,,the ,,handy ,,horse-,,book ,,opinions ,,of ,,the ,,press4 8,most certainly the above title is no misnomer1 for the #8,handy ,horse-,book' is a manual of driving1 riding1 and the general care and management of horses1 evidently the work of no unskilled hand40--,bell's ,life4 8,as cavalry officer1 hunting horseman1 coach proprietor1 whip1 and steeplechase rider1 the author has had long and various experience in the management of horses1 and he now gives us the cream of his information in a little volume1 which will be to horse-keepers and horse-buyers all that the #8,handy ,book on ,property ,law1' by ,lord ,st ,leonards1 has for years past been to men of business4 ,it does not profess to teach the horse-keeper everything that concerns the beast that is one of the most delicate as well as the noblest of animals2 but it supplies him with a number of valuable facts1 and puts him in possession of leading principles40--,athenum4 8,the writer shows a thorough knowledge of his subject1 and he fully carries out the object for which he professes to have undertaken his task--namely1 to render horse-proprietors independent of the dictations of ignorant farriers and grooms40--,observer4 8,we need only say that the work is essentially a multum in parvo1 and that a book more practically useful1 or that was more required1 could not have possibly been written40--,irish ,times4 8,he propounds no theories1 but embodies in simple and untechnical language what he has learned practically2 and a perusal of the volume will at once testify that he is fully qualified for the task2 and so skilfully is the matter condensed that there is scarcely a single sentence which does not convey sound and valuable information40--,sporting ,gazette4 8,we can cordially recommend it as a book especially suited to the general public1 and not beneath the attention of #8practical men4'0--,the ,globe4 8,contains a very great modicum of information in an exceedingly small space4444 ,there can be little doubt that it will1 when generally known1 become the established vade mecum of the fox-hunter1 the country squire1 and the trainer40--,army and ,navy ,gazette4 8,a useful little work4444 ,in the first part he gives just the amount of information that will enable a man to work his horse comfortably1 check his groom1 and generally know what he is about when riding1 driving1 or choosing gear40--,spectator4 8,this is a book to be read and re-read by all who take an interest in the noble animal1 as it contains a most comprehensive view of everything appertaining to horse-flesh2 and is1 moreover1 as fit for the library and drawing-room as it is for the mess-table or the harness-room40--,sporting ,magazine4 8,by all means buy the book2 it will repay the outlay40--,land and ,water4 ,illustration3 ,,drawing ,,cover ,,the ,,handy ,,horse-,,book ,,or ,,practical ,,instructions ,,in ,,driving1 ,,riding1 ,,and ,,the ,,general ,,care ,,and ,,management ,,of ,,horses ,,by ,a ,,cavalry ,,officer ,,fourth ,,edition1 ,,revised ,,and ,,enlarged ,with ,engravings ,,william ,,blackwood ,,and ,,sons ,,edinburgh ,,and ,,london ,,mdccclxviii ,the ,right of ,translation is reserved ,,to ,,major-,,general ,,lord ,,george ,,paget1 ,c4,b4 ,inspector-,general of ,cavalry1 ,,son ,,of ,,the ,,distinguished ,,horseman ,,and ,,hero ,,who ,,commanded ,,the ,,cavalry ,,at ,,waterloo1 ,,and ,,himself ,a ,,leader ,,among ,,the 8,,immortal ,,six ,,hundred10 ,,this ,,book ,,is ,,by ,,permission ,,inscribed1 ,,in ,,tribute ,,to ,,his ,,soldierly ,,qualities1 ,,and ,,to ,,his ,,consideration ,,for ,,the ,,noble ,,animal ,,which ,,has ,,carried ,,the ,,british ,,cavalry ,,through ,,so ,,many ,,dangers ,,to ,,so ,,many ,,triumphs1 ,,by ,,his ,,lordship',s ,,obedient ,,servant1 8,,magenta40 ,,preface4 ,finding myself a standing reference among my friends and acquaintance on matters relating to horse-flesh1 and being constantly in the habit of giving them advice verbally and by letter1 ,i have been induced to comply with repeated suggestions to commit my knowledge to paper1 in the shape of a ,treatise or ,manual4 ,when ,i say that my experience has been practically tested on the road1 in the field1 on the turf 7having been formerly a steeplechase rider1 as well as now a hunting horseman71 with the ribbons1 and in a cavalry regiment1 ,i must consider that1 with an ardent taste for everything belonging to horses thus nourished for years1 ,i must either have sadly neglected my opportunities1 or have picked up some knowledge of the use and treatment of the animal in question4#a ,born and bred1 ,i may say1 in constant familiarity with a racing-stable1 and having been always devotedly attached to horses1 the wrongs of those noble animals have been prominently before my eyes1 and ,i have felt an anxious desire to see justice done to them1 which1 ,i am sorry to say1 according to my observation1 is but too seldom the case2 indeed1 ,i have often marvelled at the tractability of those powerful creatures under the most perverted treatment by their riders and drivers4 ,my object1 therefore1 in offering the following remarks1 is not to trench upon the sphere of the professional veterinary surgeon or riding-master1 but to render horse-proprietors independent of the dictation of ignorant farriers and grooms4 ,intending this little work merely as a useful manual1 ,i have purposely avoided technicalities1 as belonging exclusively to the professional man1 and endeavoured to present my dissertations on disease in the most comprehensive terms possible1 proposing only simple remedies as far as they go2 though1 for the satisfaction of my readers1 ,i may mention that1 as an amateur1 ,i have myself devoted much time and thought to the study of anatomy1 and that any treatment of disease herein recommended has been carefully perused and approved by a veterinary surgeon4 ,theories are excluded1 and ,i confine myself simply to practical rules founded on my own experience4 ,hints and remarks are here offered to the general public1 which1 to practical men1 will appear trifling and unnecessary2 but keen and extended observation1 carried on as opportunity offered1 amongst all classes and in many countries and climates1 has given me an insight into the want of reasoning exhibited by men of every station in dealing with the noble and willing inmates of the stable1 and has assisted in suggesting the necessity for just such ,a ,b ,c instructions as are herein presented by the ,public's very humble servant1 8,,magenta40#b ,,preface ,,to ,,third ,,edition4 ,increased attention having been directed to the necessity for greater vigilance with regard to the breeding and production of good and useful horses1 many readers have expressed a wish that ,i would give some decided views on these subjects2 and concurring with them as to the exigency of the case1 ,i have ventured1 in an additional chapter in this new and ,third ,edition1 to make a few remarks1 which1 although doubtless patent to practical men1 are naturally looked for by the public in this ,manual1 which has been so favourably received4 8,,magenta40 ,,preface ,,to ,,fourth ,,edition4 ,the ,third ,edition of this little work1 published so recently as ,april last1 being already out of print1 the ,author1 in presenting a new one1 feels called upon gratefully to acknowledge this unusual mark of favour on the part of the public4 ,,london1 ,november #ahfg4 ,,contents4 ,,page ,,part ,i4 ,,breeding1 #a ,,selecting1 #b ,,buying1 #f ,,stabling1 #h ,,grooming1 #ab ,,haltering1 #af ,,clothing1 #ah ,,feeding1 #bj ,,watering1 #be ,,grazing1 #bf ,,training1 #bh ,,exercising1 #ca ,,work1 #cc ,,bridling1 #ch ,,saddling1 #dc ,,riding1 #di ,,harnessing1 #ef ,,driving1 #fe ,,drawing1 #gb ,,shoeing1 #ge ,,vice1 #hd ,,selling1 #hi ,,caprice1 #ij ,,irish ,,hunters1 ,,and ,,the ,,breeding ,,of ,,good ,,horses1 #ic ,,part ,,ii4 ,,diseases1 #aja ,,operations1 #ajb ,,to ,,give ,a ,,ball1 #ajd ,,to ,,give ,a ,,drench1 #aje ,,purging1 #ajf ,,the ,,pulse1 #aji ,,diseases ,,of ,,the ,,head ,,and ,,respiratory ,,organs1 #aji ,,diseases ,,of ,,the ,,digestive ,,and ,,urinary ,,organs1 #abj ,,diseases ,,of ,,the ,,feet ,,and ,,legs1 #abg ,,lotions1 ,,purges1 ,,blisters1 ,,etc41 #aeh ,,index1 #afd ,,list ,,of ,,plates4 ,,drawing ,,cover1 frontispiece4 ,,the ,,hack1 page #d ,,the ,,weight-,,carrying ,,hunter1 0 #f ,,riding ,,at ,,it1 0 #ec ,,the ,,proper ,,form1 0 #ie ,,preparatory ,,canter1 0 #ii ,,the ,,handy ,,horse-,,book4 ,,part ,i4 ,,breeding4 ,a few words only of observation would ,i make on this subject4#c ,palpably our horses1 especially racers and hunters1 are degenerating in size and power1 owing mainly1 it is to be feared1 to the parents being selected more for the reputation they have gained as winners carrying feather-weights1 than for any symmetrical development or evidence of enduring power under the weight of a man4 ,we ,english might take a useful lesson in selecting parental stock from the ,french1 who reject our theory of breeding from animals simply because they have reputation in the racing calendars1 and who breed from none but those which have shape and power1 as well as blood and performance1 to recommend them4 ,they are also particular to avoid using for stud purposes such animals as may exhibit indications of any constitutional unsoundness4 ,,selecting4 ,in selecting an animal1 the character of the work for which he is required should be taken into consideration4 ,for example1 in choosing a hack1 you will consider whether he is for riding or for draught4 ,in choosing a hunter1 you must bear in mind the peculiar nature of the country he will have to contend with4 ,a horse should at all times have sufficient size and power for the weight he has to move4 ,it is an act of cruelty to put a small horse1 be his courage and breeding ever so good1 to carry a heavy man or draw a heavy load4 ,with regard to colour1 some sportsmen say1 and with truth1 that 8a good horse can't be a bad colour1 no matter what his shade40 ,objection may1 however1 be reasonably made to pie-balls1 skew-balls1 or cream-colour1 as being too conspicuous1--moreover1 first-class animals of these shades are rare2 nor are the roan or mouse-coloured ones as much prized as they should be4 ,bay1 brown1 or dark chestnuts1#d black or grey horses1 are about the most successful competitors in the market1 and may be preferred in the order in which they are here enumerated4 ,very light chestnut1 bay1 and white horses are said to be irritable in temper and delicate in constitution4#e ,mares are objected to by some as being occasionally uncertain in temper and vigour1 and at times unsafe in harness1 from constitutional irritation4 ,more importance is attached to these assumed drawbacks than they deserve2 and though the price of the male is generally from one-fourth to one-sixth more than that of the female1 the latter will be found to get through ordinary work quite as well as the former4 ,to judge of the ,age by the ,teeth4--,the permanent nippers1 or front teeth1 in the lower jaw1 are six4 ,the two front teeth are cut and placed at from two to three years of age2 the next pair1 at each side of the middle ones1 at from three and a half to four2 and the corner pair between four and a half and five years of age1 when the tusks in the male are also produced4 ,the marks or cavities in these nippers are effaced in the following order3--,at six years old they are worn out in the two centre teeth1 at seven in the next pair1 and at eight in the corner ones1 when the horse is described as 8aged40 ,after this1 as age advances1 these nippers appear to change gradually year by year from an oval to a more detached and triangular form1 till at twenty their appearance is completely triangular4 ,after six the tusks become each year more blunt1 and the grooves1 which at that age are visible inside1 gradually wear out4 ,the ,hack to ,ride4--,a horse with a small well-shaped head seldom proves to be a bad one2 therefore such1 with small fine ears1 should be sought in the first instance4 ,it is particularly desirable that the shoulder of a riding hack should be light and well-placed4 ,a high-withered horse is by no means the best for that purpose4 ,let the shoulder-blades be well slanted as the horse stands1 their points light in front towards the chest4 ,nor should there be too wide a front2 for such width1 though well enough for draught1 is not necessary in a riding-horse1 provided the chest and girth be deep4 ,as a matter of course the animal should be otherwise well formed1 with rather long pasterns 7before but not behind71--the length of which increases the elasticity of his movement on hard roads4 ,his action should be independent and high1 bending the knees4 ,if he cannot walk well--in fact1 with action so light that1 as the dealers say1 8he'd hardly break an egg if he trod on it0--raising his legs briskly off the ground1 when simply led by the halter 7giving him his head7--in other words1 if he walks 8close to the ground0--he should be at once rejected4 ,with regard to the other paces1 different riders have different fancies3 the trot and walk ,i consider to be the only important paces for a gentleman's ordinary riding-horse4 ,it is very material1 in selecting a riding-horse1 to observe how he holds his head in his various paces2 and to judge of this the intending purchaser should remark closely how he works on the bit when ridden by the rough-rider1 and he should also pay particular attention to this point when he is himself on his back1 before selection is made4#f ,illustration3 ,,the ,,hack ,respecting soundness1 though feeling fully competent myself to judge of the matter1 ,i consider the half-guinea fee to a veterinary surgeon well-laid-out money1 to obtain his professional opinion and a certificate of the state of an animal1 when purchasing a horse of any value4 ,the ,hack for ,draught ought to be as well formed as the one just described2 but a much heavier shoulder and forehand altogether are admissible4 ,no one should ever for a moment think of putting any harness-horse into a private vehicle1 no matter what his seller's recommendation1 without first having him out in a single or double break1 as the case may be1 and seeing him driven1 as well as driving him himself1 to make acquaintance with the animal--in fact1 to find him out4 ,the ,hunter1 like the hack1 should be particularly well-formed before the saddle4 ,he should be deep in the girth1 strong in the loins1 with full development of thigh1 short and flat in the canon joint from the knee to the pastern1 with large flat hocks and sound fore legs4 ,this animal1 like the road-horse1 should lift his feet clear of the ground and walk independently1 with evidence of great propelling power in the hind legs when put into a canter or gallop4 ,a differently-shaped animal is required for each kind of country over which his rider has to be carried4 ,in the midland counties and ,yorkshire1 the large three-quarter or thorough-bred horse only will be found to have pace and strength enough to keep his place4 ,in close countries1 such as the south1 south-west1 and part of the north of ,england1 a plainer-bred and closer-set animal does best4 ,in countries where the fences are height jumps--a constant succession of timber1 or stone walls--one must look for a certain angularity of hip1 not so handsome in appearance1 but giving greater leverage to lift the hind legs over that description of fence4 ,a hunter should be all action2 for if the rider finds he can be carried safely across country1 he will necessarily have more confidence1 and go straighter1 not therefore requiring so much pace to make up for round-about 8gating0 gaps and 8craning40#g ,,buying4 ,if you propose purchasing from a dealer1 take care to employ none but a respectable man4 ,it is also well to get yourself introduced to such a one1 by securing the good offices of some valuable customer of his for the purpose2 for such an introduction will stimulate any dealer who values his character to endeavour by his dealings to sustain it with his patron4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,weight-,,carrying ,,hunter ,auction4--,an auction is a dangerous place for the uninitiated to purchase at4 ,if1 however1 it should suit you to buy in that manner1 the best course to pursue is to visit the stables on the days previous to the sale1 for in all well-regulated repositories the horses are in for private inspection from two to three days before the auction-day4 ,taking1 if possible1 one good judge with you1 eschewing the opinions of all grooms and others--in fact1 fastening the responsibility of selection on the one individual--make for yourself all the examination you possibly can1 in or out of stable1 of the animal you think likely to suit you4 ,there is generally a way of finding out some of the antecedents of the horses from the men about the establishment4 ,fairs4--,to my mind it is preferable to purchase at fairs rather than at an auction3 indeed1 a judge will there have much more opportunity of comparison than elsewhere4 ,private ,purchase4--,in buying from a private gentleman or acquaintance1 it is not unusual to get a horse on trial for three or four days4 ,many liberal dealers1 if they have faith in the animal they want to dispose of1 and in the intending purchaser1 will permit the same thing4 ,warranty4--,as observed under the head of 8,selecting10 it is never wise to conclude the purchase of a horse without having him examined by a professional veterinary surgeon1 and getting a certificate of his actual state4 ,if the animal be a high-priced one1 a warranty should be claimed from the seller as a sine qua non2 and if low-priced1 a professional certificate is desirable1 stating the extent of unsoundness1 for your own satisfaction4#h ,,stabling4 ,ventilation is a matter of the first importance in a stable4 ,the means of ingress and egress of air should be always three or four feet higher than the range of the horses' heads1 for two simple reasons3 first1 when an animal comes in warm1 it is not well to have cold air passing directly on the heated surface of his body2 and1 in the second place1 the foul air1 being the lightest1 always ascends1 and you give it the readiest mode of exit by placing the ventilation high up4 ,the common louver window1 which can never be completely closed1 is the best ordinary ventilator4 ,drainage ought to be closely investigated4 ,the drains should run so as to remove the traps or grates outside the stable1 or as far as possible from the horses1 in order to keep the effluvium away from them4 ,all foul litter and mass should be removed frequently during the day2 straw and litter ought not to be allowed to remain under a horse in the daytime1 unless it be considered expedient that he should rest lying down1 in which case let him be properly bedded and kept as quiet as possible4 ,in many cases the practice of leaving a small quantity of litter in the stall is a fine cloak for deposit and urine left unswept underneath1 emitting that noxious ammonia with which the air of most stables is so disagreeably impregnated that on entering them from the fresh air you are almost stifled4 ,masters who object to their horses standing on the bare pavement can order that1 after the stall is thoroughly cleaned and swept out1 a thin layer of straw shall be laid over the stones during the daytime4 ,in dealers' and livery stables1 and indeed in some gentlemen's1 the pavement is sanded over1 which has a nice appearance1 and prevents slipping4 ,when the foul litter is abstracted1 and the straw bedding taken from under the horse1 none of it should be pushed away under the manger2 let it be entirely removed3 and in fair weather1 or where a shed is available1 the bedding should be shaken out1 to thoroughly dry and let the air pass through it4 ,wheaten is more durable than oaten straw for litter3 but the fibre of the former is so strong that it will leave marks on the coat of a fine-skinned animal wherever it may be unprotected by the clothing2 however1 this is not material4 ,light should be freely admitted into stables1 not only that the grooms may be able to see to clean the horses properly1 and to do all the stable-work1 but if horses are kept in the dark it is natural that they should be more easily startled when they go into full daylight1--and such is always the consequence of badly-lighted stables4 ,of course1 if a horse is ailing1 and sleep is absolutely necessary for him1 he should be placed separate in a dark quiet place4 ,stalls should be wide1 from six to seven feet across if possible1 yielding this in addition to other advantages1 that if the partitions are extended by means of bars to the back wall1 either end stall can be turned into a loose-box sufficiently large to serve in an emergency4 ,a ,loose-,box is unquestionably preferable to a stall 7in which a horse is tied up all the time he is not at work in nearly the same position71 and is indispensable in cases of illness4 ,loose-boxes should be paved with narrow bricks2 and when prepared for the reception of an animal whose shoes have been removed1 the floor should be covered with sawdust or tan1 or either of these mixed with fine sandy earth1 or1 best of all1 peat-mould when procurable1--any of which1 where the indisposition is confined to the feet only1 may be kept slightly moistened with water to cool them4 ,in cases of general illness1 straw should be used for bedding2 and where the poor beast is likely to injure himself in paroxysms of pain1 the walls or partitions should be well padded in all parts within his reach1 and as a further precaution let the door be made to open outwards1 and be fastened by a bolt1 as latches sometimes cause accidents4 ,partitions should be carried high enough towards the head to prevent the horses from being able to bite one another1 or get at each other's food4 ,with regard to stable-kickers1 see the remarks on this subject under the head of 8,vice0 7page #he74 ,racks and ,mangers are now made of iron1 so that horses can no longer gnaw away the manger piecemeal4 ,another improvement is that of placing the rack on a level with and beside the manger1 instead of above the horses' heads2 but notwithstanding this more reasonable method of feeding hay when whole1 it is far preferable to give it as manger-food cut into chaff4 ,flooring4--,in the construction of most stables a cruel practice is thoughtlessly adopted by the way of facilitating drainage 7and in dealers' stables to make horses look large71 viz41 that of raising the paving towards the manger considerably above the level of the rear part4 ,it should be borne in mind that the horse is peculiarly sensitive to any strain on the insertions of the back or flexor tendons of his legs4 ,thus in stalls formed as described1 you will see the creature endeavouring to relieve himself by getting his toes down between the flags or stones 7if the pavement will admit7 with the heels resting upon the edges of them2 and if the fastening to the head be long enough he will draw back still farther1 until he can get his toes down into the drain-channel behind his stall1 with the heels upon the opposite elevation of the drain4 ,proper pavement in your stable will help to alleviate a tendency towards what is called 8clap of the back sinew40--,see page #adc4 ,the slope of an inch and a half or two inches is sufficient for purposes of drainage in paving stables2 but if the drainage can be managed so as to allow of the flooring being made quite level1 so much the better4 ,should my reader be disposed to build stabling1 he cannot do better than consult the very useful and practical work entitled #8,stonehenge1 or the ,horse in the ,stable and in the ,field4' ,the horse being a gregarious animal1 and much happier in society than alone1 will1 in the absence of company of his own species1 make friends with the most sociable living neighbour he can find4 ,a horse should not be left solitary if it can be avoided4 ,dogs should never be kept in the stable with horses1 or be permitted to be their playfellows1 on account of the noxious emissions from their excrement4 ,cats are better and more wholesome companions4 ,,grooming4 ,i do not profess to teach grooms their business1 but to put masters on their guard against the common errors and malpractices of that class2 and with a view to that end1 two or three general rules are added which a master would do well to enforce on a groom when hiring him1 as binding1 under pain of dismissal4 #a4 ,never to doctor a horse himself1 but to acquaint his master immediately with any accident1 wound1 or symptom of indisposition about the animal1 that may come under his observation1 and which1 if in existence1 ought not to fail to attract the attention of a careful1 intelligent servant during constant handling of and attendance on his charge4 #b4 ,always to exercise the horses in the place appointed by his master for the purpose1 and never to canter or gallop them4 #c4 ,to stand by while a horse is having its shoes changed or removed1 and see that any directions he may have received on the subject are carried out4 #d4 ,never to clean a horse out of doors4 ,these rules are recommended under a just appreciation of that golden one1 8,prevention is better than cure40 ,if the master is satisfied with an ill-groomed horse1 nine-tenths of the grooms will be so likewise2 therefore he may to a great extent blame himself if his bearer's dressing is neglected4 ,grooms are especially fond of using water in cleaning the horse 7though often rather careful how they use it with themselves1 either inside or out73 it saves them trouble1 to the great injury of the animal4 ,the same predominating laziness which prompts them to use water for the removal of mud1 c41 in preference to employing a dry wisp or brush for the purpose1 forbids their exerting themselves to employ the proper means of drying the parts cleaned by wet4 ,they will have recourse to any expedient to dry the skin rather than the legitimate one of friction4 ,over the body they will place cloths to soak up the wet2 on the legs they will roll their favourite bandages4 ,it is best1 therefore1 to forbid the use of water above the hoof for the purpose of cleaning--except with the mane and tail1 which should be properly washed with soap and water occasionally4 ,when some severe work has been done1 so as to occasion perspiration1 the ears should not be more neglected than the rest of the body2 and when they are dried by hand-rubbing and pulling1 the horse will feel refreshed4 ,as already recommended1 cleaning out of doors should be forbidden4 ,if one could rely on the discretion of servants1 cleaning might be done outside occasionally in fine weather2 but licence on this score being once given1 the probability is that your horse will be found shivering in the open air on some inclement day4 ,the groom always uses a picker in the process of washing and cleaning the feet1 to dislodge all extraneous matter1 stones1 c41 that may have been picked up in the clefts of the frog and thereabouts2 he also washes the foot with a long-haired brush4 ,in dry weather1 after heavy work1 it is good to stop the fore feet with what is called 8stopping0 7cow-dung71 which is not difficult to procure4 ,wet clay is sometimes used in ,london for the purpose in the absence of cow-dung4 ,very useful1 too1 in such case will be found a stopping composed of one part linseed-meal to two parts bran1 wetted1 and mixed to a sticking consistency4 ,the evidence of care in the groomed appearance of the mane and tail looks well4 ,an occasional inspection of the mane by the master may be desirable1 by turning over the hairs to the reverse side2 any signs of dirt or dandriff found cannot be creditable to the groom4 ,bandaging4--,when a hunter comes in from a severe day1 it is an excellent plan to put rough bandages 7provided for the purpose7 on the legs1 leaving them on while the rest of the body is cleaning2 it will be found that the mud and dirt of the legs will to a great extent fall off in flakes on their removal1 thus reducing the time employed in cleaning4 ,when his legs are cleaned and well hand-rubbed1 put on the usual-sized flannel bandages4 ,they should never remain on more than four or six hours1 and when taken off 7not to be again used till the next severe work7 the legs should be once more hand-rubbed4 ,bandages ought not to be used under other circumstances than the above1 except by order of a veterinary surgeon for unsoundness4 ,in some cases of unsoundness--such as undue distension of the burs1 called 8wind-galls10 the effect of work--a linen or cotton bandage kept continually saturated with water1 salt and water1 or vinegar1 and not much tightened1 may remain on the affected legs2 but much cannot be said for the efficacy of the treatment4 ,for what is called 8clap10 or supposed distension of the back sinew 7which is in reality no distension of the tendon1 as that is said to be impossible1 though some of its fibres may be injured1 but inflammation of the sheath through which the tendon passes71 the cold lotion bandaging just described1 in connection with the directions given under the head of 8,shoeing0 7page #hb71 will be found very serviceable4 ,grooms' ,requisites are usually understood to comprise the following articles3--a body-brush1 water-brush1 dandriff or 8dander0 brush1 picker1 scraper1 mane-comb1 curry-comb1 pitchfork1 shovel and broom1 manure-basket1 chamois-leather1 bucket1 sponges1 dusters1 corn-sieve1 and measures2 leather boot for poultices1 clyster syringe 7requiring especial caution in use--see page #aei1 note71 drenching-horn1 bandages 7woollen and linen72 a box with a supply of stopping constantly at hand2 a small store of tow and tar1 most useful in checking the disease called thrush 7page #ace7 before it assumes a chronic form2 a lump of rock-salt1 ready to replace those which should be always kept in the mangers to promote the general health of the animals as well as to amuse them by licking it2 a lump of chalk1 ready at any time for use 7in the same manner as rock-salt7 in the treatment of some diseases1 as described1 pages #aed and #afj4 ,singeing1 there is little doubt1 tends to improve the condition of the animal2 so much so1 that timid users do well to remember that animals which1 before the removal of their winter coat1 required perpetual reminders of the whip1 will1 directly they are divested of that covering1 evince a spirit1 vigour1 and endurance which had remained1 perhaps1 quite unsuspected previously4 ,in fact1 in most cases1 the general health and appetite seem to be improved4 ,singeing1 when severe rapid work is done1 enables the horse to perform his task with less distress1 and when it is over1 facilitates his being made comfortable in the shortest possible space of time4 ,singeing1 if done early in the winter1 requires to be repeated lightly three or four times during the season4 ,clipping has exactly the same effect as the above1 and is preferable to it only in cases where1 the animal's coat being extremely long1 extra labour1 loss of time1 and flame1 are avoided by the clipping process4 ,singeing is best with the lighter coats1 but sometimes thin skinned and coated animals are too nervous and excitable to bear the flame near them for this purpose1 in which case the cause of alarm ought obviously to be avoided1 and clipping resorted to4 ,it is worth while to employ the best manipulators to perform these operations4 ,with horses intended for slow and easy work1 and liable to continued exposure to the weather1 singeing or clipping only the under part of the belly1 and the long hairs of the legs1 will suffice4 ,unless neatly and tastily done1 this is very unsightly on a gentleman's horse4 ,clipping1 if not done till the beginning of ,december1 seldom requires repetition4 ,in stony and rough countries1 it is the habit of judicious horsemen to leave the hair on their hunters' legs from the knees and hocks down1 as a protection to them4 ,,haltering4 ,the ,head-,stall should fit a horse1 and have a proper brow-band2 it is ridiculous to suppose that the same sized one can suit all heads4 ,ordinary head-stalls have only one buckle1 which is on the throat-lash near-side2 and if the stall be made to fit1 that is sufficient4 ,otherwise there should be three buckles1 one on each side of the cheek-straps1 besides the one on the throat-lash4 ,let the fastening from the head-stall to the log be of rope or leather4 ,chain fastenings are objectionable1 because1 besides being heavy1 they are very apt to catch in the ring1 and they make a fearful noise1 especially where there are many horses in the stable4 ,by having rope or leather as a fastener1 instead of chain1 the log may be lighter 7of wood instead of iron71 and the less weight there is to drag the creature's head down1 the less the distress to him4 ,poll-evil 7page #aag71 it is said1 has frequently resulted from the pressure of the head-stall on the poll1 occasioned by heavy pendants4 ,chains are more durable1 and that is all that can be said in their favour1 except that they may be necessary for a few vicious devils who are up to the trick of severing the rope or leather with their teeth4 ,see that the log is sufficiently heavy to keep the rope or leather at stretch1 and that the manger-ring is large enough to allow the fastening to pass freely4 ,if the log is too light1 or the manger-ring too small1 the likely result will be that the log will remain close up under the ring1 the fastening falling into a sort of loop1 through which the horse most probably introduces his foot1 and1 in his consequent alarm and efforts to disentangle his legs1 chucks up his head1 and away he goes on his side1 gets 8halter-cast10 most likely breaks one of his hind legs in his struggles to regain his footing1 or at least dislocates one of their joints4 ,,clothing4 ,opinions differ materially as to the amount of clothing that ought to be used in the stable4 ,my view of the matter is1 that a stable being1 as it should be1 thoroughly ventilated1 necessitates the horses in it being to a certain extent kept warm by clothing4 ,an animal that has not been divested of his own coat by clipping or singeing1 will require very little covering indeed2 for nature's provision1 being sufficient to protect him out of doors1 ought surely to suffice in the stable1 with a very slight addition of clothing4 ,if he has been clipped or singed1 covering enough to make up for what he has lost ought to be ample3 by going beyond this the horse is only made tender1 and more susceptible of the influences of the atmosphere when he comes to be exposed to it with only a saddle on his back4 ,in parts of ,north ,america1 ,i have observed1 where the stables are built roughly of wood1 with many fissures to admit the weather1 horses are seldom1 if ever1 sheeted4 ,they are certainly