DISEASES OF HORSES 99 



at slight expense. This treatment may be supplemented by giving a 

 tablespoonful of powdered bone meal in each feed, with free access 

 to a large piece of rock salt, or the bone meal may be given with 

 four tablespoonfuls of molasses mixed with the feed. Feeds contain- 

 ing mineral salts, such as beans, cowpeas, oats, and cotton-seed meal, 

 may prove beneficial in replenishing the bony substance that is 

 being absorbed. Cotton-seed meal is one of the best feeds for this 

 purpose, but it should be fed carefully. The animal should not be 

 allowed to work at all during the active stage of the disease, nor 

 should it be used for breeding purposes. (Spl. Rpt. Horse, Dept. 

 Agr. 1911; Fla. E. S. B. 26.) 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 



WATER. 



It is generally held, at least in practice, that any water that 

 stock can be induced to drink is sufficiently pure for their use. This 

 practice occasions losses that would startle us if statistics were at 

 hand. Water that is impure from the presence of decomposing or- 

 ganic matter, such as is found in wells and ponds in close proximity 

 to manure heaps and cesspools, is frequently the cause of diarrhea, 

 dysentery, and many other diseases of stock, while water that is im- 

 pregnated with different poisons produces death in very many in- 

 stances. 



Considering first the quantity of water required by the horse, 

 it may be stated that when our animals have access to water con- 

 tinually they never drink to excess. Were the horse subjected to 

 ship voyages or any other circumstances where he must depend upon 

 his attendant for the supply of water, it may be roughly stated that 

 each horse requires a daily average of about 8 gallons of water. This 

 will vary somewhat upon the character of his food; if upon green 

 food, less water will be needed than when fed upon dry hay and 

 grain. 



The time of giving water should be carefully studied. At rest, 

 the horse should receive water at least three times a day; when at 

 work, more frequently. The rule should be to give in small quan- 

 tities and often. There is a popular fallacy that if a horse is warm 

 he should not be allowed to drink, many claiming that the first 

 swallow of water founders the animal or produces colic. This is 

 erroneous. No matter how warm a horse may be, it is always en- 

 tirely safe to allow him from six to ten swallows of water. If this is 

 given on going into the stable, he should be given at once a pound or 

 two of hay and allowed to rest about an hour before feeding. If 

 water be now offered him it will in many cases be refused, or at least 

 he will drink but sparingly. The danger, then, is not in the first 

 swallow of water, but is due to the excessive quantity that the animal 

 will take when warm if he is not restrained. 



Water should never be given to horses when it is ice cold. It 

 may not be necessary to add hot water, but the farmer should be 

 careful in placing water troughs about his barns to have them in 

 such position that the sun may shine upon the water during the win- 



