422 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



weight of the drug to eight parts of lard or vaseline. For 

 most uses the fly is preferred, but in removing bunches 

 the red is most used. First clip the hair from the area, 

 then rub on blister from three to ten minutes, depending 

 on severeness of irritation and the thickness of the skin. 

 A light blister repeated is preferred to a severe one. Care 

 should be taken to see that the horse does not scratch 

 the blister. After 24 to 36 hours, or when a watery, 

 gummy fluid exudes from the skin, the area should be 

 thoroughly washed with warm water and soap, then 

 wiped dry and greased with fresh lard or vaseline. When 

 large areas are to be blistered, as in pleurisy, inflamma- 

 tion of the lungs, and the like, a mustard plaster should 

 be used, as fly blisters irritate the kidneys. 



Firing. — This is also a counter-irritant, useful in re- 

 moving bunches, ringbones, spavins, and the like. The 

 application requires skill and experience. The hair is 

 clipped from the area, the horse blinded, a twitch applied 

 to the nose, and the opposite foot lifted, and then the hot 

 irons are applied to the area. At first the skin is barely 

 touched and the lines marked and then the lines are 

 burned to a good russet brown. A fly blister is then 

 rubbed on the fired area and the case treated as for blis- 

 tering. The horse should be given plenty of time to 

 recover. 



Eiirmas or injections. — Medicine is often given by in- 

 jections into the rectum when it cannot be given by the 

 mouth, and when it is desired to stimulate the bowels to 

 action. Food may also be given in this way. Injections 

 are best given by means of a rubber hose about four feet 

 long, to which a funnel is attached. Oil the hose and 

 gently insert it into the rectum about two feet, then pour 

 the liquid into the funnel and by raising it above the 

 horse the liquid will force itself into the bowels. Six to 

 eight quarts of warm water is sufficient for the 

 adult horse, and if to this is added a half teacupful 

 of pure glycerine, much better results will be obtained. 



