RINGWORM. CRIB-BITING. 37 



firing ; but the thorough-pin nothing will permanently 

 eradicate. 



Ringworm, that troublesome and very contagious disease, 

 is cured with a preparation of mercury, by rubbing the 

 affected part with a small portion once or twice a day for 

 three or four days. Acetic acid once applied will, in most 

 cases, have a good effect ; if not, it may in a few days be 

 again resorted to. The same remedy is a good one to 

 prevent horses from rubbing the hair off the tail, making it 

 sore, and spoiling their looks. 



It is only necessary to add that in all cases of illness a 

 plentiful supply of warm clothing should be used, in order 

 to keep the body at a proper temperature. This is infinitely 

 better than the restriction of the supply of fresh air, so 

 essential to the health of all animals. 



These are the ailments which commonly come before the 

 trainer ; but there are besides injuries the result of tricks 

 arising from careless management, on which I have something 

 to say before concluding this chapter. 



On attention to small things, success in great ones chiefly 

 depends. Horses when idle often contract bad habits — crib- 

 biting, wind-sucking, kicking in the stable — by which they 

 sometimes injure themselves. As a rule these things are 

 preventible, and should be prevented. 



In treating of sore-backs, I remarked that crib-biting was 

 as easily avoided as they are, by a little attention and proper 

 management. When not feeding or .set at liberty, horses 

 should be tied up by the rack-chains, and so kept from 

 nibbling any projections, such as the manger or top-rail of 

 the stall. When this is done, no crib-biters will be found. 

 The trick grows from constantly licking and biting the manger. 

 If it be not stopped, or the horse making the unpleasant 