rarely divested of their coats2 but during work1 as occasion may require1 it is usual for the rider1 when stopping at any place1 to leave his horse 8hitched0 7as they call it7 to any convenient post or tree1 in all weathers1 and for any length of time1 and these horses scarcely ever catch cold4 ,the best ,sheet is formed of a rug 7sizeable enough to meet across the breast and extend to the quarters71 by simply cutting the slope of the neck out of it1 and fastening the points across the breast by two straps and buckles4 ,the ,hood need only be used when the horse is at walking exercise1 or likely to be exposed to weather1 or for the purpose of sweating1 when a couple of them1 with two or three sheets1 may be used4--,see page #cb4 ,horse-clothing should be1 at least once a-week1 taken outside the stable1 and well beaten and shaken like a carpet4 ,rollers should be looked to from time to time1 to see that the pads of the roller do not meet within three or four inches 7over the backbone71--in other words1 there should be always a clear channel over it1 nearly large enough to pass the handle of a broom through1 so as to avoid the possibility of the upper part of the roller even touching the sheet over the spinal ridge1 which1 if permitted1 will be sure to cause a sore back1 to the great injury of the horse and his master1 arousing vicious habits in the former to resent any touch1 necessary or unnecessary1 of the sore place on so sensitive a part1 and rendering him irritable when clothing1 saddling1 or harnessing1 or if a hand even approach the tender place4 ,this is so troublesome a consequence of not paying attention to the padding of rollers1 that a master will do well to examine them himself for his own satisfaction4 ,knee-,caps4--,on all occasions when a valuable horse is taken by a servant on road or rail1 his knees should be protected by caps4 ,the only way to secure them is to fasten them tightly above the knee1 where elastic straps are decidedly preferable1 leaving the fastening below the knee slack4 ,a ,leather ,boot1 lined with sponge1 or one of felt with a strong leather sole1 should be ready in every stable to be used as required1 in cases of sudden foot-lameness4 ,,feeding4 ,the cavalry allowances are #ab lb4 hay1 #aj lb4 oats1 and #h lb4 straw daily1 which1 ,i know by experience1 will keep a healthy animal in condition with the work required from a dragoon horse1 of the severity of which none but those acquainted with that branch of the service have any idea4 ,until he is perfectly fit for the ranks1 between riding-school1 field-days1 and drill1 the troop-horse has quite work enough for any beast4 ,i may add that few horses belonging to officers of cavalry get more than the above allowance1 unless when regularly hunted1 in which case additional corn and beans are given4 ,with severe work1 #ad lb4 to #af lb4 of oats1 and #ab lb4 of hay1 which is the general allowance in well-regulated hunting-stables1 ought to be sufficient4 ,beans are also given in small quantity4 ,some persons feed their horses three times a-day1 but it is better to divide their food into four daily portions1 watering them1 at least half an hour before each feed4 ,the habit which some grooms have of feeding while they are teazing an animal with the preliminaries of cleaning1 is very senseless1 as the uneasiness horses are sure to exhibit under anything like grooming causes them to knock about their heads and scatter their food4 ,on a journey1 according to the call upon the system by the increased amount of work1 so should the horse's feeding be augmented by one-third1 one-fourth1 or one-half more than usual4 ,a few beans or pease may well be added under such circumstances4 ,in stables where the stalls are divided by bales or swinging-bars1 the horses when feeding should have their heads so tied as to prevent them from consuming their neighbour's food1 or the result would be that the greedy or more rapid eaters would succeed in devouring more than their fair share1 while the slower feeders would have to go on short commons4 ,oats ought always to be bruised1 as many horses1 whether from greediness in devouring their food1 or from their teeth being incapable of grinding1 swallow them whole2 and it is a notorious fact that oats1 unless masticated1 pass right through the animal undigested4 ,when supplies have been very deficient with forces in the field1 the camp-followers have been known to exist upon the grain extracted from the droppings of the horses4 ,it should be remembered that not more than at the utmost two days' consumption of oats should be bruised at a time1 as they soon turn sour in that state1 and are thus unfit for the use of that most delicate feeder1 the horse4 ,all oats before being bruised should be well sifted1 to dispose of the gravel and dust which are always present in the grain as it comes from the farmer4 ,unbruised oats1 if ever used1 should be similarly prepared before being given in feed4 ,hay ought always to be cut into chaff or may be mixed with the corn1 which is the only way to insure the proper proportion being given at a feed4 ,when the hay is not cut but fed from the rack1 never more than #c lb4 should be put in the rack at a time4 ,if desirable to give as much as #ab lb4 daily1 let the rack be filled six times in twenty-four hours4 ,beans must be invariably split or bruised4 ,it is better to give a higher price for ,english beans than to use the ,egyptian at any price2 the latter are said to be impregnated with the eggs of insects1 which adhere to the lining of the horse's stomach1 causing him serious injury4 ,in ,india horses are principally fed on a kind of small pea called 8gram0--in the ,united ,states their chief food is maize2 the oat-plant not succeeding well in either of those regions4 ,bran4--,food should be varied occasionally1 and all horses not actually in training ought to have a bran-mash once a-week4 ,the best time to give this is for the first feed after the work is done1 on the day preceding the rest day1 whenever that may be4 ,even hunters1 after a hard day1 will eat the bran with avidity1 and it is well to give it for the first meal4 ,its laxative qualities render it a sedative and cooler in the half-feverish state of system induced by the exertion and excitement of the chase2 and according to my experience1 if given just after the work is done1 the digestive process1 relaxed by the bran1 has full time to recover itself by the grain-feeding before the next call is made on the horse's powers4 ,if the bran is not liked1 a little bruised oats may be mixed through it to tempt the palate4 ,whole grains of oats should never be mixed with bran1 as they must of necessity be bolted with the latter1 and passed through the animal entire4 ,mash4--,when only doing ordinary work1 the following mash should be given to each horse on ,saturday night after work1 supposing your beasts to rest on ,sunday3-- ,put half a pint of linseed in a two-quart pan with an even edge2 pour on it one quart of boiling water1 cover it close1 and leave to soak for four hours4 ,at the same time moisten half a bucket of bran with a gallon of water4 ,when the linseed has soaked for four hours1 a hole must be made in the middle of the bran1 and the linseed mass mixed into the bran mass4 ,the whole forms one feed4 ,should time be an object1 boil slowly half a pint of linseed in two quarts of water1 and add it to half a bucket of bran which had been previously steeped for half an hour or an hour in a gallon of water4 ,if a cold is present1 or an animal is delicate1 the bran can be saturated with boiling water1 of which a little more can be added to warm it when given4 ,carrots1 when a horse is delicate1 will be found acceptable1 and are both nutritious and wholesome as food4 ,in spring and summer1 when vetches or other green food can be had1 an occasional treat of that sort conduces to health where the work is sufficiently moderate to admit of soft feeding4 ,when horses are coating in spring or autumn1 or weak from fatigue or delicacy1 the addition to their food of a little more nutriment may be found beneficial4 ,the ,english white pea is milder and not so heating as beans1 and may be given half a pint twice daily1 mixed with the ordinary feeding1 for from one to three or four weeks1 as may be deemed advisable4 ,when an animal is 8off his feed10 as it is called1 attention should be immediately directed to his manger1 which is often found to be shamefully neglected1 the bottom of it covered with gravel1 or perhaps the ends and corners full of foul matter1 such as the sour remains of the last bran-mash and other half-masticated leavings4 ,the introduction of any greasy or fetid matter into a horse's food will effectually prevent this dainty creature from touching it4 ,it used to be a common practice at hostelries in the olden time1 to rub the teeth of a traveller's horse with a tallow candle or a little oil2 thus causing the poor beast to leave his food untouched for the benefit of his unfeeling attendant4 ,again1 the oats or hay may be found1 on close examination1 to be musty1 which causes them to be rejected by the beast4 ,where no palpable cause for loss of appetite can be discovered1 reference should be made to a qualified veterinary surgeon1 who will examine the animal's mouth1 teeth1 and general state of health1 and probably report that the lining of the cheeks is highly inflamed in some part1 owing to undue angularity or decay of the teeth1 and he will know how to act accordingly4 ,when horses are on a journey1 or a long ride home after hunting1 some people recommend the use of gruel2 but1 from experience1 ,i prefer giving a handful of wetted hay in half a bucket of tepid water1 or ale or porter4--,see page #cg4 ,feeding on ,board ,ship should be confined to chaff and bran1 mixed with about one-fourth the usual quantity of bruised oats4 ,though horses generally look well when 8full of flesh10 there are many reasons why they should not be allowed to become fat after the fashion of a farmer's 8stall-feds40 ,some really good grooms think this form of condition the pink of perfection4 ,they are mistaken4 ,an animal in such a state is quite unfit to travel at any fast pace or bear continued exertion without injury1 and may therefore be considered so far useless4 ,he is also much more liable to contract disease1 and if attacked by such the constitution succumbs more readily4 ,moreover1 the superfluous weight of the cumbrous flesh and fat tends to increase the wear and tear of the legs2 and if the latter be at all light from the knee to the pastern1 they are more likely to suffer4 ,on the other hand1 it may be well to observe1 by way of caution1 that it is by no means good management to let a horse become at any time reduced to actual leanness through overwork or deficient feeding4 ,it is far easier to pull down than to put up flesh4 ,these hints on feeding may be closed with a remark1 that in all large towns contractors are to be found ready and willing to enter into contract for feeding gentlemen's horses by the month or year4 ,this is a very desirable arrangement for masters1 but one frequently objected to by servants1 who1 however1 in such cases can easily be replaced by application to the dealer1 he having necessarily excellent opportunities of meeting with others as efficient4 ,contractors should not be allowed to supply more than two or three days' forage at a time4 ,,watering4 ,horses are greater epicures in water than is generally supposed1 and will make a rush for some favourite spring or rivulet where water may have once proved acceptable to their palate1 when that of other drinking-places has been rejected or scarcely touched4 ,the groom's common maxim is to water twice a-day1 but there is little doubt that horses should have access to water more frequently1 being1 like ourselves or any other animal1 liable from some cause--some slight derangement of the stomach1 for instance--to be more thirsty at one time than another2 and it is a well-known fact that1 where water is easily within reach1 these creatures never take such a quantity at a time as to unfit them for moderate work at any moment4 ,if an arrangement for continual access to water be not convenient1 horses should be watered before every feed1 or at least thrice a-day1 the first time being in the morning1 an hour before feeding 7which hour will be employed in grooming the beast72 and it may be observed that there is no greater aid to increasing their disposition to put up flesh1 than giving them as much water as they like before and after every feed4 ,a horse should never be watered when heated1 or on the eve of any extraordinary exertion4 ,animals that are liable to colic or gripes1 or are under the effect of medicines1 particularly such as act on the alimentary canal1 and predispose to those affections1 should get water with the chill off4 ,watering in ,public ,troughs1 or places where every brute that travels the road has access1 must be strictly avoided4 ,glanders1 farcy1 and other infectious diseases may be easily contracted in this way4 ,,grazing4 ,the advantage of grazing1 as a change for the better in any1 and indeed in every1 case where the horse may be thrown out of sorts by accident or disease1 becomes very questionable1 on account of the artificial state in which he must have been kept1 to enable him to meet the requirements of a master of the present day in work4 ,if the change be recommended to restore the feet or legs1 this object may be attained1 and much better1 by keeping the creature in a loose-box without shoes1 on a floor covered with sawdust or tan1 kept damp as directed 7page #aj71 to counteract whatever slight inflammation may be in the feet and legs1 or1 best of all1 covered with peat-mould1 as this does not require to be damped1 and the animal can lie down on it2 besides1 the properties of the peat neutralise the noxious ammonia1 and it does not consequently require to be so often renewed4 ,in the loose-box also he can take quite as much exercise as is necessary for an invalid intended to be laid up1 and there he can be supplied with whatever grain1 roots1 or succulent food may be deemed necessary4 ,as for any other advantage to be derived from a run at grass1 unless for the purpose of using the herb as an alterative1 ,i never could see it3 and even this end1 unless the horse has a paddock to himself1 can hardly be gained2 for if there are too many beasts for the production of the ground1 the fare must be scanty1 and each animal half starved4 ,the disadvantages of changing a horse to grass from the artificial state of condition are the following3-- #a4 ,that condition is sure to be lost 7at least as far as it is necessary to fit for work1 especially to go across country at a hunting pace1 with safety to himself and his rider71 and not to be regained for a considerable time1 and at great cost4 #b4 ,the horse is exceedingly liable to meet with accident from the playfulness or temper of his companions4 #c4 ,worms of the most dangerous and pertinacious description are picked up nowhere but at grass4 #d4 ,many ailments are contracted from exposure and hardship or bad feeding2 and owing to the animal being removed from under immediate inspection1 such ailments gain ground before they are observed4 ,moreover1 at grass the horse is more exposed to contagious and epidemic diseases4 #e4 ,horses suffer great annoyance from flies in summer time1 not having long tails like horned cattle to reach every part of their body2 and wherever any superficial sore may be present1 the flies are sure to find it out4 ,as to aged animals1 it is sheer cruelty 7practised by some masters with the best intentions and worst possible results7 to turn them out to grass4 ,such creatures have probably been accustomed in the earlier part of their lives to warm stables1 their food put under their noses1 good grooming1 and proper care4 ,you might just as well turn out a gentleman in his old age among a tribe of friendly savages1 unclad and unsheltered1 to exist upon whatever roots and fruits he could pick up1 as expose a highly-bred and delicately-nurtured old horse to the vicissitudes and hardships of a life at grass4 ,,training4 ,,rarey',s ,,system4 ,the principle of this system is that of overpowering the horse that may in some instances have even become dangerous and useless1 from having learned the secret that his strength gives him an advantage over his master--man4 ,unconsciously deprived of his power of resistance1 his courage vanishes2 the spirit which rose against all accountable efforts to subdue it1 that would scorn to yield to overweight1 pace1 work1 or any other evidence of man's power1 and which in the well-dispositioned animal causes him to strain every nerve to meet what is required of him rather than succumb1 is by ,rarey's system subdued through a ruse so effected that the power which overwhelms all the creature's efforts at resistance appears to originate and be identified with the man who can thus1 for the first time1 take liberties with him1 which he has lost the power of resenting2 and man thenceforward becomes his master4 ,the method pursued by ,mr ,rarey in subduing such a vicious and ungovernable horse as ,cruiser1 is this3 ,placing himself under a waggon laden with hay1 to which the animal is partly coaxed1 partly led by guide-ropes1 and stealing his fingers through the spokes of the waggon-wheel1 he raises and gently straps up one fore leg1 and fastens a long strap round the fetlock of the other1 the end of which he holds in his hand and checks when necessary4 ,the beast1 thus unconsciously tampered with1 is quite disposed to resent in his usual style the subsequent impertinent familiarities of his tamer2 but being by the foregoing precautions cast prostrate on his first attempt to move1 and finding all his efforts to regain his liberty and carry out reprisals abortive1 worn-out and hopeless1 he at length yields himself helplessly to his victor's obliging attentions1 of sitting on him as he lies1 drumming and fiddling in his ears1 c41 and is thenceforward man's obedient and tractable servant4 ,there is no doubt that ,mr ,rarey's plan of thus overcoming the unruly or vicious beast by mild but effectual means1 is the right one to gain the point1 as far as it goes2 but breaking him in to saddle or draught1 improving his paces1 or having ability in riding or driving any horse judiciously1 must be considered another affair1 and only to be acquired through more or less competent instruction1 and by practice combined with taste4 ,in training1 the use of a dumb jockey#i will be found most serviceable to get the head into proper position1 and to bend the neck4 ,two hours a-day in this gear1 while the horse is either loose in a box or fastened to the pillar-reins if in a stall1 will not at all interfere with his regular training1 exercise1 or work1 and will materially aid the former result4 ,i greatly advocate the use of the dumb jockey without springs1 even with formed horses1 who1 being daily used to it1 need no such adjuncts as bearing-reins1 but will arch their necks1 work nicely on the bit1 and exhibit an altered show and style in action that is very admirable in a gentleman's equipage4 ,should my reader be much interested in breaking-in rough colts1 ,i recommend him to consult #8,stonehenge1' by ,j4 ,h4 ,walsh1 ,f4,r4,c4,s41 editor of the #8,field4' ,training for ,draught4--,before the first trial in the break-carriage1 give your horse from half-an-hour to an hour's quiet ringing in the harness1 to which he should have been previously made accustomed by wearing it for a couple of hours the two or three preceding days4 ,the first start should be in a regular break1 or strong but inexpensive vehicle1 and stout harness1 with also saving-collar1 knee-caps1 and kicking-strap--no bearing-rein4 ,he should be led by ropes or reins 7in single harness on both sides of the head71 and tried on a level1 or rather down than up a slight inclination4 ,the place selected should be one where there is plenty of unoccupied roadway4 ,better begin in double harness1 and let the break-horse with which the driver is to start the carriage be strong and willing1 so as to pull away the untried one4 ,the ,neck usually suffers during the first few lessons in training to harness2 and until that part of it where the collar wears becomes thoroughly hardened by use1 it should be bathed with a strong solution of salt and water before the collar is taken off1 that there may be no mistake about its being done at once4 ,should there be the least abrasion of the skin1 do not use salt and water1 but a wash of #a scruple chloride of zinc to #a pint of water1 dabbed on the sore every two or three hours with fine linen rag1 and give rest from collar-work till healed2 then harden with salt and water2 and when the scab has disappeared1 and the horse is fit for harness1 chamber the collar over the affected part1 and employ for a while a saving-collar4 ,a sore neck will produce a jibbing horse1 and therefore requires to be closely attended to in his training4 ,,exercising4 ,it is desirable that a master should appoint a particular place for the exercising of his horses1 coupled with strict injunctions to his groom on no account to leave it4 ,no master should give his servants the option of going where they please to exercise1 their favourite resort being often the precincts of a public-house1 with a sharp gallop round the most impracticable corners to make up the time4 ,an occasional visit of the master to the exercising ground is a very salutary check upon such proceedings4 ,the best possible exercise for a horse is walking--the sod or any soft elastic surface being better than the road for the purpose2 and if the latter only is available1 use knee-caps as a safeguard4 ,two hours' daily exercise 7if he gets it7 at a fast walk will be enough to keep a hack fit for his work2 and it is usual with some experienced field-horsemen never to allow their hunters1 when once up to their work1 to get any but walking exercise for as much as four hours daily1 two hours at a time--that is1 when they desire to keep them 8fit40 ,ladies' and elderly gentlemen's horses ought most particularly to be exercised1 and not overfed1 to keep them tame and tractable1 and to guard against accidents4 ,the foregoing directions refer to the preparations for the master's work1 and are what ,i should give my groom4 ,sweating4--,in case it is desirable to prepare an animal for any extraordinary exertion1 the readiest1 safest1 and most judicious means is by sweating1 carefully proceeded with1 by using two or three sets of body-clothes1 an empty stomach being indispensable for the process1 and a riding-school1 if available1 the best place for the necessary exercise1--a sweat being thus sooner obtained free from cold air1 and the soft footing of such a place saving the jar on the legs more even than the sod in the field1 unless it happen to be very soft4 ,sweating is a peculiarly healthy process for either man or beast2 and to judge of the benefit derived by a horse through that means1 from the effect of a heavy perspiration through exercise on one's self1 there seems little doubt that it is very renewing to the physique4 ,ringing or ,loungeing with a cavesson1 though not ordinarily adopted1 except by the trainer1 is nevertheless most useful as a means of exercise4 ,it is a very suitable manner of 8taking the rough edge off10 or bringing down the superabundant spirits of horses that have been confined to the stable for some time by weather or other similar cause producing restiveness1 and is peculiarly adapted for exercising harness-horses where it may not be safe or expedient to ride them4 ,,work4 ,the master on the road or in the field using his bearer for convenience or pleasure1 will do him less injury in a day than a thoughtless ignorant servant will contrive to accomplish in an hour when only required to exercise the beast4 ,to the advice already given1 never to allow your horses to be galloped or cantered on a hard surface1 it is well to add1 refrain from doing so yourself4 ,on the elastic turf these paces do comparatively little harm2 but for the road1 and indeed all ordinary usage1 except hunting or racing1 the trot or walk is the proper pace4 ,my impression coincides with that of many experienced sportsmen1 that one mile of a canter on a hard surface does more injury to the frame and legs of a horse1 than twenty miles' walk and trot3 for this reason1 that in the act of walking or trotting the off fore and near hind feet are on the ground at the same moment alternately with the other two1 thus dividing the pressure of weight and propulsion on the legs more than even ambling1 which is a lateral motion2 while in anything approaching to the canter or gallop1 the two fore feet and legs have at the same moment to bear the entire weight of man and horse1 as well as the jar of the act of propulsion from behind4 ,ambling is a favourite pace with the ,americans1 whose horses are trained to it2 also with the ,easterns4 ,it is1 as before mentioned1 a lateral motion1 much less injurious to the wear and tear of the legs than either canter or gallop on the hard road1 the off fore and hind being on the ground alternately with the near fore and hind legs4 ,though unsightly to an ,englishman's eyes1 this pace is decidedly the easiest of all to the rider1 and may be accelerated from four to six or eight miles an hour without the least inconvenience4 ,some ,american horses are taught to excel in this pace1 so as to beat regular trotters4 ,by trotting a horse you do him comparatively little injury on the road2 but observe the animal that has been constantly ridden by ladies 7at watering-places and elsewhere71 who are so fond of the canter3 he stands over1 and is decidedly shaky on his legs1 although the weight on his back has been generally light4 ,observe1 on the contrary1 the bearer of the experienced horseman2 although the weight he had to carry may have been probably what is called 8a welter10 his legs are right enough4 ,the softness of the turf1 as fitting it for the indulgence of a gallop1 is indicated by the depth of the horse-tracks2 there is not much impression left on a hard road4 ,it should be always borne in mind that 8it is the pace that kills10 and unless the wear and tear of horse-flesh be a matter of no consideration1 according as the pace is increased from that of five or six miles per hour1 so should the distance for the animal's day's work be diminished4 ,for instance1 if you require him to do seven miles in the hour daily1 that seven miles must always be considered as full work for the day2 if you purpose going eight miles per hour1 your horse should only travel six miles daily at that rate2 if faster still1 five miles only should be your bearer's limit2 if at a ten-mile rate1 then four miles2 or at a twelve-mile rate1 three miles per day4 ,but of course such regulations apply to daily work only1 as a horse is capable of accomplishing a great deal more without injury1 if only called upon to do so occasionally4 ,a man may require to do a day's journey of thirty miles1 or a day's hunting1 and such work being only occasional1 no harm whatever to the animal need result2 but about eight or ten miles a-day at an alternate walk or trot 7say six-miles-an-hour pace7 is as much as any valuable animal ought to do if worked regularly4 ,no horse ought to be hunted more than twice a-week at the utmost4 ,the work of horses1 especially when ridden1 ought to be so managed that the latter part of the journey may be done in a walk1 so that they may be brought in cool4 ,a horse in the saddle is capable of travelling a hundred miles1 or even more1 in twenty-four hours1 if required2 and if the weight be light1 and the rider judicious1 such feats may be done occasionally without injury3 but if a journey of a hundred miles be contemplated1 it is better to take three days for its performance1 each day's journey of over thirty miles being divided into two equal portions1 and got through early in the morning and late in the afternoon2 the pace an alternate walk and trot at the rate of about five miles an hour1 to vary it1 as continuous walking for so long as a couple of hours when travelling on the road1 may prove so tiresome that horses would require watching to keep them on their legs2 and it is good for both horse and man that the latter should dismount and take the whole1 or nearly the whole1 of the walking part on his own feet1 thus not only relieving his bearer from the continual pressure of the rider's weight on the saddle on his back1 but as a man when riding and walking brings into play two completely distinct sets of muscles1 he will1 though a little tired from walking1 find himself on remounting positively refreshed from that change of exercise4 ,this recommendation is equally applicable to the hunting-field at any check1 or when there is the least opportunity4 ,so well is the truth of the above remark known to the most experienced horsemen1 that some of them1 steeplechase riders1 make it a practice before riding a severe race to walk rapidly from five to ten miles to the course1 in preference to making use of any of the many vehicles always at their disposal on such occasions4 ,it is only surprising that the expediency of making dragoons dismount and walk beside their horses on a march1 at least part of the way1 for distances of one or two miles at a time1 is not more apparent to those in authority 7many of them practical men71 in whose power it lies to make a regulation so very salutary for both man and horse4 ,the more the beneficial effect of such an arrangement is considered1 the more desirable it would appear to be1 especially in dry weather4 ,the great occasional relief to an overweighted horse of being divested of his rider now and then1 would rather serve than injure the latter1 on account of the variety of exercise1 as before remarked1 while his handling of the horse would decidedly be enlivened by the change4 ,signals of ,distress on increased pace4--,prominently may be mentioned a horse becoming winded1 or1 as sportsmen call it1 having 8bellows to mend10 which in proper hands ought seldom to occur1 even in the hunting-field1 as there are tokens which precede it--such as the creature hanging on his work1 poking his head backwards and forwards1 describing a sort of semicircle with his nose1 gaping1 the ears lopping1 c4 ,some horsemen are in the habit of giving ale or porter 7from a pint to a quart of either7 to their horses during severe work4 ,this is not at all a bad plan1 if the beast will take it2 and as many masters are fond of petting their animals with biscuit or bread1 a piece of either being occasionally soaked in one of the above liquids when given1 will accustom the creature so trained to the taste of them4 ,after the work is over a little well-made gruel is a great restorative2 and when a long journey is completed1 a bran-mash might be given1 as mentioned under the head of 8,feeding10 page #bb4 ,one of the worst results to be dreaded from a horse going long journeys daily1 is fever in the feet 7page #acb71 which may be obviated by stopping the fore feet directly they are picked and washed out at the end of each day's journey4--,see page #ac4 ,after a long journey1 it would be desirable to have the animal's fore shoes at least removed4 ,the saddle ought not to be taken off for some time after work2 the longer it has been under the rider1 and the more severe the work1 the longer1 comparatively1 it should remain on after use1 in order to avoid that frightful result which is most like to ensue from its being quickly removed--viz41 sore back4 ,with cavalry1 saddles are left on for an hour or more after the return from a field-day or march4 ,a numna or absorbing sweat-cloth under the saddle is in cases of hard or continued work a great preservative against sore back4 ,when an extraordinary day's work has been done1 after the horse is cleaned and fed he should be at once bedded down1 and left to rest in quiet1 interrupted only to be fed4 ,,bridling4 ,every horseman before he mounts should observe closely whether his horse is properly saddled and bridled4 ,bits must be invariably of wrought steel1 and the mouthpiece in all bits should fit the horse's mouth exactly in its width3 the bit that is made to fit a sixteen-hands-high is surely too large for a fourteen-hand cob4 ,the bit ought to lie just above the tusk in a horse's jaw1 and one inch above the last teeth with a mare4 ,it must be adapted to the mouth and temper of the horse as well as to the formation of his head and neck4 ,a riding-master1 or the rider1 if he has any judgment1 ought to be able to form an opinion as to the most suitable bit for an animal4#aj ,the ordinary ,bridoon 7or ,double bridle1 as it is called in the ,north7 is best adapted to the well-mouthed and tempered horse1 and is the safest and best bridle for either road or field4 ,unfinished gentlemen as well as lady equestrians1 when riding with double reins to the bits1 are recommended to tie the curb-bit rein evenly in a knot on the horse's neck 7holding only the bridoon-rein in the hand71 provided his temper and mouth be suitable to a snaffle4 ,this is a practice pursued by some even good and experienced horsemen where the temper of a horse is high1 in order to have the curb-bit to rely upon in case he should happen to pull too hard on the bridoon or snaffle1 which otherwise would be quite sufficient and best to use alone4 ,the ,curb-chain1 when used1 should be strong and tight2 it should invariably be supported by a lip-strap1 an adjunct that is really most essential1 but which grooms practically ignore by losing4 ,the object of the lip-strap is to prevent the curb1 if rather loose1 from falling over the lip1 thus permitting the horse to get hold of it in his mouth and go where he pleases2 it also guards against a trick some beasts are very clever at1 of catching the cheek or leg of the bit in their teeth1 and making off in spite of the efforts of any rider4 ,if the curb be tight1 the lip-strap is equally useful in keeping it horizontally1 and preventing its drooping to too great a pressure1 thus causing abrasion of the animal's jaw4 ,the curb ought to be pretty tight1 sufficiently so to admit one finger between it and the jaw-bone4 ,the ,snaffle with a fine-mouthed horse is well adapted for the field--the only place where ,i would ever dispense altogether with the curb-bit1 and then only in favour of a fine-mouthed well-tempered beast disposed to go coolly at his fences4 ,on the road a horse may put his foot upon a stone in a jog-trot1 or come upon some irregularity2 and unless the rider has something more than a snaffle in his hand1 he is exceedingly likely to suffer for it4 ,many a horse that is like a foot-ball in