134 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



The symptoms of broken wind have been suddenly manifested 

 by some horses, and on dying soon afterwards, it has been found 

 that the diapliragm has been ruptured. Any thing, therefore, 

 that will materially embarrass the action of this muscle is likely 

 to occasion these symptoms. 



Broken-winded horses rarely carry much flesh, which is owing 

 to the disordered state of the stomach and bowels ; a greater 

 quantity of wind is formed in the bowels than common, which is 

 frequently expelled from the anus. There is no way of account- 

 ing for this disordered state of the digestive organs, except from 

 the sympathy. 



The immediate cause of broken wind is obviously the circum- 

 stance of sudden exertion on a full stomach. In proportion to 

 the indigestible nature of food is the disease likely to occur. 

 Thus, fusty and damaged hay is a very frequent cause ; and this 

 hay being frequently given to agricultural horses, accounts in 

 great measure for the disease being more frequent with them 

 than with any others. Nimrod, the celebrated sporting writer, 

 states that the disease is extremely rare in France, where he 

 resided ; and this he attributes to the fact of sweet straw being 

 generally used instead of hay, particidarly amongst farm-horses. 

 It has, however, occurred in this country with horses otherwise 

 healthy being turned out to straw-yard ; and may be explained 

 by the fact, that the poverty of the diet obliges an undue quan- 

 tity to be taken, the pressure of which on the diaphragm so 

 impedes respiration, that a sudden effort has been sufficient to 

 rupture the air-cells. 



Treatment. — Although a perfect cure for this disease cannot 

 be attained, yet we can do very much towards alleviating it, and 

 rendering the animal viseful. Nothing, indeed, is more common 

 than for broken-winded horses to get considerably better after 

 being worked for some time in a coach. This improvement is 

 owing to the alteration in their diet : instead of hay forming the 

 pinncipal part of the food, it is given only in small quantities, but 

 in its place plenty of sweet corn is allowed. This, then, is the 

 plan to be adopted ; viz. to give the greatest quantity of nourish- 

 ment in the smallest bulk, by which two objects are accomplished : 

 the condition and strength of the animal are improved, and he is 

 capable of making greater exertion Avith the same amount of 

 breathing as before ; and, in the second place, the stomach never 

 being so distended as before, no longer presses so much against 

 the diaphragm, and respiration is thus rendered less difficult. 



Little or no hay should therefore be allowed, except in the 

 form of chaff; but in the winter caiTots may be given, and in 

 the summer vetches; but both in moderate quantities. 



The digestive organs should be kept in as healthy a state as 

 possible, and care should be taken that the horse is fed some 

 hours before he is worked. — Ed.] 



