106 The Horse Farrier. 



voring the discharge of morbid accumulations. This is 

 .good for all acute diseases; in fever and all inflamma- 

 tory complaints ; it is useful also as a preparative to 

 physic, serving to remove any indurated foeces there may 

 be in the bowels, whereby the operation of the medicine 

 is rendered more safe and affectual. When a horse has 

 been fed high for some time, a change to a diet of mash- 

 es for two or three days will often do a great deal of 

 good. 



During the active stage of acute diseases of the alimenta- 

 ry canal — inflammation of the bowels for example — food of 

 this description is inadmissible, and such articles as are 

 mucilaginous, or lubricating, are used. The best we know 

 of, are flaxseed, marshmallows, and slippery elm. It is 

 customary in England, in large stables, to set a boiler, in 

 which hot water is continually kept for the purj:>oses of 

 the stable, and more particularly for making bran mashes, 

 and at night, if any of the horses look dumpish, (fatigued,) 

 a bran mash and a good warm bed of straw generally re- 

 store them. 



JUDGING THE CHARACTER OF HORSES BY THEIR COLOR. 



The following conclusions are the result of long exper- 

 ience and observation : 



Sorrel or chestnut with white feet and head are marks 

 of kindness, if broad and full between the eyes, can be 

 depended on as a horse of good sense, and capable of be- 

 ing trained to anything ; they will not stand the whip, if 

 well fed. 



A dish-faced horse indicates too much go-head, and is 

 not safe for every body. 



A deep bay, without a white hair, indicates one of great 

 bottom, but rather tricky and unsafe, or what some would 



