26 Veterinary Medicine. 



Constant hard work, for a time, is an excellent form of acces- 

 sory treatment, as the plethora developed by over-feeding and 

 temporary idleness begets an irritability and impatience of control 

 which is quite likely to beguile him into his old habits. 



In case of runaway, beside the electric and asphyxiating treat- 

 ment already referred to, the animal may be blinded and quickly 

 brought to a stand-still. Movable blinds may be used which 

 habitually stand well out from the eyes, but which maj^ be instant- 

 ly drawn closely over them by the simple pulling of a cord. The 

 sudden darkness and the impossibillity of directing his course, 

 brings an instant realization of the existence of other dangers be- 

 side the original bugbear. 



BALKING. RESTIVENESS. 



Definition. Common in ass and mule. Causes: low condition ; overload- 

 ing ; nervousness ; sluggish nature ; irritable driver ; shoulder sores ; poor 

 collar ; hard bit ; sharp or sore maxilla ; sores in angle of mouth ; mares ; 

 racial tendency ; going from stable ; a psychosis. Symptoms : stands stock 

 still ; plunges, but won't draw; will stamp, bite, kick, rear, buck, crowd on 

 wall ; lie down. Breach of warranty : sound price ; willfulness ; balking of 

 raw horse ; diagnosis from nervous disorders ; sores, etc. Time in which re- 

 turnable. Treatment : preventive ; curative ; distract attention ; cord on ear ; 

 whiff of ammonia or capsicum ; closing nostrils ; blindfolding ; tying up the 

 fore leg ; stroking nose, eyes or ears ; tapping flexors of metacarpus ; move 

 in circle with head tied to tail ; coax to go. 



In general terms this has been defined as a refusal to obey. 

 Usually in solipeds it is a refusal to move as directed with a load, 

 under the saddle, or in hand. Though essentially a vice, it ma}^ 

 become such a fixed habit that it appears to dominate the will of 

 the animal and may thus be called a psychosis — a mental infirm- 

 ity. 



It is much more common in asses and mules than in horses, in 

 keeping with their more obstinate disposition and too often 

 harsher treatment. 



There may be simple refusal to pull. This often comes from 

 overloading, and especially when the animal has been sick or 

 idle, and comes back to work with soft flabby muscles unequal to 