the field1 full of life and elasticity1 and never making a mistake1 will on the road require constant watching to prevent his tumbling on his nose4#aa ,at the same time1 a horse should by no means be encouraged to lean on the bit or on the rider's support1 which most of them will be found quite ready to do2 a disposition in that direction must be checked by mildly feeling his mouth 7with the bit71 pressing your legs against his sides1 and enlivening him gently with the whip or spur4 ,the ,martingal4--,the standing or head martingal is a handsome equipment--safe and serviceable with a beast that is incorrigible about getting his head up1 but should be used in the street or on the road only4 ,the ,ring-,martingal is intended solely for the field with a horse whose head cannot be kept down2 but it requires to be used with nice judgment1 and handling of the second or separate rein1 which should pass through it1 especially when the animal is in or near the act of taking his fences1 when1 with some horses1 comparative freedom may be allowed to the head1 which should1 however1 be brought down to its proper place directly he is safely landed on his legs again by the use of this second martingal-rein1 which is attached to the bridoon bit4 ,n4,b4--,if this second rein be attached to the snaffle by buckles 7and not stitched on as it ought to be71 the buckles of the rein should be defended from getting into the rings of the martingal by pieces of leather larger than those rings4 ,most serious accidents have occurred from the absence of this precaution3 the buckle becoming caught in the ring1 the horse's head is fixed in one position1 and not knowing where he is going1 he proceeds1 probably without any control from the rider1 till both come to some serious mishap4 ,the rein stitched to the ring of the bit is the safest4 ,the ,running-,rein1 or other plan of martingal 7from the ,d in front of the saddle above the rider's knee through the ring of the snaffle to his hand71 should only be used by the riding-master or those competent to avail themselves of its assistance in forming the mouth of a troublesome or untrained animal4 ,some experienced horsemen1 however1 when they find they cannot keep the nose in or head down with ordinary bits1 instead of using a martingal of any denomination1 employ 7especially in the field7 with good effect a ring1 keeping the bridoon or snaffle-reins under the bend of the neck2 or a better contrivance is a bit of stiff leather three or four inches long1 with two ,d's or staples for the reins to pass through on each side4 ,the ,chifney ,bit is the most suitable for ladies' use1 or for timid or invalid riders3 it at once brings up a hard-pulling horse1 but requires very gentle handling4 ,i have known more than one horse to be quite unmanageable in any but a ,chifney bit4 ,the more severe bits are those that have the longest legs or cheeks1 giving the greatest leverage against the curb4 ,by the addition of deep ports on the mouthpiece of the bit much severity is attained 7especially when the port is constructed turned downwards1 in place of the usual practice of making it upwards71 which can be increased to the utmost by the addition of a tight noseband to prevent the horse from easing the port by movement of his tongue or jaws4 ,it is almost needless to observe1 that the reverse of the above will be the mildest bits for tender-mouthed1 easy-going horses4 ,twisted ,mouthpieces are happily now almost out of fashion1 and ought to be entirely discountenanced2 their original intention was to command hard-mouthed horses1 whose mouths their use can only render harder4 ,the ,noseband1 if tightened1 would be found very useful with many a hard-pulling horse in the excitement of hunting1 when the bit1 which would otherwise require to be used1 would only irritate the puller1 cause him to go more wildly1 and make matters worse4 ,i have known some pullers to be more under control in the hunting-field with a pretty tight noseband and a snaffle than with the most severe curb-bit4 ,the ,throat-lash is almost always too tight4 ,grooms are much in the habit of making this mistake1 by means of which1 when the head is bent by a severe bit1 the throat is compressed and the respiration impeded1 besides occasioning an ugly appearance in the caparison4 ,it may be remarked also that1 if not corrected1 servants are apt to leave the ends of the bridle head-stall straps dangling at length out of the loops1 which is very unsightly3 the ends of the straps should be inserted in these loops1 which should be sufficiently tight to retain them4 ,,saddling4 ,a ,saddle should be made to fit the horse for which it is intended1 and requires as much variation in shape1 especially in the stuffing1 as there is variety in the shapes of horses' backs4#ab ,an animal may be fairly shaped in the back1 and yet a saddle that fits another horse will always go out on this one's withers4 ,the saddle having been made to fit your horse1 let it be placed gently upon him1 and shifted till its proper berth be found4 ,when in its right place1 the action of the upper part of the shoulder-blade should be quite free from any confinement or pressure by what saddlers call the 8gullet0 of the saddle under the pommel when the animal is in motion4 ,it stands to reason that any interference with the action of the shoulder-blade must1 after a time1 indirectly if not directly1 cause a horse to falter in his movement4 ,n4,b4--,a horse left in the stable with his saddle on1 with or without a bridle1 ought always to have his head fastened up1 to prevent his lying down on the saddle and injuring it4 ,girths4--,when girthing a horse1 which is always done upon the near or left-hand side1 the girth should be first drawn tightly towards you under the belly of the horse1 so as to bring the saddle rather to the off side on the back of the beast4 ,this is seldom done by grooms2 and though a gentleman is not supposed to girth his horse1 information on this as well as on other points may happen to be of essential service to him2 for the consequence of the attendant's usual method is1 that when the girths are tightened up1 the saddle1 instead of being in the centre of the horse's back1 is inclined to the near or left-hand side1 to which it is still farther drawn by the act of mounting1 so that when a man has mounted he fancies that one stirrup is longer than the other--the near-side stirrup invariably the longest4 ,to remedy this he forces down his foot in the right stirrup1 which brings the saddle to the centre of the animal's back4 ,all this would be obviated by care being taken1 in the process of girthing1 to place the left hand on the middle of the saddle1 drawing the first or under girth with the right hand till the girth-holder reaches the buckle1 the left hand being then disengaged to assist in bracing up the girth4 ,the outer girth must go through the same process1 being drawn under the belly of the horse from the off side tightly before it is attached to the girth-holder4 ,with ladies' saddles most particular attention should be paid to the girthing4 7,it must be observed that1 with some horses having the knack of swelling themselves out during the process of girthing1 the girths may be tightened before leaving the stable so as to appear almost too tight1 but which1 when the horse has been walked about for ten minutes1 will seem comparatively loose1 and quite so when the rider's weight is placed in the saddle47 ,stirrup-,irons should invariably be of wrought steel4 ,a man should never be induced knowingly to ride in a cast-metal stirrup1 any more than he ought to attempt to do so with a cast-metal bit4 ,stirrup-irons should be selected to suit the size of the rider's foot2 those with two or three narrow bars at the bottom are decidedly preferable1 for the simple reason1 that in cold weather it is a tax on a man's endurance to have a single broad bar like an icicle in the ball of his foot1 and in wet weather a similar argument may apply as regards damp2 besides1 with the double bar1 the foot has a better hold in the stirrup1 the rings being1 of course1 indented 7rasp-like71 as they usually are1 to prevent the foot from slipping in them4 ,this description of stirrup1 with an instep-pad1 is preferable for ladies to the slipper1 which is decidedly obsolete4 ,latchford's#ac ladies' patent safety stirrup seems to combine every precaution for the security of fair equestrians4 ,a balance-strap to a side-saddle is very desirable1 and in general use4 ,where expense is no object1 stirrups that open at the side with a spring are1 no doubt1 the safest for gentlemen in case of any accident4 ,with regard to ,stirrup-,leathers1 saddlers generally turn the right or dressed side out for appearance2 but as the dressing causes a tightness on that side of the leather1 the undressed side1 which admits of more expansion1 should be outside--because1 after a little wear1 the leather is susceptible of cracks1 and the already extended side will crack the soonest4 ,the leather will break in the most insidious place1 either in the ,d under the stirrup-iron1 where no one but the servant who cleans it can see it2 or else1 perhaps1 where the buckle wears it under the flap of the saddle4 ,stirrup-leathers broken in this manner have caused many accidents4 ,invariably adjust your stirrup-leathers before mounting4 ,to measure the length of the stirrup-leathers of a new saddle1 place the fingers of the right hand against the bar to which the leathers are attached1 and1 measuring from the bottom bar of the stirrup up to the armpit1 make the length of the leathers and stirrups equal to the length of your arm1 from the tips of the fingers to the armpit4 ,before entering the field1 in hunting or crossing country1 draw up the leathers two or three holes shorter on each side2 and when starting on a long journey it is as well to do the same1 to ease both yourself and your bearer4 ,clumped-soled ,boots occasion accidents4 ,if1 in case of yourself or your horse falling1 the foot catch in the stirrup1 a boot with such a sole may prevent its release4 ,the ,crupper1 though now obsolete for saddles1 except in military caparison1 would be decidedly beneficial in keeping the saddle in its proper place on long journeys1 especially where1 from the shape of the animal1 the saddle will come too much forward1 interfering with the action of the shoulders1 and throwing the weight of the burden unduly on the fore-quarters1 thus increasing the odds in favour of a tired beast making an irretrievable stumble4 ,the dock of the crupper should be seen to that it is soft1 and free from crusted sweat and dandriff1 which would naturally cause irritation and abrasion of the tail4 ,it should be always kept well greased ready for use4#ad ,the ,military ,crupper1 according to the rules of the service1 should be so loose between cantel and dock as to admit of a man's hand being turned with ease between the horse's back and the strap4 ,if the crupper be intended merely for ornament1 such a regulation has hardly any meaning1 for it cannot be considered ornamental to see an apparently useless piece of leather dangling at one side over a horse's hip2 and if the intention be to make it useful1 to keep the saddle from going too far forward on ill-formed horses1#ae or in case of strong exertion1 it is obvious that a loose strap 7according to orders7 could hardly serve any such purpose4 ,if the crupper be for use1 it would appear that after the saddle is placed in its proper position on the animal's back 7the crupper being left at its full length for this purpose71 and previous to girthing1 it should be shortened so as to retain the saddle in that place under any circumstances1--not1 however1 that the crupper should be so tightened as to inconvenience the beast1 and half cut his tail off2 it will be tight enough to serve its purpose if one or two fingers can be easily turned under the strap4 ,the ,breastplate may be necessary in hunting or steeplechasing with horses that are light behind the girth1 or what is vulgarly called 8herring-gutted10 and is used to prevent the saddle from getting too far back1 or1 as the grooms say1 the horse 8running through his girths40 ,animals trained to such trying work as steeplechasing1 or even hunting1 will become much smaller in the carcass than a trooper or an ordinary gentleman's hack4 ,with dragoons this part of the equipment is generally ill-adjusted1 as if to correspond with the inefficient arrangement of the crupper1 the breast-straps being often too tight4 ,frequently1 during manuvring in the field or the riding-school1 ,i have seen breast-straps burst in consequence of their tightness2 and indeed it stands to reason they can thus but interfere with a horse's action in leaping or making more than ordinary exertion4 ,their tightness not only renders discomfiture imminent1 but must drag the saddle forward out of its place4 ,altogether it might be desirable that commanding officers of some cavalry regiments would study the pose on horseback of ,marochetti's sculptured dragoons1 or those of other eminent artists4 ,the result would probably be a marked improvement in the position of the saddle1 and1 consequently1 in the general coup d'il of our cavalry1 who1 however1 notwithstanding such minor defects1 have always maintained their superiority in horsemanship1 as well as in efficiency1 over any other cavalry in the world4 ,,riding4 ,the seat1 method of holding the hands1 c41 should be left to the riding-master1#af with a friendly admonition to the learner to avoid the 8stuck-up10 one-handed principle to a great extent1 and to take a lesson whenever opportunity occurs from one of the 8great untaught10#ag and1 observing their ease and judgment in the management of their bearers1 endeavour to modify their own horsemanship accordingly4 ,kindness goes far in managing these noble animals4 ,how is it that many horses that are unmanageable with powerful and good horsemen1 can be ridden with perfect ease and safety by ladies8 ,the first thing a lady generally does after mounting1 is to reassure her steed by patting1 or1 in riding-school language1 8making much of him10 taking up the reins with a very light hand1 and giving him his head2 whereas a man usually does the very reverse2 he takes a commanding hold of the reins1 presses his legs into the horse as the signal for motion1 perhaps with a rasp of both spurs into his sides1 indicating no great amiability of temper--a state of things very likely to be reciprocated by a high-spirited horse4 ,as before observed1 every man ought himself to be able to judge whether his horse is properly saddled and bridled4 ,i must still inveigh against misplacement of the saddle1 which grooms1 it will be remarked1 usually place too far forward--a mistake which is of more consequence than is generally considered4 ,take a dragoon1 for instance1 weighing1 with arms1 accoutrements1 and kit1 from fifteen to twenty stone2 this weight1 if allowed to fall unduly on the fore quarter1 must help to founder the charger1 and bring him into trouble on the first provocation4 ,let him make the least stumble1 and the weight of his burden1 instead of being back in its proper place1 with the man's assistance there to help him up1 is thrown forward1 keeping the beast tied down1 and preventing his rising4 ,but1 taking appearances into consideration1 the forward placement of the saddle is most ungraceful1 reminding one of the position of an ,eastern driving an elephant1 seated on his bearer's neck4 ,i have seen the tout ensemble of a magnificent cavalry regiment strikingly deteriorated by the ungraceful and absolutely unhorsemanlike misplacement of the saddles1 and consequently of the men--though the military regulation on the subject is fair enough1 directing a saddle to be placed a handbreadth behind the play of the shoulder4 ,this would1 perhaps1 be a slight excess in the other direction1 were it not considered that1 in all probability1 out of a hundred troop-horses so saddled1 ninety-nine would be found after an hour's trotting to have shifted the saddle forward1 for one on whom it would have remained stationary or gone back4 ,it is well known that no rider should ever go fast down-hill on the road1 or round a corner1 especially on pavement2 but in the field1 hunting or racing1 down-hill is the place to make play4 ,in the absence of an attendant to hold for mounting1 some horses are allowed to contract a habit that is liable to cause accidents1 of starting before the rider is comfortably seated in the saddle4 ,prevent this bad fashion by gathering the snaffle-rein 7not the curb7 tightly up before mounting1 and when across the saddle1 and before the right leg is in the stirrup1 check any effort to move off4 ,when a horse is alarmed1 nothing so effectually reassures him as speaking to him4 ,i have myself experienced the efficacy of gently using my voice on two or three occasions1 when ,i admit having been run away with for a short time4 ,though a horse ought never to be allowed to have his own way1 his rider should try every means before resorting to actual punishment or fight1 which may be sometimes unavoidable as the only chance of conquest4 ,an animal requiring such treatment should be handed over to the rough-rider for subsequent teaching1 if not disposed of for more suitable employment than that of a gentleman's horse4 ,your bearer should not be allowed to keep a perpetual lean upon your hand1 more particularly when walking4 ,should he stumble while thus leaning1 he is not likely to recover himself1 but will fall helplessly on his knees4 ,keep him as self-dependent as possible1 though not with a rein so slack as to leave him to himself altogether4 ,it is the business or amusement of the rider to be on the alert for all casualties4#ah ,to make a horse change his foot in canter1 if you find it difficult to do so by merely using hand and leg1 turn him as if to circle towards that side that you require the foot to lead--he will use the foot forward that you wish in order to prop himself in turning4 ,thus1 if you circle round to the right1 he will lead with the off fore foot2 and if you turn to the left1 the near fore will be advanced4 ,in using a curb1 the rider should remember that if it is properly placed1 with a fair leverage1 rough-handling of the lower or bit rein may drive a fine-tempered animal into a state of great irritation1 or even prove an incentive to rearing2#ai and directly anything like this effect seems to be produced1 that rein should be eased1 and the bridoon-rein borne up4 ,illustration3 ,,riding ,,at ,,it ,in fencing1 the snaffle or bridoon bit and rein only ought to be used2 this the rider should particularly bear in mind4 ,a rider with a hold of the curb-rein in fencing1 getting the least out of his equilibrium1 or giving an involuntary check to the curb1 may put any well-mouthed animal entirely out of his own way1 preventing his jumping safely and confidently1 and probably causing accidents4 ,one of several reasons why the ,irish horses excel in fencing is1 that it is very much the custom in that country to use snaffles in cross-country riding4 ,the curb-rein may be taken up1 if necessary1 after the jump is over4 7,some horses1 however1 are such violent pullers1 that1 in the full tilt of going to hounds1 where the country is close and fencing frequent1 it is almost impossible to avoid using the curb-rein occasionally in the act of jumping47 ,while touching on cross-country riding1 it may be observed that many men who ought to know better1 often make a serious mistake in not leaving hunters more to themselves than they do when going at and taking their fences4 ,horses vary in their mode of progression2 and whether the gait be slow or fast1 anything of a trained animal1 when interfered with under these circumstances1 will be put out of his own way 7which is generally best suited to his peculiar temper or ability71 in placing his legs advantageously to make his jump with safety4#bj ,let your horse1 if he is anything of a fencer1 choose his own way and pace to take his jumps4 ,in riding to hounds1 if practicable1 it is well to avoid newly made or repaired ditches or fences2 your steed is apt to encounter such with diffidence2 he does not take the jump with the same will1 fears there's 8something up10 and from want of confidence may very possibly make a mistake4 ,it would be well1 for cross-country horsemen more especially1 to bear in mind ,sir ,francis ,head's observation1 as applied to riders as well as horses1 that 8the belly lifts the legs20 meaning1 ,i take it1 that if man or horse is out of tone from derangement of the stomach or general debility1 he cannot be up to the mark or fit for any physical exertion4 ,it is well known to steeplechase riders and men who ride straight to hounds1 that occasionally1 in consequence of inertion1 indulgence1 or dissipation1 having deranged the stomach or nervous system1 a rider will be done up before his steed1 who1 oppressed with a comparatively dead weight knocking about on his back1 will himself follow suit from want of being held together1 and probably come a burster at some jump before the finish4 ,to a practical horseman the act of standing in the stirrups will suggest itself as a matter of expediency to ease himself1 when the horse is pulling hard at or near his full galloping pace4 ,the great advantage of a rider easing his bearer by walking up-hill is treated of under the head of 8,work10 page #cf4 ,when a rider finds his horse going tender or lame1 he ought immediately to dismount and examine his feet4 ,if a stone has become bedded between the clefts of the frog1 or got between shoe and sole1 and a picker does not happen to be at hand1 a suitable stone should be sought wherewith to dislodge the one in the foot4 ,if no stone in the foot can be discovered as causing the lameness1 closer examination must be made in search of a nail1 a piece of iron or rough glass1 or other damage to the sole4 ,if no apparent means of relief present itself1 the sooner the beast is led to the nearest place where a proper examination of the foot can take place the better4#ba ,for the amount of work a horse can do1 see remarks on that subject1 under the head of 8,work10 page #ce2 and to avoid broken knees1 see hints on that subject1 pages #ea and #ada4 ,mounting of ,lady in ,side-,saddle4--,the mounter1 being as close as possible to the animal1 should place his right hand on his right knee1 and in it receive the lady's left foot4 ,when she springs she should straighten her left knee1 at the same time having in her right hand the reins1 with a fast hold of the middle crutch1 and her left hand on the mounter's shoulder to help her to spring up4 ,,harnessing4 ,the ,general ,mounting1 whether of brass or silver-plated 7to correspond with the mountings of the carriage71 or with leather-covered buckles1 is all a matter of taste2 the leather being1 however1 the least durable4 ,a ,dry ,harness-,room is indispensable1 in which there should be shallow presses with pegs1 but no shelves2 otherwise1 coverings should be provided for harness and saddles to preserve them from flying dust4 ,style4--,in pairing horses for draught1 if one be rather larger than the other1 the larger should be placed on the near or left side1 as the left-hand side of the road being that on which vehicles travel1 the near-side horse will generally be going an inch or more lower than the off-side one1 and the difference of size in the pair will be less perceptible4 ,if the animals are of an even size1 and one be more lazy than the other1 that one should be placed at the off side1 being thus more conveniently situated to receive gentle reminders from the whip without observation4 ,if one of the pair will carry his head higher than the other1 his coupling-rein#bb should run under that of the animal that leans his head the most1 so as to bring their heads as much on a level as possible4 ,an ivory ring1 to run the coupling-reins through1 looks and acts well4 ,both manes should be trained to flow either in or out from the pole2 the latter way is probably preferable4 ,horses left to stand harnessed in the stable should be turned round in the stalls and fastened with the ,t's of two pillar-reins passed through the rings of the bridoon of bit4 ,should there be no pillar-reins in pairs belonging to the stern-posts of each stall1 tie the horses' heads up with the rack-rein1 so as to prevent their lying down in the harness4 ,as a maxim1 never leave a bridle on in the stable1 unless in the case where the head can be sustained by a pair of pillar-reins from the stern-posts4 ,most serious accidents have occurred through neglect of this rule4 ,in ,yoking or 8putting to10 the shafts of a vehicle must never be left on the ground while the horse is being backed into them4 ,if the shafts touch him he will probably kick1 or he may injure by standing on them4 ,in double harness1 especially with spirited animals1 to prevent the danger of their backing1 and being induced to kick by coming in contact with the splinter-bar when putting to1 first confine them to the point of the pole by the pole chains or leathers1 so lengthened as to enable the traces to be attached 7the outer ones first7 to the carriage2 which done1 tighten the chains or leathers to their working length4 ,accidents may thus be averted4 ,from the moment horses are 8put to0 their draught1 until they are driven off1 some one should stand before their heads1 whether they be in single1 pair1 or four-horse harness4 ,traces4--,great care should be taken in adjusting these to prove that they are of an even length1 as the least deviation in equality is liable1 by pressure on one side1 to produce a sore on the neck1 under the collar of the horse that happens to be on the side of the shortest trace4--,see 8,jibbing10 page #hg4 ,the buckles of all traces and back-bands ought to be provided with detached pieces of leather cut square the width of those straps1 and placed under the buckles the tongues of which pass through these bits of leather2 the straps1 thus protected from being cut by the buckles1 will wear nearly thrice as long as otherwise1 and there is nothing unsightly in the arrangement4 ,in all cases draught-horses should be placed close to their work--i4e41 the traces should meet as short as will just allow of the animals going down an inclination at a brisk pace without coming in contact with the carriage2 the britching for single1 and the pole-chains for double harness1 being tightened in proportion1 to keep the carriage from running on them down-hill4 ,for ,pole-,chains and ,swinging-,bars1 see page #gc4 ,the ,hames4--,in order to divide the draught or pressure of the traces on the shoulders a little1 the hames might be furnished with scroll draught eyes2 this1 however1 has become unfashionable from being much used by cabmen1 and for rough draught4 ,hames ,top-,straps4--,care should be taken that these are perfectly sound and strong1 especially in double harness1 where the strain of stopping and backing the carriage of necessity comes upon them4 ,britching and ,kicking-,strap4--,it is better in single harness to have the britching made with side-straps attached to the buckle or tug of the back-band1 and not to pass over the shaft 7confined there by a loop or staple as is usual74 ,these side-straps can be tightened or loosened according to the size of the animal1 and if properly adjusted1 effectually prevent any carriage from running on the quarters4 ,across the horses' hips and through these straps1 confined by square metal ,d's1 passes the kicking-strap1 which is attached to the tugs on the shafts by buckles4 ,this caparison1 instead of being unsightly1 is positively more elegant than the ordinary-shaped britching1 and provides a kicking-strap at all times with the britching4 ,the kicking-strap for double harness must always be inelegant1 nor can it be made as effectual as that for single harness2 for which reason1 if for no other1 a kicking horse should never be used in double harness under a gentleman's carriage4 ,britching is not generally used for double harness2 but where appearances are not regarded1 it finds place amongst various other contrivances available to make kickers1 jibbers1 bolters1 plungers1 and runaways1 work as placidly as if 8they couldn't help it40#bc ,the ,terret-,pad must be left to the taste of the owner and saddler1 with an observation1 that in single harness it should be ascertained that the back-band has always free play through it2 and as a precaution1 it is desirable that in single harness the belly-band be always wrapped once round at least one of the shafts before the tug1 whether the draught be on four or on a pair of wheels4 ,neglect in this particular has often occasioned accidents4 ,the terret-pad is generally placed too far forward2 the shortening of the crupper remedies this4 ,in double harness have a care that the terret-pad trace bearing-straps are not buckled too short4 ,i have seen fine tall horses greatly worn by these straps being too tight1 tying the animals across the back1 the undue pressure being aggravated with each elevation of the frame in the act of progression4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #a4--;,front ,view of a ,collar1 with the stuffing placed as it should be for wear with ease and safety4 a a1 rim of collar all round4 b b1 stuffing projecting round outside of rim4 c c1 stuffing to project inside at back of rim1 for the purpose of tightening the collar on the neck in that situation1 and thus obviate abrasion4 ,the ,collar4--,more care and judgment are necessary in shaping the stuffing of the collar to fit a horse than for any other part of the harness4 ,the collar should not press either on the mane or on the under part of the neck round the gullet2 the pressure should be on each side of the neck at c c in figure4 ,collars to fit the ordinary run of horses ought to be shaped thus1 by the padding exclusive of the rim4 ,the shape of the rim is comparatively immaterial1 but it must be strong to retain the collar in shape4 ,any collar1 be it ever so well shaped1 should be tried on the horse's neck before it is taken into wear1 to make sure that it is neither too large nor too small4 ,some horses' heads are large in proportion with the size of collar they require2 in such cases1 out of compassion for the poor animal over whose head the small collar has to be forced at the risk of injuring his eyes1 the collar1 which is generally closed1 should be made open at the top1 to fasten with buckle and strap4 ,under ordinary circumstances the open collars are not preferable1 as the opening and closing weakens the rim1 and is likely to put them out of shape2 but as grooms have a fashion of putting the collar on with the rigid hames tightly buckled round it1 the whole process of forcing a small closed collar over a beast's larger head is so repulsive to him that in time he learns to dread the very sight of a collar4 ,the plan of putting on the collar with the hames attached to it should never be permitted4 ,saving-,collar1 and description of make4--,this is generally formed by harness-makers of basil with quilted padding4 ,more serviceable than this will be found the saving-collar cut of single leather1 from the soft or belly part of the cow-hide4 ,a breast-strap is placed at the bottom of the collar with a loop and buckle at the end1 through which the belly-band of the terret-pad passes to confine the collar4 ,every owner of harness should be provided with one or two saving-collars of this description to be used where severe work is expected1 on long journeys1 or with animals new to harness4 ,they should be open at the top1 to fasten there with two buckles and narrow straps1 the tightening or lengthening of the latter enabling it to be fitted to the horse's size4 ,some care is necessary to observe that the regular collar does not rub the buckles of the saving-collar against the horse's neck and make a sore4 ,the saving-collar should be always kept well moistened with grease or oil1 and carefully looked to after use1 the crusted sweat and dandriff being scraped off it4 ,in the absence of a saving-collar1 the collar itself should be watched in the same respect4 ,the bridles generally in use for harness appear to require little or no improvement4 ,the ,bit must be equally adapted to the horse's mouth1 c41 as for riding 7page #ch71 except that with harness1 while to all appearance using the same kind of bit with a pair of horses1 the leverage on the mouths can be altered1 by placing the billets or buckle-end of the driving-reins high or low in the cheeks of each1 according to the animal's temper1 his bearing on it1 c4 ,in placing the billets in the bit1 it should be borne in mind that the more use is made of the curb the more will be taken out of the horse2 therefore1 when a long journey or severe work has to be done1 animals should be driven in snaffle1 or the billets should be placed as near as possible to the mouthpiece of the bit4 ,experience only can demonstrate the difference in the wear and tear of the general physique1 resulting from a judicious arrangement or otherwise of the reins and bit4 ,blinkers4--,the question of 8blinkers or no blinkers0 can best be answered by the observation1 that if you can find horses that may be depended upon to work safely and steadily without them1 they may be dispensed with2 but as such animals are rare1 blinkers are likely to continue in general use4 ,placing crests or ornaments on blinkers1 unless the latter are light and well hollowed1 and kept extended in front by stiff blinker-straps1 is a practice likely to be injurious to the animals' eyes2 in fact1 all blinkers1 unless light and well hollowed1 are dangerous for the eyes1 and of course the increased weight of crests and their fastenings aggravates the objection4 ,heavy forehead-bands and rosettes1 though ornamental1 are anything but desirable1 as far as the horse himself is concerned4 ,the ,noseband of the harness bridle1 like the riding one1 can by tightening be made very useful with some descriptions of hard-pulling horses4--,see 8,noseband10 page #db4 ,the ,breastplate1 or head-stall martingal1 can be made useful in the same way4--,see page #dj4 ,throat-lash4--,see page #dc4 ,reins4--,saddlers generally suit the reins admirably to the work for which they are intended4 ,a buff hand-piece with pullers is decidedly preferable to plain leather1 as its roughness enables the driver to have a much firmer hold of the reins1 but will become slippery in wet4 ,the ,bearing-,rein is only used to keep up a horse's head and give him a showy appearance1 therefore no experienced person will use it except with that object1 and it is injurious in every other respect4--7,see 8,broken ,knees10 pages #eb and #ada47 ,crupper4--,this strap is intended