HORSE MANAGEMENT, ETC. 41 J 



traction, but they are classed among the irrational barbarities of 

 tho past, with which they ought to have sunk into oblivion. 

 Veterinary science has discovered that if such articles possess 

 nnv virtue, it is owing to the moisture they impart to the foot. 

 Therefore, on the score of decency, and in view of relaxing the 

 contracted foot according to the principles of reason and modern 

 science, Ave should avoid every kind of filth, and resort to pure 

 water or wholesome poultice ; or take off the shoes, wash the feet 

 daily, and let the horse run to grass, so that he may bring the sole 

 and frog in contact with the ground, and thus promote expansion 

 of the heels. 



As regards the manufacture of tender feet, in both the young 

 and aged, it makes but little difference whether they have the 

 range of a filthy barn-yard or are confined in a bedded stall ; the 

 effect is tenderness of foot, and subsequent lameness; and the 

 same, or a disposition to it, may be transmitted through the sexual 

 congress to future offspring. In view, therefore, of preventing 

 diseased feet, strict attention must be paid to cleanliness. The 

 .stall floor should be composed of brick or plauk, having just suf- 

 ficient declivity to conduct fluids into a gutter, running along the 

 entrance to the stall, which should terminate exterior to the stable, 

 so that the ammonia, in which the urine is abundant, is carried 

 beyond the stable atmosphere. The bedding, which, according 

 to long custom, is stowed under the crib, there acting as a sort of 

 noxious smelling-bottle to the horse's nostrils, should be spread 

 out in the open air, sorted, the refuse and excrement removed to 

 a dung-heap, located as far from the stable as possible; for the 

 common manure receptacle, under the stable floor, is one of the 

 worst features of stable economy. The stable floor should be 

 washed clean as often as circumstances permit. 



Strangles ("Distemper," or "Horse Ail"). 



This disease is most prevalent in young horses. After the age 

 of eight the disease is more rare I have, however, seen some 

 well-marked cases occurring in hoi*es whose ages varied from five 

 to eight years. Strangles is, without doubt, one of the evils of 

 domestication, and often results from errors in diet and man- 

 agement, which, if vre make some exceptions, will generally bear 

 improvement. 



