b*£Z&*P > /Jb ci£/<3,r/ will often founder because he receives a sudden chill. Grain is stimulating and will not founder a horse of itself; it may create an unusual heat of the body by eating too much at a time, and then, by exposure to the cold air, be more avery's own farrier. 55 liable to founder for eating the grain. Heat expands and cold contracts, as every one knows. Any time within forty-eight hours after a horse is foundered, the Indian Remedy is sure to give relief (and no mistake), for I have had frequent opportunities of seeing it tested, without a single failure. Some may laugh and sneer at this mode of curing a founder, be- cause they can not -refute it in any other way. It may seem mysterious to others, and I am not prepared to say what its peculiar properties are, unless it is the electri- city it contains; but the more we learn of nature and her laws, the plainer those things appear to us. Cure. — As soon as you find that your horse is foun- dered (which you may know by his being stiff and sore, and hardly able to use his fore legs, or keep them under him), take a sharp pointed pen knife and split the wart that is to be found on the back part of the fetlock joint of the fore leg, so as to get a spoonfull, say, of blood from each, by making the incision up and down with the leg. Then lead him to some convenient place for the purpose, and let him stand in brook or pond water, about half way to his knees, two hours. Now lead him back to the stable, and bathe his forward legs in warm ^vater, and rub him well, which will get up a perspiration, and assist in relaxing the muscles. Then give him in food, or ball, or any way you can best, a small handful or lock of hair, taken from the lower part of the abdomen of the human body (of either sex), and your horse will be as well and limber in a short time as though there had nothing happened to him (except the weakness occa- sioned for the time being), and what is more remarkable, 56 this remedy will cure him perfectly under all circumstan- ces; and the horse cured in this way seldom if ever has been known to be foundered a second time. Founder in the first place, or what causes it, is a high state of inflammation, which causes contraction after- wards, and in the early stages of the complaint, this remedy relieves them entirely of the inflammation. CHAPTER VIII. BOTS AND WORMS. " May it prove harmless for evil, and powerful for good." Much has been said concerning bots and worms, and almost every one has a different remedy from his neigh- bor, and yet there are a great many horses destroyed by them every year, and many more are kept lean and weak by those vermin, their owners not knowing what the difficulty is. I have opened horses that have died with bots, some of which have had their stomachs eaten en- tirely through, being perforated like a riddle; others have had the inner coating of the guts eaten nearly off, in places. I know the above to be facts in the case, not- withstanding what others have or may say to the con- trary. It is well known that horses, having many w y orms, can not thrive w T ell or carry much flesh. Now if the breeding of worms and bots were prevented, it would add much to the strength and usefulness of the animal; and when you have read this chapter through you will know how to do it effectually. avery's own farrier. 57 Symptoms, indicating worms, are various, as there are different kinds of those vermin, occupying different parts of the body. Sometimes the horse is lean and jaded, his coat rough and staring, and sometimes there is a white fur to be seen on the end of the straight gut, and at other times he froths and drools at the mouth when driven (without any evident cause to many), and, though he has a remarkable appetite, he does not thrive. Now my medicine and preventive will kill and destroy the whole family of intestinal worms and bots, of every kind and description. Cause of Bots. — It is well known that there is a large fly, resembling the wasp (and called by some the bot fly), that is continually teasing the horse in hot weather in summer, and continually depositing its nits or eggs in innumerable quantities about the legs, neck and breast of the horse. These are taken into the stomach by his nip- ping and biting, and there they are hatched and trans- muted into bots, which so much annoy him afterwards. Some may doubt this, and to those I would say, just try the experiment of taking some of these nits from the horse's legs in warm weather in summer, and put them in the hollow of the hand, add spittle warm from the mouth, then place the thumb of the other hand upon them and sit quietly one hour, in which time they will hatch and crawl on your taking your thumb off from them, and I doubt not if they were kept in the right tempera- ture, Well moistened, that in a few hours you might see the full-grown bot. They are most likely to trouble the horse soon after he is first turned to pasture, and when he is put up; although any derangement of the stomach 58 will set them at their destructive work at any time of the year. Symptoms. — He will suddenly stop eating, look around, often bite his side and breast, lie down and quickly rise again; sometimes when down will roll quite on his back and be in great distress, for then the bot is boring into the maw or bowels; sometimes they catch hold of the straight gut, as they pass along, and work there. When this is the case the horse's motions denote the seat of pain, for he will put his nose back towards the hips and tail. Cure. — Take as much alum as will dissolve in a quart of warm water, and turn it down the horse; and if there are any signs of their troubling him behind, give as a glyster, the same as above; after two or ihree hours give physic. This is the most certain remedy that can be given, and is sure to save your horse if the bots have not eaten quite through the maw or stomach. A piece of weasel skin with the fur on, the size of the palm of your hand, is also very good to make them let go; it will not kill them, but is good for inflammation, &c. MY PREVENTIVE FOR BOTS AND WORMS. "A word to the wise is sufficient." Take a strong solution of alum and wash all the parts on which there are any nits; this acts chemically upon the egg and destroys the fecundating property of them, so that they will never hatch whether they are in or out of the stomach. When you put your horse up, after the season is over for this fly, give a piece of alum, well pulverized, the size of a walnut, in his food for a few 59 days; this also, will destroy any that might be in the stomach, and your horse will be secure from all those things called bots, worms and grubs. And it is perfectly harmless to the horse, in every sense of the word. I have taken the maw out of horses that had been killed by bots, while the bots were still alive and at work in them, and experimented with a great many kinds of medicine on them, and found that alum water will kill them quicker than anything else that I ever tried. It may seem, strange to some, and yet it is true, that it will kill them quicker than boiling water. It neutralizes the gases of the stomach in a peculiar manner, which is as destructive to the bot as though they were imbued in it. Some may say, after this remedy has afforded imme- diate relief, that they must have been mistaken in what ailed the horse, because they did not see any bots or worms come from him. Let me say to those, that it is one of the peculiar properties of the stomach not to des- troy or digest animal life, otherwise it would destroy itself; but this remedy kills the bots without injury to the stomach, when they are digested with the food he eats, consequently, they are not seen as they pass off. And then this remedy cuts and crisps them up in such a manner that they are never more to be seen. 60 CHAPTER IX. SLOBBERING IN SUMMER AT PASTURE. Causes. — Mr. Mason (and others agree with him) con- tends that it is by eating the spider web that is found so plentifully spread over our pastures. Now, if this were so, why don't they slobber at all seasons of the year when this web is to be found? They never slobber in the early part of summer, and then this web is to be found most plentifully. I contend that it is the white clover, after it begins to dry up, that causes the horse to slobber, for then it is that he commences to slobber, and, as soon as it is gone, towards fall or autumn, he ceases to do so. And then you watch the horse and see how carefully he avoids these webs, when he is feeding near them. The clover has the property of salivating them to a remarkable degree, while feeding on other green food. Sometimes horses slobber so bad when they run out to pasture, that they will grow poor, even in good feed, besides rendering them very unpleasant to handle. Cure. — To prevent their slobbering, you must either put them up to dry food, or give them what they will eat (every day) of equal parts of pulverized alum and fine salt, which will prevent this difficulty, and also from being troubled with worms. To Destroy Lice. — Wash the horse with a strong solution of alum, and it is an effectual remedy to destroy lice, that so much hinders the growth of colts; a strong solution of aloes is good for a like purpose, as well as a avery's own farrier. 61 strong tea made of cayenne pepper. It is too well known, that colts having many lice on them can not thrive well, for me to say anything about it, further than to give a remedy that will destroy them, which is the great desideratum in the case. Two washings, four days apart, is sufficient to kill the nits. CHAPTER X. SCRATCHES, OR GREASE. f good symmetry, throughout, he fills the measure of a good horse — that is, the distances should be equal from the point of the shoulder or breast bone, to the point of the withers, from the withers to the point of the hips, and from thence to the point of the haunch or buttock. This gives a well proportioned shoulder, not so heavy as to retard the action. A short back which always accompanies a good loin, denotes strength. A good haunch (according to horseology) enables them to open and shut with the shoulders, being a good requisite* for the turf. With these requisites you can not fail to be successful in breeding, for like produces like. But it is hardly to be 15 170 avery's own farrier. hoped that you will be able to find them all combined; and when you can not, get as many of them as possible. During gestation, the mare should have good keep; she should not be kept too fat nor too lean, with sufficient exercise by letting her run in a yard with shelter at- tached; or if kept up to work, which she will be capable of doing a great deal without injury, providing she is carefully managed by being fed and worked regularly, but should not on any account be worked so as to tire or fatigue her, she should by no means be compelled to wallow and flounce in the deep snows of the lumbering districts, as is too often the case in those regions. As the time of parturition draws near, she should have her shoes taken off and be allowed a large stable without being tied, and have plenty of roots to eat with her hay, or be turned into good pasture which is preferable. Previous to this, and during gestation, if she is worked, feed a quart of wheat a week, which will prevent abor- tion. But avoid feeding rye, buckwheat, or giving slip- pery elm tea, and do not allow them to see nor smell fresh meat or blood at all, for the same reason. And another thing should be remembered as the time of par- turition draws nigh, which is, it is an instinct of this species of animals to get near or into brooks or ponds of water at this time, which is more particularly so with young mares, whereby many a fine colt has been drowned before the owner had seen it. Some people would think it strange! a great pity! and just their luck (as they would have it), whereas, if they had known the nature of these animals a little better, they could have prevented this misfortune. Therefore it is well to avoid turning avery's own farrier. 171 them into pastures where either the mare or colt can get into the water. The mare should be carefully watched at this time for fear of her wanting assistance, as is sometimes the case; and after a reasonable time and effort on her part, if she does not foal, you should ex- amine and ascertain whether the colt is in a natural position to come forth or not. The proper position is the fore feet and nose foremost, and if not, place it in that position, and when her throes come on, assist her by gently pulling on the colt, but at no other time. In protracted or difficult parturition, and where the labor pains appear to be subsiding, in order to stimulate the uterus to renewed and increased action,, the ergot or spurred rye, may be given her in doses of a teaspoonfull of the powder once an hour until it produces the desired effect. J3ut no other force should be used than that stated above, unless it is in extreme cases. This powder should be given her in a warm and strong tea, made by steeping the leaves of the common red raspberry in water. There is still another reason for watching the mare at the time of parturition, which, perhaps, it will not be amiss to state. The colt is often foaled with the blanket (as it is commonly called) whole, or as I have sometimes seen it completely covering its head, and un- less it is immediately removed either by the mare or the struggles of the colt (and sometimes he has not the strength to do it), he very soon strangles and dies unless saved by some one in attendance. Colts, the first week of their existence, need watching and care, as they are sometimes foaled before parturition is matured, in which case the front teeth often need to be cut 172 with a sharp knife before they can suck well, and then they are apt to be costive so that nothing passes the bowels, and this is often accompanied with a difficulty of making water also, and, unless relieved, they die from these causes alone. Now when this happens to be the case, give them a few spoonsfull of sweet milk well sweetened with molasses, and inject some of the same after adding a very little of the pulverized root of rhubarb. This is all that will be necessary to remove the difficulty. Colts at this age are sometimes troubled with a weakness of the fore legs, so that they knuckle over and can scarcely stand or go — that is, the muscles of the back part of the fore legs are so contracted, and those of the fore part becoming weak and relaxed, that it gives them the ap- pearance of having broken knees or fetlocks. Now sup- posing you had a board that was badly warped,* and you wished to straighten it, you would wet the hollowing side in order to swell it, and heat the opposite side in order to shrink it, and in this way you would succeed in bringing it straight again. Thus it is with these warped legs; bathe the heavy muscles of the back and upper part of the arm with warm water, and wash the fore part of the leg and joints with a decoction of the white oak and sweet apple tree bark; this is strengthening and a powerful astringent, and to the colt should be applied but sparingly. In colts, this weakness of the joints is sometimes caused by a relaxed state of the bowels or dysentery, which causes a general weakness. When it proceeds from this cause, give the colt the following dose, viz: Take a teaspoonfull each of tincture of lauda- num, camphoretted spirits, essence of peppermint, and 173 black pepper; add half a pint of warm water and feed it to him with a large spoon. Some may have a curiosity to know before the colt is foaled whether it is to be a horse or mare colt; if so, watch the mare at the time she is making bag, and if the right side fills first and keeps the largest, you may ex- pect a horse colt, and if the left side springs first, &c, you can expect a mare colt. As far as my experience goes this has been almost invariably the case, though there are undoubtedly exceptions to this rule. It may be beneficial to some one to know how to de- termine the color and height a colt will attain when full grown. Correct conclusions may be arrived at in this respect in the following manner: The color in after life will be the same as it is (or nearly so) on the colt around the eyes and hairs on the nose, anywhere from four days to four months old. There is a rule to go by that a man may know, within a very trifling variation, the height a colt will attain when full grown, by which he can tell something about what sort of a horse with proper care he is to expect. When the colt arrives at the age of four months, or as soon as it is perfectly straightened in its limbs, measure from the edge of the hair on its hoof to the middle of the knee joint, and for every inch that it measures -here it will grow to the height of a hand of four inches when its growth is matured. Thus, if the distance be found here sixteen inches, it will make a horse sixteen hands high, or vary according to the pro- portional distance found at this place. This rule holds good for all the small class of horses, and equally so with 174 avery's own farrier. others, only with a very large one you must add the depth of his hoof, or about three inches in order to make his full height. The foal should be allowed to run with its dam until it arrives at the age of four or five months before it is weaned; this should be effected without its worrying or pining after her any more than can possibly be helped. A very good way is to tie them in the stable alongside of each other for a few days; this will prevent their worrying after each other. At this time, if there should be any difficulty apprehended in drying up the mare's milk, all you have to do lo obviate is to cover her bag with sale molasses, well rubbed in with the hand, and it will not fill afterwards. This is no less simple than sure to have the desired effect. When the colt is put up to wean, it should have the best of hay or rowen, and suf- ficient bran and oats to keep it in a thriving condition; and when thoroughly weaned it should be allowed a dry yard and open shed to run in, and also have plenty of good, nourishing food to eat, for the better they are kept while young, the sooner they get their growth, and the better animals they make afterwards, and can be kept at a less cost. Their limbs also will be firmer and better knit, providing they have sufficient exercise. The idea that stinting colts while young would make tougher and hardier horses of them, has arisen from people feeding thern high and keeping them too much confined, thinking that by so doing they would beat their neighbor, or get a high price for them at an early age. But exercise is as necessary to give strength and elasti- avery's own farrier. 175 city to the limbs, as food is to give vitality and vigor to the body. I am willing to admit that, being fed high and kept in this confined way f they can not endure much hardship at first, nor until they have been exercised moderately, or by degrees, sufficiently to have acquired strength of body and limb to be able to perform what may be required of them without injury; for when they have been put to hard labor on the start, as the case sometimes is in consequence of changing owners, the purchaser, not knowing their situation, expects a great deal of service from them, and is often wofully disap- pointed when he finds his horse ringboned, spavined, or dies with lung fever or dropsy of the heart. Now the reason of all this is for want of sufficient exercise while being fed in this way, and not in the feeding alone. The horse requires a good deal of exercise at any age, but more especially when high fed in order to have him fit for immediate use, or to set out on a long journey, as experience has taught us, which is the best authority that I can give. The time has been when a mare colt was thought by many to be almost valueless, or hardly worth raising for the market; but that time, with many other false notions (if there are no more to follow) has passed. They are now thought to be by many as valuable as a horse colt, and are even chosen in preference to him by some, for the following reasons: From the time they are two to five years old, they are not of much account as far as work is concerned, although they are capable even at this age of enduring as much or more without injury, as the gelding; besides, they can be profitably employed in 176 breeding. You can raise two colts during this time, from them, which improves the mare, both in size and form, and you have the colts in the bargain. Besides this, they are less liable to disease, are as good travelers and better stagers, &c; and when they are worn out for the road, as it were, they are still valuable for breeders — that is, many of them. Mares kept exclusively for breeders, should be allowed the horse at a proper season. They will almost invariably be in the heat the ninth day after foaling (though sometimes a day or two sooner or later), and are very apt to conceive if turned at this time, being seldom in heat after this period, while suck- ling the colt. See recipes Nos. 72-77. avery's own farrier. 179 the stallion. Great care should be. taken in feeding this animal during the service season. In order that he may not become exhausted, and be a sure foal getter, he should not be let to more than from thirty to forty mares in one season, for his own welfare and that of his progeny, without some artificial stimulant to strengthen and re- plenish the genital organs, more than he takes in by way of food. It is well known to the owners of this kind of horse, that when they have let him serve from fifty to one hundred mares, their horse was injured in proportion to the number so served, or the colls have been weak or decrepid (if he has any), and not unfrequently both. Now, to remedy this evil, without losing the use of the horse, would be a great desideratum with many; and this difficulty is not to be wondered at when we take into consideration the fact, that one ounce of sperm ex- tracted in this way, is equal to the loss of forty ounces of blood, or two pounds and a half. When we take this view of the case, which is allowed to be correct, it must be evident to any one, that unless modified in practice, it must result in a total prostration of the constitution in the end. Every attempt to remedy this difficulty, so far as I am able to judge (except the one I am about to re- commend), has resulted in a loss of tone and derange- ment of the stomach, whereby the remedy has proved equally bad with the difficulty it was intended to obviate. The stallion should be kept in that state of health that will ensure the greatest degree of excellence in his pro- geny, which is not the highest state of fatness alone, that is to be admired. 180 avery's own farrier. The horse, during the season of service, should be fed regularly, and on solid food. A pint of wheat flour may be added to his oats and corn meal once a day, but he should not be given anything that will nauseate him, or hinder digestion. And if you would have him always ready to face the music, give him one of the following balls every morning about the size of a hen's egg. These cordials are made by mixing together one quart of strained honey, one quart of oyster meats, one pint of the best brandy, four ounces of the superfine flour of slippery elm bark, and kept in a tight jar. Take out only as you want to use, and ball it, which may be scented with anything the horse is fond of, and he will soon learn to eat them readily from the hand. " With flying mane and fiery look, Impatient neighs the noble steed." These balls are sometimes of great use in bringing the mare into heat at a proper season, by adding the tincture of cantharides. Give her one every morning; it will not require more than three to bring her into heat. The tincture may be added for the horse occasionally if need be, but for constant use they are too irritating to the urinary organs. I once owned a horse that sired eighty- three colts in one season, all smart and robust, and the horse ended the season as vigorously as when he began. Some may say that the truth is not to be spoken at all times; so say I, but if you speak at all, speak the truth, and this false modesty will fly like chaff before the wind. " There is a time to all things." avery's own farrier. 181 Man was not born to sorrow alone ; he can indulge in pleasing as well as profitable sports, without even stepping out of the path of peace and innocent pleasure. To fit a horse for trotting or running, requires all the ingenuity that man is capable of bestowing on him, and has occupied the attention of the best horsemen in the world; for this reason 1 deem it useless for me to attempt to instruct you on this point farther than I have already done; and the whole, in order to the animal's performing labor and sustaining a continuance of action, to which he would not be adequate without much previous pre- paration, would not be a very easy task for any one to undertake. By condition, the farmer generally means a high state of fatness; but not so with the amateur sports- man; he means that state of health which produces the greatest degree of strength by reducing the superfluous fat, and bringing the mere flesh into clean, hard and powerful muscle, and invigorating the lungs and other internal organs, so that they may promptly discharge their respective functions, and suffer no damage from uncommon stress, &c; for a horse loaded with fat could not be expected to be successful in a long race. TIME TABLE. The most extraordinary speed that the horse has been able to accomplish, both in Europe and America, will be found in the following table, which is a matter of some interest to the fast men of the age; and it should be pre- served, as it has been carefully compiled by the Clipper from various authors, both English and American; and in the main is thought to be reliable; but as it is un- 16 182 avery's own farrier. certain whether the distance and time will agree with the present reckoning, is a matter that must be left for the reader to determine: Horse Running. It is recorded that Firetail, in 1772, ran a mile in one minute and four seconds. Flying Childers ran over the Round Course at New- market (three miles six furlongs and ninety-lhree yards) in six minutes and forty seconds; and on the Beacon Course (four miles, one furlong and one hundred and thirty-eight yards) in seven minutes and thirty seconds. He went one-third of a mile in twenty seconds; he also made a leap of thirty feet on level ground; and he covered twenty-five feet at every stroke while racing. Eclipse is said to have ran a mile in one minute!!! In 1741, at the Currah in Ireland, Mr. Wilde rode one hundred and twenty-seven miles in six hours twenty- one minutes, employing ten horses in the performance of the feat. Mr. Thornhill, in 1745, rode from Stilton to London and back, and again to London, two hundred and thirteen miles in eleven hours and thirty-four minutes. Mr. Shaftoe, in 1752, with ten horses, five of them ridden twice, accomplished fifty and one quarter miles in one hour and forty-nine minutes. In 1786 Mr. Hull's Quibbler ran twenty-three miles, round the Flat at Newmarket, in fifty-seven minutes and ten seconds. George Osbaldeston, in 1831, performed the herculean task of riding two hundred miles in eight hours and 183 thirty-nine minutes, using in the feat twenty-eight horses, some of them two and three times. It is also on record that Rataplan, in England^ 1856, ran a three mile heat in five minutes and twenty-one seconds. These are among the feats and time said to have been performed in England. We now come to that of our own times and country, which are as follows: One mile, by Henry Perritt, in one minute, forty-two and one-half seconds. Two miles, by Berry, in three minutes, thirty-six and one-half seconds. Three miles, by Brown Dick, in five minutes, twenty- eight seconds. Four miles, by Lexington, w 7 as run in seven minutes, nineteen and three-quarter seconds. Horse Trotting. One mile, under saddle, by Tacony, in two minutes, twenty-five and one-half seconds. One mile, under saddle, by Lady Suffolk, in two min- utes, twenty-six seconds. One mile, in harness, by Tacony, Highland Maid, and Flora Temple,* in two minutes, twenty-seven seconds. Two miles in harness, by Flora Temple, in four minutes, fifty-nine seconds- Two miles, under saddle, by Lady Suffolk, in four minutes, fifty-nine seconds. * It is stated Flora Temple made the best time on record, in the trotting match with Princess, doing her second mile in two minutes, twenty-two seconds. 