RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 217 



GIVING MEDICINES TO HORSES 



1. Powders, if not objectionable to the animal, may be given in the 

 feed. When distasteful may be mixed with molasses and placed on 

 the back of the tongue with a spoon or wooden paddle. The latter 

 way is a nice method of giving drugs to horses suffering with sore 

 throat, etc. 



2. Drenching is the old way of giving fluids, and is a useful way 

 when large quantities are to be given. Back the horse in a single stall 

 and raise the head by means of a stable fork placed through the nose 

 band of the headstall, (halter), or better take a hame strap, buckle it, 

 thus making a loop; slip into the mouth just back of the front upper 

 teeth, then raise by means of a rope or fork until the teeth are a little 

 above the horizontal. The medicine which is in a tin, hard rubber, or 

 even a strong glass bottle or funnel, is poured in from the off side. The 

 person drenching steadies the head with his left hand on the headstall, 

 which should be slack enough to let the mouth open, and slowly pours in 

 about a half cupful at a time. IF ANY ATTEMPTS AT COUGH- 

 ING ARE MADE, AT ONCE LET THE HEAD DOWN. Never 

 sieze the tongue or pinch the nostrils when drenching. If the animal 

 does not swallow readily tickle the roof of the mouth with one or two 

 fingers. In some cases a person giving the drench may get on the 

 horse's back, sitting well forward, draw the head round to the off side 

 by the halter with the left hand and drench with the bottle in the right 

 hand. The application of the rope or the noose twitch will often be 

 sufficient. 



A method sometimes used in drenching sick horses is to give the 

 medicine while the patient is lying down. The operator must be agile, 

 strong and watchful. A halter is placed on the animal and as soon as 

 he lies down the halter is grasped tightly on its under side so as to throw 

 the nose of the horse in the air, the poll being held tight to the ground. 

 The operator will be at the back of the horse and will place his knee on 

 the patient's neck, and then pour the drench in slowly and at short 

 intervals. If necessary the animal may be thrown and the head tied 

 to a surcingle. Whenever it is desired to restrain a horse and keep him 

 down by holding his head, the poll should be held to the ground, the 

 nose up, the back of the head being drawn well back. 



Fluids in any quantities may be given with a metal or a hard rub- 

 ber 2 ounce dose syringe, (a syringe with an 8 or 10 inch long nozzle 

 is preferable). This is a very clean, nice method, one which is now 

 almost exclusively practiced, as it is practical and the patient is sure 

 to get all of the dose. The operator stands in front of the animal, with 



