348 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



and behind, and placed close to the hip and breast, so as to 

 prevent the animal from surging back and forth on the 

 planks. Lastly, heavy pieces of timber may be placed on 

 the pen, in front and behind, to hold it firmly, and strong 

 stakes driven down at each corner of the pen, which, by these 

 means, will be so well secured that no movement will be pos- 

 sible. The horse may be hitched by a halter to a post in 

 front, and some planks being laid on the rails at the same 

 place, a platform will be formed on which a feeding-box may 

 be placed. 



Such a piece of work will cost the owner perhaps ten dol- 

 lars, and consume one day of his time ; but, besides saving 

 the horse's life, it will be worth fifty dollars in the practical 

 experience gained. The contrivance may be applied in a 

 variety of cases, which most of the farmers destitute of the 

 enterprise necessary for so simple a task;, would give up as 

 hopeless from the outset. In cases of broken legs, for ex- 

 ample, it can hardly fail to preserve the horse's usefulness 

 unimpaired. 



But to return to the treatment of " colt founder," particu- 

 larly. The mare having been raised by means of the rail- 

 pen, a good shelter should be fixed over her, and if before 

 foaling, preparations may be made for that event. In a ma- 

 jority of cases, however, such extreme weakness does not 

 occur until after the birth of the colt; and even though it 

 should, if that period be very near, it may be best to defer 

 raising the mare until after foaling. 



There being no longer any danger in regard to abortion, 

 bleeding may be resorted to without fear, to abate the in- 

 flammatfon. The food should be very light, soft, and relax- 

 ing. Green grass should be cut and placed in the feeding- 

 box, and quantities of sulphur and resin should be given. If 

 there is great costiveness, so that the dung is hard, dry, and 

 black, two or three doses of " jimson " seed will be the proper 

 remedy. On no account, however, is this to be given until 

 after foaling, as its use before that tii^e is dangerous. 



If the animal is in the stable instead of out in the field, 



