DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 137 



relieved it is best to put a twitch on his nose, put a gag in 

 his mouth, and pass a probang down his throat (the probang 

 is a long tube used for relieving horses and cattle in choking). 

 Relieve him without using the probang if you can. It is 

 advisable, after bringing a horse from pasture, when giving 

 him his first feed of oats, to dampen with water, as he is not 

 so liable to choke when the oats are damp. After a horse has 

 once choked he is more liable to choke again. To prevent 

 this, scatter the oats well, and have a few large, round stones 

 put in the feed box so that he cannot get a large mouthful at 

 a time. A horse will very rarely choke on any kind of fruit 

 or vegetables, such as apples, potatoes and carrots, but if he 

 does, treat as above. 



21. Dilitation or Enlargement of the Oesophagus. 



The Oesophagus is the name of the tube which carries 

 the food from the gullet to the stomach. 



Causes. — Choking may cause the tube to become en- 

 larged, forming a pouch or sack in which the food often 

 becomes lodged, thus again producing symptoms of choking. 



Symptoms. — This enlargement can be seen if in the neck 

 region. 



Treatment. — It can sometimes be relieved by rubbing on 

 the enlargement with the hand. This causes the food to pass 

 down into the stomach, thus relieving him. It also can be 

 relieved by drenching with raw linseed oil. 



22. Swelling Around the Head and Throat. 



This swelling may be noticed around the horse's head 

 and throat just after he has been turned out to pasture for a 

 few days. It looks quite alarming when first seen. 



Causes. — It is caused by an increased flow of blood to the 

 head when not being used to having his head to the ground 

 grazing. 



Symptoms. — There is a loose swelling around the jaws 

 and throat. It is not at all painful, and he seems perfectly 

 healthy in every other way. If brought in for a night and 

 fed from a high manger, so that he is compelled to hold his 

 head up, the swelling usually disappears, leaving him all right 

 by the morning. 



Treatment. — In some cases no other treatment is neces- 

 lary. Allow him out only a short time each day to graze 



