of spirit, and weighing about 1200 pounds, may be called a general utility horse. Such will command ready sale at any time, if well broken and trained, say at from $200 to $300 each, and if particularly nice and well matched, often at $800 or $900 the pair, as carriage horses when five or six years old. m. Proportions of the Hdrse. PBOPOETION8 OF THK VARIOUS PARTS. To arrive at a clear understanding of the proportions of the horse, we give an outline that will be a good study, not only for the beginner, but 160 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. will be valuable for reference for any horseman, however expert he ma;y be. This illustration combines the average measurements of six horses, accepted for perfect s^'mmetry, and taken, says Mr. J. H. "Walsh (Stone- benge)- —one of the most graphic and lucid of English writers on the horse — two of them from celebrated stallions, two from thorough-bred hunters, and two from chargers of great value. This, therefore, will not apply to draft horses, but it will be found that the nearer the general utility horse comes to these measurements, the better he will be. I^XH£S. Height 68 Length from shoulder-point to quarter 66 From the lowest part of the chest to the ground 36 From the elbow-poiot to the ground 39 From the withers to the pole, jusc behind the ears, in a straight line 30 The same measured along the crest 32 Length of head 22 Width across the forehead 9 1-2 From the withers to the hip 22 From the stifle to the point of the hock, in the attitude shown in the plan 29 From the root of the tail to the stifle-joint 26 From the point of the hock to the ground 22 1-2 Length of arm from the elbow to the pisiform bone (the rear bone of those forming the upper articulation of the knee) 191-2 From the pisiform bone to the ground 19 1-2 rfxirlh varies from 78 to 79 Circumference of fore-cannon bone (large metacarpei or shank bone, extend- ing from the knee to the fetlock) 7 1-2, 8, 8, 8, 8 1-2 and 9 Circumference of arm just below the elbow 16 1-2 to 18 The foregoing is not to be taken as a fixed rule in comparing ordinary horses, nor even those well-bred. Eclipse, for instance, may be given as a most wonderful horse, differing in many material respects from these measurements. He was three inches taller at the withers, and yet higher in the croup than at the withers. His head was of the same length as the average given, but it is said to have been twelve inches across at the forehead. He was a big horse in every respect ; tall, lengthy, capacious Ib bodv, higher behind than before, his neck and back long, the loin roached, his limbs would by some be called long, but they were strong with large joints, but fine ; his quarters straight, square and extended ; thighs long and muscular ; shoulders only moderately oblique, and of fair depth ; his knees and hocks broad and well formed ; head small, and as will be observed from its great breadth of forehead, Arab-like. On the whole it would probably be difficult to improve the proportions of Eclipse, simply as a weight-carrving racer. For the hunting field, the fine saddle horse, or any of the uses to which practical men put their W«rse&, aside from flat racing, select as many of the superior points of THE HORSE, HOW TO BUT. Jol Eclipse as you can find, but leave out the low withers and high croup. The horse that will come to the standard that we have given in the dijk gram, is as a rule the horse to buy. IV. The Cleveland Bay for Pro6t Of hite Y«,'iirs this admirable aud styliiih horse as improved froir f** 162 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. old farm horse of fifty years ago, has attractea attention in the United States, and especially in the West, where many fair specimens have been Imported. As showing the characteristics when standing extended and at rest, we give a portrait of a pure bay, in color, with a star in the fore- head, and one white hind fetlock. These dashes of white not detracting from the ptyle of any horse, and showing breeding. It is a horse show- ing blood and breeding, with lofty crest, magnificent withers, round bar* veiled, and clean limbed, a coat like satin, and a head of excellent pro- portions. Colts from such a horse out of large, roomy mares of good «tyle, will always sell for high prices. When you find such a stallion do not be afraid to buy, he will pay, and his foals will pa}'^ for their feed and traming. The old fashioned horse of this race, the Cleveland bay, is extinct and gone. The present form is the result of crosses with staunch thorough- breds, giving better form throughout, greater speed and eminent style. We consider them as among the very best from which to breed stylish animals from proper mares. Horses that may do the ordinary farm work until six years past, and then be sold at good prices for stylish omnibus, express, light draft, and carriage horses in our cities. Farmers who have large, well built mares, wishing to breed colts that shall have size enough for any farm or road work ; that will breed to uniform color, so that they may be easily matched ; that will have style — not that of the blood horse, or light driving, or trotting horse — will do well to investigate the char- acteristics of the Cleveland hays. Canada has acquired a high reputation for stylish, well matched coach horses. It is founded in a gi'eat measure upon crosses produced by breeding the modern Cleveland bays upon large, handsome mares of more or less breeding. Such 'horses if properly cared for will do eight or nine miles an hour, in harness, and under the saddle may be pushed up to twelve miles an hour ; are active in all their gaits, tractable, easily managed, intelligent, fast walkers, always ready for their feed, and as eager at labor, as they are kind and intelligent every M'here. The late Henry William Herbert, (Frank Forester), a thorough horseman, an accurate judge of horse flesh, and a finished writer, in his voluminous work, "The Horse of America,'* thus describes the original Cleveland bay, and also the improved horse of his time : "The Cleveland bay, in its natural and unmixed form, is a tall, powerfully built, bony animal, averaging, I should say, fifteen hand* three inches in height, rarelj' falling short of fifteen and a half or ex- ceeding sixteen and a half hands. The crest and withers are almost invariably good, the head bony, lean, and well set on. Ewe-necks are, probably, rarer in this family than in •oy other, unless it be the dray-horse, in which it is never seen. THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 163 The faults of shape to which the Cleveland Bay is most liable are narrowness of body, and flatness of the cannon and shank bones. Their color is universally bay, rather on the yellow bay than on the blood bay color, with black mane, tail, and legs. They are sound, hardy, active, powerful horses, with excellent capabili- ties for draft, and good endurance, so long as they are not pushed beyond their speed, which may be estimated at from six to eight miles an hour, on a trot, or from ten to twelve — the latter quite the maximum — on a gallop, under almost any weight." The large and more show}'^ of these animals, of the tallest and heaviest type, were the favorite coach horses of their day ; the more springy and lightly built, of equal height, were the hunters, in the days when the fox was hunted by his drag, unkennelled, and run half a dozen hours or more, before he was either earthed or worn out and worried to death. Then the shorter, lower, and more closely ribbed up were the road hackneys, a style of horse unhappily now almost extinct, and having unequally substituted in its place a wretched, weedy, half-bred or three- quarters-bred beast, fit neither to go the pace with a weight on its back, nor to last the time. From these Cleveland Bays, however, though in their pure state nearly extinct, a very superior animal has descended, which, after several steps and gradations, has settled down into a family common throughout all* Yorkshire and more or less all the mid-land counties, as the farm horse, and riding or driving horse of the farmers, having about two crosses, more or less, of blood on the original Cleveland stock. The first gradation, when pace became a desideratum with hounds, waa the stinting of the best Cleveland Bay mares to good thorough-bred horses, with a view to the progeny turning out hunters, troop horses, or, in the last resort, stage-coach horses, or, as they were termed, machines. The most promising of these well bred colts were kept as stallions ; and mares of the same type, with their dams, stinted to them produced the improved carriage horse of fifty years ago. The next step was putting the half-bred fillies, by thorough-breds out af Cleveland Bay mares, a second time to thorough-bred stallions ; their progeny to become the hunters, while themselves and their brothers wer« lowered into the carriage horses ; and the half-bred stallions which had been the getters of carriage horses were degraded into the sires of the new, improved cart horse. v. The Light Harness Horse. In many cases, where the roads are superior, and the animal is used in » vehicle of the lightest construction, to carry only one person, size 19 164 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. not always necessary. Very many horses of fourteen and a half handa. are exquisitely handsome and cai);il)lc of very fast work. One of th« best we ever knew was a St. Lawrence mare fourteen hands hi^h, that v*ry few large horses could get by on a smooth roaa — the *'Baby," uk >ji« was called — when driven on a track, always going as a pacer. THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 165 The illustration on opposite page is of an English light harness, two- wheeled turn-out, a vehicle now occasionally patronized by fast living young gentlemen. For style of going, the horse is as perfect as he is handsome in his make-up, but not showing the high knee action consid- ered stylish with all two-wheeled turn-outs. o o o o •^ o g O n m !»- O O H n o VI. Saddle Horses of all Gaits. It has always seemed a pity that farmers sons have not taken morb kindly to the saddle than American youths do. It is well enough for 166 ILLUSTRATED STQCK DOCTOR. men of mature age to favor the buggy or light wagon, but every young nrin and woman raised in the country should be taught to sit a horse per- fectly, and to manage him at all gaits. In the South this is the case, but in the North the perfect saddle-seated rider is rarely found. Lately, ;!iorou-hly trained saddle horses are much sought after in our cities, and ..rtainly there is no place where they may be so perfectly trained as m THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 167 the West. Every respectable farmer should have at least one well trained saddle horse to sell when called for. Twelve months training will put them in form. For good wear-and-tear, compact, able as a good leaper, of fine form, and undoubted bottom for any distance, the illustration, page 165, will give an idea of what such a saddle horse should be. VII. The High-bred Hunting Horse. When a long stride, great leaping powers, and ability to go long distances at high speed is required, the horse should be not less than one-half to three-quarters bred. A greater proportion even is favored in the South, where the passion for hunting is only second to that in England. The illustration of a horse of extra good action as given on page 166, will be seen to combine size, indicating capacity for carrying great weight ; high breeding, as shown in the crest ani head ; wonderful lungs ; great length of hip and limbs, and being near perfection as possi" ble ; a high caste horse that will not fail his rider in time of need. VIII. Racing Horses. There is one more class of saddle horses woitny of special notice : the thorough-bred racing horse, the foundation upon which has been built all that is valuable in every horse where speed, bottom, elegance, and great bone, sinew and muscle in every respect are required. It is the fact that on the race course there have been schemes and tricks practiced, probably there always will be those scandalous in the extreme, but frowned upon by all breeders of respectability. Among the more respectable associa- tions rules of the most stringent character have been drawn, and fairly lived up to. If dishonest jockeying can be still further eliminated the true animus of the turf may have a bright future before it in still farther improving the breed of staunch thorough-breds, capable of carrying weight, and with bottom to get the rider two, three and four miles af high speed. These are what are really wanted, and not those that at the end of a quarter or a half mile are entirely blown and jaded, or as aa Englishman would express it, quite *' pumped out." IX. What the Racer Should Be; The model racing horse should be from fifteen and a half to sixteen hands high, full and muscular in his build, with clean, sound limbs, short backed, round in the barrel, w.ith long hips, deep and oblique shoulders, 168 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. a rangy and not too muscular neck ; a head fine, bony and with rathet large muzzle and prominent nostrils, broad in the forehead, with a full, ,Wigiit, but mild eye, denoting a high nervous temperament, uniting great courage with docility. The iiccompan3dng illustration will give a correct idea of a horse of great speed, high courage and lasting power* •f endurance. THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 169 X. To Avoid Vices and Defects— How to Detect. They are legion, and he who at present buys any horse, whether for •peed or work, must be on his guard against them. Among the prin-^ cipal disabilities to be guarded against are : I.--B0NE SPAVIN, CURB, RING-BONE AND SPLINTS. — To detect the«e look at the horse from before and behind, for spavin and curb at the hocks ; for ring-bone, at the fetlocks ; and for splints, below the knee. Feel the bones at all these parts for tenderness or enlargement. If they appear, reject the horse instantly. He will be worthless as a sire, or for riding or driving. 2. — Stumbling. — Examine the knees to find if they are scarred, or show the marks of previous injuries, or that have been operated upon for callosities. Then walk him over somewhat rough ground, and at a slow pace, with an entirely loose rein, to see if he trips or goes weaker on one leg than on the other. If he is a stumbler, he is the most dangerous animal a man can own, unless it be a kicker ; in fact, more so than the latter, since kicking may be guarded against, when knomng the vice. 3. — Kicking. — If this is suspected, the animal will lay back hia ears if approached in an apparently careless manner, though horses do this sometimes from mere playfulness. If they are vicious, they will lay their ears more completely back, and the eyes will also denote theii- in- tention. Examine the stall where it is known they have stood for marks of their hoofs, and above all, give the animal a chance to show his propensity when the groom is not near. 4. — Pulling at the halter or bridle when tied. — Tie him up in a close yard, with a halter he can easily break, leaving him quite alone for about half an hour, to exhibit his propensity if he will. 5. — Crib-biting. — If the horse is a confirmed crib-biter, his teeth— the central incisors — will show wear where he has grasped objects to en^ able him to get leverage to perform the operation. Tie him out to a stump, or at a post about three feet high, and watch him, no person beino^ in his sisrht. 6. — Balking and backing.- Horses seldom balk under the saddle < when they do, they are dangerous in the extreme, often stopping sud- denly when under motion, or backing into dangerous places. It is dif- ficult to detect, for they will sometimes go days, weeks and eren months all right, and then suddenly show the vice. As a rule, it ia exhibited by bad tempered, badly trained horses. A warrant from a respectable owner is the best guarantee. It may sometimes be detected* if a person strange to the horse mounts and attempts to start him sud» 170 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. denly. In harness it may often be detected by the manner in which the animal starts and travels. 7. — The Rogue. — The rogue is the horse of vices ; he may take the bit in his mouth and run away, he will rear, back, kick, strike, bite, and do twenty other unpleasant tricks, not always from pure vice, but often from exhuberance of spirits, or from being crossed in some way. They gen- erally perform well enough after they have found out that their rider is their master. They are difficult to detect in their vices, except by the thorough horseman, who is well versed in every expression and act of the horse. 8. — BiSHOPED Teeth. — So named from the scoundrel who invented filing an old horse's teeth to make him look young, even to burning and blackening the cups formed. A careful study of the chart of the horse's teeth, given in this book, will enable any person to detect this, since it is impossible to cover the shrinking of the gums, by which the teeth show narrow, and are peculiar in shape. d. — ^Weak Eyes. — Whatever the occasion, have nothing to do with a horse with bad eyes. Bring the animal from a rather dark stable just in- side the door where the full light may strike the eyes. Examine the lids and pupils carefully, to see if there is any considerable shrinking ; the eye should be able to bear the full light. Horses are sometimes near- sighted, and also far sighted. Nearly all shying horses become so either from defect in vision or from cowardice. 10. — Moon Eyes. — This is a specific ophthalmy, from which one or both eyes periodically change color, and during the paroxysm it may be- come entirely blind. During the interval the eyes look natural. It is better, if the buyer suspects this, to take a warranty against it. 11. — Blindness. — This is sometimes diflicult to detect by the ordinary observer by looking at the eyes. In rare cases the eyes may seem natural. A blind horse, however, may be detected by his mode of progression. As an example we give an illustration showing the mode of progression oi a totally blind horse. XI. Other Faults and Imperfections. The disabilities noticed in the previous sections are those of positive ■usoundness, or else of determined vice. Some others that should not be overlooked, are easily discovered by careful examination and test. These are : 1. Glass Eye. — This, if not complicated with specific disease, does not interfere with sight in any respect. It is a serious defect, simply so fw as looks are concerned. Usually only one eye has this peculiar white THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 171 glassy appearance, the pupil perfect, and the iris quite natural. It should affect the price of the animal, only as detracting from elegance. THE MODE IN WHICH A HORSE PROGRESSES WHEN BLIND. 2. White Spot. — Sometimes a small white spot will appear on tibw* eye of a young horse, generally after three years of age, and usually near the outer comer. It has a peculiar cloudy appearance, sometimes increasing to the size of a hemp seed, and occasionally larger. The du- ration is variable, sometimes lasting for years, and again disappearing in a short time. It really impairs the vision but little, if any. Unless its history is known a veterinary surgeon should decide whether it is incipient cataract or not. Some veterinarians have termed it spurious cataract, but this is entirely a misnomer. The name white spot describes it perfectly, 3. KoARiNG. — This is the result of obstruction in some part of th« larynx or trachea, impeding the breath, and causing a peculiar roaring sound when the animal is in motion. It is rarely found in the United States, being chiefly confined to draft horses. It is often the result of chronic cough. In England it is quite common, and when present in a horse of fast work, will render him worthless for the road. It may b« discovered by urging the horse to a fast gait. 4. Oblique Tail, or Wry Tail. — This is caused by contraction of the muscles of the tail on one side. It may sometimes be improved by a surgical operation, and should be considered a serious defect in any horse, and especially so in a driving horse. 172 illustrated stock doctor. 5. Turning the Toe of the Hoof out or in Unduly, Sand Cracks, Quarter Cracks, Dish Hoofs, Over-reaching, Interfering, etc., are all to be looked for before finally buying a horse. They are all disabili- ties that should not be present where the purchaser pays full price for the animal. They are, however, all so apparent that the purchaser is to blame if he fails to see them. 6. Wolf Teeth. — These rudimentary teeth, which are found in some horses but not in mares, and which have been supposed by ignorant persons to produce blindness, and other diseases, are entirely harmless, except for the abrasion they sometimes occasion to the tongue and cheeks. If they do so they are easily taken out by any sensible blacksmith. In fact it is quite well to extract them, not that they will produce serious disease, but simply because they are not of any value, are useless to the animal, and may occasion slight inconvenience. 7. Shying. — This is one of the most dangerous habits a horse can have, whether it be occasioned by cowardice — seldom the case ; injudi- cious punishment — more common ; or from defective eyesight, or from all these combined. If you are so unfortunate as to have a shying horse endeavor to break him of the vice by allowing him to examine objects of which he is afraid, by speaking soothingly to him, but never by whipping or spurring him. When he shows a disposition to shy turn his head to rather than from the object. Stop him ; let him approach the object and touch it with his nose, for soon he will approach =it himself. If simply caused by nervousness, he may thus be cured. If caused by being short sighted there is no means of relief. Before you buy a horse be certain that he has not this infirmity, as dangerous a one as it is disagreeable. Such an animal is only fit to be driven by the side of another horse who ivill keep him to his work, and upon which he at length will come to depend, or of being driven as a wheeler in a team of four horses. CHAPTER XI. HOW TO BUY, CONTINUED. BUTING CHEAP HORSES. II. IT. FAST-WALKING HORSES. V. WHAT A HORSE SHOULD BE, VI. WHAT CON8TIT0TES UNSOUNDNESS. VII. ILLUSTRATION OF FORM AND SYMMETRY. ^VUI. THE BODY AND LIMBS. IX. THE BODY AS STANDING FACING YOU. X. FRONT VIEW OF FORE-QUAR- TERS, SHOWING DIFFERENT BAD CONFORMATIONS. XI. THE HIND-QUARTERS. XH. THE VIEW FROM BEHIND. XIII. WHAT NOT TO BUY. ^XIV. BUYINGf K)R BLOOD. I. Buying Cheap Horses. In the preceding chapter on this important subject we have endeavored to show some of the principal points to be considered in buying a horse, especially those relating to the use for which they are intended. There is one rule that will always apply in buying any horse. Never buy him because he is offered at a price evidently far below his worth, that is, except it be from a friend that you can trust, who does not want the horse himself, and wishes to do you a favor. These cases will be found very rare. In every other case rest assured the horse has some danger- ous ^ace, or is permanently unsound. In this\pountry never buy a horse at any price which has any appearance of broken knees by falling. Hunting horses are too rare here for one to have gotten th€ hurt in th« field, and, accidentally, by being put at a barrier beyond his power. Reject a horse with any weakness in his eyesight, unless you have use for a blind horse, then buy him at a blind horse's price. A one-eyed horse may do useful, but not elegant work. Never buy a lame horse at ixiy price, until you are assured that the disabiUty is not permanent. Foot lameness, except it may be from a slight corn, and consequently 173 174 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. curable, should be an insuperable bar to purchase. You can never patci> up a bad foot. Therefore be sure you always try the intended purchase aa a hard road. Many game horses, dead lame on hard roads, will get along without much flinching on soft roads, or the turf. If you are certain as to the cause of the lameness and know you can cure it, the purchase, as a speculation, may do; but never rely on "the assurance of the horse dealer. It is his business to sell. Never buy a narrow chested horse for hard service. It shows weak lungs and those liable to inflammation. If for saddle, avoid a very broad chested horse, though as trotters they are sometimes fast. The best and most perfect chest is a medium between the narrow and broad chest. A tucked up washy looking horse should be avoided. They may indeed do for light work or short drives, but arc totally unfit for real work. In buying avoid all defects in the wind ; be sure the disability has not been temporarily covered up, by special means known to horse dealers. A whistler or roarer may show no indication of his infirmity at a slow pace, or up to a certain speed. Beyond that it is apparent. Broken wind is an incurable infirmity and probably as distressing to the horse as the asthma is to man. A horse may make more or less noise and yet not have broken wind. Any indication of this, however, is to be looked on with suspicion. In buying a horse his points of excellence and infirmity are better ishown if only in fair working condition than when very fat. A horse very fat is pretty nearly a useless creature until his condition has been brought down to that of bone, sinew and muscle, with just sufficient fat to lubricate, so to speak, the working parts. Yet a horse for slow draft may be serviceable and carry far more flesh and fat than one used for fast work. Many superior horses have been ruined by hard driving when fat, or soft, n. Color in Helation to Value. It is a saying as trite as it is old that any color is good in a good horse. Yet a horse, however good otherwise, should be invariably rejected if his color is bad. For instance, it would essentially mark both an ignorant and vulgar person who would select a piebald, spotted, or otherwise extraordinary color for a carriage horse. It would savor of the rircui* or show ring. As saddle horses for gentlemen, self-colors are the best, and those dis- tinct. A star in the forehead and two white feet behind give character. A snip in the face, if large, is objectionable. Four white stockings more M>. Bay, brown and dark chestnut are the preferable colors. If th» THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 175 horse is exceptionably stylish, black and dapple gray are good colors. Gray horses are often bad tempered, and black horses are not as a rule, docile. For ladies' use a dark cream color with white mane and tail, or that rare combination, a dark chestnut with darker tail and mane are ele- gant if of good form. So a strawberry roan, if unexceptionable in style and form, is elegant. For single or double light driving, all distinct colors are good. Uneven or curiously marked horses are allowable in a fancy team — as a mismatch I in distinct colors — as it is called. The colors should be distinct and in strong contrast, or else harmonious. A chestnut and a dark bay would he harmonious, and yet distinct colors. So would be a chestnut and a brown : a cream with white mane and tail, and a chestnut with dark mane and tail would show a marked contrast, and yet be elegant ; so would be cream-colored horses so marked. A pure white and a jet black would be the most marked contrast possible, and not for a moment admissible, except both were faultless in form and style of going. Here in fact is where the line art lies in teams of two distinct colors : WTiatever the mismatch in color ^ the team should he as near alike in form and car- *'iage as possible. m. Action. There are really but two styles of action : low, smooth, safe action, and high-stepping, showy action. The latter of little account except for parade and showing off on the road in connection with fine style. A high-stepping dolt is as unsafe as he is ungainly. The action that is slow and safe, and fast and safe, if combined in an animal is invaluable. A horse with really good action moves all his limbs evenly, and brings his hind legs well under him at every movement. Some horses with round action in front — paddlers they are called — are often staunch and 8ure-footed, but this is in spite of this action, not in consequence of it. Horses that straddle behind are often exceedingly fast trotters. Yel neither of these movements are what would be sought, either in a fin* saddle horse or in a good harness horse. IV. Pas^walking Horses. We have before stated that a perfect and fast walking gait was . not only indispensable to every horse, but the most valuable gait a horse could have for every day use. Yet we seldom see a horse that will walk four and a half or five miles an hour, even when urged and in regular 1- 2-3-4 time, nodding his head harmoniously in cadence. If a purchaser gets such a horse, or one that will do four miles under the saddle with* 176 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. out stumbling, shuffling, dropping the step or breaking, be sure you hav« a good one at speed, if he has speed, for many great walkers are so broad chested that they cannot trot fast, and in galloping they will roll. Yet occasionally a horse will be found good at all gaits. When so, it is th% result of exceptionably good form and careful training. He who can so train » borse, may get a long price for his trouble and skill. THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 177 V. What a Horse Should Be. We have been very minute in stating the points of perfection in a horse, and have been particular in urging that the lungs, limbs and feet should be super-excellent. In addition, and as from one of the best authorities, we quote from the late H. W. Herbert, upon the physical structure of the horse, before illustrating physical perfection and perfect conformation. Mr. Herbert says : *'The points of the physical structure of a horse on which the most, indeed the whole of his utility depends, are his legs. Without his loco- motors all the rest, however beautiful it may be, is nothing worth. Therefore, to these we look first. The fore-shoulder should be long, obliquely set, with a considerable slope, high in the withers and thin above. The upper arm should be very long and muscular, the knee broad, flat and bony, the shank, or cannon bone, as short as may be, flat, not round, with clean, firm sinews ; the pastern joints moderately long and oblique, but not too much so, as the excess produces springiness and weakness ; the hoofs firm, erect or deep, as opposed to flat, and the feet generally large and round. In the hind-legs the quarters should be large, powerful, broad when looked at in profile, and square and solid from behind. The hams should be sickle-shaped, not straight, and well 'et down, so as to bring the hocks well toward the ground. The hocks should be large and bony, straight, not angular and convexly curved in .heir posterior outlines ; the shanks, corresponding to the cannon bones, short and flat, and the hind feet similar in form to the front. The back should be short above, from the point of the withers and shoulder-blade, which ought to run well back to the croup. The barrel should he round, and for a horse in which strength and quickness are looked to more than great speed and stride, closely ribbed up. A horse can scarcely be too deep from the tip of his shoulder to the intersection of his fore-leg — which is called the heart-place — or too wide in the chest, as room in these parts gives free play to the most important vitals. The form of the neck and setting on of the head are essential not only to the beauty of the animal, but to the facility and pleasure of riding or driving him ; \ience, with an ill-shaped, short, stubborn neck, or ill set on head, the animal cannot by any possibility be a pleasant-mouthed horse, or an easy one to manage. The neck should be moderately long, convexly arched above from the shoulders to the crest, thin where it joins the head, and so set on that when }d elding to the bit it forms a semi-circle, like a bended bow, and brings the chin downward and inward until it nearly touches the chest. Horses so made are always manageable to the hand. The converse of this neck, which is concave above and stuck out at the 178 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. windpipe like a cock's wattle, is the worst possible form ; and horses so made almost invariably throw up their heads at a pull, and the most excep-. tionable of brutes, regular star-gazers. The head should be rather small, bon}-^, not beefy, in the jowl ; broad between the eyes, and rather concave, or what is called basin-faced, than Roman-nosed, between the eyes and nostrils. The ears should be tine, small and pointed ; the eyes large, clear and prominent, and the nostrils wide and well opened. A horse so framed cannot fail, if free from physical defects, constitutional disease and vice, to be a good one for any purpose — degree of strength, light- ness and speed being weighed in accordance with the purpose for which he is desired." VI. What Constitutes TJnsoimdness. 1. — Spavin, whether it be bog spavin, blood spavin or bone spavin, when sufficiently developed to be known. 2. — Ossification of any of the structures adjacent to any of the joints and also without doubt ossification of the lateral cartilages. 3. — Corns are considered as constituting unsoundness, but they must be discovered Avithin a short time, say a few days of the purchase. 4. — Curbs constitute unsoundness, but they must be shown to exist at the time of the sale. 5. — Founder or Laminitis, is unsoundness whether it produces lame- ness or not, for if it has existed the laminae will have been injured and the horse will be lame when worked. 6. — Pumiced Foot is unsoundness as evidence of laminitis. 7. — Quittor may render the horse permanently unsound. 8. — Ring-bones and side-bones constitute unsoundness. 9. — A Nerved Horso, is unsound as showing the existence of disease for which the operation was performed, and also from the division of the nerves. 10. — String-Halt is unsoundness. 11. — Thrush is so when severe. 12. — Breaking down, even though the horse has recovered so as not to go lame. 13. — Thickening of the Back Sinews, or suspensory ligament, if known to exist, is unsoundness. 14. — Broken Wind, Thick Wind, Whistling and Roaring are all con- si Jered as constituting unsoundness, as forming impediments in breatb- ^ Y,-, injuring the animal for drawing or other active service. 15. — Farcy and Glanders. 16. — Grease and Mange. THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 17$ 17. — Cough ^ if it lasts. A horse with a chronic cough is cfearly Viisound. 18. — Megriems, if it can be shown that the horse has had an attack before the sale. 19. — Ophthalmia, if it occurs soon after t\ie purchase. The evidence of a veterinary surgeon may be necessary to show the previous presence of the disease. 20. — Cataract, however slight, constitutes a horse unsound. 21. — Broken knees, when the joint is injurea. There arc also vices for which a horse may be returned. These are : 1. — Biting, when clearly vicious. 2. — Bolting, or running away. 3 . — Crih-biting. 4. — Kit-king, when shown to be viciouo. h .-—Balkiyig . Q.-^ Rearing. 7 — Shying, when habitual. 8. — Weaving i7i the stable; that is, the horse throwing his head and body from side to side with a peculiar motion. VII. Definition of Unsoundness and Vice. Unsoundness may be considered to be the existence of diseaare or alter- Ation of structure sufficient to impair the natural usefulness of the horse. Vice may be defined as the prevalence of a habit which interferes with the natural usefulness of the horse. In unsoundness or vice, however, either must be marked, as for instance the following diseases or accidents would not constitute unsoundness : 1 — Slight bog spavin; 2 — broken knee, when the joint is not injured j 3 — capped hocks, or elbows ; 4 — contractions of the fooJ, unless the re- sult of disease, laming the horse ; 5 — curby hocks; 6 — splints; 7 — thor^' ough pin, and 8 — thrush, are not unsoundness in their incipient stage, or in a mild way. But the buyer should refuse all such except, perhaps, in the case of thrush. 9 — Cutting is not unsoundness, except the horse be lame at the time of sale, neither 10 — soreness of the joints from labor^ or 11, loindgalls. They are found often upon colts, but if the animal be lame reject him. When a horse is bought on warrantee, it must be written and concisely so. Do not allow verbiage to cause litigation. The following form will cover the whole jrround : RueiveA (insert place and date) of Mr ^insert name) DoUats, • |gn IliCSTEATED STOCK DOCTOR- •U. JUate ^e).. When filled out this might read »s f oUow^s : Reearrd, 5:. L-y^-ii, M:.. Msrdi Ik. ISSj. of Mr. JoJkM, Doe, jix« kioLdrfd. ■zc:.und. This setting down to work — this gettinsr close to the ground with the bodv, so every bone and sinew may exert the greatest posable lereiage, is one of the fine arts of training. It really brings the oblique Aoulda' of the blood horse straight in the collar a possibility few horse* bars the knack of attaining natuxallj. THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 181' Explanation. — The illustrations we give on page 182 show a side and front view of heads of blooded horses, that may be taken as a type of what should constitute as near perfection as may be. Those on page 183, side and front views of heads are bad. By comparing them with the text the reader may form a good idea of characteristics. Observe in the side view, page 182, a fine head, tapering to muzzle, the chin, the prominent and yet bright, clear and soft eye, with a rather prominent brow ; the shape and setting on of the ears ; the strength of jaw, and at the same time its fineness ; how the head is set on to the neck, and the fine, clean, muscular neck as well. In the front view observe especially the width between the eyes, the eyes being in fact apparently at the side of the head, and yet looking straight forward. Observe the cheek bones, widening and strengthening the lower part of the head ; the temporal bones at the side of the eye ; and the occipital bone at the top of the head between the ears. Especially observe the nostrils and lips as to flexibility and size. Turn back the folds at the end of the nostril, and it jviV be found you can look clear into the passage, showing a moist and healthy surface, or the reverse. Let us now examine the side and front views of head on page 183. The side view at the top shows a head somewhat heavy in character, the nose %nd lower jaw thick to excess. Observe the peculiar formation of the nose. It is not the dish face of the first illustration, giving temper, accompanied with intelligent obedience. The eyebrows are prominent, the head broad, but th*^ expression indicates not only fire but malice. The muzzle is that of a cruel horse, the intelligence that of self-will. The ears, although of good shape and breeding, are thrown back, and the head is set on at too great an angle with the neck. The figure to the left shows the front view of a badl}^ formed head. It wih. be noticed that it is of nearly the same width throughout. The eyete are placed very different from those of the front view of good head on page 182 ; too close together, and too much in front. The expression of the eye shows a stubborn disposition ,• the ears are good enough, but not held in that position of intelligent action as shown in the lower figure on page 182. They are pointed too close together. The figure of the front part of a head to the right, on page 183. shows a head not badly formed, but the general expression of the face •hows doltishness, and the drooping ears, and the expression of the eyes show not only a cruel but a stupid disposition. The lower side view of head and neck on same page shows a head indi eating a horse that will not only be wild sometimes, but sulky ; a soU willed, obstmate brute, deficient in intelligence. The j:iofile is curved^ giving a Roman nose ; the eyebrows are raised, giving the eye a wild 12 182 ILLUSTRATKD STOCK DOCTOR. jjn> ntONT yiEW of heads— good. (See SapUmaMtniU THE TfORSE, HOW TO BUT. 1S3 SIDK AND FRONT VIEW OF HUADS — BAD. (See Explanation). 184 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. e3q)ression, and with the firm jaw, a stubborn character. Following tk^* subject still farther, we may find all the gradations of character, including the exhibition of nervous timidity, fear, idiocy, and even insanity ; for that there are horses subject to aberration, from mere liallucination ta actual insanity, there is no doubt. The latter the most dangerous trait in a horse, since neither caresses nor punishment can cure. flIDK VIBW OF FORK-QUARTERS, SHOWING A GOOD SHOULDER. {See Explanation.') IX. The Body and Limbs. Explanation. — Following up the subject on pages 184, 186, and X87, we present side views, showing good and bad fore-quarters. The THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 185 first illustration shows as near perfection as may be in the shoulder foi- staunch qualities, good action and a fast walk. The neck muscular, but without superfluous flesh, but with plenty of substance where it joins th* shoulder ; the shoulder oblique and deep ; the shoulder-blade high, help* ing to give stability to the withers ; the breast prominent, but tapering down to where the legs come out of the body ; the arm long, muscular, and yet tapering ; the joints large, but yet firm and compact ; the fet* locks of fair length and yet flexible ; and the hoofs of good size, round, of good depth, tough and sound. An animal possessing the conformation as shown, will indicate a horse good for any purpose where speed and long continued powers of endurance are required. While the illus- trations we give are perfect of their kind, and more valuable than any written description alone can be, yet the living animal must be studied, not only at rest, but in motion. The harness horse, however, need not have so oblique a shoulder as we have shown. In fact, few horses, even of the best class, do. So the trotting gait, combining speed with high action and grand style miffht be considered vile in a saddle horse. In fact, the saddle horse should have a springy yet smooth motion, and except for show on the road, this will be found to be best for fast and easy work in harness. In practice much of this is often sacrificed, in pleasure horses, for the sake of mere style. The breeding of such horses is a fine art, often a costly one ; yet those which fail in the style and action necessary to command the highest price as road and saddle horses, will be found to amply repay the breeding for the general purposes of the farm and for the road. Explanation. — On page 186 are illustrations showing, the upper one, to the left, a straight shoulder, a heavy chest, and legs placed too far under. The arm seems longer than it is because it lacks muscularity ; the shanks, while not positively weak, do not show due strength near th« knee and pasterns, and are not as strong as they should be. The upper figure, to the right, shows a shoulder as bad as the prece- ding one, and also weak legs and pasterns, the length from hoof to joint above being too oreat. The left hand figure at bottom of same page, shows a shoulder fairly well placed, but with the legs set too much under, and the pasterns too straight. Such a conformation will give the horse the appearance of standing on the toes. The lower figure to the right, shows what old age, hard work, abuse, or all combined, may bring any animal to, that originally may have been not only well bred, but of fair quality throughout. Watch for such limbs in buying, and avoid them. ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. •IDE VIEW OF FORK-QUARTERS, SHOWINO BAD CONFORMATION. (See Explanatiom). THE HORSE, HOW TO BUT. 187 MtOKT VIEW, SHOWING BRBAST ^ND LIMBS— GOOD. {See ExpUmtttim^ !§?? ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. X. The Body as Standing Facing You. The body of the horse viewed in front should present an oval shape, squared off from the arm or elbow joint in front to the point of the shoulder as on page 187. The perfect contour of breast, and especially the magnificent muscularity of the arm is near perfection. The neck rising grandly from the chest shows the perfect proportion of the parts each to the other ; the knee and fetlock joints are strong and compact, gradually rounded to meet the shank or leg and bones of the pastern joint. The hoofs are staunch, tough, strong, with nothing about them to denote a flat foot, yet rather open behind, showing a perfect hoof. Let us now examine the Ijlood horse of the present day as quoted from Herbert, and also that of the ancient Greeks as written upon by Xenophon. It will show that in those days the breeding of horses was a fine art, as was also equestrianism as exhibited in the exquisite sculptures that have come down to us. Yet the quotation we make will show that the horse of the Greeks, useful and admirable as he was, was what the English would call a cab or Galloway, with a dash of thorough blood, and what we would call pony built with a dash of thorough blood — something in fact like a chunky Morgan horse. The quotation nevertheless will make a good study for the young horseman, and is as follows : * ' We will write how one may be the least deceived in the purchase id horses. It is evident then that of the unbroken colt one must judge ))y the construction, since, if he have never been backed he will afford no very clear evidences of his spirit. Of his body then, we say it is necessary first to examine the feet, for as in a house it matters not how fine may be the superstructure if there be not sufficien.t foundations, so m a war horse there is no utility, no, not if he have all other points perfect but be badly footed. But in examining the feet, it is befitting first to iook to the horny portion of the hoofs, for those horses which have the horn thick are far superior in their feet to those which have it thin. Nor will it be well if one fail next to observe whether the hoofs be upright, both before and behind, or low and flat to the ground ; for high hoofs keep the frog at a distance from the earth, while the flat tread with equal pressure on the soft and hard parts of the foot, as is the case with bandy- legged men. And Simon justly observes that well footed horses can bo known by their tramp, for the hollow hoof rings like a cymbal when it strikes the solid earth. But having begun from below, let us ascend to the other parts of the body. It is needful, then, that the parts above the hoofs and below the fetlocks (pasterns) be not too erect, like those of the goat ; for legs of this kind being stiff and inflexible, are apt to jar the rider, and are more liable to inflammation. The bones must not. THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 189 however, be too low and springy, for in that case the fetlocks are liable to be abraded and wounded if the horse be galloped over clods or stones. The bones of the shank (cannon bones) should be thick, for these are the columns which support the body ; but they should not have the veins and flesh thick likewise. For if they have when the horse shall be galloped over difficult ground they will necessarily be filled with blood, and will become varicose, so that the shanks will be thickened, and the ekin be distended and relaxed from the bone ; and, when this is the case it often follows that the back sinew gives way and renders the horse lame. But if the horse when in action bends his knees flexibly at a walk you may judge that he will have his legs flexible when in full career ; for all horses as the}'^ increase in years increase in the flexibility of the kneo. And flexible goers are esteemed highly, and with justice, for such horses are much less liable to blunder or stumble than those which have rigid, unbending joints. But if the arms, below the shoulder-blades, be thick and muscular they appear stronger and handsomer, as is the case also with a man. The breast also should be broad, as well for beauty as strength, and because it causes a handsomer action of the fore-legs, which do not then interfere but are carried well apart. "Again, the neck ought not to be set on like that of a boar, horizontally' from the chest ; but, like that of a game cock, should be upright toward the chest, and slack toward the flexure ; and the head being long should have a small and narrow jaw bone, so that the neck shall be in front of the rider, and that the eye shall look down at what is before the feet. A horse thus made will be the least likely to run violently away, even if he be very high spirited, for horses do no't attempt to run away by bringing in but by throwing out their heads and necks. It is also very necessary to observe whether the mouth be fine and hard on both sides, or on one or the other. For horses which have not both jaws equally sensitive, are likely to be too hard mouthed on one side or the other. And it is bette^ that a horse should have prominent than hollow eyes, for such an one will see to a greater distance. And widely opened nostrils are far better for respiration than narrow, and they give the horse a fiercer aspect ; for when one stallion is enraged against another, or if he become angry while being ridden, he expands his nostrfls to their full width. And the loftier the crest, and the smaller the ears the more horse-like and handsome is the head rendered ; while lofty withers give the rider a surer seat, and produce a firmer adhesion between the body and shoulders. 'A double loin is also softer to sit upon and pleasanter to look upon than if it be single ; and a deep side, rounded toward the- belly, renders the horse easier to sit, and stronger and more easy to keep in condition ; and the shorter and broader the loin, the more easily will the horse raLw 19U ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. his fore-quarters and collect his hind-quarters under him in going. These points, moreover, cause the belly to appear the smaller ; which if it be large at once injures the appearance of the animal and renders him weaker and less manageable. The quarters should be broad and fleshy in order to correspond with the sides and chest, and, should they be entirely firm and solid they would be the lighter in the gallop, and the horse would be the speedier. But if he should have his buttocks separated under the tail by a broad line, with a wider space between them, and so doing he will have a prouder and stronger gait and action, and will in all respects be the better on them. A proof of which is to be had in men, who, when they desire to raise any thing from the ground attempt it hy straddling their legs not by bringing them close together." XI. Front View of Pore-quarters, Showing Different Bad Conformations. Explanation. — On page 191 the upper left hand figure shows the legs fair to the knee, but from thence down, bad, and with toes turned very much out. The next figure on the right, is very bad, the knees turned out and th* toes turned in ; a dangerous horse, and unfit for driving or riding. The lower figure to the left is as unsightly as possible ; the legs spreadj, weak, straddling, and with the toes turned out. Such a horse may be tolerably sure-footed, if carefully managed, and not hard-driven, but one never lo be depended upon. The next figure at right of bottom, is bad all over, weak-limbed, knock- kneed and splay-footed. A horse never to be depended upon and un- serviceable in the extreme. Between these there are many gradations, which those who study these pages may profit by examining and comparing with the front view of a perfect shape given on page 187, and which carried fully in mind will go a great way in enabling one to form a pretty accurate opinion in buy- ing a horse. XTI. The Hind-quarters. It has been said that the fore-quarters of a horse are simply to hold him up, while the hind-quarters propel the machine. This in a sense is true, but a horse, however good his hind-quarters be, must not only have the fore limbs good enough to hold him up, but to keep him out of the way of the hind feet, and at the same time assist in propelling the body. In fact, the whole animal should be composed of parts working harmoni- ously together, each assisting the other while doing its own work; HE HbRSE, HOW TO BUY. 191 iBONT VIEW OF F0RB-QUARTER8, SHOWING DIFFERENT BAD CONFORMATIONS. 192 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. nevertheless the hind-quarters are the propelling power, especially when under the gallop. For then the motion is communicated by a succession of Irtaps, acting more in the nature of a balance than in walking or in GOOD HIND-QUARTERS. (See Explanation.) Krotting. In order that the hind-quarters may do their work effectirely, there must be a strong loin, ample and muscular quarters, great length THE HORSE, HOAV TO BUY. 19S of hip, strong, dense bones, sinews like whip-cord, strong joints and flat and wide legs. In order to determine this the purchaser should observe first, looking at him from the side, whether he stands resting perpendicularly on every leg alike. The legs should not be straddled outside of their true position, neither should they be gathered together, or in horse-men's phrase, a» though he were trying to stand in a half bushel. He should stand straight, ■quare, and distinctly on every leg. If he stands with the hind legs be^ hind their true position, induce him to move his fore legs forward, to find if such a position gives him ease. Examine him as before stated for splints, damaged back sinews, ring-bones or side-bones in the fore limbs ; and in the hinder ones for bone blood or bog spavins, curbs or thorough pin, as previously described. If he stands as in the figure given on page 192, and if he is free from blemish, one may go a long way to finril a better. Examine especially whether the pasterns, outline of the hock joints, are nearly perpendicular or angular, or whether they present a conve:/,' curvilinear protuberance just above the union of the shank bone. If no»i there will be little danger of curb, or a tendency to throw them out. H the hocks are drawn in the horse will appear cow -hocked, a malformatiorv as serious as it is ungainly, for thus the animal will be weak. If th» hind-legs are wide apart and the horse straddles in going forward, while it may not weaken his stride it is not elegant. However true it be that some fast and strong trotters straddle — as going wide is termed — this should be avoided. The illustration on page 192 will show accurately good hind-quarters, as those on page 194 will show bad ones. On page 194 the figure at the upper left side would be called fine and in every way good to the inexperienced buyer. The buttocks are round but lack character, and the legs are too straight and far behind. The figure to the right is bad in every respect — goose-rumped, cat- hammed, with the legs thrown far back to equalize the strain ; the ankle* also weak. The figure to the lower left on same page shows a fair quarter, but the legs are thrown too far forward, and the animal stands too straight on th« pasterns. The figure to the right is really not badly formed as to the quarter, but the position is cramped and bent, and the limbs badly placed. XIII. The View from Behind. The view of the horse as seen from behind should show good squar« quarters, full and perfectly shaped gracilis, as those muscles are called 194 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. •IDS rimw OF HiK» QVAMUs— sij). (See Explanation). THE HORSE, HOW TO BUT. which give the peculiar swelling shape to the inside of thigh. These should be egg-shaped, or rather should swell from nearly a point below and them gradually decrease in size till lost to view near the rump bone. BACK viBW OP HIND QUARTKR3— GOOD. (See Explanation). The outside muscle of the tibia, or great bone of the leg above th* knee, cannot well be too large. The tendons connecting with the hock* ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. BACK viKW OF HiKi>-<)UABTKBS— BAD. (See Explanation). THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 197 dhould be strong and well presented to view. The hocks large, firmj strong and well knit, but smooth and free from blemish, as should be th« fetlock joints. If the horse is flat-footed he has a weak hoof, which should never go with a strong muscular horse. When the animal moves forward, observe that the feet are lifted squarely, carried straight forward, without turning or straddling. If so, and the conformation is as presented in the rear view of the horse on page 195, then if you have attended minutely to the other directions, and the movement is satisfactory, you need not fear to buy the horse. He will not fail you in time of need. As show^ing defects, in various gradations and malformation in the hind-quarters, we refer the reader to the figures on page 196, a study of which will enable the observer to steer clear of splay-footed, pigeon-toed . bow-legged or cow-hocked brutes. XIV. What Not to Buy. Never buy a horse unbroken or half broken, unless you are thoroughly competent to train him, or else have some one to do so on whom you can depend. Never buy a horse overloaded with fat, expecting him to remain so under work. The first thing to be done with such a horse is to get him rid of the superfluous fat and water. This takes time and takes money. Besides you never can know the real defects of a horse *'very fat." An ox or a hog perfectly fattened, is pleasing to the eye. They are intended for succulent joints and steaks, or for hams, bacon, or pickled pork. A fat horse, except before the close coach of some wealthy and aged spinster or widow, is woefully out of place. Never buy a horse because he is big, unless you want him for slow and heavy draft. Light horses are for light driving. A horse weighing eleven hundred is heavy enough for ordinary driving, and generally bet- ter than a heavier one. A pair of horses weighing twenty-four hundred pounds is good enough for any ordinary work that comes, at*d heaw enough for any city teaming, excejjt when wanted as show horses before some brewer's wagon, or as horses of slow draft on heavy trucks. Don't buy a cheap horse, expecting perfection. The two never yet went together. Perfect horses are not so plenty. Indeed they are so scarce as to be entirely beyond the means of any except the very wealthy. They are seldom seen even among this class. In fact perfection lies only in degree. A horse may be measurably perfect for our purpose, and yet quite defective for others. Therefore buy a horse for Avhat you want, and expect to pay the honest price for what you get. Again, unless you 198 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. are a judge, buy of some dealer who has a reputation to lose, and the means to back up any guarantee he may make. XV. Buying for Blood- In buying for fast work, buy blood every time, whether the work de- sired is to be trotting to the wagon or carrying the owner under the saddle. In buying blood, as a breeder^ whether stallion or mare, never fool Away any money on a half or three-quarters bred sire, expecting to get high caste horses. "With a staunch thorough-bred of trotting action, you may successfully breed good trotters and workers on mares of cold blood, if they be of good size and form and are roomy. But for racing do not expect a cold-blooded mare to bring a very fast one, however good th« ^ize, except it may be by chance, and a rare chance at that. In breeding for any purpose select the best of the class. Staunch thorough-breds for fast work ; handsome thorough-breds for show horses. For draft select from families that have been bred for generations for this work. Above all do not buy horses and mares that happen to strike your fancy, expecting to start a new breed. Life would be all too short. U would be far more sensible to begin where the last man left off. CHAPTER XII. BACING, OB TUBF HOBSES. KARLT fllSTORY OP THB KNGLISH BLOOD HORSE. HOW HE WAS IMPROVBD. - — THB AKKRICAN BLOOD HORSK.