132 Management and Feeding of Heavy Horses 



than a pailful being allowed. If water is conveniently near, a little 

 drink when at work is very refreshing in dry hot weather. 



If horses are in good health, regularly worked, and properly 

 attended to, no spices or condiments are necessary, nor should the 

 wagoners be allowed to give any. 



It is possible that a horse may be a shy feeder and does not carry 

 condition, and when desirous of getting him up we may have re- 

 course to a condiment, of which there are any number on the market. 

 It is not desirable to use them if it can be avoided, and they should 

 only be given by the master or responsible foreman. For cases of 

 illness it is much the best plan to call in a veterinary surgeon in 

 time. It is false economy to postpone sending for a skilled man 

 until the animal is past his skill. But for emergencies, a case of use- 

 ful remedies should be kept at hand in charge of the master or fore- 

 man. The case should contain some colic drinks, some purging 

 balls of varying strength and distinctly labelled, some healing oils 

 for external application, a bottle of carbolized oil, and one of iodo- 

 form for foaling time, a large tin of hoof ointment, and a little 

 saltpetre. A box of soft soap should also be kept at hand. 

 Sometimes a bottle of linseed oil is required, and may effect all 

 that is desired. Simple coughs may be relieved in this manner. 

 The use of boiled linseed in a mash every Saturday night when 

 the horses are on hard keep is also beneficial and should not be 

 neglected. If a horse has any difficulty in passing water, a tea- 

 spoonful of saltpetre given in the mash will help to relieve him. 

 A farmer may do a good deal in the way of first aid among his 

 horses by keeping these simple remedies at hand ; but if a veterinary 

 surgeon is available within a reasonable distance, it is best to call 

 him in when anything serious threatens. 



The grooming and cleaning of horses is an important part of 

 their management. The stallion, and the carriage and saddle 

 horses, generally get well attended to by their respective grooms; 

 but the working horses of the farm are apt to be neglected, or done 

 over very superficially in this respect. The hairy -legged Shire 

 horses when working on clay land in wet weather find the 

 wagoners some extra work. Each wagoner should be provided 

 with a good currycomb, manecomb, and dandruff brush, and should 

 be made to use them. It is of importance that the horses' skin be 

 kept clean ; the use of the currycomb and brush has a pleasing and 

 stimulating effect on the horse. During the time the horse is 

 eating his morning feed the wagoner should give both his horses a 

 thoroughly good grooming, put on the collar and other gears, except 

 the bridles, give them their additional feed, and then get his own 



