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staggers (which see), causing them to fall. Hence, the expression, 

 " fitty horse." 



Flaxseed. — Every part of this seed is used one way or another 

 in the treatment of diseases of tlie horse. The ground seed, mixed 

 with warm water, is an excellent cooling food for horses, almost a 

 laxative. The pressed juice, or oil, is a certain and safe purgative 

 for the horse, in quart doses. The residue, which remains after 

 the oil has been pressed, commonly called cake meal, when mixed 

 with warm water, makes the best of poultices to a sore or wound. 

 (See Poultices.) 



Food, Hints on. — 1. All horses must not be fed in the same 

 proportions, without due regard to their ages, their constitutions, 

 and their work. Because the impropriety of such a practice is self- 

 evident. Yet it is constantly done, and is the basis of disease of every 

 kind. 



2. Never use bad hay on account of its cheapness. Because 

 there is not proper nourishment in it. 



3. Damaged corn is exceedingly injurious. Because it brings on 



INFLAMMATION of the BoWcls and SKIN DISEASES. 



4. Chaff is better for old horses than hay. Because they can chew 

 and digest it better. 



5. Mix chaff with corn or oats, and do not give them alone. 

 Because it makes the horse chew his food more and digest it better. 



6. Hay or grass alone will not support a horse under hard work. 

 Because there is not sufficient nutritive body in either. 



7. When a horse is worked hard his food should chiefly be oats 

 and corn ; if not worked hard, his food should chiefly be hay. 

 Because oats and corn supply more nourishment and flesh-making 

 material than any other kind of food. Hay not so much. 



8. For a saddle or coach-horse, half a peck of sound oats and 

 eighteen pounds of good hay are sufficient. If the hay is not good, 

 add a quarter of a peck more oats. A horse that works harder 

 may have rather more of each ; one that works little should have 

 less. 



9. Rack-feeding is wasteful. Tiie better plan is to feed with 

 chopped hay, from a manger. Because the food is not then thrown 

 about, and is more easily cheived and digested. 



10. Sprinkle the hay with water that has salt dissolved in it. 