- CELEBRATED AMERICAN HORSES. HISTORY OT THEIR ■PERFORMANCES. The care taken in the breeding and training of horses for the chase and for racing in Great Britain, extends back, according to the best au- thority, to long before this people were converted co Christianity ; in fact, to long before the Christian Era. \ Just when and how horses were introduced into Great Britain is not certain, but it seems clear that they were well known there long before the Roman conquest, and that they bred horses not only for domestic pur- poses but also for war and for racing, seems true, from words in the ancient British language, as rhediad^ a race ; rheda^ to run — from the Gaulish language rheda^ a chariot, showing that these words applied to the racing of horses. Hence the inference that horses came by way of Gaul, and that chariot races were anciently one of the pastimes of the people. The Romans found different vehicles in use in Britain, includinsr the war chariot. Youatt infers that from the cumbrous structure of the car, the hardness of the roads, and the furious manner in which the drivins was done, that the ancient British horses must have been not only active, but powerful in a wonderful degree ; and he says that Caesar thought them so valuable that many of them were carried to Rome, where they were much esteemed. After the evacuation of England by the Romans and its occupation by Ihe Saxons, increased attention was paid to the breeding of English horses, and after the reign of Alfred running horses were brought thew 199 200 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. from Germany, yet these should not be understood as meaning racing horses as the term is now used. They are supposed to have been light, speedy horses, adapted to the chase or for the roads, as opposed to the heavy war horse, capable of carrying a man at arms with his armor. It does not appear that until the time of Charles I. horses were kept exclusively for racing. Yet even before Athelstan's time English horses had come to be jprized on the continent, and in Athelstan's reign many Spanish horses were imported, showing clearly that so long ago as this the English were fully alive to the importance of the continued improve- ment of their horse stock. William the Conqueror is recorded to have used gi-eat pains in improv- ing the horse stock of the country, after the conquest of Great Britain by the Normans, through the introduction of fine horses from Normandy, Flanders and Spain , and according to Beal it would seem that as early as 631 people of rank distinguished themselves by often appearing on horse- back, and from which it would be natural to infer that thus early horses were kept for pleasure riding, since saddle horses are known to have been used during the Roman occupation of Britain, and cavalry horses long before the Christian Era. The first Arab horse would seem to have been imported in the reign of Henry I., an Arab horse having, with his accoutrements, been presented by Alexander I. of Scotland, to the church of St. Andrew. In the twelfth century a race course was established in London, at what was since called Smithficld, and which was also a horse market. King John paid great attention to the importation of horses ; one hun. dred chosen Flemish stallions having been imported at a single time. Later it is recorded of Edward II. that he purchased thirty war horses and twelve heavy draft horses. Edward III., upon the occasion of buying fifty Spanish horses, made application to France and Spain for safe conduct for them, and so impor- tant was the horse stock of England considered that the exportation of stallions was forbidden, and this prohibition was continued up to and during the reign of Henry VII. In the reign of Henry VIII. it was decreed that no stallion should be allowed to run at large on any waste or common where animals pastured, if under the height of fifteen hands, and that all foals, fillies or marcs likely to breed undersized or inferior animals, should be killed and bu- ried. All the nobility, gentry and higher orders of the clergy, were compell- ed by an act to keep a number of horses proportioned to their rank, and even a country parson, whose wife was entitled to wear a French hood or velvet bonnet (no person below a certain rank being allowed to wear such RACING, OK TURF HORSES. 201 a hood) was obliged takeep an entire trotting stallion, under a penalty of twenty pounds sterling. So, also, it was made comi^ulsory that every deer park and rural parish should maintain a certain number of full-sized mares and stallions. It is also interesting, as being the first mention made in English history, that Henry VIII. and Charles Brandon, Duk« or Suffolk, rode a race in the presence of Queen Catharine, and that in his reign the first annual races on a regular race course were instituted. H. W. Herbert, in his work. The Horse of America, thus sums up the whole matter in relation to the value of Oriental blood in England, in the time of Oliver Cromwell : It is now pretty generally admitted that, whether Barb, Turk, Syrian, or Arab of the * desert proper, all oriental blood has had its share and influence in reinvigorating the blood of the English thoroughbred, and giving to it those peculiar qualities which cause it, with justice, at tliis day, to be esteemed the best, completest, and most perfect animal in the world . In what degree these animals have ministered to our now dominant strain, is by no means to be ascertained ; but it is to be noted that most of the early imported foreign stallions were not Eastern Arabs. During the protectorate, Oliver Cromwell, who, though he was com- pelled by the necessity of conciliating the absurd prejudices of the Puritans, to forbid racing, was yet an ardent lover of the horse, and an earnest promoter and patron of all that belongs to horsemanship, pur- shased of Mr. Place, afterwards his stud-master, the celebrated "White Turk" — still recorded as the most beautiful south-eastern horse ever brought into England, and the oldest to which our present strain refers. To him succeeds Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, his Helmsley Turk, and to him Fairfax's — the same great statesman and brave soldier, who fought against Newcastle at Marston — Morocco Barb. And to these three horses it is tiiat the English race-horse of the old time chiefly owes its purity of blood, if we except the royal mares, specially imported by Charles II., to which it is — -mythically, rather than justly — held that all English blood should trace. Of all succeeding importations, those, which are principally known and referred to, as having notoriously amended our horse — by proof of sto^k begotten of superior qualities, and victorious on the turf through tong generations — but few are true Arabs. We have, it is true, the Darley Arabian , the Leeds Arabian, Honey- wood's White, the Oglethorpe, the Newcome Bay Mountain, the Damascus, Cullen's Brown, the Chestnut, the Lonsdale Bay, Combe's Gray and Bell's Gray Arabians ; but what is generally called the Godolphin Arabian, as it seems now to be the prevailing opinion — his origin not being actually 20i ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOB. ascertained —was a Barb, not an Arab from Arabia proper. Against these, again, we find Place's White Turk, D'Arceys Turk, the Yellow Turk, Lister's, or the Straddling Turk, the Byerly Turk, the Selaby Turk, the Acaster Turk ; Curwen's Bay Barb, Conipton's Barb, the Thoulouse Barb, Layton's Barb Mare, great-great-grandam of Miss Layton ; the Koyal Mares, which were Barbs from Tangier, and many other Barb horses, not from the Eastern desert, heading the pedigrees of our best horses. In this connection, I would observe that the very reasons for which the Marquis of Newcastle condemned the Markham Arabian — viz., that when regularly trained he could do nothing against race-horses — on account of which condemnation he has received a sneer or a slur from every wi'iter who has discussed the subject, are those which, at this very moment, prevent prudent breeders from having recourse to oriental blood of any kind. They cannot run or last against the English horse. They have not the size, the bone, the muscle, the shape, if we except the beautiful head, fine neck, thin withers, long, deep and sloping shoulders, which are the inevitable characteristics of the race. Therefore, all men who breed with an eye to profit, — and howsoever it might have been in the olden times of the Turf, there are few now who have not an eye to it, either as hoping to win on the turf, or to produce salable stocks — prefer to put their mares to known English winning horses, proved getters of winners, of unquestioned bottom and stoutness, rather than to try stallions of the desert blood, concerning which nothing is known beyond the attested pedigree, and the visible shapes. Farther our authority gives a list of all foreign, and the most celebrated native stallions which were used for covering in England in 1730, or just 150 years ago. They are as follows : FOREIGN STALLIONS IN 1730, The Alcock Arabian, the Bloody Buttocks Arabian, the Bloody Shoul- dered Arabian, the Belgrade Turk, the Bethel Arabian, Lord Burlington's Barb, Croft's Eg3rptian horse, the Cypress Arabian, the Godolphin Ara- bian, Hall's Arabian, Johnson's Turk, Litton's Arabian, Matthew's Persian, Nottingham's Arabian, Newton's Arabian, Pigott's Turk, the Duke of Devonshire's Arabian, Greyhound, a Barb, Hampton Court grey Barb, Strickland's Arabian, Wjmn's Arabian, Dodsworth, a Barb NATIVE STALLIONS IN 1730. Aleppo, Almanzer, Astridge Ball, Bald Galloway, Bartlet's Childers, Basto, Bay Bolton, Blacklegs, Bolton Starling, Bolton Sweepstakes, Cartouch, Chaunter, Childers, Cinnamon, Coneyskins, Councillor, Crab, Doctor, Dunkirk, Easby Snake, Fox, Foxcub, Gramme's Champion, Grey Racing, or turf horses. 203 Childers, Grey Crofts, Hampton Court Childers, Harleqmr;, Hartley' • Blind Horse, Hip, Hobgobling, Hutton's Blacklegs, Hutton's Hunter, Jewtrump, Jigg, Lamprey, Leedes, Marricle Oysterfoot, Partner, Royal, Shuffler, Skipjack, Smale's Childers, Soreheels, Squirrel, Tifter, True- blue, Woodcock, Wyndham. The importation of racing horses wns, without doubt, first made to America in Virginia and Maryland. Alieady had race-courses been established there previous to 1753, and during the exodus from England, of the Royalists, to the South, it is undoubtedly true that they brought with them descendants of such horses as were covering with success ia England. Certain it seems that quite early in the eighteenth century there were a considerable number of thoroughbred horses from the most celebrated English sires. That the perfect record has not come down to us is probably due to the fact that, during the Revolutionary war the records were either lost or destroyed between the shock of contending armies. Spark was owned by Governor Ogle, of Maryland, previous to Brad- dock's defeat, having been presented to him by Lord Baltimore, who himself received him as a gift from the then PrinciB of Wales, father to George III. Spark was a most celebrated horse, and probably one of the first of high distinction brought to America. Other celebrated horses early imported are said to have been, Wilkes' old Hautboy mare, afterward known as Miss Colville. Governor Ogle also imported Queen Mab, and about 1750 Col. Tasker brought to Mary- land the celebrated mare Selima, the progenetrix of much of the mightiest blood of the country. In 1752 he won [a sweepstake of 500 pistoles, beating Col. Byrd's renowned Tryall, Col. Taylor's Jenny Cameron, and a mare owned by Col. Cameron. Nearly about the same time, there were imported into Virginia, Routh's Crab, by old Crab, dam by Counsellor, daughter of Coneyskins, sup- posed to be in or about 1745. In 1747, Monkey, by the Lonsdale Bay Arabian, dam by Curwen's Bay Barb, daughter of the Byerly Turk and a Royal mare. He was twenty-two years old when imported, but left good stock. In 1748, Roger of the Vale, afterwards known as Jolly Roger, by Roundhead, out of a partner mare. Woodcock, Croft's Bay Barb, Dicky Pierson, out of a Barb mare. Roundhead was by Flying Childers, out of Roxana, dam of Lath and Cade, by the Bald Galloway, out of a daughter to the Acaster Turk. Woodcock was by Merlin, out of a daughter of Brimmer. Dickey Pierson by the Dodsworth Barb out of the Burton Barb mar-e. In about 1764, was imported Fearnought, got by Regulus out of Stl- vertail by Whitenose, grand-dam by Rattle, great grand-dam by th« 104 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Darley Arabian, great great grand-dam Old Child mare, by Sir Thomas Gresley's Arabian, great great great grand-dam, Vixen, by Helmsley Turk, out of Dodsworth's dam, a natural Barb. Regulus was ))y th« Ciodolphin Barb, dam Grey Rol)inson by the Bald Galloway, grand-dam by Snake out of Old Wilkes' Hautboy mare. Rattle was by Sir H. Harpur's Barb out of a Royal mare. Whitenose was by the Hall Ara- bian out of dam to Jigg. Thus Fearnought is come of the very highest and purest blood in England, and has left his mark largely on the blood- borg© of Virginia. It is said that, before his time, there was little be- yond quarter racing in Virginia, that his progeny were of uncommon figure, and first introduced the size and bottom of the English race-horse into America. This must be taken, however, cum grano salts, as it is evident from what has been stated in regard to Selima, that four-mile racers were the fashion in Maryland at least fifteen years before that date, and it is only to be understood in the case of second-rate racers, that quarter running was in vogue at this period. These capital horses were shortly followed by Morton's Traveller, who ♦v^as i)robably got by Partner, a grandson of the Byerly Turk, and gi'and- sire of King Herod , dam by the Bloody Buttocks Arabian ; grand-dam by Grey-hound, a Barb ; g. grand dam by Makeless ; g. g. g. dam by Brimmer ; g. g. g. g. dam by the White Turk ; g. g. g. g. g. dam by Dodsvvorth, a Barb ; g. g. g. g. g. g. dam Laydon Barb mare. Makeless was by the Oglethorpe Arab out of Trumpet's dam. She was a pure Barb by Dodsvvorth out of the Layton Barb mare. Brimmer was by the Yellow Turk out of a royal mare. These were probably the best early horses that were imi^orted into America ; and to these, with the mares Selima, Queen Mab, Jenny Cam- •eron, Kitty Fisher, Miss Colville, and a few others of about the same period, may ])c traced all, or almost all the families of running horses now existing in the United States, in a greater or less degree, and with nearly as much certainty as the English champions of the olden day may be followed up to imported Arab and Barb on both sides. This being most interesting history, we quote from The Horse of Amer- ica, to show how much the United States is indebted to the South for the foundation of its mighty racers of the present day, and owing undoubt- edly to the great interest the old planters of the South and their de- scendants have taken in field sports. The record is as follows : In Virginia, Col. John Tayloe, Messrs. Hoomes, Selden and Johnson; in Maryland, Governors Ogle, Ridgely, Wright, Lloyd and Sprigg, who, as it has been remarked, seemed by their practice to acknowledge that the keeping up of a racing stud was a portion of their gubernatorial «iuty ; and in South Carolina, Messrs. Hampton, Washington, McPher- RACING, OK TURF HORSES. 20-^ son, Alston and Singleton, were as early, and have continued to be as constant and undeviating patrons of the American turf, as have the Queensburjs, Rutlands, Wyndhams, Bentincks, Fitzwilliams, and other equally renowned turf names, been supporters of this noble sport on the old English greensward. From so early a date as that of the ante-revolutionary cracks and champions, such as Celer, Traveller, Yorick, Tryall, Ariel, Partner, Marc Antony, Regulus, Flag of Truce, Goode's Brimmer, Butler's Virginia Nell, Bel Air, Calypso, Gray Diomed, Cincinnatus, Virago, Shark, Black Maria, by Shark, Leviathan, Gallatin, Fairy, Cup-bearer, Collector, Amanda, Ball's Florizel, Post Boy, Oscar, Hickory, Maid of the Oaks, Bond's First Consul, Sir Archy, Potomac, Pacolet, Duroc, Hampton, Tuckahoe, and others, the names of which alone would fill a volume, >re can easily bring down in these States — and the others colonized from them, both with men and horses, such as Kentucky, Tennessee, and more recently Alabama — one uninterrupted and stainless succession of noble racers, to the day when the descendants of Sir Archy, that veritable Go- dolphin Arabian of the Turf of America, began to show upon the course —and when the renown of American Eclipse began to call the attention of the whole world, and of the mother country most of all, whence was derived that transcendent stock, which in all other countries has degene- rated, but in this has continued to rival the honors of its remotest ances- try by the performance of American race horses. As being of value, we give also the history and pedigrees of som* of the most celebrated horses of the days succeeding the revolutionary war. They are : First INIedley — Imported into Virginia in 1783, by Gimcrack, dam Arminda by Snap, out of Miss Cleveland by Eegulus ; g. gr. dam Midge, by a son of Bay Bolton ; g. g. gr. dam by Bartlett's Childers ; g. g. g« gr. dam by Honejrwood's Arabian ; g. g. g. g. gr. dam the dam • of the two True Blues. Gimcrack was by Cripple, out of Miss Elliott, by Grisewood's Partner, gr. dam Celia by Partner, g. gr. dam by Bloody Buttocks, g. g. gr. dam by Greyhound, g. g. g. gr. dam Brocklesby Betty. Cripple was by the Godolphin Arabian, out of Blossom by Crab, gv. dam by Childers out of Miss Bel voir, by Grantham. Medley was one of the best sires ever imported into America. He got Atalanta, Bel Air, Boxer, Calji^so, Gray Diomed, Gray Medley, Lamp- lighter, the Opossum Filly, Pandora, Quicksilver, Virginia, and others — ■ racers in a high form, and themselves the getters of racers. Second Shark — Foaled in 1771, and imported into Virginia by 20(5 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Marske, out of the Sniip mare, gr. dam Wag's dam, by Marlborough, out of a natural Barb mare. Marske, sire of Eclipse, was by Squirt, dam by Foxcub, gr. dam. by Oneyskins, g. gr. dam by Button's Gray Barb. Squii-t was by Bartlett's Childers, dam by Snake, gr. dam Hautboy. Marlborough was by the Godolphin Arabian, dam large Hartley mare. Shark's most distinguished progeny are : Americus, Annette, Black Maria, dam of Lady Lightfoot, Opossum, Shark, Virago, and many others. Third Diomed — Foaled in 1777. Imported into Virginia 1798. He was by Florizel, dam by Spectator, gr. dam by Blank, g. gr. dam by Childers, g. g. gr. dam Miss Belvoir, by Grantham. Florizel was by Herod, dam by Cygnet, gr. dam Cartouch, g. gr. dam Ebony by Childers, g. g. gr. dam old Ebony Basto mare. Herod was by Tartar, out of Cypron, by Blaze, out of Selima, &c. &c. IWomed is probably the greatest sire of the greatest winner-getters ever brought into this country. Had he got none but Sir Archy, out of im- ported Castianira — who brought him to America in her belly — that re- nown alone would have been more than enough ; for scarce a recent horse in England, unless it be PotSo's, has so distinguished himself as a progenitor. He begot Bolivar, Diana, Dinwiddle, Duroc, Florizel, Gallatin, Grac- chus, Hamlintonian, Hampton, Hornet, King Herod, Lady Chesterfield, Madison, Marske, Nettle-top, Peace-maker, Potomac, Primrose, Sir Ar- chy, Top-gallant, Truxton, Virginius, Wonder, and many others. Most of the horses named above were the greatest runners of their day, and the getters of the greatest racers and sires to the present time. Boston, prooably the very best horse that ever ran on American soil, was by Ti- moleon, grandson of Sir Archy, the best son of Diomed ; while Fashion, the very best mare that ever ran on this side the water, by her dam. Bon- nets of Blue, daughter of Reality, was great-granddaughter of that same noble stallion ; and by her grandsire Sir Charles, sire of Bonnets and son of Sir Archy, was also his great-granddaughter, a second time, in the maternal line. Fourth Gabbriel — Foaled 1790, imported into Virginia, was got by Dorimant, dam Snap mare, gr. dam by Shepherd's Crab, g- gr. dam. Miss Meredith by Cade, g. g. gr. dam Little Hartley mare. Dorimant was by Otho, dam Babraham mare, gr. dam Chiddy by Hampton Court Arabian, out of the Duke of Somerset's Bald Charlotte. Otho was by Moses, dam Miss Vernon by Cade, gr. dam by Partner, g. gr. dam Bay Bloody Buttocks, g. g. gr. dam by Greyhound, g. g. g. ffr. dam by Makeless, g. g. g. g. gr. dam by Brimmer, g. g g. g. g. gr. BACING. OU TURF HORSES. 207 dam by Place's "White Turk, g. g. g. g. g. g. gr. dam by Dodsworth, g. g. g. g. g. g. g. gr. dam Layton's violet Barb mare. Moses was by the Chedworth Foxhunter, dam by the Portland Arabian, gr. dam, the dam of the Duke of Bridge water's Star, she by Richard's Arabian. Gabriel was brought into Virginia, and became, like the preceding horses, very famous for splendor of his get and their great performances. He got Oscar, Post Boy, and others. The former of whom, dam by4 imp. Medley, bred by General Tayloe, is his most celebrated son. He was a good runner, and his blood tells in many of our best modern stal- lions and mares, especially in the Southern States. Fifth Bedford — Foaled in 1792, imported into Virginia. He was got by Dungannon, dam Fairy, by Highflyer, gr. dam Fairy Queen by Young Cade, g. gr. dam Routh s Black Eyes by Crab, g. g. gr. dam the Warlock Galloway, g. g. g. gr. dam by the Byerly Turk. Dungannon was by Eclipse out of Aspasla, by Herod, gr. dam Doris by Blank, g. gr. dam Helen by Spectator, g. g. gr. dam Daphne by the Godolphin Arabian, g. g. g. gr. dam by Fox, g. g. g. g. gr. dam by Childers, g. g. g. g. g. gr. dam by Makeless, g. g. g. g. g. g. gr. dam, Sister to Honeycomb Punch, by the Taffolet Barb. The year of Bedford's importation is r^ot exactly known. He was a great stallion, and there is hardly a family of horses in the Southern States which do not in some degree, more or less, partake of his blood. He was a singularly formed horse — a rich bay — with a peculiar elevation on his rump, amounting in appearance to an unsightliness, if not to an absolute deformity. This mark, known as the Bedford Hump, he has transmitted to his posterity, and, whatever may have been the original opinion as to its beauty, it has been worn by so many celebrated winners, that it has come of late to be regarded as a foreshadowing of excellence, rather than a deformity. It has been worn by Eclipse, Black Maria, her brother, Shark, Boston, Argyle, and many other horses of great note. Bedford got; ^olus, Cup-Bearer, Fairy, Lady Bedford, Lottery, Nancy Air, Shylock and others not inferior in repute. On the first settlement in Tennessee, previous to its admission as t State into the Union, the early settlers began taking with them excellent stock from Virginia and Maryland, and the blood of Janus, Jolly Roger, Morton's Traveller, Pacolet and other worthies of the olden times, still percolates in rich luxuriance through the veins of their noble steeds. It has been always a gallant and a sporting State ; and I feel proud and happy — the rather that the history of the blood stock of Tennessee and of the neighboring State of Kentucky is nearly identical — to be allowed the opportunity of presenting to my readers a most valuable memoir of 208 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. the blood of its best equine families, considerately and kindly compiled for me from his own memoranda of old times, and from personal recol- lection of events, even beforp General Jackson and his contemporaries were on the turf, by a veteran turfman and a hereditary breeder, Mr. "William Williams — to whom I take this occasion of tendering my most grateful and respectful thanks. Bace Horses at the North. Prior to the Revolution there was a course for racing, near New York, about the centre of the county, called Newmarket, and one at Jamaica called Beaver Pond. As early as the year 1800 courses were established at Albany, Poughkeepsie and Harlem, New York. On these tracks purses of from one to four miles were contended for. In 1804 an organ- ization was formed extending for five years. The Newmarket course was remodeled, and regular races were held in May and October of each year, at which purses were contended for at four, three and two mile heats. Among the celebrated horses of that time, some of which have left their impress to this day, were Tippoo Sultan, Hambletonian, Miller's Damsel and Empress. Among these, as worthy of especial mention, were Hambletonian, as the progenitor of mighty trotting stock. Miller's Damsel as the dam of American Eclipse, and Ariel, whose granddamwas this gray mare Empress. American Eclipse was the king of the Amer- ican turf of his day, and Ariel may certainly be said to have been the queen, since out of fifty-seven races she was forty-two times the winner, seventeen of them having been four mile heats. They both of them may be said to rank with the best race horses of any age or country. The pedigree of Eclipse may be summed up in the language of Frank Forrester, as follows : American Eclipse, bred by Gen. Coles of L. I., foaled 1814 ; was got by Duroc, his dam the famed race mare Miller's Damsel, by imported Messenger, out of the imported Pot8os mare ; her dam by Gimcrack. Duroc, bred by Wade Mosely, Esq., of Powhatan county, Virginia, foaled 1809 : was got by imported Diomed, out of Mr. Mosely's "extraordinary race mare Amanda," by Col. Tayloe's famed gray Diomed, son of imported Medley. Thus far Eclipse's pedigree is unquestioned; for the balance see American Turf Register, p. 50, vol. 4. Of Sir Charles Bunbury's Diomed, imported into Virginia 1799, hav- ing filled the measure of his glory," nothing more need be said. Mes- senger, foaled 1788, imported about 1800 into Pennsylvania, was also a race horse of repute at Newmarket; he won some good races, and lost but few. He was a gray, of great substance ; was got by Mambrino, a very superior stallion, his dam by Turf, son of Matchem, Regulus — Star- ling — Snap's dam. See English Stud Book, and American Eclipse's ped- vgree in full, American Turf Register, p. 51, vol. 4. RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 209 Of Ariel we find the following: Ariel's pedigree is worthy of her performances. Her own brothers — Lance, a year older than herself, a distinguished runner that beat the famous Trouble, a great match — O'Kelly, that beat Flying Dutchman, Mary Randolph, and others, with »uch eclat as to bring $5,000 — and St. Leger in the great sweepstake in Baltimore, where he was so unaccountably beaten, but has since beat Terror — her own sister Angeline, and half-brother Splendid, by Duroc, that was beaten at three years old, in a produce match, by Col. Johnson,* Medley — are all well known to fame. Her grandam Empress, has also been regarded one of the most renowned race nags and brood mares of the North. October, 1804, at four years old, she very unexpectedl}* beat the famous First Consul, for the Jockey Club purse, four-mUe heats, at Harlem, N. Y. The first race he lost. Besides combining the three valued crosses of Herod, Matchem, and Eclipse, it will be observed Ariel's pedigree is "richly imbued with the best English blood ;" to which she traces almost directly from Childers, Partner, Crab, Snap, Cade, Spark, Othello, Gimcrack, Mambrino, Med- ley, PotSos, Messenger, Baronet, Diomed, &c. ; besides deriving her de- cent from the best early importations. No other stock probably par- takes so much of the Messenger blood — ^no less than four crosses ; with two, not very remote, from English Eclipse, two from Gimcrack, two from imported Pacolet, and three from imported Spark. Her color sus- tains her valuable origin — running so much into the Arabian blood. Black Maria was another of the wonderful performers of the early part of the century, having been bred by Charles Henry Hall, Harlem, N. Y., and foaled June 15, 1826. She was sired by American Eclipse, dam Lady Lightfoot by Sir Arch}^ gr. dam Black Maria, by imported Shark ; g. gr. dam the dam of Ving't un, by Clackfast, a half-brother to Medley, by Gimcrack ; g. g, g. dam Burwell's Maria, by Regulus. Of her dam, Lady Lightfoot, Frank Forrester says she was the most distinguished racer of her day, having won between twenty and thirty races, the majority at four-mile heats, and never having been beaten but once, except in her old age — her eleventh year — and then by Eclipse, on the Union Course. She was bred by the late Col. JohnTaloe of Va. and was foaled at Mr. Ogle's seat, Bel-air, Md., in June, 1812. Among the wonderful racers of forty years ago, Boston and Fashion will always be remembered as the two mighty examples of staunch prowess and well-deserved fame. Boston was foaled in 1833, bred by John Wickham, Esq., Richmond, Va. His sire was the celebrated Timoleon, out of an own sister of Tuckahoe, by Ball's Florizel ; her dam by imported Alderman, out of a mare by imported Clackfast ; her gr. dam by Symmes' Wildair, &c. 21U ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. He was a chestnut with white hind feet and a strip in his face, 15 1-2 hands high, rather short limbed, somewhat flat sided, but of immense substance, and his baciv a prodigy of strength. From 1836 to 1841 he ran thirty-eight times and won thirty-five races, twenty-six of which were four mile heats and seven three mile heats. His winnings were $41t,500, and his earnings as a breeding stallion in 1841, $4,200, making a total ot $53,700. Fashion was bred by William Gibbons, Esq., of Madison, N. J., and was foaled April 26, 1837. Of this mare it is recorded that it would be difficult to sit down over the Stud Book and compile a richer pedigree than hers, and the same remark will apply to Boston. Each is descended from the most eminently distinguished racing families on the side of both sire and dam, that have figured on the Turf for a hundred years. Fashion was got by Mr. Livingston's Imp. Trustee, out of the celebrated Bonnets o' Blue by Sir Charles, and she out of Reality — "the very best race-horse," says Col. Johnson, "I ever saw." Reality was got by Sir Archy, and her pedigree extends back through the imported horses Med- ley, Sentinel, Janus, Monkey, Silver-Eye and Spanker, to an imported Sp>-nish mare. Trustee, the sire of Fashion, was a distinguished race- horse in England, and sold at 3 yrs. old for 2,000 guineas to the Duke of Cleveland, after running 3d in the race for the Derby of 101 sub- scribers. He was subsequently imported by Messrs. Ogden, Corbin and Stockton. Trustee was foaled in 1829, and was got by Catton out of Emma, by Whisker, and combines the blood of Hermes, Pipator, and Sir Peter, on his dam's side, with that of Penelope, by Trumpator, and Prunella, by Highflyer, on the side of his sire. Trustee is not a chance horse ; in addition to other winners of his family, in 1835, his own brother, Mundig, won the Derby of 128 subscribers. In her three year old form she won three of the races she ran and lost one, being beaten by Tyler after winning the second heat. In her four year old form she ran and won three races, one at two miles, one at three miles and one at four miles. Later, the palm of victory rested upon horses bred west of the Alle- ghanies and south of the Ohio river. Among the celebrated ones were Lexington, got in 1851 by Boston out of Alice Carneal. Lecompte, by Glencoe, out of Reel. Pryor, by Glencoe, out of Gypsy, own sister to Medoc, by American Eclipse. Still later, and within the last ten years, the laurels of southern bred racers on various tracks in America and Enghftid, are too well known to need recapitulation. As showing English and American views on the speed of race horses of twenty years ago, really the palmy days of the turf, and which con- RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 211 tinued up to the late war, Stonehenge, from an English point of view, says ; By an examination of the racing time-tables as recorded of late years, it will be seen that from 13 1-2 to 14 seconds per furlong is the highest rate of speed attained in any of our races, above a mile, and with 8 st. 7 lbs. carried by three-year-old horses. In 1846, Surplice and Cymba won the Derby and Oaks, each running the distance in 2m. 48s., or ex- actly 14 seconds per furlong. This rate has never since that time been reached ; the Flying Dutchman having however, nearly attained it, but failing by two seconds — making his rate 14 seconds and one sixth per furlong. But the most extraordinary three-year-old performance is that of Sir Tatton Sykes over the St. Leger Course, 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 132 yards in length, which he ran in 3 minutes and 16 seconds, or at a rate of as nearly as possible 13 1-2 seconds per furlong. "With an addi- tional year and the same weight, this speed has been slightly exc4.eded by West Australian, even over a longer course, as .at Ascot in 1854, when he defeated Kingston by a head only ; running two miles and four furlongs in 4m, and 27s., or as nearly as possible at the rate of 13 1-2 seconds and one- third per furlong. This performance is the best in modern days, considering the weight, the age, and the distance ; and it will compare very favorably with the often-quoted exploit of Childers over the Beacon Course in 1721, when, being six years old, he beat JLl- manzor and Brown Betty, carrying 9 st. 2 lbs., and doing the distance in 6m. 40s., or at the rate of 14 seconds and one-third per furlong. Thus, allowing him his year for the extra mile in the course, and for the 21bs, which he carried above the Kingston's weight, he was outdone by the latter horse at Ascot by one second per furlong, and likewise by West Australian at the usual allowance for his age. Again ; comparing these performances on the English Turf with the recently lauded exploits of the American horses, it will be found that there is no cause for the fear lest our antagonists in the "go-ahead" department should deprive us of our laurels. On the 2d of April, 1855, a time-match was run at New Orleans between Lecomte and Lexington, both four years old, in which the latter, who won, did the four miles, carrying 7 st. 51bs., in 7m. 19 3-4s., or as nearly as may be, 13 3-4 seconds per furlong. This is con-, sidered by the Americans the best time on record, and is undoubtedly a creditable performance ; though when the light weight is taken into ac- «ount, not so near our best English time as would at first sight appear. On the 14th of April, Brown Dick and Arrow ran three miles over th« same course in 5m. 28s., or at the rate of 13 seconds and two-thirds ipot furlong ; the former a three-year-old, carrying 6 st. 2 lbs., and the latter five years old, 6 st. 12 lbs. Thus it will appear that Kingston, of th« ^12 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. game age as Aitow, and carrying 9 st. instead of 7 st. 12 lbs., ran 2 1-2 miles at a better rate than Arrow did his 3 miles, by one-third of a sec- ond per furlong. And it has been shown that in the year last past, two horses exceeded the greatest performance of the olden times by a second per furlong, and beat the best American time of modern days by one- third of a second per mile. The assertion, therefore, that our present horses are degenerated in their power of staying a distance under weight, is wholly without foundation ; since I have shown that, even taking the time of the Childers' performance as the true rate, of which there is some doubt, yet it has recently been beaten very considerably by West Australian and Kingston. Many loose assertions have been made as to the rate of the horse, for one mile in the last century, but there is not the slightest reliance to be placed upon them. That any race-horse ever ran a mile within the minute, is an absurd fiction : and it is out of the question to suppose that if Childers could not beat our modern horses over the Beacon Course, he could beat them a shorter distance. Stout- ness was undoubtedly the forte of the early race-horses ; they were of small size, very wiry and low, and could unquestionably stay a distance, and could race month after month, and year after year, in a way seldom imitated in these days ; but that they could in their small compact forms run as fast in a short spin as our modern three-year-olds, is quite a fal- lacy ; and no racing man of any experience would admit it for a moment. The size and shape of the modern thoroughbred horse are superior to those of olden days, if we may judge by the portraits of them handed down to us by Stubbs, who was by far the most faithful animal painter of the eighteenth century. In elegance of shape we beat the horses of that day very considerably, more especially in the beauty of the head and the formation of the shoulders, which have been much attended to by breeders. In size, also, there has been an immense stride made, the average height of the race-horse having been increased by at least a hand in the last century. This enlargement is, I believe, chiefly due to the Godolphin Arabian, who was the sire of Babrahara, the only horse of his time M^hich reached 16 hands, and sire and grandsire of several which were more than 15 hands, much above the average height of horses at that time — as for instance. Fearnought, Genius, Gower, Stallion, Infant, Denmark, Bolton, Cade, Club, Lofty, and Amphion. Indeed it will be found, by an examination of the horses of that time, that out of 1.30 winners in the middle of the eighteenth century, there were only 18 of the height of 15 hands and upwards, of which 11 were by Godolphin or his sons, three descended from the Darly Arabian, two from the Byerly Turk, and two from other sources. It may therefore be assumed, with some degree of probability, that the increase in size is in great measure RACING, OR TURF HOR8ES. 21 :j due to the Godolphin, in addition to the extra care and attention which the horse has received during the same time. Nevertheless, all the care and forcing in the world will not increase the size of some breeds ; and unless there was this capability of being forced, no amount of attention would have brought the horse to the present average, which may be placed at about 15 hands 3 inches. In relation to the comparisons of speed between English and American race horses, the Spirit of the Times^ New Yord, sums up the matter, and gives a list of the most renowned racers of England and America, which we append : It will appear, on a critical examination of the subject, that there is not much difference in the powers of the best race-horses for more than a century ; a period during which they have been brought, upon both sides of the Atlantic, to the present high state of perfection. Within the last two years have been exhibited faster running in England, by Wewt Australian and Kingston, and in this country, by Lexington and Lecomte, than was ever before known. The two last have run four miles, and four-mile heats, faster, in either case, than has been performed in Eng. land. ** Stoneheuge," who has been well endorsed in England, has showi.. "the absurd fiction" of *'a mile within a minute;" and that there n ' ' not the slightest reliance to be placed upon the many loose assertion? " — such as the reported accounts of Childers ; and that he and Eclipse were a distance better than any other horses that have appeared, or that they *' could beat any other a half-mile in four miles!" On the same authority, it appears that, in the fastest Derby, St. Leger, and Ascut cup races, as won by Surplice, the Flying Dutchman, Sir Tatton Sykes, Don John, and West Australian, the distance varying from one mile and a half to two miles and a half, that the fastest rate, with English weights, has been a little over one minute and forty seconds per mile. We have no authentic report that the mile has been run in England under one minute and forty-two seconds, the time of Henry Perritt at New Orleans. Nominally of the same age, three years old, and with the same weight, 86 lbs.. Inheritor, at Liverpool, ran two miles in 3.25 ; which is at the rate per mile of 1-42 1-2. " Stonehenge," referring to what he con- siders the best race ever run in England, states that West Australian, four years old, carrying the St. Leger weight, 8 st. 6 lbs. — 118 pounds — •'defeated Eangston by a head only," the latter five years old, carrying 9 St. — 126 pounds — running two and a half miles in 4,27, ' of the female — which remains sterile without it. The female forms the ovum in the ovary, and at regular times, varying in different animals, this descends into the uterus for the purpose of fructification, on receiving the stimulus and addition of the sperm-cell of the semen. The semen consists of two portions — the spermatozoa^ which have an automatic power of moving from place to place, by which quality it is believed that the semen is carried to the ovum ; and the sperm-cells, which are intended to co-operate with the germ-cell of the ovum in form- ing the embryo. The ovum consists of the germ-cell, intended to form part of the embryo, — and the yolk, which nourishes both, until the vessels of the mother take upon themselves the task ; or, in oviparous animals, till hatching takes place, and external food is to be obtained. The ovum is RACING, OR TURF HORSEf?, 2i^ carried down by the contractile power of the fallopian tubes from the ovary to the uterus, and hence it does not require automatic particles like the semen. The embryo, or young animal, is the result of the contact of the $emen with the ovum, immediately after which the sperm-cell of the former is absorbed into the germ-cell of the latter. Upon this a ten- dency to increase or "grow" is estabhshed, and supported at first, by the nutriment contained in the yolk of the ovum, until the embryo has attached itself to the walls of the uterus, from which it afterwards ab- sorbs its nourishment by the intervention of the placenta. As the male and female each furnish their quota to the formation of the embryo, it is reasonable to expect that each shall be represented in it, which is found to be the case in nature ; but as the food of the embryo entirely depends upon the mother, it may be expected that the health of the offspring and its constitutional powers will be more in accordance with her state than with that of the father ; yet since the sire furnishes one-half of the original germ, it is not surprising that in externals and general character there is retained a/ac-simile, to a certain extent of him. The ovum of mammalia differs from that of birds chiefly in the greater size of the yolk of the latter, because in them this body is intended to support the growth of the embryo from the time of the full formation of the egg until the period of hatching. On the other hand, in mam- malia the placenta conveys nourishment from the internal surface of the uterus to the embryo during the whole time which elapses between the 'Bntrance of the ovum into the uterus and its birth. This period embraces nearly the whole of the interval between conception and birth, and is •called utero-gestation. In all the mammalia there is a periodical ** heat," marked by certain discharges in the female, and sometimes by other remarkable symptoms in the male. In the former it is accompanied in all healthy subjects by the descent of an ovum or ova into the uterus ; and in both there is a strong desire for sexual intercourse, which never takes place at other times in them. The semen retains its fructifying power for some days, if it be con- tained within the walls of the uterus or vagina, but soon ceases to be fruitful if kept in any other vessel. Hence, although the latter part of the time of heat is the best for the union of the sexes, because tjien the ovum is ready for the contact with the semen, yet if the semen reaches the uterus first, it will still cause a fruitful impregnation, because it remains there uninjured until the descent of the ovum. The influence of the male upon the embryo is partly dependent upon the fact that he furnishes a portion of its substance in the shape of th« 218 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOB. sperm-cell, but also in great measure upon the effect exerted upoii tk« nervous system of the mother by him. Hence the preponderance ol one or other of the parents will, in great measure, depend upon th» greater or less strength of nervous system in each. No general law li known by which this can be measured, nor is anything known of th« laws which regulate the temperament, bodily or mental power, color oi conformation of the resulting offspring. Acquired qualities are transmitted, whether they belong to the sire or dam, and also both bodily and mental. As bad qualities are quite as easily transmitted as good ones, if not more so, it is necessary to take care that in selecting a male to improve the stock he be free from bad points, as well as furnished with good ones. It is known by experienca that the good or bad points of the progenitors of the sire or dam ari. almost as likely to appear again in the offspring, as those of the imme- diate parents in whom they are dormant. Hence, in breeding the rule is, that like produces like, or the likeness of some ancestor. The purer or less mixed the breed, the more likely it is to be trarrs- initted unaltered to the offspring. Hence, whichever parent is of the purest blood will be generally more represented in the offspring ; but as the male is usually more carefully selected, and of purer blood than the female, it generally follows that he exerts more influence than she does ; the reverse being the case when she is of more unmixed blood than the sire. Breeding "in-and-in" is injurious to mankind, and has always been forbidden by the Divine law, as well as by most human lawgivers. On the other hand, it prevails extensively in a state of nature with all grega- rious animals, among whom the strongest male retains his daughters and granddaughters until deprived of his harem by younger and stronger rivals. Hence, in those of our domestic animals which are naturally gre- garious, it is reasonable to conclude that breeding "in-and-in" is not prejudicial, because it is in conformity with their natural instincts, if not carried farther by art, than nature teaches by her example. Now, in nature we find about two consecutive crosses of the same blood is the usual extent to which it is carried, as the life of the animal is the limit ; And it is a remarkable fact that in practice a conclusion has been arrived ftt, which exactly coincides with these natural laws. "Once in and once out," is the rule for breeding given by Mr. Smith in his work on the breeding for the turf ; but twice in will be found to be more in accord- ance with the practice of our most successful breeders. The influence of the first impregnation seems to extend to the subse- quent ones ; this has been proved by several experiments, and is espe- eially marked in the equine genus. In the series of examples preserved RACING, OR TURF HORSES. , 219 (n the Museum of the College of Surgeons, the markings of the male quagga, when united with the ordinary mare, are continued clearly for three generations beyond the one in which the quagga was the actual sire ; And they are so clear as to leave the question settled without a doubt. When some of the elements, of which an individual sire is composed *re in accordance with others making up those of the dam, they coalesce in such a kindred way as to make what is called "a hit." On the other hand, when they are too incongruous, an animal is the result wholly unfitted for the task he is intended to perform. IN-AND-IN BREEDING. By a careful examination of the pedigrees of our most remarkable horses, it will be seen that in all cases there is some in-breeding ; and in the greater part of the most successful a very considerable infusion of it. It is difficult to say what is not to be considered such, or when to make it commence, for in all cases there is more or less relationship between the sire and dam of every thoroughbred horse ; at least, I cannot find a single exception — and again, for instance, examining the pedigree of Harkaway, which is the result of one of the most direct crosses in the Stud-book, we find that his sire and dam are both descended from Eclipse and Herod through three or four strains on each side, as will be seen by referring to page ?1.5. The same will apply to Alarm, who also is the result of as direct a cross as is often seen ; and, in fact, whatever pedigree is ana- lyzed, the result will be that the bulk of it in the fifth or sixth remove is wiade up of Eclipse, Herod, and Matchem, or Regulus blood. It is not that a horse goes back to one of these stallions in one line only, but through six or seven, and sometimes through nearly all his progenitors. Hence, it may be fairly assumed that all the horses of the present day are Telated, either closely or distantly ; but when we speak of in-and-in breeding, we mean a nearer relationship than this, such as a first cousin, or, at the most, one in the second or third degree. But I believe it will be found that even this amount of relationship is desirable, if not carriecl too far, and that a vast number of our best modern horses have been bred in this way. OUT-CROSSING. By crossing the blood, we understand the selection of a sire composed of wholly different blood from that of the dam, or as different as can be obtained of such quality as is suitable to the particular purpose in view. Thus, in breeding race-horses it is found that continuing in the same strain beyond two stages deteriorates the constitutional health, diminishes the bone, and lowers the height ; hence, it is important to avoV? +his evil, and another strain must be selected which shall lead to 220 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. the same results as were previously in existence, without the above dete. rioration ; and this is called out-crossing, or more commonly, crossing. The great difficulty is to obtain this object without destroying that harmony of proportions, and due subordination of one part to another which is necessary for the race, horse, and without which he seldom attains high speed. Almost every individual breed has peculiar characteristics, ancj so long as the sire and dam are both in possession of them they will continue to reappear in the produce ; but if a dam possessing them is put to a horse of different character, the result is often that the produce is not a medium between the two, but is in its anterior parts like its dam, and in its posterior resembling its sire, or vice versa ^ than which no more unfortunate result can occur. Thus, we will suppose that a very strong muscular horse is put to a very light racing mare ; instead of the produce being moderately stout all over, he will often be very stout and strong behind, and very light and weak before, and as a consequence his hind- quarters will tire his fore limbs, by giving them more to do than they have the power of accomplishing. This is well seen in Crucifix, who was a very wiry and fast, but light mare, with a fore-quarter hardly capable of doing the work of her own hind-quarter. Now, she has several times been put to Touchstone — a horse remarkable for getting bad-shouldered stock, but with strong muscular propellers — and, with the solitary exception of Surplice, these have been a series of failures. Surplice was also defective in the same way, but still he managed to get along in au awkward style, but somehow or other at a great pace. Cowl, on the other hand, was a better galloper, because there was a greater harmony of parts ; but he was somewhat deficient in the stout qualities which Touchstone was intended to supply ; yet he will prove, I fancy, a better sfallion than Surplice, because he is more truly made, and by consequence more likely to perpetuate his own likeness. COMPARISON OF IN-BRED AND CROSSED STALLIONS. The following list of thirty of the most immediately successful stallions of late years shows the proportion of in-bred to crossed horses of this class to be equal. I have omitted such as only became celebrated through their daughters as brood-mares, for instance. Defence, etc. IN-BRED STALLIONS. 1. Priam. 2. Bay Middleton. 3. Melbourne. 4. Cotherstone. 5. Pyrrhus I. 6. The Baron. 7. Orlando. 8. Ithuriel. 9. Cowl. 10. The Saddler. 11. Sweetmeat. 12. Chatham. 13. Flying Dutchman. 14. Sir Tattou Sykes. 15. Chanticleer. RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 221 CROSSED STALLIONS. 1. Partisan. 2. Emilius. 3. Touchstone. 4. Birdcatcher. 5. Sir Hercules. (3. Voltaire. 7. Plenipotentiary. 8. Pantaloon. 9. Lan- ercost. 10. Venison. 11. Alarm. 12. Ion. 13. Harkaway. 14. Velocipede. 