CHAPTER VIII. 



MANAGEMENT OF HORSES ON BOARD SHIP. 



As my experience extends only to the transport of 

 single horses on board ship, and not to that of large 

 numbers, I shall confine my remarks to the former. 



The frogs and soles of a horse's feet, before he is 

 embarked, should be hard, strong, and as fully developed 

 as possible. Hence, it is advisable to let him go bare- 

 foot for a couple of months beforehand, or to shoe him 

 a la Charlier, or with tips, while the crust and heels 

 are kept low, and to forbid all paring of the soles and 

 frogs with the drawing knife, as well as 4< stopping " 

 with cow-dung, &c. If thrush be present, the animal's 

 feet should be treated for it without delay. Shortly 

 before being put on board, the shoes (if they be used) 

 should be taken off, and the heels and walls of the hoofs 

 should again be lowered, so as to obtain frog and sole 

 pressure. These precautions are necessary in order to 

 lessen the possibility of the animal getting inflammation 

 of the feet (laminitis) from long standing. 



For ten days or so before sailing, the horse should be 

 put on laxative food, if he be at all gross, so as to pro- 



