HOW TO GIVE A BALL. 287 



much weakened, but instead of doing good, it is 

 quite possible to do harm. The preparing a horse 

 for physic consists in keeping him on sloppy bran- 

 mashes for twenty-four hours previously. It might 

 at first sight, perhaps, be considered a waste of 

 time, this twenty-four hours' preparation. Such is 

 not the case, however, inasmuch as the medicine, 

 acting more thoroughly, acts also more quickly, and 

 recovery is therefore more speedy. 



Every groom should know how. and be able, to 

 give a physic ball ; but if he does not, it is better 

 to leave it to a competent person. The way to 

 give a ball is this : The horse's head must be 

 raised, and for this purpose it is necessary for the 

 person giving the ball to stand on a stool or on a 

 stable-bucket. Having wetted or greased the 

 ball, which latter should be held between the tips 

 of the fingers of the left hand by its end, the 

 horse's mouth having been opened, his tongue 

 should be seized firmly by the right hand and 

 brought round on the near side of his mouth as far 

 back as can be. The hand holding 1 the ball is then 

 thrust down the horse's throat as far as it can 

 reach, the ball being placed lengthwise in the 

 throat. The hand being 1 withdrawn as soon as the 

 ball is properly lodged, the tongue is released, and 

 the horse's head kept still raised, until the passage 