15. Hetman Platoff. SELECTION OF BROOD MARE. In choosing the brood mare, four things must be considered — ^first, her blood ; secondly, her frame ; thirdly, her state of health ; and fourthly, her temper. Her blood or breeding will mainly depend upon the views of the breeder — that is to say, what particular class of colts he wishes to obtain, and according to his decision he will look out for mares of the particular kind he desires to reproduce, on the principle that *'like begets like," but subject to the various considerations partly alluded to in the last chapter, and partly in this and subsequent ones. In frame, the mare should be so formed as to be capable of carrying and well nourishing her offspring ; that is, she should be what is called *'roomy." There is a formation of the hips which is particularly unfit for breeding purposes, and yet which is sometimes carefully selected, be- cause it is considered elegant ; this is the level and straight hip, in which the tail is set on very high, and the end of the haunch-bone is nearly on a level with the projection of the hip-bone. The opposite form is repre- sented in the skeleton given with the article * 'Horse," which is that of a thoroughbred mare, well formed for this breeding purpose, but in other respects rather too slight. By examining her pelvis, it will be seen that the haunch-bone forms a considerable angle with the sacrum, and that, as a consequence, there is plenty of room, not only for carrying the foal, ibut for allowing it to pass into the world. Both of these points are important, the former evidently so, and the latter no less so on consider- ation, because if the foal is injured in the birth, either of necessity, or from ignorance or carelessness, it will often fail to recover its powers, and will remain permanently injured. The pelvis, then, should be wide and deep — that is to say, it should be large and roomy ; and there should also be a little more than the average length from the hip to the shoul- der, so as to give plenty of bed for the foal ; as well as a good depth of back-ribs, which are necessary in order to support this increased length. This gives the whole framework of the trunk of a larger proportion than is always desirable in the race-horse, which may be easily overtopped ; and hence many good runners have failed as brood mares, whilst a great number of bad runners have been dam* of good race-horses. Beyond this roomy frame, necessary as the egg shell of the foal, the mare only 222 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. requires such a shape and make as is well adapted for the particular pur- pose she is intended for ; or if not possessing it herself, she should belong to a family having it. If one can be obtained with these requisites in her own person, so much the more likely Avill she be to produce race- horses ; but if not all, then it is better that she should add as many as possible to the needful framework, without which her office can hardly be well carried out. But with this suitable frame, if she belongs to a family which, as a rule, possesses all the attributes of a race-horse, she may be relied on with some degree of certainty, even though she herself should fail in some of them. Thus, there are many fine roomy mares which have been useless as race-horses from being deficient in the power of some one quarter, either behind or before, or perhaps a little too slack in the loin for their length. Such animals, if of good running fam- ilies, should not be despised ; and many such have stood their owners in good stead. On the other hand, some good-looking animals have never thrown good stock, because they were only exceptional cases, and their families were of bad running blood on all or most sides. No mare could look much more unlike producing strong stock than Pocalionras, but be- ing of a family which numbers Selim, Bacchante, Tramp, Web, Orville, Eleanor, and Marmion among its eight members in the third remove, it can scarcely occasion suprprise that she should respond to the call of the Baron by producing a Stockwell and a Rataplan. In health, the brood mare should be as near jjerfection as the artificial state of this animal will allow ; at all events, it is the most important point of all, and in every case the mare should be very carefully exam- ined, with a view to discover what deviations from a natural state have been entailed upon her by her own labors, and what she has inherited from her ancestors. Independently of the consequence of accidents, all deviations from a state of health in the mare may be considered as more or less transmitted to her, because in a thoroughly sound constitution, no ordinary treatment such as training consists of will produce disease, and it is only hereditary predispositions which, under this process, entails its appearance. Still there are positive, comparative, and superlative de- grees of objectionable diseases incidental to the brood mare, which should be accepted or refused accordingly. All accidental defect, such as bro- ken knees, dislocated hips, or even ''breaks down," may be passed over ; the latter, however, only when the stock from which the mare is de- scended are famous for standing their work without this frailty of sinew and ligament. Spavins, ring-bones, large splints, side-bones, and, in fact, all bony enlargements, are constitutional defects, and will be almost sure to be perpetuated, more or less, according to the degree in whieh RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 22-1 they exist in the particular case. Curby hocks are also hereditary, and should be avoided ; though many a one much bent at the junction of the OS calcis with the astragalus is not at all liable to curbs . It is the defect- ive condition of the ligaments there, not the angular junction, which leads to curbs ; and the breeder should carefully investigate the individ- ual case before accepting or rejecting a mare with suspicious hocks. Bad feet, whether from contraction or from too flat and thin a sole, should also be avoided ; but when they have obviously arisen from bad shoeing, . the defect may be passed over. Such are the chief varieties of unsoundness in the legs which require circumspection ; the good points which, on the other hand, are to be look- ed for, are those considered desirable in all horses that are subjected to the shocks of the gallop. Calf knees are generally bad in the race horse, and are very apt to be transmitted, whilst the opposite form is also per- petuated, but is not nearly so disadvantageous. Such are the general considerations bearing upon soundness of limb. That of the wind is no less important. Broken-winded mares seldom breed, and they are therefore out of the question, if for no other reason ; but no one would risk the recurrence of this disease, even if he could get such a mare stinted. Roaring is a much-vexed question, which is by no means theoretically settled among our chief veterinary authorities, nor practically by our breeders. Every year, however, it becomes more frequent and important, and the risk of reproduction is too great for any person wilfully to run by breeding from a roarer. As far as I can learn, it appears to be much more hereditary on the side of the mare than on that of the horse ; and not even the offer of a Virago should tempt me to use her as a brood mare. There are so many different conditions which produce what is called "roaring," that it is difllcult to form any opinion which shall apply to all cases. In some instances, where it has arisen from neglected strangles, or from a simple inflammation of the larynx, the result of cold, it will probably never reappear ; but when the genuine ideopathic roaring has made its appearance, apparently depending upon a disease of the nei-ves of the larynx, it is ten to one that the produce will suffer in the same way. Blindness, again, may or may not be hereditary ; but in all cases it should be viewed with suspicion as great as that due to roaring. Simple cataract without inflammation undoubtedly runs in families ; and when a horse or mare has both eyes suffering from this disease, without any other derangement of the eye, I should eschew them carefully. When blind- ness is the result of violent inflammation brought on by bad management or by influenza, or any other similar cause, the eye itself is more or les« 224 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. disoro-anized ; and though this itself is objectionable, as showing a weak- ness of the organ, it is not so bad as the regular cataract. Such are the chief absolute defects, or deviations from health in th« mare ; to which may be added a general delicacy of constitution, which can only be guessed from the amount of flesh which she carries while sucldinof or on poor "keep," or from her appearance on examination by an experienced hand, using his eyes as well. The firm, full muscle, the brjo-ht and lively eye, the healthy-looking coat at all seasons, rough though it may be in winter, proclaim the hardiness of constitution which is wanted, but which often coexists with infirm legs and feet. Indeed, sometimes the very best-topped animals have the worst legs and feet, chiefly owing to the extra weight they and their ancestors also have had to carry. Crib-biting is sometimes a habit acquired from idleness, as also is wind-sucking ; but if not caused by indigestion, it often leads to it, and is very commonly caught by the offspring. It is true that it may be prevented by a strap ; but it is not a desirable accomplishment in the mare, though of less importance than those to which I have already allu- ded, if not accompanied by absolute loss of health, as indicated by ema- ciation, or the state of the skin. Lastly, the temper is of the utmost importance, by which must be un- derstood not that gentleness at grass which may lead the breeder's fam- ily to pet the mare, but such a temper as will serve for the purposes of her rider, and will answer to the stimulus of the voice, whip or spur. A craven or a rogue is not to be thought of as the "mother of a family ;" and if a mare belongs to a breed which is remarkable for refusing to an- swer the call of the rider, she should be consigned to any task rather than the stud-farm. Neither should a mare be used for this purpose which had been too irritable to train, unless she hapiDcned to be an excep- tional case ; but if of an irritable family, she would be worse even than a roarer, or a blind one. These are defects which are apparent in the colt or filly, but the irritability which interferes with training often leads to the expenditure of large sums on the faith of private trials, which are lost from the failure in public, owing to this defect of nervous system. CHOICE or STALLION. Like the brood mare, the stallion requires several essentials — com- mencing also like her, first, with his blood ; secondly, his individual shape ; thirdly, his health ; and, fourthly, his temper. But there is this difficulty in selecting the stallion, that he must not only be suitable ^^r se, but he must also be adapted to the particular marc which he is to " serve." Thus, it will be manifest that the task is more difficult than the fixinsr upon a brood mare, because (leaving out of considerations all other RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 225 points but blood) in the one case, a mare only has to be chosen which is of good blood for racing purposes, while in the other there must be the same attention paid to this particular, and also to the stallion's suitability to the mare, or to " hit " with her blood. Hence, all the various theories connected with generation must be investigated, in order to do justice to the subject ; and the breeder rnust make up his mind whether in-and-in- breeding, as a rule, is desirable or otherwise ; and if so, whether it is adapted to the particular case he is considering. Most men make up their minds one way or the other on this subject, and act accordingly, in which decision much depends upon the prevailing fashion. The rock upon which most men split is a bigoted favoritism for some particular horse ; thus, one man puts all his mares to Orlando ; another, to Surplice or the Flying Dutchman ; although they may every one be different in blood and form to the others. Now, this cannot possibly be right if there is any principle whatever in breeding ; and however good a horse may be, he cannot be suited to all mares. Some, again, will say that any horse will do, and that all is a lottery ; but I think I shall be able to show that there is some science required to enable the breeder to draw many prizes. That the system generally followed of late is a bad one, I am satisfied, and with constant crossing and re-crossing it is almost a lottery ; but upon proper principles, and with careful management, I am tempted to believe that there would be fewer blanks than at jiresent. I have already given my own theoretical views upon the case, illustrated by numerous examples on both sides of the question. It will now be my object to apply these views practically by selecting particular instances. Ih choosing the particular blood which will suit any given mare, my impression always would be, that it is desirable to fix upon the best strain in her pedigree, if not already twice bred in-and-in, and then to put to her the best stallion available of that blood. In some cases, of course, it will happen that the second best strain will answer better, because there happens to be a better horse of that blood to be had than of the superior strain, which would otherwise be preferred. If, on the other hand, the mare has already been in-bred to the extent of two degrees, then a cross will be advisable ; but I am much inclined to believe, from the success of certain well-known cases, that even then a cross into blood already existing in the mare, but not recently in-bred nor used more than once, will sometimes answer. Upon these principles I should, therefore, look for success. It is surprising to me that this very common occurrence of in-breedinj? amons; our best modern horses has so generallv escaped observation, and the only way in which I can explain it is by supposing, that having frequently been through the grandam on either 226 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. side it has been lost sight of, because the knowledge of the sire's and grandsire's blood is generally the extent to which the inquiry goes. Thus, we find the most recent writer on the subject, who assumes the name of "Craven," asserting, at page 121 of "The Horse" — "There is no proximity of relationship in the genealogy of the Flying Dutchman, Touchstone, Melbourne, Epirus, Alarm, Bay Middleton, Hero, Orlando, Irish Birdcatcher, Cossack, Harkaway, Tearaway, Lothario, or others of celebrity." Now, of these the Flying Dutchman is the produce of second cousins ; Bay Middleton, his sire, being also in-bred to William- son's Ditto and Walton, own brothers ; and Orlando, containing in his pedigree Selim twice over, and Castrel, his brother, in addition, Mel- bourne also is the produce of third cousins, both his sire and dam being descended from Highflyer. But if to these four, which he has specially named, be added the numerous "others of celebrity" to which I have drawn attention, besides a host of lesser stars too numerous to mention, it will be admitted that he assumes for granted the exact opposite of what is really the case. The choice of particular stallions, as dependent upon their formation, is not less difficult than that of the mare, and it must be guided by nearly the same principles, except that there is no occasion for any framework especially calculated for nourishing and containing the foetus, as in her case. As far as possible, the horse should be the counterpart of what is desired in the produce, though sometimes it may be necessary to select an animal of a breed slightly exaggerating the peculiarity which is sought for, especially when that is not connected with the preponderance of fore or hind-quarters. Thus, if the mare is very leggy, a more than usually short-legged horse may be selected, or if her neck is too short or too long, an animal with this organ particularly long, or the reverse as the case may be, should be sought out. But in all cases it is dangerous to attempt to« sudden alteration with regard to size, as the effort will gen- erally end in a colt without a due proportion of parts, and therefore more or less awkward and unwieldly. In constitution and general health, the same remarks exactly apply to the horse as the mare. All hereditary diseases are to be avoided as far as possible, though few horses are to be met with entirely free from all kinds of unsoundness, some the effects of severe training, and others resulting from actual disease, occurring from other causes. With regard ^o fatness, there is an extraordinary desire for horses absolutely loaded with fat, just as there formerly was for overfed oxen at Christmas. It *s quite true that the presence of a moderate quantity of fat is a sign of ft good constitution, but, like all other good qualities, it may be carried \o excess, so as to produce disease ; and just as there often is hypertro- RACING, OR TURP HORSES. 227 phy, or excess of nourishment of the heart, or any bony parts, so is there often a like superabundance of fat causing obstruction to the due performance of the animal functions, and often ending in premature death. This is in great measure owing to want of exercise, but also to over-stimulating food ; and the breeder who wishes his horse to last, and «lso to get good stock, should take especial care that he has enough of the one and not too much of the other. In temper, also, there is no more to be added to what I have said relating to the mare, except that there are more bad-tempered stallions to be met with than mares, independently of their running, and this is caused by the constant state of unnatural excitement in which they are kept. This kind of vice is, however, not of so much importance, as it does not affect the running of the stock, and solely interferes with their stable management. BEST AGE TO BREED FROM. It is commonly supposed that one or other of the parents should be of mature age, and that if both are very young, or very old, the produce will be decrepit or weakly. A great many of our best horses have been out of old mares, or by old horses — as, for instance, Priam out of Cressida, at twenty ; Crucifix, out of Octaviana, at twenty-two ; and Lottery and Brutandorf , out of Mandane, at twenty and twenty-one ; Voltaire got Voltigeur at twenty-one ; Bay Middleton was the sire of Andover at eighteen, and Touchstone got Newminster at seventeen. On the other hand, many young stallions and mares have succeeded well, and in numberless instances the first foal of a mare has been the best she ever produced. In the olden times, Mark Antony and Conductor were the first foals of their dams ; and more recently, Shuttle Pope, Filho da Puta, Sultan, Pericles, Oiseau, Doctor Sjiitax, Manfred and Pantaloon, have all been first-born. Still these are exceptions, and the great bulk of superior horses are produced later in the series. The youngest dam which I ever heard of was Monstrosity, foaled in 1838, who produced Ugly Buck at three years old, having been put to Venison when only two years of age. Her dam, also, was only one year older when she was foaled ; and Venison himself was quite a young stallion, being only seven years old when he got Ugly Buck ; so that, altogether, the last mentioned horse was a remarkable instance of successful breeding from young parents. As in most cases of the kind, however, his early promises were not carried out, and he showed far better as a two-year-old, and early in the following year, than in his maturity. Such is often the case, and, I believe, is a very general rule in breeding all animals, whether horses, dogs, or cattle. The general practice in breeding is to use young stal- 228 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. lions with old mares, and to put young mares to old stallions ; and suc^ appears to be the best plan, judging from theory as well as practice. BEST TFME FOR BREEDING. For all raci-ng purposes, an early foal is important, because the age takes date from the 1st of January. The mare, therefore, should be put to the horse in February, so as to foal as soon after January 1st a* possible. As, however, many mares foal a little before the end of the eleventh month, it is not safe to send her to the horse before the middle of the second month in the year. For further particulars, see "Thoughts on Breeding," and the ** Stud-Farm," in which the general management of the mare and foal is fully detailed. It will be interesting that the reader have a pretty complete record of the best time at various distances in racing. Such a record has been care- fully compiled for Turf, Field and Farm . up to the close of the se«'\- son of 1879 ; and which we append : Fastest and Best Time, and Most Creditable Performances on Record, At all Distances, to end of Year 1879. HALF A MILE. Olitipa, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, July 25, 1874, :47 3-4. Pomeroy, by Planet, Louisville, Ky., May 23, 1877, 0:49 1-4. Harold, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, July 23, 1878, :49 1-4. Idalia, by imp. Glenelg, Jerome Park, June 8, 1876, :49 1-2. Leona, by War Dance, Lexington, Ky., May 12, 1874, 0:49 1-2. Blue Lodge, by Fellowcraft, Lexington, Ky., May 10, 1879, 0:49 1-2. Duke of Magenta, by Lexington, Saratoga, July 24, 1877, 0:49 1-2. Idalia, by imp. Glenelg, Long Branch, July 4, 1876, :49 3-4. Sensation, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, July 22, 1879, :49 :3-4. Kimball, by imp. Buckden, Louisville, Ky., May 21, 1879, 0:49 3-4. Observanda, by Tom Bowling, Louisville, Ky., May 21, 1879, :49 3-4 Grenada, by King Alfonso, Long Branch, July 5, 1879, :49 3-4. FIVE-EIGHTHS OF A MILE. Bonnie Wood, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Saratoga, July 20, 1878, 1 :02 3-4. Grenada, by King Alfonso, Saratoga, Aug. 10, 1879, 1 :03 1-2. Harold, by imp. Leamington, Long Branch, July 4, 1878, 1 :03 1-2. Rachel, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Long Branch, July 6, 1878, 1 :03 ]'-2. Palmetto, by Narragansett, Saratoga, Aug. 10, 1876, 1 :03 1-2. Rhadamanthus, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, July 25, 1876, 1 :03 1-2, Ggypt Caged), by Planet, Saratoga, July 19, 1879, 1 :04. RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 229 Aristides, by imp. Leamington, Jerome Park, Oct. 7, 1874, 1 :04 1-2. Volturno, by imp. Billet, Saratoga, Aug. 21, 1878, 1 :04 3-4. THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILE. First Chance, by Bay wood, Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 17, 1876, 1:15. Lady Middleton, by imp. Hurrah, Saratoga, Aug. 1, 1879, 1:17, 1 sl5 1-4. First was dead heat with Checkmate. Bill Bruce, by Enquirer, Lexington, Ky., May 12, 1876, 1 :15 1-2. Connor, by Norfolk, Carson, Nev., Oct. 19, 1879, 1 :15 1-2. Rhadamanthus, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, Aug. 19, 1877, 1 :15 1-2. Florence B., by Tom Bowling, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 20, 1879, 1-15 3-4. Madge, by imp. Australian, Saratoga, Aug. 21, 1874, 1:15 3-4. Alarm, by imp. Eclipse, Saratoga, July 15, 1872, 1 :16. Belle of the Meade, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 9, 1876, 1:16. Enquiress, by Enquirer, Detroit, July 5, 1879. 1 :16. Egypt (aged), by Planet, Louisville, Ky., May 26, 1877. 1 :17. Milan, by Melbourne, Jr., Louisville, Ky., May 26, 1877, 1 :16. Girofle, by imp. Leamington, Prospect Park, Sept. 13, 1879, 1 :16 1-4. Spendthrift, by Australian, Nashville, Oct. 8, 1878,1.16 1-2. Checkmate, by imp. Glen Athol, Saratoga, Aug. 15, 1879, 1 :16 1-4. Kimball, by imp. Buckden, St. Louis, June 13, 1879, 1 :16 1-2. Mstake, by Waverly, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 23, 1879, 1 :16 1-2. Madge, by imp. Australian, Saratoga, N. Y., Aug. 15, 1876, 1 :16 1-2. Glendalia, by imp. Glenelg, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 24, 1879, 1 :16 1-2. Pigne, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, Aug. 27, 1877, 1:16 3-4. Tom Bowling, by Lexington, Long Branch, 1872, 1 :16 3-4. Bowling Green, by Tom Bowling, Louisville, Sept. 24, 1879, 1:16 3-4. Duke of Magenta, by Denington, Saratoga, Aug. 16, 1877, 1 :16 3-4 Spartan, by Lexington, Saratoga, Aug. 16, 1877, 1:16 3-4. Sly Dance, by War Dance, Louisville, Sept. 22, 1879, 1 :16 3-4. Bye and Bye, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Louisville, Sept. 22, 1878, 1 :16 3-4. McWhirter, by Enquirer, Louisville, Ky., May 15, 1879, 1:17. Wallenstein, by Waverly, Lexington, Ky., May 15, 1879, 1:17. Countess, by Kentucky, Saratoga, 1873, 1 :17 1-2. Beatrice, by Kentucky, Long Branch, 1 :17 1-2. Luke Blackburn, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Prospect Park, Sept. #, 1879, 1:17 1-2. Oden, by Vauxhall, Saratoga, Aug. 7, 1879, 1 :17 3-4. Idalia, by imp. Glenelg, Saratoga, Aug. 5, 1878, 1 :18. 15 J30 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Spartan, by Lexington, Saratoga, Aug. 22, 1877, 1 ;19. ONE MILE. Ten Broeck, by imp. Phaeton, Louisville, Ky., May 24, 1877, 1 :39 3-4. Lcander (Searcher), by Enquirer, Lexington, Ky., May 13, 1875, 1 :41 3-4. Redman, by War Dance, Lexington, Ky., May 13, 1876, 1:42 1-4. Danger, by Alarm, Baltimore, May 23, 1878, 1 :42 1-2. Mahlstick, by Lever, Lexington, Ky., Sept. 20, 1877, 1 :42 1-2. Chas. Gorham, by Blarneystone, Lexington, Ky., Sep. 20, 1877, 1 :42 1-2, Dead heat. Grey Planet, by Planet, Saratoga, Aug. 13, 1874, 1 :42 1-2. Dan K., by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Louisville, Ky., May 29, 1877, 1 :42 1-2. Goodnight, by Enquirer, Louisville, Ky., Sep. 23, 1879, 1 :42 1-2 Katie Pease, by Planet, Buffalo, N. Y., Sep. 8, 1874, 1 :42 3-4. Alarm, by imp. Eclipse, Saratoga, July 17, 1872, 1 :42 3-4. Glenmore, by imp. Glen Athol, Detroit, July 4, 1879, 1 ;42 3-4. Virginus, by Virgil, Saratoga, Aug. 4, 1877, 1 :42 3-4. Cammie T., by imp. Glenelg, Louisville, Sept. 20, 1879, 1 :43. Mistake, by Waverly, Louisville, Sept. 26, 1879, 1 :43 1-2. Edinburg, by Longfellow, Lexington, May 11, 1878, 1 :43 1-2. Belle of the Meade, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Louisville, Sept. 25, 1876, 1:44 1-2. Belle of the Meade, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Louisville, Sept. 27, 1876, 1 :44 1-4. Spendthrift, by imp. Australian, Nashville, Oct. 12, 1878, 1 :44 1-4. Clara D., by imp. Glenelg, Sacramento, Sept. 27, 1877, 1:44 1-2. Astral, by Asteroid, Lexington, Ky., Sept. 12, 1873, 1 :44 3-4. Parole, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, Aug. 10, 1875, 1 :44 3-4. Aristides, by imp. Leamington, Baltimore, Oct. 22, 1874, 1 :44 3-4. Susquehanna, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, Aug. 8, 1876, 1 :45, Charley Howard, by Lexington, Saratoga, Aug. 17, 1876, 1:45. Firework, by Lexington, Baltimore, Oct., 1874, 1:45. Hamburg, by Lexington, Cincinnati, 1869, 1:45. Battle Axe, by Monday, Saratoga, 1873, 1 :45 1-2. Spendthrift, (aged) by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Jerome Park, June i, 1876, 1 :46 1-2. Tom Bowling, by Lexington, Long Branch, Aug. 8, 1872, 1 :47. MILE HEATS. Kadi, by Lexington, Hartford, Conn, Sept. 2, 1875, fastest second RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 2J^1 heat, and fastest two heats ever run, 1 :42 1-2, 1 :41 1-4. L' Argentine, by War Dance, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 27, 1879. Beati- tude won first heat, 1 :42 1-4, 1 :42 1-2, 1 :45 1-2. Mark D., by Monday, Sacramento, Sept. 19, 1878, 1:43, 1:42 3-4. Himyar, by Alarm, St. Louis, June 4, 1878, 1 :42 1-2, 1 :43 1-2. Camargo, by Jack Malone, Louisville, Ky., May 20, 1875, 1:42 3-4, 1 :43 1-4. Una, by War Dance, Prospect Park, June 25, 1879, 1 .-42 1-4, 1 :45. Tom Bowling, by Lexington, ran mile heats at Lexington, Ky., May, 1873, in 1 :43 1-2, 1 :43 1-2. Thornhill, by Woodburn, ran first two heats in 1 :43, 1 :43 ; Thad Ste » vens (aged), by Langford, won the third, fourth and fifth in 1 :43 1-2, 1 ;46 1-2, 1 :45. Clara D., by imp. Glenelg, San Francisco, Sept. 13, 1878, 1 :43, 1 :43 1-2. Brademante, by War Dance, Saratoga, Aug. 9, 1877, 1 :43 1-2, 1 :43 1-2. Bramble, by imp, Bonnie Scotland, Nashville, Oct. 7, 1878, 1 :43, 1 :44. Lena Dunbar, by Leinster, Sacramento, Sept. 17, 1878, 1 :44 1-4, 1 :42 3-4. Springbok, by imp. Australian, Utica, N. Y., June 25, 1874, 1 :45, 1:42 3-4. ONE MILE AND ONE-EIGHTH. Bob WooUey, by imp. Leamington, Lexington, Ky., Sept. 6, 1875, 1 ;54. Janet Murray, by Panic, Brighton Beach, July 13, 1879, 1 :54 3-4. Blue Eyes, by Enquirer, Louisville, Ky., May 28, 1879, 1 :55 1-4. Warfield, by War Dance, Louisville, Ky., Oct. 1, 1878, 1 :56. Jack Hardy, by imp. Phaeton, St. Louis, June 4, 1878, 1 :56. Fadladeen, (aged) by War Dance, Saratoga, Aug. 19, 1874, 1:56. Picolo, Concord, Saratoga, Aug. 15, 1874, 1:56. Himyar, by Alarm, Louisville, Sept. 20, 1879, 1:56. Jils Johnson, by Longfellow, Lexington, Sept. 11, 1879, 1 :56 1-2. Fannie Ludlow, by imp. Eclipse, Saratoga, Aug. 10, 1879, 1 :56 1-2. Round Dance, by War Dance, Louisville, Sept. 27, 1879, 1:56 1-2. Konrad, by Rebel Morgan, New Orleans, April 26, 1878, 1 :56 1-2. Ben Hill, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Louisville, Sept. 25, 1879, dead heat, 1 -56 3-4. Mollie McGinley, by imp. Glen Athol, Brighton Beach, Sept. 10, 1879, 1:57. Una, by War Dance, Prospect Park, Sept. 11, 1879, 1 :57. Susquehanna, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, July 24, 1877, 1 :57 1-4. Experience Oaks, by Lexington, Saratoga, Aug. 20, 1872, 1:57 1-4.. 232 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Bramble, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Saratoga, Aug. 17, 1878, 1:58. Bramble," " " " '* '' 9,1879,1:58. Kennesaw, by imp. Glengarry, Louisville, May 28, 1878, 1:58 1-2. Essillah, by Lever, Nashville, Apr. 29, 1879, 1 :58 1-2. Gabriel, by Alarm, Brighton Beach, Sept. 27 1879, 1 :59. Edinburg, by Longfellow, Louisville, Sept. 25, 1878, 1 :59. Diamond, by imp. Leamington, Ogdensburg, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1878, lr59. Lance wood, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, Aug. 13, 1879, 1:59. Belle, by Dickens, Saratoga, July 23, 1878, 1 :59. Rhadamanthus, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, Aug. 15, 1876, 1 :59 3-4. Spendthrift (aged), by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Jerome Park, June 10, 1876, 2 :00 Phyllis, by imp. Phaeton, Louisville, Sept. 27, 1876, 2 :01. Spendthrift, (aged), by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Jerome Park, June 12, 1875, 2 :03 1-4 ONE MILE AND A QUARTER. Charley Gorham, by Blarneystone, Lexington, May 18, 1877, 2:8 1-2. Falsetto, by Enquirer, Lexington, May 10, 1879, 2 :08 3-4. Grimstead, by Gilroy, Saratoga, July 24, 1875, 2 :08 3-4. Frogtown, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Lexington, Ky., May 1872, 2 :©9 1-2. Monitor, by imp. Glenelg, Prospect Park, Sept. 9, 1879, 2 :10. Parole, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, July 20, 1878, 2 :10 1-2. Mate, by imp. Australian, Jerome Park, Oct. 3, 1874, 2:11 3-4. R-eakness, by Lexington, Jerome Park, June 13, 1874, 2 :12. ONE MILE AND THREE-EIGHTHS. Spendthrift, by imp. Australian, Jerome Park, June 10, 1879, 2 :25 3-4. Gov. Hampton, by Planet, Prospect Park, June 21, 1879, 2 :26 1-2. Bramble, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Long Branch, July 10, 1879, 2 :27. ONE AND A HALF MILES. Tom Bowling,* by Lexington, May 12, 1874, 2 :34 3-4. Parole, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, Aug. 14, 1877, 2 ;36 3-4. Lord Murphy, by Pat Maloy, Louisville, May 20, 1879, 2 :37. Day Star, by Star Davis, Louisville, May 21, 1878, 2 :37 1-2. Aristides, by imp. Leamington, Louisville, Ky.,'May 7, 1875, 2:37 3-4. Glenelg, by Citadel, Long Branch, Aug. 2, 1870, 2 :37 3-4. Shylock. by Lexington, Jerome Park, Oct. 31, 1874, 2:38. Baden Baden, by imp. Australian, Louisville, May 22, 1877, 2:38. RACING, OR TUKF HORSES. 235 Vagrant, by Virgil, Louisville, May 14, 1877, 2 :38 1-4. Peru, by imp. Glengarry, Lexington, Ky., Sept. 11, 1879, 2:38 3-4. Belle of Nelson, by Hunter's Lexington, Louisville, May 23, 1878, 2 :39. Imp. Saxon,by Beadsman, Belmont stakes, Jerome Park, June 13,1874, 2:39 1-2. Tom Ochiltree, by Lexington, Jerome Park, Oct. 14, 1877, 2 :43. Zoo Zoo, by imp. Australian, Saratoga, Aug. 21, 1877, 2 :43 1-4. Duke of Magenta, by Lexington, Jerome Park, June 8, 1878, 2 :43 1-2. *Tom Bowling was permitted to extend the run to two miles. He raa the first mile in 1 :41 3-4 ; mile and a half in 2 :34 3-4 ; one and three- quarters miles in 3 :00 3-4 ; and two miles in 3 :27 3-4. The last tw© unofficial. ONE MILE AND FIVE-EIGHTHS. Ten Broek, by imp, Phaeton, Lexington, Ky., Sept. 9, 1875, 2:49 1.4. Monitor, by imp. Glenelg, Prospect Park, Sept. 13, 1879, 2 :50 1-2. Springbok, by imp. Australian, Jerome Park, June 20, 1874, 2 :53. Brademante, by War Dance, Lexington, May 17, 1877, 2 :53 3-4. Harry Bassett, by Lexington, Belmonte stakes, Jerome Park, June 10, 1871,2:56. Mintzer, by imp. Glenelg, Saratoga, July 23, 1879, 2:58. Katie Pease, by Plant, Ladies' stake, Jerome Park, June 11, 1873, S :58 1-4. ONE AND THREE-QUARTER MILES. One Dime, by Wanderer, Lexington. Sept. 12, 1879, 3:05 1-4. Irish King, by Longfellow, Sept. 25, 1879, 3 ;05 1-4. Courier, by Star Davis, Louisville, May 23, 1877, 3 :05 1-4. Reform, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, Aug. 20, 1874, 3:05 3^4. Mate, by imp. Australian, Long Branch, July 15, 1875, 3:06 1-4. D'Artagnan, by Lightning, Saratoga, July 24, 1875, 3:06 1-2. Gen. Phillips, by imp. Glenelg, Saratoga, Aug. 5, 1879, 3:06 1-2. Emma C, by Planet, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 23, 1875, 3:06 3-4. Frogtown, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Lexington, Ky., May 26, 1872, Danicheff, by Glenelg, Saratoga, Aug. 9, 1879, 3 ;07. Gov. Hampton, by Planet, Prospect Park, Sept. 9, 1879, 3 :07 1-2. Kenny, by Curies, Prospect Park, June 25, 1879, 3 :07 1-2. Leveler, by Lever, Lexington, Sept. 9, 1878, 3 :07 1-2. Neecy Hale, by Lexington, Lexington, Ky., Sept. 14, 1876, 3 -.07 5-4. Catesby, by imp. Eclipse, Saratoga, Aug. 15, 1874, 3 :07 3-4. Parole, by imp. Leamington, Saratoga, Aug. 11, 1877, 3:08. Kennesafv, ])j imp. Glengarry, St. Louis, June 5, 1878, 3:08. 234 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Duke of Magenta, by Lexington, Saratoga, July 20, 1878, 3:08. Joe Daniels, by imp. Australian, Travers' Stake, Saratoga, July 15, 1872, 3 :08 1-4. Preakness, by Lexington, Baltimore, Oct. 21, 1864, 3 :08 1-2. Viceroy, by Gilroy, Saratoga, Aug. 9, 1877, 3 :08 1-2. Volturno, by imp. Billet, Brighton Beach, Sept. 16, 1879, 3 :08 1-2. Atilla, by imp. Australian, Travers's Stake, Saratoga, July 25, 1874, 3 :09 1-2, 3 :08 3-4. The first was a dead heat with Acrobat. Mintzer, by imp. Glenelg, Saratoga, July 28, 1879, 3 :09 1-4. Falsetto, by Enquirer, Saratoga, July 19, 1879, 3 :09 1-4. Zoo Zoo, by imp. Australian, Saratoga, Aug. 2, 1877, 3 ;10. TWO MILES. Ten Broeck, by imp. Phaeton, against time, Louisville, May 29, 1877, 3;27 1-2. McWhirter, by Enquirer, Louisville, May 28, 1877, 3 :30 1-2. Courier, by Star Davis, Louisville, May 28, 1877, 3 :31 3-4. Katie Pease,* by Planet, Buffalo, Sept. 9, 1874, 3 :32 1-2. True Blue, by Lexington, Saratoga, July 30, 1873, 3 :32 1-2. Jack Frost, by Jack Malone, Cleveland, O., July 31, 1874, 3 : 33 1-2. Glenmore, by imp. Glen Athol, Detroit, July 5, 1879, 3 :33 1-2. Lizzie Lucas, by imp. Australian, Saratoga, Aug. 21, 1874, 3 :33 3-4. Creedmoor, by Asteroid, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 20, 1876, 3:34. Geo. Graham, by Rogers ; first heat ; Louisville, Ky., Sept. 25. 1875, 3:34. Lord Murphy, by Pat Malloy, Louisville, Sept. 22, 1879, 3 :34. King Alfonso, by imp. Phaeton, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 20, 1875, 3 :34 1-2. Hegira, by imp. Ambassador, New Orleans, La., Nov. 23, 1850, 3 :34 1-2. Littleton, by imp. Leamington, Lexington, Ky., May 23, 1871, 3 :34 1-2. Monitor, by imp. Glenelg, Baltimore, Oct. 21, 1879, 3 :34 3-4. Wilful, by imp. Australian, Prospect Park, June 24, 1879, 3:34 3-4. Charlie Howard, by Lexington, Saratoga, Aug. 10, 1876, 3:35. Vandalite, by Vandal, Breckinridge Stake, Baltimore, Oct. 23, 1874, a -.35. Himyar, by Alarm, Louisville, Sept. 25, 1879, 3:35. Falsetto, by Enquirer, Saratoga, Aug. 14, 1879, 3:35 1-4. Volturno, by imp. Billet, Baltimore, Oct. 25, 1879, 3:35 1-4. Vandalite, by Vandal, Dixie Stake, Baltimore, Oct. 20, 1874, 3:35 1-2. Harry Basset, by Lexington, Saratoga, Aug. 16, 1871, 3:35 1-4. Vigil, by Virgil, Baltimore, Oct. 28, 1876, 3 :37 1-4. *Katie Pease came in first, but was disqualified, and race given to LAaeXe Lucas. BACING, OR TURF HORSES. 235 TWO MILE HEATS. •Brademante, by War Dance, Jackson, Miss., Nov. 17, 1877 (?) 3:32 1-4,3:29.?, Willie D., by Revolver, Prospect Park, Sept. 11, 1879, 3 :34 1-2, 3 :35. Lottery, by Monday, Sacramento, Cal, Sept. 21, 1878, 3:36, 3:35 1-2. Arizona, by Lexington, Louisville, Ky., May 18, 1875, 3 :37 1-4, « :35 1-2. Aureola, by War Dance, Lexington, Sept. 18, 1872, 3 :37 3-4, 3 :35: 1-2. London, by Lightning, Nashville, Oct. 5, 1872, 3:36 3-4, 3:37 1-4. Bushwhacker, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Baltimore, Oct. 22, 1878, *:36, 3. -36 1-2, 3:38 1-2. Princeton won second heat by head. Bushwhacker second ; best aver- age three heats. Belle of Nelson, by Hunter's Lexington, Cincinnati, June 1, 1878, 3:37 1-4,3:36 1-4. MoUie Jones, by Roxbury, Galesburg, Bl., July 4, 1874 ; Rocket woa first heat, 3:36, 3:40, 3:37 1-4. Eolus, by imp. Leamington, Baltimore, May 28, 1874 ; the fastest third heat, 3 :40, 3 :39 1-4, 3 :36 3-4. Lancaster, by Lexington, Lexington, Ky., Sept. 12, 1867, 3:35 1-4, 3:38 1-4. Jack Sheppard, by Jack Malone, Nashville, Oct. 12, 1876, 3 :35 3-4, 3:42 1-2. Irish King, by Longfellow, Baltimore, Oct. 21, 1879, 3 :37 3-4, 3 :37 3-4. Harkaway, by Enquirer, St. Louis, June 7, 1878, 3 :39, 3;35 1-4. *Brademante's time very doubtful. TWO MILES AND ONE-EIGHTH. Aristides, by imp. Leamington, Lexington, Ky., May 10, 1876, 3 -45 1-2. Mate, by imp. Australian, Saratoga, July 31, 1875, 3:46 3-4. Monmouth, by War Dance, Louisville, May 19, 1875, 3:48 1-4. Big Fellow, by War Dance, May 15, 1874, 3 : 50. Dave Moore, by Longfellow, Lexington, May 16, 1879, 3:50 1-2. Ferida, by imp. Glenelg, Prospect Park, Sept. 5, 1879, 3 :54. Springbok, by imp. Australian, Saratoga, Aug. 3, 1874, 3 :56. Sultana, by Lexington, Jerome Park, Oct. 7, 1876, 3 :56 3-4. TWO MILES AND A QUARTER. Preakness, by Lexington ; Springbok, by imp. Australian, dead heat, 3: 56 1-4. Harry Bassett, by Lexington, Saratoga, July 16, 1872, 3 :59. Wanderer, by Lexington, Saratoga, Aug. 13, 1874, 4 :00 1-2. Kentucky, by Lexington, Saratoga, Aug., 1865, 4:01 1-2. Fortuna, by Enquirer, Louisville, May 23, 1879, 4:01 1-2, 236 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Bramble, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Baltimore, May 24, 1879, 4:02. Mollie McCarty, by Monday or Eclipse, Chicago, June 25, 1879, 4 :02L Muggins, by Jack Malone, Saratoga, Aug., 1867, 4:03. TWO AND A HALF MILES. Aristides, by imp. Leamington, Lexington, Ky.,May 13, 1876,4 :27 1-2. Katie Pease, by Planet, Buffalo, Sept. 10, 1874, 4 :28 1-2. Ballankeel, by Asteroid, Baltimore, Oct. 22, 1874, 4:31 3-4. Helmbold, by imp. Australian, Long Branch, July 30, 4 :32 1-2. Tom Ochiltree, by Lexington, Jerome Park, June 18, 1877, 4:36 1-2. Edinburgh, by Longfellow, Cincinnati, June 7, 1879, 4:36 1-2. TWO MILES AND FIVE-EIGHTHS. Ten Broeck, by imp. Phaeton, Lexington, Ky., 1876, 4:58 1-2. TWO MILES AND THREE-QUARTERS. Hubbard, by Planet, Saratoga, 1873, 4:58 3-4. Kentucky, by Lexington, Jerome Park, Oct. 3, 1866, 5 :04. Tom Ochiltree, by Lexington, Jerome Park, June 17, 1876, 5 :09 1-4. THREE MILES. Ten Broeck, by imp. Phaeton, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 23, 1876, 5 :26 1-2. Monarchist, by Lexington, at Jerome Park, 1872 ; first mile, 1 ;45 ; i U 1-2. Tom Ochiltree, by Lexington, Long Branch, July 6, 1876, 5 :35 3-4. THREE MILE HEATS. Brown Dick, by imp. Margrave, New Orleans, April 10, 1865 ; the btwst second heat on record, and second best three mile heat race, 5:30 3-4; 5:28. Mollie Jackson, by Vandal, Louisville, Ky., May 25, 1861; Sherrod won the second heat. The last two miles of the first heat were run in 3:35; the last two of the second heat in 3:36 3-4: the ninth mile in 1 :48 1-4. This is the best three heats and the best third heat on record, 5 :35 1-2 ; 5 ;34 3-4 ; 5 :28 3-4. Norfolk, by Lexington, Sacramento, Cal., Sept. 23, 1875; best aver- age two heats, 5 :27 1-2 ; 5 :29 1-2. Vandal, by imp. Glencoe, Lexington, May 26, 1855, 5:36 1-2; 5:33. Whisper by Planet, St. Louis, June, 8, 1878, 5 :39 ; 5 :35 1-2. FOUR MILES. Ten Broeck, by imp. Phaeton, vs. Fellowcraft's time, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 7, 1876, 7:14 3-4. Fellowcraft, by imp. Australian, Saratoga, Aug. 20, 1874, 7 :19 1-2. RACING, OK TURF HORSES. 237 Lexington, by Boston, vs. time, New Orleans, La., April 2, 1855, 7 :17 3-4. Lexington, by Boston, beating Lecomte, New Orleans, April 14, 1855, 7 ;23 3-4. Janet, by Lightning, Louisville, Sept. 27, 1879, 7 :29. Wildidle, by imp. Australian, San Francisco, Oct. 28, 1875, 7 :25 1-2. Idlewild, by Lexington, over Centreville Course, L. I., June 25, 1863, 7 :26 1-4. Thad. Stevens, by Langford, best second heat, California, Oct. 18, 1873, 7 :30. Kentucky, by Lexington, Saratoga, 1866, 7 :31 1-2. Silent Friend, by imp. Australian, New Orleans, Api-il 21, 1873, 7 :30 1-2. Kentucky, by Lexington, vs. time at Jerome Park, 1867 ; first two miles, 3 :36 ; first three 5 :29 ; 7 :31 3-4. Abd-el-Kader, by Australian, Saratoga, 1869, 7 :31 3-4. Abd-el-Koree, by imp. Australian, Jerome Park, Fall 1871 ; best time for a three-year-old, 7 :33. Monarchist, by Lexington, Jerome Park, 1872 ; first two miles, 3 :39 3-4 ; first three, 5 :36 ; 7 :33 1-2. Tom Ochiltree, by Lexington, Jerome Park, Oct. 12, 1876, 7 :36. FOUR MILE HEATS. Lecompte, by Boston, at New Orleans, April 8, 1854, beating Lexing- ton and Reube, 7 : 26, 7 : 38 1-4. Rupee, by Voucher, April 10, 1858, 7 :39, 7 :35. Miss Foot, by imp. Consol, at New Orleans, March 26, 1842, 8:02, 7:35. Fashion, by imp. Trustee, over Union Course, L. I., May 10, 1842, beating Boston match, 7 :32 1-2, 7 :45. Morgan Scout, by John Morgan, at Lexington, Ky., 1870, best race ever run in Kentucky, 7 :32 1-2, 7 :43 1-2. George Martin, by Garrison Zinganzee, beating Hannah Harris and Reel, March 29, 1843. Reel broke down in first heat, 7 :33, 7 :43. Bushwhacker, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Baltimore, Oct. 26, 1878. Princeton won second heat, 7 :31, 7 :36 1-4, 8 :29. Glenmore, by imp. Glen Athol, Baltimore, two and three heats, beet third heat, 7 :29 1-2, 7 :30 1-4 7 :31. Tally-ho, by Boston, at Union Course, L. I., Oct. 8, 1849 ; Free Trade won the first heat, Boston the third, and Tally-ho second and fourth, 7 :33 1-2, 7 :43 1-2, 7 :52, 8 :10 1-2. HURDLE RACES. Joe Rodes, by Virgil, mile heats, over four hurdles, St. Louis, June i, 1878, 1 :50 3-4, 1 :50 1-4. 238 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Judith, by imp. Glenelg, mile heats, over four hurdles, Piospect Park, Sept. 11, 1879, 1 ;52, 1 :52. Lobelia, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, mile heats, over four hurdles, Fash- ion Course, L. I., Sept. 11, 1869, 1 :51 3-4, 1 :53 1-4. Waller, by imp. Hurrah, one and a quarter miles, over five hurdles, Saratoga, Aug. 14, 1878, 2:21 1-2. Disturbance, by Chillicothe, one and a quarter miles, over 5 hurdles, Saratoga, Aug. 22, 1878, 2 :21 3-4. Problem, by Pimlico, one and a half miles over 6 hurdles, Long Branch, July 5, 1879, 2:50. Derby, by Eugene, one and a half miles, over six hurdles. Long Branch, July 2, 1878, 2 :52. Judith, by imp. Glenelg, one and three-quarter miles, over seven nur^ dies. Long Branch, Aug. 28, 1879, 3 :36 1-2. Tom Leathers, by Camps Whale, two miles, over eight hurdles. New Orleans, April 16, 1875, 3:47 1-2. Redman, by War Dance, two miles, over eight hurdles, Louisville, Ky., May 19, 1876, 3 :48 1-2. Captain Hutchinson, by Voucher, two miles, over eight hurdles, Co- lumbus, O., July 3, 1875, 3:50. Jonesboro, by Lexington, two miles, over eight hurdles, welter weights ; New Orleans, April 11, 1868, 3:51 1-2. Milesian, by imp. Mickey Free, two miles, over eight hurdles, welter weights; Long Branch, Aug. 3, 1872, 3:52 1-2. Cariboo, by Lexington, two and a quarter miles, over nine hurdles. Long Branch, 1875, 4 :33. STEEPLE CHASES. Dead Head, by Julius, about two and three-quarter miles, thirty-six leaps, Saratoga, Aug. 26, 1878, 5 :33 1-2 Trouble, by Ulverston, about two and three-quarter miles, thirty-six leaps, Saratoga, Aug. 19, 1876, 5 :34 3-4. Duffey, by Hunter's Lexington, about two and three-quarter miles, thirty-six leaps, Saratoga, Aug. 5, 1873, 5 :48 3-4. FASTEST TROTTING TO WAGON. One mile, Judge Fullerton, San Francisco, Nov., 1874, time 2:20 1-2. Two miles, Gen. Butler and Dexter, each a heat, Long Island, 1863, tima A:56 1-4. Three miles, Kemble Jackson, June, 1853, time 8 :03. Four miles, Longfellow, Dec. 31, 1869, time 10:34 1-2. Five miles, Little Mack, Long Island, Oct. 29, 1863, time 13 :43 1-2. Twenty miles, John Stewart, Long Island, Sept. 22, 1868, time 59 :23. RACING, y more work in the clothes. To be of use in itself, and as a satisfactory indication that the condition of the horse is advanced it must come of itself. During the time this scraping process is in course of operation, the trainer having the conduct of it should not be in a hurry. The same things that are said to cure a man's cold — patience and a little water-gruel — will often do wonders in procuring a good sweat. Commonly, however, it is easy enough to get the sweat and scrape, but more difficult to cool the horse out properl3\ In order to do this well, he is to be clothed again, and led very gently about for a considerable period, so that he may become cool gradually, and the per- spiration may dry away by degrees. This walking is to be out of all draft as much as possible ; and it will not do to hurry it over, and go to the stable, until the horse has cooled off well and gradually. When the proper state has been reached , the horse is to be taken into the stable and his body is to be well dreesed. This done, he is to be re-clothed, and again led into the air. A few sups of gruel, made of Indian meal or fine shorts, from halt a RACI^'G, OK TURF HORSES. 241 pint to a pint of the meal stirred into a bucket of water may now be given to the horse, or water with the chill taken off it may be used as a substitute for the gruel. When taken into the stable again, which will be after a little "more walking about in the air, the legs are to be put in tubs of warm water, the body clothing being kept on. The legs are then to be well washed with the water and castile soap, and when dried off to be bandaged. These bandages should be of light flannel, and it is imma- terial whether it is red or white. They are not to be put on tight. The legs of a horse ought never to be bandaged tight, for such a course im- pedes the circulation into the feet, where there is a great necessity for it ; but losing sight of this, the bandages are sometimes pulled so that it looks as if they were intended to serve as a tourniquet, and stop the cir- culation of the blood altogether. Neither can it serve any useful purpose, that I can see, to bind the suspensory ligament up to the bone of the leg. Nature intended that in the horse it should stand out from it, as we see iri the fine flat legs of the best runners and trotters. Whatever support is required may be obtained with only a moderate degree of tightness ; and I have sometimes thought that an elastic stocking, such as our best surgeons use in cases of bad strain to the nerves and muscles of the human foot and ankle, would be a very useful article in a training-stable. DRIVING. The average farmer's boy supposes he can drive a trotting horse. Has he not seen the pictures of drivers sitting back, apparently holding to the reins with a grasp, as though the stronger the horse was pulled the faster he could go ? Such driving never got speed out of a horse. The best drivers simply allow the horse to pull on the bit with sufficient force to steady himself, and this pulling force must be gi-aduated according to circumstances. It is true many fast horses are hard pullers, and gener- ally so from defects in training. The bit and reins are intended simply as the medium of communication between the horse and the driver, and the more intelligently the horse is trained to their use, the more will be got out of him. The horse should be taught to take a firm hold of the bit, not for the purpose of pulling upon, but that the driver may give the horse needed support and steadiness, and that intelligent action may be established between the driver and the horse. The object of keeping the horse well in command during fast work, on the road as well as on the track, is that he may instantly respond to the wish of the driver through the medium of the reins. Thus he may be pressed from day to day in his speed, until he at last comes to the full measure of his powers. Although trotting speed does not come to the horse until some years 242 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. after he is fully developed in growth, the history of trotting shows that this increase of speed continues to develop until the horse is from ten to twelve years old. Hence there should be no hurry to develop the animal while young. He should be driven from the time he is three years old, sufficient to cause him to lengthen his stride as much as possible. He should be taught to listen quickly, never to frighten or shy at any ob- ject, and this by familiarizing him with whatever may be near. In his brushes, either on the road or the track, however sharp they may be, they should never be extended until the animal shows signs of distress. When he is being regularly trained for some public trial of speed, it will b« time enough to find out if he can go the desired pace. DRIVING ON THE ROAD. Road driving, like driving or riding a race, is a fine art. In road driving the object is not only to get good speed out of the animal driven, but he must also be made to go in fine style. With a horse of naturally fine action, this, if the driver understands his business, is not difficult. If not a horse of naturally fine style and action, he may be spoiled. For road work the horse should have been better flexed than when he is to be used for trotting a race. He must be able to turn out quickly and handsomely in passing or meeting other teams. When being driven slowly, he must carry himself handsomely. Thus something must be sacrificed to this end. Every horse should have a perfect fitting bit. It should be of the proper size and length for the mouth, and this can only be decided by trial. Keep trying different bits until you find one in which the horse works comfortably. Above all, in handling a young horse do not injure the mouth with a cruel or rough bit. Above all, never be so cruel as k) jerk his mouth with the reins. The bit is the medium of communication between the driver and the horse. If there is any speed in the horse, it is to be gotten out of him by means of the bit, and hence the more sens- itive you can keep the mouth, the more likely you are to succeed. If you render the mouth numb or callous through pulling, twitching, saw- ing or other smart tricks of drivers, you do so to the permanent injury of the horse. Therefore first acquire a nice touch yourself, and there wiil be no difficulty in imparting it to the horse. Never lose your temper with the horse. If a horse does so that is no reason why you should. Never strike a horse with the whip for any fault, and then jerk him back with the reins. If necessary to punish him, first assure yourself thal^you have him sufficiently well in hand so he cannot "jump out of the harness." Have a definite object in view, for every use of rein or whip. Above all avoid a steady, rigid pull on ike horse. Some horses will not trot without being pulled hard. It is RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 543 usually from defect in training. The perfect horse is trained to pull just sufficient to steady himself in harness. How Hiram Woodruff drove, he tells in his *' Trotting-Horse of America." No one, during his life, or since his death, was better authority in such matters. Hence, we cannot do better than to give it to our readers in his exact words. In order that a fast horse should be under circumstances to do his best, he should be as much at his ease in his harness and general rig as possible . If he is not, he is placed at almost as much disadvantage as if sore or stiff, or suffering from some bodily ailment. You may see horses brought out of the stable to trot with a very tight check to keep their heads up, and a tight martingale to keep them down. Such a horse is in irons ; and when to this is added a dead drag at the reins, and no movement of the bit from end to end, I cannot see how he could do his best. People talk about a steady, bracing pull ; but, in my opinion, that is not the right way to drive a trotter. There is a great difference between letting go of your horse's head, and keeping up one dull, deadening pull all the time. The race-horse riders practice what is called a bracing pull ; and, a great many times, I have seen their horses tire under it without ever running their best. The steady pull checked them. The pull should be sufficient to feel the mouth, and give some support and assistance, so as to giv6 the horse confidence to get up his stride. More than that is mischievous. To keep the mouth alive, the bit must be shifted a little occasionally A mere half -turn of the waist, or less than half a turn, by which the thumb is elevated and the little finger lowered, is sufficient to shift the bit, keep the mouth sensitive, and rouse the horse. The reins are to be held steadily with both hands while this play with the wrist is made ; and it is, of course, only done with one wrist at a time. The hands should be well down ; and the driver ought not to sit all of a heap, with his head forward. Neither should he lean back, with his bod', ily weight on the reins, which, in that case, are made a sort of stay for him. He should be upright ; and what pulling he must do should be done by the muscular force of the arms. The head and the arms are what a good driver uses ; but some hold their arms straight out, and puU by means of putting the dead weight of their bodies on the reins. If, instead of lying back, and putting their bodily weight on the reins, with which latter they take a turn round their hands, drivers would depend upon their muscular strength, they could let up on the pull, graduate it, and so ease the horse from time to time instantaneously. The driver who depends upon the arms has command of the horse : he who substitutes bodily weight with the reins strapped round his hands, has not half com- mand of the horse, or of himself either ; and, if the horse is a puller, he will soon take command of the driver. The reason of it is, that there 244 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. is no intermission of the exertion, no let up, either for man or horse. Besides, in that way of driving, it is impossible to give those movements to the bit which seem to refresh and stimulate the horse so much. When a horse has been taught the signilScance of this movement of the bit, the shift by the turn of the wrist, he will never fail to answer it, even though he should seem to be at the top of his speed. The moment he feels this little move of the bit in his sensitive mouth, he will collect him- self, and make another spurt ; and the value of this way of driving is, that the horse is not likely to break when thus called upon, while a high- strung, generous horse, if called upon for a final effort with a whip, is as likely to break the moment it falls on him as not. I have won many a very close heat by practising this movement, and therefore I have no hes- itation in recommending it. It is not difficult to acquire, and the horse soon comes to know what it means. Let us come now to the way of taking nold of the reins. A wrap around the hand, such as running-horse riders take, is clumsy and bad. I do not know whether many people take hold of the reins as I do, or not. Perhaps not. Sim. Hoagland is the only one who takes hold pre- cisely as I do, so far as I have observed. When we have been jogging horses together at early morning, we have often talked over these mat- ters ; and, whether our way was the best way or not, we could never see any other that suited us half so well. I will try to explain how I hold the reins : I could show it in two sec- onds. Take, first, the right-hand rein. This, coming from the bit, passes between the little finger and the third finger, over the little finger, then under the other three fingers, and up over the thumb. The left- hand rein is held in the left hand exactly in the same way ; but the bight of the slack of the rein is also held between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. This gives some substance in that hand ; but, if it is found inconvenient to have it there by those who have small hands, it may be dropped altogether. A firm grasp on each rein, with the backs of the hands up, and without any wrap, is thus obtained. It is a great point in driving to be able to shift the reach — that is, the length of the hold you take — without for an instant letting go of the horse's head. With this way of holding the reins, it is easily done. If I want to shorten the hold on the left hand rein (the near one), I take hold of that rein just behind the left hand with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, and steady it. This is very easily done ; and it does not interfere at all with the command of the off rein with the right hand. The near rein being thus steadied behind the left hand, I slide that hand forward on the rein, which is kept over the little finger, under the other three fingers, and over the thumb all the time, and then shut the grasp again on the new reach. RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 245 A shift with the right hand is made just in the same way, by taking hold and steadying the rein behind that hand with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. " I have often observed, that, with other methods of holding the reins, there was great difficulty in shifting the reach. The driver tries to do it; but, for an instant, he has let go of the horse's head on one side alto gether, and broken his stride. When this is found to be the case, th* dead pull all the time is adopted ; and this spoils the freedom and elas- ticity of the horse's stride, and chokes off his wind. I do not intend this to be taken as instruction for professional drivers. Every driver has a way of his own ; and some of them have very good ways, for, as I have taken occasion to state before, they drive well. But what I have set down above may be of service to gentlemen who drive their own horses, and to those