184 avery's own farrier. Three miles to 250 lbs. wagon, by Kemble Jackson, in eight minutes, three seconds. Ten miles, in harness, by Prince, in twenty-eight minutes, eight and one-half seconds. Twenty miles, in harness, by Lady Fulton, in fifty-nine minutes, fifty-five seconds. Fifty miles, in harness, by Spangle, in three hours, fifty-eight minutes, and fifty-four seconds One hundred miles, in harness, by Conqueror, in eight hours, fifty-five minutes, and fifty-three seconds. Horse Pacing. One mile, by Pocahontas, in two minutes, seventeen and one-half seconds. One mile, by Pet, in two minutes, eighteen and one- half seconds. One mile, by Roanoke, in two minutes, nineteen seconds. The battle is not always to the strong, nor the race to the swift; but we like to see speed that is founded on bottom. CHAPTER XXVI. DISTEMPERS CONTRACTED BY MARKETING. Thousands of horses are this day in our cities which are diseased in consequence of mismanagement in feed- ing and want of exercise previous and while en route thereto. And this difficulty is but little heeded or even noticed while it is increased by the present mode of avery's own farrier. 185 conveying them by rail ard boat over land and water. When people fell into this common error, it caused a delay in selling both in time and price; and the addi- tional expense accompanying the same, make it un- profitable for both dealer "and purchaser, and to avoid which is certainly very desirable. I would rather start w T ith them by land in ill-condition, or even quite poor in flesh, than to fall into this error; and it would save expense to the dealer, and would be better for the purchaser, who would be more likely to get a sound horse. The horse in this condition would thrive while increasing his feed and journeying by land, and would not suffer so much for want of exercise for a few days if conveyed in the above manner as one loaded with fat. If you should object to taking them into the city in this condition, leave them at the outposts, or a convenient distance therefrom, and there feed and exer- cise them to your liking, and then take them in healthy and sound, when they will command a fair price and meet a ready sale, instead of hazarding their lives by confining them in dark and stifled stables in the city until they are diseased and rendered unfit for use, and are liable to be spoiled with the first day's hard drive; and this, too, would bring your customers to you, instead of your having to run after them. But to come to the point; horses after being fed high, and stimulated with grain and other things, and poorly exercised, are but iliy fitted to undergo the sudden changes of air consequent to a long journey through the fog, hot and cool breezes in crossing our lakes, traversing rivers, and being hurled along the plains in the cais, &c\; they 186 often take slight colds in this way that are not noticed, or neglected, until it causes a derangement of the stomach and bowels, which impairs the appetite and digestive powers; what is worst of all, when they arrive at their journey's end, they are too often crowded into dark and ill-ventilated stables to complete their misery. This is the way in which many diseases of the horse are caused, stuffing up the thoracic organs, and sometimes exciting a cough and a slight running at the nose, which may often lead to o(her disease and general debility, for the above exciting causes show themselves in various forms according to the predisposing condition of the system. To prevent the above difficulty, when you are to convey them any considerable distance, give as a stomachic to invigorate and strengthen the system every morning, before feeding, in ball, a small dose of peppermint, cam- phor and red pepper, with good exercising. For a day or two previous to arriving in the city (and after also) use a little of the nose ointment on the septum, &c, given for glanders, which will enable you to go in safe and remain sound, with good stable management. But if you should at any time discover symptoms of distem- per, make free use of the condition powder No. 1; with a continuance of the above, and you will come out all right. Consult the remedies given for infectious diseases, &c, &c. Then sometimes horses are injured in taking them by the overland route, too. They are often driven too far the first day of their journey, not being accustomed to traveling on the road; and then again their masters 189 sometimes overtry their abilities for endurance, in conse- quence of becoming a little excited on some topic of the day themselves, or get a little too much of the c'rathur in the head. And sometimes this happens when they are going to market with other articles, or riding from town for pleasure, &c, for there are various ways of abusing this noble animal. Symptoms. — If the driver goes to bed at all, he rises rather late the next morning, and on going to the stable, if you find the horse with his back still wet with dew immediately over the kidneys, after all the rest of his body is dry, it is a sure evidence that he has been driven too hard. Cure. — The next time the man goes on a spree, let him go alone, and give the horse a moderate dose of oats, adding a good brushing and comfortable bedding; thus remove the cause and I will warrant the evil to cease. A GOOD HORSE. Some men are quite apt to go to extremes in their judgment upon the value of a horse. What one man would call a good horse, others will call good for nothing. Now the Maker knew well the pattern he worked by, for in variety only are found fitness and ele- gance which contain the spice of life. Thus all may be suited if they only knew themselves what they want, and learn to choose one that is well adapted to their minds and business. Supposing, for instance, that the mechanic should set himself to work and make a fine looking wagon or car- 190 riage out of pine or basswood, using sole leather for the tire, the man who bought it might be disappointed, for it would not do him the service he had expected. Well, now has he any reason to find fault with the workman- ship, which he examined for himself? I think not. Well, should he curse the timber of which it was made? Certainly not; for it is good for the purpose for which it was designed. But the deception consists in a misap- plication of the material of which the wagon was made, which was not intended to take the place of iron, nor the white oak and sugar maple. Thus it is with horses; they are all good in their proper spheres; they may be bred too delicate of constitution or limb for the climate they are employed in, but this is no fault of theirs. The wants of man are so varied that there are none of these animals found so large or small, swift or slow, but that they may be profitably employed for some purpose or other. The minds and tastes of men differ as much (and per- haps more), than the size, shape and color of horses; therefore it would be a pretty nice piece of work for one man to accomplish, to select a horse that would please all his neighbors in every respect. Therefore, when I see a horse that is well adapted and calculated for the business that he is employed in, whether it is on the farm or the road, on the canal, in livery or menagerie, in saddle or harness, I call him a good horse. But a clearer view of my idea or fancy of a good horse, and one that will be most likely to please the eye of many, may be had by referring to my description of the same in the chapter on breeding, &c. 191 Give me a horse with a good shoulder (not too heavy), with his fore legs far enough apart to give ample room for the play of his lungs, and a good stifle; then he has room to carry his dinner with him. With these requi- sites, and a good pair of legs (for the whole value of a horse is in his limbs), he will do very well for all work. As to color, I think it makes but little difference, other things being rightly considered, but is a point of taste as a general rule. Some argue that a dark colored horse has stronger muscles, and is more durable; but if we allow this to be so, it may be overbalanced by the wiry nerve, and a higher degree of intelligence possessed by those of a lighter color. A dark or brown colored nose, with heavy mustache, always denotes good bottom. COMPARISONS. The so styled father of medicine (Hippocrates) did much in his time and way, undoubtedly, for the benefit of his race, in the discoveries he made in the healino- o art; and a vast amount of good has been accomplished by the different reformers since his time in this way; hence it becomes our duty to improve all we can upon the advantage thus offered us, and perhaps future gene- rations will still have more to do before they bring this science to a state of perfection. Perhaps I may be pardoned if I should venture to draw a figure here to illustrate some of my views on the sub- ject before us. For instance, when people are habitually costive, they learn to regulate their diet by a free use of beans, onions, or Indian corn, and pumpkin bread, or other things that nature helps us to provide in the form 192 avery's own farrier. of food; they will find but little use for the bitter root and steaming, which may be used to such an extent, as to become in time as injurious to the system, as the older practice of the use of calomel and the lancet. Therefore we see that an ounce of preventive is equal in value to a pound of cure. Did you ask what has this to do with the horse? We will see directly. In most cases of disease where a physician is called, it is the animal feeling and powers that are diseased, whereby the phy- sical strength is lessened. So, what is good for man is also good for the horse, and has about the same effect on the one as on the other, generally speaking, under similar circumstances; but when the mind or mental faculties are impaired, then it becomes quite a different thing which we have nothing to do with here. Now, supposing a horse to have the heaves, and you feed him with clean, bright straw, or stalks (instead of musty hay), and also let potatoes, carrots and apples form a part of his diet, and he will perform as much work as before he was diseased, and seldom show any symptoms of the disease. Well, now, had he lived on this kind of food previous to his being attacked with this disease, and had not been allowed to take cold, would it not have served as a preventive against the disease? Reason teaches us that it would most certainly. And so it is with most diseases of the horse. They can be prevented by judicious feeding, careful driving, a close observation of and supplying their many wants. To this I am mainly indebted for my success. I have been as seldom puzzled as a great many others in telling what part of the ma- avery's own farrier. 193 chinery was out of order, or to find a remedy for their relief. In sections of country .where the heaves are a very prevalent disease with the horse, a great number of its inhabitants die of consumption; but in some parts of the western states for instance, the horse is seldom if ever known to have what is called heaves in other parts of the country, and there the people know nothing com- paratively about consumption. Thus it behooves us all to study into the causes of disease, and also their best remedies and preventives, for the better we understand these things, the better we shall be prepared to combat them when overtaken by them. The wise will not trust wholly to the doctors in this respect, for they live on the ignorance and misfortune of the people. (Well, they do not live alone if they do.) But some one may think the doctors must live too. That is very true. Every one should live by his own industry; but any one worthy of the name, will keep himself in advance of the common people sufficient to answer as a safeguard for him. And if it should be otherwise, they would only be placed on an equal footing with others in producing the necessaries of life (by the sweat of the brow), instead of destroying it, which no lover of peace and law-abiding person would have reason to find fault with. But as the great book of nature was opened for all, we all have an undisputed right to peruse its leafy pages, and treasure up what knowledge we obtain from its teachings, for our own benefit as well as that of others; and the better we un- derstand this great work, the better it will be for the regular physician, and the better it will be for all. The 17 194 science will flourish better when it enables him to com- mand a better price for his labor, and there will be less suffering, less imposition and quackery in the world. A change of diet almost invariably has a salutary effect while treating most diseases; for instance, in fevers and inflammation, let the diet be more simple, cooling, &c, &c. CHAPTER XXVIL ON TRAINING AND EDUCATING THE HORSE; TOGETHER WITH AN- ECDOTES, &C, ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE SAGACITY AND FRIEND- SHIP EXHIBITED BY THE HORSE AND OTHER ANIMALS TOWARDS MAN. To raise the genius and improve the mind, the old psalmist played on a liarp of many strings. It has been wisely said by one of our ancient philoso- phers, that the greatest study of man was to know him- self. Now when we have fully learned our own genius and capacity to control and manage the horse perfectly, in all the various branches of his education that he is capable of arriving at, which now is only in its infancy, we shall have attained a high degree of eminence towards that end. And then we have been privileged by the high- est authority to have dominion and rule over all the beasts of the field; or, of the whole animal creation we were to be lord and master. We were not told in a word how to accomplish all this, but we were given wisdom sufficient, when applied to this purpose (which was left 195 as a part of our duty), to find out our superiority over the animal creation in this respect for ourselves. In order to have perfect control over the horse, and govern him properly at all times (instead of being governed), there is one thing highly necessary. In the first place we must learn to govern ourselves, that is, govern our passions, and never lose our presence of mind through fear, nor allow ourselves to fly into a passion, or get excited on any account whatever, nor chastise the horse in anger any sooner than you would a child. He that does this well will seldom, if ever, be compelled to whip either with the rod. He will soon learn that there is a nobler way to accomplish his purpose, which con- sists in the superiority of mind and reason that he holds* over him (which is the gift of God), and when fully developed and used for this purpose, with the means hereinafter mentioned, will be more than sufficient to govern this noble animal. Fear (in one sense of the word) is the absence of reason, therefore to rid ourselves of fear let us exercise what reason we have given us. A person may give way to fear and work himself into such an excited state of mind as to dethrone reason altogether, and then become a perfect maniac. Many a one has lost his life, or even died through fear alone. All horses are susceptible of receiving more or less knowledge, according to their individual organization; and the higher mettled, or the more ambitious a horse is, the easier he will learn when the law of kindness is ap- plied, and the harder it is to subdue him by brute force. A careful observer can readily tell a horse that will learn easily by his phrenological development, or the degree 196 of intelligence that he is capable of arriving at, &c; among the requisites of which are fine limbs and muzzle, head not too disproportionably large for the body, ears small or slim, not too far apart and of quick motion, eyes prominent and wide apart, and large nostrils; white feet and face are not objectionable in this respect," and a hol- low face denotes speed and high spirits; though a round face and Roman nose indicate a degree of docility that is seldom met with in others, if the head is not too nar- row above the eyes. There must be sufficient room in the cavity of the skull for the mass of brain that is so necessary for this purpose (notwithstanding the other requisites), and which is the mainspring of all motion. The ancients seem to have employed their horses mostly for the purposes of war, and that of the chariot race. The training of them, both for war and the race, seems to have occupied much time and attention, and to have been conducted with a degree of skill which could not have been attained without considerable study and experience. Pliny truthfully said that by the ears of a horse you could discover his intention. BufTon also re- marked that when a horse walks, his ears point forward; when fatigued, they hang down; and wmen angry, one ear points forward and the other backward. The eye as w 7 ellas the ear plainly tells the intention of ahorse; when the head is rather bowed, and the eye, with the effort to look out, is not much moved in the socket, with considerable expression of the surrounding parts, as often winking, &c, all is well; but when the head is only a little raised, with the eye-balls turned so as to show con- siderable white of the eye, and the ears lay close to the avery's own farrier. 197 neck or point backwards, then look out for teeth and heels, which are their weapons of war. Every horse turns his eye as well as ear to that side from which he hears a noise, and, when struck from behind, he turns his ears backwards as an expression of dislike; or, in other words, the ears always point the way he looks. " The notion of fire rolling within his nostrils, is highly descriptive of the natural appearance of these organs when the animal neighs, or is much excited. This is occasioned by the unusual flow of blood which becomes distinctly visible through the fine membrane with which the nostrils are lined." The steed, says Virgil, should first be accustomed to see without fear the arms of the warrior in fight, and to endure the clangor of the trumpet, to listen to the bridles rattling in the stalls, and to hear the rumbling of the chariots over the ground. And while yet a colt, he should be soothed with kindly tones from his master's voice, and gently patted on his neck till he comes to rejoice in being commended and flattered. In training the colt for the ring or the chase, the old masters began with him at the age of three and four: and he was trained to run in the ring with measured pace, to bend his legs with ease, and to prance in "changeful curves." His speed was to be gradually increased " till he seemed to challenge the wind as he fled with ardour over the level meadow, unconscious of his reins, skimming so lightly as scarcely to print the surface of the sand." After being trained in the above manner, the animal was to be fed plentifully with corn and other fodder, until the body became large and robust. 198 avery's own farrier. " But if pampered with corn before being trained, he will become stubborn, and though held, he will some- times rebel auainst the lash and the curb." When the horse is in the habit of shying or sheering at anything on the road, do not whip him for it. It is sure to make him worse. For whenever he sees the same object again, it reminds him of the chastisement he received before; but let him know that you are his friend, by using kind and soothing words and gentle usage. Although you may speak in an authoritative tone some- times, if necessary, stop him and let him approach the object of his fright, slowly and cautiously, and you will soon break him of this bad habit. The eye falsifies ob- jects, which are the cause of the animal's shying and fright; therefore he wants time to satisfy himself that there is nothing to hurt him, either by seeing or smelling. When you are driving a horse before a carriage, and he gets frightened, and starts to run, if you allow your- self to become frightened and excited at the event, or show any sign of fear (which it is very difficult to avoid, I will admit) by hallowing, or in any way so that the horse discovers a cause, he catches also at the dilemma, and, with renewed rage, it increases his speed and your danger. When you can possibly avoid this, and speak in a calm and gentle tone to him, together with the help of the reins, you will soon calm his fear and all will be well. As illustrative of the above facts, I will relate a circumstance that took place not long since in my own town, and with reliable friends: A gentleman and wife were returning from a ride in a carriage, and when about a mile from their village home, while descending a steep avery's own farrier. 199 bill, some of the harness gave way, and let the carriage on the horse which frightened him, and he began to kick and run down the hill, when the man leaped from the carriage, telling his better half to do the same. But this happening in the fashionable days of crinoline, it was not so convenient for the lady to do so in this way; so she (while the horse was at the top of his speed), with great presence of mind, and possessing the ability that her husband lacked, composedly reached over and picked up the reins that he in his fright had dropped, and in woman's quiet manner, very soon succeeded in stopping the frightened animal, and then as quietly stepped out of the carriage and took the horse by the bit, and was caressing him when the man came up to her assistance, if such you could call it. I have read somewhere that a good wife was more precious than rubies, and I think she must be one of them. I am well aware of the fondness or reluctance of the horse to leave buildings while they are on fire (which is a kind of instinct), for you may drive or back a horse up to a fire, and as it begins to burn him, he will draw closer and closer to it until you can scarcely force him away. Hence comes the great difficulty of removing horses from the stable when the surrounding buildings are in a state of conflagration, whereby so many valu- able horses have been lost. Notwithstanding all this, the difficulty generally arises from the excitement that prevails on such occasions, when you lose all control you had over them. But if you would avoid this, approach them at such times with no unusual degree of alarm or excitement, and speak to them kindly, and, for instance, 200 throw the harness over their backs as though they were to go about their usual work, and they will obey you at once, and thus be saved from the perils of the flames. Now these facts I have witnessed. Truth cannot perish; it is everlasting, it is heavenly. In order to show the wonderful sagacity of the horse, and the great attachment and friendship that may exist between him and man, as well as other animals, and man's capacity to govern them under a proper mode of treatment, I will give place here to a few well authenti- cated anecdotes of some of the most important animals in the world, which go to show also what man can ac- complish when destitute of fear or excitement of any kind. I will begin by relating the (almost incredible) story as given by Ezra Smith, of a voyage among the South Sea Islands, where the vessel was wrecked and the only one of the crew saved was finally landed on the deserted shore of an uninhabited part of the island. Alone with a small compass he happened to save by having it in his pocket, he directed his course towards the nearest place known to him to be inhabited, which was several days' journey. After traveling all day, at night he lay down to rest his wearied limbs, with only the precaution of building a fire near his feet for the purpose of keeping off the wild beasts that inhabited that country. Shortly after lying down, he heard a heavy tread near him, and immediately arose and saw a huge lion approaching him. Being of iron nerve, and thinking that the time had come that he must die, and that he might as well submit to his fate calmly, he quietly awaited the ap- avery's own farrier. 201 proach of his deadly foe, which was made cautiously, halting several times, and at last came close to his fire. After eyeing him very closely for sometime, and finding him not in the least daunted, he held his foot up in the light of the fire, the man then discovering that his foot was dreadfully swollen, and thinking that at the worst he could but die, at once commenced an examination of the foot, in which he found a large sliver or stub, which had caused it to fester and become swollen. He deliber- ately took his knife and opened the foot, dug out the stub, talking caressingly in the meantime, without either of them betraying the least sign of fear. After per- forming the operation, the man took his seat near the fire, and found to his great astonishment that he had a friend with him instead of an enemy, in the shape of a lion, for the lion came and licked him, and lay down by his side during the night, and the next day went several times and caught wild game for him to subsist on, and even followed him like a pet for several days. Now supposing the man had allowed himself to become frightened and excited on this occasion, there can be no doubt but that the lion, seeing his timidity, would have devoured him at once. As I have given one of the lion, I will add another about the great memory of this animal, as it is allowed by experienced men that the horse equals, if not excels, most other animals in this respect. Herr Driesbach, the great lion tamer, after leaving his old companions, the lions, leopards and tigers, for years, returned to revisit them in their cages, where the scene is described as having been most affecting. The lioness, which was 202 a particular favorite, caught sight of him, and her eyes beamed with pleasure, while her tail wagged a glad recognition. On his coming up to her, she appeared frantic with joy; and when he spoke to her and pre- sented his face to the cage, she kissed him and placed her paw T in his hand with the air of an intense affection, and licked his hands while he attempted to pat her. And then there was another of Herr's, the elephant. A circumstance happened while the menagerie was com- ing into Newark. The elephant's keeper fell from his horse in a fit; the whole company came to a halt, and one of its members went forward to pick up the sick man, but the elephant would not allow him or any person to approach the lifeless form of his master. Taking him with his trunk softly, he would place him on his horse, but finding that the man was senseless, he laid him on the ground and kept watch over him. Several members of the menagerie tried to soothe the faithful animal, who had now become furious at the supposed death of his friend, but to no purpose, and there the man lay watched by this sagacious animal. After lying in this condition for some time, a physician who had been sent for arrived, and yet the elephant would allow no one to approach the man till at length the keeper became so far con- scious as to command the elephant to let the physician come near him, and then the animal was docile and obedient in a moment. The keeper was cared for, the elephant all the while expressing the utmost anxiety for the sick man. Were these animals spoken of above forced wholly by blows of the whip to love and obey their masters 1 avery's own farrier. 