20 



HORSES 



PRIZE WINNING TEAM OF MULES, IOWA, 1916 



faster than a "vvalk. While not very common 

 the condition may arise at some time, hence 

 owTiers should know what to do. After the 

 animal has been driven for a short distance 

 it is noticed to become extremely 

 lame in one hind leg, finally falling 

 in the harness. After a short rest it 

 comes to its feet and lameness has 

 disappeared only to be evident after 

 being again driven for a short dis- 

 tance. This condition is due to a 

 parasite plugging the principal ar- 

 tery supplying the leg with blood. 

 This parasite or w^orm is very small 

 and finds its home in certain ])lood 

 vessels, causing a thickening of the 

 vessel walls, thus shutting off the 

 blood supply. 



When the condition described 

 arises, animal should be used only 

 for slow work. 



Nervous Diseases. Under this 

 heading will be described a condition 

 due to faulty feeding and often con- 

 sidered to be a form of paralysis of 

 the hind quarters. The common 

 name given is azoturia, or black 

 water. This trouble is seldom seen 

 in stallions, mares with colt, or ani- 

 mals in poor condition. In the horse 

 that is well ribbed up and an easy 

 keeper, it is very common. The exact 



nature of the trouble is not under- 

 stood. We know horses are prone 

 to this condition if laid off from 

 hard work for a period of from one 

 day to a week or more, and their 

 grain ration has not been reduced. 

 After a rest the animal is put to 

 work, which at first is performed 

 with willingness. After going per- 

 haps half a mile, it is noticed animal 

 sweats and knuckles over in one 

 hind leg. In a short time it dro] s 

 and is unable to rise, and may pos- 

 sibly lie quiet, or, if animal is of a 

 nervous temperament, becomes ex- 

 cited. This condition is a most 

 unsatisfactory one to treat, the 

 mortality in the corn belt region 

 being at least 50 per cent. 



Prevention. W^hen well condi- 

 tioned animals are taken out of 

 work, because of bad weather or 

 other causes, the grain shouUl be 

 cut at least one-half. If this is not 

 done, and after being put to work 

 the animal loses its spirit and shows 

 signs of dragging l)ack or knuckling, 

 then a stop should at once be made, the 

 harness removed and animal allowed to rest 

 for a wdiile and then slowlj' led to the 

 nearest barn. 



GRAND CHAMPION MISSOURI STATE FAIR, 191G 

 Owned by L. Knopf, Cole Camp, Mo. 