young men who, having as yet no settled method of their own, may think it well enough to try that which I have found to answer. Another word about bits. I am opposed to the use of severe bits, and complicated things of that sort. Some of the inventors of suc^> things say I am prejudiced; but I don't think I am. If a man has m horse that cannot be driven with a bar-bit or a snaffle, he may as well sell him, except it is a very exceptional case. Where are these kinds of severe complicated bits most in use? Why, in England ; five hundred or a thousand of them are used there to one that is used here : and where do the horses trot the best? These bits are mostly invented by men who have had no practical experience whatever as to what sort of driving a fast trotter requires to keep his gait square and b«ld, and induce him to do his best when it is called for. When a horse has a good mouth — and a bad one is almost always the fault of bad breaking and driving — the easier the bit you use, the better he will act for you, and the more speed he will show you." Trotting Horses. It has often been said of Northern and Eastern men, that they do not take kindly to the saddle. In a sense this is true, especially in the North. In England the passion for riding in the saddle grew up at a time when there were, so to speak, no roads. In the earlier settlement of America, throughout the then vast timber region, the same state of things existed ; but a people who settle a new country have somethmg else to think of than riding to hounds or other pleasure riding. So the country became settled ; the level or gently undulating nature of the country rendered good roads passable at light cost, and the absence of preserves of game, a landed aristocracy, and the improvement in vehicl'^^'* for pleasure and use, tended to force public taste in the direction of driv- 16 246 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. ing. Hence the early appreciation of the trotting horse, and the won, dcrful development in speed in this direction. In the South, racing stock held its own, and does even to this day ; and nobly have they contested the palm of victory, and successfully, on many hard fought fields of racing blood in England and our own country. At the North, however, the trotting horse now reigns supreme. It is the "mtcntion here to present something of the wonderful increase in speed "ud endurance of the trotting horse of America, with information of the RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 447 most celebrated horses that early gave fashion to this style of going, and a full list of animals and performances, that the reader may see at a glance the growth of this passion for trotting horses. EARLY TROTTERS. Until 1823 we have but little authentic information that regular trot- ting courses were established, and not until 1830 were fast trotting courses established. According to Porter's Spirit of the Times, the first public trotting in America for a stake was a match against time for $1,000. In 1824, A. M. Giles trotted his horse 28 miles in one hour and fifty- seven seconds. The same year Topgallant and Betsey Baker were matched to trot three miles in harness for $1,000 a side. The race was won by Topgallant by 40 yards, in 8 minutes, 42' seconds. Topgallant also trotted 12 miles on the road in 39 minutes. The "Albany pony" did a mile in 2 minutes, 40 seconds. The Treadwell mare did one mile in 2 :34 ; and Boston Blue trotted 18 miles within the hour. Boston Blue is reported to have been the first horse that trotted a mile in three minutes ; it having been done in 1818. So that it will be seen that the Treadwell mare in 1824 had reduced the time to 2 :34. Yet for many years after a 2 :40 horse was considered extraordinary, as also was any horse capable of going on the road in 3 minutes. In 1827, on the Hunting Park Association of Philadelphia, Screwdriver won two heats at two miles, beating Betsey Baker in 8 :02 and 8 :10, the three best time on record. Dutchman afterwards accomplished the same distance in 7 : 32 1-2, and Lady Sui¥olk in 7 :40 1-2. In 1840, on the Long Island course, Jerry beat Whalebone in a three mile trotting race, in 8 :23 the first heat, and 8 :15 the second. The best time for 2 mile heats that year was 5 :22, 5 :21 ; for 3 miles, 8 :26, 8 :27, 8:41, 8:56. On long distances Sweetbrier accomplished six miles in 18:52. In 1834 Edwin Fon'est, as yet an unentered horse, trotted his mile in 2 :31 1-2, beating Sally Miller. The course Avas 1 mile and 10 yards in length. In 1835 Dutchman made four miles, under the saddle, in 11 :19 and 10 .51, and Dolly, by Messenger, out of a thoroughbred mare, five miles to wagon, carrying two men, weighing 310 pounds, in 16 :45 ; and imme- diately was started again to do 10 miles more, which she accomplished in 34 :07. The same year the horse Daniel D. Thompkins, under the sad- dle, trotted three mile heats in 7 :59 and 8 :10. In 1842 Ripton beat Lady Suffolk, at 3 miles in harness, in 5 :07 and 5:17. In 1843 Lady Suffolk made mile heats in 2 :28 1-2, 2 :28, 2:28, 2 :29 148 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. and 2 :32, which was not again equaled until 1854, when this record wx covered by Tacony. In 1844 Cayuga Chief made the first half mile in a race in 1 :15, the fastest yet made in public ; and Fanny Jenks accomplished 100 miles, in harness, in 9 hours 38 minutes 34 seconds. The slowest mile was done in 6 :25 and the fastest in 4 :47. At the end of the race this mare wa« driven an extra mile in 4 : 23. In 1849 Lady Suffolk trotted 19 times and won 12, beating Grey Eagle* and Mac twice, Pelham five times. Lady Sutton twice. Trustee four times ; also beat Black Hawk, Gray Trouble, Plumbay and other horses. This year a Canadian mare, Fly, is said to have been driven from Cornwall to Montreal, ninety miles, in 8 hours and 15 minutes. Fanny Jenks mad© 100 miles in 9 hours 38 minutes and 34 seconds. Fanny Murray trotted one hundred miles in 9 hours 41 minutes 23 seconds. In 1852 Tacony won 12 races, beating all the best horses of the day> making a single mile in 2 ;26 ; two miles in 5 :02, and was beaten only twice. As a 3 year Ethan Allen trotted this year in 3 :20. Flora Tem- ple this year won her first purse, on the regular turf, in 2 :41. In 1853 the entire sporting interest was centered in Flora Temple and Tacony. Flora this year beat all the best horses of the day, winning seventeen times. Her best time at mile heats was 2 :27, 2 :28, and at it mile heats 5 :01 1-2, 4 :59. This year Tacony trotted a mile in 2 :25 1-2. In 1856 the contest lay principally between Flora Tempte and Lancet, Flora made 11 races, winning nine, beating Lancet four times in harness, and Tacony three times in harness, Tacony going under the saddle. This year Flora Temple lowered the one mile record to 2 : 24 1-2. That the trotting horse of America owes his great powers to the infu- sion of thorough blood, we have before stated. To Imported Messen* ger is this due in the greatest degree. Messenger's sire was Mambrino,. his second sire Engineer, and his third sire Samson. Thence to Blaze, Flying Childers and the Darley Arabian. Samson is reported to have been coarse and homely, and Engineer rough and coarse, but both of these horses were of extraordinary substance. Another great trotting sire of America was imported Bellfouuder. There has been much controversy over his breeding, first and last, but that he was a staunch trotter, and a getter of admirable horses, there is no doubt, giving splendid action to his get. Still, it must be admitted that, admirable as was Bellfounder himself, his get was not equal to the descendants of Messenger in all that constitutes speed, endurance and action. Durac also became a valuable factor in our trotting blood. His strain of blood appears in the Medley's, Durac Messenger's, Mambrino Chief's *iid Gold Dust's. RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 249 One of the sub-families of Messenger's blood, Hambletonian, who united the blood of Messenger and Bellfounder, has raised the trotting torse of America to the highest point of perfection. He was not a handsome horse from a thoroughbred standpoint, if indeed he was thoroughbred, which has been doubted. It has been given as follows : Hambletonian was by Abdallah ; he by Mambrina, a son of Messenger. The dam of Abdallah, the mare Amazonia. The dam of Hambletonian by imported Bellfounder ; second dam by Hambletonian ; third dam, fiilvertail, said to have been by imported Messenger. In all that constitutes stoutness and ability to perform, in freedom from tendency to disability, his stock has been wonderful. Noted for immense and strong joints, length and strength of bone, magnificent muscular development, prominent, square, massive build, mighty hips and excellent barrel, all knit together to form a most admirable frame. United to a nervous constitution, that reproduced itself in his descendants, in a most wonderful degree. One of the finest specimens of the Hambletonian stock is shown on tho preceding plate. This fine horse was by Rysdyk's Hambletonian, by Abdallah, by Mambrino, by Imp. Messenger. Dam Kitt, by Long Island Black Hawk, by Andrew Jackson, by Young Bashaw, by Imported Bashaw. Is half-brother to Dexter, time 2.17^; Nettie, 2.18 ; Jay Gould, 2.211 . Gazelle, 2.21 ; Georg« Wilkes, 2.22 ; Volunteer ( who has eight trotters below 2.25); Edsall's Ham. bletonian ( Sire of Goldsmith Maid, 2.14 ) ; Edward Everett ( Sire of Judge Fullerton, 2.18 ) ; Bruno and Brunette, that trotted double in 2.25^. Foaled 1868; bright golden bay; two white feet; star and small stripe on face; black legs, mane and tail ; 15| hands high. A horse of fine finish, and shows his high breeding; remarkably strong and well-backed; thick through the heart; game head ; beautiful, strong eyes, set wide apart ; clean, sinewy limbs, and sound feet ; perfectly sound, excellent constitution, good temper, and very intelligent; a natural trotter, with the big, open, fast, easy, stride of the Hambletonians. Of Goldsmith Maid, one of the truly great descendants of this blood, Mr. H. T. Helm, of Chicago, in 1876, wrote as follows: GOLDSMITH MAID, "The Queen of the Trotting Turf, was foaled in 1857, and is now nineteen years old. She was bred by John D. Decker, of Sussex county, N.J. Her dam was one of those yellow-bay mares so common in the produce of old Abdallah. She was undersized, fretful, and of a nervous temperament, and up to the age of six years had performed no work of any kind, except to run occasional races about and on the farm, for the amusement of the boys. In 1863 she was sold by Mr. Decker for $260 ; the purchaser selling her again, on the same day, to Mr. Tompkins, for $360 , and she was soon afterward bought by Mr. Alden Goldsmith, tot $600. The eye of the practical horseman discovered that she was Tvorth 230 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. the handlins: He discovered her ability, and soon brought the world to a knowledge of her value. Under his careful and patient management. Mid the skillful drivers employed by him, she soon displayed such speed and extraordinary qualities of game and endurance, that he was able to sell her, at about the age of eleven years, for the sum of $20,000. The purchasers were B. Jackman and Mr. Budd Doble, and, under the guid- ance of the latter, she has steadily advanced in a career of fame that ia RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 25t without a parallel in the history of the trotting turf. She nas subse- quently sold, by the two gentlemen last named, to H.N. Smith, for the sum of $37,000, and yet remains his property. She has been matched against all the great trotters of her period ; and, while she has occasion- ally lost a race, she has ultimately vanquished all competitors, and stead- ily lowered the record for trotting performances, and at the age of eighteen, marked the marvelous, and thus far unapproachable, record of a mile in 2 :14. "Twice during the year 1876 she trotted in a race in 2 :15, and although in her first race against the renowned Smuggler she was beaten, she by no means surrendered her queenly scepter, for again, at Buffalo, she as- serted her supremacy in the three fastest successive heats on record. Proudly does she command the sympathy and applause of all beholders when she hurls at her powerful competitor the defiant challeuije, " You may become King, but I am yet Queen." "It were useless to mention the names and performances of others , there is no name that can be compared with that of the little bay mare ; the fame and the radiance of all others pale before the brilliancy of a renown that followed her to the age of twenty years, and has been wit- nessed on every great course throughout the expanse of a continent. I subjoin a description of the Trotting Queen, from the pen of one of our most accurate and capable writers : "Goldsmith Maid is a bay mare 15 1-4 hands, no white. She appears, at first glance, to be rather delicately made, but this conception is drawn from the form, rather than the quality of her make-up. Her head and neck are very clean and blood-like ; her shoulder sloping and well placed ; middle piece tolerably deep at the girth, but so light in the waist as to give her a tucked-up appearance, and one would say a lack of constitu- tion, but for the abundant evidence to the contrary; loin and coupling good ; quarters of the greyhound order — broad and sinewy ; her limbs are clean, fine-boned and wiry ; feet rather small, but of good quality. She is high mettled, and takes an abundance of work Avithout flinching. In her highest trotting form, drawn to an edge, she is almost deer-like in appearance, and when scoring for a start and alive to the emergencies of the race, with her great flashing eye and dilated nostrils, she is a perfect picture of animation and living beauty. Her gait is long, bold and sweeping, and she is, in the hands of a driver acquainted Avith her pecu- liarities, a perfect piece of machinery. She seldom makes an out-and- out break, but frequently makes a skip, and has been accused of losing nothing in either case. Aside from the distinction of having trotted the fastest mile on record, she also enjoys the honor of making the fastest three consecutive heats ever won in a race, which renders any comments upon her staying qualities unnecessary. ,'5"J II.LU8TRATED STOC^K DOCTOR. She continued on the turf until past twenty years old, and after com* pleting that age she closed her public career with the year 1877 by trotting during that year forty-one heats in 2 :30 or better, and making a time record of 2:14 1-2. Her record stands at the close of her career at 2 :14, with 332 heats in 2 :30 or better. Her record and her career are " the marvel of the age." Goldsmith Maid finally found a home at the Fashion stud farm, at Trenton, N. J., there to end her days. DEXTER. Dexter has been so often described, that the public are familiar with his appearance. A dark bay or brown gelding, with a white stripe the full length and width of his face, and four white legs ; 15 hands, 1 inch high ; his head as finely cut in its outline as that of Australian or Bonnie Scotland ; an eye that does not stand out with the prominence of the Abdallah eye in Hambletonian, but one that sparkles with a glance of fire that speaks of that which is back of the orb ; his mane and tail are medium in fulness, and in form and blood-like appearance he is hardly surpassed by that of any thoroughbred of full age in the country. His record of 2 :17 1-4 is familiar to all. JAY GOULD. Jay Gould is a bright bay horse, of fine mould and finish, 15 hands 2 inches in height ; rather light-appearing in form, but of great and power- fully formed quarters, and a tolerably fair set of limbs. His head is a finely formed one, and he has a face that indicates the high degree of in- telligence that in so great a measure marks this branch of the family. He has trotted twenty heats in 2 :30 or better, and reached a record of 2 :21 1-2, and in addition is credited with one son, King Philip, a young horse only five years old, that has trotted nine heats in 2 :30 or better, and reached a record of 2 : 21. MAUD S. HOW SHE WAS RAISED AND WHAT SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED. Maud S. was foaled on the Woodbnrn stud farm, Kentucky, on the 28th of March, 1874. She is of Harold, dam Miss Russell by Pilot, Jr., second dam Sallie Rnssell bv old Boston. She is 15 hands 3 inches in height, 1| inches higher behind than in front; her weight is 965 pounds; she is a red-chestnut mare without a white spot. Until she was 4 years of age the mare was owned by Captain Stone and was formed under his personal supervision. When she wiis a colt she was gentle and affectionate, and a great pet with Captain Stone's daughter. Miss Stone became very much attached to her pet, and the mare B«eraed to be just as much attached to her. Captain Stone, therefore, requested ais daughter to name her equine playfellow, and in compliance she gave it her RACING, OR TURF HORSES. 255 own name, Maud Stone, which was afterward abbreviated into Maud S., a name which has since become celebrated throughout Europe and America. When Maud S. was 4 years old, however, Captain Stone sold her to William H, Vanderbilt of New York. That gentleman sent her to a well-known Long Island stud farm to be formed. When she was 5 years old, however, he be- came dissatisfied with her handling, and sending for Captain Stone requested him to take entire charge of her future training. Captain Stone consented, and the mare has since that time been in his care. When being speeded the mare wears a 4-ounce toe-weight, adjusted so that it can be removed when she is jogging, as at that time her trainer never allows it to be worn. HER PERFORMANCES. Maud S.'s first public exhibition was given July 6th, 1880, at Cincinnati. She was entered in the 2.34 class. She won in three heats. Time, 2.23, 2.30 and 2.28. Her next race was at Chicago on July 24th for a special purse against Trinkett. The mare won in three heats. Time, 2.19, 2.21 and 2.13J, in her second public race thus surprising the sporting world by making a record at which old turfmen held up their hands in wonder. Maud S. next appeared at Cleveland on July 28th in the 2.19 class. She won in three heats; time— 2.24, 2.18, 2.31. At Buffalo, August 4th, was the next trot in the 2.19 class. The mare here lost the first heat to Charlie Ford in 2.17 and won the next three in 2.15^, 2.16i and 2.16|. At Rochester was her next trot, on August 12th, against time to beat all records. The first quarter was made in 32 J, the half in 1.05, the three-quar- ters in 1.38^, and the mile in 2.11f. Chicago was her next trotting place on an exhibition against time. In this the now widely celebrated little mare was successfeil. The first quarter was made in 33|^, the half 1.04|, the three-quarters in 1.36f and the mile in 2.11 J. In her next race at Chicago, September 18th, against time, Maud S. still more astonished the world. She made the first quarter in 34 seconds, the half mile in 1.04f, the three-quarters in 1.36 and the mile in the wonderful time of 2.10|, trotting the middle half in 1.02. After this she went into winter quarters at Cincinnati in the height of hei glory. On the 1st of January, 1881, she was taken up and gave her first exhibition at Columbus, Ohio, on June 30th, over a very slow track, against Rams' best time over that track of 2.1 7 J. She made the first quarter in 33 seconds, the half in 1.06|, the three-quarters in 1.40 and the mile in 2.13 J. At Detroit, July 4th, against St. Julien's best time over that track of 2.16^. First quarter in 35^, the half in 1.08, the three-quarters in 1.42| and the mile in 2.13|. 264 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. At Pittsburg, July 13th, first quarter 33 seconds, 'naif mile 1.05|, threes quarters 1.37^, and the mile in 2.10J, beating her former record. At Chicago, July 23, three heats. The first mile, 2.21|. The second mile, first quarter, 34|, half mile in 1.06, the thixje-quarters in 1.38 and the mile in 2.1^. The third mile, first quarter, in 34 seconds, the half in 1.06|, the three-fourths in 1.37^, and the mile in 2.11. This was considered the greatest performance ever achieved by Maud S. Beside trotting the three fastest miles ever trotted by any horse, the track over which it was done was believed by the best judges to be at least three seconds slow. Her best record up to August, 1881, was made at Rochester (August 11th), when she trotted ihe mile without a break in 2.10^. W. W. Bair is entitled to great credit for developing the wonderful speed of Maud S. She is a highly-bred mare, and wants to be humored. Her heart is won by kindness. She will not stand harsh treatment; will not prove obedient under rough usage. Both Bair and his wife made much of Maud S. They jetted her and treated her to apples and lumps of sugar. The result is that she will eagerly respond to their call. When jogging on the track at Chester Park the presence of Mrs. Bair near the rail at any time would cause Maiud to turn in that direction. During the winter the mare ran in a roomy box. In April she was put in front of a break-cart, and Mr. Bair drove her about tVe streets of Clifton and Cincinnati, and thus got her accustomed to the noise and bustle of the toiling world. He also harnessed her double, and taught her to drive on either side. She always behaved well to the pole. She does not like blinds to her bridle, but will trot with any kind of bit in her mouth. All she asks is that the driver shall not pull on the bit. She wears a 15|- ounce shoe forward and a 9-ounce shoe behind. She also carries 4-ounce toe weights. After her brilliant career iu 1881, Mr. \'aiiderbilt Avilhdrt'w Maud S. from the track, and placed her in his own private stables in New York. Her quiet life was not satisfactory, however, to her many friends, wiu) became so great an annoyance to her owner that in 1884 he sold her to Mr. Robert S. Bonner, who was already the owner of many fine horses. Forty thoi^and dollars is the reputed price paid for her. She was then put to several tests merely to beat her own record. She scored a mile in 2.09f, at Cleveland, August 2d, 1884, and on November 11th, 1884, at Ijexington, Ky., Mr. Bair drove hci- the mile iu 2.09^, the fastest time ever made by a horse. PART II. Diseases of the Horse-. •CHEIR CAUSES, HOW TO PREVENT, HOW TO KNOA» Aim HOW TO CUKE. Diseases of the Horse. THBIB CAUSES; HOW TO ENOW, AND HOW TO CXTBE THEIL CHAPTER I. I. DinKWCCTIOM.— — n. KXTKRNAL MANIFSSTAnOIV OF URWASB, I. Introduction. The various diseases to which the horse is subject, embrace nearly all those afflicting the human family, and including among them, as most common, diseases of the skin and its integuments, those of the muscles, of the ligaments, and of the bones, quite rare in the human family, and to which the horse might be completely exempt, were it not for the igno- rance, and in very many cases the brutality of the master in over-driving, over-weighting, leaping, beating, neglect in clothing when heated, care- lessness in grooming, want of proper ventilation in stables, and the withholding of proper and sufficient food. Take away these causes of disease and the labors of the veterinary surgeon would be light. We should see but little of caries of the bones, causing degeneration of the substance ; of spavin, curb, ringbone, splint ; of injuries to the sinews and tendons, causing breaking down ; swellings and other of the most serious afflictions ; poll evil and other fistulous diseases ; of fractures ; of rheumatism ; founder, including grease, inflamed glands and veins, cracks of the hoofs, quittor, hernia, and all that class of diseases attacking the faithful servant of man, and henceforth rendering him useless for the purposes of pleasure or profitable labor. Instead of ending the sufferings of the tortured animal by mercifully taking its life, many owners for the «ftke of the few paltry dollars received, transfer the once favorite steed 255 256 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. to some one else equally inhuman, who thenceforth drives and goads the sufferer to labor under the most torturing circumstances, until the animal economy, entirely disorganized, perhaps by years of such unmitigated torture, drops and dies. The object of this treatise is to so enlighten the horse owner in the nature of disease as to enable him to determine whether treatment can be made effective — if so, what to do; and especially is it the purpose to so acquaint him with the causes^ that occasion for treatment may be averted. By a study of the facts we give it may be easily known whether cure is possible, and if not it is more merciful to kill and end th© mis^r/ of the poor animal. EXTERNAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SOME DISEASES OF THE HORSE. II. External Manifestation of Disease. For all the diseases we have mentioned l)ut little medicine is needed. Rest and nursing are most needed — often months of rest and care, as in the case of spavin, commencing in inflammation and ending in the depo- sition of bony matter, stiffening of the joint, or, as in the case of exostosis of the heads of the bones, they in time become quite anchylosed» THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 257 when lameness ceases from the suspension of action of the joints caused by their complete solidification or growing together. That the reader may form a more correct idea of what we here write, and have it brought plainly to view, we present an illustration of some of the principal diseases of the bones and tissues, caused generally by abuse, with a sfiort description of their origin. The treatment will be given in the proper place, A — Caries of the Jaw. Ulceration of the lower jaw, sometimes ends in mortification. Caused by bruises from barbarous bits and curb chains. B — Fistula of the Parotid Duct. Fistulas are caused by bruises or undue compression of the parts producing inflammation and abscess. C — Bony Excrescence. (Exostosis of the jaw). A blow upon a bone will produce inflammation followed by exostosis (bony growth through increased nutrition) — that of the joints being fearfully painful. D — Swelling by pressure of the bridle, causing inflammation, and sometimes tumors. E — Poll Evil. A painful fistulous disease, often diflScult to cure. F — Inflamed Parotid Gland. Caused by a bruise or compression. G — Inflamed Jugular Vein, caused in various ways, often by careless- ness after bleeding. H — Fungus Tumor, from compression of the collar. The result of galls and subsequent want of care, and inattention. / — Fistida of the Withers, caused gene»ally by pressure of the saddle. J — Saddle Gall, caused by a bad fitting saddle ; sometimes ending in sitiasts. K — Twmoro/^Ae^^So?!;, caused generally by interference of the shoe in lying down ; sometimes by a blow. Called also, Capped Elbow. L — Induration of the Knee, caused by blows in falling. M — Clap of the Back Sinews, caused by severe exertion in running and leaping, destroying the integrity of the sinews of the leg. iV — Mallenders, scurfy manifestations at flexions of the knee, sometimos becoming cracked and itchy. — Splint, caused by blows, kicks, etc., on the shins. They are to be dreaded as interfering with the action of the sinews. P — Ringbone, caused by starting heavy loads, or excessive pulling in going up hill. Q — Tread upon the Coronet, the contusion of the shoe of one foot by treading on the other, causing laceration of the coronet and of the horn of the hoof. i? — Quitter, confined pus, from prick of the sole, corns, or injury to coronet. 258 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. S — Quarter Sand Crack. Imperfect secretion caused by dryness oi the hoof ; rupture of the laminae. T — Contracted Hoof, or ringed hoof of a foundered horse. The result of Laminatis. U— Capped Hock. Injuring the point of the hock. y — Sallenders. Scurfy eruptions on the seat of flexion of the hock. Similar to mallenders. "[y — Spavin. Inflammation causing painful bony enlargement, some« times stiff joint. Caused by blows, slipping and hard work, often from weak limbs. X — Curb. Inflammation and lameness of the posterior part of the hock, ending in bony formation. Caused by wrenching or straining the limb. Y-^Swelled Sinews, caused by strains or bruises, producing inflamma- tion, and ending in enlargement. Z — Thick Leg, caused by various injuries to the joint. Any inflamma- tion may result in a thickening of the integuments. In all inflammatory difficulties of this nature, including, spavin, curb, etc., cold water faithfully applied at the outset will be indicated, but often the trouble is not known until too late for cold water. The warm water fomentations will then be indicated. [See treatment]. 1 — Grease, caused by debility, excessive labor and neglect, filthy sur- roundings, from stoppage of the secretions. Scratches are from the same cause, as working in the mud without proper cleaning, etc. 2- — Toe Sand Crack, caused by the same difficulty as quarter sand crack. 3 — Quarter Crack. [See sand crack]. These are occasioned generally by severe labor of animals not strong in the feet, by which the walls are ruptured, by breaking the hoof with the calk of another foot. False quarter is occasioned by the absence of the outside and harder portion of the hoof. 4 — Ventral Hernia . Rupture by which the bowel lies next the skin. When hernia is accompanied with strangulation it becomes dangerous. 5 — Rat Tail, loss of the hair of the tail. Fuller facts as to causes and treatment of these disorders will be found in the appropriate place in this work. CHAPTER n. DISEASES OF THE SEIN AND SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUEfl r. SCRATCHES. II. GREASE. III. THRUSH. IV. SWELLED ANKLES. . V. SWELLED LEGS. VI. SURFEIT. VII. MANCE. VIII. RINGHWORM. -IX HIDE-BOUND. X. SADDLE GALLS, OR SITFASTS. XI. FUNGOUS COLLAK TUMOR. XII. WARTS. XIII. VERMIN. XIV. LARVA IN THE SKIN, XV. TETTER. XVI. RAT-TAILS. XVII. MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS.— — XVIII. POLL EVIL. XIX. FISTULA. Of skin diseases there are two classes : those resultingf from neo-leot and general bad treatment, and those due to disorders of the internal organs with which the skin is in sympathy, or which inflame it by unnat- ural excretions or irritants in the blood. It is almost impossible perfectly to classify them, since even some that are generally considered to arise from constitutional causes may be produced by external circumstances, and the reverse. In the following sections we treat the most important of both classes. Others of less moment will be found in our chapter entitled ' * Miscella- neous Matters and Suggestions, ISlinor Disorders, etc." I. Scratches. Causes. — These are various ; as, clipping the heels, which is sometimes done, and thus destroying nature's covering, so as to allow the parts to become chilled ; washing off the legs with soap and water without subse- quently thoroughly drying them, and then suffering them to be exposed to cold air ; standing in snow or snow-slush ; standing in or upon hot and steaming manure of any kind, while in stable ; or being long in mud and filth while in service and not subsequently carefully cleaned. Aiij-thing that will produce inflammation of the skin of the heel, or in any wav *reaken it, may produce scratches. As is the case with other local disorders, this is most easily and rapidly 17 259 260 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. developed when the horse is not in a condition of good general healtlk , but foul stables, while furnishing the irritating filth immediately to tli6 scat of this disease vitiate the air also, and thus tend to bring about « two-fold trouble. It is believed to be sometimes due to the existence on the skin of pa^ asitic plants and insects. The sure preventive is to keep the horse, if possible, in good general condition ; and to confine him, when he must be confined at all, only in a dry, clean, and well-ventilated stall. When he is forced to be worked during the day in mud or slush he should be neither stabled nor turned out to pasture until both his feet and his legs are well washed and thoroughly «lried. How to know it. — Scratches are said to be unknown to European horse- men ; but it is so well known in the United States as to render a descrip' tion well nigh unnecessary. It appears on the back part of the foot, srenerallv of the hind foot ; and extends from the heel to the fetlock. It has been known entirely tq encircle the foot, and to extend upward to the hock and to the knee. The parts are sometimes hot, swollen and sensi- tive before any cracking or ulceration takes place ; then they become dry and scaly, and crack open by ordinary motion. A horse thus affected is apt to manifest a disposition to walk stiffly, with his hind legs, (when the disease is seated in the hind heels), wider apart than ordinary, and to throw his foot rather violently forward when an effort is made to exam- ine it. It is often the case that at first there are little patches of a thick, dry, scabby covering of the skin ; and these spread and inflame until they form a solid mass of scab and matted hair. These scabs may be distinguished from those which sometimes appear in other skin diseases by this, that they have an unusual itchiness, which leads the horse to rub them as much as possible ; and he often does this until they bleed and become raw. This disposition of the suffering creature to scratch himself is said to have originated the name by which the disease is known. What to do. In cases where the patient is in good condition, and the disease is in its incipient stage, a thorough cleansing of the parts witk castile soap and warm water, and applying an emollient or softening poultice for a day or two, with rest, will be sufficient. If there seems to be feverishness of the system, a dose or two of Epsom salts to move the bowels, given in doses of from one to three ounces at a time, well b« beneficial. The following is for ordinary cases a most efficacious and easily used •emedy : THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 261 N». 1. >i Oz. powdered gum camphor, 1 Oz. gum myrrh, 1 Fluid oz. sulphuric acid, 1 Fluid oz. spirits of turpentine, 1 Pint of lard. Mix iboroaghly, and rub the ointment well upon the heels once a day. The legs and feet should be washed with soap suds before every applioft^ tion. When the disedSb is chronic, and proud flesh has appeared, make t poultice of ground flax seed and lime-water ; sprinkle burnt alum over the poultice, and apply. Use two or three poultices a day until the proud flesh has evidently disappeared, then use the ointment No. 1 as jibove directed. Another course of treatment, to be adopted Avhen there is a disordered condition of general health, and evidences of vitiated blood are man- ifested, is this : First bleed ; but observe to regulate the quantity of blood drawn by the condition of the animal as xo flesh and strength. If he is poor and weak, take from the neck vein about three pints, and after nine days a like quantity. If he is plainly in poor general health, but not reduced in flesh and still strong, bleed once, taking from the neck vein three quarts. Then make careful and thorough application of ointment No. 1. It may well be stated here that in our practice Ave do not often resoiii to bleeding, nor do we recommend ii except in rare cases. To the man, however, Avho finds it both profitable und agreeable to be his own stock doctor it is often the quickest, easiest, and safest means of removing vitrious humors, and bringing about a n;ore natural and healthful circula- tion. In some acute diseases of violent character, as pleurisy, mad staggers, and the like, it is frequently of vhe first importance, sometimes almost the only hope ; but we would caution the reader against the indiscriminate blood-letting of the old practitioners. Observe well the symptoms; consult this department of "The Stock Doctor " carefully ; and you will not fall into the mistake of taking away gallons of blood when a little rest, some good grooming, and plenty of nutritious, life- giving food, are the things mostly required. T*ie manner of blood-letting will be found to have been treated of in our chapter entitled "Impl»i ments : what to keep and how to use." The foreofoing: methods will answer in all oMinary cases ; but if thus patient has not been taken in hand till the disease has become chronic and obstinate, the following is a most excellent preparation and may be used instead of No. 1. It requires care in the using, as it will discolor the hands and corrode the nails if it comes in contact AN^ith them, aod it •hould never be entrusted to bungling and inconsiderate gi'ooms ; but ix 262 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. I the hands of careful horsemen it is a most valuable remedy for all obstl. nate wounds, bruises, galls, tumors, and sores. We shall refer to it in subsequent i)ortions of the work as cahiphorated corrosive auhlimate or No. 2. 1 Pint spirits of turpentine, 1 Oz. llnely pulverized corrosive sublimate, 1 Oz. gum camphor. Have the corrosive sublimate very finely ground in a druggist's mortar, (the efficacy of the compound depends much upon this) ; pulverize the gum camphor ; put all together into a good strong bottle, and shake thoroughly. Then let it stand for at least twenty-four hours — longer would be better, as it becomes more and more valuable with age and repeated shakings — and it will do to use. In applying it, saturate a small mop, made of soft rags, neatly and firmly tied upon a stick. Wash before making first application of No. 2, but afterwards, unless the foot becomes very foul, this need not be done. The liniment should be applied once a day till cure is effected. Keep the horse out of the wet during treatment, especially if the cam- j)horated corrosive sublimate is used. See to it, also, that his stable is not only dry, but airy. If it is pasture time, he will need no other food than grass, unless it is found necessary to stable him, to keep him from rains and dews. In any event, he ought to be fed rather lightly at first, and with food not calculated to inflame. If the time is Winter give as much green, soft food as can be conveniently had, such as roots, chops, etc. n. Grease, or Cracked Heels. Causes. — This disease is but a modification of scratches and of thrush .—partaking more of the nature of thrush, however, than of scratches, a? it is confined almost exclusively to the heel, the seat of the thrush, which is seldom attacked by the scratches. It is occasionally the result of constitutional weakness or derangement. When the system abounds in morbid matter, its tendency is towards the heels, and debility is felt in the distended vessels remote from the vital organs, ending in inflammation of the skin of the heels, distension of the sebaceous glands, a stinking deposit on the surface, and a purulent dis charo-e throuj^h cracks. Cutting away the hair of the fetlock, and thus exposing to sudden and protracted cold the parts which it is designed to protect, often causes thic affection, even in animals of otherwise good condition. Frequently, however, it may be regarded as most probably a secondary disease, originating in some other, which has resulted from careless or nhuman treatment, or from constitutional weakness. THE HORSE, SKIN' DISEASES, ETC. 26a It is not contagious ; but filth and want of attention will produce it in nearly all horses similarly subjected to their influences. How to know it. — It manifests nearl}^ the very same symptoms as thrush, as given in the following section; but there is one striking pecu- liarity which distinguishes it from thrush, foot-evil, and other disorders Df that kind — the heel cracks open. In a healthy state, the heel of the horse is moistened, and so kept from becoming dry and hard, by a con- stant secretion and discharge of an oily fluid from the cellular tissues under the skin. When this is obstructed, the skin becomes dry and feverish, and looks scurfy and hot. It soon thereafter cracks, and the pent-up oily secretion, now turned to a foul, yellowish water, flows out. As the flow of matter increases, it becomes more and more thick, stickey, and stinking ; and if not attended to, the heel and sides of the foot become a mass of ulcerated excrescenses. It sometimes manifests itself by the oozing out of a thin matter through the pores of the skin from some deep-seated disease of either the coffin-bone or the navicular Joint — most fre- quently the latter. The more effective treatment in this case would of course be that directed to the healing of the primary disorder. What to do. — The treatment necessary is sim- ilar to that for scratches. In the first place, see to it that the causes which have induced it shall no longer operate. If the disease is secondary, it must be somewhat difficult to manage ; and the ani- mal should be allowed to rest, taking only such ex- ercise as nature prompts, in an open pasture, ex- cept in bad weather. When it is necessary to con- fine him, give him a good stable, dry litter, and pure air. Remember that rest is one of the first conditions of success ; while constant driving or any other labor will most probably defeat the ends of the ph3'sician. If the disease is discovered in its early stage, and the general health of the animal has not suffered, cleanse the parts well with tepid water and castile soap, and make occasional applications of No. 2, or the camphor- ated corrosive sublimate, say once a daj^ till a cure is effected. A few applications will generally be found sufficient. If the horse is thin m flesh, and in a low state of health from the effects of this disease, mix sulphur and rosin, in the proportion of two FiBST Stage of Confibmbb Greas* Exudation. Second Stage of Coi»- FiBMED Grease CBAeks. 264 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. parts of the former to one of the hitter, and give him a quarter of t pound of this every third day until he has taken three or four doses. Meanwhile, thoroughly saturate the parts at least every other day \\ ith No. 2 till the disease is thoroughly conquered. If the liniment forms a scab upon the heel, so hard and dry that the remedial eifects seem to cease, omit the liniment for several days and keep the heel well greased. The scab will come off, and then the appli- cation of the liniment, (No. 2), may be resumed. This course must be persevered in till a cure is effected. The liniment should be applied at night ; and the horse should not be turned into pasture when the grass is wet ^\^th dew or rain — at any rate, not till six hours after the application has been made. In Summer, pa»sturage will in general afford sufficient food ; but in Winter it should be more nourishing, yet green and succulent as far as possible. Roots and good bran mashes ought to be given in reasonable quantity. Grain, as a regular diet in this case, is objectionable, on account of its tendency to produce inflammation. After three doses of the sulphur and rosin have been given, as directed, the following mixture, given every night until all traces of the active disease have disappeared, will be found an excellent tonic or strengthen- ing medicine, and having the effect, too, of giving healthy tone to the fikin : No. 3. }i Oz. liquor of arsemcalis, 1 Oz. tincture of muriate of iron, >i Pint of water. This constitutes a dose. Mix and give as a drench. When it is difficult to procure No. 2, the following may be prepared and substituted therefor : No. 4. 8 Oz. tar, 1 Oz. beeswax, 1 Oz. rosin, 1 Oz. alum, 1 Oz. tallow, 1 Oz. sulphate of iron, 1 Drachm carbolic acid. Mix, and boil over a slow fire, stirring as long as dirty scum appears, •od then add 2 oz. of the scrapings of sweet elder. m. Thrush. Causes. — This, like scratches, results for the most part from foul •tables, — the horses being forced to stand in mortar of dung and urine, — •r from working in muddy and filthy places, without having his feet and legs well cleansed when he is unharnessed for the night. THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 265 It is sometimes caused by injuries to the frog of tlie foot, as bruising, snagging, and improper shoeing. It may arise also from a gross habit of body, producing inlianmiation of tiie sensitive frog, when a spongy substance is deposited instead of sound horn ; and this breaks away and leaves the frog ragged and tender. Again, it may come from too frequently stopping soft frogs with cow dung, as is the practice of some grooms, thus encouraging rather than curing decomposition. Lastly, it may be secondary, having resulted from other diseases, superinduced by want of cleanliness and care. How to Know It. — In some cases, the only means of detecting the existence of thrush is a peculiar smell, or by very careful examination, as the hoof may show no change, and the frog may not be tender. In this case the cleft of the frog will generally be found lengthened and deepened, the opening extending to the sensitive horn within, and this, Avhen thus closely observed, shows discharge of matter. The progress of the disease is often slow, though showing meanwhile no disposition to heal ; till after awhile the frog begins to contract, becomes tender, grows rough and brittle, and emits a more offensive discharge. The horny part disappears, and a hardened substance takes its place ; this easily scales off and leaves the sensitive frog uncovered. In its advanced state, it is very easily detected, as it "is characterized by a continuous discharge of offensive matter from the cleft of the frog. If not reasonably attended to, proud flesh sprouts up ; and as this spreads the whole foot becomes involved in canker. What to do. — In the first place, if the causes which have produced the disease are still in operation, remove these. In any case, when the horse is to be stabled, use dry litter, and see that the stall is kept clear of moist excrement, and that it is well ventilated. If the disease is secondary, the treatment must of course b^ directed to removing the affection from which it has sprung. In its simple stages, it may be easily cured in the following manner: Clean well with soap suds, and allow to dry. Then, wet a piece of cloth or string of tow with the liniment No. 2, and press it into the cleft of the frog and the corresponding part of the heel. Remove the tow^ next morning. Continue this treatment, (putting in the saturated tow at crening), for four days; then omit a day; and so on until a cure is effected. Or, sprinkle a small quantity of blue vitriol in the cleft of the frog, and then fill up the cavities with cotton, which so press in as to keep out all dirt. Repeat until the foot is cured. 266 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. When it has arisen from grossncss and inflammation, rather than fror% filth or other local cause, give a dose of Epsom salts, from six to cighV ounces, according to degree of inflammation ; use less stinmlating food, and give him reguhir, but not too severe exercise every day. The local application nmst not be of a stimulating character. Put the foot in a bran poultice, and let it remain for some days, till the inflammation is reduced. Be careful, however, not to use the poultice too much, as undue softening is injurious. Then dress the frog with tar ointment, (a mixture of equal parts of tar and gi'ease ) . If the frog is found not to harden by the application of the tar ointment, moisten it occasionall}'^ with a solution of 10 grs. of blue-stone to 1 oz. of water; or, (which is a somewhat more j^owerful medicine), 5 grs. of chloride of zinc to 1 oz. of water. When the disease has become chronic, it is hard to effect a cure, and the following course ought to be adopted : Clean away all the ragged portions of horn, so as to reach the sensitive parts. Then smear some tow with this ointment. No. 5. 1 Drachm ointment of nitrate of mercury, 1 Oz. zinc ointment, 4 Drops creosote. Mix well ; and having smeared the tow with the preparation, as directed, press it into the cleft of the foot and retain it there by a bar shoe, slightly tacked on. Apply this every da}^ observing its effects. If found not to do well, tty a wash made of six gi'ains of sulphate of zinc, dissolved in one ounce of water. As the frog grows, it should be kept supple with tar ointment. The bar shoe should be kept on until the frog is fully developed. Some degree of pressure must be employed by means of tow, and this pressure should be increased as the horn increases in substance. When proud flesh is obstinate it may be burnt away at once by forcing a stick of nitrate of silver (lunar caustic,) into it. In chronic cases, the horse should have, once a day, in his food, an alterative dose, (a mild improver of health), say a table-spoonful of sulphur and powdered sassafras, of each an equal quantity. The following mixture is sometimes found valuable when there is a tendency to proud flesh. The ingredients are to be well stirred together and sprinkled into the cleft of the frog, where it must be confined in th« wme manner as directed f pr powdered blue vitriol alone ; Wo. 6. 1 Oz powdered blue vitriol, 1 Oz. copperas, 2 Oz. burnt alum, 1-2 Oz. white vitriol. THE HOnyE, 8KIX DISEASES, ETC. 267 IV. Swelled Ankles. Causes. — This affection invariably arises from a diseased condition ot Ihc feet. Its origin may sometimes be traced to diseases of the navicular and lower pastern joints ; but it is known to proceed for the most part from hoof rot. It seems occasionally, however, to result from a plethoric condition of the general system, a superabundance of blood, hara work, severe strains, etc., etc. How to Know It. — Confined almost wholly to the ankle joints, it is not difficult of detection — the only point of importance being to determine whether the swelling is merely spasmodic and temporary, or whether it is the result of a primary disorder which requires attention. It is generally perceptible of a morning, and disappears during the day, because exercise restores healthful action ; but when there is really a diseased condition of the bottom of the foot, the fever caused thereby inflames the membrane of the joint, under the skin, while the horse is inactive, and the swelling again takes place. If the ankles present a swollen appearance from morning to morning, attention should be directed to discover the real condition of the foot ; and appropriate treatment must be resorted to before the disease takes the chronic and more advanced form of swelled legs, cracked heels, or scratches. What to do. — If the swelling proceeds from plethora, or too gi-eat fulness of the general system, give an occasional dose of Epsom salts, to reduce the tendency to inflammation ; and feed upon green and succu- ient food. If it proceeds from soreness of the bottom of the foot, apply No. 2 freely every day for four days ; then omit for two days, and apply again. If there is any appearance of thrush or cracked heels, treat as directed for the removal of these. V. Swelled Legs. Causes. — Swelled legs may be the result either of an undue deposit of serum or watery particles of the blood, or of inflammation of the cellular tissue lying between the skin and bones in those parts of the leg most destitute of muscles. A poor condition of the blood, or feebleness from great loss of it, may cjuse the legs to swell, since the fluids conveyed to the extremities by the capillaries accumulate there, because, in the absence of muscular activity, the veins have no power to return them. Diseased kidneys have a tendency to produce this disorder of the leo-s. The inflammatory type may result from blows upon the lower leg ; Trom concussion; or, in general, from anything that may aiTest the 268 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. action of the cellular ti.ssue referred to, causing it to lu'coine dry and au length acutely inflamed. It may also arise from the shifting of inliam* mation from other parts, as from the lungs, kidneys, etc. Horses of coarse tiber and full habit, accustomed to exercise, if allowed to stand idle several days, will have swelled legs from the accumulation of watery fluid ; and, if unattended to, the parts may soon be attacked hy inflammation, when the tissues become involved, and the di.^ease assumes its more serious type. It is occasionally a mere extension of the effects of cracked heels, with its primary cause resting in whatever may have produced the primary disorder. How to know it. — The leg becomes greatly swollen, and looks sm though it was stretched to its utmost tension. Occasionally, the swell- ing appears almost suddenlj^ and then as suddenly subsides, in which case the cause may be considered as having but just begun to operate ; and if now treated, it is easily managed. Again, it is sometimes sudden in its attack, and violent ; the skin is hot, dry, and extremely tender, and the pulse is quick and hard, while a peculiar lameness speedily sets in. The swelling may extend to the sheath and along the belly, as far as the muscles of the breast. In the more advanced stage of the disease small cracks appear in the skin , and from these exudes a watery matter, of whitish-yellow color, similar to that which is seen in cracked heels. In this case it must be taken for granted that no treatment, however skilfull, can speedily remove it ; that the improvement must be slow, and consequently much time required. What to do. — If the disease seems to be merely undue deposit of serum, owing to confinement, nothing more may be necessary than to give the animal a dose or two of niter, daily, to act upon the kidneys ; and to exercise him regularly, to induce absolution. In the adminis- tering of a diuretic, however, even so simple as niter, care should be taken that it is not left to ignorant and irresponsible grooms, since it may be given in excess, and result in disordering the kidneys, and thus ultimately inducing the very disease which it is intended to remed}'. When there is a tendency to swelled legs which manifests itself in tliiP morning, but disappears during the exercise of the day, an excellent pre- ventive is to stand the horse in cold water to his knees, half an liour, just before night, and then rub dry before stabling; but care must be taken to dry the legs thoroughly, or the plan is plainly objectionable. If it should be found not to yield to this, administer the niter in modera- tion, as previously directed, and exercise the horse regularly, causing him THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 269 to sweat, both of which have a tendency to diminish the accumulated fluid, and to assist the veins and absorbents in their functions. In case the horse is in a debilitated condition, and the swelling is mani- festly owing to the sluggishness of the circulation, he should be well fed, on nutritious diet, and the leg or legs should be firmly, but not tightly, bandaged. Then prepare the followiiig — a tonic and somewhat stimulat- ing medicine : I No. 7. >i Oz. pulverized assafoetida, 1 Oz. cream of tartar, 2 Oz. powdered gentian, 2 Oz. African ginger, 4 Oz. finely pulverized poplar bark. Rub these ingredients together in a mortar until thoroughly mixed. Divide this into six doses, and give one, in the food, every night till exhausted. The bandage should be removed from time to time, and the limb subjected to a brisk hand-rubbing, or rubbing with a medium coarse cloth. If the disease has become chronic, and the animal is much debilitated, the following more stimulating medicine should be used. No. 8. 1 Oz. powdered golden seal, 1 Oz. gentian, 1 Oz. balmony, (or snakehead), >^ Lb. fiax seed. Mix well ; and divide into six doses, of which give one night and morning in the food. Bandage and rub alternately, as previously directed. If the disease does not speedily show signs of 3delding to this treatment, apply, every night, omitting the bandage, the following liniment : Ko. 9. 