420 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Feeding the sick horse. — As the appetite is usually poor 

 and sometimes lacking, much care should be exercised in 

 feeding the sick horse. The food should be attractive, 

 nutritious and readily digestible. It should not contain 

 much bulk and should be rather laxative. Natural foods, 

 such as fresh grass, carrots and warm bran mash, are to 

 be preferred to prepared foods, though the use of patent 

 stock food may prove beneficial when a tonic is valuable. 



FIG. 183.— HACKNEY BROOD MARES 



In case the animal refuses the food it should be removed 

 from sight, and under no condition left in the feed box 

 until the next meal. Do not place medicine in either the 

 food or water if it can possibly be prevented, as the horse 

 is likely to refuse the food just at a time when it is im- 

 portant that he should have it. 



Giving medicine. — Medicine should be given only for a 

 definite purpose, otherwise more ill will result than good. 

 As a rule, too much medicine is given the sick horse. 

 Nature should be given a chance. Medicine of itself is 

 worth little except as it gives the system tone, thereby 

 enabling it to overcome the disease. If a horse is out of 

 condition the remedies administered should be those of 

 known value and proven worth. While there are many 