203 Most certainly not. Now I have given an illustration of the king of the forest, as the lion is called, and also of one of the largest quadruplets of the present time, in the foregoing anecdotes, thus showing how memory, sym- pathy, pity and affection are all blended together in these animals towards man, and his power and ability to render them subservient to his will and have dominion over them. Now is this instinct, is it reason, or what is it? I pause here for an answer, though I will endeavor to answer the question in my way when I speak of the horse. But who will dare fix the limits of the instinct or reasoning faculties of the animal creation? For fear that I have already wandered too far, I will return again to the horse, which is one of the most tract- able, having the greatest memory, and is withal one of the most affectionate and sympathizing animals among the larger quadrupeds in the world. To prove the first of these assertions, it would only be necessary for you to pay a visit to Dan Rice's great show, or Franconi's hippodrome, and there see the horse perform some of his wonderful feats, dance, waltz and keep perfect time with the music, equaling in this respect a first class dancing master. And then he has done this on the stage where the floor was chequered with eggs, in squares of two feet apart, without even moving one of them. Although the horse is assisted by the motion of the rein and whip in keeping time in the performance of these plays, he does not do it without considerable intelligence on his part. If you have any objections to being satisfied as to the truth of above, by visiting the circus, you should re- member that if there is any evil produced by it, it will 204 come from a misapplication of the knowledge thus de- rived. The same skill required to manage the horse in the ring, would enable one to ride all over a patch of corn or potatoes without even treading out a single hill; and then again, amusement of some kind is as necessary for the support of a healthy mind, as food is for the body. To have proven the latter, you should have seen, as thousands did with me, that old white war horse of Gen. Taylor following the hearse that bore his late and lamented friend to the tomb, with his head drooping half way to the ground, as if in deep thought, or filled with pity and love for the hero, and his late master. And then I have seen the young and spirited horse stand over and watch his master who had fallen from his back while drunk. I have seen the horse, also, while carrying the inebriate on his back, actually dodge one way and the other in order to balance his rider, so as to prevent his falling off. Which of the two animals manifested the most reason here, do you think? Then the war horse has been seen to dash on to the charge at the sound of the bugle, with all the courage of a veteran soldier. Away he would dash through blood and carnage, wherever his master guided him; and when, perchance, his rider fell, he would stop in the midst of his heat and fury, and become pensive and mournful, sympathizing with his wounded friend; or, when dead, has been known to rush on with renewed vigor into the enemy's ranks, stamping them to the earth wherever he went, to avenge his master's death. The poet has given a fine description of the war horse, in the following lines: 205 " If then the distant clang of arras he hears, He paws, he bounds, he pricks his listening ears, Quivering his joints, and snorting with desire, Within his nostril rolls the thickened fire; Adown his crest his locks recumbent stray — O'er his right blade the bushy honors play, His horny hoof upturns the hollow ground, And rings the air in grave and solid sound." Who, when they study the nature of the horse and consider his superior muscular power, can think of low- ering himself (as he must) to subdue him by force alone? I have broken a great many colts for the saddle and harness, and I never knew one of them to prove balky or vicious afterwards; and I have cured many a one of his vicious habits that was supposed to be spoiled by others. And here let me say to you, that if you should ever fail to accomplish your design in the manner herein- after set forth, and be compelled to resort to the lash, do not whip the horse in the team where you will be likely to worry the one at his side, nor before the wagon where he is likely to break the carriage or harness, besides conquering you (instead of being conquered), as most assuredly he will, nine times out of ten: and then you are worse off than when you began. But take him out of the harness to some convenient place (a stall for instance), where he is confined, so that he does not hurt you nor himself, and then chastise him as you think he deserves; or take him out of the harness and bit him close, and you will find it a difficult matter to drive him far from you with the whip, for he will oftener follow you around than run away. The reason of this will be made manifest as I proceed. 18 206 You should not resort to the lash (if you would have a kind horse"), even if you should fail on the first or second trial with other means, nor be at all discouraged. Remember that time, patience, industry and perseverance, are among the grand masters of the world. And it is just as necessary that you do not let your horse know, or find out in any way, that you are afraid of him, as it is to avoid being excited or angry (as before stated). If you do, he is eertain to take advantage of it, and you can not control him- Never go up to a horse and slap him without first speaking to him, unless you are posi- tive that he sees you; then stand close to him, for it is use- less to try to dodge the ball after you hear the report of the gun, and then you are safer than you would be to stand off and reach towards him with the timidity of a coward, for he has not the chance then to hurt you even if he is vicious and so disposed. There is no high spirited horse that can not be balked; for instance, you ill-treat him by half-starving, overloading, holding him in, or hitching him to anything he can not draw and then whip him, and he will soon become discouraged and vicious; and then there is no horse of this temperament that can not, with proper management, be made kind and true to work in any place you wish him. Generally speaking, there are more balky drivers than balky horses. The reason of this is, they do not understand the nature and disposition of the horse they are tampering with. Balky horses are generally high spirited ones, easily excited^ frustrated, get mad, and the more they are whipped for it, the worse they get while under the sting of the lash; for their grit is already raised too high, and they become avery's own farrier. 207 furiously mad and quite uncontrolable. But instead of this harsh treatment, they need something to calm and sooth them, and then they become perfectly manageable. A horse that has been thus ill-treated, will oftentimes allow himself to be caught in the field by a lady or child, and obey them in any reasonable task with kind treatment, when they would refuse to obey a cruel mas- ter in doing the same thing. The following text can be had reference to as you proceed with my views on the subject: With all his other noble qualities, the horse is a coward, by which he can be made to perform feats in the menagerie, through fear of punishment, that he can not be made to do in any other way. This accounts for his sometimes being conquered by coercion. And then there are other acts required of him where kind treat- ment is indispensably necessary to fit him for the service of the ring (as well as all other places), such as distin- guishing sounds, &c, or one word from another. To imitate lameness for instance, or to lay down, is a know- ledge he acquires by the familiarity of certain words, with a given signal to obey them. This, some pretend, is a recent discovery among the capabilities of the horse. To them it may be so, but others have long known that the horse could learn to distinguish the words woa, get up, or as the Frenchman says, mustaw, zounds, &c, from all others. But for domestic purposes, kind treat- ment is decidedly the best, and is the basis of all other proper modes of governing the horse, without which you can not have a kind, true and safe one for family use. I believe the earth produces suitable vegetation in 208 some form for the sustenance and welfare of the whole animal creation thereon; and that vegetation contains medicinal properties suitable for the prevention and cure of every known disease, when rightly understood and properly applied; and also among the different varieties, there are some suited to the peculiar taste and smell of every species of animals, by the use of which they may be ensnared, tamed, domesticated and made useful and submissive to the will of man. Those substances which the horse appears to be most passionately fond of, are what I purpose to speak of next. The reduction of him to a domesticated state, with skillful training until his education is completed, is one of the greatest acquisitions ever made by the art and industry of man. The charm, or great secret of taming horses as used by the ancients, is as follows: The horse-castor is a wart-like protube- rence that grows on the inside of every horse's fore legs; it has a peculiar, rank, musty smell, and is easily pulled off. The ammonial effluvia of the horse seems to con- centrate in this part, and its odor has a great attraction for animals, especially canine, and the horse himself. This should be taken off and dried by a moderate heat, as too great a heat destroys the scent thereof, when it should be grated into a fine powder, and corked tight in a bottle so as to exclude it from the air, and it is fit for use. For the oil of cummin the horse has an instinctive passion; both are said to be original natives of Arabia. When the horse scents its odor he is instinctively drawn towards it. The oil of rhodium possesses peculiar prop- erties; all animals seem to cherish a fondness for it; this, with the use of the others, produces a kind of languid 209 feeling, or subduing influence over the horse, so much so that you may do what you please with him, and he will not resent it, provided you do not hurt him. When a colt is old enough to wean and begin to feed, give him occasionally from the hand a piece of sugar, with a little of this powder sprinkled on it; this will make him very fond of you, and he will be seen coming towards you whenever he sees you in field, to get some of it to eat. In this way he will become very familiar with you, and always be good to catch — the contrary of which is a great fault with many. " 'Tis education forms the common mind-, Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined. " But you should not deceive him b}' pretending you have something for him when you have not; for his memory is such that he may play you a trick in return by not coming to you next time. If you are dealing with a wild horse, or one that is hard to catch, you must use a little stratagem with him (as he is quite apt to do with you); rub some of the oil of cummin on your hand and pass him on the windward side of the field as close to him as you can without start- ing him. Act perfectly indifferent about catching him, or scarcely notice him after passing several times in his way. If he does not come to you before, go as near to him as you can, being sure to stop and stand still before he starts to leave you, and he will soon come to you, when you should let him smell of your hand, and also give him some of the powder to eat on sugar or a piece of an apple, and you will have no difficulty in haltering and leading him from the field. By having something in 210 your hand he likes, whether it is sugar, salt, or oats, you will not be likely to have any difficulty in catching him afterwards. There is no operation to be performed in breaking the colt or subduing the vicious horse, wherein he seems to be more sensible of the loss of his liberty, than he does by being bitted; and none where he appears to be more willing to obey our commands, when made known to him, than that of laying him down at our feet. BITTING THE HORSE. Whenever he is brought out for this purpose, give him something to eat from the hand that he likes, which makes him fond of you. Then put on the bit and curb, using a large bit for this purpose, until his mouth be- comes a little hardened, but not long enough at a time to tire him; if you do you overtax the muscles of the neck, which will have a tendency to throw the neck down instead of up; but begin gradually, day by day, until he is thoroughly bitted; always talk gently and caressingly to him, and he will follow you like a pet. If he is to be broke to work in the harness, hitch him to nothing but what he can draw easily at first, and in- crease his load by degrees. If you hitch him up by the side of one that is well broke, all the better. After he pulls well, give him some of the powder, or anything else he likes to eat; but if he refuses to go, blow a quill full of this powder up his nostril, and place about four drops of each of the oils in his nostrils and on his tongue, which you can do by means of a piece of sponge, or a 211 small thimble held between your thumb and finger, using no harsh means, and he will soon obey your command. If he is to be broke for the saddle, observe the above rules. Ride fearlessly and promptly with your knees pressed to the sides of the horse, and your toes in and heels out; then you will always be on the alert for a shy or a sheer, and he can not throw you provided you carry your hands close to his neck so as to grab the mane if necessary. TO LEARN A HORSE TO LIE DOWN. This he will often do the first time he is curbed, after he is well bitted and learned to follow you. Have a padded surcingle with a small ring in the back of it, then fasten the end of a small cord to the bit about twenty feet in length, and let the horse play around you, keep- ing hold of the other end of the cord. After learning him to play around you in changeful curves, right and left, bring him to you by means of the cord, and give him some of the sugar and powder to eat from the hand again (for tasting is one of the animal senses and must be gratified to gain the good will, &c), then let him run around again, and by cracking the whip in his face as a signal, he will soon learn to stop running, or come to you without the aid of cord, to taste something he likes; and all this at the crack of the whip. Now if you wish him to lie down, be gentle with him; and while you are patting and caressing him, place some of the oils in his nostrils, or on his tongue, or you may let him snuff chlo- roform from your handkerchief while you are brushing his nose (without being noticed if you choose). At the 212 same time run the cord from the bit through the ring in the surcingle, keeping hold of the other end, and start him off at a slow place, pulling gently on the cord till he comes round to you, and his nose is turned round near the ring, holding it there firmly with one hand and a switch in the other. Now command him in a clear and distinct tone to lie down, repeating the command and switching the fore legs until you are obeyed. By re- peating this operation several times, he will learn to lie down by commanding him, or even by any given signal to do so. When he lies down, you can loosen the cord and keep him down by placing your foot on his neck. He is now your pupil and friend, and can be -taught to understand and do almost anything you choose to learn him. Few horses, after being dealt with in this manner, will ever require anything else but kind treatment after- wards to always be kind and obedient in any spot you may place them. We sometimes meet with. vicious horses (as it were) or those that have been ill-treated by their owners, until they are afraid of almost every thing they see, and will balk even at the sight of the whip. To render them kind and safe for family use, or learn them to perform any of the feats they are capable of doing in the circus or menagerie, or to fit them for the parade or battle-field, is certainly a very desirable object. They should not be afraid of anything, but be taught to love and obey their masters, notwithstanding what may be going on around them. This can be accomplished only by kind treatment or a strict observance of the foregoing directions. To cure a horse of scaring at the sight of a lady's parasol, avery's own farrier. 213 or anything that you can take in your hand — after placing some of the powder and oil of cummin on the nose — go up to him (talking in rather an undertone of voice) with the article in your hand, not shaking it to try to frighten him, but let him first smell of it; this he likes, for he smells nothing only what you rubbed on his nose, which he takes to be the object you hold in your hand; then carry it around, hold it over him, let him view it, and his fear will vanish. If he is afraid of a carriage top or anything that you can not well carry to him, the process will be the same; only you must lead or drive him to it, and not be hasty about urging him to approach the object of his fright, but give him time to view it and satisfy himself that it is nothing to hurt him. When he obeys your command in doing this (or anything), com- mend him by patting him on the neck, or giving him something to taste he loves. This inspires him with confidence and friendship which he remembers, and he will approach any object you wish him to fearlessly. The horse, unlike other animals, breathes only through the nostrils; hence we seethe distended nostril while he is in the act of running or hard breathing from whatever cause. So when the object is only to have him smell the medicine, place it on or in the nose. But when you wish it to have a little more subduing influence over the animal propensities, place it on the tongue. You may learn a horse to stand anywhere without hitching, by riding or driving him to where you can stop and leave him so he does not see you, and yet where you can lay you hand on the reins the moment he attempts to start, going to him often; and when he does 214 not start, give him something he loves to taste; pat and caress him; but you can not learn him to stand without hitching, by whipping him for starting. If you wish not to have your horse afraid of the report of a gun, or the noise of a drum, rub the oil of cummin on the nose so he will not smell the powder, and place about six or eight drops of the oil of rhodium on the tongue. Then commence drumming or firing near him, very lightly at first, occasionally giving him a little sugar or anything he likes to eat. You may increase ihe noise by degrees until he becomes so familiar with it that he will not care anything about the noise of a drum or gun at any time or place. It would be almost impossible for one man to point out all the niceties necessary to be observed in the edu- cation and training of the horse, even if he understood them; but if I were going to learn one the A B C, I would not try to teach him botany or algebra at the same time, for this would only confuse and overtax his memory. I would begin first by learning him thoroughly to understand some simple thing that he could easily com- prehend and remember, before I commenced w T ith another. Then take up another branch, and so on; for it is not so difficult to climb in this way, that we need to turn from the bramble and say sour grapes Be not hasty, and you will accomplish more in a given time. When you are trying to learn him anything, watch his eye and ear carefully, for by the motion of these you will be able to perceive whether he is inclined to do as you bid him or not; for it is only when he is in a playful mood that you need attempt to make an impression towards the 215 advancement of his education, If he is not inclined to obey you at first, wait patiently until he is; do not urge him too much at first; keep your eye on his, as he ever will on you; then you will discover by the motion of the ear and the expression of the eye when he is willing to mind you. Then show him whatever you wish him to do, by motions, or by pushing him to do it, or even in some cases do it yourself, and then make him do the same; for the horse is often known to imitate his master when thus inclined to mind. The word should always be distinctly given to suit every effort made to have him learn to do anything, whether there is to be any coercion used or not; and whenever he does the least thing as you tell him to, you should pat and give him a taste of anything he has learned to like, as an expression of de- light in being obeyed. In this way his memory enables him, as he becomes familiar with his master's voice and words, to be taught almost anything he choses to learn him, that his cultivated intellect is capable of acquiring. You can learn him to understand what you say to him; and you can learn him to perform any little trick you please, by the slightest motion of the hand, foot or whip, or even by the motion of your own eye, telling him in this way what you w T ish him to do, after he has become familiar with the signal, by its being accompanied with the word. Such is the keen perception of this animal. When a horse has been well broke in this manner, or by kind treatment, he will always be safer to drive and handle than one broke in the usual manner (or not at all, as a great many are), and he will remain so through life, or at least in the hands of a kind master; 216 avery's own farrier. for he has been trained and educated, and is more tame and obedient, consequently his value is greater. When you have a horse that is bad to handle with the bridle, and apt to pull too hard for you, have a slip rein and let it run over the top of his head instead of the jaw, and you will have no difficulty in managing him j though I have seen them so well broke that they did not need any bridle on at all, but would obey the word, and yet they would come out of the stable like tigers in respect to courage. Can the horse be charmed? I say he can. " Like the tone of the gun, That startles the deep, when the combat's begun," I've had my horse take fright and run, When others might think they were undone. But I whistled and laughed quite merrily when it would have the effect of stopping him (almost without the use of the reins) before going ten rods. I do not say that every one can do this; some are gifted more than others. But any one can do a great deal towards driving away fear at such times, which is always so disastrous, for man has the power of mind and capacity given him, necessary to control and govern the horse under almost every circumstance, when he learns how to apply it to this purpose. You can, to say the least, instead of hallowing and screaming, or jumping over- board, if you speak at all do it mildly, and in rather an under tone of voice with the help of the reins. And you will be most likely to calm his fear, And rejoice when you check him in his mad career. Now, by following these directions, and always show- avery's own farrier. 217 ing yourself kind to the horse, you will be able to learn him anything that he is capable of performing, and he will not be afraid of everything he sees, but will obey your commands. For this reason it inspires him with confidence, and he takes you to be his friend. Such is the efficacy of this mode of treatment, with or without medicating; it creates a friendly feeling towards you at the time by subduing the animal propensities of his nature, and then by kind treatment afterwards, you can keep up this feeling. Thus you are lord and master, and have dominion over him, though some may doubt the authenticity of this remark; but notwithstanding the lapse of ages and the progress of our race, man, with all his wisdom, has not been able to pen a more truth- ful one since this was done, in this respect. This rule is more particularly applicable to the high spirited or intelligent horse. When he will not go with- out the whip, he can seldom be made to go with it.* He can and should be made to feel the bit, and obey the motion of the rein and whip, which he can be made to fear to a certain degree sufficient for this purpose, with- out blunting the edge of his better feelings.f Now, ride fearlessly and as merry as you please with the reins in =* And when he is, he generally has to be broke every time he is harnessed. t Draw a taut rein, a gentle pressure increases the speed of the walker; a sudden roll of the hand (that holds the reins) so as to draw one and slack the other, is a signal to trot; and both alternately the gallop. Either the slack rein or word will notify him when he is to stop. 19 218 avery's own farrier. one hand and a good whip in the other, fearing nothing except a mean act. It is hoped that those who may chance to read this for the purpose of gaining knowledge, may be benefited by its perusal. They can melt the contents thereof in the mind's crucible, giving me credit only for what is left after taking out the dross. But those who read it with, no other motive than that of fault-finding, can keep their rods in pickle, and have the lasso in readiness, until they think they are able to profit by their use. Reader, will you please to excuse me for making these side remarks, for I get almost angry at myself sometimes, because I can not do any better. CHAPTER XXVIII. ON THE SUBJUGATION OF THE HORSE WITHOUT MEDICATION. The foregoing is a very humane system of treating the horse, and one that is attended with the best success in subjugating all horses for domestic purposes; and yet there is another method by which they may be trained and subjugated, that no less shows the superiority of man than the willingness of the horse to obey him, when our wishes are made known to him; without medica- tion. The domesticated horse seldom needs anything more than kind treatment at our hands to render him obedient to our commands, after he has learned what we desire of him, for his instinct leads him to love and obey man. Although the horse, not unlike other animals in avery's own farrier. 219 this respect, is possessed of a kind of wild fear of man (in a natural state), that must be overcome before we can successfully proceed to learn him anything else. This the Mexicans, as well as the Indians, accomplish in their way with the lasso, in catching them wild, by de- coying and riding up to a herd of them, and throwing it over the head of one (around the neck of the animal), and then follow him in the chase until he is choked down. After this he is not hurt, but caressed and talked to, when he is hampered and led to the camp without further trouble, where he soon learns to love and obey his master. " Make my breast, Transparent as pure crystal, that the world jealous Of me may see the foulest thought my heart Doth hold." Some thirty years ago, while experimenting with a balky horse that had refused to pull, having some dis- tance to travel, and night being near, after other means (that we were then acquainted with) had failed to make him pull, as trying to lead him by holding a handfull of oats or hay before his nose, getting on his back and try- ing to ride him, whistling, changing drivers, and whip- ping, &c, for these things had sometimes caused him to pull, but being of no use to us now, I availed myself of the expedient of taking a large rope halter, giving it a slip noose round his neck, and then hitched another team to the other end of the rope, by which means he was drawn some twenty rods. Some of the way he was on his feet and the remainder on his side; after which he pulled well for a long time. And whenever he refused to pull 220 avery's own farrier. after this, all that was necessary to make him obey the word, was to place a rope or strap around his neck and choke him a few minutes. By this I learned that chok- ing had a subduing influence over the most obstinate of horses, and which I occasionally resorted to. A friend, where we stopped over night, requested me to tell him how I managed to make that horse work so well (for he was an old offender), and I told him the process made use of on this occasion. About a year after this I again met this friend, when he threatened to give me a flog- ging, for, said he, I had a noble horse, only once in a while he would balk so I could do nothing with him, so I just put a chain around his neck, and hitched my oxen to it and draws him only just a little ways, and Ise broke his neck — Ise did! This circumstance made me a little cautious about recommending this mode of subduing the horse, and also led me to study the nature and disposi- tion of him more carefully, for I thought if he could be subdued in this way, there must be a nobler and better way for man to accomplish, it. Therefore, on the dis- covery (to me) of such an one, I abandoned the former, as cruel and barbarous, more than twenty years ago. Now I do not expect to be fortunate enough to make myself renowned in relating my experience or observa- tion of the horse in this respect; but I trust, mainly on the merits of this subject, to become useful to those who feel an interest in this important topic Firstly, the horse is governed and receives his instruction through the five senses, viz: seeing, tasting, hearing, smelling, and feeling; the one of seeing seems to rather predominate, but the most of these are more acute than even man's, avery's own farrier. 