2 Oz. essence of cedar, 1 Oz. tincture of capsicum, 1 pint new rum. When cracking of the skin has taken place, so that matter exudes, ant^ there is much fever, the following course has been found eminently suc- cessful, and must be at once adopted : First, take from the neck vein three quarts of blood. Mix finely pulverized sulphur and rosin, in the proportion of two parts of the former to one of the latter ; and give daily, for three or four days, six ounces of this mixture. It should be put into meal or bran, and the horse should be allowed no other food until he readily takes this. Meanwhile, apply No. 2 every morning to the parts most evidently affected, until the swelling has entirely subsided. In these chronic cases, it is best not to feed on very nutritious, or at 270 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. least, stimulating food, unless the horse is in low general condition. Ordinarily, pasturing will be best, when the season admits of it. If it does not, he should have light, moist diet ; and his stable should be clean, dry, roomy, and so supplied with litter as to induce him to lie down as much as possible. VI. Surfeit. Causes. — This disease, sometimes known as prurigo, has for its pre- disposing cause a thick and impure state of the blood, with deranged condition of the digestive organs. When the animal is in such case, any sudden exposure to chill, especially when he has been heated, will pro- duce surfeit-pimples ; and unless the general condition be attended to, a contirmed case of skin disease may be the result. It generally appears in the Spring, at the time of shedding, when the skin is more exposed than at any other time of year, and the horse is still exposed to sudden spells of cold and w^et weather. The skin, thus bare, is easily affected ; and if the chill is severe or too frequently repeated, inflammation sets in, and the cuticle or outer skin becomes hard and dry because the pores are so closed as to retain the oily secre- tions necessary to moisten the surface. Some poisonous herbs produce this, or a similar, eruption of the skin, and musty hay has been known to have a like effect. Quick surfeit, or that Avhich arises suddenly, even in animals in good general condition, upon being overheated and suddenly cooled by chill air or an over-draught of water, may disappear upon his being brought to a sweat by exercise ; but that which is contracted while the horse is in general ill condition is apt to become confirmed, and, unless timely atten- tion is bestowed, may settle on the lungs and cause serious trouble. How to know it. — No symptoms precede an attack of surfeit by which its approach may be known. The pimples or lumps, in quick surfeit, suddenly appear, and almost as quickly subside. When a case of con- firnicd surfeit has sot in, the skin is hard, dry, and feverish ; and pimples appear, sometimes confined to the neck, ])ut more frequently spread over the sides, back, loins, and quarters. Occasionally, these are attended with great itching, while again they seem to cause no annoyance. When they have remained a few days, they discharge, in small quantities, a thin, whitish, oily matter. Small, scabby excrescences, formed by the dis- charging sores, cover the parts. These come off, taking the hair with them, and leaving a small scaly spot^ — sometimes, though rarely, a sore. Surfeit is sometimes mistaken for button-farcy ; but it may be distin- guished from this by the shape of the pimples : in surfeit these are THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 271 elevated in the center ; whereas, in farcy the lumps are rather flat on top and have thick edges, like a button in the skin. Farcy buds generally A Horse Affected with Surfeit. appear on the inside of the thighs and fore legs, while surfeit pimpiee are seldom found in these places. If not promptly and properly attended to, surfeit is likely to degen- erate into mange, which it is sometimes taken to be, even in its early stages ; but it may be known from mange by tiying the short hairs at the roots of the mane : if it is mange, they will be loose and come out> but if surfeit, they will show their natural condition. What to do. — If the general condition of the horse is good, and the affection has evidently arisen from sudden exjDosure or some other imprudence on the part of the person having him in charge, little treatment will be necessary. Prevent costiveness and keep down fever by cooling food, such as bran mashes, roots, and other moist provender. Give arsenical drink once a day, a pint at a time, to act on the skin, until cure is effected, being careful, meanwhile, if the weather is cool, to keep the horse comfortably warai — blanketing him if necessary; and a half hour's walking exercise should be given him daily. The arsenical drink consists of these ingredients in the proportions named ; No. 10. 1 Fluid oz. arsenicalis, or Fowler's solution, 1 >i Fluid oz. tincture of muriate of iron, 1 Quart water. If the disease has sprung from a thick and impure state of the bloody disordered digestive organs, and general ill condition, take from thb 272 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. neck vein from three to five quails of blood, according to strength^ extent of eruption and degree of fever. Keej) hhn from becoming costive ])v cooling and laxative food, as previously directed ; see that he is comfortably stabled, if the weather is at all inclement, and givd, oa •t^veral successive nights, the following alterative : No. 11. 2 Drachms levigated (finely ground) antimony, 3 Drachms niter, 4 Drachms sulphur. The food should be good — if possible, green and succulent; and It wjtl be found advantageous to take the chill from wkter given him, if the weather is at all cold. If the appetite is bad, place gi-uel in the manger, so thi't he may use it instead of water till stronger food is relished. If it is Summer, or Spring is sufficiently advanced to be mild, he maj be turned to pasture ; but in any event, he should be allowed to rest during treatment. In the more confirmed cases a speedy cure is not to be expected ; but good food, not of a nature to induce costiveness and inflammation, and proper cai-e as to warmth and cleanliness, together with a proper use of No. 11, will bring the patient round in time. In very obstinate cases, occasionally anoint those parts where the umps appear with a mixture of sulphur and lard,, in equal proportions. VII. Mange. Causes. — This is sometimes brought about by the same causes as surfeit ; or rather, it is indeed but an advanced or chronic stage of that disease ; though in some cases of the same kind, it is of a much more serious character in itself, and highly contagious. When not a mere secondary stage of neglected surfeit, its immediate cause is a parasite — the acarus — bred in the skin of the animal when subjected to dirt and filth, and debilitated by hard living and ill usage, or by total neglect and lack of food. The acarus produces mange in the horse in the same manner as the human parasite produces itch in man ; but it is of a different species, and frequently so large as to be visible to the naked eye. Neglect, starvation, and accumulated filth having induced a depraved state of the digestive apparatus, with which the skin sympathises, and the insect once having obtained a lodgment, the horse, unless promptly taken iu hand, soon becomes a loathsome object, and dies. The disease once contracted in this way, may be communicated to even Bound animals, in good condition ; in fact, the great majority of cases ire thus contracted, as comparatively few animals are so utterly neglected THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 273 « ^sXjjosed tK filthy influences as to become in themselves the generators i Drachm iodine, 1 Drachm iodide of potash, 1 Oz. cosmoline. If through neglect and long standing it has ulcerated, use this ointment twice daily : No. ItJ. 6 Oz. pyroligneous acid, 5 Oz. ImseecS oil, 2 Oh. spit its oi camphor. If it has become obstinate — not yielding to the foregoing treatment — • apply a blister directly over the patch, and then treat as for a common 8ore, using some simple ointment. If there are signs of constipation and fever, care must be taken to keep the bowels open and regular, and to avoid stimulating grain food. A seasonable supply of cut grass and sliced potatoes, or of carrots, if they can be obtained, should be allowed. If in Spring and Summer, and the horse is not in active use, put him to pasture for a few days. When the horse shows a tendency to weakness, as is sometimes the /jase with young animals, and with those suffering from neglect, give good nutritious food, and tonic medicine in moderation. To prevent spreading the contagious form, clean the stable where a horse so afflicted has stood, and wliit6-wash its interior thoroughly. Wash the harness, collars, and whatever else may have covered the ring- worm, with strong soap and water, and rub them over with a solution of corrosive sublimate, (one drachm to a pint of water.) If the horse has been blanketed while suffering with the disease, the blanket should be well boiled. IX. Hide-bound. Causes — Strictly speaking, this is not of itself a disease, though th« *kin is in a peculiarly abnormal condition, but the result of a diseased condition of the general system or of derangement of some specific vjtal function. With respect to the cuiuses from which it arises, it is some- what similar to mange ; but, unlike mange, it is neither eruptive nor contagious. Poverty and cruel usage — ^the food being deficient in quantity or THK HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 27T Onk of the Cad8ks of Hide-bound in Horses. quality, and the labor onerous — ^bring on impaired digestion ; the blood becomes thick, dark, and feverish, because the secretive processes are sluggishl}^ performed ; the skin sympathizes with these internal disorders, and the lubricating fluid through the pores is suspended ; and then, instead of remaining soft and pliant, it becomes dry and adheres to the body. A disordered state of the stomach, bowels, and urinary and respirator}^ organs may be considered as having produced it when no specific form of disease can be discovered as existing ; but it is an almost invariable accompaniment, in a greater or less degree of intensity, of big head, glanders, grease, farcy, founder, distemper, bad cases of swinney, big shoulder, lock-jaw, consumption, and chronic d^^sentery. The fever in these dries up the watery secretions and shrinks the hide. Formerly it was supposed to be caused by worms in the stomach and alimentary canal ; but this is erroneous. Worms may of course exist while the horse is in this state, but they are rather a consequence than a cause — ^the result of imperfect digestion and excretion. The skin, as has been elsewhere stated, sympathizes readily with the vital internal organs, and in all obscure cases hide-bound should be considered a symptom of disorder in these, and treated accordingly. How to know it — The skin is diy and hard, and the hair is rough and rusty. Both are evidently destitute of that oil by which in health they are kept in soft, pliant, and glossy condition. Adhering almost immov- ably to the ribs, legs, neck — almost every part of the body — ^the skin cannot be caught up in folds with the hand. At times it appears scurfy, and the exhalants, (ha^dng the quality of gi^ang out or evaporating), pour 278 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. forth unusual quantities of matter, the more solid portions of whicli form scales and give the horse a filthy appearance. The excrement or dung is dry, hard, and black. What to do. — Especial pains must be taken to discover, if possible, wlmt specific disease has given rise to this state of the skin. If the cause is obscure, direct the treatment to restoring a healthy condition of the digestive organs. Begin by bettering his treatment in every way. Instead of hard labor, he should have only gentle exercise, and instead of ' being left exposed to the rain, snow, and merciless winds, in barren pas- ture land or filthy barnyard, he should be well sheltered, and, in Winter, blanketed — using for this purpose two blankets joined along his back by tapes so that a space of an inch or two may be left for the escape of insensible perspiration. Instead of allowing the skin to grow clogged, torpid, and dead for want of cleanliness and friction, he should have regular daily currying and brisk rubbing with good brush or coarse cloth, which will materially aid in restoring healthy action of the skin. If it is pasture season, give him a run at good grass during the day ; but stable at night in a clean stable, furnished with dry litter, and give him a generous feed of bran and oats, or moistened bran and chopped hay. Mix with the food night and morning, the following alterative : Ko. 17 3 Oz. powdered sasafras bark, 3 Oz. sulphur, 3 Oz. salt, 2 Oz. bloodroot, 2 Oz. balmony, 1 Lb. oatmeal. Mix, and divide into twelve doses. If he appears in the beginning of the treatment to be filthy, feverish, and stiff, bleed him — ^taking from the neck vein three quarts. If the stiffness continues, bleed again after seven days, taking a like quantity. If the appetite is bad, mix^vith No. 17, (the alterative above described), a spoonful of gi'ound ginger ; but in general you should avoid cordials, tonics, and aromatics, (that is, warm and pungent medicines). They may arouse fever that would otherwise fail to develop itself, and thus defeat the object for which the mild laxatives and temperate alteratives prescribed have been given. Cordials may indeed arouse the vit.il functions to sudden action ; bUt even if no lasting fever is created, the action soon subsides, rendering it necessary to continue the cordial or forego whatever seeming adNrantage may have been derived from it. If excitment is continued by this means, the powers of nature are impaired nnd lasting injury done. A good and sufficient tonic may be furnished, of which the horse will THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASBS, ETC. 279 partake as much as the system requires, by placing a poplar pole in the stable, upon which he can conveniently gnaw. If the time is Winter, it will generally be found necessary to begin the course of treatment by gi^ang a purgative, say two ounces of Epsom salts, wbich may be repeated within seven hours if it fails to produce the desired action ; and to feed him on laxative food until constipation is overcome and a healthful action of the bowels restored. Remember that one of the very first objects is to establish regular action of the bowels ; and then generous diet, (let it be green and succu- lent if possible, but at any rate nutritious without being inflammatory), vdih cleanliness and regular friction of the hide, will do more than medicine. Do not expect to effect a speedy cure ; in any event, the very existence of hide-bound indicates chronic disorder, and all chronic dis- eases require time. If it is known to be the result of a well-defined disease, as big-head, farcy, etc., the treatment must of course be directed to the removal of that, according to directions elsewhere given in this work ; and the hide- bound will disappear as its immediate cause is removed. X. Saddle Galls, or Sit-fasts. Causes. — These are swellings, sores, and tumors, caused by ill-fitting saddle or harness. Different names are applied to them according to their appearance and character. When a mere heated swelling on the horse's back or shoulders is unattended to, while he is kept in constant use, it sometimes assumes the appearance of a dead patch of skin, and is then called a warble; when these ulcerate and discharge pus, and a leather-like piece of skin is firmly fixed upon the top of it, the name sit-fast is applied ; and when, by the use of saddle or harness before a warble or sitfast is thoroughly healed, a hard, callous lump is formed, it is called a navel gall — said to be so called because it is generally on that part of the back opposite the navel. How to know it — These swellings, sores, and tumors require no further description than has already been given. What to do. — The first and most essential thing is, that the animal shall be allowed to rest ; or at any rate be subjected to such labor only as will not require the same chafing, abrading saddle or harness which has produced the trouble. Then, if it is merely a gall or scald — a heated, tender swelling, mthout either suppuration or hardness — bathe with cold salt and water two or three times daily. When the heat and tenderness are sensibly reduced, anoint occasional! v, until the lump has entirely disappeared, with a mixture of tar and olive oil, equal parts. 280 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. If it has assumed the character of a t>itfast, do not use the knife, nor try to tear the dry skin awa}^ but bathe with warm soft water, and then apply a poultice. This must be repeated, if necessary, until the callous ^kin is easily removed, and then anoint frequently, until the sore is healed, with the following : Ko. 18. 1 Dr. iodide of potash, 6 Drs. simple ointment, 2 Drs. glycerine. When it has reached the stage of navel gall — hard, grisly, almost horny — apply daily the camphorated, corrosive sublimate. No. 2. Shake the bottle well before pouring it out ; use a mop with which to put it on ; then, when it is thoroughly saturated with this liniment, use a hot iron with which to dry it in. When one finds his horse suffering in this way under saddle or harness, his own interests, as well as the promptings of humanity, demand that he shall at once remove the cause, if possible ; but it is sometimes the case that this cannot be done — absence on a journey, military necessity, press of farm or road work, requiring regular service. Under these circumstances the saddle or harness should receive immediate attention and subsequent watchfulness on the part of the rider or driver. The padding must be taken out of the saddle or collar so as to obviate pressure on the part affected ; or, as for the saddle, the blanket may be so arranged as to lift it from the spot. The sore place must be bathed well with salt and water as soon as possible after it is discovered ; and then covered with a piece of adhesive plaster, heated, of course, until it sticks readily. If matter has formed, a hole should be cut in the middle of the plaster to allow it to escape. Treated in this way, the horse may be ridden from day to day, and recover while in use. Greasing collars and other parts of harness Avill frequently prevent that chafing which results in sores and callous tumors. If the horse, through constitutional tenderness, is subject to these swellings and sores, it is well to put the saddle on half an hour before using him ; and leave it on, having slightly loosened the girths, for a half Yiour or an hour afterward, thus preventing sudden change in the temper- ature of the skin. XI. Fungous Collar Tumor. Causes — This in its nature is essentially the same as that described in the preceding section as saddle gall, or sitfast — differing, however, in location and specific cause. It is an inflammation and swelling beneath THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 28 J the large flat muscle that covers the front of the shoulder, and is caused by the chafing of the collar. How to know it — it is scarcely necessary to undertake farther descrip. tion of a well-known, visible affection. It is usually found near the point of the shoulder ; and the character of the tumor as to simplicity or severity can be readily determined by examination. If of considerable standing, it will be found so hard as to render it almost impossible to detect any fluctuation that would indicate the presence of matter. Where there is much swelling, however, there is almost invariably matter, and no cure can be effected until this is removed. In cases less marked there will be a small, hard or indurated lump without matter. Under similar conditions as those mentioned in the preceding section, it may form a leathery patch in the center and become a real sitfast. What to do — The tumor must, if possible, be so treated as to leave no scar or lump, as this would be easily irritated by the collar upon subse- quent use, and prove a source of constant trouble. The first thing in order will be to take the horse from work, if at all practicable. If not, use a breast-strap, so as to prevent all further chafing. If the swelling is recent, apply cold water often, or cover the part Avith a wet rag hung over the shoulders in such a way as to remain in contact with the swelling. This must be kept constantly wet. But if the tumor is large, and of long standing — already hardened and containing matter deeply hidden, open with a knife — making a smooth, vertical cut, and of suflScient depth to thoroughly evacuate the pus. Syringe the opening well every day with the following solution ; No. 19. 30 Grains chloride of zinc, 1 Quart water. If the wound seems inclined to heal and leave a hard lump in doing so, discontinue the injection, and rub frequently with the following liniment to promote the absorption of the callous or gristly formation : No. 20. 1 Oz. iodine, 12 Oz. soap liniment. Xn. Warts. Causes. — it is difficult to point out anything that may be implicitly received as the cause of these excrescences. Generally accompanying a plethoric condition, they may be considered as owing their origin prima- rily to high feeding and insufficient exercise. This, however, must not be taken as conclusive, since they not unfrequently appear upon active animals, of meagre habit. 282 ILLUSIllATED STOCK DOCTOR. The manner of their formation seems to be this : Knots in the true ski« urc <'-radualiy developed, being surrounded with a covering of the scarf- akin, something thickened and matted together ; and this outer covering generally dries and splits into fibers towards the top, while blood, in greater (juaiitities than usual, is sent to the inner or vascular parts ; and more nutriment is thus diverted to it than to the surrounding flesh, so that an upward or outward growth is promoted. Seed warts usually make their appearance on the eyelids, the nose, the Hheath and adjoining jiarts of the belly ; the encysted or sac warts, on the pasterns, hock-joints, and knee-joints, and sometimes upon the sheath and neighboring parts. Unless warts appear upon the penis they are not injurious to health, and at first occasion little inconvenience unless upon the shoulder or some part where harness or saddle touches constantly ; but they should be removed, nevertheless — particularly the sac wart and those seed warts which manifest a tendency to enlargement. If the encysted or blood wart is allow^ed to remain it will almost invariably enlarge and spread. How to know it. — There are two kinds of these formations, one of which is fibrous, white, and gristly or cartilaginous, but somewhat spongy lump, contained in a sac or cell which has taken its rise from the •outer or scarf-skin ; and the other is a somewhat cartilaginous substance, not inclosed, but adhering firmly to the skin — a hard excrescence, — the «' seed wart," — which is too well known to require particular description. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish the blood wart, as the former is Bometimes called, from the seed wart ; but it generally presents a more rounded, smooth appearance, and sometimes hangs as by a little stem, in which last case it is readily known. What to do. — If there is doubt as to the character of the wart, the miitter maj^ he speedily determined by running a sharp-knife through it ; when, if a blood or sac wart, the contents will come out, accompanied by more or less copious bleeding ; whereas, the seed wart will in tliia ease be merely divided by the incision, each part retaining its firmness or consistency. When the blood wart is thus opened, nothing more will be necessary than to touch the part with a solution of chlonde of zinc, one grain tc the ounce of water, or lunar caustic. When these warts are attached to the skin by narrow bases, or small stems, they may be clipped off with knife or scissors, and the part slightly burned over with caustic as pre- viously directed. If the growth is of the fixed kind, or seed wart, remove by means of «Mqssors or knife when standing singly ; but if the stem or base is large, THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 283 or if the warts grow in bunches, too numerous and too close together to be cut away, pick off or otherwise chafe the rough outer surface so as to make it bleed ; then with a stiff brush rub in yellow orpiment wetted with a little water, and in a few days they will come away, or may be rubbed off, and leave a healthy sore, which soon heals. If the entire wart does not come off by reason of one application, repeat. When the penis is wholly covered with warts, the best plan is to have it amputated, as the warts cannot easily be removed without destroying as much of it as it would be necessary to remove entirely in order to be rid of them. Xm. Vermin. Causes — Vermin are both a cause and a consequent of skin disease ; and being also bred in the hairy covering, perhaps in the very skin itself, they are properly treated in this connection. Every species of animal is more or less troubled with his own peculiar insect tormentor ; and while no well-defined cause can be assigned as to their origin, they are almost always found associated with filth and squalor. They sometimes, however, trouble animals of fair condition, and accus- tomed to reasonable care ; but in this case they are caught by contact. Poor, ill-cared-for, mangy horses, colts in the Spring of the year, with long, uncurried coats, and old and feeble horses with like rough and shaggy covering, most probably breed them ; and on these they are most frequently and plentifully found. The itching torment to which they subject diseased animals doubtless intensifies whatever disorder may exist ; and the very earliest opportunity should be taken to eradicate them from the sufferer. When horses stand in proximity to a hen-house, they are often seriously annoyed with hen-lice, which are even more tormenting than those peculiar to the horse himself. How to know it. — The horse infested with vermin will usually mani- fest his uneasiness by biting and rubbing himself ; but their presence may be unmistakably detected by a more or less careful examination of his coat. What to do. — If the horse is suffering from some skin disease requit- ing treatment, the means adopted for this will almost invariably suflSce of themselves to remove the vermin ; but where no such disease exists, and it is a simple case of lousiness, anoint him with the following salve : 284 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. No. 21. 1 Dr. carbolic acid crystals, 1 Quart fresh lard. Rub it upon every part of the body thoroughly ; wash with warm soap auds next day ; repeat if necessary — at last washing and drying. Attention to his general health will also be demanded ; and to this end he should be upon good pasture, or a liberal supply of nourishing but not heating food should be given. If it is a case of hen-lice, the first thing to be done is to remove the horse from the place mfested with these, and then to anoint and wash as before directed. XIV. Larva in the Skin. Causes — The larva, which infests chiefly the back — ^that part of the horse upon which saddle or harness must press — is not only a source of trouble to the animal, but of great inconvenience to the master, as the acute painfulness of a tumor raised by one of these grubs often pre- vents use. The larva is the offspring of a fly which deposits its eggs upon the back and sides of the horse while he is out at pasture or roaming at large upon the common. This fly does not frequent the barn-yard and stable, so that horses which are confined to these when not in use are never annoyed with the larva. The eggs are hatched by the warmth of the animal ; and the creature burrows into the skin, where it remains and grows till Spring, raising meanwhile, by its irritating presence, a small lump, which is eventually developed into a painful tumor, upon the pus of which the insect pro- longs a life that it began upon the natural juices of the skin and cellu- lar tissue. How to know it — The most unmistakable sign of the trouble, when it is not plainly discesrnible with the eye, is the restlessness manifested by the horse when subjected to the saddle. When he does this, and no well-defined occasion for his displeasure and his pranks is readily per- ceptible, examination will reveal a tumor or abscess if the larva is present ; for the horse will hardly grow restive at first, when there is a mere lump m the skin. Upon the top of this abscess a black spot will be found, which is the point of entrance, and the opening through which the insect obtains the little air that it needs. What to do. — The best thing to do, because both quickest and safest, is to open the top of the tumor slightly with a lancet, and then to 'vjueeze out the larva. The wound should then be dressed a time or two THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 285 with a solution of one grain of chloride of zinc to one gill of water ; and the trouble will soon be over. XV. Tetter. Causes. — This seems to arise from some constitutional cause, which it is difficult to point out. It appears on horses of different conditions or habit of body. On some it breaks out periodically, Summer after Summer. It is not contagious, unless neglected until it assumes the epizootic foiTxi, which it sometimes does, after which it is communicable te both man and horse. There are said by some to be two or three forms of tetter, but in reality whatever different forms it may assume, when not complicated with other affections, they are indications of (different degrees of severity. How to know it — The attack is usuaHj^ sudden, and the animal is observed to rub himself severely, as suffering from intense itchiness. The neck, shoulders, back, and thighs are the points ordinarily affected. Upon examination, the skin will be found red with inflammation, some- times torn or scratched by rubbing ; and the blisters or pimples will be seen on those parts of the inflamed spot not so torn or scratched. These blisters break, and a watery fluid is discharged, which keeps the surface moist. In its more advanced stage it may be taken for mange ; but it may be distinguished from mange by its manifesting less tendency to spread and invade all parts of the skin ; and by the absence of parasites under the scabby portions. What to do, — First, see that the horse's bowels are put in good condi" tion. If there is any tendency to plethora, (too great fulness), to constipation, or general feverishness, give him a purgative dose ; and in any event let his food be of such character a? to prevent costiveness. Give, once a day, an ounce of Fowler's solution of arsenic. Eub the affected parts well with sweet oil, and let it ^remain thereon for a few hours ; then wash with warm soapsuds so as to remove the scabs or scales. Then cover the diseased surface and some portion Tjf the healthy •kin all round with the following ointment : Ko. 22. % Lb. flour of sulphur, yi. Lb. carbonate of potash* 1 Oz. carbolic acid, 2 Lbs. lard, 2 Lbs. olive oiL 286 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. MLx well with a gentle heat. Allow it to remain on the skin for tw« or three days, and then wash off with strong soap and water. Tar ointment, (equal quantities of tar and lard well mixed with gentle heat), is an excellent external application, and may be used when No. 22 is difficult to procure. XVI. Bat Tails. Causes. — Simple tetter, as also mallenders and sallenders, is sometimes allowed through neglect to become obstinate ; the skin thickens ; ugly cracks are formed, from which flows in abundance a sort of purulent half-Avatery fluid ; upon the thickened portion of the skin the scabs increase, growing up into somewhat perpendicular layers, and the hairs grooving from these are glued together by the exuding matter. Such bunches of matted hair are called, by reason of their appearance, "rat tails." The disease seems occasionally to be produced outright, without the supervention of an}^ other known disorder, by much exposure to wet gi'ound of a chalky or loamy nature, or to sticky mud. How to know it. — It appears chiefly upon the legs, one or all of which may be affected at the same time ; but the hairs of the tail, especially near the root of the tail, are often found in the condition described, and for a like reason. Tetter, ringworm, or some other dis- order produces itching ; the horse rubs the part till it becomes raw ; matter exudes at length, and the hair is matted in bunches along the Mpper portion of the tail bone, as shown in the figure exhibiting external ^nanifestations of disease. If resulting from either neglected tetter, no matter what its position, or from mallenders and sallenders, it is accompanied by itchiness ; but this is generally less severe than is the case with these disorders in their simple form. When the disease is fully developed, the appearance of the bunches of hair upon the parts is a sufficient indication. What to do — As in simple tetter, attention must be directed to estab- lishino; a good condition of the bowels ; and to this end a purgative may be given — especially if there is any indication of constipation and general feverishness. The food must be regulated by the necessity of keeping down all inflammatory symptoms. Make a tonic powder aa 'ollows : No. 23. 12 Oz. sulphur, 1 Dr. arsenic, 1 Oz. bruised coriander seed. Divide into twelve parts and give one in the food night and morning. THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 287 Dress the sores three times a day with the following lotion, applying with a soft rag ; Ho. 24. 1 Fluid oz. laudanum, 1 Fluid oz, glycerine, H Oz. carbonate of soda, 1 Quart water. XVII. Mallenders and Sallenders. Causes. — By these terms are denoted oozy, scurfy patches upon the knee and hock — those which appear back of the knee being called (for what reason nobody seems to know) mallenders ; and those which appear in front of the hock, sallenders. They spring from idleness and neglect — an impure state of the blood having been brought on by heating and unsuitable diet, and disorders of the bowels, liver, or kidneys. Though of no serious importance as diseases, they are unsightl}', and, if neglected, they result in troublesome sores. How to know it. — They first begin as a moist tetter, apt to escape observation until they appear in a roughened state of hair about the parts mentioned, under which the skin is scurfy, feverish and somewhat tender. Itching of such severity sometimes attends them as to render the horse restive and hard to keep under restraint. What to do — In the first place attend to the cleanliness of the horse and put him upon a regular course of moderate exercise. Give him twice daily, night and morning, a pint of the excellent alterative and tonic drink : No. 25. 1 Fluid oz. liquor arsenicalis, l}i Oz. tincture muriate of iron, 1 Qt. water. Rub the parts affected two or three times a day with an ointment mado Us follows : No. 26. 1 Oz. animal glycerine, 2 Drs. mercurial ointment, 2 Drs. powdered ointment, 1 Oz. spermacetti. If the scurfy places have developed into suppurating sores, use, instead of the ointment, the following lotion, saturating them well twice a day No. 27. , >a Pint animal glycerine, }i Oz. chloride of zinc, 6 Quarts water. Be careful that his food is such as to keep him from constipation and fever. ^S-'^ ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. XVm. Poll-evil. Causes Poll-evil is the name given to a deep abscess having its seai of primary inflammation between the ligament of the neck and the first l)one which lies beneath without being attached to it ; and it is serioua in its nature by reason of this depth and of the difficulty with which the matter formed finds its way to the surface through the strong fibrous membrane that envelopes it. If not attended to in its early stages, the surface of the first bone from the head, or that of the joint between the first two bones, becomes inflamed, and the joint or joints involved. The disease may be said to owe its origin almost wholly to violence of some kind. A blow upon the poll by a brutal driver may very readily produce it ; and much slighter causes, often repeated, result in thi.* affection ; as, the forcing on of a tight collar day after day ; hanging back and so bruising the poll "with bridle or halter ; and excessive rubbing of that part because of itch produced by dirt accumulated about the ears and upper point of the neck and not carried away by brush or currycomb. Striking the head against low ceilings and the beams of low doorways is doubtless responsible for very many cases of this dangerous and disa- gi'eeable disorder. How to know it — A certain restlessness, a throwing back of the head and then returning ; again, a drooping tendency, turning the head from one side to the other ; a dull appearance about the eyes ; a sluggishness of movement — all these are sometimes observed before any symptoms of the disease may be discovered about the head. Sometimes no notice is taken of its existence until considerable swelling and even an unwholesome discharge have set in ; but more frequently an oval tumor is discovered, — hot, tender, situated directly in the region of the nape of the neck, but generatly inclining to one side. In the milder form this tumor is evidently supei-ficial ; and the horse moves his head with comparative ease and freedom ; whereas, in the more advanced stage he carries it stitfly, and every movement of it or the neck causes great pain. Sometimes the disorder is so deeply- seated that the tumor is not developed sufficiently to make much outward show. It is much likelier to discover itself plainly as a well-developed swelling w^hen tho hurt is superficial. In any case, it must be examined ^nth the fingers to deter- mine this point. Place the fingers gently upon it, and give the animal time to re- cover from the little scare into which this touching of a sore at first gives him ; POLL-KTIL DUBINO THX FIRST STAGK. THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 2S9 then gradually press upon the part. If the hurt is near the surface, he will flinch quickly ; if deeply seated, he will be correspondingly slow in show- ing evidences of pain. If suppura- tion has already set in, it can readily he knoAvn when near the surface by a «ort of fluctuating feeling ; but this fluctuation can scarcely be felt at all poll-kvil in its skcond stagk. if the matter is deep seated. What to do. — If discovered when there is nothing more than a swelKng, no matter having yet been found, remove all tendency to general fever- ishness by giving purgative medicine according to evident fullness of AMI>KS8. n. TAKCT. 111. DISTEMPER. IV. NASAL GLEET. — — V. KASAft POLYPUS. I. Glanders. Causes. — This seems to be primarily a disease of the lymphatic and nasal glands, and conlSned to them ; but upon this point authorities dis- agree, and it is contended by some that all the air passages are always affected— that it is a kind of phthisic, or incipient pulmonary disorder — and that whether the ulcers appear on the membrane of the nose prior or subsequent to the formation of tubercles in the lungs does not invalidate the proposition that the earliest external manifestations are but the effects of pulmonary derangement. The most tenable conclusion, how- ever, is plainly this : that inflammation of the membrane of the nose, and confined to that membrane, at last results in ulceration ; that the matter discharged from these i« poisonous, and acts upon the glands by means of the absorbents with which it comes in contact, and is also inhaled into the lungs with the air as it passes through the nasal cavities, till at length both the circulatory and the respiratory systems are gen- erally diseased. Whence this poison is derived is not at all clearly defined. The diseas« is both spontaneous, (bred in the horse), and contagious ; but it is doubts less due far more frequently to predisposing cause than to contagion. It; IS found as a prevalent disease where neglect, filth, and foul atmosphere exist ; and we may reasonably conclude that poisonous inhalations, acting upon the delicate and easily irritated membrane of the nose, produce that incipient ulceration from which the subsequent general poisoning proceeds. In close stalls, the carbonic acid given off from the lungs, (which gas is of a deadly poisonous character), passes again and again 295 f99 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. into the lungs, mixed with other impurities of the stall itself ; this, actmg perhaps more readily upon the nasal membrane than upon the other linings of the air passages, produces inflammation. This inflanmiation may long exist, and unsuspected by the ordinary observer, till some intense action is set up, when ulceration takes place. Or it may be produced by an3i:hing that injures and weakens the vital energy of this membrane ; as violent catarrh, accompanied by long con- tinued discharge from the nostrils ; a fracture of the bones of the nose ; «nd the too frequent injection of stimulating and acid substances up the nostrils. Ever3^thing that weakens the constitution, may, under peculiar circumstances, produce glanders. Among the hurtful influences that may operate to this end we may enumerate : hardships and an exhausted constitution ; any interference with the due elimination or throwing off of morbid and waste matter from the system ; want of regular exercise ; isudden and violent exercise when the horse has not been previously pre- pared for it ; placing a weak and worn-out horse upon a course of diet that is too nutritious and stimulating ; and hereditary predisposition to certain forms of disease. One point is deserving of special mention : it is sometimes present and contagious in animals apparently in fine bodily condition ; other horses may contract the disease from such a one and die of it while it is stiU difficult to discover unmistakable traces of it in the first. There may be inflammation, and minute ulcers so far up the nasal passages as not to be seen ; these little hidden ulcers may discharge so small a quantity of mat- ter as to escape notice, and yet the matter is so poisonous that when it ectmes in contact Avith any thin and delicate membrane, by which it may b<5 absorbed, it will produce glanders. Weeks, and even months, may intervene between the first existence of inflamed membrane and the development of the disease. In this case there nia}^ be counteracting tendencies, requiring some violent action or sudden change to determine the issue. It must be observed that its infectious nature is not general, but par- ticular — depending upon inoculation with the matter exuded from glanderous ulcers, or at least from poison received in some way from th© Ijlandered animal and communicated directly to a wound or to some del- icate membrane of another horse, an ass, or a human being. How to know it. — As may be inferred from the preceding, it is not always easy to detect the actual presence of this disease, though it is often a matter of paramount importance that it should be known. Its dangerous character as an infectious disorder makes it essential that it •hould be known in its very earliest stages, that the proper precautions may be taken to prevent the infection from spreading. THE HORSE, DISEASES OF THE NASAL GLANDS, ETC. 29T There are some symptoms that may be observed, even before th« appearance of any discharge whatever ; and these may be described, though they may sometimes prove faUacious, and are found to be but extraordinary indications of some other disease. The first signs are those of heaviness, dulhiess, followed by fever ; the eyes are red and unhealthy looking, while the light is seemingly painful to them. The hair is one day dry, the next, perhaps, it resumes its natural appearance, and so alternating until after awhile it becomes staring and unnatural. The flesh wastes away rapidly for a time ; then, and particu- larly if a change of food is introduced, showing some improvement, and so alternating till at length he begins to show signs of permanently failing health and of a general debility. These may be regarded as for the most part premonitory signs, and up to this time there may be no appearance of tumors and no discharge from the nostrils ; but the animal should be subjected to the most rigid scrutiny, to discover whether there is anything to confirm the impression made by the symptoms enumerated as to the probable existence of glan- dered condition. After these manifestations there may be said to be three stages of the disease, the jDeculiarities of each of which, in so far as they are distinctly defined, are generally as follows : In the first stage the discharge so much resembles that which attends some other nasal affection as some- times to pass unnoticed, but examination will disclose a curious fact which has not been accounted for, — it will be found confined to one nostril, and that, in the vast majority of cases, the left. Occasionally it is the right, very seldom both. This, however, must not be regarded as a peculiarity of the first only, as it is common to every stage of the disease. The second stage is characterized by an increased flow, and it also becomes more mucous and sticky, while its color changes from an almost transparent clearness to a whitish or 3^ellowish tinge. It often begins now to drip from the nose in stringy clots. Some of the matter in this stage, now more actively poisonous, being taken up by the absorbent.*, affects the neighboring glands. If both nostrils are discharging, the glands within the under jaw will be enlarged on both sides ; if from on« nostril, only the gland on that side. As other diseases will produce these swelled glands, as catarrh, for instance, it becomes necessary to look for some peculiarity in order to determine certainly as to the exist- ence of glanders. At first the enlargement may be spread over so mucr^ Burface as not to make any distinctly marked lumps ; but this soon changes, and one or two small swellings remain, and these are not in the center of the channel, but adhere close to the jaw on the affected side. 2flS' ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. This may be regarded as an almost conclusive test. The membrane ot the nose will now be found of either a dark purplish hue or a leaden color — the latter, unless there is some of the redness of inflammation; and ulcers will probably appear upon the membrane, usually approaching to a circular form, and deep, with abrupt and prominent edges. When these appear there can be no further doubt, but care must be taken tc know that they are not spots of mucous. To this end, try whether they may be brushed away. Notice particularly, too, that the orifice of the duct which connects with the tear glands is just within the nostril, and on the inner side of it ; otherwise, this, if foul, may be mistaken for an ulcer. This orifice may be readily distinguished from an ulcer by observing that it is on the continuation of the common skin, while the glanderous ulcers are on the membrane of the nose. When these ulcers begin to be visible, the general condition of the animal soon shows signs of change ; his coat seems dead and staring, the hair coming off easily ; his appetite is impaired ; he loses flesh ; his belly contracts ; he grows more and more debilitated ; there is more or less cough ; the discharge increases in quantity, and its increased poisonous character causes it to remove the hair where it flows, while it seems tinged with blood, and is offensive to the smell. In the third stage the ulcers have become larger and more numerous ; And upon placing the ear to the horse's chest, a grating, choking noise will be heard at every act of breathing. The air passages being obstructed, every breath is drawn with difficulty. The skin of the forehead will be found somewhat thickened, swelled, and peculiarly tender ; the membrane lining the frontal openings of the nose will be not only ulcerated but evidently inflamed ; the discharges are increased and become more sticky and of darker color, though still somewhat flecked with blood. The absorbents become more and more involved ; it seems now that general ulceration has set in • and the additional symptoms are henceforth those of farcy. To i)revent its being mistaken in its earlier stages for strangles, which is sometimes done, the following directions will suffice : Strangles is peculiar to young horses, and at the outset resembles cold with some fever and sore throat, accompanied generally by distressing cough and some wheezing. The enlargement which sometimes appear* beneath the jaw in strangles is not a single small gland, but a swelling of the whole substance between the jaws, growing harder toward the center, and at length, if the disease runs on, breaking. In strangles th« membranes of the nose will be very red, and the discharge from the ttostrils profuse and mattery almost from the first. When the tumor has ^UJ'st, the fever will abate and the horse will speedily get well. THE HOESE, DISEASES OF THE NASAL GLANDS, ETC. 29S To distinguish it from catarrh, for which also it is sometimes mistaken, observe that feVer, loss of appetite, coughing, and sore throat all accompany catarrh, whereas these symptoms are rarely if ever found together in glanders. In catarrh, the horse quids his food, (drops it from his mouth partially chewed), and gulps his water. The discharge f I om the^ nose is profuse and sometimes mattery ; the glands under th© jaiv, if swollen, are movable, while there is a thickening around them and tho}'^ are hot and tender. What to do. — The first thing to do, and in the first stage, will naturally Suggest itself to any one who has taken the pains to inform himself of the dreadful nature of the disease. Its contagious character renders it dangerous, as has been said, not only to all of the horse kind but to man ; and no time should be lost in removing a glandered animal from the possibility of communicating the disorder to another. If stabled, there should be no connection whatever between his stall and those of other animals, as the discharge from the nostril, (in which lies the danger), may be communicated through any opening suflBcient to allow horses to bite or nibble at each other. If placed to pasture, it should be kno^\ai that no other horse is at all likely either to be turned in with him or to approach the inclosure. And this removal or separation should take place whenever it is observed that there is that constant discharge from one nostril which has been described, even though it may seem but watery and natural, and the horse be in the very best apparent condition. Remember that a glandered condition may long exist, and minute ulcers^ in the hidden recesses of the nose, discharge a sort of limpid or clear fluid, without any of the active and violent symptoms being manifest ; but that all this time the horse may be able to communicate the disease to others ; and that these may die of it while he is yet in reasonably fair condition. It can hardly escape the intelligent horse owner that every knows €>ause of the disease should, if possible, be promptly removed. Close, damp, dark stables, reeking with exhalations distilled from mingled dung, urine, and rain water, ought at any rate to begin to receive a little attention after the poor occupant has caught what is more than likely to prove his death ; if he is jaded and exhausted by labor, no hope of cure can be entertained unless he is promptly released from his toils and put upon moderate and health-giving exercise only, with such generous diet as will restore the wasted tissues ; if, on the contrary, he is pampered and stimulated and grown unwholesomely plethoric for want of labor proportioned to his good keeping, his food should be gradually changed, and a regular course of moderately increasing exercise be instituted and 300 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. persevered in till that point is discovered at which such exercise la recuperative rather than exhaustive, and then maintained. It may be well, before proceeding farther, to caution the reader against the advice of quacks, and point out what not to do. This may be iummed up in the one single injunction, do nothing cruel. All such prac- tices as slitting the nose, scraping the cartilage, searing the glands, tiring the frontal and nasal bones, and injecting mustard, capsicum, vitriol, and corrosive sublimate up the nostrils, are but the hurtful devices of ignor- ance combined with brutality. If the disease is in its tirst stage when the horse is taken in hand for the purpose of employing remedial agencies, place him in a good, dry and airy stable, if in Summer, or in an open pasture where most of his food may be obtained by himself, observing the precautions already laid down. If in Winter, he should still have the drj^ stable, not too close, and supplied with clean litter, and care should be taken to guard liim against severe cold and exposure to any sudden change. The matter of food may be regulated by this : it niust be nutritious without being inflammatory ; and the condition of the animal as to previous treatment and present condition of flesh must regulate the quantity, as also to some extent the quality. Then prepare and administer the following medicine : No. 30. 