to keep the terret-pad and back-band in their proper places1 and to restrain the former from running too far forward or pressing on the withers 7see 8,sore ,withers10 page #aea72 also as a sustainer to the terret-pad against the bearing-rein when the latter is strained into its hook4 ,grooms have a very improper habit of leaving the whole of the hinder part of the harness suspended in one mass by the crupper-dock on a peg in the wall of the harness-room2 this should not be allowed4 ,let the terret-pad when not in use be always placed across a proper saddle-rack1 with the britching and crupper suspended therefrom2 or let them1 at all events1 be put somewhere by themselves4 ,to put on ,harness4--,first1 while the horse's head is towards the manger1 place the terret-pad loosely across the back--take hold of the tail1 and carefully turn down the hair over the end of the flesh2 thus grasping and holding the tail and its hair together in the left hand1 with the right draw the crupper-dock over it1 and adjust the latter to its place at the root of the tail1 being careful not to leave a single loose hair under it4 ,then arrange your terret-pad in the place where it should work by shortening or lengthening the crupper-strap2 which done1 tighten the belly-band4#bd ,now turn the horse in his stall1 and1 your collar and hames having been hung up close at hand1 slip the wide end of the former by itself over the head4 ,leave the collar so1 on the narrow part of the neck1 till you place your hames within the collar-rim1 and fasten them thereto by buckling the top strap over the narrow part or top of the collar3 now turn the collar and hames round on the neck in the direction of the side over which the mane hangs4 ,put on the bridle and attach driving-reins1 temporarily doubling their hand-piece through the terrets4 ,fasten the horse thus harnessed to the pillar-reins till you are ready to 8put to40 ,to take off ,harness1 begin by removing the reins and bridle2 then take off the hames by themselves1 then the collar1 and lastly the terret-pad and crupper4 ,,driving4 ,in driving1 a man should sit up against his work1 and be thoroughly propped by his legs and feet1 with the left or rein hand held well into his body1 in front of or a little below the waist4 ,nothing looks more ungraceful than to have the reins at arm's-length1 held out at a distance from one's chest4 ,a driver should always be seated before any one else in or about the vehicle2 and having carefully taken a firm hold of the reins in his left hand ,,before mounting his seat1 they should so remain1 and never be shifted4 ,but should the driver be either obliged or find it convenient to allow others to be seated first1 he will then of necessity have to mount from the off or right side1 in which case he will in the first place have to take the reins in his right hand until seated1 when he will at once transfer them to their proper position in his left4 ,the whip should invariably be placed in the socket1 or be handed carefully to the driver after he has mounted4 ,to mount with it in hand is highly dangerous2 the sight of it over the blinkers1 or an accidental touch to an animal when the driver is unprepared1 may startle and set off a team--while holding a whip in the act of mounting renders that piece of gymnastics doubly awkward to accomplish4 ,all turns and manuvres may be effected by the fore-finger 7and thumb if necessary7 of the right or whip hand1 either on the off or the near side rein1 according as the direction of the intended movement is towards the right or left4#be ,but in driving four-in-hand1 unicorns1 or tandems1 insert the fourth finger of the whip-hand between the lead and wheel reins on the side you want to pull1 to turn or direct your horses4 ,with four-in-hand the general principle is1 while allowing only a certain amount of play to the heads of your leaders1 to keep your wheelers well in hand1 ready for any sudden emergency1 bearing in mind that it is only with them1 as they are attached to the pole1 that you can stop the carriage4 ,a driver having occasion to raise his right hand for any purpose1 should first place the whip transversely under the thumb of the left or rein hand 7above1 but upon1 one of the reins71 leaving the other hand at liberty2 indeed1 the whip should always lie in this transverse position1 whether in the right or the left hand1 unless when in use for correction4 ,many horses are very clever at watching the whip over the blinkers1 and careless pointing forward with it may keep a high-spirited animal in a continual fret4 ,to ascertain how each horse is doing his work1 judge not only by the test of the willing horse bearing more on your hand2 see also how each horse keeps his traces4 ,in whichever case they are slack1 you may depend that that horse has no draught upon him2 if tight1 he is doing his share of the work1 or more4 ,a good whip will correct the defaulter so as to avoid annoying the other horse4 ,there is no better criterion of skill in the use of the whip than this4 ,with the leaders in tandem and four-in-hand1 and in low-seated carriages1 unless the dash-board be very high1 the reins are apt to get under the horses' tails4 ,in such cases1 to avoid a kicking match1 no immediate attempt should be made to replace the reins while they are confined2 but a very light lash of the whip on the leg will engage the attention of the animal1 and while the tail is switched up on the touch of the lash1 the reins may be released4 ,horses should always be kept well in hand1 unless that1 upon a long and tiresome journey1 some consideration may be shown for what they have to go through4 ,under such circumstances1 attention may well be directed to the manner the billets are placed in the bit 7page #fb74 ,on the level a fair pace can be maintained1 but up hill no merciful man will ever press his beasts4 ,when a heavy load has to be drawn up a sharp short hill1 it is not a bad plan to cheat the horse out of the first half of it by going at it with an impetus1 suffering the pace to merge into a walk without further pressure as the first impetus declines4 ,when the ascent is long and gradual1 horses should be allowed to walk the whole way1 which can always be admitted of on ordinary roads1 where the pace is not intended to exceed eight miles an hour1 as the speed may be accelerated when the fall of ground is reached1 without distressing the animals4 ,let a man suppose himself to be obliged to wheel a hand-cart with a heavy burden for a given distance within a given time1 on an undulating roadway1 and he will soon discover the course he would pursue to effect his object2 he would certainly save himself by going very slowly up the hills1 and make up the time and distance with most ease by rolling the vehicle at a rapid rate down the declivities4 ,let the principle of working thus exemplified be always applied to the usage of horses in harness4 ,an old driving maxim may be added1 though not recommended by the metre3-- 8,up the hill spare me2 ,down the hill let me run and bear me2 ,on the level never fear me40 ,or1 8,walk me a mile out and a mile in2 ,up the hill spur me not1 ,down the hill ,i'll walk or trot2 ,on the plain spare me not2 ,in the stable forget me not40 ,i have driven a great deal in my life1 and have never met with an accident from driving at a fair trot down a moderate hill1 with plenty of road-room1 and no turning to be made till after gaining the level1 the team being well in hand throughout4 ,this observation applies equally to any number of horses2 but with tandem or four-in-hand the wheelers should be held particularly tight1 and the leaders pulled back4 ,if1 in descending a hill1 the wheel can be drawn along rough stones without the horses being also brought on them1 it is desirable to avail of such a drag4 ,in such hilly countries as ,wales1 ,devon1 c41 the constant use of a skid is indispensable4 ,the uninitiated may not quarrel with me for reminding them of the necessity for keeping always to their own or the left side of the road7the right on the ,continent1 in ,america1 and other countries74 ,in turning a corner1 however1 if it be to the left you intend going1 before you make your turn get from your proper side of the road a little towards the right1 if possible1 and from thence make your turn1 by which means you will more easily reach the left1 or your proper side1 of the new route you intend to take1 besides being able to see everything that is approaching en the other4 ,to turn a right angle you must have space accordingly1 and it is better to make use of that which you see insured to you than to be depending on that which is uncertain4 ,it is hardly necessary to remark that it is infinitely safer to make your turns at a slow pace than faster4 ,turning quickly round corners is reckless work1 but the faster your pace the more necessary it is to get to the wrong side of the road when turning to the left before you make your turn to the new1 or before entering a narrow gateway or passage4 ,when the turn is to the right1 you will keep to your own or left side of the road4 ,where a narrow gateway has to be entered with four wheels1 having brought your vehicle fairly in front of it1 place your pole directly over the centre or bolt stone2 in the absence of this guide1 mark with your eye some object in the centre1 and bring your pole right over it4 ,the wheels will take care of themselves1 if there is at all room for the carriage4 ,with single harness the horse is brought direct at the gate1 and kept very straight1 his hind feet passing over the centre object4 ,in driving through crowded streets or in a narrow way1 especially with vehicles coming rapidly towards you1 and every prospect of a collision1 take a stronger hold of your horses1 and moderate your pace1 remembering that1 if you cannot avoid grief1 the less the impetus the less the crash1 if it should come4 ,this result is amusingly exemplified by the stage-coachman's definition of the difference between the results of road and rail accidents4 ,coachey says1 8,if even an upset occur on the road1 there you are2 but if an accident takes place by rail1 where are you80 ,remember to collect your horses well in hand before you alter your course on the road1 or to cross it1 in order to have them alert and handy for any emergency4 ,when travelling in damp weather1 the roads being sticky1 half wet and dry1 your horse requires saving and consideration1 no matter to what extent the wind may be blowing1 if it goes only in the same direction as himself4 ,when the roads are perfectly dry with a light wind blowing against your horse1 he travels under the more favourable circumstances4 ,neither blinkers nor bit should ever1 upon any consideration1 be removed from a horse while he is attached to a carriage1 whether to feed or for any other purpose4 ,want of caution in this respect has been a fertile source of most serious accidents4 ,when a horse falls irretrievably in harness1 the driver should avoid leaving his seat till some assistant can go to the animal's head1 who1 placing his coat or some soft substance between it and the road1 to prevent injury to the eyes1 presses one or both knees lightly on the neck1 but so as to prevent the beast from rising2 which done1 the driver can get down from his seat1 and1 availing of all the aid he can procure1 frees all the harness as rapidly as possible1 and1 running back the carriage from the horse1 assists him to rise4 ,to disengage buckles easily in such cases1 instead of dragging at the point of the strap in the usual way1 force both ends of it to the centre of the buckle1 which will cause the tongue to turn back1 and so free the strap4 ,when a fall in harness occurs on slippery pavement such as some of the ,london streets1 or in frosty weather1 before the horse is permitted to make any effort to rise1 some ashes1 dry clay1 sand1 sawdust1 hay or straw1 or even any old rug or piece of cloth or carpet1 should be so placed as to prevent him from slipping in his ineffectual and distressing endeavours to recover his legs4 ,backing4--,when a horse takes to backing1 and danger is threatened1 if you cannot get him forward1 and have no assistant to take him by the head1 the more rapidly you bring the brute's head to the point where he aims at bringing his tail the better4 ,it is a bad habit1 however1 to give an animal1 to allow of his being taken by the head when he is obstreperous1 and should only be resorted to when quite unavoidable4 ,kicking in ,harness4--,when there is no kicking-strap or other means of restraint available1 and an animal seems disposed to persist in kicking1 the driver1 retaining his seat1 should direct some one to hold up one of the fore feet 7if he finds a difficulty in doing so1 doubling the knee and tying a handkerchief tightly round it7 so as to prevent the foot reaching the ground1 which done1 the driver may help to unharness1 while the other assistant takes hold of the horse's head4 ,shying4--,see page #hh4 ,runaways are frequently checked by sawing the mouth4 ,in such cases1 retain your presence of mind1 determined to stick to the ship to the last2 if you have the luck to meet with an ascent1 that is your time to get a pull4 ,a horse that has once run away1 especially if1 in connection with that feat1 he has met with any noisy disaster or breakage1 is never1 as long as he lives1 safe to drive again4 ,it only remains for his owner to use humanity and judgment in disposing of him4 ,stubborn horses1 or jibbers1 in single harness4--,on the first appearance of this disposition at starting1 the neck should be examined1 to discover whether the fit may not have been occasioned by indisposition to work against an ill-fitting or dirty collar1 which may have produced abrasion or tenderness of the skin under it 7see page #fa74 ,if the unpleasantness proceed from innate stubbornness in the brute1 and simple means do not succeed in single harness1 place him in double harness1 beside a well-tempered1 good worker1 that will drag him away1 starting down-hill4 ,in this manner the habit1 if not confirmed1 will be overcome4 ,in extreme cases1 different appliances have been used with varied success in making the beast move on--such as a round pebble1 about the size of a hen's egg1 placed in the ear1 and secured with a cord tied round the latter1 near the tip1 or stuffing a glove in each ear4 ,i have also seen coachmen put two or three handfuls of mud into the horse's mouth1 and rub it against his palate with good effect1 or tap him with a stick at the back of the fore legs1 just under the knee4 ,letting a stubborn beast stand for hours in harness in the spot where he has taken the fit1 and1 when he has become well hungered1 placing a feed of corn before him and gradually walking away with it1 is a dilatory proceeding sometimes resorted to1 but scarcely worth mentioning4 ,,drawing4 ,the size of horses should be in proportion to the weight and size of the vehicle and loads they are intended to move1 upon the principle1 easily demonstrated by experiment1 that weight drags weight4 ,for instance1 a horse having to drag a cart up a hill1 will do so more easily with the driver on his back than otherwise1 as the weight of the man assists the horse against the weight he has to move4 ,the latter part of this argument only refers1 however1 to short distances1 or to starting a draught4 ,the higher the wheels are1 and the closer together1 whether they be two or four1 the lighter will be the draught4 ,in fact1 to render the draught as easy as possible1 the axles ought to be on a level with the trace-hooks1 or point of traction1 or as nearly horizontal as possible with the traces and their place in the leg of the hames4 ,it is self-evident that if a horse has to be pulling up1 it is like his having to raise a certain part of the weight of the carriage with every step he moves2 and the faster he goes1 the more injuriously does this principle operate against him4 ,the point of the pole-and-chain attachment should be always so elevated from its insertion in the carriage as to be on a level with the rings of the hames through which the pole-chains pass4 ,on the point of the pole should be a revolving steel cross-tree1 from eight to ten inches in length1 in the ends of which the pole-chains or leathers are inserted4 ,the working of this contrivance will1 to any practical man1 demonstrate its utility4 ,in light double harness1 ,i much prefer using swinging-bars instead of one inflexible splinter-bar1 unless for very heavy draught4 ,horses should be placed close to their work4 ,for adjusting the traces to that effect1 see page #eh4 ,it should be remembered that the farther forward in a carriage the weight to be drawn is placed1 the easier will be the draught on the horse4 ,thus the weight of one man at the extreme end of the vehicle 7like a conductor on an omnibus7 has as much effect on the traction as that of two men on or near the driving-seat4 ,the deader the weight1 let it be placed as it may1 the greater the trial of the horse2 therefore inanimate matter is heavier on traction than anything having life4 ,vehicles of which the lower carriage and axles are kept braced together by a perch steadying the action of the wheels1 are much the easiest on the draught4 ,the ,americans are well aware of the advantages of such a construction for encountering the roughness of many of their roads4 ,not only are all their pleasure carriages1 or 8buggies10 so constructed1 but the waggons have a perch that by an admirable arrangement can be detached1 to allow of the carriage being lengthened when required to carry timber or other lading4 ,the perch1 being in two pieces1 can be coupled by the simple contrivance of a movable iron band and pin1 giving a freedom1 most desirable in a rough country1 to the movement of the lower carriage4 ,this contrivance works well1 and might with advantage be applied to our military train-waggons and ambulance-carts4 ,horses cannot but suffer from the present construction of carriages in general use1 where the axles are left unsupported and unbraced to encounter the roughness and inequalities of the road4 ,axle-,boxes4--,proper lubrication of the axle-boxes is too often sadly neglected4 ,even ,collinge's patent will not run freely without periodical aid in proportion to use1 and it is no harm to make an occasional examination of the wheels of a carriage when they are lifted off the ground by setters1 to see that there is thorough freedom in the working of them1 by spinning them round with one's finger against the spokes4 ,the reapplication of gutta-percha or leather washers is essential1 as the amount of friction by work will wear that requisite4 ,for a few days after the washers are replaced1 the boxes should not be screwed too tightly1 but subsequently they should be re-tightened4 ,the noise of wheels joggling upon their axles indicates want of screwing up1 or of washers4 ,a round tire is decidedly easier for draught than a flat-edged one4 ,carriages1 immediately after use1 should be cleaned1 or at least have water dashed over them1 to prevent the mud from drying on the paint1 which can scarcely fail to deteriorate it1 and give it a premature appearance of wear4 ,,shoeing4 ,some horses are very averse to being shod1 through some fright the first time of shoeing1 or bad management4 ,it is better to overcome such shyness or vice by gentleness or stratagem than by force of any kind4 ,some few animals even require to be cast1 or placed under the influence of the painful twitch4 ,before resorting to any force1 however1 the following means should be tried in preference to others3--,let whoever is in the habit of riding or exercising the horse mount him when regularly bridled and saddled1 the girths being a little looser that if intended for work2 ride to the side of the forge1 and there let him 7his rider still on his back7 be shod the first time2 on the second visit to the forge1 if it be spacious enough1 he may be ridden into it for the same purpose4 ,in shoeing1 the smith's rule ought to be to fit the shoe to the foot1 not the foot to the shoe1 according to the general practice of those gentry4 ,in ,london and all large towns1 the best thing a gentleman can do is to contract with a veterinary surgeon for the shoeing as well as the doctoring of his horses4 ,the night previous to a horse being shod or removed1 the groom should stop his feet1 to soften them1 and enable the farrier to use his drawing-knife properly1 and without injury to that instrument4 ,in shoeing1 any undue accumulation of sole may be pared away2 judgment must1 however1 be used in this particular1 as the feet of some animals grow more sole than others1 and superfluous increase tends to contraction1 whereas care must be taken not to weaken the sole of ordinary growth4 ,i am aware that great difference of opinion exists on this subject1 but ,i speak from practical experience of the results of opposite modes of treatment in this particular4 ,if no shoes were used1 the wear and tear of work would provide for the disposal of this accumulation1 which1 as nature is interfered with by the use of shoes1 must be artificially removed4 ,if the frog be jagged it may be pared even1 but the sound parts should not be cut away1 and on no account should the smith's drawing-knife be allowed to divide the bars or returns of the foot--an operation technically called by the trade 8opening the heels10 to which fallacious practice farriers are pertinaciously addicted1 because1 in some one case of dreadfully contracted feet1 they may have seen or heard of temporary relief being given by this process1 with the natural result1 which they ignore1 of the remedy proving itself in time worse than the disease4 ,if farriers are allowed1 they will almost invariably drive as many shoe-nails round the inside quarter as the outside4 ,this is a lamentable mistake1 especially regarding the fore feet1 as the foot being thus nearly all round confined to the shoe1 its proper action is interfered with1 preventing a possibility of its natural and gradual expansion in action from the toe towards the heel1 as the horse lays his foot upon the ground1 with all weight1 as well as the act of propulsion1 pressed on it4 ,the reason for liberating the inside quarter in preference to the outside is1 that the inside1 being more under the centre of gravity1 will be found to expand and contract more than the outside1 as will be proved by the removal and examination of a shoe that has been in use three or four weeks4 ,on observing the part of the shoe that has been next the foot1 it will be distinctly perceived that the friction of the inside quarter of the foot has worn a cavity in the portion of the shoe which has been under that quarter of the foot1 while the side that has been under the outside quarter bears comparatively little evidence of friction above it4 ,this being an established fact1 it seems desirable that the full number of nails should be driven round the outside quarter1 and not more than one or two 7for hunting purposes7 on the inside from the toe4 7,six nails altogether is the cavalry regulation47 ,if your horses are not quick wearers on the road1 the fore shoes should be removed within two or three weeks after shoeing 7care being taken that the clenches of the nails in the hind feet are at the same time properly levelled to the hoof to prevent brushing71 and let them be re-shod every five or six weeks4 ,in all foot ailments1 whenever a horse is lame1 although the disease may not apparently be in the foot1 let the shoe first be carefully removed1 and the shoeless foot examined by as competent a farrier as can be procured 7in the absence of a veterinary surgeon71 by pincers round the nail-holes1 gently pressing wall and sole together1 by the hammer tapping the sole1 and a judicious use of the drawing-knife1 to detect the possible seat of disease4 ,i have known a lame horse to be brought to a reputedly-experienced amateur horse-doctor1 the cause of disease being so evidently inflammation of the sheath of the tendon1 that the animal was ordered to be treated accordingly--viz41 with cold applications2 and this not succeeding1 firing the leg was resorted to1 after which1 the weather being suitable1 it was thought expedient to let the beast have a run at grass4 ,as a preliminary the shoes were removed1 in the course of which operation a bed of gravel was found to have secreted itself in the foot of the supposed diseased leg1 and the inflammation occasioned by the gravel having gone up1 caused what appeared to be marked disease about the tendon4 ,such were the results of neglecting the precautions here recommended4 ,brushing1 or cutting1 is a very tormenting weakness in the horse1 whether behind or before1 and often highly dangerous in the latter case4 ,the ordinary practice of farriers under such circumstances is to rasp away the inside quarter of the offending hoof1 as well as doubly thickening the shoe under the weakened wall1 leaving the toe to extend itself forward4 ,this is a great mistake1 yielding only a temporary improvement1 not at all tending towards a cure4 ,on the contrary1 it would be better to shorten the toes by degrees2 and on no account should a rasp be put near the wall of the inside quarter1 in order to let it get as strong as possible towards the heel4 ,i would certainly allow no nails to be driven inside1 but let the shoe be fastened round the outer quarter of the foot1 the shoe itself being of equal thickness on both quarters as an ordinary shoe2 but on putting it on1 it should not be suffered to project outside the inside quarter1 and the shoes might here be rasped to guard against rough edges1 which might injure the pastern of the opposite leg during work4 ,a strong clip should also be thrown up on the outside quarters of these shoes to catch the wall and effectually prevent them from shifting towards or projecting beyond the inside quarter1 which might cause them to come in contact with the opposite pastern-joint while in motion4 ,until the brushing be somewhat remedied1 an india-rubber ring or a bit of leather1 and elastic strap round the pastern1 will prevent it from receiving present injury4 ,if the above treatment is attended to and persevered in1 the probability is that in nine cases out of ten a cure will be effected in course of time4 ,corns4--,every horse-owner ought to make himself acquainted with the part of the sole between the frog and the wall on the inside quarter of the fore foot1 called the seat of corns 7see pages #aca and #adj71 and every time that a horse is shod or removed1 in paring the foot the drawing-knife should be used to clean away this cavity 7without weakening the adjacent wall71 where the disease originates from undue pressure of the shoe on the inside quarter of that susceptible spot1 or from friction of the coffin-bone1 on the inside of the sole1 above the seat of corn4 ,the shoe ought to rest entirely on the wall of the foot1 and not on any part of the sole4 ,roughing and ,frosting is simply drawing out the old nails about the toes and replacing them with very large sharp-headed ones1 called frost-nails4 ,horse-nails being made purposely of a soft metal1 are unfit for frosting1 as the heads wear down so quickly4 ,if smiths would steel the heads of frost-nails1 they would last much longer4 ,this precaution against slipping1 however1 is only effectual in slight frosts4 ,in regular frosting1 the nails are carried completely round1 with the addition of sharp calkins being turned on the heels of all four feet1 and sometimes also short spikes or cogs turned down from the toes2 but the latter are common only in severe climates1 though their use is quite as desirable in ,england1 especially to assist horses in ascending slippery hills1 where the cogs on the heels have little or no hold in the ground4 ,cogs or calkins should be rasped by the smith1 to sharpen them1 every couple of days4 ,although it may be inconvenient and expensive to have horses prepared in frosty weather1 it is highly necessary to do so where work is required of them4 ,the very extraordinary exertion that is needed on the part of the animal to keep his feet when unprepared1 as well as the fret to his energies1 takes a vast deal more out of him in one day's work than a month's daily use would do under ordinary circumstances1 not to speak of the risk of pecuniary loss from accident4 ,it is a most pitiable thing to see the poor beasts struggling in their high courage and good temper to do their best1 for what ,i can only call cruel or thoughtless masters1 to say nothing of the liability of the animals' breaking their knees and bringing their riders or drivers to serious trouble1 smashing harness and vehicles1 c4 ,i have always found servants most ingenious in making objections to having their horses prepared for frost1 the grand secret being their anxiety to keep them in the stable the whole time the frost lasts1 that they may be saved from the trouble of cleaning either them or their caparison1 carriages1 c4 ,they will alarm you with the stereotyped objections1 8tearing the horses' feet to pieces10 8driving fresh nail-holes10 8ripping off shoes10 8his feet won't bear a shoe after10 c4 ,i never knew an ordinary sound foot to be reduced to such a condition1 by simply changing shoes1 that a good smith could not fasten a shoe on4 ,the only tangible objection to calkins to which attention need be drawn is1 that during their use1 unless the horse is moved about in his stable with great caution in cleaning or otherwise1 he is apt to tread with them on the coronet of the opposite foot1 which is a very serious affair1 inflicting a nasty jagged wound on one of the most sensitive vascular parts of the animal4#bf ,the ,bar ,shoe going all round the foot is intended to protect weak or thrushy heels4 ,wide-webbed or ,surface ,shoes are used with flat-footed1 weak-soled horses3 leather being often introduced above them to save the soles from being damaged by extraneous substances on the road4 ,put on with the ordinary shoe1 it is said to lessen the jar of the tread4 ,high-heeled ,shoes1 when a horse is laid up1 properly managed1 prove a most effectual palliation and aid in the cure of 8clap of the back sinew0 7page #adc74 ,these shoes are made with calkins 7joined by a light iron bar71 which should not be heavy1 not more than an inch deep1 and gradually reduced by the smith as the disease abates4 ,steeling the ,toes is necessary with quick wearers on the road2 but particular cautions should be given to the smith to work the steel well into the iron1 for any protrusion of this hard metal above the iron will occasion tripping1 and possibly an irrecoverable fall4 ,calking the hind shoes moderately on the outside quarter only1 is most essential to the hunter to prevent slipping1 and to give him confidence in going at his fences1 and on landing4 ,its advantages can be well understood by any sportsman who has experienced the difference between walking himself a day's simple shooting over soft slippery ground1 or taking a ten-mile walk on a half-wet road1 in each case in boots with headed nails1 to enable him to have a hold in the ground1 and undertaking the same exercises in boots without nails1 where one wearies himself with efforts to keep his feet4 ,i speak as a practical man1 having probably come to less grief than most others in hunting1 which may be attributed mainly to the particular attention bestowed on the calking of my bearers when ,i was a hard goer4 ,it seems an unimportant matter1 but if looked into will be found to be far otherwise4 ,tips1 or half-shoes1 which cover little more than the toe of a horse1 leaving the heels to come in direct contact with the ground1 are particularly serviceable in cases where the heels are disposed to contraction1 and1 from my experience1 can be used without injury in any ordinary description of work while the frog is sound4 ,the quarters of the feet being left by their use without the usual confinement of the shoe1 and being pressed to expansion on every movement of the animal1 naturally become strong and extended4 ,tips should become gradually thinner1 finishing in a fine edge towards the ends4 ,i have seen ill-made tips calculated to lame any horse1 with the ends the thickness of an ordinary shoe 7though extending1 which is the intention of tips1 less than half-way down the foot71 as if the smith who made them expected the heels to remain always suspended in mid air4 ,slippers4--,regular sportsmen generally carry a spare shoe while hunting2 but if a shoe comes off one of the fore feet in the field or on the road1 and the rider is not provided with a proper shoe1 he should at once dismount and lead his bearer to the nearest forge1 where an old shoe most approaching to the size of the foot that can possibly be found should be selected from the heap of cast ones that generally lies by in a forge1 and let it be tacked on with three or four nails only1 so as to serve the creature to get home1 or until the proper shoe can be made4 ,if a shoe comes off the hind foot1 and the distance from home is not above three or four miles1 the animal can be led or occasionally ridden that far without injury1 especially if the softest side of the road be selected for the track1 the hind feet being generally much stronger than the fore4 ,travelling4--,the day before a long journey1 look to your horse's shoes2 see that the clinches are well laid down and the shoes nailed tightly4 ,as a rule1 do not have new shoes put on just before a journey1 for the least carelessness in fitting or nailing them may occasion more or less lameness2 should it be severe1 disappointment and delay may result2 while if only apparently slight at starting1 and the animal endure the pain patiently during its work1 the cause being in existence throughout will produce its effects only too palpably when the day's journey is over4 ,if old shoes are nearly worn1 but will last the journey1 let them by all means remain on2 but directly the work is over1 send for any proper smith whose forge is nearest1 and have them taken off in the stable4 ,should the forge not be at hand1 the old slippers can of course be tacked on when the horse1 having had its rest1 is taken to be shod4 ,all shoes1 for road-work especially1 should be made full long to cover the heels4 ,it should be borne in mind that1 as the hoof grows naturally1 the shoe is brought forward and thereby exposes the heels4 ,,vice4 ,in all cases where active vice1 such as rearing1 kicking1 jibbing1 plunging1 has to be combated1 the work of correction is half done if the horse is well tired in the first instance1 or1 in vulgar terms1 8the fiery edge taken off him10 by half an hour's rapid loungeing1 with his neck well bent1 chin into chest1 on the softest and most tiring ground that is available4 ,for myself1 if ,i find a horse vicious1 ,i never think of combating him if it can be helped1 without having first reduced his vigour a little2 and all horsemen who undertake to conquer any seriously bad habits are recommended to consider and adopt this practice1 if indeed such is not already their custom4 ,kicking1 to the horseman1 is a matter of very trifling consideration4 ,he may either amuse himself by letting the ebullition expend itself1 or it may be stopped by chucking up the horse's head and increasing the pace4 ,kicking in ,harness is a different affair1 being generally the prelude to disaster1 and must be guarded against4--,see page #eh4 ,kicking in the ,stable4--,many animals1 most gentle in other respects1 take inordinate fits of this practice1 and generally in the dead of night1 as if to make up for their usual quietude on all other occasions2 most frequently they resort to the amusement without any apparent cause of irritation whatever4 ,they will do it when alone or when in company2 while1 were it not for the capped hock and otherwise disfigured legs1 as well as the dilapidated stabling behind them1 discovered in the morning1 you would think that 8butter wouldn't melt in their mouths40 ,in other cases the habit proceeds from obvious bad temper or spite towards a neighbour4 ,there are many cures proposed for kicking in the stable4 ,one frequently successful is a round log of wood1 four or five inches long and about two in diameter1 with a staple at one end of it1 through which a chain two or three inches long is passed and attached to a strap that buckles round the pastern 7just above the coronet7 of one hind leg1 or a log in this way to each hind leg may be used if necessary4 ,another means is to pad all parts of the stable that can be reached by the hind feet4 ,in many instances where this plan is adopted1 the animal1 no longer hearing any noise suggesting to his fancy resistance from behind1 will cease kicking altogether1 from no other explainable cause4 ,for padding use some pads of hay or oaten straw1 covered with coarse canvass1 and nailed to all places within reach of his heels4 ,sometimes1 where the habit is supposed to arise from spite towards a neighbour1 a change of location will answer4 ,in other cases nothing but arming all parts of the stable within reach with furze bushes1 or other prickly repellants1 will succeed4 ,it will be well1 in treating this vice1 to try the remedies here recommended in rotation2 first with the otherwise quiet horse try the log1 then the padding1 the change of location1 and the prickly armour in succession4 ,it is a remarkable fact that horses seldom kick in the stable during daylight2 leaving a light in the stable through the night may therefore effect a cure where all else has failed2 but as light interferes with sleep1 it should be the very last resource4 ,rearing is of little consequence in harness1 and seldom attempted to any extent2 but to the rider it is1 in my opinion1 the most dangerous of all bad habits to which a brute may be addicted4 ,as ,i consider it almost impossible for a horseman to cure a practised rearer1 my advice to the owner of such a beast would be1 instead of risking his life in the endeavour1 to get rid of him to some buyer1 who will place him where1 in the penal servitude of harness1 he may perhaps eke out a useful existence4 ,however1 should accident place you on a rearer1 directly he rises lay hold of the mane with one hand2 this1 while at once throwing your weight forward where it should be1 will enable you also to completely slacken the reins1 which is important4 ,no one need be ashamed to adopt this plan4 ,i have seen the best riders do so4 ,vicious rearing may1 on its first manifestation1 be sometimes checked by a determined and reckless rider giving a well-directed blow on the ear with some bothering missile2 but this is a venturesome proceeding1 and only in emergency should it be resorted to1 as an ill-directed blow is very likely to produce poll-evil1 or knock the sight out of an eye4 ,it is said that a bottle full of water1 broken on the ear of a rearing horse1 proves an effectual cure2 but happily the danger to the rider during such treatment of his bearer1 is a strong guarantee against the frequent adoption of this barbarous practice4 ,in many cases lowering one hand with the rein on that side when the horse is just beginning to rise1 will have the effect of breaking the rear1 the horse being urged forward with the spur the instant his fore legs are down2 but if1 when he has gained anything like the perpendicular1 the rein or head be chucked1 or by any misfortune interfered with1 the chances are that the brute will walk about on his hind legs like a dancing dog1 and most likely finish by falling back on his rider4 ,a martingal is sometimes found to be a preventive1 especially a running one4 ,jibbing4--,the disposition to this vice is generally called into action1 in the first instance1 by the fret consequent on the abrasion of the neck by the collar1 or by the working of uneven traces 7page #eg74 ,the use of a saving-collar1 and the careful adjustment of the traces1 may therefore obviate the propensity4 ,sometimes jibbing is the effect of bad handling when starting with a heavy load4 ,where such a disposition evinces itself1 the carriage should be pushed from behind1 or another horse placed beside1 or1 if possible1 in front of the jibber1 to lead him off4 ,shying may proceed from various causes1 such as defective sight1 nervousness1 or tricks2 thus it may be the result of either constitutional infirmity or of vice4 ,from whatever cause proceeding1 the proper way to manage a shying horse is to turn his head away from the object at which he shies1 in riding1 pressing the spur to the same side to which his head is turned2 thus1 if the object he dislikes be on the right1 turn his head to the left1 and press your left leg1 giving him that spur1 and vice versa1 according to the side on which the object to be avoided is found4 ,if you have to deal with a bad shyer1 your time being precious1 and you only care to get through your present ride with the least unpleasantness possible1 in addition to the above-mentioned means1 take him1 if necessary1 well by the head1 the reins in each hand1 and saw or job his mouth rather sharply1 keeping him in rapid motion till you pass the object4 ,operating thus on his mouth severely1 if necessary1 will engage his attention1 and cheat him out of his apprehension for the moment4 ,it is bad horsemanship1 and dangerous besides1 to force a horse's head towards an offending object while in motion2 but if it is particularly desirable that the animal should become familiarised with anything of which he is shy1 let him be brought to a standstill1 and coaxed up gradually to it1 that he may assure himself of its harmlessness by smelling and feeling it with his nose and lips1 if possible4 ,punishment by whip or spur--what is called 8cramming0 him up to a thing--is a vile error4 ,when a horse is found to evince a confirmed objection to passing a particular place1 and that he keeps bolting and turning viciously in spite of all ordinary efforts to prevent it1 take him at his own fancy1 and keep turning and turning him till he is so tired of that game that he will only be too glad to go forward past the objectionable spot4 ,a horse's sense of smelling is very acute1 and sometimes a dead animal in the ditch or field by the side of the road1 though unseen1 will cause an abrupt and very unseating sort of a shy1 with an ordinarily quiet beast of sensitive olfactory nerves4 ,,selling4 ,if the horse you wish to dispose of be a fancy one1 either for beauty1 action1 or disposition1 and a fancy price be required1 efforts must be made to obtain the fancy customer to suit1 and time and attention must be devoted to that object4 ,but if he be of the ordinary useful class1 unless a purchaser be found at once1 let the owner1 directly he has made up his mind to part with him1 think of the best market available1 whether public auction1 a fair1 or private sale by commission4 ,the public auction1 with a good description of the animal's merits1 if he has any1 is the readiest and least troublesome mode of disposing of all unsuitable property2 and from my own experience1 ,i should say that the better plan is to make up one's mind positively to dispose of such the first time it is put up by the auctioneer1 having1 of course1 placed a reasonable and rather low reserve price on it1 and provided that the sale be fairly attended by purchasers2 otherwise ,i should not allow my property to be offered until a more favourable opportunity4 ,a valuable and fancy animal1 if his owner is not pressed to sell1 had better be disposed of by full advertisement and private sale at his own stable4 ,it is bad management to exhibit for sale an animal that is out of condition2 it always pays to make your horse look as well as possible before he meets the eye of a customer4 ,there is an old and true saying1 8no meat sells so well as horse meat0--of course animal flesh is here alluded to4 ,,caprice4#bg ,all horsemen know how whimsical horses are1 and the best riders feel a certain amount of diffidence1 and even awkwardness1 on beginning with any new mount1 until a more perfect acquaintance is established between man and horse4 ,a horseman who identifies himself with his steed will sometimes by a mere fluke hit off the means of having his own way with a capricious though perhaps really well-disposed animal1 if one only knew the way to manage him4 ,for instance1 a first-class hunter of my own 7,baronet71 whose excellent performance in the field1 where ,i had seen him tried1 induced me to purchase him1 soon gave evidence of a peculiarity for which1 unknown to me1 he had made himself remarkable4 ,no ordinary means could prevail upon him to go through any street of a town except such as he pleased himself1 of which he gave me evidence the first day ,i had occasion to try him in that way1 walking on his hind legs directly his will was disputed on the subject1 even to the extent of a mere pressure on the rein at the side he was required to turn4 ,in my difficulty1 instinct prompted me to drop the reins and gently direct his progress with the point of the whip at the side of his nose1 and in this way he went ever after as quiet as a sheep with me4 ,having discovered his caprice1 ,i was always provided with a handle of a whip or a switch of some kind for his benefit4 ,riding him one day into ,dycer's1 an old acquaintance of his1 well aware of his propensity1 exclaimed in terms not complimentary to ,baronet at my possession of him1 and was much amused when ,i told him my simple method of managing this self-willed gentleman4 ,the same sort of what ,i can scarcely help terming 8instinct0 that has often taught me1 and doubtless hundreds of other practical horsemen1 to meet the whims of their steeds so as to suit themselves1 produced a victory somewhat similar to the foregoing over an animal that1 in the presence of a large assemblage interested in his performance1 most determinedly refused to trot1 though ridden successively by the most skilled nagsmen ,dycer's yard could produce1 as well as by ,dycer himself4 ,i proposed to try my hand1 and the animal at first start pursued the same uneasy half-canter with me2 but perceiving that he seemed particularly desirous to take a drink from a trough that happened to be in the way1 ,i allowed his attention to be distracted by taking as much water as he pleased from it2 and then turning him in the opposite direction from that in which he had so obstinately persisted in his own gait1 patting and doing all ,i could to reassure him1 dropping the bit-rein altogether1 and taking a very light and lengthened hold of the snaffle-rein1 ,i let him move off at his own pace1 which1 to the surprise of every one present 7my own1 ,i admit1 included71 proved to be a walk1 which he immediately changed into a jog-trot all up the yard1 winning for me a bet of twenty sovereigns to one from the late ,edward ,dycer1 that the horse could not be made to trot within a quarter of an hour of the rider mounting4 ,now1 it is only caprice that can account for the likes and dislikes of horses about going lead or wheel in four-in-hand4 ,one horse will not stir till removed from the wheel1 and another will be equally unmanageable if assigned the leader's part1 while an exchange of places will perhaps render both animals perfectly tractable4 ,in double harness it may sometimes be observed that an animal1 while working by itself1 or with others not faster1 will casually show great spirit1 but when coupled with another possessing more life and action1 it will seem at once subdued from its former liveliness1 and go along like a slug1 quite out of sorts at finding itself outpaced1 c41 while its more sprightly neighbour will exhibit a double ebullition of spirits1 as if in reproach to say1 8,why can't you come on80 ,to prove such cases of whimsicality further1 replace the apparent sluggard by coupling with our vivacious steed a more lively and active animal1 and you will see the latter in his turn become subdued and 8shut up10 in comparison with his previous sprightliness4 ,again1 although the animal is decidedly gregarious1 a horse1 from some dislike to its companions or other whim1 will absolutely pine and cease to thrive in a stall stabled with others1 and be restored to its usual spirits and health on removal to a loose-box4 ,such animals are generally restless at night1 and show great ability in smashing their head-collars4 ,on the other hand1 most horses like company1 and will pine away if kept alone4 ,these things should be studied4 ,,irish ,,hunters1 ,,and ,,the ,,breeding ,,of ,,good ,,horses4 ,much attention has latterly been attracted to the deterioration in the superior breeds of horses1 having reference more to a decline of power and endurance than to diminished swiftness4 ,there is no reason why our old fame for breeding good horses of every kind should not be maintained4 ,unrelaxed attention must nevertheless be given to some well-known and established rules respecting breeding1 and more marked encouragement might with advantage be in every way afforded to the production and rearing of young animals of a superior and valuable description4 ,we would therefore suggest that prizes for young ones should be more liberally and generally awarded at exhibitions2 likewise a careful revision and alteration of many of the present regulations in connection with racing4 ,the importance of most careful scrutiny in selecting the progenitors of horses can never be overrated2 and though in ,ireland experience has proved in many instances that a good hunter can be produced from a dam which1 in ,england1 would be considered too small1 too plain1 the blood in both parents has invariably been of the best4 ,the mare1 or perhaps her parents1 might have been half-starved--no uncommon result of the scarcity of food during many successive years of adversity among the poorer classes in the former country--but her progenitors had been large powerful animals4 ,as1 in the due course of things1 it results in time that every denomination of useful horse1 excepting1 perhaps1 the heavy dray and cart horse breeds1 is influenced by the characteristics transmitted more particularly to the powerful1 enduring1 moderately fleet animal properly designated the hunter1 it is a subject of deep interest to the community at large to know how the latter should be produced4 ,the 8,irish hunter0 is admitted to possess in a remarkable manner the qualities most desirable in a horse of that or the generally useful class4 ,hardy1 enduring1 courageous1 strong1 short-legged1 short-backed1 long-sided1 tolerably fast1 but any deficiency in speed made up for by jumping power2 all action1 able to jump anything and everything2 intuitive lovers of fencing2 their sagacity such that you have only to get on their backs and leave the rest to themselves2--under ordinary circumstances it is almost impossible to throw these animals4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,proper ,,form ,such is the breeding that ,i should be inclined to cross with that of the powerful ,english race-horse as sire1 taking blood as nearly pure as possible in both parents1 for the purpose of securing valuable stock1 which would in time be dispersed over the country1 and replace the progeny of those weedy thorough-breds which1 in ,ireland especially1 have done much towards the decline in power and endurance of the present generation of so-called ,irish hunters4 ,the parentage might1 of course1 be reversed between sire and dam4 ,as to the question of climate1 any one really interested in discovering its possible effects might be curious to know what would characterise the produce of a high-bred ,english racer and ,irish huntress foaled and reared in ,france4 ,as far as we can judge from the peculiarities of those horses with which we are most familiar1 extremes of either heat or cold are unfavourable to the development of size2 whereas1 under both conditions1 a vast amount of endurance seems to be natural4 ,the ,norwegian and the ,arab1 differing materially in point of swiftness1 are both notorious for endurance4 ,the plodding perseverance of the first is well known2 while the ,arab1 ridden at an even gait with a fair weight1 will go with impunity a greater distance1 at a rate of eighteen to twenty miles an hour1 than the best ,european can do4 ,in sporting language1 the ,arab can 8stay0 better than the ,european4 ,arab breeders rarely offer a really high-bred animal for sale under four1 and generally five1 years of age2 hence he cannot receive the education bestowed upon the ,european racer1 who1 before he is three1 often at less than two1 years of age1 is taught by the most scientific riders in the world to 8go from the post0 at very nearly top speed--a species of training that sometimes results in his beating horses which are really superior in every respect except that of being ready at starting1 and capable of putting on their best speed at once4 ,besides1 in those hot climates the young animal has not the advantage of a soft elastic turf1 so essential to training1 nor has he the assistance of proper trainers and jockeys4 ,it is much to be regretted that the breeders of ,arabia cannot be tempted1 for almost any price1 to part with truly high-bred mares1 wisely retaining them to breed for the benefit of their native land4 ,warmth of climate seems thus1 as instanced in the ,arab1 to favour swiftness and endurance2 though1 on the other hand1 we may point to the mild1 moist1 but scarcely warm climate of our islands1 as having fostered the production of animals possessing these qualities in the first degree1 in addition to size and power beyond those of the ,arab4 ,france has latterly1 since the introduction of pure blood1 produced some splendid horses2 but time must tell whether the perfections of these animals are as lasting as those of others whose early growth may not have been so much forced by a more genial climate4 ,therefore1 as far as we know at present1 the climate of ,england is as favourable as that of any other land to the production and development of perfection in the horse1 the specimens of which that she has presented being hitherto unsurpassed4 ,it would appear that we make a serious mistake in not providing greater encouragement to breeders and purchasers of yearlings and two-years-old of the different descriptions4 ,a decided advantage would1 we think1 result from competition among these classes at horse-shows1 due care being necessarily given to placing them in a situation specially adapted for them1 and where they would be free from noise and excitement4 ,nothing would tend more to incite to the careful breeding of horses among farmers than the possibility of obtaining handsome prizes1 and thereby securing the prospect of early remuneration2 while the opportunity for market afforded by these exhibitions would present additional inducements to the rearing and purchase of young animals4 ,having in view the encouragement of a superior breed of horses1 it is beginning at the wrong end not to support it1 in the first place1 by allotting at such meetings the most numerous and valuable prizes to the babies4 ,fortunately the ventilation given to this important subject of the deterioration in our horses1 more especially in that particular class denominated the ,irish hunter1 has aroused the interest of the country at large1 and already led to more earnest efforts on the part of the landed proprietors and breeders to regain lost ground4 ,it ought to be borne in mind that the light weights allowed by the present racing laws for ,queen's plates are1 as examples for weighting in other races1 most pernicious4 ,these grants from the ,crown were originally bestowed with the view to encourage the raising of strong thorough-breds1 capable of carrying twelve stone sometimes for four or even five mile heats2 therefore the present arrangement of weights is positively1 however unintentionally1 a misapplication of those public funds4 ,it is probably to the turfmen that the change in the character of steeplechasing is greatly due2 they found it their interest gradually to alter the weights and distances1 so as to bring profitably into play their second and third rate beaten race-horses4 ,steeplechases were not intended for these latter1 whose perfection is in proportion to their speed4 ,pace is not the chief desideratum in hunters1 to prove the qualities of which steeple or castle chases were instituted2 power and endurance are at least as essential3 and it is contrary to the law of nature1 as well as of mechanics1 to combine a maximum of speed with that of power1 and vice versa4 ,either will preponderate to the detriment of the other4 ,the difficulties1 natural and artificial1 presented by the general face of the country in ,ireland1 have no doubt contributed to the development of those qualities which render the ,irish hunter so valuable4 ,the style of fence is continually varied2 and in the course of a run there will be encountered double ditches1 with a narrow or wide bank1 single ones1 stone walls1 brooks1 bullfinches1 gates1 wide drains1 and occasionally posts and rails1 or iron palings--hurdles being1 however1 of rare occurrence2 but the horse that can master the above impediments to his course will soon find out how to jump a hurdle4 ,illustration3 ,,preparatory ,,canter ,the ,irish colt has sometimes also a kind of training not expressly designed for him by his owner2 for being not unfrequently left with other animals in a field affording an insufficient supply of grass for them all1 he undertakes to prove the truth of the proverb that hunger will break through stone walls1 by jumping over if not through one to obtain more or better food4 ,transplanted to ,england1 the accomplished ,irish hunter often finds himself tested in a manner strange to him2 the rate of speed is greater than he has been accustomed to1 for the ,green ,isle has not yet adopted generally the extremely swift pace of hounds now so much in vogue in ,england1 and is thence1 as regards the hounds and the horses1 in unquestionably the most sportsmanlike condition4 ,it was never intended that hunting should become steeplechasing2 and the unnatural pace to which hounds are now forced causes them often to overrun the scent after they have got away2 then1 when at fault1 the entire ruck of the field have an opportunity of coming up1 to be1 of course1 once more distanced1 at the repeated sacrifice of the sound principles of hunting1 and to the disadvantage of the true breed of hunters4 ,if breeders of horses would give their full attention to the pursuit1 there is no reason why they should not be as successful in producing the best description of every class of this animal1 as breeders of sheep and cattle are in their line4 ,by judicious crossing1 animals can be secured with any peculiar characteristics that may be desired2 and for the encouragement of energy and exertion in this direction1 we may remind our readers that there is now so much competition for the possession of first-class horses1 that our ,continental neighbours constantly outbid us1 having learned to value them even more than we do who have been suffering our best sires to be bought up and removed from their native soil to improve the foreign stock4 ,it is not impossible that1 circumstances having directed so much attention to this subject1 good will in this as in many other cases spring out of evil1 and the fostering of valuable breeds of horses will become a more widely-recognised source of emolument than it has been for many years past1 regaining1 likewise1 its proper standing among ,britons as a matter of deep national interest and importance4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,,diseases4 ,when ,i had nearly completed this little manual1 chance placed in my way a valuable work called the #8,illustrated ,horse-,doctor1' by ,edward ,mayhew1 ,m4,r4,c4,v4,s41 which has borne me out in many of my opinions regarding various diseases1 and given me some useful elucidation as to the latest approved treatment of some ailments4 ,i would strenuously recommend the work for its simplicity and usefulness to country gentlemen and other owners of valuable horses who can afford to purchase it2 they would derive great assistance from it1 not only as far as regards the written matter1 but also from the spirited and very characteristic illustrations1 exemplifying more clearly than any description possibly can do1 matters connected with the treatment of horses under disease4 ,as to this little work1 any remedy herein advised to be used1 without reference to competent authorities1 is practical and may be depended on1 though intended to be harmless in any event4 ,however1 every one must be aware that doctors will differ1 and some who are critics may have pet theories of their own1 which they might here and there prefer to parts of the practice here recommended4 ,it may be borne in mind1 nevertheless1 that diseases1 like politics1 with time and occasion are liable to change their character4 ,many diseases are far more easily prevented than cured2 and ,i must1 in the very first instance1 protest against the unnatural and injurious warmth by heated foul air1 so much advocated by grooms1 as a means of giving condition1 to produce which1 food1 work1 and air are the safe and natural agents4 ,wherever a means of avoiding any disease herein touched upon has suggested itself1 it is prominently set forth1 in just appreciation of the golden rule1 that 8prevention is better than cure40 ,,operations4 ,as all painful operations can now be performed under the influence of chloroform1 the least compensation an owner can make to his poor beast for the tortures he is put to1 in order to enhance his value and usefulness to his master1 is to lay an injunction on the professional attendant to make use of this merciful provision1 in cases where severe pain must otherwise be inflicted on the animal4 ,rarey's method of casting for operations1 or when a horse is so extremely unruly as to require to be thrown down1 may be thus quoted from his own directions3-- 8,everything that we want to teach a horse must be commenced in some way to give him an idea of what you want him to do1 and then be repeated till he learns perfectly4 8,to make a horse lie down1 bend his left fore-leg and slip a loop over it1 so that he cannot get it down4 ,then put a surcingle round his body1 and fasten one end of a long strap around the other fore-leg1 just above the hoof4 ,place the other end under the surcingle so as to keep the strap in the right direction2 take a short hold of it with your right hand2 stand on the left side of the horse2 grasp the bit in your left hand2 pull steadily on the strap with your right2 bear against his shoulder till you cause him to move4 ,as soon as he lifts his weight1 your pulling will raise the other foot1 and he will have to come on his knees4 8,keep the strap tight in your hand1 so that he cannot straighten his leg if he rises up4 ,hold him in this position1 and turn his head towards you2 bear against his side with your shoulder1 not hard1 but with a steady equal pressure1 and in about ten minutes he will be down4 ,as soon as he lies down he will be completely conquered1 and you can handle him at your pleasure4 8,take off the straps and straighten out his legs2 rub him lightly about the face and neck with your hand the way the hair lies2 handle all his legs1 and after he has lain ten or twenty minutes let him get up again4 ,after resting him a short time make him lie down and get up as before4 ,repeat the operation three or four times1 which will be sufficient for one lesson4 8,give him two lessons a-day3 and when you have given him four lessons he will lie down by taking hold of one foot4 ,as soon as he is well broken to lie down in this way1 tap him on the opposite leg with a stick when you take hold of his foot1 and in a few days he will lie down from the mere motion of the stick40 ,for the purpose of handling horses more easily without casting them1 when slight operations have to be performed1 a twitch is used1 made by #g or #h inches of cord formed into a noose1 which is attached to about #b feet of a strong stick4 ,the noose is placed on the upper lip of the horse1 and by turning the stick round and round1 it is tightened4 ,the pain thus occasioned to the animal subdues him to bear almost anything1 and he can thus be subjected to minor operations while standing1 but it is also as well to place a cloth over his eyes to prevent his being too well informed of what is going on1--a precaution which may be used with advantage under various other circumstances1 such as measuring the height1 when the sight of the size-measure as placed against his shoulder might alarm him2--in fact1 upon any occasion when it maybe desirable that a horse should not be aware of what is passing around him2 for instance1 if he is unwilling to go on board ship or into a horse-van4 ,,to ,,give ,a ,,ball4 ,turn the animal round in the stall so as to have his head to the light1 making the least possible fuss or noise4 ,stand on a stool on the off side1 and1 gently putting your hand in the mouth1 draw the tongue a little out2 place the fingers of the left hand over it1 and keep it firmly in this position by pressure against the jaw--not holding the tongue by itself1 as a restless horse1 by suddenly drawing back or sideways while his tongue is tightly held1 may seriously injure himself4 ,the ball1 having been oiled to cause it to pass easily1 is to be taken between the tips of the fingers of the right hand1 and then1 making the hand as small as possible1 pass the ball up the mouth by the roof to avoid injury from the teeth4 ,directly the ball is landed well up on the root of the tongue1 take away that hand1 and as soon as it is out of the mouth1 let the left hand release the tongue1 which1 in the act of being drawn to its proper place1 will help the ball down4 ,an assistant standing at the near side may be useful to hand the ball to the operator1 and to gently keep the jaws open while the ball is being given4 ,have a warm drink ready to give immediately after the ball is taken4 ,it may be remarked that in racing stables1 where such things are generally well done1 young and small boys will1 quite alone1 coolly take spirited1 and often vicious animals1 and in the most gentle manner administer the ball1 unsuspected by the beast himself1 who is hardly made aware of the operation he is undergoing4 ,to give a ,drench4--,turn the animal round in his stall as in administering a ball4 ,use a cow's horn1 the wide end having been closed up by a tinman4 ,pour in the liquid at the narrow end1 the mouth of which should be an inch in diameter4 ,the operator1 standing on the off side1 should have an assistant2 both should be tall1 or make themselves so by standing on firm stools or a form4 ,the assistant must raise the horse's head till his mouth is above the level of his forehead1 and keep it in that elevated position steadily while the drench is administered--such position being necessary to facilitate the passage of the liquid down the throat by its own gravity1 the tongue not being here an available agent1 as with the ball4 ,the operator1 taking the wide end of the horn in his right hand1 can steady and assist himself by holding the upper jaw with his left1 and1 leaving the tongue at liberty1 will discharge the drench from the horn below the root of the tongue if possible4 ,a proper drenching-horn should be always kept at hand1 and be well cleaned after use4 ,a glass bottle should never on any account be substituted for the proper instrument4 ,,purging4 ,whenever an animal accustomed to high feeding and hard work is from any cause laid by1 it is most desirable 7in pursuance of the golden rule that prevention is better than cure7 to take such opportunity to relax the hitherto tightly-strung bow1 by administering a mild purge4 ,the object of this precaution is1 that the absorbents1 having been accustomed to a perpetual call as the result of perspiration induced by work1 are liable1 when the beast is left at rest for several days1 and this call is thus discontinued1 to take on unhealthy action1 and engender diseases1 the most fatal of which is that scourge 8,farcy40 ,how many a fine horse1 to all appearance in the best condition1 have ,i seen stricken with this fell malady1 from no other accountable cause than that which it is hereby proposed to guard against2 besides1 every one knows that any animal kept at rest and fed up is more predisposed to all kinds of inflammatory attacks1 and when thus visited the system more readily succumbs4 ,more than this1 every practical man is aware that an occasional aloetic purge improves the health1 condition1 and vigour of a horse4 ,it seems as if the aloes acted as a powerful tonic and renovator as well as purge4 ,what trainer will think of putting a lusty or ill-conditioned animal into 8fettle0 without employing this purge as a partial means8 ,it is very dangerous to give a purging medicine to a horse without first preparing the bowels by relaxing them moderately with bran mashes4 ,this is best done by giving about three or four sloppy mashes1 three in the course of the day preceding the administration of the purge 7reducing the quantity of hay to one-third the usual amount71 and one the first thing next morning1 no water or hay being given beforehand that day2 about two or three hours after the mash1 administer the purge1 giving just before and after it as much warm water as the beast will drink4 ,no hay should be allowed this day or night1 but as many sloppy mashes as will be accepted should be given4 ,give two hours' brisk walking exercise in clothes