HORSE PRODUCTION 135 



The Drench. To drench a horse his head must be drawn up high enough 

 to make the medicine run down but not too high. The head can be easily 

 raised by means of a rope, a loop of which is passed back of the incisor teeth 

 of the upper jaw. The end is then passed under the nose band of the halter 

 and through a pulley or over a beam. The medicine is given in liquid form 

 from a strong glass bottle such as a wine or whiskey bottle. It is poured in 

 slowly at a corner of the animal's mouth. 



How to Make a Horse Swallow Medicine. If the horse refuses to swallow 

 pour a teaspoonful of water into one of his nostrils. This will make him take 

 the medicine. 



Pills or Balls. To give medicine in the form of a pill or ball hold it in 

 the tips of the three middle fingers of the right hand. Grasp the tongue of 

 the horse with the left hand and pull it well forward, turning the tip of the 

 tongue towards the roof of the mouth. Next insert the right hand and push 

 the pill far back past the bulge in the tongue. Withdraw both hands quickly 

 and the medicine will go down. 



The Syringe. The syringe makes a fine way to give medicine to a horse. 

 One can get a small hard rubber syringe for this purpose. The syringe is held 

 in the right hand while the animal's mouth is opened with the left and the 

 medicine is forced into the back part of the mouth. Medicine can be given 

 quickly and easily this way. 



Action of Drugs in Horses. (See "Cattle Department.") 



CASTRATION. 



This consists in removing the organs of generation of the males. Colts 

 are generally castrated when a year or two years old. If a colt is not well 

 developed it is better to let him go until he is three years old. Colts should 

 not be castrated when it is exceedingly hot or cold or when the flies are bad. 

 The best time is generally in the spring when the pastures are good and the 

 weather cool. 



The colt to be castrated should be thrown on his left side or stood with 

 his side to a wall and restrained by a twist on his nose. The scrotum or 

 testicle sack should be washed clean and antiseptics used. Remove the smaller 

 testicle first. The scrotum should be firmly grasped below the testicles and 

 the testicles squeezed against the skin until it is tight. Next a bold incision 

 is made close to the line dividing the scrotum in the center and well forward. 

 This cut should be long enough to allow the testicle to drop out easily and 

 allow sufficient drainage. The cord should be cut at least four inches from 

 the testicle to prevent a tumor forming. Among the ways of severing the 

 cord are by tying the cord with a strong but small string and cutting the 

 testicle with a knife close to the string, and by using the emasculator or 

 ecraseur, instruments designed for that purpose. 



A colt should rest for some time after being castrated; then he should 

 have light exercise to remove the blood clots that collect in the scrotum. His 

 bowels should be kept open with injections of glycerine and warm water and 

 the wound should be bathed with antiseptics. 