221 for they partially supply the place of reason in the ani- mal. Secondly, he is governed (like all other animals) by his instinct, which is combined in the five senses; and one of the qualities of his instinct is to fear the approach of man, whom he looks upon as his superior. This is more especially the case when he is in a wild state; but when this wild fear is changed to love by kind treat- ment, it is increased an hundred fold. Another of these is to love and obey man when domesticated and educated, which he generally does unless his animal propensities are aroused by ill-treatment; for it is an undisputed prin- ciple in the nature of this animal not to offer resistance to our wishes, when made known to him in a manner that he can understand us; and of course it follows that this must be done in accordance with the laws of his nature. As an evidence of my position here, allow me to di- gress a little from the subject in question in order to illustrate my views of this instinct. All created beings have a share of this after their kind, and in their own peculiar manner, according to their respective grades and circumstances. For instance, look at the chicken; see him hide and skulk away (at first sight) from his deadly foe, the hawk, as he approaches him; and how soon he yields when once clasped in the talons of his masterly power. He appears to be sensible of his inferiority to the hawk; and so it is with the smallest insect that crawls on the earth; they all appear to be acquainted with each other's habits and propensities up through the whole chain of created beings. Speaking of this chain, as some may doubt the theory, reminds me of what the phi- 222 losopher Wyllys truthfully says in regard to it: that if there was a link wanting, the ends thereof surely lap by far enough to tie, and that some of the lower order of the human species run below some of the higher grades of animals, as to their reasoning faculties, there can be but little doubt. And as another evidence of what I have stated above, you will permit me to relate the story of the spider and the snake, as told by the Hon. A. B. Dickinson, which I will give in his own words. " I will not attempt," he says, " to say where instinct leaves off or knowledge begins, but, perhaps, I may as well, by way of illustration, tell a story, though most of you have un- doubtedly heard it, and many were witnesses to this won- derful sagacity on the part of the spider in stringing a snake up by the neck. The great thing in the whole affair was in putting the web over the mouth of the snake, which was done with as much skill as a first class mechanic could have muzzled a dog to prevent his biting. This web was secured around the snake's neck, and then hoisting was commenced at the rate of one-quarter of an inch in twenty-four hours, by thickening and twisting up the web. The snake was first discovered by a merchant, under his counter, where he had undoubtedly been carried with saw dust, which had been put in several weeks previous to prevent mud from being tracked about; the store. When the reptile was first discovered by the merchant he took a club to kill it, but he observed that it seemed to be fast without seeing what held it, the web being too small to be seen by the naked eye. After he became satisfied through a magnifying glass that the creature was fast- 223 ened, he next discovered that the web was around its neck, and fastened to the under part of the shelf. They were watched closely day by day until the snake died; the spider had raised the head of the snake from the floor slowly but surely each day, and when that work was finished, he commenced biting the snake about the head, sufficiently to draw the blood, which could be seen with a glass. Each time the snake was speared he would spring and jump so as to stretch the web several inches.* I traveled fifty-two miles and made two journeys to see this most wonderful performance. What a lesson is taught us here of the sagacity and ingenuity of a little spider conqueiing the reptile of many hundred limes its own bulk. Let it therefore admonish us what the mind of man is destined to accomplish, and what it must do to equal the knowledge of this little insect." Man is not only placed at one end of this great chain, but he forms the hook that hangs it up on the throne of Jehovah, and the swivel and pivot also upon which the whole turns; and it extends from thence to the — yes, be- yond the surface to the very centre of the earth and the bottomless deep; and, notwithstanding its crooks and nooks, and all its mysterious windings, there is a current of electric life running through the whole length thereof that proceeds from the great battery from which all know- ledge and instinct flows. Nor does the mind find a place of rest here. Botanists tell us that plants have lungs, and nervous systems. We *The horse, too, lives in r ear of the snake; you can not ride him on to one of them, he will either side off, back away, or jnmp over them if possible. 224 avery's own farrier. know they have the means of circulating their fluids, and they may have the sense of feeling as well. Now look at the little so called sensitive plant, and behold the grandeur, the sublimity and the wisdom of the great Architect of the Universe. One that loves to dwell on this theme may follow the chain down until he finds some animals that are nearly plants; then turn to the lovely and beautiful plants and flowers, and he can almost see animals in them; or, at least, he can see the arteries through which the circulating fluid flows from its mother earth to the notched and spiral leaves of the smallest plant, and the veins also by which it is returned from whence it came, which is the heart of the vegetable kingdom as much as the heart of animals is the fountain head of the circulating fluid. Do not think that I am going to do by you as the man did who bought several gallons to treat the crowd with, and then kept it all to himself; I will talk about the horse directly. Man stands at the head of all created beings, for all will tremble and crouch with feara\ his approach, except when congregated in numbers, or driven by hunger, or when attacked in a warlike manner, or when there is no chance to flee. Then if man is placed at the head of all these, it shows the importance of his studying his own nature, and if he arrives at the highest state of his moral culture to which he is attainable, all the better, so as not to abuse the power invested in him, and enable him to turn all these things to the best and most profitable account. What then has man to fear from the brute creation when he becomes acquainted with his ability to govern 225 and control them all, and when he sees the most fero- cious beasts flee at his approach? As I stated above, the domesticated horse loves man, and I very much doubt whether there is another creature on earth that is so universally beloved by man as the horse. They look upon him as their friend, and when in trouble will run to him for help and protection. As an evidence of this fact I need only relate one circumstance that I witnessed with my friend and neighbor, Casler, and others. I had a mare that owned a colt about a week old running in a field wherein was an old well fourteen feet deep, which had been covered with plank, which by some means had got off, so that the colt fell into the well. This happened about the break of day, and before I had got out of bed I heard the noise and clatter of a horse's hoofs which awoke me. This was followed by a loud neigh of a horse at my door. I scrambled out of bed and went to the door just in time to see the old mare returning towards the well that was some forty rods distant. See- ing her look down into the well and then start for the house again, I anticipated the trouble she was in. I summoned help and started for the well, but not without being met several times by the old mare (who seemed to be almost frantic) as if to hurry us on to the place of disaster. When we arrived, the colt was splashing in the water at the bottom. We immediately got him out with the help of ropes that we took along with us, when they both followed us back to the house; and whenever we stopped, the mare would stand by us, and even lick our hands, as well as the colt, in thankfulness for the assistance we had rendered her in rescuing: her colt, 226 But to return more direct to the subject in question, I will proceed to show what man should be to accomplish his purpose with the horse, and then by what means he can do it. The timidity* of many persons only prevents their becoming successful horse tamers fully equal to the great Dampteurs of the present day. It requires almost a reckless courage, a patience that never tires, and a temper that nothing can ruffle. With these requisites, any one may enter the pleasing labor of subjugating and educating the horse with almost a certainty of success. All men are not endowed with this gift; though any one of common ability who studies the horse minutely, will soon learn by his quick perception and judgment to govern the horse, notwithstanding the great difference of organization and temperament that belongs to this animal, which does not always consist in a uniform plan of operating withal], but must be varied according to their individual capabilities after subdung their wild fear. This is a study which, if pursued systematically, will be one of the most ennobling, as well as profitable branches of the industry of breeders and the farmer's occupation, for it will enhance their horse's value at least one-half (in some cases) by rendering them more docile and safe to guide and handle. In a word, the man should be in every respect of good disposition, and the law of kind- ness should be fixed in his mind as the keystone of all successful theories of treatment towards the horse. And he should look for help only where it is to be found. * I might refer here to the daring feats accomplished by M. Blon- din, and others, to show what man is capable of arriving at when destitute of fear. avery's own farrier. 227 This is what preserved Daniel in the lion's den, and is what may save many people the great trouble they meet with in endeavoring to manage the horse. How it is done. — The horse is to be taken into a room or close stable, so that his attention may not be attracted by surrounding objects. Then the man, after placing a halter or bridle on him to hold him by, with his power- ful, mental and physical organization, and indomitable will, proceeds to gaze directly in the eye of the horse, which will most assuredly be met by that of the animal. After standing in this position a few moments, the man gently passes his hand over the vertebrae and temples of the horse; this quiets and soothes the nerves of the head, whatever the propensities of the animal may be, being careful not to relinquish his gaze at any time while he is thus caressing him. If the horse is too vicious for a person to stand with safety before him, he can have a partition between them for his safety. There is a certain tone of voice also to be used, which should be modulated according to the temperament of the animal, so as to further the ends sought after. Two lessons a day, say from ten to fifteen minutes at a time, are sufficient; and the worst of horses will generally yield to the supremacy of the man after two or three days' trial, and become perfectly docile and obedient. You may call this mag- netism or what you please. " The light of the body is the eye, if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light," Matthew, vi, 22. There is still another way which expediency sometimes calls for, viz: After proceeding as stated above, whether your horse is in harness or not, if he does not yield, pass the left hand 228 avery's own farrier. over the face, and let it drop suddenly and seize him by the nose, pinching it so close he can not breath, at the same time grasping the left ear in your right hand firmly, not losing sight of his eye. " Nor let a wave of trouble roll, Across your fearless breast," Lest all should be lost but soul, And success wilL crown the rest. Now you hold his five senses (as it were) within your grasp, which are all the same both in the most haggard and mean-looking horse that draws a coal cart, and in the fiery steed; although they may have been blunted by hard fare and ill-usage in the one, and cultivated by kind treatment and skill in the other. The nose is closed so that he does not breathe, consequently he does not smell, neither can he taste. You obstruct his hear- ing by holding on to the ear; he is made sensible now of the touch of feeling for he can not shake you off, but, like an Indian when his finger is in your mouth, he pulls steadily back after the first struggle, forgetting he has any other means of hurting you. Your eye is master of his, for he sees nothing in you now but the masterly courage and power you hold over him, which he readily submits to. This will cow the ugliest horse you ever saw; he is completely conquered now, and all you have to do is to teach him that you wish to be obeyed. This is all the coercion that need to be used to subdue the very worst of horses. To learn a colt to back w T ell is is sometimes the most difficult thing you have to learn him, which can be done effectually by following the above plan, having a second person behind him at the avery's own farrier. 229 same time to pull on the reins, though I would not resort to this until other means had failed. To test this theory, let two men (for instance) look steadily and direct into each other's eyes, with the full determination of each to outlook the other; the one or the other must soon give out yielding to the power of the other. And so it is with the horse; he is mentally weaker than man and must yield to his superiority when once brought in contact with the strong battery of his mental power, for this is a sort of mental war between the horse and his master, which may depend in a greater or less degree on the physical strength that accompanies it. This war, too, may be considered all the harder for man to fight on account of the energies of the animal, the whole river of life being used to carry his own mill. But when we have all the energies attributable to the animal, and the gift of reason besides to help guide and direct, then there must be a misapplication if we are not the victors. If there is any doubt remaining with any one whether the horse knows the difference between good and ill-trealment, you spit on his nose and see how quick he will resent it, by throwing up his head and leering, as much as to say, you may get bit, or I will send my heels at you, if you repeat the insult. And see that he does not remind you of it the next time he has an opportunity. He loves you because you first loved him. When and wherever this principle is rightly un- derstood, the business of going around the country and obtaining from five to ten dollars a piece from the boys for learning them how to choke horses, will be at an end as it should be, for I have seen several valuable horses 20 230 very much injured in this way; and all that pretend to know anything about the nature of the horse, will con- sent that the law of kindness is the true principle to be adopted in the subjugation and culture of the animal.* "Why then resort to the most barbarous cruelty that can be inflicted on him to commence what some call the art of taming] HARNESSING. The manner in which a colt is to be first harnessed is of some importance, and should be done with care. In the first place, he should be made familiar with the har- ness or saddle, by letting him smell and touch it with his nose, as well as to see it; then carry it around him and rub it against him until he becomes satisfied that it is nothing that will hurt him before you attempt to throw it on him, which should be carefully done so as not to scare him with it. The harness once being on him, it should be firmly buckled, but not too tight; the collar should be a good fit; you may then proceed to pull on the traces, bidding him to pull also, and practice him in this way until he finds out he is able to draw you around the barn or yard. Then you may hitch him to a wagon or light load at first, and every day increase the load (never loading him so that he can not draw the load easily) until his breast gets hardened so that he can * The peculiar instinct of the horse, accounts for his being subdued in so many different ways, by those that did not understand this principle — but they do not lay him at their feet at once without coercion or drugging, which is done so dexterously as not to be de- tected by those present. avery's own farrier. 231 draw without hurting him. The colt seldom refuses to , pull the first time he is harnessed; but by overloading to see how much he can draw when his breast is tender, he bruises it with the collar by drawing too hard, making it sore, so that the second or third time you harness him, he refuses to pull because it hurts him to do so, and then he flinches and flies back; then, according to the old method of treatment, he must be flogged into it or he will be balky; and nine to one if he does not form habits in this way that he never forgets, and especially when, he happens to be placed in like circumstances. There is more truth than poetry in the philosopher's remark, that a colt was never broken only on one side at a time. For you may first break him to have the har- ness laid on from 1 ] the near or left side without fear (as we generally do), but if you approach him with it on the off or right side, he is as shy of it as though he had never been harnessed. For this reason people have sometimes been greatly disappointed in trying to catch their horse in the pasture by going up to him on the wrong side, and when they thought they had their hand almost on him, why, he was gone, and then comes the chase. Then you break a horse to step into the thills from the near side to your liking, and he knows nothing about going in from the off side. And so it is in learn- ing him to take his place on either side of the pole, or another horse; and he is as awkward when you wish him to change sides as though he had never seen either. Therefore, in breaking a horse, he should be used to having the harness placed over him from either side, and be learned to take his place on either side of the pole, 232 or another horse, by first leading him to his place, and, at the same time, telling him in plain words, as right or left, what to do, and he soon becomes so familiar with the words that he is ready to. obey them. Afterwards his eye will tell him to do what his ear learned him be- fore. In the same manner the ring master is enabled to change the routine of performance in the ring by the use of words, which is no new thing in the nature of the horse if men have just learned that he is capable of dis- tinguishing sounds. Consequently we see the necessity of educating the horse with a knowledge of his nature, for he can not in truth be said to be thoroughly broken until he is broken on both sides. BLINDERS, OR BLINKERS, As a general thing, I think had better be dispensed with, though there are some arguments in favor of their use, as well as against them. They may afford some protection to the eye when a horse is driven in severe storms, for when he is at liberty he is always seen to shield the eye from the pelting storms, by turning his rump in that direction from which it beats the hardest; and when the rays of a hot sun are too oppressive for the eye, he is frequently seen to hold the head in the shade of his own body. And then a very lazy horse, or one of poor memory, is generally freer to go and mind when driven with blinders on, than he is without. For this reason he is more apt to be afraid of the word and whip, which is prejudicial to the better horse. The noble spirited and well educated horse should have the free use of the eye; and he will not unfrequently shun dangers avery's own farrier. 233 that would not be seen by man in time to avoid them; therefore such a horse is safer when driven without blinds than with. As we are all liable to err, I doubt not but that I have committed some errors in this work that may appear to the more polished minds of some, but what I ask of such is to place them all in the dark back ground, and view them as we should view the great contrasts there are in human life, and then see if they can not discover some bright spots in the picture I'have drawn, standing out in bold relief that are pleasing, profitable and useful for man to possess. PART II PHARMACOPCEA. In giving medicine, much must necessarily depend on the judgment of the one administering it — as to quantity, and the time of giving, &c; for it would be impossible to lay down rules that would be adapted to all cases. So it often happens that you should vary the quantity, and time of giving, according to the strength of the ani- mal and the severity of the case; but I will endeavor to do what I can to assist you in this respect, first saying, that where you find the quantity given, it may be con- sidered as a medium dose. I will say one thing more, that is, after giving any kind of medicine, wait a sufficient time to see the operation thereof, before trying anything else, otherwise the one might counteract the other, or act in conjunction with it, and thereby lessen the strength of the patient beyond what would be necessary. Therefore, it is best not to be hasty in matters of this kind. A tablespoonfull is supposed to be equal to half an ounce, or four drachms, yet many of the modern spoons avery's own farrier. 235 will contain five drachms; a teaspoonfull will equal about seventy drops, a drop will contain a quantity pro- portioned to the size of the vial from which it fails, a common ounce vial is a medium size; one-third of a teaspoonfull will be one scruple, or twenty grains in weight. What would be a dose for a man, may be in- creased as much as the food of the horse exceeds that of man, in many cases. Better give too little than too much. By decoction, I mean the boiling of herbs or other substances, and where a large quantity of water is re- quired for this purpose, after boiling a sufficient time to obtain the strength thereof; strain and boil down if the object is to use it as a salve — though long continued boiling is liable to lessen the active matter therein con- tained, if used as a wash. By teas and infusions, I mean simply the steeping of articles in hot water — not boiling them. Tinctures are made by imbuing the articles, or sub- stance, in alcohol, from seven to fourteen days. Volatile Oils are made by throwing a sufficient quantity of water on the substance to be acted upon, so as to pre- vent the volatile spirit from flying off during distillation. After maceration for a proper length of time, distil, and separate the oil from the water; as it may be lighter than the water and swim on the surface, or heavier and sink to the bottom. So, according to this method, the oils of anise, wormwood, peppermint, origanum, rose- mary and sassafras are prepared. And then by adding a sufficient quantity of alcohol, to cut the oil, we have the essence. 236 avery's own farrier. Now, let us talk about the- horse a little. Everything that is digested in the stomach, goes to help form blood; anything that is not digested, acts more directly on the kidneys and urine, or passes off with the evacuations of the bowels, or through the pores of the skin; lor these are the principal outlets of all food and medicine taken into the bowels, except what is absorbed in the growth and support of nature. Hence those oils, balsams, and articles used for urinary difficulties, are among the things not so easily digested. When the horse is (or appears) quite sick — if his appetite is not much impaired, his bowels move regu- larly and healthy, he urinates well, and his skin feels soft and looks glossy — he can not be seriously ill, except from some local difficulty, and this can not be of long continuance without affecting some of the above named functions. Some people talk a great deal about doctor- ing the blood, but if a horse is ill in any way, these things should be first looked into; and, when properly attended to, the blood will take care of itself, and other things will be found of minor importance. If a horse is diseased, treat him accordingly, but do not (because you have learned how to treat a few complaints) be con- tinually dosing him with medicine that he does not need, and the effect of which you do not know on the system. The Thorax is that part of the body from the mouth (or throat rather), quite back to the midriff or diaphragm, containing the heart and lungs. That part back of the midriff is called abdomen; containing the intestinal avery's own farrier. 237 canal, &c. The upper part of the wind-pipe is called the larynx; the lower part, the trachea. Acute, and sometimes chronic, or slow lingering in- flammation of the larynx, takes place; it is generally- brought on by hard colds, though sometimes it is caused by eating too early mown or dusty hay, the pollen from the flowers of which consists of a very fine flour, very irritative to this part of the thorax, which is particularly sensitive. This difficulty is frequently taken by many for lung fever, the heaves, &c.; but is unlike either, ex- cept in difficult breathing, as drawing in of the sides with a long breath. It is attended with some fever, quick pulse and costiveness; the breathing becomes more and more difficult, and, unless relief is found, the horse dies from actual suffocation. This disease will warrant heavy bleeding, and treat as you would for distempers, with a free use of the condition powders No. 1, herein- after mentioned. Death beginning at the Lungs. — As in suffocation, the circulation and the organic functions cease; the animal is said to be alive so long as any of the organic func- tions are going on. The heart continues to act after respiration has ceased; the ventricle of the heart con- tinues to propel the blood to all parts of the body, but the blood is now incapable of supporting life, and a few waves to the brain destroys its functions, and the blood from want of asration in the lungs, destroys the action of the heart itself, and every part through which it cir- culates; but at what particular time they become insensi- ble to pain, must for all time to come remain unknown. 238 Death beginning at the Brain. — " In this the func- tions of the brain (voluntary motion) cease first; respira- tion next fails. Sudden deaths, beginning at the brain, occur in the case of severe injury to the head, epileptic fits (blind staggers), and the taking of narcotics and other poisons." Death beginning at the Heart. — " Here the order is reversed, the pulsations of the heart are first stopped, and as the brain is not supplied with the stimulus of blood, voluntary motion gradually fails. Breathing, in this case, is the last act of life. Sudden deaths beginning at the heart, occur from poison, diseases affecting the heart, &c." Death by causes acting upon the system generally. — " Hemorrhage produces death by its effects upon the whole system, and not by its suddenly checking the heart's action; for the heart continues to act after all supply to it is cut off. In death from arsenic, lightning, and by compressions made on the brain and spinal mar- row, vitality in all the animal economy ceases at once." POISONS. May enter the body in different ways — with the food, through the anus by clysters, through the nostrils and lungs with the air, through the absorbents of the skin, either whole, ulcerated, cut or torn. Poisoned wounds may be made by the stings of bees, wasps, hornets, and the bite of animals, as dogs, snakes, &c. Jlntidotes for Poisons. — Stings are to be treated by the application of cold water, clay and vinegar, and opodel- avery's own farrier. 