220 LIGHT HORSES! BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



Mange. 



This is a rare disease in well-managed stables. It is very 

 \) contagious, however, so that all horses are liable to become 

 infected. It is caused by a microscopic insect, of which there 

 are three kinds : one that infests the body more particularly, 

 another that inhabits the neck and root of the mane and tail, 

 and a third that confines itself usually to the legs. That 

 which is far more frequently observed on light horses, is 

 the one infesting the body. All cause intense itching, which 

 impels the animals to bite and rub themselves almost con- 

 tinuously. The insect that burrows into the skin of the 

 body, also produces shedding of the hair, and gives rise to 

 the formation of crusts and raw places on the skin. 



Mange is very contagious, and the parasites pass directly 

 from affected to healthy horses, as well as through the medium 

 of harness, clothing, litter, &c. 



Treatment. Cleanliness is a great obstacle to the extension 

 of mange. Affected horses should be well washed with warm 

 water and soft soap, applied by means of a scrubbing-brush ; 

 then when dry, the skin must be dressed with some agent that 

 will kill the parasites. Before this is done, however, it is often 

 found advantageous to soak the skin for some hours with a 

 solution of carbonate of potass and oil. Afterwards an oint- 

 ment composed of one part of tar oil and six parts of palm oil, 

 will generally suffice to cure the disease ; the ointment may be 

 washed off in two or three days. In some obstinate cases the 

 treatment may require to be repeated. 



In addition to treating the animals, it is essential that 

 clothing, harness, stable fittings, grooming tools, and every- 

 thing else with which mangey horses may have been in con- 

 tact, should be cleaned and dressed with a solution of carbolic 

 acid, one part to five or ten of water. 



