72_ CONKEY'S STOCK BOOK 



*" 



FLIES Many a horse otherwise well cared for is left to the torment of 

 summer flies, or at the most provided only with a net as an aid 

 in switching them from his coat. The fly problem is a serious one, but by 

 no means so hard to get around as many owners would seem to believe. 

 In the first place, more care in the stable, especially in manure heaps, would 

 lessen the trouble at its source. It is easy to disinfect these breeding 

 places of flies, by spraying regularly with some proved "deterrant" such as 

 Conkey's Fly Knocker solution. With such precautions in disinfecting 

 and spraying, the stable will cease to be the danger spot it now is, spreading 

 infection and disease throughout the whole neighborhood. In addition, 

 spray the animal, especially before taking it out for a drive. This will 

 keep the flies from the horse and prevent the fretting so wearing to the 

 high-spirited driving horse. A fretting, tormented animal requires more 

 feed to keep it in condition, hence spraying with Fly Knocker saves on the 

 feed bill. It also saves shoes, as there is less stamping; and with less 

 stamping, the stable floor will not call for repairs so often. 



SOUND One of the first conditions for health is sound teeth. In addition 

 TEETH to the disease germs bred in the mouth by bad teeth there is this 

 fact: that sound teeth perform the very first step in the process 

 of utilization of feed. Remember that the horse's food is not cooked and 

 his teeth must be good, in order to properly masticate his rations. It is 

 worse than throwing feed away to give it to an animal that can neither 

 chew nor digest it. Poor feed and bad teeth are the cause of three-fourths 

 of all the colics and digestive disorders of horses, says Dr. Clover, of the 

 Colorado Agricultural College. ^ 



A horse's teeth should be examined at least once a year. As the upper 

 jaw is wider than the lower, constant wearing may produce a sharp ridge 

 on the inside of the lower molars and on the outside of the upper molars, 

 which is easily felt on examination. These ridges are often as sharp as 

 knives and are liable to cut the tongue and cheeks, when the pain will 

 cause the animal to neglect proper mastication. Teeth so worn will often 

 make a poor driver of a good horse; as he will jerk his head to one side, 

 or throw his head in the air and jump when the tender place is touched 

 by the bit. Always examine the teeth when a horse is troubled with 

 indigestion; for bad teeth are a most common cause. A dental veterinarian 

 will rasp these down to normal condition in a few moments. 



2 years j 6years j I2years Ey.treme.Age 



SIGNS The teeth of a horse, where not tampered with by professional 

 OF AGE "swappers" or horse jugglers, are one of the best means of 

 telling the age. "At the same time it must be remembered that 

 while the age of a horse is an important factor in judging its value, some 

 horses have more real usefulness ahead of them at fifteen years than many 

 others have at seven. About twenty years is considered -the limit of a 

 horse's usefulness, though frequent exceptions are found where a good 

 animal is useful at thirty. Up to the tenth or twelfth year the individual 

 teeth offer fair evidence for judging age. After that time the age must 

 be calculated by the general appearance of the teeth and the bones of the 