239 doc. If there is much swelling, bleeding and a dose of salts will be useful. For bites of animals, apply to the wound a poultice of pumiced onions, or quick lime and oil; after which dress with the fresh juice of the common plaintain. Where mineral poisons has been taken into the stomach, give (as soon as possible) freely of lime water, this sheathes the stomach against its action on it, then give honey, chalk, or sugar in water, with a view to dilute the poison if possible — but do not give physic immediately, for it will carry the whole poison into the bowels and certainly produce death. Camphor is an an- tidote for strychnine. When any of the alkalies have been taken in sufficient quantities to prove disastrous, vinegar is the proper antidote; it must be given in large quantities, it neutralizes the alkali. When any of the strong acids have been taken, the reverse of the above is the treatment to be used. But if the animal should be troubled with very difficult breathing and irregular pulse, give often of calcined magnesia in water, if this is not to be had, give soft soap, soda, or chalk in water. Condition Powder No. 1. — The superfine flour of slippery elm bark (ulmas fulva) is what I use as the basis of these powders; this of itself is good in most diseases and harmless in health, viz: it is good in fevers, and in inflammations of all kinds. It lubricates the urinary passages in difficulties of that kind. Jt is good in cases of colds and coughs, by loosening the phlegm, and allaying inflammation in the larynx and trachea; it also acts as a diaphoretic. To one pound of the above, add nearly one-fourth of flour of sulphur; it is by a con- 240 avery's own farrier. tinued use of the sulphur, in small doses, that its benefit is derived ; this may be sweetened with pulverized sugar and scented with anise, to render it more pleasant and palatable; then a little mustard, ginger, or cayenne may be added, to whet the appetite, &c. Dose, a table- spoonfull once a day, except in urgent cases twice a day. And you may add to these powders, any other ingredient that you think will be beneficial, according to the con- dition of the animal. You will find them to answer a much better purpose than those you buy at the shops, and will not cost you half as much. Heave Powders. — May be made the same as the con- dition powders, by only adding one-fourth as much as you do of the sulphur of pulverized lobelia seed (inflata), the dose to be divided and given morning and evening; or what will be still better, is to work it up into a ball, with honey or balsam of fir, and give it in that way. This, with frequent drinks, made by infusing the Irish moss in water and sweetened with loaf sugar, will be attended with the best success in heaves. This is an excellent drink in all kinds of coughs, &c. Tobacco, is a cathartic, diuretic, narcotic, and anti- spasmodic. Five or six large spoonsfull of strong infu- sion of tobacco, mixed with a quart of gruel, and used as an injection, will afford relief in violent colics — sometimes w T hen the bowels can not be moved by any other physic. The smoke of this weed is also very good for a like purpose, by being injected, and also for dispelling wind, &c. A Salve, made by boiling the inner bark of the dog 241 acne, and the bark of the bittersweet root (Dulcamaras) together; after boiling sufficiently, strain, and simmer down with hog's lard. It is a very soothing and healing salve for wounds or bruises, made by kicks, &c; and when the wound is much swollen or inflamed, the infu- sion of tobacco may be added to advantage. By Diuretics are meant those medicines which increase the discharge of urine; for this purpose spirits of nitre may be given, from half to one ounce for a dose, for once or twice, but when continued it is liable to produce inflammation of the urinary organs. Broom corn tops or seed, boiled in water, and given freely, prove an ex- cellent diuretic; and also boughs or balsam o'f fir. Diuretic or Urine Balls — Are made as follows: hard soap, common turpentine, balsam of fir, each four drachms, oil of juniper, twenty drops, powdered rosin to form a ball. For dropsy or water-farcy, add to the above all- spice and ginger, each two drachms; make four balls, and give one morning and evening until it has the de- sired effect. Diaphoretics — Are those medicines that increase the natural exhalation by the skin; that is, they produce per- spiration or sweating. Thoroughwort (Eupatorium per- foliatum), boneset. crosswort, thoroughstem or Indian sage, hemlock, sassafras, ginger, and cayenne pepper, with many other things act as a diaphoretic. Expectorants. — These are medicines which facilitate the rejection of mucus, phlegm, or other fluids, from the throat, trachea and lungs. For this purpose the follow- ing will be found beneficial, viz: the slippery elm tea, which may be made by throwing two tablespoonsfull of 21 242 the flour into one quart of water, and sweeten with mo- lasses; stir well and it will form a thick jelly. The Irish moss, also prepared in a similar manner, the onion juice, which can be obtained by boiling them in pot liquor, or by frying them in goose oil, are good to loosen the phlegm and help a cough. Sweating the head and throat is also useful in loosening the phlegm, and creating a ; discharge at the nostrils, in severe colds, &c., for which the black sheep's wool is excellent to bind on the head and neck; then steam the head over scalding hot bran, or by turning vinegar on a hot stone under the nose. The black wool is thought to be preferable to any other for this purpose. Anthelmintics — Are remedies that expel worms from the intestines. Alum is the only thing necessary to be used for this purpose, with the horse. When this is not to be obtained, tobacco may be used sparingly in lieu thereof, with plenty of sage tea. Refrigerents — Are to cool and diminish the force of circulation, and reduce the heat of the body without diminution of vital energy. Lemon juice, diluted with water, with or without being sweetened (lemonade), in the hot stages of fever is very good; and a tea made by infusing the bee balm may be used profitably, and also spearmint; but when a horse has been overheated, by being driven too hard, give him something to increase the inward heat, and rub him with a brush until he is quite dry. Demulcents — Are used to prevent acrid matter from acting on the sensible parts. Flax seed, by infusion, yields a large quantity of mucilage, and is in common 243 use given internally, or in the form of poultices for sores, &c; but for an outward application of this kind, the poultice made of charcoal and yeast is to be preferred. The marsh mallow, liquorice root, or ball, arrow-root, or herb, also yield mucilage, and are good in cases of ca- tarrh or purging, and in fevers, &c; prepared by infu- sion. Lithontriptics — Are supposed to have the power of dissolving urinary calculi (gravel or stone in the bladder or intestines); for this you may slice the* common red beet into old cider, and after letting it stand a week, give a pint twice a day. This will dissolve a stone that has been taken out, and has been given with the best of results; as much of its active matter must necessarily be absorbed by giving it, before it reaches the bladder, why not inject it through a hollow bougie into the bladder occasionally, that it might prove more successful. But if I had a horse in this dreadful situation, I would first obtain a bottle of Tilden & Co.'s (N. Y.) Fluid Extract of Hydrangia (Arborescens), and divide into six doses, and give two or three a day, and wait the result. I know- it has done wonders for the human in this respect, and I know of no good reason why it would not for the horse under like circumstances. Some might despair of ever trying to relieve the horse in this critical situation, but they should know that this calculi is oftener found in the intestines of the horse than anywhere else. Preventive of Calculi. — The greatest we can use for this difficulty is to keep the digestive organs in a healthy state; for these calculi are found to contain phosphate of lime and other substances which are contained in their 244 avery's own farrier. food, and which, when properly digested, go to the sup- port and growth of bone, but when not thoroughly digested go into the urinary organs, and there form gravel and stone. Hence we see the evil consequences arising from too strong or oft repeated diuretics, which excite those organs so as to secrete an undue amount of the fluids that would otherwise go to help form the blood and bone of the animal. Erhines — Are substances which occasion a discharge at the nostrils. Any substance in fine powder blown up the nostril has this effect, and it is more or less in proportion to the stimulating nature of the substance used; they are sometimes used in colds and inflammation of the eye, &c. Snuff, cayenne and hartshorn are used for this purpose. Alum, burnt or dried, is used sometimes to destroy fun- gus (proud-flesh), and, when mixed with honey, it may be employed in taking off specks, or film from the eye, to advantage. Onions, halved and scraped under the nostril, are excellent to loosen, and create a discharge at the nose, in colds, catarrh, &c. Tonics — Are understood to strengthen and invigorate the system. Astringents — Are such substances as when applied to the animal body produce contraction and condensation in the soft parts, and thereby increase density and cohesion; that is, they pucker the parts to which they are applied. A decoction of the oak bark, and alum, hemlock, &o, are powerful astringents; catechu is also used for this purpose. But perhaps the most powerful one known to be used (as an outward application), is the tonic acid, which is to be first cut with alcohol, when it is fit for avery's own farrier. 245 use. This acid is obtained from several kinds of barks and vegetables. Relaxing, is to reverse the order of astringents ; that is, to loosen, stretch, or to become flabby. Tansy (Tan- acetum vulgare), an infusion of this made and given in large doses, will relieve the animal of ague or lung fever, if given while the chill is on; boneset is also good for a like purpose. Skunk cabbage (fsetida), and the wild turnip are expectorants, and anti-spasmodic; the seeds and roots are excellent in coughs and colic. But, as a powerful laxative, the tobacco stands high on the list, given inwardly or for an outward application, in the vegetable kingdom. Spirits of Turpentine, applied externally, is a stimu- lant and irritant. Egg Shells, scorched brown in an oven, then pulver- ized fine and worked into a ball with honey, and given to the horse, are good to restore or assist digestion, when these organs have been impaired by fever or other dis- ease. When the horse has been nauseated, is faint and drooping from any cause, add to the above ball equal parts of camphor gum and hartshorn and give him, and he will revive with wonderful rapidity. The shells are to the horse what gravel is to the fowl; they assist di- gestion. Goose oil and brandy, about equal parts, makes a good application for spavins, ringbones, callouses, &c. Dog's oil is a very good application to limber up old stiff joints, and to heal bad wounds in the flesh. The whites of four or five hen's eggs, beat up in a 246 avery's own farrier. gill of good brand)', and applied to weak knees will prove beneficial to them. "When you wish to scatter a swelling or tumor, take the yolks of hen's eggs, with an equal part of honey, beat them well together, thicken with wheat flour so as to form a thick paste, and bind it on the swollen parts. JL drench to increase the appetite and purify the sys- tem. — Take mustard, wild cherry bark and horse-radish, equal parts, with half the quantity of one of burdock root (Lappi), the whole to be soaked several days in old cider; then strain and give a pint of the cider at a time, every other day for a week, or as the case may require. A good Liniment. — Take one pint of spirits of wine (or alcohol), add one ounce each of gum myrrh and gum camphor, and one ounce of the oil origanum, and to the above add half an ounce of sal ammoniac (which must first be pulverized and dissolved in water, as it is soluble only in water). This makes a very strengthening lini- ment, and a valuable one to keep in the stable. Hot Drops. — Take one gallon of good brandy (or high wines), one pound of gum myrrh, well pulverized, two ounces of cayenne pepper, and an ounce of camphor gum. Put the whole in a stone jug, boil five minutes, by placing the jug, unstopped, in a kettle of boiling water, or let it stand five or six days in the jug without boiling, only shake it well every day, when it will be fit for use. This, given internally, is good for colds, or inflammation of any kind, as it prevents mortification taking place. Applied externally, is good for tetanus, sores and wounds of all kinds, and is an excellent remedy for swelled legs, 247 or paralysis, &c. Dose, from half to one gill at a time, in one pint of water. Composition Powders for Colds, 8fc. — Take two pounds of bayberry root bark, one pound of ginger root, two ounces each of cayenne and cloves, all to be pounded fine and sifted. Give for a dose, two tablespoonsfull of this powder, in a pint of water, after letting it steep a few minutes, sweeten with sugar or molasses, as you like, give it every two hours. This will be effectual in rais- ing the inward heat, and thus drive out the cold. Physic Ball for Horses. — Take cape, or Barbadoes aloes, from six to ten drachms, castile soap, one drachm, spirits of wine, one drachm, syrup of any kind to form a ball. This is a reliable ball for the above purpose; as also one quart of the decoction of the butternut bark (juglandis). Previous to physicing a horse, and during its operation, he should be fed on bran mashes, allowed chilled water, and have plenty of exercise; physic is use- ful and necessary in most diseases — it improves diges- tion and gives strength to the lacteals by cleansing the intestines and unloading the liver, and when properly fed afterwards, will improve the horse in a remarkable de- gree. Physic, except in urgent cases, should be given in the morning and upon an empty stomach, and if re- quired to be repeated, a week should intervene between each dose. Alterative, or Condition Powder. — Alteratives are medicines that are supposed to have a slow but beneficial effect in altering some diseased actions of the vessels of the skin, or the organs of circulation, or digestion; good 248 to be given in mange, surfeit, &c. Rosin, nitre, and flour of sulphur, each two ounces; levigated antimony, one ounce. This will be sufficient for twenty doses; give one every morning, or morning and evening as the case may require. Cordial, or Invigorating Ball. — Powdered camphor, one drachm, powdered ginger, two drachms, allspice powdered, three drachms, caraway seed, powdered, four drachms; make into balls with syrup, or give as a drench in gruel. Fever Ball.— Cape aloes, two ounces, nitre four ounces, molasses to form a mass; divide into twelve balls, and give one morning and evening, or give it in bee balm, or spearmint tea as a drench, until the bowels are relaxed. Fever Powder. — Nitre, camphor and ginger, each one drachm, powdered and mixed — to be used after the bow 7 els have been opened. Astringent Drench. — Tincture of opium half an ounce, ginger one drachm, wheat flour one ounce; give in a pint or more of tea made by steeping the bark of the mountain ash (Alkanoke), repeat if necessary. Temporary Lifting. — When you wish your horse to prick up his ears, and carry a good tail, and show off to good advantage for a brief period, take a piece of gin- ger root, about half an inch in length, scraped or split off, wet with spittle, and tuck it up the anus, a finger's length or so, just before you start off; used occasionally is rather beneficial than otherwise — keep shady, of course. Anodyne Ball.— Has the effect to mitigate pain; avery's own farrier. 249 opium, ginger, one drachm each, and camphor gum two drachms, pulverised and worked into a ball with syrup, makes a useful ball for this purpose, and for purging or looseness of the bowels. Opodeldoc. — Take of the best hard soap two ounces, camphor one ounce, strong spirits one pint; mix the soap with the spirits, and let them stand in a moderate heat, until the soap is dissolved, occasionally shaking it; then add the camphor, and continue shaking until the whole is dissolved; useful in saddle and girth galls, sprains, bruises, and to disperse swellings, &c. Liquid Opodeldoc. — Take four ounces of spirits of camphor, one ounce of laudanum, one ounce of aqua ammonia, mix all together and keep closely corked; this is equal to the first for any or all of the above purposes. Sumach. — As a temporary relief for heaves, irritated larynx, or trachea, the blossoms or boles of the sumach, or shoernake, picked fine or powdered, and fed to the horse in his grain, are useful sometimes, owing to its soothing and souring qualities. Oil of Spike. — Should you have occasion to use this article, which is in high repute by some, it is made thus: by mixing about equal parts of spirits of turpentine and common tar together, and well shaking, though it is said to be made from a certain berry, which it seldom if ever sees (spikenard and bay berry). Hoof Liniment. — For a common cl eap liniment, for hard hoofs, take equal parts of spirits of turpentine and hogs lard, and mix them; for sores or swellings, add camphor gum and hartshorn, if you like. Another Astringent Drench — cheap and reliable; take 250 avery's own farrier. one gill of wheat flour, tie it up in a linen rag, boil it in water two hours, when it will become quite hard; then scald two quarts of skimmed milk, and grate the flour off into the milk, stir, and when sufficiently cool, will be fit for use. MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS (GOUT). The former of these are a scurvy eruption, breaking out of the back part of the fore leg, at the bend of the knee. The latter is the same, only confined by the hock of the hind leg. Gross habit, feeding, want of exercise, and cleanliness, is the cause of this difficulty. Cure. — Give a little rosin and burdock root, powdered, daily in their food; keep them clean, with sufficient ex- ercise, and merely rub the parts affected with hot drops, two or three days in succession, is all that will be neces- sary to effect a cure. The same treatment is also bene- ficial in grease heels or swelled legs. Mange Ointment. — Powdered aloes two drachms, sul- phur four ounces, lard or oil six ounces; mix these well, and rub it on with the hand or brush well into the hair, on the parts affected. Lotion for Strains and Tumors. — Nitre and muriate of ammonia each one ounce; dissolve in a quart of hot water, and add two quarts of vinegar. Bathe the parts affected frequently. Embrocation for Strains, fyc. — Olive oil six ounces, aqua ammonia two ounces, spirits of turpentine one ounce, origanum oil two drachms; shake the bottle well before using, rub the parts twice a day until it becomes hot and tender, and observe rest. avery's own farrier. 251 firing and blistering. Firing consists in the application of a red hot iron to the skin, but should never be used so as to reach through the skin. The violent inflammation thus occasioned, rouses the absorbents into action, to that extent, that callous and bony swellings may sometimes be removed by it. Before the iron is used, the hair should be shaved from the part intended to be fired. And after the opera- tion is over, the part fired should be rubbed with some blistering ointment, and the horse should be properly secured to prevent his biting it. After four days, apply a little oil, and when the incrustation formed by the blister is sufficiently softened to be removed, wash all off with soap and warm water, and if necessary the blister may be repeated after ten days. Firing, used as formerly, was resorted to for the pur- pose of curing spavins, curbs, ringbones, windgalls, and old callous swellings of the back sinews — the consequence of strains. It was also employed to strengthen the hocks and back sinews of colts, to prevent strains and breaking down; it was thought that it did this, by thick- ening and contracting the skin, so as to act as a per- manent bandage. This may be all true, and have been of considerable use to some in former days, and may possibly be of use to some at the present day. But if the astringents as given heretofore in this work, should answer every purpose of the hot iron (or firing), there will be no need of subjecting the animal to this torture and cruelty. For it is certainly attended with less 252 trouble and risk, both to the horse, as well as the operator. Blister Ointment. — Hog's lard four ounces, oil (spirits) of turpentine and Spanish flies, pulverised, each one ounce. This blister is sufficiently strong for most pur- poses of the horse. A Mercurial Blister. — For splints, spavins, ringbones, &c, add to the above blister ointment, one drachm of corrosive sublimate, finely powdered. Strong Liquid Blister. — Spanish flies, in gross pow- der, one ounce, oil of origanum two drachms, oil of tur- pentine four ounces, olive oil two ounces; steep the flies in the turpentine two weeks, strain off, and then add the oils. Mild Liquid or Sweating Blister. — Take one ounce of the above named (strong), and add one and a half ounces of goose or olive oil. , Laxative Clyster. — Thin gruel or broth, five quarts, salts six ounces. Clyster for Gripes. — Mash two common sized onions, pour over them two ounces of oil of turpentine and a teaspoonfull of cayenne; mix the whole with four quarts of warm water, sweetened with molasses. Nutritious Clyster. — Thick gruel, made of oat meal, three quarts, add one quart of good ale or milk. The Dead Shot* — In giving balls, see that they are not too hard, nor too large, for fear they might prove fatal, like the cannon ball; and for the same reason, it is well enough to know what ingredients they are made of. Hoof Liquid. — Mix half a pint of spirits of turpen- 253 tine and tar together, then add one pint of lamp or whale oil, stirring the whole well before using; this softens and toughens the hoof wonderfully by brushing them over with it night and morning. And when you can add to the above one pint of chamber lye that has stood in some warm place, in an open vessel some four weeks, or until it becomes oily and ropy, it makes the very best application for contracted hoofs, &c. Elder. — The leaf of the sweet elder (as it is called), boiled in lard, makes a very soothing emollient applica- tion to wounds and sores. The juice of the leaves, or bark, of the poison or Dutch elder, is highly useful in destroying fly blows or maggots in any kind of wounds, &c. Its salutary effect will soon be evident on turning it on them, and in preparing the wound to heal. Lard is the basis of all ointments. Rosin is often used to give consistence to plasters, where the degree of irritation w T hich it might produce is not regarded, or would be beneficial. The only use of wax, is to give consistence to ointments and plasters. A Mash, — There are three objects in view, in giving mashes, viz: firstly, to cool the system; secondly, to assist in opening the bowels; and thirdly, for the pur- pose of concealing medicines which may be necessary to give the horse. Mash No. 1. — Take one gallon of bran, one quart of sassafras tea scalding hot, one tablespoonfull flour of sul- phur, saltpetre one teaspoonfull. Mash No. 2. — Take one gallon of oats, one table- spoonfull of sulphur, and the same of burdock root 22 254 (Lappi) dried and powdered, and boiling water to scald the mass. Mash No. 3.— An excellent mash in cases of catarrh and sore throat, and as an emollient, in any intestinal affection, is made by adding bran to an infusion of lin- seed. And you may add to any of the above ginger, burdock or cayenne, for colds, or any thing else to suit the disease you are contending with. Jldhesive or Sticking Plaster. — Take five parts of common pitch (or diachylon salve), and one part of Bur- gundy pitch, melt them together and stir until well mixed, and the plaster is made. Or you may take two parts (half pound) of common plaster, and one part (one- fourth of a pound) of Burgundy pitch; melt as before. Used sometimes in room of the surgeon's needle to ad- vantage by shaving off the hair; in dressing fresh wounds, apply them in narrow strips, and so as to bring the margins of the wound together. BALLS AND DRINKS. Mode of giving a Ball. — Back the horse into his stall, and being yourself elevated on a box or stool, gently draw the tongue out of the mouth, so as to prevent its rising to hinder the passage of the hand. The tongue should not only be laid hold of, but should be firmly held by the left hand against the jaw. The ball, being previously oiled, should be taken in the right hand, and squeezed into as narrow a compass as practicable, and passed up close to the roof of the mouth, and the ball placed on the roots of the tongue, when both hands 255 should be suddenly withdrawn, and it will readily pass down the throat. This method is preferable (with an expert hand) to using the balling iron. Mode of giving Drinks. — Precisely the same opera- tion is practised as in giving the ball, except that a tin or gutta percha horn, holding the drink, is forced up the mouth between the teeth, the mouth being raised above a level line of the passage, the drink being poured out of the smaller end of the horn well back to the roots of the tongue, and when the tongue is loosened the drench is swallowed without further trouble. ROWELS Are sometimes useful in keeping up a drain, to draw humors from parts; or by the irritation they cause, on one part, they lessen the inflammation on another part, not very remote. The same as unloading the bowels by physic, it helps relieve the surrounding organs, &c. Any person can apply a rowel by making an incision in the loose skin, any desirable length, say from one to four inches, according to the situation and object aimed at. Make the incision either up and down, or in a transverse direction, for this will facilitate the matter discharged; after pinching the loose skin and running the knife through, making the incision large enough to admit the rowel, or whatever you may choose to use for this pur- pose. A tarred rope may be used, or any kind of a string with pieces of scoke weed root fastened to it; or a round piece of leather with a hole in the middle, and smeared over with the blistering ointment. Each end 256 avery's own farrier. of the rowel should be knotted or tied together, to pre- vent the horse from pulling it out with his teeth, or by rubbing. Let it remain three days, or until suppuration has commenced; the rowel is then to be removed and cleaned every day, until the desired object is effected. Used for sweeny, and other disorders; I have known them remain in use for months. avery's own farrier. 259 RIDING AND DRIVING. The art of ruling on horseback (or equestrianism) is so closely connected with breaking and educating the horse (in fact it nay be considered part of the same), that it will not be necessary for me to say a great deal on this point. However, it is one of the nicest accom- plishments ever attained by gentleman or lady, and when once arrived at in any degree of perfection, the horse as well as its rider, never appears to better advantage, than when occupying this position. The old method of whip and spur, did very well for the troopers, and required considerable ingenuity and skill, but the horse never appears so graceful when forced to do anything, as when learned to obey you by the slightest, unseen motion of hand, rein or whip; still he does this partly through fear, for he is a cowardly creature, though we find in his instinct a nobler princi- ple blended with it, when developed by kind treatment — love. And besides this, the spur is useless to the lady equestrian; for her use, the horse should first be tutored by a man well skilled in this art, and then she has only to learn the horse alphabet, and mount her charger, with a feeling of pride (destitute of fear), to be able to cut all the airs and evolutions of a riding master. The spur may be of use in breaking a horse that is restive, and may answer the purpose of ornament to some afterwards, without harm; but I hope never to see again 260 avery's own farrier. the horse's sides, by an inebriate rider, in a gore of blood. A horse is easily alarmed, for he will even start from the hand that is going to caress him; therefore he should not be forced to that which he dislikes. But when a horse curvets irregularly, twisting his body to and fro, turn his head either to the right or left, or both alter- nately, but without letting him move out of his tracks, if possible to prevent him; for if he once gains his end, he will be likely to repeat that which has foiled his rider. Therefore when a horse shies or is frightened at any object, he should be used to some tone of voice which he may understand as an expression of dislike of what he is doing, for all horses will show at times a spirit of of opposition, and especially if not properly subdued while being broke in; so when a horse shys, turn his head from the object that scares him (this is also appli- cable in driving) and press your leg to the opposite side from which he is expected to jump; then he will not spring on his hind legs to that side, because your h^ prevents him from so doing; nor will he attempt to spring the other way, because his head is turned from the object of his fright; and a horse does not start and spring the way he looks. The bridle is not the only power to govern the horse's movements; for instance, if the left spur touch him, and he is at the same time prevented from going forward, he has a sign given him that he will soon understand, to move sideways to the right. In the same manner he moves to the left, if the right spur is close to him; and afterwards, from fear of the spur, he will obey the touch avery's own farrier. 