about six or eight hours after the administration of the purge1 and next morning1 after a mash and watering 7always with warm water71 two more hours of the same exercise in clothes2 but be careful not to sweat the horse4--,see page #aee4 ,if the evacuations be fully free1 less exercise is necessary2 otherwise1 in a couple of hours repeat the walking at a brisk pace4 ,when the desired effect of the medicine has been satisfactorily produced1 hay and corn may be gradually resorted to4 ,while an animal is under the operation of purgative medicine the water and mashes should be warmed1 and the body well protected from cold by clothing and the exclusion of draughts4 ,the ordinary purge1 consisting of ,barbadoes aloes #d drachms1 extract gentian #b drachms1 is mixed into a mass by any chemist4 ,with some delicate horses1 subject to looseness1 this purge may be too strong1 and should be reduced by a drachm of aloes and half a drachm of gentian4 ,on the contrary1 with large horses of a full habit1 #e drachms of ,barbadoes aloes1 or even more1 may be necessary1 with #b drachms of gentian4 ,in all cases where there is reason to suppose that the mucous surfaces of the alimentary canal may be in a state of irritation1 it is much safer to give linseed-oil1 say a pint at a time1 to which may be added1 if speedy purging be essential1 twenty drops of croton oil4 ,the use of old dry hay will be found the most simple and ready primary resource to stop purging and steady the action of the bowels1 and a very little bruised oats may also be given in such cases4 ,should the purge appear to gripe1 copious clysters of warm water will afford relief4 ,,the ,,pulse is easily found by placing the two forefingers under the middle of the horse's jowl or cheek-bone4 ,the novice can feel about here till he discovers pulsation1 and having once made himself acquainted with its seat1 he will be the better able to judge of a horse when apparently out of sorts4 ,inside the forearm1 and in other spots1 the pulse is equally superficial1 but under the edge of the cheek-bone is the most convenient place to find it1 or at the temple4 ,a horse's pulse in health beats from about #cb to #ch a minute--the smaller the animal the faster the circulation will be4 ,in brain affections the pulse is slower than natural1 it is quickest in inflammation of the serous and fibrous membranes--much slower in the mucous ones4 ,,diseases ,,of ,,the ,,head ,,and ,,respiratory ,,organs4 ,glanders4--,as there is really no cure for this horrible disease1 ,i will not attempt any dissertation upon it1 but1 merely referring to the remarks upon nasal gleet1 page #aaf1 advise all1 whenever they have the least suspicion about the latter1 to consult a veterinary surgeon immediately4 ,the only preventive against the disease is to keep and work your horses in a reasonable manner1 give them plenty of pure air at all times1 and to guard them as carefully as possible from contagion4 ,sore ,eyes should be treated mildly by stuping with tepid water1 and the use of laxatives1 as mashes1 green food1 or a mild purge1 according to the severity of the case4 ,keep in darkness4 ,if the affection is acute1 consult a professional veterinary surgeon4 ,common ,cold and ,influenza4--,it should be remembered that cold air seldom gives cold1 but rather its action upon the exhalent vessels of the skin when they are under the process of sweat1 and when the exercise that produced the latter has ceased4 ,the superficial action of a low temperature then proves an astringent1 clogging the small exhalent and exuding vessels1 and by the derangement of the whole animal system1 immediately affects the respiratory organs1 producing more or less fever4 ,when disease is thus contracted1 it is self-evident that the best way to meet it is by forcing these small vessels into exudation 7or sweat7 as rapidly as possible1 which may readily be done by exercise and clothing upon the very first suspicion that a chill has been taken1 and before the animal is positively affected4 ,once1 however1 that the debility or feverish symptoms incidental to the disease are manifesting themselves1 active but entirely different measures must be resorted to4 ,the premonitory symptoms of cold1 and that scourge of the stud1 influenza1 are1 refusal of corn1 staring coat1 dull eyes1 at first a thin and soon a purulent discharge from one or both nostrils1 with more or less cough2 pulse wired1 sometimes very weak1 but if highly inflammatory symptoms be present1 thin and rapid4 ,under these circumstances1 if a professional veterinary surgeon is procurable1 the case should be referred to him2 but rather than suffer an ordinary farrier to deal with the animal1 ,i will take the liberty in this1 as in other cases1 to offer simple remedies that can do no harm1 and have in my own experience been beneficial4 ,bleeding is admissible only in extreme cases1 and under professional advice1 at the commencement of an inflammatory attack1 in affections of the brain1 or serous and fibrous membranes--not in mucous ones4 ,in cases1 however1 of sudden pulmonary congestion1 or apoplexy of the lungs1 general depletion is indicated4 ,blood-letting should never be had recourse to in distemper or influenza1#bh neither should purging be thought of in such cases1 as it lowers the system1 which1 on the contrary1 requires all the sustaining power possible4 ,give at once in the most inviting small mash of bran1 or in the form of a ball1-- #b drachms of nitre2 giving little or no hay1 and nothing but warm mashes of bran or linseed1 if they will be taken4 ,if the symptoms are urgent1 give in a ball1-- #c drachms of nitre1 with #a drachm of camphor4 ,also well hand-rub1 with a liniment composed of equal parts spirits of turpentine and oil mixed1 all under the windpipe1 the gullet1 within three inches of the ear1 by the parotid glands1 and inside the jowls4 ,use the liniment twice the first day if the symptoms are severe1 and once each day subsequently--abating its use according to the disappearance of the disease4 ,the horse should be placed if possible in a loose-box1 and being kept warm with plenty of sheets1 hoods1 and bandages1 the door and window of his stable should be thrown open during a considerable portion of the warmer part of the day1 to give him plenty of fresh pure air4 ,the head should be kept as pendant as possible1 in order to induce the throwing of the nasal discharge1 which will be further assisted by steaming the nostrils1 using a very large nose-bag 7if possible of haircloth71 half-filled with common yellow deal sawdust1 having an ounce of spirits of turpentine well mixed through it2 or better1 hot bran mashes1 of which the poor beast may be tempted to pick a little when first applied4 ,either application must be kept at a high temperature by the frequent addition of hot water4 ,the nose-bag must be used several times a day--kept on for twenty minutes at a time1 and never suffered to remain on the animal till its contents 7which should of course be frequently changed7 become cold or offensive4 ,or the nostrils may be steamed as well1 in a more simple way1 thus3--,fill a bucket full of hay1 stamp it down with the foot1 pour boiling water upon it1 renew the boiling water every ten minutes4 ,let a man hold the horse's head in the bucket over the steam for about half an hour at a time1 three or four times a day4 ,as recovery progresses1 gradually resume ordinary feeding--remembering that in this1 as in all cases of illness where the constitution has been debilitated1 it has to be carefully rebuilt by food and suitable exercise to fit the animal for work4 ,it should be borne in mind that respiratory diseases appear to be very contagious1 for which reason1 if for no other1 the patient on the first outbreak of distemper should be removed away from the rest of the stud to a loose-box1 if practicable2 the stall he leaves should be cleansed1 and all his utensils kept rigidly separate4 ,white-wash and chloride of lime are useful and simple as disinfectants4 ,this disease is more easily prevented than cured1 and horse-owners do well to avoid leaving an animal when heated1 or after exercise1 standing unclothed in the cold or in a chilly draught4 ,also be careful about transferring a horse suddenly from total exposure at grass1 or from a healthy airy stable to an ill-ventilated and crowded one4 ,though influenza or distemper are often considered to be epidemic1 contagion should be1 as before observed1 most carefully guarded against4 ,some professional men hold these two designations to represent distinct diseases4 ,in influenza the animal becomes speedily attenuated1 and the whole system appears disordered and debilitated1 occasionally with lameness1 as if from fever of the feet4 ,there is generally one mark which may be permitted to be peculiar as distinguishing some forms of influenza1 particularly in certain seasons during its prevalence1 which is that of the mucous surfaces assuming a yellow colour all over the body1 and the white of the eye being also tinged with that hue4 ,when influenza assumes a serious character1 the professional man must be left to deal with it2 but pending the arrival of such assistance1 the treatment here recommended can do no harm1 the primary seat of the disease being that of the respiratory organ4 ,laryngitis1 ,bronchitis1 ,pleurisy4--,i will not attempt to enter into descriptions or prescribe separate modes of treatment for these and other diseases of the respiratory organs1 such delicate distinctions belonging exclusively to the professional man2 but while awaiting his advice1 the treatment recommended for common cold and influenza can do no harm in any attacks of the upper air-passages2 and when the lungs or cavity of the chest appear to be affected1 that advised as follows for inflammation of the lungs is equally harmless3-- ,inflammation of the ,lungs or ,pneumonia is indicated by great prostration and high fever1 heaving of the flanks 7an evidence of great internal anguish72 the legs are spread out to their fullest extent1 as if to prop up the body and prevent it from falling2 the breathing is difficult1 and respiration quick2 extremities cold2 pulse quick and hard1 like wire to the touch2 a look of pain and wretchedness marks the countenance4#bi ,such symptoms can be safely treated by a professional man only2 but if his services cannot possibly be procured1 rub in a powerful mustard poultice over the lungs1 the seat of which ,i cannot better describe to the uninitiated than as situated beneath that portion of a horse's surface which would be covered by a saddle if placed on his belly directly underneath the situation it would have occupied on his back1 the pommel being close to the fore legs1 omitting to blister the portion of the belly which would be covered by the cantel of the saddle when reversed1 but continuing the blister between the fore legs to the front of the chest4 ,the hair need not be clipped off before the application of this poultice4 ,give every six hours1 till the arrival of the veterinary surgeon1 from #cj to #dj grains of ordinary grey powder mixed and administered in the form of a ball4#cj ,or1 in place of grey powder1 give ,fleming's tincture of aconite1 eight drops every hour in half a pint of cold water1 until the arrival of a veterinary surgeon4 ,let the animal have an additional quantity of the purest air1 with an increased supply of clothing1 and in cold weather the temperature should be slightly moderated4 ,the symptoms of recovery are denoted by gradual cessation of heaving at the flanks2 the extremities getting warmer2 the pulse less quick--softer to feel2 and the animal appearing more lively4 ,his strength must be kept up after the first day or two by drenches of gruel1 till mashes will be accepted4 ,cough1 as before observed1 generally accompanies influenza1 distemper1 and common cold1 but there are instances where cough may be present with little or no fever or other derangement1 in which case change of food from corn to bran or linseed mashes1 with a limited allowance of wetted hay or chaff1 may be sufficient to cure4 ,as a rule1 grooms should understand that when coughing is heard1 they are to give bran or linseed mashes till further orders2 nor should an animal suffering from cough be expected to do any but very light work or exercise 7every care being taken to avoid his being chilled71 bran mashes not affording sufficient sustenance to do heavy work upon4 ,no person or owner should be satisfied with the state of his horses' health while they cough4 ,linseed mashes daily 7page #bc7 will be found excellent to ease and cure cough1 also carrots and green food2 but when the cough is accompanied by fever1 or other symptoms of ailment1 treat as for influenza1 distemper1 cold1 or sore throat1 as the indications of derangement may direct you4 ,nasal ,gleet may possibly be occasioned by protracted irritation of diseased molar teeth2 but if persistent1 especially of a thin1 ichorous1 glairy1 or size-like character1 and confined to one nostril1 generally the left1 the glands under the jaw being swollen and tender1 the ,schneiderian membrane or mucous lining of the nose having a dull1 pale1 or leaden hue1 it should be looked on with suspicion1 particularly if confined to one nostril1 and more so if the discharge adhere round the rim of it4 ,cough is seldom present with glanders4 ,in such cases consult a veterinary surgeon without a moment's delay1 and be careful to prevent any part of your own body1 or that of any other person1 coming in contact with such a discharge4 ,it is very probably incipient glanders of the most insidious and dangerous character4 ,to more clearly distinguish the dangerous from the harmless gleet1 it may be remarked that when the discharge is thick and purulent1 yellow1 and in full flow1 and without a disposition to adhere to the nostril1 though the most alarming in appearance1 it is least to be apprehended1 proceeding naturally from a heavy cold in the head1 which1 however1 should of course meet with immediate attention4--7,see 8,cold1 ,influenza10 page #aaj47 ,for the prevention of nasal gleet1 observe the same precautions as those recommended against cold1 c4 7page #aji71 and keep your horses as much as possible to themselves4 ,in travelling1 horses run great risks1 and1 of course1 such diseases are less likely to be contracted in first-class hostelries than in inferior and hack stabling4 ,poll-,evil is generally occasioned by a bruise on the head1 behind the ears1 near the neck1 by pressure of the head-stall1 c4 7see 8,haltering10 page #af71 when1 if great care be not exercised to cure the sore promptly1 sinuses or cavities will form1 eating away into the more important parts of the adjacent structure4 ,here1 also1 unless an immediate cure be effected by the means directed for the treatment of sores 7see 8,water-dressing10 page #afj1 and 8,zinc ,lotion10 page #aeh71 accompanied with the removal of the head-stall or any aggravating pressure1 the veterinary surgeon ought to be consulted at once4 ,avoiding the causes will be the best preventive of this disease4 ,shivering ,fits in general precede or are the commencement of a feverish attack2 therefore1 in such cases1 no heating food must be allowed4 ,substitute hot mashes1 increase the clothing1 and administer a febrifuge1 as nitre1 #b drachms1 repeated in two hours4 ,or1 if nitre in the mash will not be accepted1 give two ounces of sweet spirits of nitre in half a pint of cold water4 ,shivers in the stable1 proceeding from nervous sensibility1 are frequently the result of recent excitement1 caused by a band1 an organ1 or other unusual noise1 or even by the sudden entrance of the beast's own attendant1 the bounding of a cat1 c4 ,strangles generally attacks young horses about the age of maturity1 or when first stabled4 ,debility gradually possesses them2 the throat1 and particularly the parotid glands under the ears1 are sore and swelled1 tending to distinguish this disease from ordinary cold and influenza2 a discharge from the nose is also present4 ,the sooner the suppurative process can be induced in the throat the better4 ,for this purpose rub in turpentine and oil 7one part turpentine to two parts oil7 once or twice a-day1 which1 when the skin becomes tender1 must be carefully done with a sponge4 ,when the suppuration is ripe1 a professional man should let it out with a knife1 and recovery speedily ensues4 ,as great debility is attendant on this disease1 the system should be kept up by bruised and scalded corn1 and the appetite tempted in every way by green meats1 minced carrots1 c41 if requisite4 ,plenty of air is also essential4 ,it ought to be superfluous to remark that under such circumstances neither bleeding1 purging1 nor reducing means of any kind should be adopted1 the bowels being merely kept open by bran and occasional linseed mashes1 which will assist the mucous surfaces4 ,the chill to be taken off the drink4 ,soreness of the ,throat frequently accompanies distemper or cold1 and is indicated by want of appetite1 constant endeavour to swallow the saliva1 difficulty in imbibing liquids1 which1 instead of going down the throat1 appear to be returned through the nostrils1 noisy gulping1 c4 ,rub the throat at once with a mixture of equal parts turpentine and oil1 and keep up the irritation on the skin4 ,administer #b drachms of nitre once or twice the first twenty-four hours1 the animal being1 of course1 laid by from all work1 and placed in a loose-box2 let him be fed on bran and linseed mashes1 and given green food1 carrots1 and anything that will tempt his appetite4 ,avoid purging1 bleeding1 or anything that will lower the system--a rule to be most particularly observed in all diseases of the respiratory organs1 unless severe inflammation be present1 when a professional man only can judge to what extent the lowering process may be necessary4 ,broken ,wind is caused by a large number of the air-cells of the lungs becoming fused1 as it were1 into one large air-cell1 thus diminishing the arating surface1 and rendering the lungs weaker4 ,it is indicated by a sudden inspiration and a long1 almost double1 expiration2 the flanks and abdomen are observed to suddenly fall down1 instead of being gradually expanded4 ,broken wind is1 in fact1 emphysema of the lung1 and there is said to be no absolute cure for it2 but it may be alleviated by restricting the animal in hay and water1 and giving the latter only in small quantities1 not more than half-a-pint at a time1 and moistening all food4 ,take care he does not eat his bed1 which he will make every effort to do4 ,he should have no straw about him in the day1 and be muzzled at night4 ,lampas does not belong properly to these diseases1 indicating some derangement in the alimentary canal1 but is here mentioned to guard against a brutal practice commonly resorted to by farriers as a cure for the disorder4 ,the groom complains that his charge is 8off his feed10 and fancies that the palate is swollen more than usual--the fact being that he never examined it at any other time2 and the farrier proceeds to cure the rejection of food by searing the poor beast's mouth with a red-hot iron1 or scarifying it with a knife4 ,the reasonable treatment of an ailment proceeding from heat or disorder of the stomach will be to withhold all heating food1 at all events to a great extent1 giving occasional mashes1 also tonics and alteratives1 the latter to those of full habit1 the former in cases of evident debility4 ,,diseases ,,of ,,the ,,digestive ,,and ,,urinary ,,organs4 ,diarrha and ,dysentery4--,the first 7diarrha1 or mere looseness7 is1 in the horse1 seldom more than a temporary debility4 ,in many cases it is an effort of nature to relieve herself1 and will probably effect its own cure4 ,the symptoms require no definition1 except that it may be remarked that they are almost invariably unaccompanied by pain or any other inconvenience4 ,rest1 and the use of more astringent food1 and leaving a piece of chalk in the manger 7which1 with horses subject to diarrha1 should never be absent71 will in all probability arrest the attack1 which may1 to a certain extent1 proceed from a predisposition to acidity4 ,animals disposed to this disease should be fed on a drier description of food4 ,dysentery is1 on the contrary1 a highly dangerous illness1 accompanied with pain4 ,it mostly commences with excessive purgation1 the evacuations being mere foul water in appearance1 and stinking4 ,the beast will drink greedily2 the pulse is weak2 great anguish of body perceptible1 the perspiration breaking out in patches4 ,on the first appearance of such dangerous symptoms1 procure the assistance of a professional man2 but in the interval the following drench may be given3-- ,laudanum1 #a oz4 ,mix4 ,powdered chalk1 oz4 or1 ,catechu1 powdered1 #a drachm4 ,mix4 ,chalk1 oz4 or1 ,sulphuric ether and laudanum1 of each one ounce4 ,also injections of cold linseed-tea4 ,the dose may be repeated in three or four hours1 if medical assistance does not arrive4 ,as great care is necessary in the diet1 as well as general treatment1 after partial recovery1 everything should be done under professional advice4 ,an attack of dysentery is very likely to be caused by the existence of some acrid matter in the intestines1 or by an overdose1 or too constant use1 of aloes4 ,as with diarrha1 horses predisposed to dysentery ought always to have a lump of chalk in the manger1 and constant or over-doses of aloes should be avoided4 ,,colic ,,and ,,gripes4 ,as these diseases are sudden1 and require prompt treatment1 it is well to have some idea of the kind of remedy to be employed1 pending the arrival of the veterinary surgeon4 ,some animals are peculiarly subject to them1 from a susceptible state of the alimentary canal4 ,cold water1 taken on an empty stomach1 or when a beast is heated1 will cause the malady4 ,the symptoms are distress1 evinced by pawing1 lifting of the fore and hind feet towards the stomach1 the head being turned towards the sides1 with a look of anguish2 a cold sweat will sometimes bedew the body4 ,a desire to lie down may be exhibited1 and when on the ground the animal rolls about in evident agony4 ,the upper lip is strained upwards from the teeth1 almost closing the nostrils1 and the pulse indicates derangement of the system4 ,when the true character of the ailment has been ascertained1 it is well to inquire as to the character of the evacuations4 ,if they are in a lax state1 and a cause for the same can be discovered1 of course discontinue it1 and use astringent clysters for the bowels 7page #aei74 ,if there be reason to apprehend that some offending matter is retained in the alimentary canal1 use emollient laxatives and clysters 7pages #aeh and #aei74 ,but if anything like costiveness is present1 and other remedies fail1 recourse must be had to that of 8back-raking10 a process which need not be here explained1 being well known to every experienced groom1 any one of whom may safely be intrusted with the operation1 the only necessary precaution being to have rather a small hand used1 and that well lubricated with lard or oil4 ,let all the fcal matter that can be reached be carefully extracted4 ,afterwards a warm enema1 composed of one pint of turpentine mixed in two quarts of hot soap-suds1 and a soothing drench of #a oz4 sulphuric ether1 #a oz4 laudanum1 #a pint oil1 will be found efficacious4 ,in the early stages1 8gripes10 as they are called1 may be cured by simply 8back-raking10 followed by a drench of a bottle of ale1 warmed and mixed with one ounce of powdered ginger1 and a brisk trot in heavy clothing4 ,under highly inflammatory symptoms1 the professional man attending will probably bleed4 ,to guard against colic1 avoid giving cold water when the beast is heated1 or on a fasting stomach4 ,with horses subject to gripes the water should always be given with the chill off1 if possible1 or just previous to a good grooming or other gentle exercise tending to circulate internal warmth4 ,never allow any animal the opportunity of gorging himself with any kind of food after the stomach has been weakened by extra-severe work and long fasting4 ,for costiveness only give soft bran or linseed mashes1 or green feeding2 and see treatment for excessive or painful costiveness1 page #abb4 ,,diabetes1 or profuse staling1 is unfortunately a common disease1 and is generally attributed to something wrong in the water1 but bad provender may occasion it4 ,thirst is generally very great4 ,give catechu1 #b drachms at a time1 two or three times daily1 in mashes4 ,change the food or water1 whichever on examination seems most objectionable4 ,give no hay or grass1 but plenty of linseed tea to drink2 give good bruised or scalded oats1 with a small quantity of warm bran mixed in each feed1 and leave a lump of chalk in manger3 or administer diluted phosphoric acid1 one ounce to one pint lukewarm water1 twice daily1 till the symptoms abate1 then gradually reduce the dose4#ca ,a horse once found to be subject to this disease should be very carefully fed and watered4 ,,worms are indicated by a state of the coat called 8hide-bound0 and 8staring10 with loss of condition and indisposition to work2 by a slimy mucus covering the dung-balls2 also occasionally by the adherence of the parasites round the anus1 and thin evacuation in the fces4 ,they cling so pertinaceously to the internals1 that they will eat through the coat of the stomach1 and are never likely to be removed by a single dose of any medicine4 ,spirit of turpentine is highly recommended as a cure1 but if given it must be diluted largely--one part turpentine to four parts oil4 ,practical experience of various remedies for worms justifies me in recommending one to two grains of arsenic and twenty grains of kamela twice daily 7each dose mixed in a handful of wet bran1 and given with oats or other feeding7 for eighteen days1 and a purge the nineteenth morning4 ,the horse may get moderate work during the administration of the powders4 ,common salt is also considered a good remedy3 about a tablespoonful daily mixed with the food4 ,to guard against these pests1 avoid the use of ,egyptian beans2 but as 8bots0 are mostly taken in at grass by the animal licking off and swallowing their larv laid in the hair of the legs1 it is almost impossible to exclude them4 ,in a few cases they are bred in the internals without any accountable cause1 and against this no precaution can avail4 ,liver ,diseases1 or the farriers' 8,yellows10 so called from the fact that such cases are marked by the eyelids1 linings of the nose1 and lips when turned up1 being found to be tinged more or less with yellow4 ,here mercury must be administered1 and aided by subsequent purging1 as is necessary with the human subject4 ,thus1 give half a drachm to a drachm of calomel mixed in a little flour1 and put in a mash of bran one evening1 and next morning follow it up with the aloes purge-ball 7page #ajh74 ,if the 8yellows0 be very marked1 with other derangement of the system1 give for two days one drachm of calomel daily in doses of half a drachm each1 mixed in mashes as described above2 and after two drachms have been taken in this way1 administer on the third morning the aloetic purge4 ,inflammation of the ,kidneys and ,bladder4--,with regard to internal inflammation arising from various causes1 the symptoms of distress bear a general resemblance to each other3 legs spread out1 extremities cold1 breathing accelerated1 and a look of pain pervading the animal's whole appearance1 except that in diseases of the urinary organs there is generally a straddling gait2 and on observance of the genitals1 some marked action in this region on the part of the beast will be discovered4 ,such attacks can only be properly treated by a professional man1 therefore lose no time in procuring his services2 but1 in the meanwhile1 ,i shall observe that inflammation of the kidneys is1 sad to say1 too common to admit of its being passed by without offering some caution and advice regarding it1 more for the purpose of prevention than cure4 ,disease of the kidneys is generally brought on by the misuse by grooms of their favourite diuretics2 a dose of nitre to 8fine his legs10 or 8bloom his coat10 or for any other purpose to save themselves trouble1 is the groom's specific for the poor creatures under their care2 but so injurious are diuretics that masters ought to make their secret administration1 as commonly practised by the class referred to1 a case of instant dismissal4 ,the kidneys of the horse are peculiarly susceptible of action2 so much so1 that purges frequently1 in place of acting as intended1 will take effect on them4 ,it should1 besides1 be borne in mind that while the kidneys are in artificial action and secreting an extra quantity of urine which is being passed away1 the creature should have the same opportunity of rest1 and as much consideration given him1 as if he were in a state of purgation4 ,the secretion is blood in its changed form1 and is a serious call on the system4 ,all this does not enter into the head of an ignorant groom1 who1 on the contrary1 will work or treat the poor suffering creature as if he was in his best vigour4 ,inflammation of the kidneys is marked by an appearance of general distress--hind legs straddled1 the backbone hogged1 urine small in quantity1 tenderness over the loins when pressed4 ,if a practitioner be not procurable1 immediately place warm mustard poultices over the loins1 and cover them with sheepskins4 ,give half a drachm extract of belladonna with half an ounce laudanum in a pint of linseed tea every four hours1 and inject constantly with warm linseed tea4 ,inflammation of the ,bladder presents very similar symptoms to that of the kidneys1 only that the bladder being farther away from the backbone1 instead of the latter being hogged1 it is rather depressed4 ,in this case1 as in inflammation of the kidneys1 call in the veterinary surgeon2 meanwhile give the drink recommended for the kidneys1 and though the surgeon's decision is desirable with regard to mustard blistering1 the use of this counter-irritant should not be too long delayed2 therefore1 in the event of his non-arrival within an hour or so1 apply mustard blister to the stomach far back 7between the flanks71 as being nearest the seat of this disease4 ,,diseases ,,of ,,the ,,feet ,,and ,,legs4 ,once more the old proverb that 8prevention is better than cure0 deserves to be dwelt upon1 for very many diseases under this head can be prevented1 and very few can ever be cured4 ,generally speaking1 the fore feet and hocks of a horse are the most susceptible of disease induced by wear and tear--the fore feet1 because the greater part of the weight of the animal is borne upon them2 and the hocks behind1 because they are the propelling power4 ,it is remarkable in cases of lameness1 that when the disease is seated in the feet1 the lameness becomes temporarily aggravated on work2 whereas if it proceed from disease in the legs1 it becomes apparently less after the limbs have been worked a while4 ,with regard to animals keeping their condition while labouring under lameness1 experience has taught me that horses lame in the fore feet will1 if able to work at all1 continue to do so without apparently losing condition from the fret of lameness2 but when the hind legs are the seat of disease1 the condition evaporates very rapidly4 ,this1 ,i imagine1 is because an animal lame in the fore feet will lie down and take more rest than when sound2 whereas if lame behind1 he will not take sufficient rest1 as rising and lying down cause him pain2 hence he continually stands1 and1 of course1 aggravates the disease4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #b4--,section of ,foot4 ,the foot is thus sectionised and described by ,delaware ,p4 ,elaine1 ,esq43-- 8,on examining a perpendicular section of the foot and pasterns1 there appear the coffin-bone 7a71 the navicular or nut bone 7b71 the coronary or little pastern bone 7c71 the large pastern bone 7d71 the back sinew or great flexor tendon of the foot 7e71 the same tendon sliding over the navicular bone 7f71 its termination or insertion into the bottom of the coffin-bone 7g71 the elastic matter of the sensible frog 7h71 the insensible or horny frog 7i71 the horny sole 7k71 which includes the parts of the sensible foot2 the outer wall of the hoof 7l71 the elastic processes 7m71 the attachment of the extensor tendon to the coffin-bone 7n71 and its attachment to the coronary bone 7o71 which completes the section4 8,the coffin-bone 7a7 adapts itself to the figure of the hoof1 or rather is adapted by nature to this eligible form4 ,the eminence in its front receives the insertion of the tendon of the great extensor muscle of the foot4 ,this important muscle has its upper attachment to the humerus or arm-bone1 where it is principally fleshy2 but as it passes downwards it becomes tendinous1 expanding over every joint1 both to prevent friction and to embrace and give firm attachment to each bone with its opposed bone1 by which a firm connection of the various parts is maintained1 and a simultaneous movement of the whole limb is effected4 ,in the hinder limb this extensor tendon and its two less or tendinous adjuncts arise from the tibia1 and in part from the femur1 but in their origin are fleshy4 8,in the sides of the coffin-bone are attached lateral cartilages1 and around its surface are marks of the attachment of the laminated substance4 8,the coronary1 or small pastern bone 7c71 is seen to rest on the coffin-bone 7a71 with which it articulates by its lower end2 its posterior part also may be seen to be closely articulated both with the coffin and with the navicular or nut bones 7f71 whose attachments to them are effected by ligaments of great power and some elasticity4 ,nor is it possible to view this horny box and its contents without being struck with the admirable display of mechanism and contrivance which meets our eye4 ,we are apt to say1 #8as strong as a horse1' and some of us use horses as though they were made of imperishable stuff2 but surely1 when we well consider the subject1 we shall see both the necessity and the morality of using them with discretion40 ,this description of the structure of the foot will probably better enable the uninitiated to understand the seat and nature of various ailments of that part of the horse which are here touched upon4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #c4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #d4 ,blaine further describes the construction of the hoof thus3-- 8,the hoof itself is conical1 or rather1 as ,clark observes1 slightly truncated1 and is a secretion as well from the vascular parts of the foot as from the skin1 as our nails are formed from the portion of skin called quick4 ,the structure of