424 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



except that the ginger drench n y be repeated every 

 three hours. 



Colic. — This term is loosely applied to almost all diges- 

 tive troubles that are accompanied by pain. There are 

 two forms, spasmodic or cramp colic, and flatulent or 

 wind colic. Cramp colic is a violent and painful con- 

 traction of the muscular coats of the bowels. It is caused 

 by some irritant in the intestines, such as undigested food, 

 large amounts of cold water when the horse is tired or 

 warm, sudden changes in the food, and like causes. The 

 pain is severe and often comes on suddenly, the animal 

 sweats and the respiration and pulse increase rapidly. 

 He looks toward his flanks, stretches and strains, paws, 

 kicks his belly, throws himself down, and rolls. Soon the 

 pain passes, only to return in a few minutes. 



Get the horse into a comfortable place where he can roll 

 without injury. Inject into the rectum eight quarts of 

 warm water, containing half a teacupful of glycerine. This 

 should be done slowly, so as to allow the horse to retain 

 it as long as possible. Drench with two-ounce doses of 

 Jamaica ginger. Sweet spirits of niter in ounce doses is 

 good, as is a tablespoonful of common baking soda. 

 Blankets wrung out of hot water and applied to the belly 

 relieve the pain, as does also rubbing the belly vigorously. 

 In wind colic the causes and symptoms are the same, 

 except that the pain comes on more gradually and is con- 

 tinuous. There is an accumulation of gas, resulting from 

 the fermenting food. The treatment is much the same 

 as suggested in cramp colic. 



In all bowel trouble the cause is usually due to an irri- 

 tant, which should be located and removed. It is usually 

 a good plan to give a physic. For this purpose a quart 

 of raw linseed oil is best, but should be given with great 

 care, as there is danger in choking the horse. The giving 

 of oil requires skill and experience. 



Worms. — Horses of all ages are more or less subject to 

 troubles caused by intestinal worms, especially when thin 



