The Work Horse 269 



be washed off with a solution of salt water, which will 

 tend to harden the shoulder to the work. Small sore 

 bumps or collar boils may be found along the side of the 

 shoulder. These may be caused by ill-fitting collars, but 

 they are more often due to derangement of the system, 

 which is very common in the summer. If the collar fits 

 properly, then it is necessary to clean up the animal's 

 system. Some good can also be accomplished by treating 

 the bumps as indicated before, and also occasionally it 

 will be necessary to cut out a hole in the pad over the sore, 

 and in this way it can sometimes be cured. A collar wide 

 at the top works back and forth, and thus irritates the top 

 of the neck. These sores are also often caused by poorly 

 fitting pads, or too much weight on the neck yoke. Sores 

 on top of the neck are very difficult to treat successfully. 

 Prevention is the best cure. If the horse is subject to such 

 afflictions, always use a stiff, smooth pad on him and see 

 that the collar sets properly. Be very careful about 

 excess weight on the neck yoke. All forms of two-wheeled 

 machinery are likely to injure the horses' necks. Tongue 

 trucks are a great benefit wherever they can be used. In 

 any of the treatments given, rest will accomplish much, 

 especially if it is accompanied by proper treatment. 



A disease which often affects work horses is azoturia. 

 This is often called Monday morning sickness, due to the 

 fact that it is an affliction which troubles the horses when 

 they have been off work and are suddenly put into work 

 again. It is usually due to heavy feeding when idle. It 

 is first noted by the fire and life with which he first left 

 the stable giving way to dullness and oppression as shown 

 in heaving flanks, sweaty condition, dilated nostrils, and 

 pinched loin. The muscles become swollen and rigid and 

 the subject moves stiffly or unsteadily. If any of the 