1 Drachm powdered sulphate of camphor, 4 Fluid drachms Fowler's solution of arsenic. Mix with linseed meal and syrup to form a ball, and give one of lik* quantity each day for three days ; then omit a day ; then give the balls for three days again, and so on till a change for the better is perceptible or its failure is manifest. Meanwhile, swab out the nose every day with a solution of pyroligenous acid — using warm water, (as warm as the horse can well bear), and putting in sufficient of the acid at first to make the solution of medium strength. It should be a little increased from day to day ; but care must be taken not to make it too strong, as violent acid injections or swabbing solutions are calculated to do harm rather than good. A good mop for this purpose may be made hy attaching soft rags, (old cotton cloth is best), to a light stick, two feet in length — so arranging the cloth as to have it project beyond the end of the stick to be inserted, to prevent any roughness that might abrade or scratcli the membrane, and fastening very securely, to prevent its slipping off. If this treatment is found not to be efficacious, or if the disease hji« already developed into the second stage — the discharge more mucous, fetickj, and stringy, with glands swollen and the membrane of the nose of a dark purple or leaden color — adopt the following treatment, and •arry it out energetically and persistently : THE HOKSE, DISEASES OF THE NASAL, GLANDS, ETC. 301 Take from the ueck vein from three to six quarts of blood, accord- ing as the horse may appear feeble or plethoric. Make a gallon of very strong decoction or tea of tobacco leaves, which keej) ready for use. Put enough of this into warm water, (as warm as the horse can well bear), and swab out his nostrils with it, as high up as possible, using mop as just directed. Then put a gill of this same strong tobacco tea into a pint of warm water, and drench him with the solution. There must be no uneasiness on account of the dreadful sickness which this * will produce. The tobacco is necessary thoroughly to relax the system and overcome fixed or chronic tendencies, and to counteract the influence of the glanderous poison. Swab out the nose every day for eight or ten days, and drench every third day for from two to four weeks, or until the discharge has ceased and the ulcers are perceptibly healing. So for the first two stages. If all these directions, (those as to food and care as well as for the administering of medicines), are faithfully carried out, a reasonable hope of success may be entertained. If the disease has passed into the third stage, however, no treatment can be confidently recommended. So doubtful is it as to Avhether any remedial agencies will avail, that most veterinarians in the United States confi- dently declare that the best thing to do is to kill the sufferer in the quickest and most humane way, and bury him deep in the ground, beyond the possibility of his contaminating the atmosphere with his decaying and poisonous carcass. This is made a matter of legislative enactment in England — severe penalties attaching to the keeping of glandered horses — and it is contended by some that the general safety of both animals and man require like legal enactments in this country ; but, as we have said, until he has passed into the third state, or where he seems to be suffering with both glanders and farcy, a good horse ought not to be sac- rificed. It cannot be too strongly urged, however, that no effort ought to be spared to prevent the spread of the contagion ; and the man who would expose a horse for sale, known to him to be glandered, but not apparent to a casual observer, ought to be confined in the State prison. A horse affected with this disease, in any stage, is dangerous to th« man who handles him ; but he is doubly so, perhaps, when he has become a loathsome object in limbs and body as well as in head ; and under ordinary circumstances it is doubtless best to destroy him as quickly aa possible. In case treatment is determined upon, nothing better than thai prescribed for the second stage can be recommended. The reader's attention ought to be called to this fact: that there have been instances of a spontaneous curt of glanders — ^that is, of cures having taken place without the agency of remedial means used by man ; 502 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. but all such cases may have been apparent rather than real — a mere suti. pension of the active powers of the poison — and they ought to be looked upon with suspicion. These may be resumed at some future time and with fatal result. It remains now but to suggest some precautionary measures to prevent contagion, in addition to those which have already been given. If a atable is known to have been used by a glandered horse, no other animal should be allowed to occupy it until the trough, the rack, and the walls have been thoroughly scraped and scoured with strong soap and warm water. Then take one pint of chipride of lime and dissolve it in two gal- lons of water, with which thoroughly saturate every part that the horse's nose may have touched. Next, white-wash the walls inside. Then burn bridles, halters, buckets out of which he has drunk — whatever may have been about his head — and if any blanketing has been used have it care- fully cleansed by washing, or burn it up. n. Farcy. Causes — In treating of glanders and farcy there is a great diversity of opinion as to the relations in which they stand to each other — which is the antecedent, which the consequent ; but the most sensible view of the matter, and the one taken by the ablest veterinarians, is this : that the two arc but different manifestions of the same disease, and that they might with propriety be so treated. Regarding them separately it is difficult to say which is the more acute form, w^hich the more chronic, as it is now generally conceded that a horse afflicted with what may seem at first a well-developed case of glanders may be presently laboring under confirmed farcy — the last state apparently worse than the first ; again, a case of farcy may assume the type to which the name glanders is applied, and in this case also there seems to be a development of the first into a more hopeless disorder. This would be a matter, however, of no special consequence to the intelligent horse owner were it not that the fconfused notions of men concerning the two affections might chance to bring him face to face with this difficulty : that, unable to eliminate the truth from the tangled statements of some who, entertaining diverse views, may take it upon themselves to advise, he may find himself halting between two opinions when it is of ^'^tal consequence that he should be doing something. Let him be assured that it is wholly unnecessary to trouble himself with nice questions as to the priority of either disease or the real difference between them ; the one important point for him is to be able to detect in *he incipiency of an attack of either that one of them is present. THE HORSE, DISEASES OF THE NASAL GLANDS, ETC. ^0^ Speaking now of the farcy as a distinct disease, it is to be regarded as a general poisoned condition of the horse — the poison having its imme- diate origin in an ulcerated condition of the lymphatic glands ; and it« remote origin in whatever tends to disorder these lymphatics. The remote causes are often found in constitutional or inherited tendencies, but more frequently, no doubt, in neglect and abuse — some of the forms which these take on being ovei-work and under-feeding; lack of the curry-comb and brush ; exposure to the foul atmosphere of dark, damp stables, and their accumulations of filth. The glands so affected are more numerous along the jaws, neck, and flanks than elsewhere near the skin. Some species of poison is taken into the system of the animal, which manifests itself by an enlaro^ement of some of these glands into the hp,rd, rounded lumps, called farci/^buds^ or buttons, which presently secrete and discharge dangerous infectious matter. The absorbents whose office it is to remove useless particles from the body, take up from beneath the skin some of this virus -, they inflame with it and swell ; and by their connection with the veins give the latter a corded, swollen appearance. The poison, of course, finally reaches the veins and is mingled with the blood ; by the blood it is conveyed to every part of the system. Acting upon the valves of the veins — ^those little membranous sacs which assist in orivins: the blood a uniform tendency towards the heart — the poison creates new knots or buttons, and thus they mcrease until many portions of the skin are covered with putrid ulcers The first existence of an ulcerous condition may not be upon any visible portion of the body. Minute poisonous ulcerations may arise in the recesses of the nose, and discharge so slightly as to escape observation until the general system is thoroughly inoculated with the virus. It is, however, extremely capricious in its manifestations ; probably owing more to the peculiarities of different animals than to any difference as to either immediate or remote causes of the disease itself. It occa- sionally takes on a lingering form, and will continue for months and years ; again it will run its course and kill the horse in an incredibly Bhort time. It is extremely contagious in all its stages, and is communicable not only to other brutes, but to man. How to know it — it is difficult to give in few words such directions as enable the unprofessional and inexperienced reader readily to detect this disease in its inoipiency, and to distinguish, in its somewhat advanced state, between it and some other diseases which have, occasionally similar manifestations. It often perplexes by the different forms it assumes ; but close attention to the following particulars and a wide-awake interest. ^4 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. that leads one to observe changes and peculiar conditions will probably suffice : In some cases the horse will droop for many days before the appear- ance of either buds or corded veins ; the appetite is impaired ; the coat is staring, or rough and unpleasant to the sight ; his mouth is hot ; his thirst gi-eat and difficult to quench ; the urine is highl}^ colored ; the hair comes off easily ; and he evinces then the symptoms of a generally deranged condition. Sometimes the horse will appear to be perfectly well at night, and next morning one leg, usually the hind leg, will be fearfully swollen, hot T\nth fever, and almost without the power of moving. At other times the head will swell, the muzzle, particularly, will be enlarged, and an offensive discharge proceed from the nose. Again, this tendency to the swelling of the leg is accompanied by cracks at the heels, leading the inexperienced to mistake it for ordinary "swelled legs" or for "grease." When taken by inoculation, (the poison ha\dng been received from another animal or from trough, stable, or curry-comb), it is apt to manifest itself in its earliest stages by shivering, followed by heat of body, a frequent and hard pulse, dullness, accelerated breathing, and rapid elevation of temperature. These attacks may speedily prove fatal. In all these cases, the poison has been working, but is not yet outwardly manifest. Generally the first stage of unmistakable local manifestation is a swelling of the lymphatics, a development of the "farcy-bud." A single bud will sometimes appear near the pastem joint and run up in an uneven knotty form. They usually appear, however, along the sides of the neck or inside the legs, and are rounded, with an elevated edge, and a pale surface. These presently burst and discharge a watery fluid for some time, when a change takes place and the discharges become more mattery and offensive, and are mixed with blood. They frequently increase in number until the neck, shoulders, and legs are almost entirely covered with them — sometimes almost the whole body becomes a putrid loathsome mass. In this last case there are no longer any buds or knots, as the veins have become so generally Injured as not to show special prominences at the valvular points. Occasionally it will be found that the buds will not ulcerate, but become hard and difficult to remove. This indicates that the progress of tlie disease is suspended ; but the poison is in the system, and if steps are not taken at once to eradicate the seeds of the malady, it will in time break out and destroy the horse. When it rises along the spine, as it occasionally does, it is to be •onsidered mali^ant and very dangerous, particularly to those horseji THE HORSE, DISEASES OF THE NASAL GLANDS ETC. 305 that are fat and full-blooded — the disease in this case being most probably the result of infection. To enable one to distinguish it from those diseases for which it i» sometimes mistaken, the following directions, if closely observed, will ba sufficient : It differs from surfeit in this : that the buds are generally higher than the surfeit tumors, more knotty, not so broad, and are found principally on the inside of the limb and not on the outside. The sudden swellings of the legs, head, or chest are characterized by heat and tenderness that do not accompany other enlargements ; and the farcy may be distinguished from grease or swelled legs by this : that in grease there is usually a peculiar tightness, glossiness, and redness of the skin, with scurfiness, discharging cracks, and a singular spasmodic catch- ing up of the leg. In farcy the swelling is more sudden — the leg that is apparently sound at night is found in the morning swollen to an enormous size. It is o^ang to a simultaneous inflammation of all the absorbents of the limb ; but instead of the redness and glossiness of sui- feit there will be burning heat without outward manifestation, and the leg will be peculiarly tender, while the body will be generally feverish. It may be known from that local dropsy of the cellular membrane pro- ducing an enlargement beneath the thorax called water-farcy, by simply observing that in water-farcy there is general weakness unaccompanied by inflammation. What to do — The treatment must of course be directed primarily to the removal of the blood poison and to the restoring of the assimilative powers of the digestive and circulating organs. It must be both general and local ; as the vital functions are to be restored to their normal condi- tion at the same time as the outward manifestations of the poison are removed. The buds must be dispersed and the ulcers healed by active external applications, since the powerful internal remedies must be more or less inoperative while these receptacles of poisonous matter furnish a constant supply to the absorbents, to be carried by the various organs of circulation to all parts of the body. The first and most necessary thing to do is to exercise a wise discrin>- ination as to the stage of the disease. If found to be in its incipiency^- few buds ha\4ng appeared, and being slow to spread ; no foul discharge from the nose ; no sudden swellings and violent heat — the foUowino- treatment may be adopted with every hope of success : Pay particular attention to feeding, and to keeping the stable, (if nec- essary to have the, animal confined), clean, dry, and comfortable. The food should be easy of digestion, but nourishing, and especially of such 306 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. X character as to keep the bowels reguhir. Bran, oats, long forage, (green if possible), arc good ; and an occasional mash of boiled carrots or turnips mixed with bran or shorts, to which a table-spoonful of salt is added, will be found beneficial. He should have moderate daily exercise ; and as much good pure water as he will take should be given him. If the food given does not have the effect of keeping the bowels open, give an occasional mild purgative compounded as follows : No. 31. 3 Drachms finely powdered aloes, 1 Drachm ground ginger. Stir these ingredients thoroughly together ; then use sufficient soft »oap to make a paste that can be rolled into a ball. Wrap this in thin paper, and give by elevating his head and thrusting it into his throat. Give the following tonic, to stimulate the digestive and secretive functions : No. 32. C Oz. powdered sulphate of iron, 6 Oz. rosin, 3 Oz. gentian, 3 Oz. ground ginger. Mix thoroughly, divide into twelve powders, and give one night and morning. When these powders are exhausted, make up the same mixture, with the exception of the rosin, which, by too long continuance is apt to affect the kidneys unduly, and give as before, night and morning. To remove the buttons and ulcers, take a large stick or pencil of lunar oftustic or of caustic potash, and with it burn out the central portion of each bud, and cauterize each ulcer. When convenient to obtain what is called a farrier's "budding iron," the work may be more expeditiously done by heating the iron to redness, and, after rubbing it on something to clear off the scales, inserting the point into every bud and ulcer — remembering that it must be done moderately, and not so as to destroy the tissues. When these burnt places begin to slough out, and look pale, foul, and spongy, with thin matter, wash them frequently with a solution of 1 drachm of corrosive sublimate in 1 oz. rectified spirits. When the wounds begin tC look; red, and the bottom of them is even an<3 firm, while they discharge H thick white or yellow matter, use som« •imple ointment. If the disease is plainly in an advanced stage — the buttons and ulcers numerous and widely spread over the body ; the thirst great and hard to satisfy ; signs of glanderous ulcers on the mucous membrane of the nose ; the hair, where the sores have not invaded the skin, staring and easy ta THE HORSE, DISEASES OF THE NASAL GLANDS, ETC. ^7 *ome off ; the general appearance filthy and loathsome — the following Kevere treatment should be adopted and perseveringly carried out : In the first place, observe all the precautions as to diet and the state of the bowels previously recommended, being careful to guard against extensive purging, for tliis will tend rather to reduce the disease to a lower stage, and to retard recovery. Bleed at once, taking from two to four quarts of blood from the neck Tein, according as the body is more or less inflamed. Take &, gill of very strong solution of tobacco and pour it into » pint of warm water, and drench with it. Repeat this dose every third day until a change for the better has evidently taken place. If the feverish state continues he should be bled again, taking a like quantity as at first, within a week or ten days. The practice of bleeding, as insisted upon })y some veterinarians, cannot be recommended ; but there are cases iia which it may be employed with the greatest advantage. In farcy, it cannot be said to remove the poison to any great extent, though it does in some measure have this effect ; but the vitiated condition of the fluid 5eems to render it turgid and slow, and to produce an unnatural disten- ision of the veins and capillaries, which bleeding partially relieves — . possibly by both diminishing the quantity a little and by a reaction which follows the shock given to the organs of circulation by the act of blood" letting. The tobacco drench is a powerful medicine in counteracting the poison in the system ; and while the dose recommended will make the horse very sick, from its well-known nauseating properties, its effects are not to be feared. On those days which intervene between the doses of tobacco tea, the tonic powder. No. 32, may be given as directed for the milder stage of farcy, omitting the rosin. When the poison has been long at work Avithout betraying its presence, till all at once the horse becomes lame, his legs swell, violent general heat sets in, large and vicious looking buds appear suddenly and presently break, while a stinking discharge takes place from the nose — corded veins and buttons appearing in some instances along the spine — the case may well be looked upon as hopeless ; and if there are other animals that are in danger of taking the affection from him, it is doubtless best, as is generally recommended by English veterinarians, for even much milder forms, to kill the horse and bury him beyond the reach of all danger to others. In this stage of the disease he is dangerous to man, and no one ought to be required to take the risk of handling him. Lastly, every precaution should be taken to guard against the sprcrul •f the contagion. When a horse is known to be affected with farcy, n* 20 308 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. time should be lost in cleansing the stable where he has been confined^ Washing the trough, rack and walls thoroughly, — saturating them aftet that with a strong solution of chloride of lime, (one pint of chloride to two gallons of water), and then white-washing the walls inside. Curry- comb, blanket — whatever may have the poison adhering to it — hall better be burned. m. Distemper Causes. — ^This is an epidemic disease, occurring in young horses, gen« erally, and when it once breaks out all the animals in the stable are likely to be infected with it, unless they have already had it. Colts and young horses will take it from older ones more easily than older ones from the young. If it is not actually generated by filth and uncleanness in the stables, the disease is certainly aggravated by causes producing miasma and bad air in the stables. Therefore cleanliness is essential not only as a means of preventing the disease, but in rendering it of a mild type when it breaks out Horses will contract the disease from others when at a considerable distance. It is supposed to be communicated both by actual contact and also from germs proceeding from the breath. Hence when once it breaks out, at the first symptoms, isolate the sick animal or animals, fumigate the stable thoroughly and daily. To do this fill the stable with tobacco smoke, both the stable from whence the sick horses have been taken, and the place where they are confined during treatment. Let the smoke be so thick as to become 'luite inconvenient. Make all the animals inhale as much as possible. Wash every part of the stable, and especially the feeding places and hay racks, with a strong decoction of tobacco stems, using for the purpose cheap, rank tobacco. Keep powdered tobacco leaves in the mangers of all the horses. This being early attended to its spread may be generally arrested. How to know it. — The disease has three stages. In the early stage of the disease there is a dry, hacking cough, and there will be noticed % discharge from the nose, first of a thin, watery fluid succeeded by % thicker, purulent discharge of a whitish color. The next stajre of the disease shows itself in a swelling: of the throat. The salivary glands, which at first were inflamed, are now closed, and pus is being formed. At length an abscess is formed. The third stage is the suppurative stage, in which the abscess breaks ; THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 80t sometimes there are two. From this time on, the animal is in a fair way to mend, and every means should be taken to promote the discharge. In bad cases the suppuration may continue for weeks, and in extreme cases it may continue for months. From first to last there is a fever. The pulse is quickened and hard. The appetite fails, both from the fever and inability to swallow. As th« tever increases the eyes become dull and glassy ; the hair is dry, will not lie close, looks dead ; and the animal stands with its head drooped, and the whole appearance is stupid. What to do. — In some cases, bleeding will be indicated. This, how- ever, should not be allowed except unde;r the advice of a competent veterinary surgeon or physician. If the animal is fat, or if there are in- dications of blood poisoning, from a quart to three pints of blood may be taken from the neck vein. The animal must be warmly clothed and kept in a thoroughly well ventilated but comfortable stable. Let the food be light, but nourishing. Mashes made of oat-meal and bran ; also boiled oats ; oat-meal gruel, and hay-tea should be given for drink. Give the following ; So. 33. 1 table-spoonful pulverized gum myrrh, 1 table-spoonful gun powder, 1 table-spoonful lard, 1 table-spoonful soft-soap, 2 table-spoonfuls tar. Mix, and put a spoonful of this mixture on a long, narrow paddle down the throat twice a day, so it will lodge about the glands of the throat. Let all drink and food have the chill taken off before giving it. If there is considerable fever and the tongue is coated, give a little cream of tartar in the drink. If the limbs are cold, bandage them and hand rub to promote circulation. Give once a day in the food the following : No. 34. 2 or three ounces flower of sulphur, 1 ounce resin. To be mixed in the food if it will eat, or in the drink. Give also thre« ounces of sulphur per day, if the animal will take it. Wash the neck two or three times a day with a decoction of tobacco as hot as the animal will bear it. If these remedies are taken in time and faithfully applied, they will often prevent any tumor from forming. If the tumor forms, then every means must be employed to cause it to suppurate. It will then be dangerous to scatter it. If the bowels are obstructed, removt the contents of the rectum by the following injection : SIO ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Vo. 35. 4 Drachms powdered aloes, 1 Drachm common salt, 2 Drachms hot water. Mix, and inject when blood-warm. Use every possible means to promote the formation of pus and its dis. eharge. Common distemper and strangles are similar in some of their eymptoms, and one may run in the other. Stimulate the swelling witk the following: No. 36. Two parts spirits of turpentine, One part laudanum, One part spirits of camphor. Apply this three times a day with a brush until soreness is produced. Af- ter each application keep the parts warm with folds of flannel, kept in KiGHT-TAiLED BANDAGE. placc with au eight-tailed bandage, a piece of flannel having three slits cut in the ends for tying, and long enough to go round the throat and tie over the top of the head. If this does not cause the tumor to form, prepare a poultice as follows ; No. 37. 1 Part powdered slippery elm, 1 Part poplar bark, 1 Part ground flax seed. Moisten with vinegar and water equal parts, quilt between two folds of cloth and apply to as large a surface as possible. When the tumor has formed pus and is nearly ripe, which may be known by a soft place where it is working its way to the surface, open it with a knife with a round- pointed blade, and if necessary increase the opening with a button-pointed bistoury, to allow free exit of matter. It will give almost immediate re- lief- Then apply to the swollen glands night and morning, the following : No. 38. 4 Ounces spirits of camphor, 3 Ounces pyroligneous acid, 1 Pint neat's foot oil. Mix. If the acid is not to be easily obtained use strong cider vinegar. Prepare the following powders : No. 39. 2 Ounces powdered gentian, 1 Ounce powdered golden seal, 1 Ounce powdered pleurisy root, 1 Pound powdered liquorice root. Mix, and divide into six powders, to be given in the food night and iQorning. ^ THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 31 1 IV. Nasal Gleet. Causes.^-This affliction sometimes follows distemper and strangles and is one of the attendants on glanders, sometimes running into it. It is sometimes caused by a chronic affection of the schneiderian surfaces. It is caused sometimes by the relaxing and enlarging of the ducts commu- nicating between the cavities of the mouth and nose by disease, allowing the semi-liquid food and its juices to pass into the nostrils. This is true chronic gleet, and the discharge is tinged with what the animal eats. It is in one of its forms a suppuration of the mucus membrane lining in the facial sinuses, producing distortion and a terribly offensive dischar-o-e, which may have been produced by a blow on the face. In bad cases the cheapest way is to end the animal's misery by killing. How to know it. — Discharge is not always present, neither is it uniform. Sometimes during fair weather it will be discontinued. The discharge is a thick yellow mucus tinged with green, if the food be grass, or with the color of the food. If it becomes purulent, that is pus, matter, and tinged with blood, it may end in ulceration of the cartilages of the nose, and in glanders. If the discharge is confined to the left nostril, is tena- cious, elastic, accumulates around the edges of the nose, if there is enlargement of the lymphatic submaxillary gland, under and on the side of the jaw, it is cheaper to kill the horse, or else call in a surgeon, since for the proper treatment of the disease the trephine should be used, by which a circular piece of the bone may be taken out to facilitate treatment. How to Cure. — In mild cases look for decayed molar (grinding) teeth ; if found, remove them. Look for swelling of the frontal bone, produced by bruises. Put the horse where he may be comfortable, let his diet be light, but soft ; fresh grass in Summer, with good food. Inject the nasal passages thoroughly with the following ; No. 40. 1 Ounce bayberry bark, 1 Pint boiling water. When cool strain through a close linen or white flannel cloth, and inj&a^ daily. Prepare the following : Ko. 4L 1 Part Grains of Paradise, 1 Part white mustard seed, 1 Part powdered sulphur, 1 Part powdered charcoal. Mix, and give one ounce daily in the foo4U M2 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOB. Give occasionally in gruel the following : ISo, 42. >^ Ounce balsam copaiba, 2 Drachms sweet spirits of niter. This with warm clothing and nutritious food will suffice for mild cases Where the trephine is not to be used, treatment must be persisted in until the animal is cured. V. Nasal Polypus. Polypus may form upon any of the cavities of the body which com- municate with the air, being peculiar to the mucous membrane. These grown to such size as seriously to impair breathing, are accompanied some- times by discharge of mucus which is pure. That is, it is thrown out as soon as formed, and therefore it is not fetid. Y/hat to do. — If the polypus which is generally pear-shaped and at. tached to the membrane of the nose, by a small neck, can be made visible by causing the horse to cough, it may be removed by a ligature or a pair of polypus scissors by any physician, if no veterinary surgeon is at hand. When the polypus is entirely concealed from view, tracheotomy may have to be employed before an examination can be made, since the poly- pus may have gone so far as to oppress the breathing. Thus in all cases of palypus, unless it be so low that a ligature can be employed to strarg- ulate it at the neck, it is altogether better to call in the aid of a T«tei> inary surgeon. CHAPTER IV. DBOFSICAL AFFECTIONS. K raOFBT OF THK HEART. II. DROPSY OP THE BRAIN. — — HI. DROPSY OF THE CHESY. IV. DROPSY OF THK 8KIH OF THK CHEST. V. DROPSY OF THK SCROTUM. W DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN. I. Dropsy of the Heart: Causes. — The pericardium or membranous covering of the heart ii subject to inflammation ; by this inflammation and consequent obstructeij circulation in the minute vessels that supply it an effusion takes place, »nd either thickens the walls of the pericardium itself, and thus contracts or compresses the heart, or it is deposited in the cavity of the pericardium in quantities varying from a pint to a gallon. This diseased condition iu generally found in connection with dropsy of the chest or abdomen. How to know it.^In the early stages of the disease there is a quickened and irregular respiration, with a bounding action of the heart. As the fluid increases the action of this organ becomes feeble and fluttering. There is a peculiar expression of anxiety and alarm on the countenance of the animal. If he does not die of the disease before the pericardium is filled, violent palpitations and throbbings characterize the advanced stage. The breathing becomes difficult, and when the head is raised there is a tendency to faint. What to do. — If it is observed while there is yet a painful state of the pericardium by reason of inflammation — profuse effusion not havnig taken place— the first thing is to reduce the inflammation and allay the pain, and thus forestall the further accumulation of the fluid. For thi& purpose relieve constipation, which is usually found as an accompaniment, fcy moderate doses of salts, or of oil. Then give the following draugnt; 313 514 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. No. 43. 1 Oz. nitrate of potash, 15 Drops tincture of aconite, 1 Pint of water. The animal must be kept comfortable, according to the season, and have a plentiful supply of fresh air and cold water. If there are no indications of relief within four hours, give the following draught : No. 44. 4 Oz. solution of acetate of ammonia, 10 Drops tincture of aconite, 12 Oz of water. Repeat this after eight hours, and then leave off the aconite, but con- tinue to give, at intervals, the acetate of ammonia in water. If the disease has reached an advanced stage, and the cavity of the pericardium is largely filled with Avater, it is scarcely to be hoped that the animal may be saved ; but even in that case the course here prescribed should be adopted, unless there is some more general disorder under such treatment as will render it unnecessary or objectionable. II. Dropsy of the Brain. Causes. — The remote cause of this disease (known also as hydrocepha- lus), is some constitutional disorder of the brain, or of its membranous covering — chiefly, as is believed, a scrofulous tendency. The immediate causes, or the excitants to its development, are various, as castration, foot puncture, staggers, acute diseases of the stomach, defective nutrition, etc. How to know it. — At first an unnatural sleepiness will appear, with ap- parent unconsciousness and a tendency to reel when moving on foot. The pupil of the eye is perceptibly dilated ; the animal breathes in a hard and grunting way ; he tosses his head about and throws it upward or backward, as though in much pain. When down, with neck lying prone, as is often the case, he will sometimes raise his head, then drop it spasmodically, beating it upon the ground. If unrelieved, convulsion* finally set in, and death ensues. MVhat to do. — If the head is hot with fever, denoting an acute attack, aponge frequently with cold water, and see that the bowels are kept mod- erately open. If there is decided constipation, as is sometimes the case, use an injection of soap-suds at intervals, until the bowels are moved. Then give the following in doses of 2 ounces, morning and evening: No. 45. 4 Oz. fluid extract of buchu, 2 Oz. iodide of potassium, 6 Oz. water. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 314 Continue this, keeping the horse from labor and as quiet as possible, until all symptoms of feverishness disappear from about the head, and the unnatural torpor no longer manifests itself. in. Dropsy of the Chest. Causes. — This disease, (called also hydrothorax), is frequently the sequel of pleurisy, and is the result of the inflamed condition of the large surfaces of the covering of the heart and lungs. The absorbents are in- adequate to the taking up of the abundant effusion, so that the chest is filled, the lungs are pressed upon and death by suffocation follows. How to know It. — The impaired appetite and chilliness of the ears and legs which characterize the last stage of pleurisy, change when it is about to assume a dropsical form, and the horse becomes more lively, his appe- tite returns, his legs and ears become warm, the eyes look more cheerful, and his manner is every way more encouraging. A few hours after this first apparent improvement, however, the breathing becomes labored, the muscles quiver and twitch, and the nostrils flap. The animal stands with the legs wide apart, head low, or resting upon something, neck stretched out, eyes staring, and the motion of the flanks increased, even brought into forcible heaving action. The pulse is more frequent, but small, irregular and fluttering ; and the nose, ears and legs become cold again. His weakness rapidly increases, and if not relieved the animal dies, sometimes within a week, though he may linger much longer. The disease may be detected in its early stage, or immediately after the horse has shown signs of relief from pleurisy, by placing the ear to the chest, near the breast bone. If the dropsical effusion has set in, the ear will detect no sound, nor will any be detected until the ear is placed high up the shoulder or flank, past the middle of the ribs. Holding it here, at the point where the breathing is first audible, and directing a slap to be made on the other side with the open hand, the examiner will hear a dull, splashing noise as though of disturbed water ; and there need be no longer any doubt as to the nature of the case. What to do. — In the first place adopt the use of diuretics and laxatives, that the various organs may be assisted in carrying off the accumulated fluid. For the first day give every six or eight hours, the following : No. 46. 4 Drachms powdered nitrate of potash, 1 Fluid ounce tincture of cardamoms, 10 Oz. water. Mix the potash and water, and when a clear solution is formed add the tincture, and give from the bottle twice or thrice in the twenty-four hours. 316 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. On the second day, two or three times a day give : 'So. 47. 2 Fluid ounces solution of acetate of ammonia^ 1 Oz. nitrous ether. Mix with water and administer from the bottle. If this treatment does not seem to be giving relief at the end of threw to five days, draw off the liquid by tapping the chest. It is a simple and safe operation and will give relief unless treatment has been too long de- layed, so that there is an accumulation of substances that will obstruct the mouth of the canula and prevent the flow of the liquid. The instru- ment to be used, the trocar, armed with a stylet, must not be large, as drawing off the water too suddenly would prove fatal. The smallest of those made for human practice is large enough, but it must be of greater length. Having the instrument, and that in good condition, select a place behind and about on a level with the elbow, and take a small portion oi skin, between the eighth and ninth ribs, which must be pulled forward. Then make a narrow slit with a sharp knife upon the place which the skin originally covered. Still holding the skin gathered forward, insert the armed trocar into this opening and press it with such force as suffices to push it gradually onward until resistance ceases. It is then within the^ cavity of the thorax, and the stilet must be ^vithdrawn, whereupon the water usually begins to flow out. Take all the water you can get if the horse will suffer so much to be withdrawn ; but if at any time during the operation he shows signs of faintness, withdraw the trocar and let the skin fly back. It is necessary always to have the skin drawn forward so that on returning it may cover the wound lest the air may enter the chest from the outside, which would prove quickly fatal. In an hour or two after the first attempt a second may be made but the trocar must be in- serted in a new place, as the first wound might be irritated by an effort to re-insert the instrument. There is sometimes apprehension lest this operation may injure an artery by approaching too near the posterior border of a rib, but this is groundless, as the artery is protected by the groove through which it travels. If the trocar is properly inserted, and no water flows, the case may b» regarded as well nigh hopeless. A whalebone may be inserted to break away the pus or whatever substance may line the thorax, but this is not known to have ever resulted in any good. If there is fluid on both sides, it should be drawn off on both sides at the same time, to prevent pressure upon the delicate divisions of the ■ihest. The fluid is generally confined, however, to one side. The operator should stay by the animal during the slow abstraction ol THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 317 the water, so that upon any sign of faintness he may withdraw the trocar and prevent death through sudden collapse. After the water is pretty thoroughly drawn off, be careful to give the patient as much nourishing and carefully prepared food as he will con- «ume ; and the following tonic ball should be administered night and waorning for several times on alternate days : No. 48. 1 Drachm iodide of irou, >i Grain strychnia, }i Drachm sulphate of zinc. 4 Drachms extract of gentian. rV. Dropsy of the Skin of the Chest. dauses. — This is an effusion of fluid underneath the sWin of the chest \ and it is a sequel to various diseases — beginning generally to manifest itself only after the animal is reduced to a debilitated state. It is most likely to occur in the Spring and in the Fall of the y^-ar, at the time of changing the coat. How to Know it. — A swelling appears on the ckiest and somewhat between the forelegs ; and its dropsical character may be known by ita yielding to pressure of the fingers with a fluctuating feeling. What to do. — If it is the accompaniment of any more general disorder the first thing, of course, is to remove that primary disease. Meanwhile if the fluid accumulates in any considerable quantity, draw it off with the trocar; and if there is not too much soreness, subject the part to regular and moderately vigorous friction occasionally for some days. Diuretics are always good in these dropsical complaints. No. 45 is good. It is important that the bowels be kept regular, and that good nutritious food, as boiled oats or boiled barley, with wheat bran, be given regularly, and in sufficient quantity to nourish well. Give 4 drs. of gentian every other day for a week or two. It must be remembered that these medicines are to be given only m case there is no treatment in progress for a more general disorder, V. Dropsy of the Scrotnm. Causes. — This is usually found in connection with dropsy of the abdo- men, and arises from either local injury and consequent inflammation, followed by effusion, or by sympathy from that cause which has produced the general abdominal trouble. How to Know it. — It is readily known by a chronic distension of the part, except when mistaken for scrotal hernia or rupture, from which it 318 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. may be distinguished by its not passing back with a sudden movement, ■when pressed with the fingers, but with a steady current and gi'adual diminution What to do. — If it is associated with dropsy of the abdomen treat that first, and until it is relieved, without which being done it is unnecessary to attempt the cure of the more local and dependent disorder. In any event, find out, if possible, and remove the primary cause. Next see to it that the bowels of the patient are kept moderately active ; and as in the case of dropsy of the abdomen, give sufficient of diuretic No. 45, to act freely upon the kidneys. If the fluid has accumulated in any considerable quantity, so as to render the scrotum painful by distension, draw it off mth a fine armed trocar, or a hypodermic syringe, and support the parts with an elastic bandage. VI. Dropsy of the Abdomen. Causes. — This is a collection of water in the abdomen which is gener- ally the result of chronic inflammation of the peritoneum, a tough, white membrane which lines the abdomen and embraces the bowels in its folds. "When this inflammation has assumed a chronic condition, the peritoneum secretes a watery fluid, because of long obstructed circulation, which fills the cavity, and unless attended to will finally cause death. Frequently it follows injuries of the abdominal walls, when the perito- neum has been subjected to violence, and is associated with local inflam- mation of the muscular tissues, from which effusion is directed inward. Sometimes it arises from obstructed circulation caused by diseases of the liver, lungs or heart, and again from a poor, watery state of the blood, superinduced by exhaustion or by scanty and innutritions food. It is more frequently found in old than in young and vigorous animals. How to know it. — Generally, a low state of health precedes the more unmistakal)le manifestations ; there is thirst and loss of appetite ; the pulse is hard and small ; the membrane of the nose is pale ; the mouth is dry ; the head droops ; there is a condition of weakness and languor ; and there are some signs of heart and liver diseases ; pressure upon the abdomen is so painful as to cause a groan. Sometimes there is local dropsy of the sheath, legs and breast, as well as of the belly. The bowels are apt to be constipated, but are sometimes irregular ; and the coat is loose and staring. When the water has begun to fill the cavity, the horse manifests a de- sire to lie down and remain long in one position ; there is a gradual enlargement of the abdomen, and as the fluid increases there is increased THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 31f difficulty in breathing. In the chronic stages of the disease, the progress is slow ; but the belly becomes more and more baggy ; and in some in- stances the hair of the tail comes away easily or drops out, showing that the skin and capillary glands of that part of the body are affected. The presence of water, when it has collected in any considerable quan- tity, may be detected by placing the ear to the abdomen and having some one slap the horse on the opposite side with the open palm. In mares, this enlargement of the belly is sometimes mistaken for a pregnant condition ; but it may be readily distinguished by a fluctuating feeling which follows a pressure upon the parts with the fingers, a sort of fluid motion, as of water forcibly displaced. What to do. — If it is known to proceed from local injuries, or from diseases of the vital organs, it is scarcely necessary to adopt any course of treatment, unless, indeed, the primary disease can itself be removed; but when it depends upon inflammation of the peritoneum, or when it results from bad or deficient food and unwholesome surroundings, place the horse in a good, dry and well-ventilated stall, feed him generously, Mud give him the following tonic ball, night and morning : No. 49^ 1 Oz. powdered digitalis, }i Oz. sulphate of iron. Mix with mucilage and a spoonful of linseed meal to form a ball of sufficient firmness for handling. It is important that the kidneys should be kept active, and the follow- ing diuretic must be used for that purpose : Noo 50. 2 Pounds soap, 2 Pounds nitrate of potash, 3 Pounds rosin, 2 Pounds Venice turpentine, yi Pint oil of turpentine, Melt the soap and rosin slowly together, and stir in the other ingredi- ents while the former mixture is cooling. Make it into 2-ounce balls with linseed meal, and give one at a time as often as necessary to keep up a somewhat copious action of the kidneys. If at any time the water accumulates in a great quantity, drav it off by means of a fine trocar, plunged into the most dependent or lowest part of the distended abdomen. CHAPTER V. PISEASES OF THE THBOAT, CHEST AND LUNGS. CHK8fT-rOUND«R. -- — ir. BRONCHITIS. III. PNKUMONIA, OR INFLAMMATIOii OF THB LUNGS. IV. CONSUMPTION, V. PLEURISY. VI. COLDS. VU. ENLARGED GLANDS. VIII. SWELLED THROAT, OR LARYNGITIS. IX. CHRONIC COUGH. X. MALIGNANT EPIDEMIC. XI. DIFFICULTY OP BREATHING. XII. BROKEN WIND, — BELLOWS, — » HEAVES. XIII. INFLUENZA. XIV. PINK EYE. XV. BLEEDING FROM THE NOSE. XVI. STRANGLES. XVII. SPASMODIC ACTION OF THE GLOTTIS AND EPIGLOTTIS. I. Chest-Pounder. This when it is not soreness of the muscles from hard work, is rheu- matism in its acute form. Sometimes it is caused by lesion, or straining of the muscles or the tendons connected with them. Causes- — It may be brought on by suddenly allowing the horse to become chilled after heating, giving large drafts of cold water when warm, or driving him into cold water up to his belly when heated. How to know it. — The horse is dull ; his coat may be staring ; he is stiff, and moves unwillingly. Sometimes the soreness extends to the limbs ; usually does from sympathy. There is fever in the parts affected and accelerated pulse, the latter from 70 to 80 beats in a minute. Also, sometimes profuse sweating and heaving at the flanks, but the legs will remain warm. The parts affected may be more or less swollen, but always tender to the touch. What to do. — Clothe the horse warmly, and put him where he may be kept so. If the animal is fat, and full of blood ; if there is evident determination of blood, bleed moderately, say a pint from the neck vein. 320 THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 321 We never, however, advise bleeding, except by a veterinary surgeon or physician who knows his business. Wash the throat in warm salt and water. Relieve the bowels as soon as possible by an injection of soap suds, if the rectum be impacted. Give as a laxative 4 drachms Barbae does aloes. Pulverize and mix into a ball with molasses and linseed meal to form a mass or give the following : No. 51. >i Oz. ground ginger, 1 Drachm tartar emetic, 1 Pint salt and water. Mix and give as warm as the horse can swallow it. As a rule the horse being thoroughly physicked will get better ; if not, apply a mild blister. No. 62. 1 Oz. powdered cantharidea, 8 Oz. lard oil. Heat to blood heat and mix thoroughly. Shave the hair from tha breast, wash with warm vinegar and apply the mixture rubbing it well in. When the blisters rise dress with a plaster of mutton tallow. A FIT SUBJBCT FOR FOUNDER OR BRONCHITIS. n. Bronchitis. Causes. — Exposure of a heated and steaming hcrse to chill, or orer •xertion, and leaving the horse in the stable, when the system is quite relaxed. Ridins: to town and leaving a horse in the cold and wind while the owner is making himself comfortable. There is first a cold, enlarged glands and swelled throat. The inflammation extends down from the 522 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. larynx through the trachea into the bronchial tubes and air passages trf the lungs, and ends sometimes in confirmed and incurable bronchitis. How to know it. — In the acute stage there is difficulty and rapidity of breathing, from the filling of the membranes with blood and the con sequent diminishing of the size of the tube. After a time mucus is formed and increases the difficulty of breathing and causes a cough. The pulse will be 60 or 70 beats per minute ; the cough will become hard and dry, and the sound in the throat will be rattling, and after the secretion of mucus a gurgling sound will be given similar to that made in blowing soap bubbles. In extreme cases the breathing becomes extremely labori- ous, the cough is constant and distressing, the legs are extended, and at length the animal dies of suffocation. A H0R3B DRBSSED FOR BRONCHITIS. What to do. — The first step is to find the extent of the inflammation. Never bleed. Clothe the animal warmly and give an injection of warm water to relieve the bowels. Avoid all strong purgatives. In fact, givb none unless the bowels are decidedly bound up. Let the food be soft and laxative, green grass in Summer, or mashes and gruels in Winter. For the throat, scalded soft hay, fastened by means of the eight tailed bandages, will be good. Wash the neck and chest with a weak decoction of tobacco as hot as it can be borne. When dry, shave the hair from the chest and apply a blister of better strength than that advised for chest founder The following will be good : No. 53. 1 Ounce powdered cantharides, 1 Ounce powdered resin, 4 Ounces lard oil. Melt the resin and lard together, with just sufficient heat to melt xxm THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 32S reein. Add the cantharides and stir until it sets together. Apply to the chest and throat if the case is desperate. If only irritation is desired the following will be good : No. 54 4 Ounces lard oil, 1 Ounce turpentine, -* 6 Drachms powdered cantharides. Shave the hair and apply by rubbing in. For the body prepare a strong cloth as shown on preceding page. Get two pieces of flannel three yards long and the full width of the fabric, also four pieces half a yard long and a foot wide. Saturate one of the pieces with cold water, fold, and apply near the top of the back, equally on each side. Two of the smaller pieces are to be saturated with water and laid along the sides of the chest, fasten the jacket at the back so as to hold all snug. When the flannels are warm remove them and replace immediately with others. So continue for two or three hours as the case may be, and then allow them to remain until the animal is pretty well recovered. In very aggravated cases of congestion give every half hour until the pulse regains its tone, and then at longer intervals, reduced at last to once a day, the following : iTo. 55. 1 Ounce sulphuric ether, 1 Ounce laudanunqu 1 Pint water. At the third dose discontinue if the effect required is not produced and give the following : No. 56. yi Drachm of solid belladonna, y^ Pint of warm water. Rub down the belladonna with the warm water. Give this exclusivelr every hour until the pulse is better, then withdraw half the laudanum and ni Ounce laudanum, ^ Pint linseed oil. This will often prove effective ; if not, repeat the dose in a few hours For an ox, give double this dose. If the symptoms increase, apply a strong mustard poultice to the side of the chest, or a blister. No. 53 may be applied to the chest. The bowels should be kept mod-erately open. If effusion of water takes place, give 6 drachms of acetate of potassa once or twice a day in a pail of water. The following will be found excellent in place of the last named remedy, if there is weakness *nd a rapid pulse (70 to 80), and scanty urine : ¥0. 59. K Ounce tincture of chloride of iron, }i pail water. Give as a drink twice daily. The effusion of water not jdelding, the chest may be tapped with a trochar. Divide the skin with a lancet, between the eighth and ninth rib and near the lower end. Be careful the air does not enter. Draw •ff only a part of the water if it produces a shock. In this, one should have the advice of a veterinarian. Repeat in 24 to 48 hours. The ani- mal should be kept up with sulphate of iron, two drachms, twice a day, in water, with stimulants and easily digestible and nutritious food. It is absolutely necessary, after effusion of water has taken place, that the urine should be passed freely to assist absorption. To this end th« following will be indicated : 330 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. No. 90. 1 Drachm iodide of potassium, 1 Drachm carbonate of ammonia, ^ Ounce powdered gentian. Give twice a day as a drench in a quart of "water, or as a ball mixed with linseed meal and molasses. VI. Colds. Colds in horses, as in the human family, are usually the result of im- proper care or undue exposure. Taking a horse from a hot, illy ventii* ated stable, and allowing him after driving to become cold, is one prolific cause of colds. There are so many means of causing this disability that it would be impossible to enumerate them. If the attack is light, all that will be necessary will be to clothe the animal warmly and relax the bowels with a warm mash, and give rest for a few days. Sometimes, however, the attack is prolonged and severe. The ajipetite ceases, the coat rough- ens, parts of the body are hot and others cold, the membrane of the nose at first dry and pale, with the facial sinuses clogged, at length termi- nates in a discharge more or less great, but with- out improving the health of the horse. What to do. — Keep the animal warmly clothed, in ample box stall, with plenty of bedding. If A horse's HEAD WITH COLD, the coM docs uot give way in a few days after the first attack, and the symptoms are as we have indicated, or if the membranes of the nose are dry, make a sack of coarse gunny cloth, large enough so it may fit the nose properly, but en- largfins: to the bottom, and two feet or more long, with a slit covered with a flap in the side, half way down. Put into the bag half a peck or more of coarse pine sawdust with which half an ounce of spirits of turpentine has been thoroughly mixed. Place the bag on the nose as shown in the cut on next page. Turn two gallons of hot water in the slit, and every twenty minutes repeat, allowing the bag to remain on an hour each time, use this six times a day until the discharge begins. When water runs freely from the nose, three times daily will be enough. Let the food be good scalded oats or other like food, with mashes if the bowels are constipated. An animal with this kind of a cold should not be put to steady work until entirely recovered. The result of protracted cold is great weakness, and work before recovery often leads to disease of the air passages and lungs. If there is much fever give the following : THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 331 ITo. «1. 2 Drachms spirits of ammonia, 2 Drachms ether. Mix and give in :i little gruel, (say 1-2 pint,) twice a day. If the throat is involved poultice it with linseed meal in which a little mustard has been mixed. When the symptoms give way and improvement begins, or if the appetite is not good prepare the following : No. 62. 2 Ounces powdered gentian, 2 Ounces carbonate of ammonia. Form this into a mass, with linseed oil and molasses, divided into eight parts and give one twice each day. If the cold becomes chronic it ends in catarrh. When there are catarrhal symptoms and sore throat give the following : No. 63. 1 Drachm extract of belladonna, 2 Drachms ipecac, 2 Drachms powdered camphor, 4 Drachms nitre. Mix into a ball with linseed oil, and give one every three or four hours. In inveterate or chron- ic cold there is discharge, and swelling of the lym- j)hatic gland. We have already shown how glan- ders ma}^ be known. ..^ ^^^'■^~: HSAD WITH LYMPHATIC GLAND OF THE THROAT SWOLLEN. 1— The enlarged lymphatic within the jaw. KOSS BAO FOR STEAMIN» HORSE WITH COLD, We give a cut show- ing the enlargement of the lymphatic ^land in chronic icold. In case the horse gets cold it is better that he be ex- amined by a competent veterinary surgeon, (not by a quack,) in order to be sure the disease is not glanders. Vn. Enlarged Glands— Goitre. There are various glands in the throat that are subject to enlargement from disease, and which remain permanent after the disease is passed. This result is generally more unsightly as a blemish than as a real disa- bility. Goitre, however, is a disease peculiar to some limestone regions, producing in animals as in man a swelling of the thyroid gland. In some portions of the East it is quite prevalent, producing extensive enlarge- 'S32 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. ments in lambs. It also attacks cattle and swine. In solid-hoofed anl- nials, as in the horse, there may be a swelling on either side ; in others it is in the center just below the roots of the jaws. For all enlargements of the glands, tincture of iodine will disperse the swelling if it may be possible. In l^ronchocele or goitre, rainwater only should be given to drink ; iodine in doses of ten grains daily may be given on an empty stomach, and the swelling may be painted with the tincture. This to bo persisted in for months. Another remedy that has been successful, is the following : No. 64. >i Drachm iodide of potassium, 1 Drachm liquor potassae, ^ Pint rainwater. Mix, and give as a dose night and morning, using the tincture of iodine on the goitre. Vm. Swelled Throat, or Laryngitis. Causes. — Foul stables or any cause producing colds, catarrhs, etc. It Is sometimes divided professionally into laryngitis and pharyngitis, but practically they are one — inflammation of the air and food passages of the neck, generally accompanied with cough, difficulty in swallo\ving and fever. How to Know it. — The animal is dull. The head is carried in a peculiar manner, as though the neck were stiff. There is a short, frequent cough, the breath is hurried, the pulse full and throbbing, and the mem- branes of the nasal passages are high colored, almost scarlet. There will be a hoarse sound, approaching to a grunt, at each breath taken, if the ears are held against the animal's wind-pipe. Externally there is more or less enlargement over the region of the larynx, the enlargement of the windpipe next the throat. Handling the throat seems to produce extreme pain. What to do. — Reduce the pulse at once by doses of tincture of aconite in a wine glass full of water, repeated every half hour. Plac© the steam ing-bag on the nose, as recommended for colds. Keep it em- ployed almost constantly, for there may be danger of strangulation. If the steaminjr seems to distress the animal, omit it, or use it onlv oca- sionally, and soak soft hay in boiling water and apply to the throat as hot as can be borne. Bandage and fasten with the eight-tailed bandage previously described. Or, ferment the throat with cloths wrung out of hot mustard water. If there is difficulty in swallowing, put a tea- •poonf ul of the following well back on the tongue several times a day • THE HOBSE, ITS DISEASES. Ho. am, 1 Ounce powdered guaiacum, 4 Ounces powdered chlorate of potash, }i Pint of molasses. Do not in administering anything, force the jaws wide apart. Act as gently as possible. If the animal is feverish and the throat hot and dry, give three times a day, in a pint of cold linseed tea, the following : No. 66. 1 Drachm powdered ipecac, 1 Ounce solution of acetate of ammonia. In case the disease becomes chronic, the following excitant to the throat will be indicated ; No. 67. 1 Part oil of turpentine, 1 Part solution of ammonia, i 1 Part olive oil. Mix, shake the bottle before using, and rub well in on the throat every- day. If this does not relieve, apply the following blister : No. 68. 