CHAPTER VIII. 



DOCTORING. 



Giving Medicine — Medicine Ball — Injections — Physic — 

 Condition Powders — Ending a Horse's Life. 



^Nlany inexperienced horsemen know nothing of how to 

 give a horse nredicine. vSome who can administer a drench 

 have never tried balling. Many get bitten who try, so it is 

 best to be careful. Hold the head high, reach the fingers into 

 the animal's mouth just back of the forward teeth where there 

 are no teeth, and no danger of being bitten, and grasp the 

 tongue, pull it out gently, and as ycu do so the horse will 

 open his mouth, allowing the tongue to loll between the 

 grinders. The medicine ball may then be safely pushed 

 down the animal's throat as far as the hand can be made to 

 reach, for the animal will not attempt to close his jaws while 

 his tongue is between them. Two persons, one to administer 

 the medicine, while the other is holding the tongue and 

 head, will accomplish the desired object more quickly. The 

 throat should be watched carefully, and the animal not be 

 allowed to lower his head until he is seen to swallow. The 

 tongue should be pushed back into his mouth as soon as the 

 ball is put well down the throat, as it will assist in the swaP 

 lowing process. Horse balls usually come wrapped in 

 tissue paper, and should not be unwrapped before adminis- 

 tering, as it prevents bad taste in the mouth. 



The giving of a drench is so easy and common as not to 

 need description. The medicine should be shaken well with 



