290 THE SO-CALLED "INCAPACITATING VICES." 



The snapping may, from long indulgence, have become confirmed as 

 a habit. In that case, nevertheless, ameliorate the dressing ; but, before 

 the groom undertakes the cleansing of the skin, the quadrupeds should 

 be fixed by two strong pillar-reins, each of which is of sufficient length 

 to reach, from opposite sides, to the middle of the dressing stall. The 

 head, thus bridled, is comparatively fixed, and is, of course, fastened 

 away from any substance which might be seized by the teeth. How- 

 ever, the skin is sometimes, when thus tender, loaded with a scurf 

 which no curry-comb, however long it may be applied, will do aught 

 but increase. In this case, always change the provender, and particu- 

 larly see the food is properly prepared ere it is presented. Give, daily, 

 one ounce of liquor arsenicalis, in a pint of cold water ; and every morn- 

 ing damp the skin, not the hair, with a mixture composed of animal 

 glycerin, one part ; rose-water, two parts. 



For an animal that destroyed its rugs, the first measure is, to refuse 

 all further supply of such articles. Then attend to the food, after the 

 method already advised ; next anoint the body with glycerin and rose- 

 water, subsequently employing a hay wisp regularly night and morning. 

 Place the animal in a cool, loose box, and, if possible, leave both window 

 and half the door open. When night arrives, permit the quadruped, at 

 its pleasure, to move in or out of the stable — allowing a piece of rather 

 closely bitten meadow land for exercise, when the sun is down and the 

 flies are at rest. Take the animal in before insects begin to throng, 

 which they seldom do till the sun has gained full power. By way of 

 medicine, daily give one ounce of liquor arsenicalis, in a pint of cold 

 water, together with one quart of good (not publican's) beer. Keep 

 the bowels regular with bran mashes or with green meat. There can 

 be no necessity why all labor should be relinquished : the work, how- 

 ever, ought not to be excessive, or the pace too exhausting ; for any 

 extraordinary exertion is apt to lead to excoriations which are, in their 

 turn, disposed to end in large and obstinate sores, when the skin is in 

 an irritable condition. 



Every part of the horse is of importance to the owner : the teeth are 

 not secondary to the feet ; the legs are of no less value than the lungs ; 

 and the skin cannot be esteemed more lightly than the eyes. Indeed, 

 every rider ought to make himself acquainted with the appearances 

 natural to the healthy eye of the horse ; for a shying steed will effectu- 

 ally destroy the pleasure of an entire day. The horseman should notice 

 the eyes of every animal he intends to mount. As a precaution, such 

 a measure is imperative ; for, being forewarned, he may he prepared to 

 encounter the danger into which defective vision is almost certain to 

 lead the rider. For the method of proceeding, when examining the 