1 Drachm croton oil, 1 Drachm sulphuric ether, 10 Drachms alcohol. Mix, and apply by rubbing with considerable friction. A. HOBSB Wixa THE THBOAT BLISTEBBD. •* SETON IN THE THROAT OF A HOBSE. When the symptoms become more favorable, by the membranes of th© nose becoming pale or more natural in color; by the cough becoming more free, or louder, easier and with less violent breathing, and by the appearance of a white and thick discharge from the nostrils, put a seton in the throat, (see cut,) and allow nothing but moist and succulent food. Move the seton daily until healthy pus (matter) is formed. Then cut one of the knots and withdraw it, and as the horse recovers allow drier food — hay and grain — but that entirely free from dust. See that no stones or grit are in the oats, and soak for five or six hours before feed- ing. In this, as in diseases where the throat is more or less sore, the IvK^e may quid his food. This is not a symptom of laryngitis as is some- 534 ILLvJSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. times supposed, but known to all diseases where there is obstruction n •wallowins^. IX. Chronio Cough. A UORSB QCIDDING. There are many cases of long standing or chronic cough. Cough is an attendant upon so many disorders of the air passages, from the most trivial difficulty in teething to glan- ders, that a cough should not be overlooked in the diagnose of diseases. And so many diseases leave the patient with chronic cough, that its symptomatic stages should be care- fully observed. Coughing tends generally to a thickening of the membranes. When the membrane covering the larynx becomes thickened, and consequently morbidly sensitive, the cough becomes fixed or what is termed chronic. The sense of smell in the nose is peculiarly acute, and the membranes of the nose and throat, as a matter of course, are fully as sensitive. We have said, "the limbs and feet are half the horse ; the lungs the test of his endurance." Yet nine in ten of the stables in which horses are kept are offensive to man and irritate the air passages when first entered. Yet the sense of smell in man is not very acute, except in a few directions. A stable therefore, offensive to man is not a fit place for horses to bo kept, where the lungs constitute one of the principal excellencies of the animal. THK ACT OF COUGHING. The cough which accompanies the several diseases of which this rol- nme treats, will be described in the treatment of the diseases themselves. In this article chronic cough will be treated, the cough that is always Present in eating, drinking and inhaling a cold draught of air, or from THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 335 any cause of excitement, requiring long and careful nursing for their cure. The chronic cough, resulting from colds, is hard and metallic. For this, the following will be good, to be rubbed on the throat and mround the windpipe, once in ten days : No. 69. 15 Drops croton oil, 1 Ounce glycerine, « Give twice a day, for a week, the following : No. 70. 40 Drops diluted prussic acid, 1 Ounce niter, 1 Ounce bicarbonate of soda, 1 Quart water. If this does not give relief, the following, valuable for irritable chronic «ough, the result of influenza or sore throat, may be used : No. 71. 1 Ounce Fowler's solution of arsenic, 1 Ounce chlorate of potash, 1 Drachm belladona. Give once a day in water pr gi-uel and note results, ceasing after a week or ten days, if no improvement ensues. For cough and sore throaty when first discovered, take : No. 72. 1 Drachm powdered camphor, 1 Drachm extract belladona, 2 Ounces sweet spirits niter. Give in a pint of cold gruel three times a day. Tar-water is well known ' to be valuable in obstinate coughs. Give every morning as a drink, the following : No. 73. 1 Drachm powdered squills, >i Pint tar-water, }i Pint lime-water. If the cough is violent, use as a sedative, the following : No. li. 1 Drachm dilute prussic acid, 2 Drachms powdered opium, 4 Drachms niter. Mix in a pint of linseed tea and give from five to six table-spoonfuls three times a day. Expectorants, calculated to loosen the cough and restore the secretions to their natural conditions, do not act so kindly as could be wished on farm animals. For a long standing cough, try the following : 836 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. No. 75. 1 Drachm aloes, 1 Drachm squills, '2 Drachms gum ammoniacum. Mix into a ball with meal and give once a day in the morning. If the cough is irritable and easily excited, and the bowels natural, omit the aloes and substitute for it one drachm of opium. For a cold settled in the chest, with cough, give every morning th« following : No. 76. 1 Drachm ipecac, 1 Drachm liquorice powder, >i Ounce nitrate of ammonia. Add tar, the size of a hazel-nut and mix with molasses to form a ball. AH coughs resulting from indigestion or worms, and some of those resulting from irritation of the passages of the throat, are often cured by turning the horse out in Summer where he may have free range on the prairie, where resin weed grows plentifully. A long standing cough, however, requires time, and the operator must use judgment in adminiS'^ tering medicine. If he be a veterinary surgeon he will make up his mind from various symptoms. The farmer should endeavor carefully to do the same. X. Malignant Epidemic. Under this head the older veterinarians were accustomed to term several diseases that sweeping over a country became unusuall}'^ prevalent or fatal. Thus Dr. Layard and Ohmer long ago wrote of malignant epidemic, probably a severe form of catarrhal fever, or epidemic catarrh, and also known as influenza distemper, malignant epidemic, murrain, pest, etc. Youatt describes a malignant disease occurring in 1714 in England, imported from the continent and destroying in the course of a few months 70,000 horses and cattle. Professor Bruquon, of Turin, says of this disease, that it commenced with loss of appetite, staring coat, a wild and wandering look, and a staggering from t]ie very commencement. The horse would (-ontinually lie down and get up again, as if tormented hy colic ; and he gazed alternately at both flanks. In moments of compar* ative ease there were universal twitchings of the skin and spasms of tha limbs. The temperature of the ears and feet was variable. If there happened to be about the animal any old wound or scar from setoning or firing, it opened afresh and discharged a quantity of thick and black blood. Very shortly afterward the flanks, which were quiet before, begap to heave, the nostrils were dilated, the head extended for breath. The THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 337 horse had, by this time become so weak that, if he lay, or fell dowu, he could rise no more ; or, if he was up, he would stand trembling, stagger- ing, and threatening to faL every moment. The mouth was dry, the tongue white and the breath fetid ; a discharge of yellow or fetid matter proceeded from the nose and fetid matter from the anus. The duration of the disease did not exceed twelve or twenty-four hours ; or if th« animal lingered on swellings of the head and throat and sheath and scrotum followed, and he died exhausted, or in convulsions. Black spots — extravasation — were found in cellular membrane, in the tissue of all the membranes, and on the coats of the stomach. The mesenteric and lymphatic glands were engorged, black and gangrenous. The membrane of the nose and pharynx were highly injected, the lungs were filled with black and frothy blood, or with black and livid spots. The brain and its meninges were unaltered. y.I. Diflaculty of Breathing. . From whatever source this may arise, whether from some disorgan- ization, or change in the lungs, or obstruction in the air passages ; what- ever the obstruction be, it must first be traced to its cause before good can be done. This is sometimes not eas}^ to do ; the owner must act with judgment. Thick wind often follows pneumonia, and is caused by closing or obliteration (hepatization) of a portion of the lungs. If it does not pass away after the disease which preceded it is entirely cured, it may be mitigated by feeding the animal on sound oats, entirely freed from dust, giving but little hay, that moistened, and avoiding any food that is dusty. Mashes and carrots in Winter suificient to keep the bowels prop- erly open, and turning on prairie pasture in Summer will be indicated. Roaring has rendered nearly useless many valuable horses in England j in the United States horses are not subject to it. It is said to be pro^ duced by obstruction in some part of the respiratory canal, most often in the larynx and next in the trachea. Thus chronic cough sometimes ter- minates in roaring. In this country heaves is the most usual termination. Xn. Brokeia Wind ; Bellows ; Heaves. Causes. — Broken wind is the result both of disease of the lungs and riolent exertions. Feeding on dusty hay and grain are prolific sources of the disease. Where no clover hay is used, the disease is rare. It is mainly confined to horses that have arrived at maturity. A horse fed for days and weeks on dusty hay, and then driven hard, will exhibit heaves, unless his lungs and digestion are extraordinary. This disease is usiially knoAvn in the South under the name of bellows, and in the ^ ^rth a* heaves, either of them expressive of the disease. 338 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. How to know it. — Broken wind is nearly allied to asthma in man, but is more continuous in its action a)id less liable to occur in paroxysms. At each breath there will be a two-fold motion of the flank, caused by a falling in of the abdominal walls, causing the flank to lift, then after a perceptible interval a rising of the back part of the belly assists in freeing the lungs of air. There is a short, dry cough, sometimes almost inaudi- ble, followed by whirring. When the horse is moved suddenly, or driven hard, when a draught of cold water is given, or the animal is suddenly brought into the cold air, the spells will occur. Indigestion is almost always present, and as a consequence of flatulency of the bowels. The appetite is ravenous and unnatural ; eating the litter given for bedding, is one of the many exhibitions of it. What to do. — There is no permanent cure for this disability. The symptoms and distress may be alleviated by giving only sound grain and bright, hard stalked hay, free from dust. Prairie hay with plenty of resin leaf in it is the best ; next, clean cured corn-stalks. But little water should be allowed at a time, and not more than 6 to 8 pounds of hay, daily, and this given at night, the provender being confined as much a» possible to gi-ain and grass in Summer, and grain, bran-mashes and car rots or potatoes in Winter. This will enable many broken-winded horses to do a fair amount ol work with comparative comfort. In any event, a horse inclined to be thick-winded in any degree, should never be tightly checked up, nor above all, be driven by pulling in the head, causing undue bearing either of the curb or snaffle on the jaw. The animal should be allowed to hold its head in the easiest position, since its work must be nec- essarily slow. One of the most usual palliative means of the animal appearing for a time sound, is to give 10 to 15 grains of arsenic a day for a week or ten days. A better preparation to give relief — afterwards, the animal to be turned out on clean, short grass, is the following: BIT BKABINQ DFON JAW. No. 77. 1 Ounce Fowler's solution of arsenic, 1 Drachm extract of belladonna, )i Drachm tincture of ginger. Give once a day, in the morning, in one pint of water, and continue fo* /our to eight weeks, as circumstances may dictate. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 339 XIII. Influenza. This epizootic, which first and last has heen prevalent in nearly all countries where the horse is used, is, as to its origin, but little under- stood. Its symptoms, however, are well known, but these may be complicated by inflammatory symptoms of all the air passages ; also by rheumatic swellings, paralysis, delirium and inflammation of the eyes. How to know it. — The attack may be sudden. There will be stupor and weakness, the head will be held low, the eyes dull and half closed, the gait will be weak, with cracking of the joints sometimes. There will be no appetite, and fever ; the mouth hot and clammy, the bowels costive, with scanty urine ; the pulse quick and weak, but sometimes hard ; the membrane of the nose may be pink, or a deep leaden hue ; the cough will be deep and harsh ; the ccat rough and staring ; the skin tender and sometimes trembling, and tlie ears and limbs alternately hot and cold. Upon applying the ear to the lungs crepitation will be heard, or some- times a harsh blowing sound. As the disease progresses, and the nos« discharges a white, yellowish or greenish water, the animal may get bet- ter ; but when the lungs are seriously involved, the symptoms will in- crease. As a rule there is constipation, although purging is sometimes present . CONFIRMED INFLUENZA. What to do. — Place the animal in a well littered stall, free from drafts •f air Do not depend upon strong physic. The cure must be effected Oy watching the symptoms and combating them. If there is costiveness keep the bowels open by injections of two wine glasses full of linseed oil. Relief must be had by means of stimulants and tonics. Good Bill sing must be constant, with clothing enough to keep the animal warm h good tonic and stimulant is : 22 540 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. BTo. 78 2 Oz of gentian, 2 Oz. carbonate ammonia. Form in eight doses and give one night and morning. If the ooogli u dietressing prepare the following : No. 79. H Oz. extract belladonna, 2 Drachms powdered opium, 3 Drachms camphor, 2 Oz. liquorice, )i Pint molasses. Mix thoroughly and spread a table-spoonful on the tongue twice a daj. If, with the cough, there is sore throat and catarrh, prepare the following ; No. 80. 20 Grains iodine, 1 Drachm iodide of potassium, 2 Ounces sweet spirits of niter, 1 Pint water gruel. Give this as a dose twice a day. If the animal should begin to improve It will be about the fifth day. Sometimes recovery is complicated by various disabilities. If there is dropsy or swelling of the legs or sheath, prepare the following ; No. 81. 1 Oz. iodide of potassium, 1 Oz. carbonate of ammonia, 1 Oz. powdered gentian. Form into eight balls and give one morning and evening. If a spasmodic cough follows the attack the following will be indicated : No. 82. 1 Drachm extract of belladonna, 1 Drachm chloroform, 10 Drachms alcohol. Mix in a pint of gruel and let it trickle slowly down the throat, in «»rder to produce a full local effect. As recovery ensues, the food should be nourishing and easily digested. The animal should be induced to take food during the disease, especially fn the form of nourishing gruel. When the pulse changes, and especially irhen it loses its wiry character ; when the discharge from the nos« becomes steady and copious, a pint of ale occasionally is a good stimu- lant. In any event, good, easily digested food should be given, and th« minimal must be nursed until entirely recovered. XV. Pink Eye.* This epidemic has been prevailing throughout the United States. It is a dis' • From M. W. Birch, V. S., President of the Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Surgeons. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 341 case which confines itself to no particular organ or organs of the animal economy. The cause is some malignant miasmatic influence. Symptoms. — The mucous surface of the eyelid assumes a yellow cast ; in- creased redness of the membrane of the nose ; oozing of tears and sometimes mucus from the corners of the eyes ; snorting, in some cases cough, and sore throat, with or without febrile disorder. I shall divide my subject into four classes: Simple, when void of fever; febrile, when attended by fever; chronic, when of long and tedious duration ; influenzal, when attacking many at one time, and accompanied with prostration of strength and loss of condition. The symptoms of simple are some slight hurried blush of the membrane of the nose ; oozing of tears from the corners of the eyes, with globules of mucus observable in them ; occasional snorting, perhaps coughing as well, with or without slight soreness of the throat, but without depression of spirit or loss of appetite. Febrile stage may be either slight or severe. When slight it is nothing more than the simple form accompanied with swelling in one or all the legs, and with dullness and fastidiousness of appetite and some little fever, preceded per- haps by shivering. This is the ordinary form. The severe form is that in which the depression is greater, the appetite nearly or quite lost, tbe fever comparatively high, membranes more injected. The duration of an attack of Pink Eye is ordinarily from one week to three. Should it not appear to be on the decline about the third week, we may infer the disease is becoming chronic, in which form it may degenerate into nasal gleet or glanders. Treatment. — The treatment is a very simple affair. First. Take the horse out of his warm (perhaps foul) stable, or from any cold or wet situation in which he may happen to be, and turn him loose into a box of the temperature of 55 degrees. Take care that he may have an ample bed, clean and dry, and free from all impurities. In cold weather clothe him warmly, and, if re- quired, flannel bandage his legs ; give him nothing to eat but sloppy bran- mashes ; and, as he probably evinces signs of sore throat, let him have linseed tea or gruel, or chilled water to drink, a pailful of either beverage being hung up within his box, so that he may partake of it at pleasure. Inject by th« roouth once a day as follows : Chlorate of Potash, one ounce; Warm water, a half gallon. Let the throat be rubbed with the following liniment: Water of Ammonia ; Oil of Turpentine ; Oil of Lard ; two ounces of each. Apply the above once a day for three days. Should the excrement proT* Wd, let an injectioa of soap and tepid water be given and repeated daily, 342 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. until, through it or a mash diet, the bowels become regular. Administer in- ternally F. Ext. Belladonna in 80-drop doses every three hours. If the animai be attacked with fever, discontinue Belladonna and substitute Tr. Aconite in 10- drop doses every hour until eight doses have been given. If the animal be- comes debilitated, a stimulant should be given in the form of whisky. Give an ordinary whisky glass full as a dose. If the breathing becomes labored or increased, apply the liniment which is to be used on the throat to both sides of the chest. This should be done but once. Follow this with careful nursing and ^ moderate exercise. XVI. Bleeding from the Nose. This often occurs from various injuries to the mucus membrane of the nostrils, from hard pulling up hill, too tight a collar, and from other causes, especially if the animal be full of blood. In these cases, the bleeding is from one nostril and in drops, accompanied by sneezing. If the bleeding comes from the lungs, it mil be bright red and frothy, and there will be a cough. If from the stomach, it will be black, clotted ^ sour and accompanied by retching. What to do. — In simple cases tie the head up as high as possible, blow strong alum water from a tube into the nostril at each inspiration, and if obstinate, plug the nostril with pledgets of tow. Give internally one scruple of acetate of lead, to be followed in half an hour with another if necessary. In the case of an ox, two scruples may be given at a dose. If both nostrils are involved, and the flow is continuous, only one nos* tril must be stopped at a time, unless tracheotomy is performed, sinci the horse cannot breathe through the mouth. The ox, however, can dt 80, and both nostrils may be plugged if necessary. See Tracheotomy, page 488^ XVII. Strangles. This is a disease but little known in America. Our distemper takes its place. It is thus described in English works : It usually occurs in young horses, highly-bred horses being more subject to it than cold blooded ones. When the animal is "breeding strangles," there is a gen- eral though slight indisposition. After a few days the neck becomes etiff, the throat swells, the tumor being hard, hot and tender. A d:." charge from the nose takes place, the throat becomes sore, the breathing oppressed, the hair is staring, the appetite is gone, and the animal stands with half -closed eyes. At length the tumor becomes ripe enough and is opened, as is usual in distemper. It is more than probable that the dis- ease is really the same, and that strangles and distemper are one and the- same thing, only modified by conditions and climate. THE HOUSE, ITS DISEASES. 343 The general treatment is the same as for distemper. See on pages 308-310. OPENING THB ABSCESS OF STRANGLES. XVIII. Spasmodic Action of the Glottis and Epiglottis. This may be occasioned rarely by food sticking in the gesophagus. It is sometimes attendant upon cutting the teeth, in which case the gums should be cut. It generally appears in colts, calves, and lambs. How to know it. — The first symptoms are like those of sore throat. There will be a dry whirring breathing and a hard metallic cough. Sometimes it will be heard only when spasm of the larynx comes on. As the disease progresses the fever increases, the temperature of the body running to 107 degrees, and the pulse from ninety to over one hundred. White films or pellicles (albuminous false membranes) form in the throat, which come away from time to time, or if not, the animal dies of suffocation. What to do. — Place the animal where it may have free air but no drafts, and where the temperature may be kept comfortable. Allow sufficient clothing. Give as a laxative twelve ounces Glauber salts dissolved in a quart of warm water. As an antispasmodic give two or three drachm doses of laudanum every hour in a decoction of marsh mallow. In the early stage of the disease warm fomentations persistently applied may scatter the disease. K later, use the following: No. 82. 1 Part oil of turpentine, 1 Part lard oil, 1 Part solution of ammonia. Rub well on the affected parts of the throat. If the membrane in the throat do not give way, and there is increased difficulty in breathing, swab the throat with a solution of: 10 gr. nitrate of silver in 1 oz. of rainwater. CHAPTEE VI. DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 1. SOUR STOMACH. II. COLIC. III. THE BOT. IV. INFLAMMATION AND RUPTURE OF THE COLON. V. INFLAMMATION AND BLEEDING OF THE REC- TUM. VI. SPONTANEOUS SALIVATION. VII. INFLAMMATION OF THE STOM ACH. VIII. SORENESS AND ITCHING OF THE ANUS. IX. CHRONIC GASTRITIS. ——X. SPASMS OF THE DIAPHRAGM. XI. RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH. XII. INFLAMMATION OF THE PERITONEUM. XIII. STRANGULATION OF THB INTESTINES. XIV. FUNCTIONAL DISEASES OF THE LIVER. XV. PARASITES WHICH AFFECT THE LIVER. XVI. DIARRHEA. I. Sour Stomach. Animals living upon vegetable food, where the mastication or the grinding down of the substances taken into the mouth is imperfectly accomplished, or where a greedy animal is allowed to overload the stomach with food, since it thus is imperfectly moistened with saliva, are subject to acidity of the stomach, fermentation of the food, and the diseases attendant thereupon. Carbonic acid gas is evolved, and if not checked in time will sometimes cause violent and extreme distension and inflammation of the stomach, the result of decomposition, or spas- modic colic, with paroxysms of extreme agony, and sometimes the most violent rupture of the stomach ending in death. We often see violent distension of the stomach in cattle when turned into a field of flush clover when hungry ; the remedy in this case is thrusting a trochar or knife into the stomach to allow the escape of th« gases. When in the horse inflammatory action has been set up it may lead to many diseases, each of which must be treated according to the symptoms exhibited. 344 THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 345 In the first stage or that of simple acidity of the stomach, if taken in time, treatment is comparatively easy. It is called sour stomach, acute gastritis, indigestion, tympany, etc. Causes* — Suspended digestion and consequent fermentation from over- loading the stomach with improperly chewed food. This will never occur in slow feeders that fully grind and saturate the food with saliva, since in this case the appetite is fully satisfied before overloading ensues. Colic may occur by giving large draughts of water immediately after feeding, thus washing forward the food beyond the stomach. Sour stomach may also ensue from indigestible and easily fermented food, and inflammation from eating plants that irritate the stomach. How to know it. — The first symptoms are sour stomach, simple colic, or fermentation. There is fullness, causing undue distension, then quickened, deep, but oppressed breathing ; the animal is dull and stupid ; there is increasing pain, and at length, if relief is not obtained, more violent symptoms set in. What to do. — Grive immediately one or two ounces of magnesia. Evacuate the bowels by means of injections of warm water. Rub the belly with considerable friction one way, from the forelegs back. If there is griping give the following : No. 85. 15 to 20 Drops oil of peppermint, 1 Ounce of laudanum. If the weather ib cold, blanket and walk the horse to assist in giving relief. In the case of the ox, give double the dose mentioned ; sheep one- quarter to one-third the dose for the horse, except of laudanum, of which give the sheep, 2 to 3 drachms. n. Colic. This may be of two kinds, spasmodic, or flatulent colic. The first i» the result of cramps or spasmodic contractions, causing severe pain with tendency to inflammation. The other of distension of the bowels with tendency to inflammation and rupture of the coats. How to know Spasmodic Colic. — There will be spasms of pain, with paw- ing, striking of the belly with the hind foot, looking round at the flanks, lying down and suddenly getting up, rolling, or h'ing stretched out for an instant ; then suddenly rising, the horse will shake himself as the pain intermits. Again the pain returns and the same performances are gone through. There may be frequent small discharges from the bowels 346 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. and bladder, and during the attacks the pulse and breathing ar« ac€al«rat«d. THE FIRST STAGS OF SPASSIODIC COLIC. What to do. — Relieve the pain by means of an opiate, and cause move- ment of the bowels. To do this in mild cases the following will be good in. connection with injections of warm water : No. 86. >^ to 1 Ounce of laudanum, 4 to 5 Drachms aloes, 1 Pint hot water. SECOND STAGE OF SPASMODIC COLIC. Pulverize the aloes and dissolve in the hot water. Cool as quickly as possible and add the laudanum, and give as a dose. If there \b abund- ant formation of gas, give the following promptly : No 87. yi Ounce powdered aloes, 1 Ounce aromatic ammonia, 1 Ounce aulpburic ether, ] Pint warm water. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 34T Mix and give at once. Another colic drench in good repute ia the following : iTo. 86. i Drachms aloes, 1 Ounce sulphuric ether, 1 Ounce laudanum. THIRD STAGE OF SPASMODIC COLIC. Mix, pulverize the aloes in a pint and a half of hot water ; cool, add the other ingredients and give immediately. If relief is not obtained, give as a second dose the following : No. 89. H Ounce sulphuric ether, ^ Ounce laudanum, a Ounce spirits camphor, yi Ounce essence of peppermint. Mix in a pint of gruel and turn down. The symptoms in cattle are uneasiness, shuflSing of the hind legs when standing. When /ying down they will kick with the outer limbs. There will be moaning and twisting of the tail. The same treatment is advised as for the horse, except that one pint of linseed oil should replace the aloes. Give the doses by allowing the liquid to trickle down the throat very slowly. The doses should be double that of the horse. Swine should have castor oil one ounce in place of the linseed oil ; and sheep three-quarters of an ounce. Otherwise the doses should be about one-quarter to one-fifth those ordered for the horse. Flatulent Colic. — ^This disease is dangerous, and is generally the result of a chronic distension of the bowels, with tendency to inflammation and rupture of the coats. It may be the result of some other disease, or appear as a consequence of the spasmodic form ; or, may be produced by the same causes as those assigned to the acute form. 348 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. How to know it. — The expression of pain is constant but not so acute. The pulse is rapid and feeble, with difficult breathing ; the feet and ears are cold ; the abdomen is tense and swollen, and it sounds drum-like when struck. The animal is weak and sometimes delirious. The intes» tines are painful (sore) as is shown by the cautious manner of lying down ; if, indeed, the horse lies down at all. FIRST STAGE OF FLATl'LKNT COLIC. What to do. — Be careful about giving purgatives. Act by injections of soapsuds and oil of turpentine ; removing the contents of the impacted tectum with the well oiled hand. Give the following injection : No. 90. >i Pint oil of turpentine. 1 Quart of soapsuds. HOUSE DYINQ OF FLATUI-KNT COLIC. Repeat in half an hour if necessary. If there is great distension puncture the large intestine, or, where the sound when tapping with the THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 349 knuckles is most drum-like, plunge in a trochar and allow the gas to escape through the canula. Give the following according to circumstances : No. 91. >i to 1 Ounce laudanum, 2 to 4 Ounces tincture asaafoetida. Mix in a pint of gruel. If the colic is the result of disease and exhaustion, with much swelling of the belly, try the following : I No. 92. yi Ounce chlorate of potash, >i Ounce sulphuric ether, ^ Pint water. To be given in a half pint of gruel. i Later in this disease when it is required to act moderately on the bowels the following will be found useful ; No. 93. yi Ounce chlorinated soda, 2 to 3 Drachms aloes. Powder the aloes and dissolve the whole in a pint of warm water, and give when cool. During recovery, the health of the animal must be attended to. Give easily digested food ; avoid large draughts of water, and over feeding. Give good grooming ; blanket if necessary, and keep the circulation active by hand rubbing of the body and limbs. ni. The Bot. The female bot fly, ^strus-equi^ is too well known to need description. They lay their eggs on the legs, flanks, and other portions of the horse's body easily reached. The animal in licking its body takes the e^g into its mouth and being swallowed they hatch, and the young fasten them- selves by means of their hooks to the mucous membrane of the stomach. Here they live and grow and the next season become mature and are passed from the animal, and undergo their transformation to the perfect fly in the earth. So long as the animal is in perfect health they do little if any harm. But in case of disease or insuflScient food they become troublesome. Or if they exist in great numbers when nearly or full grown and they are passing from the animal, they sometimes cause severe injury by attaching themselves to the sensitive lining of the bowels. This irritation is not easily distinguished from other forms of indigestion or colic. In the Spring when the animal is hungry, and there is indication of in- testinal diflBculty, they may be suspected. If the horse turns up his upper lip, and if the edges of the tongue are red and fiery looking, it rf50 ILLUSTKATED STOCK. DOCTOR. will be evidence of their existence. At this time physic will hasten them Away. A usual remedy is to give once a day for three days, 1 drachm sulphate of copper, to be followed at the end of the time with 4 drachms of Barbadoes aloes, and repeat at the end of a week if necessary. Or the following will be found safe and effective ; No. 94. 1 yi Drachms calomel, 1 yi Drachms powdered Bavin, 2 Drachms powdered assafoetida, 30 Drops oil of male shield fern. Make into a ball with molasses and linseed meal, to be given at night and followed next morning with 4 drachms of aloes. In the. South, Azedarach (pride of China) is grown around stables for its supposed efficacy in destroying bots by being eaten by horses. If so, it can only be while the bots are quite young. Since, after acquiring some age and becoming fastened to the stomach, they resist alike, strong acids, alkalies, irrespirable gases, narcotics and mineral poisons. Colics, etc., arising from bots, maybe treated by anti-spasmodics as given under that head. As a preventive against bots, keep the long hairs of the jaws, breast and fore-limbs trimmed close, and apply a little oil daily ; and brush off any eggs that may be found. Animals kept in sta- bles and well groomed are seldom troubled with bots. i Ounce powdered assafoetida, 1 Ounce oil of turpentine, 1 Ounce sulphuric ether. Mix the two first in hot water and when cold add the turpentine and ether, and give in gruel as a drench. If the animal is weak and out* of condition, give an ounce of areca nut, and follow with nourishing food. For round worms, if suspected, give 4 drachms of aloes, and if worms are found in the dung, give immediately on an empty stomach the following : No. 06. 1 Drachm oil of male fern, 2 Ounces oil of turpentine, yi Pint linseed oD. Follow this for three days with a dose of 1-2 drachm sulphate of copper For thread-worms in the rectum give an injection every two days for a week, of the following : No. 97. 2 Drachms oil of turpentine, 1 Pint linseed oil. Inject every day for a week, a purgative dose to precede the first injea tion. A strong decoction of wormwood is also a good vermifuge used as an injection. IV. Inflammation and Bupture of the Colon. This disability is usually the result of colic. If through constriction of one part and expansion of another rupture actually occurs, the animal will die. The colon is the largest division of the intestinal canal. Be- ginning at the ccBcum, (the commencment of the large intestine) it ascends by the right kidney, passes under the hollow part of the liver to the spleen, thence descends by the left kidney and passes in the form of nn S to the upper part of the os sacrum. It thence runs straight to the ani;s and this part of it is called the rectum. How to know Rupture. — The sides of the flanks will be distended, there will be fever and heat, and the animal will give evidence of its severe suf- fering. The pulse will be hard, wiry and quick, the belly tender, the So2 > ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. ears cold ; the pain will be constant, and medicine will increase it. Thew will be great and rapidly increased weakness. The symptoms are directly opposed to those in colic. What to do. — In the first stages of the disease give the following, m. lime water, every hour or two until three or four doses are given : No. 98. 20 Drops tincture of aconite, >i Ounce laudanum. in very severe cases a hypodermic injection of 40 grains of chlorel hydrate, to be at once followed by one of 3 grains of morphia, to be repeated in an hour ; this, however, must be performed by a competent surgeon. The following may be given by the mouth : No. 99. 10 Grains morphia, 1 Ounce chloral hydrate. Give in sweetened water, and repeat every two hours until three or four doses are given, or until the symptoms abate. Extensive fomentations to the bowels will be beneficial. This may be done by folding a blanket inside a rubber cloth which is fastened over the back. Keep the blanket soaked with water as warm as can be borne. If the disease be inflammation of the bowels, or enteritis, whether it does or does not follow an attack of colic, among the symptoms will be stretching of the lips upward. This may however be done when there is abdominal irritation of any kind. If the inflammation be severe, so shown by increas- ed heat and fever, an ammoniacal blister may be applied. Dilute strong liquor of ammonia with six times its bulk of cold water, saturate a cloth with it and lay it on several folds of blanket, to be held to the belly by four men N08K sTBAiNED ipwAUD. ^^q ^jI1 ^^y^^ j^lud thc fumps. Thc manner of holding it is shown in the cut on next page. Watch the action of the ammonia. It may blister within ten minutes, or it may take twice that time. Do not allow it to eat the skin, else a bad sore will be the result. When the proper effect is produced remove it at once. It should really be applied only under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. They are, unfortunately, not always near. In this case, to save life, something must be risked. The worst inflammatory symptoms being stayed, give every two hours until three or four dose* are given, or a favorable result is obtained, the following; No. 100. 30 Grains calomel, 1 Ounce laudanum. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 353 Mix in half a pint of gruel. As the animal begins to take food it should have bran and oatmeal mashes, mixed with tea of slippery elm bark. Cooked food should be given, and if carrots are at hand, give a mess of them boiled every day. Skimmed milk is excellent if the animal will drink it. APPLICATION OF AN AMMONIACAL BLISTER. V. Inflammation and Bleeding of the Bectum. This is a diflSculty that often accompanies or follows inflammation of the bowels. How to know it. — There will be heat and swelling, with or without protrusion and bleeding of the rectum. What to do. — Wash the parts with a weak solution of salt and water, and also use injections of the same as often as may seem necessary. If this do not give relief add a slight infusion of chlorate of potash and golden seal. VI. Spontaneous Salivation. Causes. — This infirmity is generally the result of or symptom of some other affliction. It is often produced by something the animal has eaten. White clover will produce it. Caries and other diseases of the teeth : dentition, paralysis of the lips, ulcers of the mouth, irritating food, irritation by the bit, and especially from medicaments attached to the bits of horses by ignorant stable men. It occurs as a free discharge of saliva in frothy masses or in stringy filaments, with frequent swallowing, thirst, and generally indigestion. What to do — Eemove the cause. If the cause is from alkalies, wash the mouth with weak vinegar. If from acids, use lime water. If from 354 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. caustic salts, use white of egg, or tea of slippery elm bark. If there i« inflammation with costiveness, open the bowels with injections of warnx water, or soapsuds, and wash the mouth frequently with vinegar and honey. If this do not effect a cure wash the mouth with alum water. If there are ulcers touch them with a feather wet with the following : No. 101. 10 Grains lunar caustic, 1 Ounce distilled water. If there are tumors with pus, lance them. If there is sloughing wash with the following : No. 102. 1 Drachm solution of permanganate of potassa, 1 Pint rainwater. Give plenty of cool water, so the animal may take it at will, and feed with soft or boiled food, and if there is much swelling, keep the head tied up. vn. Inflammation of the Stomach. Causes. — This disease is not common in horses, and occurs rarely from eating vegetable poisons, and more generally from poisoning by arsenic given in the food by ignorant stable-men, to make the horse carry a shining coat and foam at the bit. It is also produced by the licking of external corrosive applications, thus producing acute gastritis. HORSK SUFFERING PKOM ACUTE QA8TBITI6. The symptoms are various in unison with the causes producing them. These are, refusing food, extreme thirst, redness of the nasal and con. junctival membranes, discharge of ropy saliva, frequent eructations with fetid smell, colic, rolling on the ground, paAving, striking at the abdomen, etc. } tuck©d up flanks, heaving, panting, small, quick pulse, violp it THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 35?) straining, passing of mucus in large quantities, protrusion and inflamma- tion of the opening, glances at the abdomen, prostration of strength, con- vulsions, madness and death. What to do. — The first thing, if possible, is to find out what caused the trouble. If this cannot be found, give at once : No. 103. 3 Ounces sulphuric ether, * 3 Ounces laudanum, ^"■ 4 Ounces carbonate of magnesia, 1 Quart cold gruel. Mix and give as a dose. If the pulse be low, add to the above one drachm carbonate of ammonia. If the animal is weak, but able to swal- low, take plenty of time, do not use violent means. If there is paralysis of the throat, or the horse is in delirium, the dose must be injected through the nostril, by means of a pump and pipe, or horse catheter. See article tetanus. As soon as there is evidence of recovery, and in fact whenever the animal will take it, thin starch or gruel of flour should be freely given to sheath the mucus surfaces. vlll. Soreness and Itching of the Anus. This is a disease following inflammation and disease of the rectum, and also produced by other causes. The anus or orifice of the rectum becomes sore. There is a peculiar dryness with scurf, and to relieve the itching the horse sometimes rubs the roots of his tail until the hair is en- tirely worn away. What to do. — Attend to the general health of the horse, to keep the bowels in a natural condition. Mix a little fine salt with lard oil, and keep the parts well oiled, with friction. If the trouble be inside, a little goldenseal well rubbed down with salt butter and passed carefully within the anus, will give relief. If the diflSculty is occasioned by worms, see that article. IX. Chronic Gastritis. Causes. — Anything which impairs the digestive functions may produce this disease. It is, however, in its chronic form, extremely rare. The ordinary food will be refused, and the animal will persist in eating for- eign substances — old lime mortar, the wood work of the stable, earth, litter and bedding. How to know it. — There is a dry cough ; the membrane of the moLth and nostrils are dry and pale ; the breath is tainted ; the evacuations 23 356 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. wnell badly ; the eyes are sunk, the coat dry and ragged ; the horse lose* condition »nd becomes pot bellied ; the anus is lax and prominent. What to do. — The cure will take time. Prevent the animal from in- dulging its unnatural appetite. The following made into a ball will he indicated. No. 101. >i Grain strychnia, 1 Drachm bichromate of ammonia, }i Drachm extract of belladonna, 1 Drachm powdered gentian, }4 Drachm sulphate of zinc. Give this a« a ball once a day. If after continuing several days there lis no improvement, give the following : No. 105. H Ounce liquor arsenicalis, ^ Ounce tincture ipecac, 1 Ounce muriated tincture of iron, >i Ounce laudanum, 1 Pint of water. As the animal gets stronger give an ounce of sulphuric ether daily in a pint of water. If the animal has simply chronic indigestion, that is, the disease does not show in the severe form we have depicted, to improve the general health the following will be indicated : Ko. 106. 1 Ounce powdered assafoetida, 1 Ounce powdered golden seal, 2 Ounces powdered ginger, 2 Ounces powdered poplar bark, 5 Drachms powdered sulphate of iron, 1 Drachm powdered red pepper, 1 Pound of oatmeal. Mix, divide into sixteen messes, and give one every night in the food. In addition to this the following will make a good appetizer : No. 107. 1 Quart brandy, 1 Ounce salt. Mix and give a wine glass full night and morning in gruel, just before the food. The food given must be of the very best, and that which is easily digested. Boiled oats, shorts and carrots, with sufficient good hay to distend the stomach. Keep the animal muzzled during the intervals of feeding, to prevent foul feeding. That is, eating litter or other inju- rious substances. If acidity of the stomach be shown, moisten the hay i^ven, and sprinkle it freely with magnesia. THK HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 357 X. Spasm of the Diaphragm. Causes. — Hard riding or driving of a horse constitutionally weak. How to know it. — If the horse is being ridden, there will be a sensa- tion to the rider as though a sudden blow was given inside the horse. This is from spasmodic action of the diaphragm (the midriif or muscle separating the chest from the abdomen) in drawing the breath. If the animal is still driven forward it sometimes suddenly falls and dies oi suffocation. What to do. — There is no cure. Relief may be given by clothing tlie animal. Lead him to the nearest stable or shed and give the following : No. 108. 3 Drachms aromatic spirits of ammonia, 3 Drachms tincture of ginger 8 Ounces laudanum, l>i Ounces ether. Mix in a pint of oil or gruel and give as a drench, or give the folio mng ' No. 109. yi Drachm camphor, 1 Drachm powdered ginger, 1 Drachra carbonate of ammonia. Mix with sufficient linseed meal and hot water to form a ball. Repeat ut an interval of three hours if relief is not afforded by the first dose. A horse subject to this affection should have only slow work. Thd diaphragm may be strengthened by giving for some time a daily dose of one drachm of powdered sulphate of iron in the food. XI. Bupture of the Stomach. Rupture, when it ensues, ends pretty surely in death. Rupture of the fitomach is produced by working or driving a horse until he is very hungry and then feeding and watering unduly. The only symptoms which show, are violent colic, and the tenseness of the tissues. There are many rup tures where animals die, and the owner does not know what is the diffi culty. If the mischief has proceeded to rupture, the animal may as weL 1)0 killed. One of the positions assumed by a horse suffering from abdorainai injuries, is this : He will persistently sit on his haunches. Animals will assume this position and yet occasionally recover. Another position assumed is, for the animal to kneel and support himself upon his bkif L, 358 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. legs. Such unnatural positions show the intense pain which leads to sucTfc attitudes to get relief. CKKATURAL ATTITUDE INDICATIVE OP ABDOMINAL INJURY. XII. Gorged Stomach. When this occurs from over feeding, the bowels should be immediately relieved by removing the contents by repeated injections of warm water. Let the animal be gently walked about, and warmly clothed in cold weather. The operator must act according to circumstances. If discov- P08ITION ASSUMED BY HORSE SUFFERING FROM ABDOMINAL INJURY. ered early, or before colic sets in, give the following to evacuate th» bowels after having relieved them by injections : No. 110. 6 Drachms powdered aloes, 1 Ounce sirup of buckthorn, 1 Ounce tincture of ginger. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 35f Dissolve the aloes in a pint of warm water, add the buckthorn and gin- ger, and give as a drench. / Xm. Inflammation of the Peritoneum. Inflammation of the lining membrane of the abdomen is likely to occur in all domestic animals. In ruminants the right side is most affected, and the animal will stand with its feet well together. Causes. — Injuries either from rupture of the stomach or intestines, or from injuries to the abdominal walls, exposure to chill or cold, or giving an exhausted horse a wet bed to lie on. How to know it. — There may be colic, or steady pain. This will be acute when the affected parts are pressed. There may be chill and fever alternately, and loss of appetite. The pulse will be rapid and hard, and the breath quick and catching, but when eifusion takes place the breath- ing will be deep and easier ; the pulse will soften, the belly will be pend- ent, and there will be fluctuations when handled, fram the water contained. What to do. — In the early stages, give full doses of laudanum ; 1 to 2 ounces, as may be needed, to allay pain and keep the bowels inactive. Apply mustard poultices to the abdomen, or in extreme cases the ammo- niacal blister as previously described. Frequent injections of thoroughly cooked gruel may be thrown into the rectum, but until the worst symp- toms are past the animal should take nothing into the stomach. As the disease progresses favorably, great care should be exercised in feeding. Oat or rye meal gruel may first be given. If these agree well, give warm soft bran-mashes, with a little oat meal added, and at length hay and sound oats. In case absorption of the effusion of water in the cavity does not take place, which may be known by regular and ample staling, give 6 drachms potassa nitrate, daily, until the kidneys act. If tonics seem to be de- manded, give daily doses of 1-2 drachm oxide of iron. XIV. Strangulation of the Intestines. This is produced by various causes, the result of colic and rupture being the most frequent. Strangulation may be produced by the forma- tion of false membranes, by the involvent of the intestines, by the rupture of the mesentary, or by tlie rolling on itself of the intestine until it is entirely strangulated. In this as in other abdominal difficulties, the animal will often assume unnatural positions, as shown in the article Rupture of the Stomach. If it be a ruminant, and in good flesh, it is better to kill the animal at once. Some forms of strangulation in cattle 560 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. of sufficient value, may be remedied by a veterinary surgeon. In this case, give laudanum in 2-ounce doses to keep the animal quiet until the doctor arrives. Relief is obtained by cutting into the side and releasing the intestine. For the horse give opium in one or two drachm doses as the nature of the case may seem to require to relieve the pain, and trust to nature to effect a cure by releasing the parts naturally. XV. Functional Diseases of the Liver. The liver of the horse is not particularly subject to disease. It vras formerly supposed to be almost entirely exempt, but later researches show it to be an agent, through obstruction, and the principal local seat of various disorders, as diabetes, blood poisoning from imperfect oxygen- ation of the albuminoids, etc. , How to know it. — In active congestions of the liver, which is the dis- ease most usually prevalent and this principally in the South, there may be sluggishness, irregular bowels, abundant liquid discharges of deep yellow or orange colored dung. T^ere will be extreme and painful prostration, the eyes will be sunken, the pulse excited, and the limbs will tremble. There may be colicky pains. If the last ribs are struck with some force, extreme pain will be shown. If the horse faints and there are pal- lid mucus membrane, with quick and weak pulse, it may be conjectured that rupture of the liver has taken TEST OK HEMOKRUAGK FROM THic LivEK. piacc . lu tWs casc, thc cud is dcath. The illustration we give will show the test alike for ruptured liver and spleen. What to do. — In the beginning, that is when the pulse is strong, free bleeding will often check the disease. When the pulse is weak, blood must not be drawn ; or, if the blood does not flow freely, close the orific* at once. Apply mustard poultices to the limbs. Give one pound of sulphate of soda dissolved in a quart of water, to deplete the portal system and liver. Apply ice to the last ribs to check effusion. Apply a blister over the region of the liver. Continue the sulphate of soda in doses of one to four ounces daily. During the attack and recovery the animal must have pure air, and THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 361 soft, easily digested food, and as recovery ensues, daily moderate exer- cise must be given. Inflammation of the liver is rare. If congestion has proceeded to inflammation the region of the last rib will be very tender. There will be quickening of the pulse. The mouth will be hot and clammy ; th« bowels may be at first loose, yellow and bilious, but soon become costive. The heat of the body is raised ; patches may appear on the mucous membranes ; and the limbs, especially the hind ones, will swell. What to do — In this case all bleeding should be avoided. Give as a purge a pound of sulphate of soda (glauber salts) aided by injections of warm water. After the bowels are opened, keep them so with small doses of glauber salts, six ounces, or, cream of tartar four ounces daily. If the horse eat anything it must be very light mashes, pulped roots or fresh grass. As the horse improves, give twice a day two ounces of Peruvian bark or two drachms twice a day of gentian. XVI. Parasites which Infest the Intestines. ■"^j The general symptoms for intestinal worms, in large quantity, are general ill health. The animal will lose condition : the skin will be scurfy, dry and often itching ; the animal will become hide bound and pot bellied ; the appetite will be irregular but voracious ; there will be fetid breath, diarrhea, passing of mucus with the dung, colicky pains, swelling, itching and puffy anus, and especially the passage of the worms or their eggs will be certain proof. The horse will raise the upper lip and rub it against anything near. Colts will pick and bite the hair from the body and limbs. The annexed cut will give a good general idea of an animal suffer- ing from worms. Besides the bot, already treated of, which inhabits the stomach, there are those of the intestines proper. These are the tape worm, round headed and flat headed, and five species of round worms. What to do. — Vermifuges are without number, some general in their nature, and others specific for particular classes. When worms are sus^ pected, and the owner of the animal is not sure of the reality, it is safe COLT PICKING HAIB FROM ITS LEG, GIVING PROOF OP WORMS. 362 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. to give a purge and watch the droppings. The following is a good Vermifuge drench : No. 111. 4 Drachms aloes, 1 Ounce powdered male fern, 20 Drops oil of worm seed. Give this in a pint of warm gruel an hour before feeding in the morning. If it be found that there are tape worms, if the horse is weak, give an ounce of areca nut fasting and follow with 4 drachms of aloes. If the animal is strong, give an ounce of oil of turpentine in an ounce of water. In four hours give another dose and follow in an hour with 4 drachms aloes. In the case of common pin worms, (^Sclerostomum Equinuni) and all worms inhabiting the bowels except the tape worm, the following vermifuge will act kindly : No. 112. 1 Drachm tartar emetic, y% Drachm powdered ginger. Mix with enough linseed meal to form a ball, then moisten with hot water and give a dose daily for a week, before feeding. Follow with a dose of one pint of linseed oil, wait another week, and repeat as before. Then give good generous diet, with tonics daily, say 2 drachms sulphate of iron, or 4 drachms gentian in the food. For worms lodging in the gut near the rectum, give an injection of a strong decoction of wormwood or tansey. The prevention of worms is to pay attention to the water the animal drinks, to be careful of dog's drop- pings in the pasture, and to give sound grain and hay as food, since lib- eral feeding and good general care will often extirpate the parasites. For other vermifuges see article 3 of this chapter. XVn. Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a condition of frequent watery discharges from the bowels, and may be produced by so many causes, as irritating and indigestible food, worms, severe purgation by medicines, disorders of the liver, or constitutional tendency, that no general rule can be given. The owner of the animal must find the cause before proceeding intelligently to giv« relief. The most we can do is to give some general indications. Sometimes diarrhoea is an effort of nature to rid the body of injurious matter; then the effort should be aided. Early in the effort give the horse a pint of linseed oil, or if an active purge be required, a pint of castor oil. If the diarrhcea does not cease check it with ounce doses of laudanum and follow with tea of slippery elm bark, or linseed. If the THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 36S difficulty refuse to give way, doses of 2 scruples of tannin may be given, or, doses of 3 drachms of catechu every hour until checked. The ox requires double the dose. Follow with tonics, say 4 drachms of gentian daily, or one ounce of peruvian bark, with sound, easily digested food. If caused by bad water, throw a handful of charcoal in the water before giving it to drink. The following will be found haueficial in the severaV cases mentioned. For sour and fetid discharges mix the following mgredients in the food ♦wice or thrice daily. ^ No. 113. 1 Ounce powdered chalk, 1 Ounce bisulphate of soda. For sour discharges with griping, take ; No. 114. 1 Drachm powdered opium, 1 Drachm powdered chalk, 20 Drops carbolic acid. Form into a ball with linseed meal and molasses. If the bowels are simply in an irritable, relaxed condition, use the following : No. 115. 1 Ounce powdered chalk, 1 Ounce catechu, 1 Ounce ginger, 1 Drachm opium. Make into a ball with linseed meal and molasses. When the diarrhoea is the result of violent medical purging, try the following ; No. 116. 2 Ounces laudanum, 2 Ounces powdered chalk. Mix, and give in a quart of thin starch, or flour gruel. For excessive and continued purging, give at one dose the following : No. 117. 1 Ounce laudanum, 1 Ounce sulphuric ether, 20 Grains tannic acid. Mix in a pint of flax-seed tea. Astringent injections may be given as follows : No. 118. 2 Ounces laudanum, 2 Drachms acetate of lead, 1 Quart starch water. ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Inject half of this and follow with the remainder in three hours, if ne». essary, or give at one injection the following : No. 119. 