302 THE horse's rescue. 



irig around. I took my frame over near my shop and 

 let her pick some grass. When she put her head 

 down to eat she disch argued badlv at the nose and 

 rattled in her throat. She was very cross. If I 

 rubbed her on the ribs she would try to bite and kick 

 me at the same time She appeared savage, and w-as 

 when I first got her and put feed into her. If I 

 attempted to go toward her she would jump at me, 

 mouth open, and kicking with both feet at the same 

 time. Poor horse! she was so near starved to death 

 she was afraid she would lose some of her feed. She 

 ate ravenousl}^ and as fast as she could, and kept 

 watch at the same time. 



Now for a man to make a horse trade like this is 

 evidence enough that reason is dethroned. No mat- 

 ter; I am going to loosen the hide on this mare and 

 use no medicine; cure that rattling in her throat and 

 heal every sore on her by removing the cause. The 

 place to begin is at the feet. There is the place I 

 always begin, after giving the horse water and a good 

 square meal. She is rather dangerous to handle, she 

 is so sore. The danger will disappear gradually as the 

 sores do. and she will quit kicking and biting at me 

 after she gets over being afraid of starving to death. 

 Her feet were badly out of order in many ways. After 

 straightening them up, I washed her sore ankles off 

 clean with soft, warm water, and took her to the barn. 

 I had a small piece of corn just beginning to harden 

 up. I cut it, corn and stalks, and threw it in to hei'. 

 She would stamp her feet, kick, eat, bite, and jump at 

 me if I came near her when she was eating. She was 

 in constant motion all of the time. I think I never 



