2s8 



Common Diseases of the Horse 



only be just held high enough to prevent the liquid running 

 out of the mouth, and must be dropped immediately if there is any 

 inclination to cough. 



A horse's head should always be tied up after a blister, or when 

 there is a wound that he may bite. 



The horse that is going to be turned out to grass should not be 

 groomed for a week or so before, so that dust and dandruff may 

 accumulate as a protection against the weather. When brought 

 back from a run at grass to be got ready for work again, it is wise 

 to give a dose of physic before proceeding to condition him. Care 

 should be taken when the early morning feed is refused. It is 

 generally the first indication that something is wrong, and to satisfy 

 oneself it is always wise to keep a clinical thermometer, when the 

 temperature can be ascertained. The normal temperature of a 

 horse is between 99° and 101° F., and it should not be higher than 

 the latter. 



Working a horse with a high temperature is a great evil, and is 

 a common cause of pneumonia. 



Always insist upon good grooming. This should be done night 

 and morning. It is not only for the sake of appearance, but is 

 essential for the animal's health. If dirty, the skin is unable to 

 perform its functions, and so indirectly the kidneys become affected. 

 In fact, one may say the whole system suffers. 



Sometimes one owns an animal that will not lie down, and 

 various methods may be attempted to induce him to do so. The 

 common methods are to change from a stall to a loose box, or, if 

 he is by himself, to the company of other horses; to litter him up 

 to his belly with straw ; if this does not succeed, various changes of 

 bedding may be tried. If these are unsuccessful, the tail may be 

 plaited with straw, with the end left hanging, or a bag of hot 

 sand may be placed across the loins. If, however, in spite of every- 

 thing one fails to induce him to lie down, he should be put in a 

 stall, with a strong leather belt, or a couple of ropes enclosed in old 

 hose-pipe tubes, placed behind him across the back of the stall for 

 him to sit on. The owner would be better without a horse of this 

 kind. 



A few words are necessary as to harness. These require to be 

 kept in good order, and should be cleaned and polished daily. 

 Neglect in this direction leads to the formation of sore shoulders, 

 sore backs, and other wounds, causes the horse to have a slovenly 

 appearance and the leather to perish quickly. A horse should 

 always wear the same set of harness, and never that of another 

 unless it has been well cleaned beforehand. 



