60 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 



scurfy scab. Let the horse be bled and physic.ed, and then rub him 

 with either of the above Gintments, and the cure will be effected. 



DIRECTIONS FOR MANAGING A HORSE ON A JOURNEY. 



In the first place, find out whether the horse is in health, and has 

 been properly fed and exercised : for when a horse is flushed up, and 

 has had no exercise, he is very unfit for a journey. Before you set 

 out be careful to observe if his shoes are fast, and if they sit easy ; 

 also whether he cuts before or behind, or interferes, as it is called. 

 If a horse cut with bad shoes, he will probably do it with new ones, 

 notwithstanding- what horse-dealers may say to the contrary. 



If your horse's back inflame by the rubbing of the saddle, wash the 

 part as soon as you perceive it, with salt and water, or vinegar and 

 water, and have the stuffing of the saddle altered so as to remove the 

 pressure from the part affected: but if the skin be broken before you 

 perceive it, the injured part should be washed with a mixture, com- 

 posed of equal parts of extract of lead, spirits of wine, and water. You 

 must look well after his back, and walk sometimes, in order to ease 

 him, especially when going down a hill. 



It often happens, especially to young horses, that the legs swell, or 

 become gourdy, as farriers call it, with traveling ; and more frequent- 

 ly when a horse cuts. It is also observed that the hind-legs swell 

 oftener than the fore-legs, because the fore-parts stand highest in the 

 stall, and consequently the greatest stress lies on the hind-legs. The 

 best method of prevention is to wash the legs with warm water every 

 time you bait, by which means the disease will be prevented, and 

 much time, trouble and expense saved. Soft warm water that will 

 bear soap, is as good for the purpose as it can be made by any ad- 

 dition, and washing the legs with it, when made pretty warm, will 

 seethe out the sand and the dirt, open the pores, give circulation to the 

 blood, much defend the juices in these depending parts, and prevent 

 other disorders. You should also see that your horse has a wide 

 stand, good dressing, and proper bedding, as these things will be of the 

 greatest use in preventing the limbs from swelling. 



Few grooms dress a horse properly, but it should be remembered 

 that he who intends his horse to perform his duty well, must take care 

 that he is well cleaned ; and as nothing is more conducive to health 

 than friction, his skin should be rubbed till the whole is of a glowing 

 heat, and then with proper feeding he will answer his master's ex- 

 pectations. 



Nothing is of more consequence in traveling than to take care that 

 your horse has water at proper times and in proper quantities. When 

 a horse travels he perspires considerably, especially in hot weather, 

 and should therefore be allowed to drink a little more than usual, as 

 opportunity offers, which will refresh him greatly ; but never suffer 

 him to drink much at a time, for if you suffer him to drink his fill he 

 will be dull and sluggish afterwards, besides the harm he may receive 

 from drinking too much cold water when he is hot. When you come 



