14 HORSES AND HOUNDS. 



be done unless a very feverish state of body absolutely requires 

 it ; a clyster, in such a case, is the safest and most simple remedy. 

 Should relaxation of the bowels approaching to diarrhoea occur, 

 this may be counteracted by feeding the mare upon dry food 

 only, for a day or two, with a few split beans in her corn. In 

 case of eruptions breaking out, either upon mare or foal, it will 

 be necessary to give sulphur for a day or two, in a bran mash ; 

 but during this treatment all exposure to cold or rain must 

 be avoided. Nitre is also an excellent alterative for horses, and 

 can be given either in a ball or mixed with bran, or dissolved 

 in water. Nitre and sulphur mixed, two parts of the former 

 with one of the latter, form the best alterative for horses, and 

 wdiich can be given in a bran mash. Sulphur alone is apt to 

 open the pores of the skin too much, and in cold weather may 

 be objectionable. As soon as the foal shows a disposition to eat 

 corn, there should be a low manger appropriated to its own use, 

 apart from that of the mare, and at first some bruised oats with 

 bran may be given : to prevent the mare interfering with the 

 foal, she should have her feed of corn at the same time, and be 

 tied up. 



The earlier foals are handled the more tractable they will 

 become, but there is no necessity for a head-collar being put on 

 until they are weaned, and then it should not remain on longer 

 than is necessary to accustom them to the use of it. Foals will 

 soon become not only acquainted with, but attached to a good- 

 tempered and painstaking man, and be rather more particular 

 in their attentions than may be quite agreeable, and such a 

 person may do almost anything with them ; they will soon follow 

 him anywhere he may wish to lead them. There are no horses 

 in the world more obedient and attached to their masters 

 than the Arab, which may be said to form a part of the family 

 from their earliest age, neither do they exhibit those vices which 

 are so prevalent among our own breed of horses. The kicking 

 and biting propensities so common among our thorough-bred 

 stock are often induced and fostered by the mischievous dis- 

 positions of the lads and grooms to whom they are intrusted. 

 As soon as the weather is tolerably warm, and the grass begins 

 to grow, about the end of April, the mare and foal should have 

 the use of a large field, and be taken up in the evening. When 

 the pasturage is plentiful, a feed of corn in the morning before 

 they are turned out, and another in the evening when caught 

 up and consigned to their paddock and shed, will be sufficient. 

 It is of no use to pamper and feed foals with over quantities of 

 corn at this early period, as they will attain sufficient growth 

 "without it; all they require is good and nourishing food. Animals 



