74 The Care of Animals 



ditiou is resumed. Horses are sometimes very hungry 

 when unloaded and are likely to overeat and so bring 

 on indigestion, which is aggravated by the tired, nerv- 

 ous condition, change of food and surroundings. Small 

 doses of saltpeter, a teaspoonful twice daily, are use- 

 ful to stimulate the kidneys, and to remove dropsical 

 swellings. Bran mashes should be given until the 

 bowels become normal. 



"green" horses 



By the term "green horses" is meant horses that 

 are rather fat and not accustomed to the work, sur- 

 roundings, and climatic conditions to which they are 

 subjected. The term is usually applied to horses that 

 are shipped into a locality^ from a distance. After a 

 horse is broken in, becomes accustomed to his work 

 and is acclimated, he is said to be "seasoned." 



Green horses should be handled with great care and 

 good judgment for the first season, as the\' are very 

 likely to be injured by overwork. The}' are usually fat 

 and out of condition as a result of being fitted for the 

 market, and, while in good spirits and ambitious, should 

 not be given hard work, either in driving or pulling. 

 Light work for green horses the first season will repay 

 in longer service and greater efficiency. Most horses 

 are overworked, their ambition destroyed, and their 

 life shortened by too severe labor before they are seven 

 years old. Because a horse is young, active and ambi- 

 tious there is a tendency among many to allow him to 

 use his strength lavishly, and a debilitated, "played- 



