DISEASES OF HORSES. 375 



other, improve the wind and remove all tendency to heaves. 

 They have even been found effectual in curing an obstinate 

 cough. By many oi' the keepers of livery stables, they are 

 always used, for which purpose they command the same 

 price as oats. Potatoes, parsneps, beets and Swedes turneps 

 in the order montioned, are next to be preferred. Potatoes 

 are improved by cooking. Mixtures of food arc best, as of 

 cut hay, meal and roots. Old horses, or such as are put to 

 hard labor, will do much better if their food be given in the 

 form easiest of digestion. No inconsiderable part of the 

 vital power is exhausted hy the digestion of dry, raw food. 

 Horses ought to be fed, and if possible, exercised or worked 

 regularly, but never on a full stomach. This is a frequent 

 cause of disease, and especially of broken wind. If their 

 food is given at the proper time, and the horse be allowed to 

 finish it at once, without expecting more, he will lie down 

 quietly and digest it. This will be much more refreshing to 

 him, than to stand at the rack or trough, nibbling continu- 

 ally at his hay or oats. What remains after he has done 

 feeding, should be at once withdrawn. They should have 

 water in summer three times, and in winter twice a day. 

 Soft or running water is much the best. While working, 

 and they are not too warm, they may have it as often as 

 they desire. Neither should they be fed when heated, as 

 the stomach is then fatigued and slightly inflamed, and is 

 not prepared for digestion till the animal is again cool. Salt 

 should always be within reach, and we have found an occa- 

 sional handful of clean wood ashes, a preventive of disease 

 and an assistance to the bowels and appetite. 



DISEASES. 



The list is long and fearful, and even the brief one subjoined, 

 will be found sufficiently great, to inculcate the utmost caution 

 in their management. The horse in his natural condition is 

 subject to few ailments. It is only in his intensely artificial 

 state, and when made the slave of man, that he becomes a 

 prey to disease in almost every shape. A careful and judi- 

 cious attention to his diet, water, exercise, stable, and gene- 

 ral management, will prevent many of those to which he is 

 subject. 



GLANDERS is one of the most alarming. The first and most 

 marked symptom is a discharge from the nostrils of a pecu- 

 liar character. The disease produces inflammation there, 

 and in the windpipe, and finally, in aggravated cases, passes 



