350 STABLE ECONOMY. 



the horse stagger before he falls, he may keep him on his 

 feet by pulling him to a side, setting the wheels across the 

 hill. 



When the horse is at a dead pull with his mouth full of 

 food, he is very easily choked. The accident is very com- 

 mon on canal banks. At certain places the horses are fed, 

 and often put to draw before the mouth is empty. As the 

 food goes down the gullet, it is intercepted by the collar, and 

 the two pressing on the windpipe instantly choke the horse. 

 He generally falls into the water. Many horses are lost in 

 this way. The mouth should be quite empty before the 

 horse is yoked. Before starting, a little water may be given, 

 which will carry the contents of the mouth before it. No 

 horse should be put to a hill, or to any dead pull, with food 

 in his mouth ; and, food or no food, the driver should always 

 keep his eye on the collar, and his hand at the head, while 

 the horse is going up a steep hill, with much weight behind 

 him. 



Fast-working horses are liable to what is termed swooning 

 in the collar. The horse staggers, swings from side to side, 

 lies on the pole, stops and falls or falls running. I know not 

 whether this arises from pressure on the windpipe, or from 

 accumulation of blood in the head. It is most common in hot 

 weather, going up hill ; some are very liable to it. When- 

 ever the horse shows any giddiness, he should be pulled up. 

 He will recover in a minute. Before proceeding, see that 

 the windpipe be free, and the bearing-rein slack. Should the 

 horse fall, remove harness, and assist him to rise, when he 

 revives. If water be at hand, give two or three quarts, and 

 start at a gentle pace. It is needless to bleed him at the 

 mouth. If bloodletting is to do any good, it should be from 

 the neck after work is over ; but it is rarely necessary. Next 

 journey, change the horse's place to the other side, to the 

 lead or to the wheel. Let his head be quite free, and see if 

 his collar can be improved ; and let him be fed an hour ear- 

 lier than usual before going to work. 



Over-Marked. — This word is synonymOus with over- 

 exerted, over-done, over-driven, distressed, and blown. All 

 are applied, indifferently, to congestion of the lungs, to spasm 

 of the diaphragm, and to excessive fatigue. 



Congestion of the Lungs does not occur all at once. It is 

 the consequence of keeping the horse too long at a fast pace, 

 or at the top of his speed. The first symptom is difficult 

 breathing. It becomes remarkably quick and short ; the nos- 



