174 MODERN FARRIER. 



109. COLT-KEARING. 



The business of breaking a colt, and preserving 

 his temper, will be greatly forwarded by rendering 

 him familiar with the people about him. When 

 about three months old, he should be frequently 

 handled, and have his legs gently taken up, and the 

 feet gently hammered. He should also be haltered, 

 and led about a few minutes every day. This prac- 

 tice will also render it easier to administer medicine, 

 should it become necessary. 



Sometimes colts do not thrive, their coats stare, 

 and they become hide-bound. This state of body is 

 frequently produced by worms, and which is usually 

 indicated by a little whitish or light straw-coloured 

 powder adhering beneath the anus. The following 

 ball may be found useful in such cases : 



Soccotrine aloes, _ - 2 drachms. 

 Castile soap, . - - 2 drachms. 



Or the following : 



Barbadoes aloes, - - 2 drachms. 



Powdered ginger, - half a drachm. 



Oil of wormwood, - 8 drops. 



Prepared natron, - - 2 scruples. 



With syrup of buckthorn sufficient to make a balL 

 The above doses are adapted for a colt not below 

 one year old. If two. years old, the aloes may be 

 increased two drachms ; and if three years old, two 

 drachms more. The dose may be repeated once or 

 twice, as occasion may require, at intervals of a 

 week or ten days. 



The same medicine may also be given after the 

 colt has recovered from the strangles. 



In case of worms, it will be found useful to give 

 about twenty grains of calomel on the night pre- 

 ceding the giving of the ball. 



