48 STABLE MANAGEMENT. 



to knock the first over, or tear the sheet, by pawing 

 at it with his fore feet. 



Worms (Jcirim). 



Parasites, or worms, in the intestines cause 

 horses to lose condition very quickly. The most 

 common are long white ones, like ordinary earth- 

 worms, about five to eight inches long ; and small, 

 very thin thread-like ones, about three inches 

 long. They cause the horse to become very un- 

 thrifty and thin, the coat being dull, without the 

 natural gloss that is seen in health, or as it is 

 termed, " hide-bound." The horse is also apt to 

 back up against any projection, or into a corner, 

 and rub his tail against the wall, breaking off the 

 hair, and giving it an unsightly appearance. If 

 worms are suspected, the "syce" should be in- 

 structed to look for them in the horse's droppings 

 in the morning, where the long ones are most 

 likely to be found ; also to examine under his dock, 

 where the small ones will leave a yellowish incrus- 

 tation under the root of the tail. An enema of 

 common salt and water, made by dissolving about 

 a table-spoonful of salt in a quart of luke-warm 

 water, generally suffices to get rid of the small ones. 

 The large ones, however, require medical treatment, 