4 Drachms tannic acid, 1 Piat starch water. fn carte of cattle the same quantities may be used, but when given bj the mouth it must be made to trickle slowiy down the throat. CHAPTER Vn. SttBASES OF THE LIVEB, UBINABY OBOANS, BTO. AACNDICE. n. KNLARGEMEKT OF THB SPLEEN. IH. INFLAMMATION OF THE KD. KEYS. IV. PROFUSE STALING, OR DIABETES. V. BLOODY URINE, OR HEMATURIA, VI. THICK AND ALBUMINOUS URINE. VII. WHITE, OR LIME URINE. VIII. «RAVEL, OR STONE IN THE BLADDER. IX. SUPPRESSION OP URINE. X. INFLAMMA- TION OF THE BLADDER. XI. FOUL SHEATH. XII. RUPTURE OP THB BLADDER. •Kta. SPASM OF THE URETHRA. XIV. INFLAMMATION OP THE ORGANS OF GENERATION. I. Jaundice. The horse is subject to but few diseases of the liver. Jaundice or the yellows, is a condition in which the visible mucous membranes, the skin (if it be naturally white) the urine and the tissues are stained yellow, not by non-secretion of the bile from the blood, but by the re-absorption of bile already secreted. Causes. — Obstruction of the bile duct from any cause. Obstruction of the bowels hindering the proper discharge of the bile. Diminished fullness of the capillary vessels of the liver from obstruction of the hepatic artery or aorta. And from undue secretion of the bile in cases of congestion of the liver. In solid hoofed animals the blood is easily dissolved. In flesh-eating unimals it is not so. Hence, although there is often a jaundiced appeals ance of the membranes in horses, it is comparatively harmless. How to know it. — There will be a general coloration of the tissues. The mucous membrane will be yellow. The urine will be yellow. In obstruction of the bile duct the dung will be fetid, and of a clay color from being devoid of bile. 3t>^ ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. What to do. — ^No general rule can be laid down. The following is a good remedy for torpidity of the liver, when there is general dullnesa and biliousness. 120. 1 Pound Epsom salts, 1 Pound Glauber salts, 1 Pound common salt, 1 Ounce essence of ginger, 1 Gallon warm water. Mix and give a pint from one to three times a day until a gentle but full purgation is produced. Follow this up with daily doses of one scruple of podophyllin. This remedy will also be indicated for cattle, except that they should have the following formula as a purge instead of No. 120 : No. 121. yi Pound sulphate of magnesia, >i Pound common salt, 2 Ounces powdered ginger. Give this dose in two quarts of water once a day until a free evac- uation of the bowels is produced, giving also daily one scruple of podophyllin. Saline purges do not always act kindly on horses. If so the following will be indicated if there is considerable congestion : No. 122. 30 Grains calomel, 1 Drachm aloes, 2 Drachms soap, 4 Drachms powdered rhubarb. Mix with molasses into a ball and give twice a day until a moderate operation of the bowels is had. If the disease occurs in the Spring, turning upon succulent grass, especially where dandelion is plenty, will generally effect a cure. n. Enlargement of the Spleen. The pancreas and the spleen are subject to a variety of diseases, very diflficult to determine. The pancreas is a gland which secretes the pan- creatic juice, by which emulsion takes place with the fatty aliments by means of a duct leading into the intestines. The presence of fatty matter in the dung will imply a suppression of these juices. If there are sharp, colicky pains without fever, obstruction of the duct by calculi may be suspected. If there is general fever, with pain and tenderness behind the last rib on the right side, inflammation may be suspected. For calculi use fomentations of hot water over the parts affected, and THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 367 give anti-spasmodics, chloral hydrate in half ounce doses daily, or hyos- cyamus extract two drachm doses, or belladonna two drachm doses, as the case may be. If there is inflammation give laxative medicines, one and a half ounce* dandelion ; blister the right side, and confine the animal to light diet. For suppressed secretion give one ounce doses of sulphuric ether. So far as affections of the spleen are concerned, it is an in vol vent in diseases of the liver and other glands. In highly fed animals enlarge- ment ensues ; in badly fed ones degeneration or wasting. Obstructed circulation through the liver will engorge the spleen almost to rupture sometimes. In tuberculosis, cancer, glanders and blood poisoning it is affected. Anthrax and other fevers tend to enlargement of the spleen, sometimes to rupture. So little is really known of the spleen and its true functions, that but little can be done except by giving general atten- tion to the health and by means of tonics and good nursing to build up- the health. III. Inflammation of the Sidneys. 8YMPT0M3 ATTENDING DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. Causes. — ^Inflammation of the kidneys, Nephritis, is produced by a. Tariety of causes. Blows on, or sprains in the region of the loins, cal- culi, the excessive use of diuretics to which some stablemen are prone, musty fodder, or that which contains irritant plants, etc. How to know it. — There will be more or less fever, sometimes a high fever ; colicky pains ; looking at the abdomen ; the horse will lie down with extreme caution ; frequent jjassages of urine in small quantity, but 368 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. very high colored, sometimes containing blood and even pus ; the legs swell uniformly from the hoofs up ; the pulse is rapid, the bowels costive and the breathing excited ; the horse straddles in his gait ; this, however, is a general characteristic of all diseases of the urinary organs, but in severe inflammation it amounts almost to helplessness. There is, however, one test that is constant : there is extreme tender** ness of the bony processes about six inches from the spine in the loins, pressure over the kidneys will show the terrible pain from the crouching attitude the horse assumes. TEST FOR INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. If the urine is examined under a microscope, the fibrinous casts of the kidney tubes will be found. In chronic cases, stocking of the legs, casts in the urine, more or less tenderness upon pressure of the loins, and general ill health, may be all that will be observed. What to do. — In acute cases, if there is a strong pulse and the animal is full of blood, bleeding may assist a cure. It is not always safe, except under the advice of a veterinarian of modern practice. Bleeding should never be practiced except in the earliest symptoms. Give an active cathartic. No. 123. 1 Drachm calomel, 4 Drachms powdered aloes, Make into a ball with linseed meal and molasses. Wrap the loins in woolen blankets and foment thoroughly with an in- fusion of a handful of digitalis leaves in a pail of boiling water, putting it on as warm as the hand will bear it ; or wring a sheep skin out of hot water and apply the flesh side, changing as often as may be necessary. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 369 To assist the evacuation and ease the pain give injections of linseed tea, one quart, to which an ounce of laudanum is added. Get up a good sweat if possible. This will relieve the kidneys. Keep the bowels gently open with laxatives and relieve the pains with anodynes, and as the animal im- proves, give bitter tonics, 3 ounces of Peruvian bark daily in three doses ; •r an ounce of gentian in two drachm doses three times a day. rv. Profuse Staling, or Diabetes. This disease, called by various names, as diuresis, diabetes insipidus, poluria, etc., is simply an excessive secretion of urine, causing loss of flesh, weakness, and at length terminating in exhaustion and a general breaking down of the system. Causes. — The most common cause is dosing with quack medicines, a favorite pastime of ignorant stablemen, especially for "the water." It is also produced by musty hay and grain, new oats, distillery slops, acid diuretic plants, or any cause irritating the stomach and at the same time stimulating the kidneys. How to know it. — There is excessive thirst, profuse and frequent staling, of pale colored urine, thin, and with little odor ; loss of condition and spirits ; the appetite fails ; the skin is hard and dry ; the hair harsh • the pulse will be weak, whether fast or slow ; depraved appetite for lick- ing noxious substances. What to do. — Change the food at once, well seasoned hay and grain, with linseed tea given freely in the drink. The horse must not suffer from thirst, but inordinate drinking should not be allowed. Iodine is one of the chief specifics in this disease. The following will be a good formula, to be given three times a day in water : No. 121. 20 Grains iodine, 1 Drachm iodide of potassium, 4 Drachms carbonate of soda. Mix, and give in water. Or, give daily the following : No 126. 2 Drachms phosphate of iron, 2 Drachms iodide of potassium, 4 Drachma Peruvian bark. Mix, and give once a day in water. If this does not soon show a disposition to check the disease, add 15 to 20 grains of creosote daily. Another good formula, to be given once a day, or in bad cases twice daily, is the following : 870 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. No. 126. 30 Grains iodine, 2 Drachms sulphate of iron, >i Ounce powdured gentian. Give as a ball, made with molasses and linseed meal. If four or five doses do not show decided effect discontinue. Six or seven days should effect a cure. V. Bloody Urine, or Hsematuria. Causes. — Sprains or bruising of the loins, stone in the kidneys, urinary passages or bladder ; blood poisoning. HORSE SUFFERING FROM BLOOr>Y URINE. How to Determine the Condition. — If from local irritation, the blood being in a healthy state, there will be clots of blood passed, and fibricious casts of the urinary tubes entangling blood globules. These may be seen with a good lens. If there is gravel more or less gritty matter will be passed. If from blood poisoning, the tests must be made by a vete- rinary surgeon, from the urine, who can then prescribe the proper treatment. Wliat to do. — The general practice is to give sound food, good shelter, mucilaginous drinks, as linseed or slippery elm tea, or marsh mallow tea. Also acid astringents, vinegar, buttermilk, a weak decoction of white oak bark. If the passages are profuse apply cold water to the loins. If there is inflammation foment with warm water (cloths saturated with hot water) and follow with a mustard plaster. If the bowels are inactive, give the following : No. 127. 4 Drachms aloes, 1 Ounce cream tartar. Mix in one and a half pints of warm water and give when cool, aiding the operation by an injection of one quart of soap suds and four ounces •il of turpentine. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 371 VI. Thick and Albuminous Urine. This disability in horses, characterized by a thick, ropy, albuminoui discharge of urine, is quite common in its milder forms, being an attend- unt on extensive inflammation of important organs, on rheumatism, fevers, and some conditions of blood poisoning. It is especially attend- ant on inflammation of the kidneys, both acute and chronic, attended with degeneration and shedding of the epithelium (the layers of cells) iining the kidney tubes. POSITIOK ASSUMED BY HORSE HAVING ALBUMINOUS URINE. How to know it. — ^There are two special positions assumed by horses suffering from severe secretion of albuminous urine. One is the stretched out position. In the other the back will be roached, as seen in the cut. In its mild stages the urine is thick, ropy, mucilaginous ; when it first begins to flow, of a reddish-brown color, but changing to a more natural condition, ending with a whitish, milky fluid ; sometimes the reverse ; commencing white. When the disease is farther advanced the urine is thicker, more deeply tinged, and sometimes offensive to the sense of smell. It may degenerate into a number of forms, and finally terminate in Bright' s disease of the kidneys. What to do. — Place the animal where it may be comfortable ; clothe warmly. If there is inflammation of the kidneys, foment with a sheep skin wrung out of hot water ; or better, with an infusion of a handful of digitalis (Foxglove) in a pail of scalding water, and use other measures recommended in this article. If it be thought necessary to liquify the arine, not always beneficial, prepare the recipe given on the following pag«, «od exercise great care in the attendant treatment as there prescribed. 24 J72 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. ^0, 1J8, 1 Ounce powdered assafoetida, 2 Ounces powdered juniper berriei, 8 Ounces powdered poplar bark. Mix, divide into eight parts, and give one night and morning in th« food. The real animus should be to remove the cause, which, as we have stated, is various. Attend to the general health of the animal, keep the bowels open by a free use of bran mashes and other food of an opening nature. Give a laxative if necessary — say, 5 ounces salts, and Peru- vian bark 1 to 2 ounces daily at two or three doses. vn. White, or Lime Urine.- The urine is one of the agents used by nature to pass away the excess of calcareous or other stony matter from the body. So long as the con- ditions are normal, even when limy secretions are excessive, it may be nature's means of removing this excess. When the urine becomes albu- minous, the calciferous matter unites with the albumen, and the result is calculi. How to know it. — A white matter will be passed at the end of each urination, or the urine may become decidedly limey. What to do. — Attend to the general health of the horse, give none but sound oats and Indian corn, and sweet clean hay from upland meadows. Sand-like Deposit in the Bladder. — Sometimes a sand-like deposit, or soft magma is made in the bladder, and to such an extent that the urine flows involuntarily and constantly by drops. The remedy is by means of a stomach pump and catheter, to fill the bladder with water. Shake up the contents with the hand introduced through the rectum, and allow the water to flow through the catheter. So proceed to again pump full and empty until all the deposit is cleaned. When an animal is inclined to this disability, 1 drachm of caustic soda given daily ia the water will correct the secretion. Vm. Gravel, or Stone in the Bladder. The existence of urinary calculi, whenever found, is due to the de- posit of mineral matter around some body as a nucleus. This may consist of mucus, fibrine, blood-dot, or even of a crystal deposited from over- saturated urine. Causes. — They are so various that it would be useless to enumerate them. Impaired breathing, whether from weak or diseased lungs, imper- fect action of the liver, or impaired functions generally, are among the THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 37;s prominent causes. Any cause favoring concentration of urine might bring about the fermation of calculi. How to know it. — Cistus calculus, or stone in the bladder, occurs in all domestic animals, producing straining in the effort to pass the urine. It will escape in driblets, often drop by drop, or not at all. Blood will often be passed in clots, and crystals of microscopic calculi will be passed. By introducing the oiled hand into the rectum up to the bladder the stone may be felt. Sometimes there are a number of them. What to do. — 111 the case of a female the stone may be broken with a lithatrite. In the case of a male the operation is called lithotomy. The male is operated on standing, or else thrown on the right side. The operation must in any event be performed by a competent surgeon, since it involves cutting and the use of instruments that may not be attempted by the novice. » Preventive Measures- — The seed of Jamestown weed, or thorn apple (^Datura stramonium) has been given with good effect in preventing the formation of large calculi. Give an ounce of the powdered seed in the feed every other day until six doses are given. In connection with this give the following : No. 129. 1 Ounce oil of juniper, 1 Ounce oil of sassafras, 4 Ounces sweet spirits of niter. Form into four doses and give one morning and night for two days. Animals predisposed to gravel should be fed on sound hay from old meadows, sound grain, and watered only with soft water. IX. Suppression of Urine. Causes. — Retention or suppression of urine is due to so many causes, especially in old horses, as paralysis of the bladder, meningitis, lockjaw, severe colic or other acute disease, or from irritating drugs given by ignorant stablemen, that the operator must be informed as to the nature of the case. What to do — If it be caused by paralysis the urine must be drawn off several times a day with a catheter. The following will be indicated to be given internally : No. 130. yi Drachm extract nux vomica, 1 Pint water. Give as a drench twice a day. 3Y4 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. Another remedy, if one has a hypodermic syringe, would be : No. 131. 4 Drops sulphuric acid, 2 Grains strychnine, yi Ounce alcohol. Throw one-half of one grain twice daily under the skin. If the difficulty is due to general weakness of the bladder, gire th« following stimulant : No. 132. 20 Grains powdered cantharides, 1 Drachm powdered digitalis. Make into a ball with soap. If there is an accumulation of hard faeces in the rectum it must be removed by full injections of strong soap suds, and if necessary removal of the partially softened dung with the oiled hand. If there is inflammation of the neck of the bladder, as shown by heat, swelling, tenderness, give injections of one drachm extract of belladonna in a quart of warm water, thrown repeatedly into the rectum of horses and into the vagina of mares. To relieve pain give from one-half to twa drachms of opium as may be needed. X. Inflammation of the Bladder. Causes. — A disease very rare in animals, and when occurring the effect of violent external injury, or the result of irritating medicines, as croton oil, cantharides, administered by the ignorant. It is quite rare, and may be known by the frequent passing of urine, with great pain and difficulty. As a sure test gi'asp the horse by the mane half way between the head and shoulder with the left hand ; place the right hand under the flank when all nervousness is passed, press more or less strongly on the abdo- men. If inflammation be present the animal evinces intense pain. If the muscles be tense and hard there is no inflammation. What to do. — Give full doses of opium, two drachms, to relieve pain. Give linseed tea, milk, and white of eggs beaten up with water as drinks. As a laxative to relieve the bowels give one to two pints of olive oil as may be needed. Inject into the bladder the following if you have an matrument : No. 138. 1 Drachm opium, 1 Drachm gum arable, 1 Pint blood warm water. In severe cases the ammoniacal blister may be applied, as given on the next page, if there is paralysis of the parts, with or without THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 37g fomentations. The acute symptoms having subsided, give small doses of copaiva, one to two drachms, or buchu, two to three drachms, as may seem to be needed. Give soft or sloppy diet, with linseed tea, slippery «lm, gum arable, or other mucilaginous drinks. ^ XI. Foul Sheath. A horse with a foul sheath is unfortunate in his ma?5ter, unless ths difficulty occurred before purchase. What to do. — Clean the sheath of all foul matter with warm soap suds, removing all lumps. To wash the sheath, take hold of the yard when protruded, and without undue violence hold it with gentle pulling until there be no resistance when it may be pulled out its entire length. When washed, oil thoroughly with lard and salt, three parts of lard to one of salt. Every other day or every three days wash again and oil until a cure is effected. xn. Rupture of the Bladder. This difficulty occurs only in the female, the result of difficult parturi- tion. The animal strains violently, and on examination a red, tumid, rounded mass is shown between the lips of the vulva. What to do. — Wash the parts carefully with tepid water, in which an Dunce of laudanum has been mixed with each quart. Then return care- fully, by pressing the center of the mass inwards to correct the eversion . The difficulty will be in returning it through the neck of the bladder. There will be more or less inflammation and softening, therefore care. Judgment and time must be used, not to tear the tissues. If there is 'renewed straining, place a truss or compress over the vagina. Xm. stricture of the Urethra. Stricture of the urethra is the result of local irritation, the results .of gravel, or of strong astringent injections. The symptoms are difficxilt urination, with great pain and frequent erections. The cure must be effected by the use of catheters, gradually increasing them in size until the normal condition is reg-ained. "O" XIV. Inflammation of the Organs of Generation. ci- — ^In stallions, there is occasionally inflammation of the testi^^les, caused by external injury and other causes. It may be known by the 376 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. swelling of the parts, Ji straddling gait, with drawing up and again lef^ ting down of the testicles. What to do. — Give a purgative, 4 drachms aloes in 1 1-2 pints water. Foment the i)arts twice a day wath warm water. Then dry and apply ex- tract of belladonna or laudanum. If pus (matter) should form, known by fluctuation of the parts, open at the soft part. If the gland is involved, and there is threatened destruction of the part, castration had better be performed. h. — Inflammation of the Womb, Causes. — Bruises or other injuries at the time of giving birth, or in getting rid of the afterbirth ; retained afterbirth, or exposure to wet or cold after parturition. How to know it. — Two, three or four days after parturition, there will be an attack of shivering: pains, with looking at the flanks, similar to those in colic ; shifting of the hind feet ; the loins and abdomen tender, with aching of the loins ; the vulva red and swollen ; there is frequent straining vnih. fetid discharge. The oiled hand being introduced into the womb, the neck and body will be found filled with fluid ; the belly will be tense and swollen ; the respiration and pulse will be increased, and the temperature of the body hot. There will be grinding of the teeth, great thirst and loss of power in the limbs. What to do. — After having drawn out the contents of the womb with a catheter, fill it again with tepid water, introduced through the tube, and wash out thoroughly. Then inject one drachm permanganate of potassa in a pint of lukewarm water, adding four ounces of glycerine and half an ounce of laudanum. Give a purgative dose to move the bowels freely, 4 drachms Barbadoes aloes for a mare ; (for a cow, 1 pound of glauber salts). Follow this with 20 drops tincture of aconite four times a day for the mare; (for a cow, 30 drops). Give also once a day 5 drachms nitrate of potassa, and also once a day 1 to 2 drachms chlorate of potassa. Apply a blister of mustard to the right flank of the mare, or for a cow, mustard and oil of turpentine. If there is a weak pulse, prostration and stupor, use stimulants ; quinine in 15 to 20 grain doses, camphor and Avhisky : also antisei)tics, chlorate of potassa, 1-drachm doses, or carbolic acid 1-2 drachm doses in a pint of water. c. — Leucorrhoea^ Catarrh of the Womb or Vagina. The same general treatment is to be observed as in the foregoing. It may be known by a whitish discharge from the vulva if caused by re> tained afterbirth. Repeat the injection recommended for inflammation «f the womb, daily, and keep up the system with tonics and good food. THE HOESE, ITS DISEASES. 377 Tfee following will form a good tonic, appropriate in any enfeebled oonditioa •f the mare, but especially so in the forms of disease just treated. Mo. 134 2 Drachms sulphate of iron, 1 Drachm black pepper, K Ounce ginger, X Ounce gentian. Divide into three doses for each daj. CHAPTER Vm. DISEASES OF THE TEETH AND MOUTH, I. TEKTHTNO, OR DENTITION. II. SHEDDING TEETH. m. BLIND TEETH. IV. DECAY OF THE TEETH. V. SCURVY. VI. STUMP SUCKING, OR CRIB BITING. VII. LAM- PAS. VIU. INFLAMMATION IN AND AROUND THE MOUTH. IX. SLAVERING. X. INFLAMMATION OP THE TONGUE. XI. SHARP AND PROJECTING TEETH. XII. SCALD MOUTH. XIII. APTHA. XIV. INFLAMMATION OF THE PAROTID GLAND. —XV. FIS- TULA OF THE PAROTID DUCT, I. Teething, or Dentition. Dentition in the horse has already been wiitten of and illustrated in the map given in this work. In teething, all animals suffer more or less from irritation and fever of the parts, probably as much so as the human family. In puppies and in kittens it often causes convulsions between the third and sixth month. Cattle are principally troubled between the second and third year, and horses from the third to the fourth year, since in the third year they cut four front teeth and eight back ones, and in the fourth year four front back teeth, eight back teeth and the four tushes. Hence the reason why it is advised that at this period of their lives they be not hard worked. In both cattle and horses the rising teeth are sometimes entangled with the teeth that are being shed. There will be redness, swelling, tenderness of the gums, and the inflammation sometimes extends to the throat, causing coughing and general fever. What to do. — If there is slavering ; if the animal seems to chew hard food with pain, or bolts soft food with haste, examine the mouth. Ex- tract the loose teeth ; lance the gums to allow easy dentition ; wash the gums with tincture of myrrh : relieve the bowels if necessary with gentle THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 379 laxatives, and give as much rest and soft food as possible. Swine from the sixth to the twelfth month usually cut thirty-six teeth, and sometimes require attention. n. Shedding Teeth. In the shedding of the teeth the mouth should be examined frequently for loosened teeth, to find if the new teeth are growing properly. If they are likely to become crowded, causing twisting, they should be straightened, and if necessary one of them extracted to allow them to grow properly. Sometimes there will be disease of the membranes sur- rounding the roots of the teeth, causing loosening, deviation from the proper course, suppuration, and even shedding of the teeth with much pain, even to inflammation and other diseases of the gum. Relief is to be given by careful examination, keeping the bowels open with soft food, such manipulation as may be necessary, sponging the gums with tincture of myrrh, lancing the gums, and extraction of the loose teeth when necessary. m. Blind Teeth. Supernumerary teeth may occur among the nippers and grinders. When so they should be extracted. Blind, or wolf teeth, are not super- numerary, but natural as they are insignificant, and would not be necessary to notice here were it not from the fact that ignorant pretenders have given the impression that they are the cause of blindness, big head, and even apoplexy or staggers. These teeth are certainly useless, and occur in horses (not in mares) immediately in front of the grinders and may be extracted without difficulty or injury, care being taken that they be not broken and thus irritate the gums. IV. Decay of the Teeth. The teeth of horses under an artificial system of management, are quite subject to decay. Usually this is found in the grinders, although it eometimes, but rarely, occurs in the nippers. Causes. — Anything that will destroy the enamel or corrode the teeth, strong mineral medicines, fermentation in the stomach, breaking of the teeth by biting hard substances, or natural causes from increasing age. How to know it. — The horse will suddenly drop the food from the mouth ; slavering and exhiliition of pain. This means toothache in its acute form. The general symptoms are imperfect chewing of the food. gg,, ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. and consequent finding of whole grain in the dung ; indigestion, ua thrifty t^tate of the hair and skin, irritability, loss of condition, generally with swelling of the legs ; swelling of the jaw-bone about the carious tooth, quidding of the partially chewed hay, accumulation of food around the tooth, and between it and the cheek. What to do. — Put a balling iron in the horse's mouth, and examine the jaws for bro- ken or decayed teeth. If suspected, tap it gently. If there is inflammation, lance the A HOR8K WITH TooTHACHK. affectcd parts, aud sponge with tincture of myrrh. If the tooth is ulcerated, it is better to extract it at once ; if not, it may be cleaned and the cavity filled with gutta-percha. If tender from exposure of the nerve, it must be relieved or deadened with crystalized carbolic acid and powdered opium, before filling. As a rule, in extensive caries, the tooth may be extracted. If so, the opposing tooth must be occasionally rasped down. The extract- ing of teeth, however, should only be undertaken by a veterinary surgeon, except in the case of loose teeth, which may be extracted with a large pair of forceps. V. Scurvy of the Teeth. Old horses are subject to deposit of calcareous matter, by which the teeth become ridged with a white scurf, extending down upon the gums, inflaming them and keeping them sore. This is generally confined to the front teeth. Young horses also sometimes suffer from this disability. Causes. — Imperfect digestion and sour stomach, evolving gases, or any cause injuring the enamel of the teeth. What to do. — First, find if his system is in good condition, or put it 80. Put a twitch on the animal's nose and with proper instruments remove the incrustations. Files, scrapers and fine emery paper are the means to be used, the teeth afterwards to be oiled. In ordinary cases, a stiff brush and a mixture of tartaric acid and salt will do it ; rubbing afterwards with clean, hard wood ashes. Keep hard wood ashes and salt where the horse may take it at will. VI. Stump Sucking, or Crib Biting. Stump sucking is when a horse rests its teeth against any projection, arches its neck with spasmodic action of the throat, chest and flanks. Crib-biting is when the horse seizes the crib or other hard substance be* THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. ggj tween the teeth and pulls, with or without spasmodic action. "Wind sucking is when the horse suddenly seizes any hard, firm substance with its teeth, pulls back, sucking in the air, sometimes with so loud a spas- modic action, noise and groans that it may be heard for a long distance, with swallowing and eructation. What to do It is probably more generally connected with disease of the teeth than is generally suspected, and these should be immediately . examined for cause. At length it becomes a confirmed vice. Relieve any disabilities from the teeth. The remedy is to allow no surface uncov- ered with sheet-iron where the horse may reach it. Smearing the front of the manger with aloes has been recommended. A muzzle with two iron bars projecting from the lower jaw over the mouth and extending over and between the nostrils, will prevent the vice. If the disease be pure wind-sucking, a strap fastened tightly about the upper part of the neck will prevent the effort, but there is danger of the horse becoming a roarer. Vn. Lampas. Lampas is congestion of the palate ; a redness and swollen condition of the bars of the mouth behind the upper front teeth, caused by denti- tion in young animals, and in old ones from indigestion, causing pain in chewing from the protrusion of the tender parts. What to do. — If in young horses, the means advised in dentition, with slight cutting (scarifying) of the roof of the mouth, with a sharp knife or lancet will suffice. In old horses, scarification, with a general atten- tion to the health of the animal will be indicated. In scarifying, cut only about an inch back of the teeth, and never deep. Just behind the third bar an artery lies near the surface, difficult to manage if cut through. Hence the care required in bleeding in the roof of the mouth. Should, by ac- cident the artery be severed, put a strong cord around the upper front teeth close to the gums, and strain it as tightly as possible. This will generally close the orifice and stop the bleeding. As a wash for the gums, the following will be good : buening foelampas. No. 135. 1 Oz. chlorate of potash, 2 Oz8. soft water. Never hum the bars of the mouth for lampas. It is as senseless as it 382 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. is brutal and cruel. Never use caustics. The bars of the mouth ai>« U!*cful to the horse, as the palate is to man, and may not be tampered with with impunity. vm. Inflammation in and Around the Mouth. Causes. — Irritation from wounds, bruises, acrid or poisonous plants, ravage bits, injuries from the bit, twitch or rope around the under jaw and tongue, medical irritants, bites or stings of reptiles or insects, the use of calomel and other salivating drugs, fungus growths, specific fevers, etc. How to know it. — There will be difficulty in feeding and drinking, sla- vering with or without fetid saliva, swelling and rigidity of the lips, cheeks or between the bones of the lower jaw, blisters or sores within the mouth, swelling of the glands, etc. What to do — Find the cause, whether from mechanical injury, irritating food or irritant drugs. If injured by alkalies wash with vinegar and water, equal parts ; if by acids use lime water or a weak solution of bicarbonate of soda ; if caused by caustic salts use mucilage of slippery elm, or white of egg ; if from venomous bites apply ammonia and give one-half ounce of liquid ammonia internally to the horse, and one-half to one ounce to the ox. For bite of venomous snakes, tarantula, etc., cauterize the wound in addition and give whisky in full doses. If there Ls simple inflammation, open the bowels with a gentle laxative, two ounce doses of magnesia, and wash with vinegar and honey. Give plenty of cool water and soft food. If there are ulcers, touch them with a feather dipped in No. 136. 10 Grains lunar caustic, 1 Ounce rain water. If there is much swelling keep the head tied up. If tumors resolving into matter (pus) appear, open with a lancet or knife. If there is slough- ing of the parts (separation of dead flesh) wash with the following: No. 137. 1 Drachm permanganate of potassa, 1 Pint of water. IX. Slavering. Causes. — The result of mercurial salivation, symptoms of various affections, as apthous fevers, epilepsy, cutting teeth, ulcers of the mouth, 'irritating food, alkalies, acids, bad fodder, etc. White clover will often cause undue secretion of saliva by the glands. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. It may be known by the free discharge of saliva, great thirst and often indigestion. What to do. — Find the cause and remove it. Give cold water to drink,, and sound grain, grass and hay. Use as washes for the mouth, vinegar and water or vinegar and honey. If the saliva is offensive, use water slightly tinctured with carbolic acid as a wash, and attend to the general health of the animal. EFFKCT OF CBUEL D8E OF THE BFT. X. Inflammation of the Tongue. How to know it. — There will be difficulty in eating and drinking. The tongue will be swollen and inflamed, sometimes hanging from the mouth. What to do. — Use the same means recommended for inflammation of the mouth, first having thoroughly searched for wounds from any sharp substance having punctured and remained in the tongue. If the tongue hangs from the mouth put the end in a bag, and support it with tapes extending from the corners of the mouth and tied behind the ears. Great relief may be afforded the suffering animal by this means. XI. Sharp and Projecting Teeth. The remedy for this disability will be obvious. Secure the animal, put a twitch on its nose, if a horse, and a balling iron in the mouth and file the teeth until smooth and even, using a rasp made for this purpose, flat and with a slightly crooked handle. Xn. Scald Mouth. Causes. — The ignorant use of acid drenches or corrosive drugs by careless or ignorant stable men. Medicines of unusual strength are sometimes sent with directions for diluting. If labels were carefully read, and directions implicitly followed, there would be less of this distressing malady, often ending in chronic disease of the stomach. Kow to know it. — The mouth is red, often raw ; the lips are in constant motion , moving up and down ; the saliva flows continually, showing the pain the animal endures. What to do. — Give well-made cold gruel, either of com or oatmeal, and soft food if the horse can take it. Boiled carrots are excellent if the animal will eat them. Prepare the following lotion : 584 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. ■go. 138. T) Ounces of powdered borax, 2 Pounds of honey, 1 Gallon of boiling water. Mix, let it become quite cold ; hold up the horse's head moderately and pour half a pint into the mouth. At the expiration of half a minute allow the head to gradually drop so the fluid may flow over the inflamed surfaces. This should be repeated several times a day. Beyond this nothing can be done except to attend to the general health of the animal, which should do no work until entirely recovered. Xm. Aptha, or Thrush. A disease incident to sucking animals and young horses, generally occurring in the Spring and Fall. How to know it. — Red patches will appear on tongue, cheeks and lips, which assume a whitish color, caused by a fungus growth (cedium albicans) . The lips swell; the tongue hangs out of the mouth ; vesicles form containing a clear, gelatinous fluid. At length these burst ; crusts form and recovery ensues. What to do. — Give the animal soft food as recom- mended for other mouth diseases. Wash the mouth with the lotion prescribed for scald mouth, or prepare equal parts of honey and powdered bayberry bark into a paste, with which anoint the affected parts every night. To purify the blood and promote the general health give the following ; No. 139. 1 Ounce flowers of sulphur, 1 Ounce powdered sassafras bark, 2 Ounces powdered golden seal. Mix, divide into four portions and give one every night in scalded shorts allowing it to get cold. Or give it in cold gruel as a drink. This prescription will be found valuable in any case and for all farm stock when the blood is thick and inclined to humors. Give fully grown swine half the dose prescribed, and full grown sheep one-third the dose ; that is, divide into eight doses for swine and twelve for sheep. XIV. Inflammation of the Parotid Gland. Causes. — This gland, which lies in the hollow that extends from the root of the ear to the angle of the lower jaw, sympathizes with in- fliimmation of the uppe^ part of the throat, and becomes hot, tender and swollen in almost ever case of cold. It is liable to inflammation also THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 385 from mechanical injury, and from obstruction of its duct. In bad cases of strangles or distemper, it will sometimes swell to great size and will break, a fistulous sore being the termination. How to know it. — When the gland has become swollen, it is easilj discernible by sight or feeling. There is a hard and painful lump be- neath the ear, with a softer feeling about its edges. The horse carries his head stiffly, chews slowly and with difficulty, and has some general fever. What to do. — As this state of the gland is almost always preceded by cold, and is accompanied by it, the treatment must be first directed to the removal of the exciting cause. Place the animal in comfortable sur- roundings, attend to the state of his bowels, giving 3 ounces glaubers or epsom salts, in case of constipation, and a few warm mashes. Mean- while, cover the affected gland with a good poultice until the inflammation is subdued. If inflammation results from mechanical obstruction, that obstruction must of course be removed before any permanent relief can be obtained ; and this may require the removal of a calculus or stone from the parotid duct, which can be safely done only by an experienced surgeon. If attention is not directed to the swelling until matter is forming, allow it to approach the surface and come to a head before attempting to open, to avoid cutting any of the ducts, which might result in a fistula. If the tumor becomes hard, use iodine, almost to the extent of blistering. Any wound inflicted mechanically, as a cut into the gland, or a prick with a stable-fork, must be treated externally according to its nature— the main point being to close it so effectually that the salivary fluid which it is the office of this gland to secrete cannot escape through the wounds XV. Fistula of the Parotid Duct. Causes. — The parotid duct, which is formed by a union of the smallei ducts of the parotid gland, enters the mouth after it leaves the gland, in front of the large masseter muscle of the cheeks — having passed for eome distance upon the inner side of the jaw, and then turned under th« lower border of the bone. The saliva secreted by the parotid gland, which lies at the spot where the neck joins the jaw, is poured into the mouth by this parotid duct, to be mingled with the food during the pro- cess of mastication. If the mouth of this little tube is closed in any way, so as to prevent the free egress of the saliva, distension of the duct takes place, and the confined secretion causes sneering, inflammation, and finally rupture. This stoppage is sometimes caused by hayseeds or other particles of food that enter the mouth of the channel while the 3^(5 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. animal is feeding. The presence of food in the mouth and the motion of the jaw stimuhitc the action of the gland, and since the saliva thus eecreted cannot escape by its natural opening, there is constantly more and more pressure until some outlet is found. This, as we have said, may be by bursting, or it may be by external accident. A wound inflicted on the jaw with any pointed instrument, as a hay-fork, has been known to penetrate this channel. The saliva thereupon pours through the open- ino-, and by its constant flow it prevents the healing of the wound, so that its edges speedily become hard and without that liveliness essential to the closing of punctured or gashed flesh. The stopping of this passage into the mouth is said to have been some- times caused by calculus or stone in the cheeks of the animal. These, of a size exceedingly large in proportion to the size of the duct in which they lodge, have been taken from the jaw. Every wound which penetrates this or any other duct of the salivary glands soon becomes a fistulous and offensive sore ; the fluid secreted by the gland finds its way out through the false opening, while none of it enters the mouth to perform its natural function in preparing the food for the stomach, so that the horse soon begins to lose flesh, and finally assumes a wretched and loathsome appearance. The opening of the parotid duct occasionally occurs, perhaps, from the opening of abscesses attending strangles or distemper. How to know it. — The digestion necessarily becomes deranged when the process of mastication is carried on for any considerable length of time without the foods being moistened by that secretion which the paro* tid duct in a healthy condition furnishes ; but the orifice in the skin under the jaw or on the cheek at the large muscle, discharging a liquid some- what resembling the white of an egg, is the unmistakable indication of the disorder under consideration. Durins; the act of feeding this fluid is freely discharged, even sometimes squirting from the wound, and especi- ally so if the food is dry and hard to chew. It will be noticed that in chewing the horse uses the opposite side of the mouth from that on which the opening occurs, and that the process is slow and diflScult. The edges of the wound soon become callous, the running of the stream down the cheek destroys the hair, and the whole part has a fistulous and filthy appearan(^e. What to do — In the first place, especial care must be taken to keep- the animal, during the period required for effecting a cure, upon food that requires no chewing. It should be sufficiently plentiful and nutri- tious to prevent the uneasiness of hunger. Soft mashes and gruels alone should constitute the diet. Another precaution is necessary when he is. THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 387 left to himself — that is, to tie him up in such a way as to prevent him from rubbing the wound. This can be done by having a rein at each side of the halter, and tying it up, one to each side of the stall, and suffi- ciently back and high up to keep him from putting his jaw against either ihe trough or the wall against which it stands. If the wound has recently broken, shave the edges so as to remove all roughness and bring them closely and evenly together. Then cover with : collodion, putting on coat after coat until it is strong enough to keep the) wound from bursting. If the sore is of long standing, and the case evidently obstinate, the first care must be to determine whether the channel has become closed between the wound and the mouth, as sometimes happens. If so, make a new one and keep it open by passing a thread through it. This thread must have a flat button affixed to each end, one inside the mouth the other outside the wound, to retain it in place. It should not be so closely shortened by the buttons as to prevent its being slipped a little, first one way then the other, until the walls .of its passage have become callous or firm, and not likely to adhere. It must then be withdrawn, and the way being open for the secretion to escape into the mouth the outside wound must be closed. To do this, make an adhesive fluid by saturating gum mastic with the strongest spirit of wine, or by dissolving India rubber in sulphuric ether. Pare off the edges of the wound till the healthy skin and flesh are laid bare, which may be known by bleeding. Now wash the surrounding parts thoroughly with warm soap suds, so as to remove the oily secretion from the skin and hair, and render the latter dry, so that an adhesive preparation may the more readily stick. When the bleeding has stopped and the hair is dry, lay over the orifice a piece of India rubber, and over that a cotton cloth. Fix the cotton firmly by means of the adhesive fluid above mentioned, first attaching one side, then, when that is dry and firmly fixed, stretching and fastening down the other edge. Continue to fasten on these strips one after another in this way — some of them cross-ways — until there is a good body of them ; then thoroughly saturate the whole with the adhesive fluid and tie up the animal as already directed. When his reins are loosened in order that he may eat, he must be watched to see that he does not rub and re-open the wound . This one covering, as described, is generally sufficient to effect a cure < but if it falls off before the orifice is entirely closed, wait a day or two, «till feeding on soft food, and then put on another coat of the India rubber, cotton, and mastic solution ; and so continue until a cure U effected. 25 CHAPTER IX. DISEASES OF THE HEABT, BLOOD, ETC. 1. THUMPS. n. SCROFULA. III. FEVER, OR GEKBRAL INFLAMMATION. IV. KNLAKOE- MK2IT OF THE HEART. V. FATTY DEGENERATION OF THE HEART. VI. KNLARGK" MENT OF THE ARTERIES. VII. INFLAMMATION OF THE JUGULAR VEIN.— VUI. INFLAM* MATION OF THE ABSORBENTS. IX. SCARLATINA. I. Thumps. Palpitation of the heart, or thumps, as it is usually called, may occur from fright, in highly fed, irregularly worked animals, but is not as a rule connected with structural disease of the heart. Causes. — Indigestion, some blood diseases, sudden excitement or fright in animals predisposed to nervousness. How to know it. — ^The action of the heart will be violent and convul* sive ; the beatings can be seen, felt and heard. The disorder comes on abruptly, generally from excitement, has perfect intermissions with ab- rupt jarring thumps, and a jerking motion of the abdomen, and unaccom- panied by redness of the mucus membranes ; excited eyes, rapid breathing and a more or less sudden diminution of the palpitation. If signs of temporary excitement arc not present ; if the attack comes on slowly, is constant with aggravated intervals ; if there is a heavy, prolonged, une- qual beating, with red mucus membranes and swelling of the limbs, it may be inferred that the difficulty is connected with structural heart disease. What to do. — Avoid sudden excitement and over-exertion, but give regular but gentle exercise, stimulants and tonics. The following would be indicated as a stimulant, either whisky, or 1-2 ounce liquid ammonia. Give 15 to 20 grahis digitalis twice a day in the feed, for some weeks. 388 THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 389 If there is a full, strong pulse, and increased size of the heart, add to the digitalis 20 drops tincture of aconite, twice a day, or drop it into the water given twice a day. If there is general debility, the following will be indicated, to be given twice a day for several weeks ; No. 140 Yt Drachm powdered nux vomica, 1 Drachm extract of belladonna. Form into a ball with liquorice powder and molasses, and give. II. Scrofiila. The horse is not subject to scrofula, as is man, and the lower farm animals. Swine are essentially scrofulous ; sheep are often so ; cattle more rarely, and horses least of all. Yet that this noble animal has the germs of this dread disease in his system, would seem to be indicated by ulcers on the liver, tumors in the glands, and tubercles of the lungs. Thus it may be found in connection with other diseases, or show itself in eruptive skin, or of the organs. What to do. — Stramonium, known to farmers as Jamestown or Jimson weed, is a specific. Give every other day half an ounce of the dried seed, bruised, or 20 to 30 grains of the stramonium of the druggists, daily. The ox may have from 1-2 to 1 drachm ; sheep 5 to 10 grains, and swine 4 to 6 grains daily, the state of the bowels being carefully attended to by giving laxative food if costive, ^r if necessity occur, med- icine, Glauber salts in light doses. III. Fever, or General Inflainmation. When from any cause injury is done to any part of the frame, or in, flammatory action is set up either in the tissues, membranes, or any of the organs of the body, heat is produced, and this is fever. This often becomes general from sympathy, thus in a measure relieving the pressure on the more closely affected parts. Fever is not the disease itself, but the result of disorganization, a symptom of disease, or internal disorder. In fact, a symptom of disease arising from sympathy of the system with disease of the animal economy. Remove the cause and the fever will eease. We may do something to alleviate it in connection with the treat- fnent of the disease itself, but we must not lose siffht of the latter. In intermittent fevers there is a cold stage, a hot stage and a sweating stage. These may vary in succession and degree, but the real difficulty is in a morbid state of the viscera, but particularly of the liver and organs employed in the formation of bile, and of the mesentery. In fevers the tongue is coated. Yet no quack is so ignorant as to suppose 390 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. the fevor can be cured by scraping the tongue, and yet this is fully a» sensible as to suppose fever to be the disease itself when it is an effect of disease. In the horse fevers often manifest themselves through inflammation ot the mucous or serous membranes, producing catarrh or influenza. Whea it affects the mucous surface of the stomach and bowels it produces extreme languor and debility. In pleurisy there is inflammation of the serous membranes within the thorax. The fever is the manifestation of » the disease. In typhoid fever there is inflammation of the brain and viscera and especially of the stomach, intestines and peyers gland. The fever is the attendant simply upon the cause of the inflammation. Fever in horses has been described by the author of Hippopathology to be 1st. Common fever — a general diffuse inflammation. 2d. Idiopathic— » arising without any apparent local injury. 3d. Symptomatic — arising from some local cause or irritation. The late Dr. Dadd, V.S., very truly says: "A rational system of veterinary medicine contemplates, in the treat- ment of febrile symptoms, nothing more than a kind of expectancy. W the patient be in the cold stage, administer warm diffusible stimulantii and diaphoretics, aided by warmth and moisture externally ; friction on the extremities, and, if necessary, stimulating applications to the chest and the extremities. In the hot stage, and when the superficial heat of tha body is great, cooling drinks are indicated : water acidulated with cream of tartar, makes a good febrifuge. The patient may be occasional!}' sponged with weak saleratus water. The alkali has a beneficial effect on the cutaneous vessels, while the water lessens the temperature of tho body. No treatment, however, can be of any rational use, unless it contemplates a restoration of the healthy equilibrium of the whole system. Let the doctor treat the disease, and a good, attentive groom can manage the fever." In treating general fever or inflammation, therefore, we must first find the cause, and treat, giving such agents as have been indicated throughout this work, for the febrile symptoms as they occur. As a rule we do not advocate bleeding, but in the horse in the early stages of acute inflamma- tion, especially of the brain, and all that class of diseases which involve the general system, and when the blood is thick and dark, sometimes almost brown, bleeding may be practiced with success. It is never well however to bleed blindly. In apoplexy and that class of diseases, bleed. It is a case of life or death. For fevers in general there can be no specific. In diseases of the blood, accompanied by fever, alteratives will be indicated both as a preventive and corrective of the diseased functions. Sometimes the condition of the absorbents are so inactive that alterative* THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. S9l cannot act. Here bleeding would seem to be indicated. Yet it Is better unless in the case of life or death, that it be not resorted to, except Mnder the advice of a competent veterinarian or physician. IV. Enlargement of the Heart. H}'pertrophy or enlargement of the heart is an increase of its muscular substance and may be confined to one side or one ventricle. Sometimes disease of the valves leads to enlargement much beyond its usual size. Enlargement of the heart also accompanies broken wind and other im- pediments to the free action of the lungs and breathing tubes. Causes. — Long continued hard work ; chronic indigestion, or some obstruction to the circulation. How to know it. — There is palpitation, the beats forcible and prolonged, the intervals of silence shortened. The first sound is low, muflied and prolonged, the second loud, and if only one ventricle is affected some- times repeated. The pulse is as a rule regular, except under excitement of the animal, and, the excitement removed, soon returns to its usual state. The breathing is often hurried, and exertion increases the general fsymptoms in a marked manner. What to do. — Simple hypertrophy is seldom the cause of imminent danger. It is not unusual for horses with an enlargement of the heart to do steady, slow, moderate work, and live to be old. If there is dilatation, weakness, blowing murmurs with the first heart sound, spells of oppressed and difficult breathing, if the nasal and other visible mucous membranes are livid, there is danger of sudden death at anytime. Keep the animal quiet, and at only slow, moderate labor ; never over^ load or put him to speed. Let the diet be of good, easily digested food ; never allow the stomach to become overloaded. Give twice a day from 20 to 30 drops tincture of aconite root as the case may need. If there is broken wind or other serious impediment to breathing, 3 to 4 grains of arsenic in the food has been found useful. If the case, however, be of long standing, or due to permanent obstruction, treatment must be simplj silleviation. The case will eventually end in death. v. Patty Degeneration of the Heart. This disease is occasioned by a change of the muscular substance of the heart to a fatty state, by which the organ is weakened, at length lead- ing to rupture of its tissues. It is not uncommon in high-bred stock, including cattle and swine. jf,.2 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOK. Qauses. High feeding, inactivity, want of exercise, and the result of such diseases as purpura scarlet fever, and diseases the result of pro- found alteration of the blood. How to know it. — Debility in the circulation, irregularity and weak, ness in the puUe, lessening of the heart sounds, swe l l ing of the legs and sometimes a general dropsical condition, dilatation, a want of correspond- ence between the heart beats and the stroke of the pulse, appetite irreg- ular and capricious, and the membranes of the mouth and nose a rusty red color. What to do. — Humor the appetite with sound, easily digestible food. There is no remedy. Attention to the general health, and an ounce of chlorate of potash twice a day in the food may mitigate s%Tnptoms when more violent than usual. In all heart or arterial diseases give rest, and in fattening stock, do so as quickly as possible. VI. Enlargement of the Arteries. Dilatation of the arteries (Aneurism), is rarely found. It is a thinning and weakening of the coats of the vessels, sometimes to bursting, causing a pulsating: tumor containing blood. Causes. — Severe strains in the vicinity of an artery, blows, kicks, stabs, or weakening from overstretching, as in fatty degeneration. In the mesenteric arteries of horses, they are common from immature worms ( Sclerrt,<