261 of the leg — the same as a horse moves his croup in the stall from one side to the other, when touched with the whip, or by the motion of the hand. Every horseman knows very well that his horse never disobeys the motion of the leg, after being made ac- quainted with its use and meaning. By this means you have great power in controling or governing the move- ments of your horse, for when you close one leg to him, he will move sideways, and when you close both legs to him, he moves forward. And even when he stands still, your legs held close to him keep him ever on the qui vive; when, with the least motion of the rein he will prick up his ears and raise his head, so as to show to the best advantage possible. All the airs (as riding masters call them) once depended on the use of the legs, in the guidance of the horse's croup, by which troopers were taught to close or open their ranks. But as the horse is, or ought to be educated in these days, for pleasure, sport- ing or war, there are other things brought into requisi- tion which enable his rider to pursue the chase within his length of any marked spot, at the top of his speed, and at a given signal stop so suddenly and balance him on his haunches, as to prevent going over the precipice, and being hurled into the abyss below. Though when a horse starts, and is flying to one side, if you close the leg on that side of him, it will stop his spring immedi- ately, and he will go past the object he started at, keeping straight on, or as you choose to guide him, and he will not fly back at anything, if you press him with both legs. The rein is a necessary for the accompanient for the leg, hand and whip, in riding; by which means you can 262 avery's own farrier. break the trot or gallop, if desirable, which sometimes is of great use, for no horse can trot a mile as quick, without breaking once or twice, as the trot is the most straining gait to the muscles, and he will more than make up what he loses in so doing, before he goes the mile. It also guides the horse in the gallopade, or race, when it should be drawn taut for this purpose, and to support him in case he should happen from any cause to stumble, as well as for the safety of the rider. In learn- ing the horse to pace, the rein is indispensable. This will also apply with equal force in the act of leaping hurdles, or hedges. It should be used with the greatest care, in attempting to swim your horse across rivers or lakes, for if he should get his legs entangled in any of his trappings, he would draw his head under the water and be sure to drown himself, if he did not his rider. Unless it is with some experienced hand, the curb and snaffle check, had better be dispensed with altogether. Sit straight up, and in the centre of the saddle, having your stirrups neither too long nor too short, and keep your elbows close to the body; carry a tight rein in one hand, and a whip in the other, if you choose. With the following remarks, which may possibly be of some use to the inexperienced, I shall dismiss the subject. Riding is an invigorating and healthy exercise, and is fast taking the place of the ancient gymnastics. It helps keep up the equilibrium of the body. It is a harmless amusement that hoth sexes may enjoy with the highest degree of refinement. The youth though healthy and strongly constituted, avery's own farrier. 265 are not generally inclined to great mental exertion, till their bodies are to a certain degree fatigued (I do not say exhausted), until this fatigue is produced in someway, their bodies have a preponderance over the mind; this truly natural want can not be silenced without it. "Each muscle requires exertion, and the whole machine strives to employ its powers. This is vulgarly called, to have no sit still flesh." If the fatigue is brought on, the call for bodily exertion is stilled, the mind is no longer disturbed by it, and its labors are facilitated. Riding is also a peaceful and innocent exercise, which gives acuteness to the senses, and penetration to the mind. And when more of our village belles, have learned to imitate our modern Lady Equestrians, I shall be most happy to see them. So good bye. (See directions for training, &c.) 23 266 avery's own farrier. DRIVING. This is a very important branch of industry, where- ever the horse may be employed, and perhaps as little heeded as any other in so common use, by a majority of drivers. A good reinsman keeps his reins drawn closely especially in all gaits faster than a walk. Here the order is reversed somewhat from that of riding in this respect — the rein has the chief, and I might say the only power of guiding the team on the road; though they might come to a halt without a little tingle. A first class reinsman keeps an eye to the road before him, so as to shun all holes and stones that may happen to be near his track; this saves a great deal of wear and tear, both to his horses and carriage, and enables him* to glide along by any team he happens to meet on the road, gracefully, without any seeming or visible effort of his own. He will also have his horses trained in such a manner that they will feel the slightest motion imaginable of the bit, made by the taut rein, so that they will not turn up to every house, or stop to talk to every person they meet on the road, or even at his own barn, until they have a sign given them from their master's rein or voice to do so. The tight rein is a support to the horse in going over uneven ground, or down a hill, and is a sign to him when drawn on a plane, that he may expect something else unless he obeys this. In fact a good reinsman will drive considerably faster, safer, and with less straining to cords, muscles, wheels and gearing, than an awkward, unskilled driver. 267 There is another important point in the art of driving, that is (generally) but little heeded, that is, in driving a horse that is liable to interfere, and in fact this difficulty oftener arises from careless driving, than any fault of the horse. You will notice that they seldom cut but one leg, and where two are driven together, or side by side, it is almost invariably the freest or fastest horse that does this; because his head is pulled in from a straight line that he is traveling on, consequently it will be the out- side leg that gets cut; to avoid which his head should be turned by a tight rein a little the other way from the straight line, which will throw the foot he cuts with out instead of in. A great many horses, that are used for draft, in the snowy regions, are quite apt in crowding each other off from the road through fear, when the rein does not have much influence over them — which could be remedied by making the sleighs for those districts some six or eight inches wider than they are now used, an improvement that is much needed — especially where they have five or six months' sleighing in each year. This would make a road sufficiently wide for them to travel on without being in fear of falling off into the deep snow. Now let us take a glimpse at the second or third class of drivers, and mark the contrast. He mopes along with his horse's heads down about to their knees, and his lines on a level with the same, going over every stone, hole or log that may be in his way, with no other means of quickening their pace except the use of the whip, which will be applied freely; and when his team hap- pens to have life enough to become frightened at any- 268 thing, they start, and, before he is able to gather the lines sufficiently to stop them, his load is landed perhaps bottom upwards in the ditch. Well, he crawls up on the road again and loads up, goes along a short distance, and meets another team, when he has another dilemma to pass through. However he braces himself up in the fore end of his carriage and immediately succeeds in hauling up his lines sufficiently to turn his horses' heads to one side of the path he is pursuing; and then with both hands forward of the splash board, continually shaking the lines, and halloing " hep, hep, hep," he comes into the road again (in case they do not lock wheels) and then, with a free use of the whip, on he goes until he comes along near a house or another object where his horse wants to stop again, when he has only to repeat the last operation, viz: the shake, hep and whip, to go on as happy as a clam. Men who drive fast, generally have fast horses; not so much because they have swift horses, but because fast driving makes swift horses. Therefore the best direc- tions I can give you to make horses swift, will be in the language of another, " drive fast, and stop often." A horse can generally be trained to a dull and logy, or to an airy and fleety gait. Any strong and muscu- lar horse, that is sound, and has been no ways previously injured, can be trained to a fast gait. Nature unquestion- ably does much; but education and training does far more towards producing the great difference in the speed of horses than most people are willing to admit. Horses are oftener injured by driving them beyond their habit- ual gait, than beyond their native power. 269 For example, if you want a fast walker, you must use him to that gait mostly, for a horse that is trotted most of the time while on the road, will walk very slowly whenever he stops the trot, and when he is trained to the walk, he is not capable of much fast trotting, previous to being trained for it, without injury to him. And so, if you want a fast trotter, you must use him to this gait, remembering the text, to drive fast, and stop often enough not to injure your horse's wind. And so with all other gaits, for there never was a two-forty horse (trotter) without previous training. The farmer who wishes to have his horse show off to good advantage at any particular village, or at the mar- ket (for instance), and has not given his horse the necessary exercise to give strength to his muscles, &c, although his horse may be fat and look finely, must drive slowly and cautiously within a short distance of the place, when he will not be doomed to disappointment; for driving him fast then a short distance will not injure him, and he will show well. But, on the other hand, let him drive so as to go in with his horse all sweat, and his spirits drooping, and he will appear in the worst possible plight he could fix him; and would need the best of care to prevent him from taking cold, and per- haps becoming diseased. The property and even the life of men, women and children, often depend on the art and skill of the reins- man, or in careful and correct driving. Thus it is, that owners of horses, should not entrust those noble animals to careless and reckless diivers. And all those who are entrusted or employed in this occupation, either for them- 270 AVERY S OWN FARRIER. selves or fellow men, should be sober, thinking men, and aware of the above fact, for their own benefit, as well as for the horse they drive. And then the horse would not often be under the necessity of calling out (if allowed to talk) as he is said to have done, by the expression found in the following lines: ' ' Up the hill urge me not ; Down the hill trot me not; On the plain spare me not-, To the hostler trust me not," Name and Situation of the Parts of the Hoof of the Horse. [See page 30.] avery's own farrier. 271 GENERAL REMARKS ON DISEASES, &c. I deem it a duty I owe the public, as well as myself, to offer some general views on this subject, before I con- clude this work, which I shall be under the necessity of doing in my own way, and my story is told; as I have proceeded thus far without dictionary or library, with the exception of a few old almanacs, papers, and recipes that I had carefully preserved and had in my possession, which I hope will answer for all apologies necessary for the more learned, for any and all the errors I have or may commit. The same principles existed in nature when the world began, that exist now, and the same that will exist for all time to come. When any new discovery is made by man, or anything new appears to us, it is only because the mind is more fully developed, or brought nearer the object, and capable of receiving the truth as it existed before. We must necessarily learn much from great men and great minds, that have lived before us; but we should not content ourselves with this alone, for then we should go back instead of progressing in usefulness. For they in their aspirations to grasp great things, overlooked (to them) many smaller ones, which are of the greatest importance to mankind, which experience teaches that we can pick up and improve on, only by the closest ob- servation of passing events, and all our wants. That a reformation is needed in a great many of our stables, both in country and town, in medicating, driving and caring for the horse, will be readily admitted by 272 those that have numbers of them drawn to the shades or shambles every year, if by none else. I am about to make some remarks about horses, and disease, that will be well for all to remember that fee) an interest in this important subject. T am not so much in favor of blood-letting, or physic- ing as a great many, but I consider the fleam and lancet much safer in the hands even of the inexperienced, than I do the stimulating drugs and oils commonly used by them, for this reason: the common sized horse contains from twenty to twenty-four quarts of blood on an ave- rage; of which four quarts may be taken without mate- rially injuring him at any time, and in cases of acute inflammation and fever, as of the lungs, &c, one-third of the whole has been taken to advantage; and it requires four-fifths of the whole to be taken to produce death. He is not so liable to suffer from depletion, in this way as he is from physicing, and the effects of these poisons (allowing they are carried to excess). For the blood is sooner supplied by nature, than the bowels, stomach and bones can be restored by art to their wonted office and health after being so deranged in all their parts. I prefer vegetable medicine to mineral, for most dis- eases — not that I would take the course of some, and call all mineral substances poison, for as deadly poisons are found in the vegetable kingdom as in any other. But because it is cheaper, as almost every person can gather all he needs for himself (without money and without price) and is generally given in teas, drinks and mashes; which are more cooling and soothing to nature, besides this, it is safer in most hands. avery's own farrier. 273 Is it too much to say that more than one half of all the diseases of the horse arise in the first place from bad management, or from want of good management: from an improper system of feeding, over medicating, from ill-constructed, unventilated and filthy stabling, or from injudicious driving and neglect of cleaning, and from an untimely or improper use of the blanket? To learn my views of which you have only to turn and read that which I have written on this point. Every proprietor of a stable should be capable of managing all ordinary complaints, within his own stable; but as this is not always the case, the horse is often left to the mercy of some fellow who really knows nothing more about the structure and wants of him, than he does about the model of an engine, or the economy of an em- pire. And yet he trumps loudly and has a thousand and one infallible remedies for almost every disease, the names of which he does not know, neither their causes, origin, or operation on the system; and if he knows their names, he is entirely incapable of distinguishing one from another. He applies, hap-hazard, these hot drugs, totally ignorant of their effect on the system generally, or on the particular disease, and nine times out often he may apply them wrong; and so aggravate ten fold, the disease which he pretends to be able to cure. To remedy the above evil, I would recommend that every such person should be obliged to swallow one- fourth the quantity of the same kind of medicine that he is going to give the horse, whether it injured the horse or not. When you find one that is willing to stand this 274 test (or can explain satisfactorily the nature of the dis- ease, or the effect of the medicine he recommends), you need not be afraid to employ him to doctor your horse. If this fiery ordeal is thought too severe a test, I would say that most diseases of the horse are analagous to ours and require about the same mode of treatment. Notwithstanding the horse is often taken suddenly and dangerously ill, when the ingenuity and skill, even of the most experienced may sometimes be taxed to tell the precise difficulty immediately (and it yet is necessary that something should be done on the spot, to relieve his suf- fering, and expedite a cure, before medical aid could be procured), there are those palliating medicines, innocent in themselves, and often useful, that may be administered in the meantime (of which I have recommended), and nine times out of ten, are all that are necessary to be given to effect a speedy and permanent cure, whereby, if relief had not been found in this way, the malady might have gained such headway, that when advice arrived, it would be too late to check it. Although at these times we should be cautious in giving physic as well as when poisons have been taken, for in cases of acute inflammation of the bowels, &c, it might prove fatal. He that remembereth these things doeth well, for how much wiser is a man to-day for what he has for- gotten? FEEDING AND MEDICATING. The researches of physiologists and botanists, have demonstrated this fact, that the fibrin, the albumen, the oil, and all those earthy salts that go to form bone and muscles in animals, are found in their food, in plants and 275 vegetables, and in their seeds and grain, and that the animal appropriates them ready formed, which goes to show that the stomach of the horse is not a chemical laboratory for the manufacture of these constituents, but that they are selected from the food he eats, by the stomach, and deposited where they are required. It is said also, that from every five to seven years, the whole body of the horse in all its parts undergoes a change, is thrown off, and again renewed. Then each day, a portion of the animal is passing away (in excre- ment, in perspiration and respiration), and in each day nature endeavors to repair the loss, for there must be a constant building up and repairing of the body going on at all times, consequently it becomes absolutely neces- sary that the proper building material be furnished, or the whole structure becomes weak and worthless. This also teaches us that such food is necessary for the horse as will supply the component parts of the body, in right proportion for the healthy action of the whole. Long experience has taught us that oats is the best kind of grain (dry food) we have for constant feed for the horse, though it does not contain as much nutritive matter per bushel, as some other kinds of grain that are given in a more concentrated form, all which is more or less prejudicial to health. The above, with some re- marks I am about to make, will, I think, prove my posi- tion correct as to feeding, and the propriety of an occa- sional change of feed, &c, heretofore given. When the heavier and hot kinds of grain are used, it is best to have it ground and mixed with good cut hay or straw, so that you feed the same amount of nutritive 276 matter, with the same bulk (as near as you can), as you did when feeding oats and hay. Nature plainly shows this to be a correct principle, and also the importance of a change of diet occasionally, in the seasons, in the fruits, and in the green food she yields for our suste- nance. Extract the nutritive properties from the food we eat, and take our food in that form, will it long sus- tain life? Certainly not. — Liebig. The bony frame work of animals, owes its solidity to phosphate of lime, says Johnson, and this substance must be furnished by the food. The ordinary kinds of food contain a large quantity of vegetable fibre or woody matter, which is more or less indigestible, but which is indispensable to the welfare of herbaceous animals, as their digestive organs are adapted to rough and bulky food. The addi- tion of a small quantity of food, rich in oil and albumi- nous substances, may be made advantageously, but neither hay alone, nor concentrated food alone, give the best result. This fact should be impressed on the mind of every farmer, and by every day practice. Every ani- mal of a higher organization than a worm (and they often crawl out of the earth and partake of the cucum- ber and cabbage plants), needs a diversity of food to make up a healthy animal structure. The similarity to other green food, together with the pectic acid that carrots contain, causing thorough digestion of other food, renders them a desirable article of food for the horse. The horse may be compared (with some propriety) to the steam engine or railroad locomotive, the lungs being the furnace, the stomach the boiler containing the water, 277 and the groom, the fireman that puts in fuel to keep the whole in motion. The food of the horse after being masticated, is taken into the stomach, and there digested; then it passes into the intestines, and the nutritious por- tions are mingled with the fluids or gastric juice, when it is sucked up by an infinite number of mouths, or lac- teals, which are connected with the blood vessels, from whence it is carried in the form of blood through the heart and distributed to every part of the system. While a portion of the gum, starch and sugar, contained in vegetables are used by the animal, in respiration or creating heat to the lungs, and other portions of the body. These substances consist of carbon and water only, the carbon combining with oxygen, is breathed out in the form of carbonic acid. To say no more about the niceties of his complicated structure, it is just as evident that the horse requires food that contains these proper- ties in right proportion for his constituent parts, as it is to suppose that the engine must be supplied with wood and water, in order to get up steam enough to propel its machinery (and one is about as complicated as the other); and when these properties are not found in suffi- cient quantities, or in right proportions, in the food of the animal, or in wood and w 7 ater for the engine, then the oil for lubricating the machinery is drawn upon for fuel, or the fat and flesh itself of the animal goes into the furnace, and the whole is soon burned out, when it ceases to exist. But when both are properly supplied with food and fuel, they may be seen puffing and snort- ing across the plain together, until the one challenges 24 278 avery's own farrier. the other in the distance to come on and bear him com- pany. An excess of hot food, as corn, &c, fails to excite the coats of the stomach to secrete their digestive fluids (heating the furnace too hot), while the other parts are left unsupplied, such as goes to help form bone, muscle and fibres of the animal, which must result, if persevered in, in the total destruction of the whole animal structure. Thus we see that when the inward heat is raised too high by the use of medicine, or by feeding any of the heavier kinds of grain, for the healthy action of the whole system, the proper remedies to be employed is to feed the more cooling and lighter grains, that I have heretofore mentioned,* which will supply the wants of each and every part of the body, in just proportion to benefit the whole. And it is precisely the same thing in medicating the horse; when the lungs (or furnace) is too hot, you should not fan the flame by adding more fuel, in the form of those stimulating drugs so often used; but when there is a want of vitality (or the fire is too low), use the articles I have recommended for this pur- pose, sufficiently to raise it to its natural heat, and then * The virgin soil will produce almost any kind of vegetation, under a proper state of cultivation ; but you continue to crop it with one kind only, it will soon exhaust all the qualities of the soil that are required to grow that particular crop; and in this way you may keep on with the different kinds until you impoverish the whole, and it becomes barren. So it may be with the horse; he may be fed on one kind of food, deficient in the requisites to form bone or muscle, while the other organs of the body lay dormant, for the want of the healthy and invigorating influence of them ; or, vice versa, when he will appear raw-boned, carrying but little flesh. 279 nature will keep it burning; and you will save the extra wear and tear of the machinery consequent on raising it too high. REMARKS ON THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF VEGETABLES, FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES. It is proper to observe, that roots should be gathered before the sap rises in the spring, or after it returns in the autumn, and taken from the dryest land where they grow. In washing let them remain in water as short a time as possible, or dry them without washing, and clean them with a brush afterwards. Those which lose their virtue by drying, may be kept in dry sand. Leaves and flowers should be gathered in dry weather, after the dew is off, and while they are in full vigor; they may be tied up in little bundles and hung up to dry, but a better way is to dry them more quickly by the gentle heat of a stove, or fire place. Seeds and fruit are generally to be gath- ered when ripe; sprouts after the bud is open; stalks in autumn; and barks, in spring and autumn. Overgrown herbs, should not be chosen, as they are not so good for medicinal purposes as those of a medium growth. 280 RECIPES. Since I commenced writing, experience has taught me that the swamp, or black ash extract, is an excellent remedy for sores and pimples, or gathering in the ears, by only applying a few drops; and can be used success- fully in taking off ringbones, &c, (as well as removing warts) when diluted with a small part of turpentine, or tincture of cantharides: and when used alone has taken them off without breaking the skin, or leaving any blemish. I obtain it by boiling the inner bark of small trees or roots, until the strength is out, then strain and boil down to the consistence of thick syrup. For the ears dilute with water. ABORTION. The mare has often been lost by aborting. The best thing you can do for her in this situation, is to inject up the vagina a strong infusion made by steeping the common red raspberry leaves in water, using it as warm as practicable; keep her warm, and give her rest, together with a cooling diet. FOR ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS, OR INFLAMMATORY COLIC. You may give the horse a large spoonfull of equal parts of sulphuric ether and laudanum. Or if you do not really know what the difficulty is, half the quantity will do him no. harm; or you may give him mint or sage tea; and if he is in great distress, give peppermint essence, avery's own farrier. 281 camphor and paregoric, a spoonfull of each in warm water, sweetened, which will either cure your horse, or ease him until you have time to send for advice. carrots. The orange carrot is cultivated in gardens, and is well known to every one. The root of which scraped and wilted with hot vinegar, is good made into a poultice, with or without Indian meal, to subdue inflammation and swelling; and when mixed with pulverised charcoal, is good to prevent mortification. CORKS. A very good paint to keep out dirt and cold from corks, is made by melting equal parts of mutton tallow, and India rubber together, and then paint or fill the wound with it; for the want of the rubber use tar, and when you wish it to heal, add a little rosin and honey. 282 WAH WHOOP. Some of our best professional men have said to me, that it was folly for any one to suppose that the Indian doctors knew half as much about the healing art as the scientific scholar, who had all the advantage of our medi- cal institutions, in this civilized life, with a full view of the arts and sciences before him. As regards anatomy and diseases, I am willing to admit that they are right in their conclusions; but as the Indian has had the book of nature only for his study, it has enabled him to dis- cover the medicinal properties of a great many plants, roots and barks, that are useful in disease (which the more learned have overlooked in their aspirations to grasp great things); which goes to show that the Indian is not void of intellect, and that want and " poverty is the mother of invention." Therefore, I shall add here the names and use of such vegetables as I have in my possession (together with some of my own), in plain English, as they were translated from the Indian tongue, by one that had spent some twenty years-of his life in travel and traffic among the Indian tribes, which may be of great use to some in veterinary practice, both in urban, suburban and rural districts. "Roots and herbs are at the command of every one, and nature's prescriptions are all free gratis. She demands not your money for her services, but, like a kind patron and friend, avery's own farrier. 