246 THE PRACTICAL HOESE KEEPER. 



Horses that are not well " ribbed-up," and those of a 

 nervous temperament, are particularly prone to diarrhoea ; they 

 are difficult to keep in condition, but will sometimes do very 

 well if kept on good food and at slow work. When nervous- 

 ness is the cause in hunters, allowing them only a small 

 quantity of water before going out answers in many cases. 



If due to indigestion or some irritant, a mild aperient, such 

 as a dose of linseed-oil, will often effect a cure. In all cases 

 the diet should be changed. For acute cases a mild astringent, 

 as prepared chalk combined with opium, will be necessary ; 

 and if there is much weakness, stimulants should be adminis- 

 tered. Catechu is a good astringent. Oil of turpentine and 

 opium, beaten up with eggs, has been found very useful in 

 many cases. 



Irregular Teeth. 



"When the back or molar teeth become irregular, sharp, and 

 chipped, they cut the cheeks or the sides of the tongue, and 

 prevent the horse masticating his food properly ; this imperfect 

 mastication leads to what is called " quidding," the horse 

 dropping pellets of half -masticated hay from his mouth. There 

 is also usually loss of condition and unthriftiness. 



The teeth will require careful examination to ascertain their 

 condition. The mouth requires to be kept open by a gag 

 balling-iron, and a particular-shaped rasp is employed to file 

 down the sharp teeth. 



Worms, 



Several kinds of worms infest the horse's intestines, but 

 the most common is a long, white, round worm, tapering at 

 each end. When a large number of this worm is present the 

 horse loses condition, and has a harsh, rough skin, which clings 

 closely to the ribs ; the appetite is sometimes voracious, and 

 not unfrequently the abdomen is distended. 



There is another kind — a small thread-like worm, about an 



