ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FARM HORSE. 427 
and ought to be changed every twelve hours. Mashed carrots or 
turnips, mixed with oatmeal or linseed meal, is also a good emol¬ 
lient poultice, being very retentive of moisture. For stopping the 
feet, either of the race-horse or hunter, or hack, nothing is better 
than linseed meal made into a paste. It is easily done, and retains 
itself in the feet better than any other substance. 
Mashes 
Are of much service, either for the healthy or disordered horse; 
for the tired or overworked animal, likewise, nothing is more re¬ 
freshing than a mash in addition to his usual feed. During illness, 
or in any severe disease, bran should form the horse’s chief diet. 
The proper method of making a mash is by pouring boiling water 
over the bran, stirring it well, and covering over the pail until it 
be cool. Mixing the bran with hot water is not so effectual as 
pouring boiling water over it: bran is rendered more digestible 
and more aperient when infused in water at a boiling temperature. 
As a preparation before giving the horse a dose of physic, bran 
mashes should be freely supplied, and also during its operation: 
a much smaller dose will act if the horse be well mashed, thus 
doing away with those outrageous doses of aloes so often given, 
and but too frequently causing superpurgation, and sometimes 
death. Malt mash forms an excellent restorative for the horse 
during convalescence : it is very nutritive, and excites the appetite. 
In making a malt mash, infuse it in water only warm; do not pour 
boiling water over it, as it will make it clog together. Mashes 
ought to be frequently renewed; if not, they soon turn sour. 
Gripes or Colic. 
The farm horse is very liable to this disorder. The chief cause 
is error in diet. Bad hay, musty oats, excess of raw bulbous roots, 
sudden exposure to cold ; and as frequent a cause as any, is the 
rapid ingurgitation of cold water, either on the road or at the horse- 
pond, when the animal is heated. An attack of colic or gripes is 
sudden : no premonitory symptoms are evinced* The horse is 
seized all at once with violent pain, looks round to his sides, begins 
to roll, and endeavours to fix himself upon his back, in which posi¬ 
tion he finds ease : there is an intermission in the paroxysm. The 
legs and ears are of the usual temperature; and motion as well as 
abdominal friction gives relief. In an attack of enteritis or inflamed 
bowels the approach is gradual, with previous symptoms of fever 
and dulness. The pulse is also quickened in inflammation; whilst 
in gripes, in the commencement, it is seldom altered. The legs 