283 invites you to partake of her blessing, and her only reward is to come and taste more.". No. 1. — White Oak Bark and Buds. The inner bark of the white oak pounded and boiled with oats, and applied as a poultice to any wound, cut or sore, is a very good remedy. The leaves and buds, when steeped, are said to be a sovereign remedy for dysentery or a relaxed state of the bowels. A handfull of flour, made from the dried acorns, mixed with the feed of animals, will stop dysentery. No. 2. — Snake Root. Is found in both dry and moist wood land 3 the stalk and leaves somewhat resemble the stinging wood-nettle, only the leaf is smaller and more of an oval form. It blossoms on the top of the branches, and they are white; the root is brown and bushy, and of a very strong aro- matic taste and smell. This is a very powerful, stimu- lating root, bracing, healing and cleansing, cheering and animating the whole system. Makes an excellent cordial; put in wine or old cider. No. 3. — Indian Wormwood. It grows along watery places; it has several stalks to- gether, two or three feet high, with long, narrow, dark green leaves, which are extremely bitter to the taste; above the leaf it has blows. This herb is said to be both anthelmintic and cathartic; the pulverized herb, given in small quantities, is good to remove worms; the herb steeped is a very quick and powerful physic, though very mild in respect to griping; the top only is used. 284 avery's own farrier. No. 4. — Pepper Root. This grows in a rich, moist soil, generally among beech, maple, and basswood timber, and is generally known, the top being sometimes used for greens; the root is white and jagged, of a warm, peppery taste. The root bruised and taken in spirits eases pains in the stomach, sides, and bowels. The pounded root applied to the spider cancer, will frequently kill them in a short time, so that they may be taken out by the roots. No. 5. — Larger Golden Thread, Is a vine growing on banks of rivers and intervales. It is similar to Jacob's ladder, and winds itself around the first bush it comes to, like the bitter sweet. The root runs under ground some distance, about the size of a pipe stem. It is quite bitter, and has nearly the virtues of the little golden thread, and is, of course good for canker in the mouth, and in all cases where a little bitter is re- quired to strengthen digestion, and cause a good appetite. No. 6.— Horsetail. This plant has a bushy top, full of joints, resembling a horse tail from which it took its name. It is powerful to stop or staunch blood, either inward or outward; it healeth inward ulcers; it is good to heal green wounds, and cures ruptures. No. 7. — Gravel Weed. Grows on dry land among wintergreens; the stalks or vines run along on the ground, and take new root; the leaf is oval, of a pale green, thick and rough, not hairy, as wide as a spoon bowl, but not so long, and bears a 285 small, white blossom; it grows in little mats, like cam- momile, with the leaves thick together, almost one top of the other. This, in truth, is a lithontriptic; the leaves and vines steeped (not boiled) bring away the sand, and finally dissolve the stone. No. 8. — Hemp. This plant is good for something beside making ropes. The seeds steeped, are good to remove wind from the stomach; it removes obstructions to the bile, and is very effective to kill worms in man or beast; the steeped juice dropped into the ears kills the worms in them, and drags out earwigs; a preparation of the roots is good to allay inflammation in the head, &c. No. 9. — Artichokes. A decoction of the juice of artichokes is good to open the passages of the urine; and of course it must be good for stone or gravel in the bladder. No. 10. — May Weed, Is an excellent herb, and grows in door yards, and by the sides of the road; it is of a pectoral nature, and is good for a pain in the side; a strong tea of it, drank freely, is good for a cold. No. 11. — Saffron. This is principally cultivated in gardens, and has a bright, yellow blow, and is universally known. It is good made into tea, to cleanse the fluids of the stomach, and guard against sickness, and for bathing any affected outward part. It is also good to drive out humors; with 286 other vegetables it makes an excellent drink for a dis- ordered stomach. No. 12.— Red Rose. This is the queen of all flowers, and, though short lived, falls not a useless sacrifice. The leaves dried and steeped in milk, are very cooling, quieting and good for sore eyes, and useful in allaying inflammation. No. 13. — Vervine. Has two colors, blue and white; is a good medicine in fevers, and for all consumptive complaints. It makes a harmless emetic, and may be taken powdered; mixed with thoroughwort, or made into a tea, is good for a weak stomach. No. 14. — Witch Hazel. This is a small bush or tree, it grows in swamps and wettish land, by the sides of creeks and rivers. A tea made of this, and drank freely, is good to stop bleeding at the stomach. It is good in all bowel complaints; the bark boiled in milk and water, is good for those afflicted with strain across the kidneys. No. 15. — Crowfoot or Buttercup. This is a tuber-rooted, perennial plant, very common in rich meadows and moist places; it grows from one to two feet high, and has a very glossy flower. Every part of this plant is acrid. Those who wish to endure the pain of a blister, may have their ends gratified by making use of this herb. 287 No. 16. — Summer Savory. Is a garden herb, and has a hot, pleasant flavor. When made into a tea, and drank freely, is good for a cold; is very soothing to nature, and may be used with perfect safety in any disease, of man or beast. No. 17. — Currants. This bush is too well known to need a description, being found in almost every garden. The leaves made into a tea, are good for the dropsy. As a constant drink, it promotes a free passage of the urine. No. 18. — Sweet Fern. Is a small shrub that grows common in pastures, and by the road side, in many places; the bark of this bush steeped in cider, is good for jaundice (or yellow water). Taken in the spring of the year, it will give a start to the blood, and create a good appetite. A tea made of it will often answer a good purpose for dysentery. No. 19. — Plantain. There are few, perhaps, who know the virtues of this simple though useful plant. It is good to cure poison, caused by ivy, dogwood, and the bites of venomous ani- mals, and will drive away humors by applying the juice. No. 20. — Strawberry Leaves. These need no description. The leaves steeped in boiling water, and drank freely of, are good for inward fevers; and a few of the leaves chewed, and the juice swallowed, will stop the dysentery. 288 AVERY 'S OWN FARRIER. No. 21. — -High Deerweed. This is generally to be found in newly cleared lands, from two to three feet high, and has on its stalk, towards the top, a spindle of red blossoms; the leaves are long and quite narrow. This is good for all inward inflam- mation and fevers; it is of a cooling nature. No. 22. — Eyebright. The common eyebright is a small, low herb, usually rising about a span high. It has generally but one black- ish green stalk; it spreads from the bottom into several branches, on which are set small leaves, which are nearly round and pointed, of a dark green color, and finely notched about the edges; they are thick, and two always set together at the joints, the leaves turned upwards; from the middle spring forth small white flowers, mixed with purple or yellow spots or stripes. It has small seeds in round heads. It has small, slender roots, with thready ends, and may be found in meadows and grassy places. The juice, or distilled water of this herb, taken inwardly, in white wine, or put into the eyes, is good for all things causing dimness of sight; or it may be taken, in a powder of the dry herb, mixed with a little sugar, mace, or fen- nel seed; has a powerful effect to help and Bestore sight, decayed through age; it has been known to restore sight to those who have been nearly blind. No. 23. — Dog Acna. This bush grows in various soils, and is covered with a smooth, speckled bark, of a light and dark green. It branches out very much like the dogwood. The bark of avery's own farrier. 289 this, made into a tea, and used as a wash, is good for a canker, and combined with the bittersweet, makes an excellent healing salve. No. 24. — Running Hemlock, Is a little, low bush, (he leaves resembling the com- mon or tall hemlock that grows wild in the woods, of a light green color, and has a small red berry. These ber- ries are good for a w T eak stomach; the bush or vine is good, boiled in water, to cure swollen limbs. " By the image of every herb, the ancients first found out their virtues. Modern writers laugh at them for it; but I can not (says one) but wonder how the virtues of herbs came at first to be found out, or known, if not by their signatures. The moderns had them from the an- cients; the ancients nor Indians had no writings nor books to obtain them from." But what an improvement has been, and remains to be made by the study of the leafy pages of this great book of " Nature," after it has been once opened to our view. Reader, please look at the index of this great work, which you will find in the expression of every leaf, and see if it does not lead you to something more useful and interesting. Oh, how cheering, animating, and elevating it is to the mind of mortals! No. 25. — For the Bite of a Dog, or Pricking of a Thorn. Take green leaves of hoarhound, bruise, and boil them in hog's lard into an ointment, and apply it to the wound. Continue this for a short time, and the swelling will abate, and the sore be completely healed. 25 290 No. 26. — To take a Film from the Eye. Take sugar of lead, make it very fine, blow a little of it into the eye, morning and evening, by means of an. oat straw, and when the film is nearly consumed, apply a drop of hen's oil once or twice a day until well. No. 27. — For a Cough or Phthisic. Smoking the dried leaves of rosemary, shred small, in a tobacco pipe, will help those troubled with a cough or phthisic, or of a consumptive habit, by warming and drying the thin distillations which cause those diseases. No. 28.— For the Heart Disease. Make a decoction of the dried leaves of red roses with wine, and apply it to the region of the heart, with a sponge, or let the leaves remain in, and bind them on over where your heart beats, shifting them often till you find relief. No, 29.— For a Burn. Take an onion and cut it in halves, warm it a little (but not roast it), and bind it on the affected part; i{ will stop the soreness and the inflammation, by drawing out the humors, which always accompany a burn if not prevented. No. 30. — To Cure Vegetable Poison. Take yellow-blowed celandine, hawk weed and toad plantain, equal parts — bruise them fine, and boil them in milk sufficient to get the strength of the vegetables. Wash the affected part with this several times a day, 291 and drink bitters of the Indian milk weed (bitter root), steeped in gin, to keep it from striking to the stomach. This will physic the blood and cure the disorder. A simple and effective remedy. No. 31. — Strengthening Plasters. Good for man or beast. Take a pitch pine knot, boil it in water till the gum is out; then let it cool, and take off the pitch. Spread a plaster of this on soft leather, and apply it wherever it may be wanted. If it is too powerful, temper it with a little rosin or beeswax. Hemlock gum is good for a like purpose. No. 32. — For Dropsy. Take one pound each of prickly ash bark and bark of sassafras root, feverwood bush half a pound; four ounces of parsley roots, and the same of the bark of black birch, and of horse radish roots, and three ounces of garlics; boil them all in three gallons of small beer; drink nearly a gill three times a day, or a pint is a dose for a horse. It is a powerful diaphoretic, invigorating cordial; no better can be given for the above disease. No. 33. — For Weakness or General Debility of the Whole System. Take of lovage root, comfrey root, each half a pound, and burdock root four ounces, spikenard root two ounces, to about two gallons of water; boil them two hours; strain off and continue to boil down to two quarts, then add half a pint of the best Holland gin, and one pound of honey, or loaf sugar; put it in a bottle and cork 292 avery's own farrier. it tight for eight and forty hours, when it will be fit for use. Dose, a tablespoonfull three times a day before eat- ing, or one gill will answer for a dose for the horse. This has proved beneficial after every other remedy was unavailing. No. 34. — For a Cough. Take a small handfull of hoarhound and of slippery elm bark (the brittle kind), and two tablespoonsfull of sage, and one of saffron, simmer together, strain off; add half a pint of molasses, and simmer again two hours, with a moderate heat, and while it is hot, add half a pint of the best Hollands. Dose, three times a day, com- mencing with a tablespoonfull, and increase as you like; this is a safe and reliable remedy for a cough, for man or horse. No. 35. — Cure for the Asthma. Difficult cases of this complaint may be cured, by taking two ounces each of elecampane root, sweet flag root, spikenard root, and the same of common chalk; beat them in a mortar until very fine, then adding one pound of honey, and beat them all together; take a teaspoonfull three or four times a day. A tablespoonfull may be given to a horse to advantage three times a day, by working into a ball. No. 36. — For the same, or Heaves. Take a seed bole of the skunk cabbage, that grows close to the ground, at the bottom of the leaves; if this can not be obtained, use the wild turnip (wake robin) with a little lobelia seed; stew this in hen's fat (after avery's own farrier. 293 cutting it up fine) four or five hours, till it becomes nearly dry; take a teaspoonfull for a dose, or a tablespoonfull, in a ball, will be a dose for the horse that is troubled with a cough. Make a syrup of the queen of the meadow roots, and white swamp honeysuckle blossoms; sweeten this with honey or loaf sugar; add to a quart of this syrup half a pint of brandy. To be given once a day with the above for heaves; one gill will be a fair dose for this purpose; cure warranted or no pay. No. 37. — For a Sore Throat. Steam the throat with hot water, in which hops have been infused. After the hops have been scalded in vin- egar, apply them externally to the diseased part of the throat. No. 38. — For Stoppage of Urine, Urinary Balls. Take a handfull of buds of currant bushes, and the same quantity of honey bees; steep them very strong in hot water, give two spoonsfull for a dose every half hour. For the horse, take one pint of this tea and boil down till it begins to thicken, then cool, and add about the same quantity of balsam of fir; work into five or six balls, one of which will have the desired effect. These balls may be coated with sugar, and kept for use any length of time — quite equal to the celebrated Murcum or Buck ball. The common white mulberry bush affords a tea, when freely given, that is good for all urinary obstruc- tions, and facilitates the operation of other medicines; and is perfectly harmless in its operation. 294 avery's own farrier. No. 39. — To cure Canker in the Mouth. Take the scrapings of the blackberry briar root, a few sumach berries, a little saffron, a little sage, and some goldthread or yellow root, put with these a little alum, some vinegar and honey; simmer the whole on a very slow fire, after adding a little water. Wet the mouth often with this; it seldom if ever fails to cure the worst canker in the mouth, and is an excellent wash for the horse's sore mouth in cases of Black Tongue, &c. No. 40. — A Plaster to ease the pain of Felons. Obtain the pitch from a pitch-pine knot, cut from the side of an old log that lies next the ground, by boiling it. Then boil four ounces of strong tobacco; after the strength is out, strain, and boil the liquor until it is thick; then add the pitch, and simmer over a moderate fire, stirring it all the while until it forms a salve; make a plaster of this, and wherever the sore is, lay it on above the next joint. This will ease the pain in a very short time. Dress the sore in the mean time with any other kind of healing salve. This also is a good application, and a useful plaster for horse flesh, in inflammation of any local wound, placed on or above the wound. No. 41. — A good Salve for Bruises, &c. Take one pound of spikenard root, one pound of to- bacco, and half a pound of comfrey root; boil these in six quarts of chamber lye, till almOst dry, then press out the juice, and add to it pitch or beeswax enough when sim- mered together to make it the consistency of a salve; apply this to the parts affected. avery's own farrier. 295 No. 42. — To stop Blood from a Fresh Wound. An Indian remedy. Take three different kinds of herbs, you need not be particular what they are; chew them all together, and apply the contents, with the spit- tle to the wound. This remedy they use for man and beast (with great success, they say); it is simple and easy, being always at hand. No. 43. — To make Casler's Liniment. To one gallon of alcohol, add one pound of cedar oil; half a pound of squaw weed oil (blue blow); half a pound of oil origanum; half a pound of wormwood oil; half a pound of spearmint; half a pint tincture of lobelia; and one ounce of camphor gum; and color with red sanders. No. 44. — -To make Guiwit's Liniment. To one gallon of alcohol, add half a pound of wormwood oil; half a pound of origanum oil; four ounces of gum myrrh; one ounce oil of anise; and two ounces of cam- phor gum. No. 45. — Avery's Cure for Corns. Take the extract of swamp ash bark, off from the roots; add a very little spirits of turpentine; apply this three or four times — - or a strong lye made from the ashes of the same wood. Most corns will be removed in this way, without giving any pain. Where the above is not sufficiently strong for the purpose, or for ringbones, add a very little corrosive sublimate and laudanum. 296 No. 46. — Avery's Eye Wash. An excellent remedy for inflamed eyes: clear, cold water; apply often. No. 47. — Stafford's Cordial for a Weak Stomach. A good remedy for man or beast, try it. Take pitch pine wood and shave off in thin shavings; put these in a glass bottle and cover them with alcohol; let it stand fourteen days, then turn off, and reduce with water on taking; take a teaspoonfull three times a day; add to each dose six or seven drops essence of peppermint. No. 48. — To make Turner's Liniment for Breach. Comfrey root, boiled in vinegar, and spirits of turpen- tine, and as much alum as can be dissolved in the same. This may be used both outwardly and inwardly with safety; and is a good medicine for the above use. No. 49. — To make Good Advice acceptable and useful. It must be administered with a kind and friendly motive, and must not lack of previous good example, on the part of the one giving the dose. — Avery's. No. 50. — For a very Weak Stomach of long standing. An Indian recipe; look at it. In the first place omit taking all kinds of medicine whatever. Take rye, wash it clean, and boil it in the same manner as you would rice; make this your constant diet; be sure and not take any other kind of food whatever, till you are satisfied you can bear it; drink a tea of white pine bark, and slippery elm. This is said upon good authority to have cured avery's own farrier. 297 persons who have been troubled with a weak stomach for years. No. 51. — For the Dropsy. From the same author. Take the juice of the white pond lily root; temper it with barley meal, and bake it for ordinary bread. This, he says, has been known to effect a cure when medicine failed to do it This is so harmless, there can be no danger in making the trial. Now here are two important diseases that we are liable to, said to have been cured by mere dieting, as it were, which coincides precisely with what I have witnessed in the horse, by a change of food; from high to low, or from low to high. But this is not always all that is ne- cessary to effect a cure, but when you can get rid of any disorder by a systematic diet without medicine, reason teaches, it is the best way of doing it. No. 52. — For a Sprain. Take two spoonsfull of honey^ the same quantity of salt, and the whites of four hen's eggs. Beat the whole together for an hour, then let it set an hour, and after this anoint the sprain with the oil that will be produced from the mixture, keeping the affected parts well rolled with a good bandage. This is said to be one of the best things ever known for a sprained ankle; and will readily relieve the horse of locked ankles, &c. No. 53. — For the Rheumatism. Take a handfull of horse-radish roots, the same quantity of prince of pine, and a little of prickly ash bark, ele- campane roots, bittersweet root bark, wild cherry tree 298 avery's own farrier. bark, mustard seed, and a pint of tar water; put this into two quarts of brandy, and drink a wine glassfull twice a day before eating; wash the parts affected, with salt and rum, by a hot fife. No. 54. — For Thrush or Corns in Foundered Feet, &c. Clean the hoof well, getting all the dirt out of the rot on each side of the frog, by means of a sharp pointed scratcher, every evening, and turn in a little melted white pine turpentine for a few days (for the want of this put in salt), and in the morning, turn in tallow and rubber melted together; this forms a coating that will keep out the dirt during the day. If you stuff them at night do it with clay. No. 55. — The True Pulse. In order to ascertain the true state of the pulse, the horse should be approached very gently and cautiously, as the excitement caused by harsh and loud words, or the whip, will raise the pulse from five to ten beats per minute, he is so excitable; especially when diseased. No. 56. — Renewal of Life. I have seen the horse, when he was very much troubled to breathe, and given up to die by some, restored to health, by giving him a dose of the camphor, pepper- mint essence, and adding a teaspoonfull of the buck's horn (freshly rasped), and proper treatment afterwards. The hot drops may be used afterwards, or before for want of the former, but this is the best on such occasions of anything that can be given, and may be given with 299 safety let the disease be what it may. Perhaps there are no two diseases that the horse is liable to in the first stages thereof, that is so difficult to distinguish one from the other, as inflammation of the bowels and of the lungs; and add to these that of spasmodic colic; these make three as dangerous ills as they are subject to. The colic, however, is easily distinguished from inflammation, by being sudden in its attack, and having intervals of rest and ease, with the extremities not much altered as to warmth, and the pulse but little changed, only evidently fuller. In colic, the above medicine may be given with the best result; laudanum and dried sweet flag root, grated in, may be added to advantage, and physic in this case will be proper. But in inflammation of the bowels the order is reversed from that of colic. The legs and ears are cold, the pulse much quickened, and the attack and pain is more steady — in this case, as well as in inflammation of the lungs, copious bleeding may be re- sorted to with beneficial results to the patient, while physicing would prove more disastrous. But to distin- guish between inflammation of the bowels and inflamma- tion of the lungs, recourse must be had to the manner in w T bich the horse stands, and the lining membrane of the nose (which is the thermometer for the lungs). With inflammation of the lungs, they will stand stiff, and wide apart with the forward legs 4 so as to give as much room as possible for the lungs, and always choosing to stand up — while with inflammation of the bowels they are inclined to lie down; with inflammation of the lungs their breathing is not so regular (as that of the bowels), being more hurried at times, and the membrane of the 300 avery's own farrier. nose a darker color, and as the disease progresses of a more purple hue or tinge in spots; and in both of these diseases the animal is greatly weakened and distressed by exercise. While in colic, the strength is not much affected, and relief is often obtained by motion, and rub- bing the belly. I leave for others to designate the use of the scalpel, in dividing the skin, flesh, cords, muscles, tendons, and fibres of the animal, &c. No. 57. — Lightning Liniment. Good for all nervous affections, rheumatism, &c. Take one part of chloroform, two of laudanum, and four of spirits of turpentine; mix them together and bathe the legs, back, or any other part of the body, where the animal is in great agony, and it will afford immediate relief. No. 58. — Mullen Oil. Horsemen, and others, attend. This is not the least in value, if it is towards the last of my list. Good for inflammatory rheumatism or any kind of a sore, by ap- plying it to the part affected. Excellent for catarrh, or glanders, by throwing it up the nostrils, and anointing the temples and forehead. I obtain it by picking the blossoms in summer and placing them in a glass bottle; when full, hang it up in a warm place where the sun can strike it, until the blossoms are decayed; there will be an oil rise on top, which you can turn off, and it is fit for use. This is the Indian's greatest remedy for taking film from the eye. 301 No. 59. — For Colt Distemper, or Strangles. If you wish to apply hot fomentations, steep lobelia herb in vinegar, and bind the herb on the throat hot, after bleeding. As we are all creatures of circumstance, we must be governed, in part, by circumstances; but a man may be brought up at college, and spend his whole life in studying, and if he has no natural capacity, may fall far below those whom nature and experience have taught. " There have been men, from the earliest ages of the world, blessed with the sublimer powers of genius; who could, as it were, with one comprehensive view, grasp the whole circle of science, and leave learning and art to follow after them in vain." Or they have a peculiar faculty to make people think so. And yet, you will find it difficult to get one original idea from them, on any subject whatever, that is calculated to benefit you. But this need not hinder any one else from improving the capacity given him, and giving it the right direction to prove useful to his fellow man. No. 60. — Composition for Ringbone, or Bone Spavin. Two ounces of spirits of turpentine; one ounce of oil origanum; one ounce of corrosive sublimate; half an ounce of opium; and half an ounce of camphor gum. Mix these all together and add a very little alcohol, and it is fit for use. 26 302 No. 61. — For Rheumatic Affections, &c. Spirits of turpentine, with as much camphor gum as will dissolve in it. Good brandy, with gum guiac, dis- solved in it, is also often a useful application for this purpose. No. 62. — For Bloat in Horses or Cattle. Give one gill of spirits of turpentine in two or three gills of water; the effect is instantaneous. For the want of this, give two gills of melted lard, and the same of new milk, well mixed before being given. No. 63. — For Founder, Stiffness, &c, In the chest, &c; add to the horse's feed, a handfull of sunflower seed, once a day, and he will be most likely to come out right in a short time. Steel is made harder, by first heating; and then dip- ping it in water; and sometimes rendered tougher, and not so liable to crack in working it, by the use of oil. It is true, also, that it may be made too hard, or left too soft by the workman, to answer the purpose for which it was designed. Therefore experience, as well as skill, is necessary to bring this art to any degree of perfection. And so it is, in tempering the iron nerves and muscles of the animal; for when any part the body is raised to a great heat by disease or any other cause, it should be cooled gradually before the fire consumes the whole; and great care should be taken in the cooling process, whether you use water or oil, that you leave a good spring temper. avery's own farrier. 