the hoof is firm and fibrous4 ,externally it is plane and convex1 but internally concave and laminated4 ,the quarters are the lateral parts4 ,as the horn approaches the heels it becomes soft and is reflected inwards4 ,the heels are parted by the horny frog 7b1 fig4 #c72 and without1 the frog on each side the hoof inflects its fibres to form the bars which are seen on the under surface 7c1 fig4 #d74 ,in a healthy foot1 fig4 #d1 the heels are round1 wide1 and smooth 7a1 a71 the frog fully expanded1 the bars or binders distinct 7c1 c71 no corns in the usual angle 7d71 the sole broad and concave 7d74 ,in a diseased foot1 fig4 #c1 the heels are high1 and drawn together by contraction 7a1 a71 the frog narrow1 and filled with fissures from contraction and thrush 7b71 corn frequently present 7d71 the sole greatly shortened in its transverse diameter1 which is morbidly counterbalanced by the increased heights in the truncated form 7c74 ,when the hoof is removed1 the sensible or fleshy sole 7h1 section of foot71 above which it immediately lies1 presents itself1 covering the whole of the horny sole1 except so much as is taken up by the sensible frog 7h74 ,this part is exquisitely sensible and vascular1 and thus we learn why injuries to it from puncture produce such serious effect1 and why very slight pressure from contraction of the hoof gives so much pain4 ,the sensible frog and the sensible sole form the insensible frog and sole2 but when from pressure1 too much moisture1 or other causes1 the sensible frog1 instead of forming horn1 secretes pus or matter as in thrush1 the structure of the whole becomes injured1 and the frog1 thus losing its support1 gradually wastes and decays4 ,it is therefore evident that no thrush can be entirely harmless1 as is erroneously supposed4 8,above the sensible frog is the great flexor tendon1 or back sinew1 inserting itself into the vaulted arch of the coffin 7a1 section of foot74 ,this important tendon1 arising from its parent muscle above the knee1 whose origin is taken from the humerus and ulna1 in its passage unites with an assistant flexor1 but which latter is principally distributed to the pastern bones1 while the perforans1 so called because it is perforated by the assistant flexor tendon1 is inserted into the vault of the coffin2 in the posterior extremities the attachments of these two leading flexors and a smaller lateral one are from the femur and tibia4 8,the ,sensible ,lamin4--,around the surface of the coffin-bone1 it has been noticed that there are linear indentations to which about five hundred fibro-cartilaginous leaves are attached4 ,each of these is received between two of the horny lamell1 which line the interior of the horny hoof2 and when it is considered what a vast surface of attachment is formed by these means1 the strength of the union will not be wondered at4 ,no common violence can separate these parts1 and their use as a spring 7for they are extensile7 to support the action of an animal at once weighty1 strong1 and extremely agile1 must be apparent4 8,the vessels and nerves of the foot are derived from the metacarpal arteries1 veins1 and nerves1 which pass behind the pastern1 when the main trunks divide to proceed to each side of the foot1 and are ramified from thence throughout4 ,it is a division of the metacarpal nerve on each side of the lesser pastern1 or on each side of the larger1 as occasion suits1 which forms the nerve operation now in vogue as a remedy 787 for navicular disease40 ,laminitis1 or ,fever of the ,feet1 although generally the result of too long a journey1 or any exercise where excessive and continuous concussion has been occasioned to the feet1 frequently arises from other causes4 ,it is often what is termed secondary1 as one of the sequel of inflammatory diseases of a more constitutional character4--7,see 8,metastasis10 page #aee47 ,the lamin are plates 7technically1 semi-cartilaginous leaves received between the horny lamell which line the interior of the hoof7 resting on the inside of the horny hoof1 and giving an elastic support1 whereby the whole weight of the horse's structure is thrown against the wall of the hoof and kept off the side4 ,it is not surprising1 therefore1 that these causes should produce derangement here4 ,as laminitis generally attacks the fore feet1 the poor beast in his anguish endeavours to throw his weight off them by resting on his hind quarters1 which are tucked under him1 with the fore legs and feet pushed out before him merely to keep him from falling2 he can barely hobble if he attempts to move4 ,if the fever be only slight and in one foot1 he will point it1 while extreme lameness and unnatural heat in the foot mark the disease4 ,the shoe should 7in this as in all cases of foot-lameness7 be instantly removed by a smith brought to the stable instead of giving the poor creature the pain of limping to the forge4 ,the foot should be put into cold water1 constantly renewed1 and kept in it all day2 at night a bran poultice or water-dressing should be left on 7see 8,water-dressing0 and 8,poultices10 page #afj74 ,also administer a purge4 ,in acute cases1 bleeding at the toe is sometimes practised by paring away there till the veins appear4 ,this is a very questionable remedy1 and there is little doubt that the use of the knife only aggravates the inflammation4 ,the fact is1 that beyond its incipient stage none but the veterinary surgeon is competent to deal with this disease4 ,its prevention is best secured by requiring moderate work only1 and at the proper road-paces--viz41 walking and trotting--keeping the feet moist1 wetting them occasionally during a long journey1 and regularly stopping them directly after each day's severe work4--,see 8,grooming10 page #ab4 ,navicular ,disease is1 unfortunately1 a very common one with horses2 and when the delicate structure of the foot is considered in connection with the rough usage the creature gets on hard roads while carrying a heavy weight on his back1 it is only surprising that the feet bear such jarring at all4 ,the navicular is the small pulley-bone over which the flexor tendon passes1 and being the most active of any of the foot-bones1 is the most likely to be injured by ill usage 7see page #abh74 ,the symptoms are lameness1 with more or less pointing of the foot when at rest1 and heat towards the quarters of the lame foot4 ,unlike laminitis1 the lameness is inconsiderable at first1 and increases as the disease progresses4 ,being so deep-seated1 it is very difficult to cure4 ,in the incipient stages the most effectual remedy appears to be the insertion of frog-setons1 requiring the assistance of a veterinary surgeon4 ,in most instances the case is hopeless1 and many a fine horse is sold to limp out a life of misery1 drawing a hack cab1 or1 with a refinement of cruelty1 is subject to the operation of unnerving the foot1 which1 by destroying sensation in that part1 enables the animal to travel without apparent lameness1 though the disease continues to progress till part of the foot has been known to drop off in work4 ,being a result of work to which all horses are liable1 no mode of prevention can be recommended4 ,lateral ,cartilages4--,another ailment of the foot is more common than is generally supposed1 called 8,disease of the ,lateral ,cartilages40 ,it requires the skill of an anatomist to decide upon its presence4 ,in fact1 this and navicular disease are both very obscure in their origin and diagnostics1 and a surgeon only can properly deal with them1 as well as with all other diseases that are not very distinctly marked1 and in their early stages not important4 ,thrush4--,a disease of the frog3 the cleft becomes eaten away1 and a foul matter is secreted4 ,it more frequently attacks the hind than the fore feet4 ,by some it is said to be constitutional1 but it is much more probably the result of neglect of the foot in the stable1 the hind feet being oftener affected1 from the fact of the urine and fces coming more immediately under their tread4 ,at every shoeing or removing1 the frog should be perfectly cleared of all defective parts by the knife1 and where the disease has once manifested itself the cleft should be kept continually stopped with tar and tow4 ,a return to a healthy state is likely to be tedious1 therefore continued attention to these directions is necessary4 ,if a severe case1 use a bar-shoe1 to avoid the wear and tear of the road1 and which will also help to keep the pledgets of tar and tow in their place4 ,to prevent thrush1 let the litter and bedding be completely removed from the horse every morning till bedtime at night2 let the pavement be kept scrupulously clean through the day2 attend and wash the feet1 examine them frequently1 and upon the slightest sign of the disease use the remedial means4 ,quittor4--,this is a disease of the feet1 wherein1 either from delicacy of or accident to the sole1 the sensible part becomes affected4 ,a suppurative sinus is formed1 eating away till it often comes out at the coronet4 ,once it reaches this1 the animal1 unless of great value1 might as well be destroyed1 the restorative process being of a most tedious and expensive character1 requiring continual manipulation by a surgeon4 ,by careful shoeing 7where nails are not driven out of their proper direction7 and a most exact examination of the foot where any extraneous matter1 such as glass1 gravel1 c41 is suspected of having entered or damaged it1 quittor will most probably be avoided4 ,canker seldom attacks gentlemen's horses1 or well-bred ones4 ,it is literally a change of a portion of the foot into a kind of fungus1 sometimes commencing in the sole1 sometimes in the frogs1 and is aggravated by foul litter1 bad stabling1 and general bad care4 ,as no dressing or external application will restore the foot without manipulation1 a surgeon only can deal with it4 ,cracked and ,greasy ,heels4--,animals of languid circulation in the extremities are more susceptible of such diseases1 which are induced and aggravated by lazy ignorant grooms pursuing their objectionable practice of wetting the legs1 and leaving them to dry themselves4--,see page #ac4 ,symptoms are tumefaction and soreness of the hinder part of the pasterns1 even to fissures emitting matter4 ,clip away the hair in the first instance1 so as to be able to cleanse the sore by washing it with warm water and soft soap1 drying it perfectly4 ,then apply glycerine lotion 7page #aeh74 ,if the sore seems likely to incapacitate the animal from work1 administer a mild aloetic purge 7page #ajh74 ,very serious consequences may result from the indolence of grooms in neglecting this ailment4 ,in acute cases1 the sore1 eating into the tendon1 produces mortification and death4 ,i have myself lost a valuable animal from this disease1 through the gross neglect of my grooms in my absence4 ,except in the very earliest stages1 and in palpably trifling cases1 a veterinary surgeon should be consulted1 especially in what is called 8grease10 or matter running from these cracks4 ,the preventive means are1 never to allow water to your horses' legs above the coronet on any pretence whatever1 and if by accident or work they get wet1 to have them rubbed dry as promptly as possible4 ,shelly ,hoofs 7or splitting open of the external part of the horny hoof74--,the feet of some horses are more subject to this disease than those of others1 from the fibrous structure being more dry with them4 ,this fibrous structure forming the hoof is found1 on microscopic examination1 to resemble a lot of hairs all glued together into a hardened mass1 and where the adhesive matter is of a drier character than usual1 the hoofs are more brittle4 ,with some horses this results in 8shelly hoofs20 they don't split1 but are perpetually breaking away4 ,with this description of hoofs1 tar is the best possible application4 ,neither grease nor oil should ever be used--these only aggravate the disease1 as on close observation they will be found to act as powerful astringents1 excluding the healthy action of air and moisture upon the part most in need of them4 ,strange to say1 tar1 from its pungent properties1 induces healthy action in the part1 and is peculiarly adapted to promote the growth of the fibrous structure as well as lubricating it4 ,sand-,cracks seldom go diagonally1 but are either horizontal or vertical4 ,i shall endeavour to exemplify the simple principle of this disease with a simple principle of remedy1 dealing with it like a split in a board on which ,i desired to put an effectual stopper4 ,in such a case ,i should carefully gouge out a small hole at each end of the split1 beyond which hole the fissure would be certain not to pass4 ,with the hoof the same principle can be carried out by filing an indentation directly across each end of the crack1 only taking care not to file deeper than the insensible part of the hoof2 or the end will be answered by using a red-hot firing-iron instead of a file1 taking the same precaution not to touch the sensible part4 ,i should also weaken along the edges of the crack itself by rasping them down4 ,over the crack1 if deep1 should be strapped a thin pad of tow and tar1 to induce reproduction and prevent foreign substances from entering the fissure4 ,unless by the grossest neglect1 no sand-crack will have been allowed to go beyond the reach of the foregoing treatment1 but in some cases the effect of negligence and ignorance is seen in the horizontal crack running almost round the foot4 ,in such cases it will generally be found that with a flat foot 7inclined to greater malformation7 the toes have been suffered to extend1 shoeing after shoeing1 by the smith allowing a great accumulation of wall over the toe1 until the centre has become weakened into a fissure4 ,such a state of things seldom or never occurs in a gentleman's stable1 but is to be met with among farm-horses or those accustomed to heavy draught4 ,the careful strapping-up with tar and tow1 which must be constantly attended to1 rest1 and the indentation process1 will1 with time and care1 effect a cure4 ,sand-crack1 especially the vertical1 is more dangerous and tedious the nearer it is to the coronet4 ,this once divided1 the case becomes serious1 the coronet being very vascular1 and a split here requires a great deal of care to induce it to take on union4 ,unless the closing commences at the coronet1 and continues as the hoof grows down1 it will never close at all2 in fact1 if the coronet be divided1 it is fortunate if the crack does not go the whole way down to the shoe4 ,if it does not1 the lower end should be weakened by filing an indentation at its lower extremity1 weakening the sides of the crack by rasping them1 and keeping the hoof strapped round with dressings of tar and tow1 also 7a most important part of the treatment7 paring away the wall of the foot 7above the shoe and immediately under the crack7 an inch--that is1 half an inch on each side of it--making as large a vacuum as can with safety to the sensible parts of the foot be pared away1 directly under the crack and over the shoe2 the object of this being that all parts of the wall except that under the crack shall press on the shoe4 ,it is obvious that by the above means every movement of the horse1 in place of aggravation1 will tend towards alleviation of the disease1 by pressing the weakened sides of the fissure together4 ,for the foregoing reasons1 in the case of a vertical crack the shoes had better remain on1 while in the worst cases of the horizontal crack1 as its weight round the bottom tends to weaken the centre of the hoof where the crack is likely to be situated1 it had better be removed 7or light tips worn71 its absence also enabling the wall of the hoof under the crack to be rasped as thin as possible4 ,in vertical cracks the use of a bar-shoe will tend to keep the foot together 7page #ha74 ,corns are occasioned by the inflexible shoe pressing on that part of the sole1 or possibly from friction of the bones upon its internal surface4 ,they present the appearance of a red effused bruise1 almost invariably situated on the heel of the sole of the inside quarter of the fore feet4--,see illustration1 fig4 #c1 page #acj4 ,when neglected1 they occasion severe lameness1 and go on to suppuration4 ,broken knees are also frequently the result of neglected corns4 ,a horse that is habitually properly shod is never likely to have a corn4 ,it arises entirely from want of attention and judgment in the smith4 ,the groom1 who should always stand by when a horse is shoeing1 ought to be instructed to see that the farrier with his drawing-knife invariably pares out the sole at the seat of corn2 it can be no injury whatever to the foot when properly done1 and is the best preventive of corns4 ,also take proper care that the shoes are so put on that they cannot by possibility press upon the sole4 ,for prevention1 keep the seat of corn well pared away1 and dress with tar1 unless in the suppurating state1 when it requires poultices 7page #afj71 and the ordinary treatment for that state1 and full rest4 ,over-reach or ,tread proceeds from the shoe of one foot coming in contact with the soft or sensible part above the hoof of the other4 ,as the parts likely to be affected round the coronet are full of vessels1 the simplest remedial means are the safest--viz41 water-dressing 7page #afj7 in the first instance1 and afterwards chloride of zinc lotion 7one grain to the ounce of water71 or glycerine4 ,broken ,knees4--,most travellers on the road know what style of thing this is1 so it is needless to describe it4 ,in bad cases1 where the bones are exposed1 and there is any appearance of synovia or joint-oil1 place the horse in the nearest convenient stable1 and leave him there to be attended to by a professional man as soon as possible4 ,when the abrasion is merely superficial1 take the animal quietly to his stable1 if near4 ,in any event1 wash the wound with warm water1 which1 if it be at all deep1 should be done by squeezing the water above the wound1 and allowing it to run down1 as this part of the leg is very delicate and sensitive1 and rough handling with a cloth or sponge should be avoided4 ,afterwards apply a lotion of chloride of zinc1 one grain to the ounce of water4 ,tie the creature's head up in such a way as that he cannot possibly lie down1 until the healing process has assumed sufficient health to render it safe to allow of the knee being used in lying down and getting up4 ,give one or two mild purges1 according to the time he is laid up and the healthiness of the wound4 ,to promote the growth of hair1 use1 when the knee is perfectly healed1 hog's lard mixed with very finely powdered burnt leather to colour it2 it is as good and safe a thing as can be employed for the purpose4 ,otherwise use weak mercurial ointment4 ,for prevention1 avoid the use of bearing-reins in harness2 in shafts1 keep the weight off your horse's back2 keep out of the way of ruts and stones upon the road1 and be very careful of your beast when the work you are giving him is calculated to make him leg-weary4 ,in riding1 teach your bearer to depend on himself1 not on you3 at the same time1 don't leave him to himself altogether4 ,go gently round sharp turns1 and don't ride fast down-hill on the road1 though on the turf or in harness the pace may be accelerated with impunity4 ,avoid inflicting sudden1 injudicious1 and undeserved chastisement2 restrain starts or alarms2 have your horses properly prepared in frosty weather2 also be sure that the seat of corn is kept well pared out in shoeing4 ,if your saddle has shifted forward out of its place1 dismount and regirth it where it fits1 so that when you remount your weight will be properly placed away from the shoulders4 ,when the road is the only place available to have your horses exercised1 see that your grooms put on the knee-caps4 ,splints are a well-known affection of the fore leg1 presenting the appearance of a bony protrusion along the canon or shank1 which1 though unsightly1 is not very important1 unless when lameness ensues4 ,as it is not my intention to enter into professional technicalities in this work1 ,i shall merely remark that1 by letting the horse continue in moderate work1 though lame1 with the application of ,stevens's ointment1 according to the directions accompanying it1 absorption of the bony matter will be obtained1 or1 at all events1 it will become so far resolved that the surrounding structures being able to accommodate themselves to what remains of it1 their action will not be interfered with1 and lameness will consequently no longer appear4 ,veterinarians sometimes perform a simple operation for splints which is said to be efficacious--namely1 that of dividing the periosteum with a bistuary1 the periosteum being that membrane which encases all bones like a skin4 ,when this is cleverly done1 there is little or no disfiguration left4 ,setons also are sometimes run over the exostosis or bony excrescence1 but ,i deal only with simple remedies4 ,as splints cannot be prevented1 being a common result of work in young horses1 the next best thing to be done is to resolve them while in an incipient state4 ,clap of the ,back ,sinew--i4e41 inflammation of the sheath under which the flexor tendon passes 7as the most able practitioners deny that the tendon itself can be stretched1 though it is liable to rupture about its insertions7--is best treated1 according to some1 by cold refrigerant lotions1 ,goulard lotion1 solution of acetate of lead1 c4 ,i prefer plain water-dressing 7page #afj7 placed loosely round the affected part of the leg1 and the use of a high-heeled shoe 7page #hb74 ,when the attack is beyond the reach of such mild treatment1 the veterinary surgeon will probably advise blistering and firing to act as a perpetual bandage4 ,moderate work on even surfaces will be the best preventive of this disease1 and having the pavement of your stables made nearly level1 as described under the head of 8,stabling0 7page #h74 ,wind-,galls are undue distensions of the burs or bags of synovia at the back and sides of the lower part of the canon or shin intended to lubricate the adjacent structure4 ,though unsightly1 and no improvement to the action of the horse1 they can be reduced by external absorbents 7page #aei71 also by bandages with refrigerant repellants1 such as vinegar and water 7see 8,grooming10 page #ab74 ,riding-,bone is an unhealthy enlargement round the pastern above the coronet1 generally in front1 and may be removed in the incipient stage by external absorbents 7page #aei71 beyond which a professional man had better be consulted4 ,wrench or ,wrick1 occasioned by accident or strain in work over a rough path by a slip1 presents generally no external swelling or indication of suffering beyond lameness in movement2 but on close examination1 inflammation will be discovered by extra heat about the part affected4 ,remove the shoe1 give plenty of rest1 and apply water-dressing 7page #afj7 round the affected part4 ,a purge may be administered1 as recommended in all cases where the animal is laid up for several days4 ,to avoid wrench1 care should be observed in starting1 turning1 and working a horse1 especially on uneven ground or when heavily laden4 ,mallenders and ,sallenders denote a scurvy state of the skin inside the bend of the knees and hocks4 ,let the parts be cleansed with hot water and soft soap1 and rub in equal parts of hog's lard and mercurial ointment mixed2 if there be a positive crack or sore1 use the chloride of zinc lotion 7see page #aeh7 till healed4 ,keep a good attentive groom1 and see that he does his work1 as such blemishes are occasioned by carelessness and want of cleanliness4 ,spavin is like splint1 a bony excrescence1 but on the lower part of the leg1 at the inside of the hock towards the front1 occasioned by local derangement from overwork of the structure4 ,if it does not produce lameness it had better be left alone2 but otherwise1 the horse being placed in a loose-box1 rest should be given1 and treatment with absorbents 7page #aei71 the use of ,stevens's ointment1 c41 persisted in4 ,a mild purge or two during the process will be beneficial4 ,as in nearly all affections of the legs and feet1 proper reasonable work and due care will avert the disease or disfigurement4 ,curb is an enlargement of the tendon or its sheath at the lower part of the back of the hock1 with a good deal of local inflammation attending it4 ,it is greatly occasioned by the fashion some riders have of habitually throwing their horses back on their hocks by severe use of the bit4 ,use water-dressing to reduce inflammation1 then absorbents1 such as ,stevens's ointment 7page #aei74 ,give rest1 c41 as directed for ,spavin4 ,string-,halt is a well-known and only too conspicuous defect or affection of the nerves of the hind limbs1 or emanating from the spine4 ,as its local origin is obscure1 so also is the method of dealing with it4 ,it is in no way dangerous1 though unsightly1 and seriously deteriorating to the value of the animal1 although it is said not to interfere much with his working powers4 ,capped ,hock is a pursy swelling over the os calcis or heel-bone at the end of the hock1 generally produced by kicking either in the stable or against some object in harness1 or possibly in consequence of exertion in getting up and lying down on a scanty bed1 especially where the paving-stones are uneven4 ,use hot fomentations1 loose water-dressing1 followed by rubbing in iodine ointment1 if necessary1 for reduction1 but this must be done with judgment and careful observance of the effect the iodine produces4 ,or1 after using hot fomentations for a week1 apply gas water 7which can be obtained from any gas-works7 with a sponge dabbed on every hour during the day4 ,this treatment1 if persisted in1 is said to be very efficacious4 ,for prevention1 keep a good bed for your horse to lie on at night4 ,see 8,kicking in the ,stable0 7page #he7 and 8,kicking-,strap0 7page #eh74 ,thorough-,pin and ,bog-,spavin are1 like wind-galls1 an undue distension of the burs containing the synovia intended to keep the surrounding parts of the leg lubricated2 such distension interfering with the circulation of the vein in front of the hock is denominated 8,blood0 7or ,bog7 ,spavin2 at the back and sides of the hock these distensions are called ,thorough-,pin4 ,the treatment is with hot fomentations and gas water1 as in 8capped hock10 or other absorbents1 especially ,stevens's ointment1 iodine ointment1 blisters1 and actual cautery1 which remedies had better be tried in rotation1 the three latter only by a practitioner2 but unless the distensions produce lameness1 it is perhaps preferable not to meddle with them at all4 ,there are other diseases of the feet and legs1 but requiring very delicate definitions3 they must be left altogether to the professional man4 ,as a rule1 in all cases where it may be considered desirable to use stimulating or strong absorbing treatment externally to cure lameness1 the inflammation should be first fully abated by local cooling applications2 and in severe cases1 purges administered before the application of blisters or powerful absorbents4 ,,farcy4 ,this dreaded disease is1 ,i believe1 like glanders1 incurable1 and generally ends in glanders itself4 ,some practitioners seem to be under the impression that it only attacks worn-out and ill-conditioned animals2 but from personal losses and sad experience ,i may venture to differ entirely from such an opinion1 and to state that ,i have seen horses in the finest condition lost by it4 ,no doubt feeble animals are very liable to it1 but the disease is not confined to such constitutions4 ,i have remarked that1 when contracted by high-conditioned horses1 it can be traced to their being called on occasionally to do extra work1 followed by entire rest for days together1 as a sort of equivalent for the spurt of work done1 during which period of rest 7considered necessary on account of the beast's supposed state of exhaustion7 his powers are taxed with the same amount of high feeding as if he were in full work4 ,thus the absorbent system seems to become diseased1 and farcy-buds appear1 accompanied by craving thirst1 in which case1 or on the least suspicion of the disease1 reference should at once be made to a professional man4 ,from these buds 7whence after a time matter is seen to exude7 small cords may be traced leading to other swellings1 rather serving to distinguish the early stages of farcy from surfeit1 besides that in surfeit the lumps appear indolent and scabby4 ,to guard against this scourge of the stable1 as the disease is contagious1 be careful what company your horses keep1 and let reason be used in the working1 feeding1 exercising1 and general care of your stud4 ,what is called ,water ,farcy is neither dangerous nor contagious1 and arises from debility of the system1 occasioned probably by overwork and indifferent feeding4 ,it is generally marked by a dropsical swelling of the legs1 mostly the hind ones4 ,it is not common in gentlemen's stables1 where horses are less worked and better cared for than their neighbours4 ,the best cure is friction to the swelling1 moderate work1 and improved feeding2 and give a ball twice a-day1 each dose with ,sulphate of iron1 #b drachms4 ,powdered ginger1 #b 0 ,powdered gentian1 #b 0 ,to be mixed with palm-oil or lard4 ,,ringworm4 ,ringworm is characterised by one or more scurfy or scaly circular patches on the skin where the hair has fallen off4 ,as soon as discovered1 let the parts be washed with soap and tepid water twice a-day2 and when they have been gently but perfectly dried1 apply rather thickly the following ointment over the spots3-- ,animal glycerine1 #a ounce4 ,spermaceti1 #a 0 ,iodide of lead1 #b drachms4 ,rub the glycerine and spermaceti together1 and when thoroughly incorporated1 add the iodide of lead2 give also every night the following drink3-- ,liquor arsenicalis1 #a ounce4 ,tincture of muriate of iron1 #a 0 ,water1 #a quart4 ,mix4--,dose1 half a pint4 ,continue this drink until the disease has disappeared4 ,should ulceration remain about the circumferent edges after the central bare spot has been apparently cured1 apply to the affected circuit six times a-day persistently the following lotion3-- ,chloride of zinc1 #b scruples4 ,water1 #a pint4 ,the animal should be thrown up from work during this treatment1 which may be requisite for a month1 and good food given4 ,administer also a powerful alterative or two during the course of treatment1 more particularly if the case is obstinate4#cb ,other practitioners recommend1 with the administration of alteratives1 the simple application of a solution of nitrate of silver1 #cj grains to #a ounce of water 7distilled71 applied every second day to the eruptions1 until they are destroyed4 ,,surfeit is an eruption on the skin1 and generally gives way1 if attended to immediately on its appearance1 by relaxing the bowels mildly1 giving partly green food instead of hay and bran mashes2 at the same time keep up the strength by feeding with the best oats and a little beans1 alternately with the laxative treatment4 ,should these means not suffice1 or the disease become worse1 consult a medical practitioner1 who will probably administer diuretics2 or if you cannot procure a professional man1 give the following excellent tonic and alterative drink1 recommended by ,mr ,mayhew3-- ,liquor arsenicalis1 #a ounce4 ,tincture of muriate of iron1 #a 0 ,water1 #a quart4 ,mix1 and give daily half a pint for a dose4 ,hidebound requires the same treatment as surfeit4 ,mange is generally the result of insufficient food and other privations endured at grass1 and of the neglect of the skin consequent on animals being turned out for a time to take care of themselves4 ,it is highly contagious1 and is now admitted to be occasioned by an insect which is engendered in the foul coat4 ,a capital wash is recommended by ,mr ,mayhew1 viz43-- ,animal glycerine1 four parts4 ,creosote1 half a part4 ,oil of turpentine1 one part4 ,oil of juniper1 half a part4 ,about a pint and a half is said to be the quantity required to make one dressing4 ,every portion of the entire coat should be saturated with this wash1 and thus left for two clear days1 when it should be washed clean with soft soap and warm water1 equal care being taken to omit no part of the body1 which should afterwards be thoroughly dried and the coat well dressed or whisked4 ,when all is dry and clean apply a second dressing1 proceeding as directed for the first1 and a third after the two days have elapsed and the second cleaning process has been thoroughly gone through1 after which the disease ought to be eradicated4 ,a mere disposition to scratching is generally successfully treated by giving bran mashes night and morning for some days1 and part green food instead of hay4 ,others recommend for mange1 as most successful1 the following application1 to be well rubbed in once a-week all over the animal with a stiff horse-brush3-- ,barbadoes tar1 #a part4 ,linseed oil1 #c parts4 ,to be mixed and gently warmed in a pan4 ,the whole of the horse's body to be thoroughly washed with soft soap and warm water1 and ,,perfectly dried1 previous to rubbing in the foregoing application4 ,,sore ,,back1 ,,withers1 ,,and ,,sitfasts1 should be carefully attended to with poultices or water-dressing 7see page #afj71 while a disposition to throw off pus is present1 after which the application of healing agents 7among which chloride of zinc lotion and glycerine are now prominent7 is the proper course1 but applicable only to decidedly trifling and superficial cases4 ,it is imperative1 if a cure be desired1 that no pressure whatever from the saddle or any other cause of irritation be permitted2 therefore1 unless a saddler can effectually chamber and pack the saddle so as to prevent the possibility of its touching on or near the sore1 the saddle must not be used at all4 ,the worst and common result of sores on the back is1 that sinuses or cavities1 with an almost imperceptible orifice1 insidiously eat away like poll-evil into the more important part of the adjacent structure4 ,here the aid of the veterinary surgeon is indispensable4 7,being myself acquainted with anatomy1 ,i used to get a depending orifice as near as possible to the bottom of the sinus 7as discovered with a probe7 by a bistuary1 laying the sinus open all the way2 or if the direction were rather superficial1 by the insertion of a seton-needle about the width of the sinus1 run out at bottom1 leaving the seton in to direct the discharge4 ,the latter operation1 if carefully conducted1 is decidedly the simplest and best when practicable47 ,for prevention of sore back avoid injurious pressure from an ill-fitting saddle2 also removing it too quickly from1 the back of a heated animal 7see 8,work10 page #cg74 ,pressure of the terret-pad 7see page #ei71 or of the roller from not being properly chambered over the ridge of the back 7see page #ai71 must also be carefully guarded against4 ,,wounds1 if deep or dangerous1 should meet with the immediate attention of a surgeon1 as none but anatomists should deal with them4 ,generally speaking1 the loss of a moderate quantity of blood is rather beneficial than otherwise1 tending to avert inflammation4 ,where water-dressing 7see page #afj7 can be applied1 nothing is better in the first instance2 and when the wound is fairly cleansed and evidently healing1 the chloride of zinc lotion 7see page #aeh7 will advance that process and help to dry it up4 ,when the surface is perfectly healed and a new skin formed1 the growth of the hair will be promoted by the application of hog's lard coloured with very finely powdered burnt leather4 ,,megrims ,,or ,,epilepsy may proceed from the effects of the sun in very hot weather1 from congestion of the blood-vessels of the brain and head1 or from disordered stomach or indigestion4 ,the horse when at work suddenly evinces a disinclination to proceed1 appears bothered1 and shows unaccountable perverseness--sometimes staggers and falls4 ,release him at once from whatever work he may be at2 if the cause can be descried1 treat in the most reasonable way accordingly4 ,if the illness is supposed to proceed from the heat of the sun or congestion of the head1 dash water on the head and keep it enveloped in cold wet cloths2 also cool the system by aperients1 giving rest for some time4 ,if from indigestion1 repeated mild aperients should be administered4 ,it is a strange fact known to those who are experienced on the road1 that these fits are seldom or never taken during work at night4 ,when such attacks are habitual the animal is only fit for farm-work4 ,,crib-,,biting ,,and ,,wind-,,sucking4 ,some able veterinarians declare these habits to be the result of an endeavour to eject acidity from the stomach as the horse cannot vomit1 while others compare it to the human belch4 ,it is almost impossible to cure a crib-biter2 the only thing that can be done is1 to palliate and prevent it1 which is essential1 as the habit is not only injurious to the horse himself1 but one that1 strange to say1 is most readily imitated by his companions2 in whatever stable such an animal may be1 the others are liable to become crib-biters4 ,by leaving a lump of rock-salt in horses' mangers many ailments may be averted4 ,licking it is a resource to them in their hours of solitary confinement4 ,in the present instance a lump of chalk might be added1 for the animal to amuse himself at any moment that he is left without a muzzle 7which should be made for him by an experienced saddler1 and constantly used74 ,the chalk being essentially antacid1 is decidedly useful if the habit is supposed to result from acidity4 ,as the muzzle should not be left off for any length of time1 the food should be prepared to be taken up in the most rapid form--viz41 a small quantity of chaff to bruised oats4 ,when the beast finds by experience that his feeding-time is limited1 with starvation for the alternative1 he will probably prefer his food to gnawing the iron during the short space allowed him without his muzzle4 ,a simple remedy sometimes used with good effect is1 keeping a tightened strap round the creature's neck when he is not feeding2 and ,i have known the covering of every portion of the stall within his reach with rabbit or sheep skins1 the hair outside1 to effectually check a crib-biter for the time being1--the habit being resumed1 however1 on his removal to another stall4#cc ,,metastasis4 ,as this term is frequently used by practitioners1 it may be well to explain that it is a ,greek word signifying a removal from one place to another1 employed as a technical designation in describing a change of the seat of disease from one part of the animal structure to another1 which is by no means uncommon3 for instance1 when the feet are attacked with fever1 that malady will appear to remove itself to some other and probably distant part1 and fix itself on the lungs or other viscera1 the same way that inflammation of the lungs and other parts of the upper structure will change amongst themselves1 or from their own seat of disease to the feet4#cd ,i have even known superpurgation 7occasioned1 in a pair of horses1 by undue1 but not severe work when under the irritation of the medicine7 to cause fever of the feet1 by a metastasis1 changing the seat of irritation from the internals to the extremities--a very palpable case in point4 ,,setons4 ,the insertion of a seton properly belongs to the professional man1 and only for the guidance of persons who1 from living in remote neighbourhoods or other causes1 cannot possibly procure the assistance of such1 the following information is inserted1 in order to obviate the necessity for some ignorant farrier being permitted to perform the operation after his own fashion4 ,the skin is first divided1 by surgical scissors made for such purposes1 to the width of the seton-needle to be used1 which must be wide or narrow1 according to the orifice required1 with white linen tape passed through its eye1 about the same width as the needle and orifice4 ,the needle is then inserted at the opening1 and1 passing superficially under the skin1 is directed towards the point where the lower or depending orifice is intended to be1 and where the needle and tape are drawn out4 ,sufficient tape must be left at each extremity to admit not only of its being tied round small rolls of tow which keep the tape from running through at either side1 but some inches of the tape should be left in addition at one end1 to allow of a portion being drawn out at one orifice each day1 and a fresh piece with dressing being drawn in at the other4 ,in cases where there is already an upper orifice with sinuses1 the surgeon 7if he does not lay the place entirely open with a knife1 which1 if the sinuses are deep-seated1 he will do7 will insert the seton-needle at such orifice1 no incision with the scissors being necessary1 the direction of the sinuses having been first ascertained by the careful use of the probe4 ,the dressing to be applied to the tape will be either chloride of zinc lotion1 ,venice turpentine1 or tincture of arnica lotion 7see 8,lotions071 according as the healing or discharging process may be desired1 the first being the healing application4 ,farriers attempting this operation will even now adopt an old and most objectionable practice of tying the two ends of the seton-tape together1 and turning it round at each fresh dressing2 the consequence being that1 if anything happen to catch in the loop thus made1 the whole piece of skin may be dragged out4 ,,lotions1 ,,purges1 ,,blisters1 c4 ,,as ,a ,,rule1 ,,all ,,volatile ,,oils ,,or ,,tinctures ,,should ,,be ,,administered ,,in ,,cold ,,water1 ,,or ,,liquid4 ,strong ,heeding ,lotion4--,chloride of zinc1 two scruples2 water1 one pint4 ,weaker1 as for ,sore ,mouth1 c4--,chloride of zinc1 one scruple2 water1 one pint4 ,to encourage ,pus1 and heal subsequently4--,tincture of arnica1 one ounce2 water1 one pint4 ,to keep off ,flies from ,wounds or ,bruises4--,apply a rag dipped in solution of tar4 ,glycerine ,lotion4--,glycerine1 half pint2 chloride of zinc1 half ounce2 water1 six quarts4 ,to abate ,external ,inflammation4--,vinegar1 two ounces2 ,goulard lotion1 one ounce2 water1 two pints4 ,liniment for the ,neck in ,cold and ,distemper1 ,sore ,throat1 c4--,one part spirit of turpentine1 two parts oil1 mixed1 or equal parts of each1 and rubbed in once or twice daily4 ,purges4--,a mild purge is composed of--aloes1 four drachms2 extract of gentian1 two drachms4 ,a very mild ,laxative ,drench4--,castor-oil1 three ounces2 linseed-oil1 two ounces2 warm gruel1 one pint--,mix4 ,of linseed-oil alone the ordinary dose is one pint4 ,if ineffectual1 to be repeated1 with the addition of twenty drops of croton-oil4 ,alterative ,ball 7for surfeit and skin diseases74--,cream of tartar1 half drachm2 nitre1 two drachms2 flowers of sulphur1 half ounce--,mix in mass4 ,external ,absorbents4--,iodine ointment and tincture1 ,stevens's ointment1#ce water-dressing4 ,restoratives or ,renovators--,drenches4--,a quart of stout1 morning or evening2 hay-tea1 when mashes are refused2 gruel properly prepared 7page #afa7 and linseed mashes 7page #bb74 ,soothing ,drench in ,colic4--,sulphuric ether1 one ounce2 laudanum1 one ounce2 linseed-oil1 one pint4 ,astringent ,drenches 7for diabetes74--,diluted phosphoric acid1 one ounce2 chilled water1 one pint4 ,or--,oak-bark1 one ounce2 alum1 quarter ounce2 camomile tea1 one pint--,made into a drench4 ,feeding on old hay is generally effectual to check purging4 ,clysters#cf 7for diarrha1 dysentery1 or over-purgation74--,laudanum1 one ounce--,mixed in three pints warm thin starch1 repeated every half-hour1 as long as necessary4 7,the above is soothing and astringent47 7,for inflammation of the bladder or kidneys47--,injections of warm linseed-tea constantly repeated4 7,for dysentery47--,injections of cold linseed-tea4 7,for colic47--,injection of one pint of turpentine mixed in two quarts of hot soap-suds4 7,soothing and laxative47 ,ointment 7to recover hair74--,equal parts hogs' lard and mercurial ointment1 with very finely powdered burnt leather to colour it4 ,poultices are made of bran or linseed-meal1 with boiling water1 and applied as hot as bearable4 ,they are seldom used except for the feet1 in which cases the leather shoe is useful4 ,water-dressing 7for sores1 c47--,pads of linen kept continually fully saturated with water1 and entirely over them is kept fixed a waterproof covering of oiled silk or calico 7gutta-percha is too liable to tear71 to prevent evaporation4 ,the pads should be changed every three or four hours1 and cleansed where they are intended to promote effusion of matter4 ,for ,acidity4--,a lump of chalk kept in the manger4 ,for ,general ,health4--,a lump of rock-salt always in the manger4 ,for ,worms4--,one to two grains of arsenic and twenty grains of kamela twice daily 7each dose mixed in a handful of wet bran1 and given with oats or other feeding7 for eighteen days1 and a purge the nineteenth morning4 ,the horse may get moderate work during the administration of the powders4 ,or1 common salt1 a tablespoonful daily1 to be mixed with the food4 ,strong ,mustard ,blister4--,for cases of acute inflammation1 mustard to be made into a paste1 eight ounces2 oil of turpentine1 two ounces--,to be well rubbed into the chest or belly in severe inflammation4 ,blisters should never be applied to a horse's four legs at the same time1 as is the practice with some farriers4 ,two legs only should be blistered at once1 and an interval of three or four days suffered to elapse before the application of the remaining blisters4 ,the animal's head should be tied up for at least thirty hours after the blister is put on1 to prevent his gnawing the part2 but if a cradle round the neck can effect the same purpose in cases where other parts are blistered1 its use is preferable to tying up the head4 ,sedative4--,to allay excitement after a wound1 c43 tincture of aconite1 ten to twenty drops1 in drench of one pint of water with chill off4 ,to make ,gruel4--,mix well a pound of oatmeal in a quart of cold water2 put this mixture in a stew-pan containing three quarts of boiling water1 stir all well over the fire till it becomes thick1 then leave it aside to cool sufficiently to be eatable4 ,disinfectant4--,as it will perhaps be useful to any proprietor of horse-flesh1 who may unfortunately have had contagious disease in his stables1 such as farcy or glanders1 to know how premises should be disinfected according to the most approved means1 the following recommendations of ,government for purifying the holds of ships1 during the prevalence of rinderpest1 are appended3-- ,suggestions for ,disinfecting ,holds of ,ships4--,the ,government has issued the following circular to the shipowners and veterinary inspectors of ,irish ports4 ,it must not be forgotten that the importation of raw hides is still permitted4 8#bc;d ,august #ahfe4 8,the usual means had recourse to for the purpose of disinfecting the holds of vessels 7such as washing and subsequently applying diluted disinfecting solutions1 the most generally used of which is chloride of lime71 do not possess sufficient efficacy1 particularly within the limited time that can be devoted to that purpose1 without interfering with the commercial interests of the vessels4 8,it would occupy too much time to carefully scour and afterwards apply a disinfecting fluid to the entire surface of a ship's hold1 in which1 generally1 there are many crevices and parts that cannot be reached by the hand or brush4 ,such crevices and parts are capable of retaining the contagious and infectious principles in all their virulence4 8,holds of vessels1 and all other chambers from which the external air can be excluded for a time1 can be1 comparatively speaking1 most effectually disinfected by filling them with chlorine gas1 the great disinfecting principle of chloride of lime4 ,the gas insinuates itself into every chink1 crevice1 and part of the chamber in which it is confined1 and more effectually decomposes the contagious and infectious compounds1 whether they be solid1 fluid1 or aeriform1 than any other disinfectant equally easy of application1 and as cheap4 ,the mode of disinfecting the hold of a vessel with chlorine is1 to place a quantity of common salt and black oxide of manganese in a strong basin1 which may be put into a bucket1 to the handle of which a rope has been attached4 ,pour on the salt and black oxide of manganese their combined weight of sulphuric acid2 then let the bucket containing the basin a little way down into the hold by the rope attached to its handle4 ,the chlorine gas1 being heavier than the atmospheric air1 will quickly displace the latter and fill the hold4 ,in a short time1 when the hold has become filled with chlorine1 the hatches may be battened down for about half an hour4 8,previous to using the hold again for live freight1 a current of air should be admitted through it to remove the chlorine4 8,many recommend the use of charcoal2 but it is not alone more difficult of application1 but it is much less of a disinfectant than a deodoriser4 ,charcoal will not1 like the chlorides1 decompose the matter of disease4 ,if the damp matter of glanders1 or sheep-pox1 be well mixed with a strong solution of chloride of lime1 it will seldom produce bad effects by inoculation2 but if pure charcoal of any kind be used1 the contagious principle of the diseased matter is not at all diminished in its virulence--quite the contrary2 similar results are found if cow-pox be the matter used in the experiment4 8,the cost of the readiest materials for the production of chlorine gas is very trifling4 ,the salt is not d4 per pound2 black oxide of manganese but #d;d4 per pound2 and sulphuric acid #a;d4 per pound4 ,these are the retail prices4 ,a couple of pounds weight of each would suffice for a large-sized hold4 8,the attention of the customs1 shipowners1 and veterinary inspectors is directed to the above disinfecting means4 7,signed7 8,,hugh ,,ferguson1 ,her ,majesty's ,veterinary ,surgeon1 ,principal ,government ,veterinary ,inspector1 ,ireland40 ,,footnotes #a ,it may be well to let my readers know how ,i became experienced on the road4 ,in the days when coaching was in its perfection 7and when many country gentlemen indulged in their fancy for the use of the 8ribbons071 ,i became1 during a long interval from service1 deeply and actively concerned in a coaching establishment of the first order2 and those who1 some years since1 travelling between ,dublin and ,killarney via ,limerick 7a distance of about #ahe miles71 may have happened to hear coachmen and helpers talking of the 8,captain10 will recognise in the writer the individual thus referred to1 who was also in partnership with the famous ,bianconi in the staging on the ,killarney line4 ,several years spent in such a school will probably be considered a good apprenticeship to the study of one branch of the subject herein treated upon--viz41 the management of horses on the road4 #b ,the soubriquet by which the ,author is known in his regiment4 #c ,it1 however1 is treated more fully in a new section1 page #ic1 which1 at the request of many readers1 and in consequence of its increasing interest to a large portion of the community1 has been added to this edition4 #d ,the ,french dealers of the present day choose1 for gentlemen's hack-horses1 chestnuts with legs white half-way up1 causing the action to look more remarkable4 8,there's no accounting for taste40 #e ,it is to be remarked of bays1 mouse-colours1 and chestnuts1 having a streak of a darker colour over the backbone from mane to tail 7which sometimes1 as with the donkey1 crosses the shoulder7--that animals thus marked generally possess peculiar powers of endurance2 and rat-tailed ones1 though ugly1 prove very serviceable4 #f ,the extremes of various bad positions of the head when the bit is put in operation are--the throwing up the nose horizontal with the forehead1 a trick denominated 8stargazing10 at which ewe-necked horses are very ready1 and getting the bit up to the angles of the jaws4 ,such a horse can easily run away1 and cannot be commanded without a martingal4 ,another bad point is when the animal leans his jaw firmly against the bit1 and1 placing his head between his fore legs1 the neck being over-arched1 goes where he pleases3 such is called by horsemen 8a borer40 #g ,the racer not coming within the province1 of this little work1 ,i will only offer one maxim with reference to such horses in general--viz41 never race any horse unless you make up your mind to have most probably a fretful1 bad-tempered animal ever after4 ,the course of training and the excitement of contest will induce such a result4 #h ,if you happen to buy a low-priced animal1 and depend upon your own opinion as to soundness1 it is well to feel and look closely at the back part of the fore leg1 above the fetlock1 and along the pasterns1 for cicatrices left after the performance of the operation of unnerving1 by means of which a horse will go perhaps apparently sound while navicular disease is progressing in his foot1 to terminate in most serious consequences4--,see 8,navicular ,disease10 page #acd4 #i ,the old-fashioned pattern1 with leather gear1 is1 after all1 the best1 as proved by the most practical men of the day4 #aj ,it has been truly said by the well-known ,mr ,elmore1 that there is a key to every horse's mouth1 requiring only proper hands to apply it4 #aa ,the famous ,irish jumper 8,distiller0 was notorious among many other good fencers as a bungler on the road1 though he would jump a six-foot-six stone wall with ease1 sporting two large broken knees in consequence of his performance in that line2 and in fencing he was also first-rate4 #ab ,i may recommend ,gibson1 #f ,coventry ,street1 ,leicester ,square1 as an excellent1 intelligent1 and experienced saddler4 #ac ,latchford1 #aa ,upper ,st ,martin's ,lane1 ,london1 and all saddlers4 #ad ,all the foregoing observations on saddlery apply equally to ladies' saddles4 ,marked attention should be paid before they mount to the girths1 which should be very tight1 to prevent the saddle from turning1 a lady's weight being often altogether on one side4 #ae ,as a good shoulder1 such as will keep a saddle in its place1 is one of the great essentials in a gentleman's hack1 or indeed in an officer's charger1 giving him leverage to lift his legs safely and showily1 it stands to reason that not many such will pass into the ranks at the ,government price for remounts1 which1 however1 is ample to supply animals suitable for the service1 and does so in regiments where the class of horse provided at once proves that the whole sum allowed is invested in the remount itself1 and proper judgment exercised in purchasing4 #af ,it might not be out of place to mention1 for the information of those who desire to be well taught1 that1 to my own knowledge1 ,allen's1 in ,seymour ,place1 ,bryanstone ,square1 and ,clarendon's1 in ,great ,brunswick ,street1 ,dublin1 are excellent riding-schools4 #ag ,those who probably have never received a professional riding-lesson in their lives1 but still1 from intuitive taste1 ride with ease and ability4 #ah ,talking of a horse being self-dependent in his movement on the road1 puts me in mind of a challenge once accepted by a very practical horseman1 to ride a notorious stumbler 7reduced by this defect to mere farm-work7 three times round ,stephen's ,green1 ,dublin 7a distance of over three miles71 without falling4 ,given his choice of bits1 some being of the severest kind1 he rejected them all1 desiring the groom to get him a common hemp halter1 and with this simple head-gear1 riding bare-backed1 he accomplished the distance without the slightest mishap1 and thereby won a large bet4 ,the groom1 however1 resumed the use of the bit to ride the horse home 7now feeling sufficient confidence to trust himself on his back instead of leading him71 when the animal fell on his knees before he had gone a hundred yards4 #ai ,the incautious use of that rein1 which has leverage on the curb1 is very apt1 with young unformed horses1 or such as have been only accustomed to the bridoon or snaffle1 to induce a notion of rearing1 especially in anything of a rough attempt to 8rein back0 with2 indeed1 this latter point of training should be accomplished with the bridoon only4 #bj ,one can scarcely repress a smile on hearing cross-country misfortunes related1 as they frequently are1 in pretty nearly the following terms3--8,i found my horse going sluggishly at his fences2 and one place looking rather biggish1 ,i shook him up with the bit1 and put both heels into him to rouse him1 but somehow or other the brute took off too soon1 caught his fore feet1 ,i suppose1 against something1 and came such a cropper on the other side60 or1 8,the beast kept going at such a bat at his fences that ,i brought him to book with my hands down1 and with a good pull steadied him2 but the brute with his awkwardness missed his footing on landing1 dropped his hind legs into the brook somehow1 and fell back on me1 giving me a regular sousing60 #ba ,in obscure lameness1 to aid towards discovery of the affected part1 having first decided which leg or foot is diseased1 it is not a bad plan to walk the animal into a stream above the knees and take him out again 7or have water dashed at once fully over the member71 then kneel and closely observe which spot on the surface dries first--that which does so will probably prove to be the most inflamed part4 #bb ,in double harness1 to increase your power in turning1 shorten the coupling-reins2 and to ease your horses1 lengthen these to let their heads work more straight forward4 #bc ,any one desiring hints in that line can have the benefit of my experience in dealing with such cattle1 by applying to my publisher4 #bd ,when a hame martingal strap is used1 the pad belly-band should not be finally buckled until it has been passed through the other4 #be ,yankee fashion is to drive with a rein in each hand4 ,this style in ,ireland is humorously described as 8driving with a rein in each hand and a whip in the other40 #bf ,there is a useful and inexpensive contrivance for very temporary roughing1 patented and sold by ,john ,coppard ,co41 #bd ,fleet ,street1 who1 on being communicated with1 will forward descriptive particulars4 ,there is also a capital and more permanent arrangement prepared and sold by ,mr ,morris of #ba ,rathbone ,place1 ,oxford ,street1 being an improvement on ,mr ,white's plan of frosting horses' shoes1 by screwing three sharpened cogs into each--one at each heel and one at the toe--the shoes when put on being prepared to receive them4 #bg ,a suggestion has been made by one of the ablest reviewers of the first edition of this work1 to add a chapter on caprices of horses2 and doubtless such would be so extremely interesting1 that the temptation to insert notes under this head in my first edition was only overcome by the determination to avoid being led into anecdote1 which has been strictly observed throughout1 as being out of keeping with the concise style in which it was intended that the book should be produced4 ,a few practical hints are1 however1 here classed under the head of 8,caprice40 #bh ,a little work on blood-letting1 by ,professor ,hugh ,ferguson of ,dublin1 is well worthy of consultation on the subject4 #bi ,the difference between this disease and attacks of the lower viscera is1 that the animal does not kick about1 but generally stands as if hopeless and helpless4 #cj ,practical men will tell you that the readiest and best way to mix grey powder1 as water will not make it adhere1 is with saliva in the palm of the hand1 from whence it is transferred by a blunt knife to the horse's tongue near the root1 the tongue being drawn out for the purpose4 ,i can vouch for the efficacy of this not very elegant proceeding where expedition is an object1 having witnessed it myself4 #ca ,this will be found almost a specific2 it is recommended by ,mr ,mayhew1 and is said to have originated with ,mr ,woodyer1 ,v4,s41 at ,paddington4 ,professor ,dick is also reputed to have been very successful in the treatment of this disease1 by the use of small and repeated doses of iodine or iodide of potassium4 #cb ,this treatment is recommended by ,mr ,mayhew4 #cc ,a few of the low class of horsedealers are very clever at passing off a cribber or wind-sucker4 ,i have known cases where one might remain in a stable for hours with a cribber and not detect him4 ,by keeping a continual watch over the animal and thrashing him directly he attempts to crib1 he has been taught to beware of transgressing in this style in the presence of any one1 and thus even a veterinary surgeon may be deceived1 for he is not supposed to lose his time looking after such details of trickery4 #cd ,for example1 an animal is in nearly a hopeless state from inflammation of the lungs and pleura1 perhaps as a complication of distemper4 ,suddenly there is an amelioration in the symptoms2 the hurried breathing resumes the characteristics of ordinary respiration--the owner1 or veterinary surgeon in attendance1 pronounces the patient to be out of danger--the improvement is regarded as almost miraculous4 ,but in about twenty-four hours1 often less1 the horse is observed to move with difficulty in the stable2 if he lies down1 he is disinclined to get up2 when standing1 the fore feet are kept considerably more in advance than usual1 the hind ones far forward under the body1 so that they may as much as possible relieve the fore feet and legs from the superincumbent weight4 ,in aggravated cases1 as the heels of the fore feet are the parts which bear the most weight in progression1 the horse1 when forced to walk1 which he can only accomplish with great difficulty1 elevates the toe at every step1 bringing the heel1 instead of it1 to the ground4 ,the horse is then suffering from acute laminitis1 or what is more generally in horse-parlance termed 8founder40 #ce ,prepared and sold by ,mr ,h4 ,r4 ,stevens1 ,v4,s41 #h;,a ,park ,lane1 ,london1 ,w41 and all chemists4 #cf ,the use of the clyster syringe by unskilled hands is very dangerous--serious injury to the rectum being the common result2 therefore great caution should be used to insert the pipe 7well greased7 slowly and not too high up the channel4 ,,index4 ,page ,absorbents #aei ,absorbent system #ajf ,acidity #afj ,aconite1 tincture of #afa ,age1 to judge of #c ,ale and porter #bd1 #cg ,alteratives #aei ,ambling or pacing #cd ,american stabling #ah ,american carriages #gd ,arabian horses #ie ,arnica lotion #aeg1 #aeh ,arsenic #abd1 #afj ,auction #f1 #hi ,axle-boxes #gd ,backing #ga ,back-raking #abb ,back1 sore #ch1 #aea ,ball1 manner of giving #ajd ,bandaging #ad ,bark of oak #aei ,beans and pease #bj1 #ba ,bearing-rein #fc1 #ada ,bedding #i1 #aj1 #bg1 #ch ,belladonna #abg ,belly-band1 caution #ei ,bits #ch1 #fb1 #gj ,bladder1 inflammation of #abg1 #aei ,bleeding #aaa ,blinkers #fb1 #gj ,blisters and absorbents #aei1 #afj ,blood #id ,board ship #bd1 #ajd ,boot of leather #ai ,bran mash #bb ,break carriage #e1 #cj ,breaking or training #bi ,breaking to harness #cj ,breastplate #dh ,breeding #a1 #ic ,bridling #ch ,britching #eh ,broken knees #ada ,broken wind #aai ,bronchitis #aac ,bruised oats #ba ,brushing #gh ,buying #f ,calkins or cogs #hj1 #hb ,calomel #abe ,canker #acf ,cantering #cc1 #eb ,capped hock #ade ,caprice #ij ,carriages #gc1 #ge ,carrots #bc ,casting #ajb ,cavalry remounts #dg ,cavesson #cc ,chaff #aj1 #aed ,chain fastenings #ag ,chalk #ae1 #aed1 #afj ,chifney bit #db ,chloride of zinc #aeh ,chloroform #ajb ,clap of the back sinew #adc ,cleaning in-doors #ab1 #ac ,climate #ie ,clipping #af ,clothing #ah ,clysters #aei ,clysters1 danger of using #ae1 #aei ,cold and influenza #aaj ,colic and gripes #ajh1 #aba ,colic drench #aei ,collar #fj ,colour #b ,contagion #bf1 #aab1 #aaf ,contractors #be ,corns #gi1 #aca1 #adj ,costiveness #abc ,cough #aae ,coupling-rein #ef ,cracked and greasy heels #acf ,crib-biting #aec ,croton-oil #ajh1 #aei ,crupper #df1 #fc ,curb #ade ,dandriff #ad ,dealers #f1 #g ,diabetes #abc ,diabetes drench #aei ,diarrha or dysentery #abj1 #aei ,digestive organs1 diseases of #abj ,diseases #aja ,disinfectants #aac1 #afa ,diuretics1 and danger of #abf ,dogs and cats #aa ,dragoons #cf1 #dg1 #dh1 #ej ,drainage #h ,draught or traction #eh1 #gb ,drench1 way of giving #aje ,driving #fe ,dumb jockey #cj ,dysentery #abj1 #aei ,exercising #ca1 #ajg ,exhibitions #id1 #ig ,eyes1 sore #aaj ,fairs #g ,falling in harness #gj ,farcy #bf1 #ajg1 #adg ,febrifuges #aag ,feeding #bj ,feeding on board ship #bd ,feet1 diseases of #abg ,fencing #ec ,fever of the feet1 or laminitis #acb1 #acc1 #aee ,fits #aag1 #aec ,flooring #aj1 #adc ,fomentations #adf ,foot1 construction of #abh ,foot-stopping #ac1 #ch ,french horses #a1 #b1 #if ,frosting #hj ,gas water #adf ,girthing #dd ,glanders #bf1 #aji ,glycerine #aeh ,goulard lotion #aeh ,grazing #bf ,grey powder #aae ,gripes #ajh1 #aba ,grooming #ab ,grooms' doctoring #ab ,grooms' requisites #ae ,gruel1 how to make #afa ,hack for draught #e ,hack to ride #c ,halter-cast #ag ,haltering #af ,hames #eh1 #fa ,harnessing #ef ,harness-room #ef ,hay #ba ,head1 diseases of #aji ,head-stall #af ,heels1 cracked or greasy #acf ,hidebound #aej ,hills1 to ascend or descend #fg1 #fh ,hood #ah ,horse shows #id1 #ig ,hunter #e1 #id ,inflammation of bladder #abe1 #aei ,inflammation of kidneys #abe ,inflammation of lungs #aad1 #aee ,influenza #aaj ,indian gram #bb ,iodine ointment #aei ,irish hunters #ic ,jibbers #ga1 #hg ,jumping #ec ,kicking in harness #ei1 #ga1 #he ,kicking in stable #he ,kicking-strap #ca1 #ei ,kidneys1 inflammation of #abe ,knee-caps #ai1 #ca ,knees1 broken #ada ,lameness #ee1 #gh1 #abh1 #adj ,lampas #aai ,latches1 danger of #aj ,lateral cartilage1 disease of #ace ,laudanum #aba1 #aei ,laxatives #aeh ,leather boot #ai ,leather soles #hb ,legs1 diseases of #abg ,light #i ,liniments #aeh ,linseed mash #bb ,linseed-oil #ajh1 #aeh ,litter #i1 #ace ,liver1 diseases of #abe ,logs to head1 tie #ag ,loose-boxes #i ,lotions #ada1 #aeh ,loungeing or ringing #cc1 #hd ,lungs1 inflammation of #aad1 #aee ,mallenders and sallenders #add ,mane #ad ,mange #aej ,mangers #aj ,martingals #dj ,mash1 to make #bb ,megrims #aec ,mercurial ointment #ada1 #afj ,mercury4--,see ,calomel4 ,metastasis #aee ,mounting of lady in side-saddle #ee ,mustard blister #afj ,navicular disease #g1 #acd ,neck1 sore #ca ,nitre #aag1 #abf ,nose1 discharge from1 or nasal gleet #aaj1 #aaf ,noseband #db1 #fc ,numna or sweat-cloth #ch ,oak bark #aei ,oats1 bruised #ba ,ointments #ada1 #afj ,operations #ajb ,operations1 slight #ajd ,opium1 tincture of #aba1 #abc ,out of doors1 cleaning #ab1 #ac ,over-reach or tread #adj ,pace1 generally considered #cd1 #if ,partitions #aj ,pavement #i1 #aj1 #aa1 #adc ,pease #bj1 #bb ,peat or tan as bedding #aj1 #bg ,phosphoric acid #abd1 #aei ,picker #ac1 #ae ,pole-chains and swinging-bars #gc ,poll-evil #ag1 #aag ,porter and ale #bd1 #cg ,poultices #afj ,private purchase #g1 #ij ,prizes #id1 #ig ,public troughs #bf ,pulse #aji ,purges #ajh1 #aeh1 #aei ,purging #ajf ,purging1 to stop #ajh1 #aba ,putting to1 in draught #eg ,quittor #ace ,race-horses #a1 #f ,racing laws #ig ,racks and mangers #aj ,rarey's system #bh1 #ajb ,rearing up #eb1 #hf ,restoratives1 in work #bd1 #cg ,riding #di ,ringing or loungeing #cc ,ring-bone #add ,ringworm #adh ,rollers #ai1 #aeb ,roughing and frosting #hj ,runaways #ga ,saddling #dc ,sallenders #add ,salt #ae1 #abe1 #aed1 #afj ,sand-cracks #ach ,saving-collar #cj1 #fa ,sedative #afa ,selecting #b ,selling #hi ,setons #aeb1 #aef ,sex #c ,shape #a1 #c1 #e1 #f1 #id ,sheet1 shape #ah ,shelly hoofs #acg ,shipboard #bd1 #ajd ,shivering fits #aag ,shoeing #ge ,shying #hh ,side-saddle1 for mounting lady to #ee ,side-saddle and girths #dd1 #de ,singeing #ae ,sitfasts #aea ,size #a1 #b1 #gb1 #ie ,skin diseases #adh1 #adi1 #aej ,smelling1 sense of #hi ,solitude #aa1 #ic ,sore back #ch1 #aea ,sore eyes #aaj ,sore heels #acf ,sore mouth #bd1 #aeh ,sore neck #ca ,sore throat #aah ,sore withers #ch1 #aea ,soundness #e ,spavin1 blood #adf ,spavin1 bone #add ,splinter and swinging bars #gc ,splints #adb ,stable requisites #ae ,stabling #h ,staggers #aec ,staling1 profuse #abc ,stalls #i ,steaming the head #aab ,stevens's ointment #adb1 #ade1 #aei ,stirrup irons and leathers #de1 #df ,stonehenge #aa1 #cj ,stones on the road #ac1 #dj1 #ee ,stopping feet #ac1 #ch1 #gf1 #acd ,strain of back sinew #aa1 #ad1 #hb1 #adc ,strangles #aah ,straw #i1 #aj ,string-halt #ade ,stubbornness #ga1 #hg ,stumbling #dj1 #eb ,surfeit #adg1 #adi ,sweating #cb ,synovia #ada1 #adc1 #adf ,tar #ae1 #ace1 #ach1 #adj1 #aeh ,teeth #c1 #bd1 #aaf ,terret-pad and belly-band #ei1 #fa ,tinctures1 administration of #aeh ,tips #hc ,thorough-pin #adf ,throat-lash or band #dc ,throat1 sore #aah ,thrush #ae1 #aca1 #ace ,traces #eg ,training #bh ,travelling #cf1 #hd ,troop-horses #dg1 #ej ,trotting #cd ,turpentine #aeg1 #aeh ,twitch #ge1 #ajd ,unnerving #g1 #acd ,urinary organs1 diseases of #abe1 #abg1 #aei ,ventilation #h1 #ah1 #ajb1 #aji1 #aab1 #aae1 #aah ,vice #hd ,vinegar #add1 #aeh ,walking exercise #cb ,warranty #e1 #g ,water1 externally #ab1 #acf ,water-dressing #afj ,water farcy #adh ,watering #be ,wheels #gc ,whip #fe ,wind-galls #ad1 #adc ,wind-sucking #aec ,withers1 sore #ch1 #aea ,work #cc ,worms #bh1 #abd1 #afj ,worm-powder #abd ,wounds #aeb ,wrick or wrench #add ,yellows #abe ,young horses #id1 #ig ,zinc1 chloride of #aeh ,,printed ,,by ,,william ,,blackwood ,,and ,,sons1 ,,edinburgh4