303 No. 64. — A Poultice. In cases where a swelling is very painful, and the object is to relieve the animal from pain, as well as to relax and rot, or bring it to a head, a good poultice is made by boiling equal parts of soft soap and tobacco together a short time, then apply warm, after thickening with wheat flour. No. 65. — Elecampane. This root when dried and powdered, is good for a cough, mixed with other things, or alone, but it is not sufficient alone to cure an old chronic cough. Give the horse a spoonfull for a dose. No. 66. — To Learn a Horse to Pace, Fasten a leaden weight of some three or four pounds (prepared so as not to hurt the leg), just above the ankle; ride or drive the horse briskly, pulling the reins alter- nately at the same time; this will throw him into a pace; after exercising him in this way until he gets the desired gait, you may change the weights for lighter ones, using him in this way for a short time, he will become an easy pacer. No. 67. — Where Strong Erhines are Wanted. In cases of colds, &c, use the dry cayenne. If the object is to only make him sneeze or snort out the mucus, as it will not have this effect, when mixed with the oint- ment, but only help locate more heat, and change the action of those mucus membranes, &c. 304 No. 68. — Wonderful, but True. For any kind of soreness of the bowels, caused by- colds, colics, strains or severe purging, the camphor root, either dried and powdered, or steeped, is an infallible remedy; add to this, in cases of threatened or real inflam- mation of the bowels, or difficulty of urinating, the yar- row herb, prepared in the same manner, and you have a panacea. No 69.— A Salve, That is very cooling, soothing and healing, good to apply to any kind of a sore, where there is any inflam- mation, either local or general. Take the well-known herb, called liveforever, bruise or powder it fine, and then simmer it in sweet cream; then add camphor gum while it is only warm enough to dissolve the gum, mix thoroughly, and it is ready for use; apply by binding it on, or rubbing it over the surface of the sore. No. 70. — Ox Marrow. The spinal marrow of the ox or cow, by diluting with spirits of turpentine, is sometimes a very useful applica- tion for poll evil or fistula; in the beginning of the dis- ease apply often, by rubbing it on with the hand for two or three days, when a cure may be looked for. No. 71 — Fever Sore Cure. Take about equal parts of spikenard and comfrey roots, clean them; then take the same quantity as of both the former, of fat, salt pork; chop them all very fine, and simmer over a slow fire for a short time; add avery's own farrier. 305 two spoonsfull of honey to a pound of the above, and it is ready for use, when cool. This is said to be a certain cure for fever sore, or any deep seated or ulcerated wound on or near the bone- Add to the above salve, wormwood oil, so as to make a liniment, and it is one of the best things to disperse swelling or callous of the parotid glands (that lie just over the angle of the jaw bone), that is left by distempers or colds. No. 72. — To Clean the Horse. When the horse is troubled with dust or dandruff in the hair, caused by surfeit, &c, let him roll in dry sand, as he will be very willing to do whenever he has an opportunity to do so; wash and clean with a brush; this will take the sand all out of the hair, which will take the dandruff along with it, and both helps cleanse the skin. No. 73. — Caution. " Immodest words admit of no defence, For want of decency is want of sense." As the foetus partakes largely of the peculiar quality of the blood (at the time of the union of the sexes, as well as after) of the dam, it is essentially necessary in good breeding, that care should be taken not to ride or drive her to excess, immediately previous — that is, not to heat her blood to an unusual degree. And she should be kept in some quiet place, where she will not be teased by other horses, for several days afterwards. No. 74. — Adhesive or Sticking Plaster. Take three pounds of rosin, half pound bees' wax, 306 avery's own farrier. four ounces of mutton tallow, and two ounces of white pine turpentine; melt and mix together; when suffi- ciently cool, work into rolls to suit convenience. No. 75.— Celebrated Liniment. Take one ounce of origanum, one ounce of cedar, one ounce of hemlock, and one-fourth of an ounce of worm- wood oils, then one-eighth of an ounce each of cloves and camphor gum, add to this one quart of alcohol; use spirits of wine and color if you like; good for fresh wounds, sprains and bruises. No. 76 — A"*New Discovery for a Burn. They who pull down the stately fabric of general health and prosperity, find themselves buried beneath its ruins. Dry charcoal, pulverised and laid over a fresh burn, for one hour, will ease the pain and cause it to heal in almost an incredibly short time; simple, but certainly deserves a trial. No. 77. — To Break a Horse from Kicking. Strap up one of his fore legs so that he can not get his foot to the floor, then exercise and handle his hind legs, moving him about the floor till he is tired of stand- ing on three legs, and becomes submissive. A few lessons in this way will render him safe to handle any- where. Strange as it may appear, the horse in walking or trotting, never has but one foot off the ground at a time; which accounts for the efficacy of this mode of treatment. 307 No. 78. — Cutting Teeth. Colts, when first foaled, if parturition was at maturity, should have four front teeth, two in each jaw; and it is sometimes the case they have four in each jaw. But it sometimes happens, that none of these are cut through, and the gums are inflamed, and so tender that the colt can not suck well. This should always be looked to, and the gums cut through with a sharp knife if neces- sary; and if needs be should be fed with milk, sweet- ened with molasses, till it can suck freely. No. 79. — For Milk Leg Sores. Take quick lime, and strained honey, about equal parts; makes a good application for an old sore or wound of this kind; if used as a wash, add Boston rum, or use No. 71 on the sore, and bathe the limb with the hot drops. Many of the big legs we see are caused by injuries in the back or spine, causing dropsy of the limb, that should have been remedied by some of the foregoing liniments. But after being allowed to run until they become chronic, it may sometimes require more active treatment, in order to effect a cure, when nothing short of blistering or the cautery need be resorted to, or the prepared cotton, but fire is fire. No. 80. — Another Heave Ball. Equal parts of quick lime and honey, adding a very little lobelia seed. Work these into a common sized ball, and give one every morning, until relief is found. For want of the lobelia, use more of the powdered ele- campane root. 308 No. 81. — A Liniment for Sprains, Bruises, Ringbones and Spavins. This is a compound that harmonizes well, and is use- ful in many cases, when applied to the human flesh, viz. : to one quart of alcohol, add two ounces of oil of wormwood ; and one ounce each of cedar, hemlock, balsam, amber and origanum oils. There are medicines which remove diseases, only by substituting others, worse even than the first. In using medicines, there- fore, remember to use such only as will assist nature, and not impede her, and destroy the system. No. 82. — For Sweeny. If the horse is to be worked, while under treatment for this disease, the following will be the best mode of procedure to effect a cure : the muscles being contracted, the skin adheres to the bones and muscles, and becomes very tight on the shoulder, or the affected part. Anoint the place once a day, for two or three days in succes- sion, with spirits of turpentine, after which begin to rub it well every day with bear's oil (or for the want thereof use melted lard), and also pull the skin up loose all over the place affected, with a pair of large flat pinchers. This being attended to for some two weeks, and a few applications afterwards of No. 81, will relieve and strengthen the muscles, and the horse is cured of his lameness. No. S3. — Disinfecting Compound. Take dried and pulverized plaster of Paris, mixed with one-fourth 'part of its weight of powdered charcoal. avery's own farrier. 309 This is a cheap and effective disinfecting composition; it removes the noxious emanations from decomposing organic matter, it fixes the ammonia, and forms a valua- ble manure, when removed from the stable, &c. No. 84. — An excellent Liniment. For skin fractures or blotches: take fresh butter and try it until the buttermilk is out of it, then add the same quantity of origanum oil, a little camphor and spirits of hartshorn; mix thoroughly. No. 85. — To clear the Eye from Dirt. Take oil of peppermint, and rub it on freely below the eye; this will steam up into the eye, causing a copious flow of tears, which, together with the motion of the eye, will wash out all loose dirt that may be in the eye effectually. It being so very difficult to work at the horse's eye, owing to its great sensitiveness, that this remedy is often beneficial. No. 86. — Happiness consists in doing Right. Brother farmer, come let us join the light-infantry of Progress, that success may be ours. It may be pleasant to ride over the flower strewn path that lies before us, and partake of the bounties of earth, while the eye feasts on the starry-curtained heavens that hang over us. And if we grow wiser, happier, and more useful to our fellow soldiers, on our journey, then the object for which we enlisted is accomplished. 310 No. 87. — Restoration to Health. When the horse has sunken, sallow-looking, gummed eyes, you may give him a spoonfull of pulverized cop- peras, to advantage, "but it is not best to repeat the dose under a week, if at all, as the poison it contains is too weakening if too often repeated. No. 88.— The Non Plus. The common puff ball is sometimes useful in staunch- ing blood, from a fresh wound, by breaking it up and binding it on the wound. It also has about the same effect on the horse that chloroform does on the human, by drying it, and then letting him inhale the smoke thereof, while it is burning on hot coals; this is used sometimes (in the absence of other articles) for medi- cating the horse. No. 89. — For a General Medicine. As I stated in the commencement of the second part of this work, that there could not be anything very serious about the horse, that did not affect any of the principal outlets of the body, viz: the skin, urine or excrement, because, if any of the internal organs of his complicated structure be deranged, it will soon show itself in some one or all of these, which calls for some artificial stimulant to set them right again; and not unfrequently, it requires a general medicine, that will act in harmony on the whole; and then it is often the case, aside from this, that there is a want of vital energy of the system, when the pulse will be below the common avery's own farriek. 311 standard, which calls loudly for an additional stimulant to the arterial system, which may be found in the use of the following articles: Take one gill of superfine flour of slippery elm bark, and four spoonsfull of Cape or Barbadoes aloes, and the same of saffron blows, with one spoonfull of camphor gum, powdered and mixed, will be sufficient for four to eight doses, which may be given in a quart of warm water sweetened with molasses, as a drench, or worked into balls with the same, and well oiled, and given as often as the case may require. But when the difficulty is most apparent in urinating, leave out the camphor and saffron, and in lieu thereof, add rosin, or balsam of fir; or if this is not the case, and there is a want of vitality, or natural warmth of the body, leave out the rosin and balsam, and in lieu of them add cayenne and gum myrrh, which in any case that requires medicine, may be followed by giving a quart of strong tea, made by steeping the common garden sage, which is admirably adapted to the wants of the horse, as I have before stated. But, if the animal is in extreme pain in any of the urinary organs, and the object is to relieve his suffering, then apply hot fomentation (hops for instance), to the body; if the disease has so far advanced, that there is danger of mortification, apply the hot drops, or pure rock salr and cold water, this, together with the stomach tonics, recommended for derangement of the stomach, and colic, is all that will be necessary for nearly all ordinary cases of disease that the horse is subject to of this kind. 312 avery's own farrier. Assisted by memory, I have picked up the scattered fragments of the mind — and like the skillful mariner, who carefully fills up his log, for the purpose of knowing what degree of latitude and longitude he is sailing in — I have endeavored to map the ground that I have traveled over, so that any one following on my track, will be able to shun the rocks and shoals that have ship- wrecked others. Though I do not pretend but that there are points relative to the horse, that are beyond the horizon of my investigation; yet I think I have said enough to benefit that class of readers to which this little treatise is dedi- cated. • No. 90. — The Farmer's Medicine Chest, Should be situated in some safe and convenient place about his dwelling or stable; and should contain a nice lancet, fleam, horn or bottle; a good syringe that will hold at least a quart; a pair of forceps sufficiently strong to pull teeth or shoe nails, and two scratchers, one straight one, and one crooked or hooked towards the point, for the purpose of cleaning and examining the feet. He should also provide himself with (at the proper seasons for gathering them) such plants, herbs, barks and roots, as he can easily procure from the fields he so often travels over, and are most needed in the treatment of the most common diseases (at least) that frequent his stable; and such other medicines as I have recommended, or he may prefer, in treating all ordinary diseases of the horse. Supposing you have never been taxed, by having sick avery's own farrier. 313 or lame horses, you are not exempt any more than your neighbors, unless it is because you have learned to take better care of them. And then you will please remember the text, that an ounce of preventive, is worth a pound of cure. And I am sure that it is easier paid for, when two pounds of the former can be had at a less cost than one ounce of the latter. No. 91. — Another Recipe for Condition Powders. To raise and animate the drooping spirits of a very sick horse, perhaps there is nothing better in the world, than the remedy given under the caption of Renewal of Life. And to strengthen the digestive organs, and re- store good health and prime condition, after any kind of fever, inflammation, &c, the following is a good remedy: Take equal parts of ground mustard, grated liquorice root, and the filings of deer's horns; these should be all newly powdered, and then add to one part of each, two parts of the flour of the elm bark; if there is a cough, add elecampane root (a small part), which may be scented with anise, &c. Give a tablespoonfull every morning, for four or five days — except in urgent cases, give twice a day — in a mash of bran or soaked oats; if the animal refuses to eat it prepared in this way, fix a new dose, and give it in a pint of water, with a horn or bottle. No. 92. — A Simple Digestive, Or restorative, merely to assist digestion and cleanse the stomach, as many other diseases proceed from this cause alone, give the horse a tablespoonfull of powdered charcoal, and a teaspoonfull of peppermint essence in a 27 314 avery's own farrier. pint of water. Good nursing in all cases of disease, is very essential. We often see horses grow up with their limbs dispro- portionately large, or small, for their bodies; and it is not unfrequently the case that this is caused, measurably, by the quality of food he subsists on. I have often seen this kind of horse much improved, by changing the quality of food, which is sometimes brought about by changing owners, &c. That is, when their limbs have been too light and slender, they would gradually grow larger and firmer. And when the limbs have appeared too large, the body would grow, so as to be more pro- portionate to the limbs; and all this brought about by judicious feeding and exercise. The buckwheat, not- withstanding its cooling and cleansing effects on the system (for the purposes I have recommended it on ac- count of its medicinal properties), also contains more phosphate of lime (which increases the growth of bone), as well as more fatty matter than many other kinds of grain. » ,* No. 93.— Frogs' Oil. To relax the muscles, &c, take two or three quarts of sweet cream, set it boiling in a kettle; then put in one dozen of large live frogs, and let it boil until there is nothing left of the frogs, except bones, then strain, and try down to an oil. An excellent remedy for string halt and sprung knees, apply as before directed ; some- times a little cedar oil may be added advantageously, for tetanus. 315 No. 94. — A Good Domestic Liniment. To one pint of good alcohol add one and a half ounce of origanum oil; one ounce of camphor gum, and half an ounce of laudanum. No. 95. — A Good Horse Liniment. One pint of alcohol, one pint of spirits turpentine, two ounces of camphor gum, one and a half ounce of origanum oil, one and a half ounce of oil of amber, one ounce of wormwood oil, two ounces of Barbadoes tar, and three ounces of Castile soap; good for cuts, burns, bruises, sprains and neuralgia. No. 96. — Cause and Effect. As sure as effect follows cause, just so sure there is a cause for effect; and this is applicable in disease as well as in anything else. I have no doubt, even in this sec- tion of country, that many of the ills that the horse is subjected to may be attributed to improper feeding, and that as many horses suffer from this cause, as from want of feeding. I know many farmers and others that are in the habit, as soon as their oats are harvested, to begin feeding their work horses with oats in the bundle, until winter, or until they have time to do their threshing; and others, while feeding a good portion of grain, make up the remaining part of their food with straw. As a gene- ral rule, this last does very well, and especially where cut feed is not used at all, and more particularly after their horses are old enough to be put into work, say five or six years old. Although this mode of feeding has had its dis- astrous effects with the horse, the present season. Owing 316 to the late and wet spring of 1858, and the frequent show- ers and hot sun that intervened, the oat crop was sown late, consequently but a light crop was obtained, the straw of which was almost invariably struck more or less with the rust. This rust, or ergot, contains poison, and by constantly feeding the straw, its effects are like a slow poison, taking in more of it with their food than can work itself out through the pores of the skin. It is an ergot of the oat, the same as that of rye, or the grasses which causes hoof ail among cattle. I have known quite a number of horses suffering from this cause, and had several under my immediate observation and care the past winter (1859). Symptoms: Refuses to eat, drinks daintily, having languid feeling with cold ears and feet; pulse slow and weak; much inclined to lie down, rising, pawing, and looking around to the sides occasionally, but only when the paroxysms come on, caused by the contraction, or spasms of the muscular coatings of the stomach and intestines, flanks tucked up, &c. Cure : First remove the cause by a change of food, and the effect ceases; nature will again rally without a foe. Secondly, a little mint water and powdered ginger, will be very beneficial in restoring tone and action to the system. No. 97. — The Study of Nature. I am not an Agassiz, nor a Humboldt; but I fully con- cur with the former in the sentiment that the study of the phenomena of nature is among the most potent means of developing the human faculties. As an evidence of this look at the latter, who is the very embodiment of the most extensive human knowledge in our days; "and avery's own farrier. 317 who has acquired this position, and who has become an object of reverence throughout the world, merely by his devotion to the study of nature." I am well aware that it is easier to give advice than it is to take it. For this reason books often become a dry study; therefore he that wishes to profit by the study of nature, should go out into the fields and forests, and draw its objects around him by the most scrutinizing observation. There he will learn what he can not draw from any other source, and what he can not buy, and feel what he can not write.* For instance, if we want to be animated by the charms of music, we must not only study the rules which help cultivate the memory, but we must take an instrument and learn to play it. If we would be interested in the study of plants, let us go to the plants themselves. If we would study mineralogy, Jet us take specimens, stones, minerals and crystals. Or if we would study natural history, then let us have the animals before us. Then books will have a meaning, they will no longer be a dry study, but grow more interesting and useful as we peruse them. Man can not change the principles of nature, but he must learn to take the phenomena of nature as thev are, which should teach him humility and truth; for what- * The world's great humorist and naturalist, Dan Rice, who has (he says) tamed and educated a variety of animals, from the Rhino- ceros down to the Goose, says the Naturalist can not write j he knows things are thus and so, but the whys and wherefores he can not tell if he would. 318 ever he finds in nature is true; therefore be should bow to what is, and what he can not (with all his pride and wisdom) change. And while learning this he will ac- quire a knowledge of things as they are, a power which can neither be checked nor lessened, and which will enable him to see the relation he bears, and his duty towards the animal creation, which will improve the mind in proportion as his opportunities for observation, and willingness to serve his master, increases. He will also learn to see the similitude that exists in all quadrupeds, and that they are all constructed on the same great plan; that the Great Architect knew how to apply the same means to purposes as different as walk- ing, flying, and swimming. No. 98. — The Tourniquet. The Doctor had a splendid horse, but he had one bad habit, that of being very ugly to shoe; he kicked so when they attempted to nail the hind shoes on that the smiths were all afraid of him; they cast him several times for this purpose. I found by buckling a strap around each hind leg above the hock so as to com- press the ham-string sufficiently, there was no difficulty in drawing, driving and clinching the nails without be- ing kicked out of the barn, a thing that several horse- men had failed to accomplish. The Doctor must take his tourniquet along with him the next time he wants his favorite shod. 319 No. 99. — Cure for a Despairing Mind. Take one drachm of each, faith, hope and charity; sweetened with one ounce of that love that worketh no ill lo its neighbor; the whole to be taken (morning and evening) in a glassfull of truth, until the patient is con- valescent. 320 avery's own farrier. HINTS TO PURCHASERS. Rum, Brandy, Gin and Whiskey, are more or less all adulterated articles at the present day, and the less we have to do with them (as a general thing) the better. Our Teas, Sugars and Tobacco, with many other articles of a like nature, come under the same category; and it is better to buy a pure article when we can, even though the first cost may be more; it will be cheaper for us in end, if, by so doing, we preserve our health. Cotton is fast taking the place of wool and silk, in many of the fabrics intended for our use; consequently it becomes necessary for us to make ourselves acquainted with the different modes of manufacturing those articles, that we may be able to detect the imposition, and see that we get what we pay for. We need say nothing about jewelry, and those articles that our pride and extravagance have called into use. The horse, too, notwithstanding the great space he fills among the many wants of man, is a very deceivable kind of property. Even our best judges are sometimes liable to be deceived on some points, when they purchase a horse. They are obliged to content them- selves with guessing at them, or rely on the honor of the salesman; and then there are certain requisites among the excellencies of those useful creatures, that are indispens- able for a good horse to have. My views of which can be found in the chapter of breeding, and when rightly studied will defy all Yankeedom to deceive us. Some men are so perfectly ignorant to their true in- terest and happiness, that it would seem as though no avery's own farrier. 321 recuperative treatment was sufficient to make them re- frain from this common error, in using a little deception in the sale of their animals; but' they should remember that for every dollar gained in this way (to the pocket), there are ten lost to the reputation, and nine times out of ten where this course is pursued, for any considerable length of time, it brings both to bankruptcy, or the proprietor is lost to true happiness. And then some are quite apt to deceive themselves by not exercising their better judgment, or relying to much on what they may have heard some one say, or having formed too favorable an opinion before hand, for all these things have a powerful influence on the minds and judgment of most men at such times, in fact so much that they can not tell afterwards whether the questions they asked were answered, or some they did not ask; for if they see one or two points in a horse that pleases them, it becomes an easy task for the jockey to divert their at- tention from all the rest, however bad they may be. Therefore, to become a successful purchaser, we must learn something of human nature, as well as that of the horse. In the first place, if you wish to purchase a horse, you should be calm and deliberate, considering well the use you are to make of the animal you are about to buy, and then select one that is well adapted to your purpose, remembering that the size, shape and motion of the ear, with the expression of the eye, is an index to the dis- position and temper within, as much as the legs (which should be free from all blemishes whatever), and the 322 general symmetry of the body, are of his muscular power. The feet should be carefully examined; choose a round and smooth hoof, not foo soft nor too hard, the bottom of which should be curving, as a flat foot, with a spongy heel and frog, is very objectionable. As to the soundness of the lungs and other parts of the body, you have three chances, viz: to trust to your own knowledge and good judgment, or rely on the honor of the salesman in this respect, or carefully study the horse and this book, which I leave as a boon, that I sincerely hope you will be able to profit by. My boat has reached the shore, My mark you now can see. And yet, I wish still more To aid myself and thee. avery's own farrier. 323 CLOSING REMARKS. Life is before us; let us use it as children of one far superior to any and all of us, whose all-seing eye ever rests upon us, and to whom we should return thanks for everything we enjoy, as all this is a gift from Him. I have already gone beyond the space I intended to occupy when I commenced this work, but any one can readily perceive my limited position, and will excuse me for going over so much ground, when they consider that a whole volume would be necessary to describe the eye or foot alone of the horse, in all its parts. Thinking that a description of all the various diseases that the horse is liable to, together with the remedies suitable for their cure, would be more useful and satis- factory to the public (which I have endeavored to do as well as my feeble pen could describe my ideas), than to undertake to give an anatomical description of his com- plicated structure, which could be of no earthly use to any one unless he had a practical knowledge of the other. It is our business to take care of the horse, which differs a little here from the engine, that we both manu- facture and keep in repair afterwards. If one-half of the time and expense that has been laid out in analyzing minerals, and manufacturing theories, had been laid out in studying into the nature of disease, and their proper treatment by simple vegetable medicine, we should have been far better off (to-day) than we now are, I think. And whenever I am conscious that this little book has been the means of saving one poor man's horse, I shall 324 feel amply rewarded for the time and trouble it has cost me to throw my thoughts on these pages. And yet I know that if it should be appreciated, and generally adopted in veterinary practice, that it will be the means of saving thousands that might otherwise go to the bats every year. And when they show that I have not as clear a head, and as honest a heart as other men, on the true principle of governing a horse in health, and when diseased, it is hoped that they will prove this by giving to the world something better than I have done. I can not help protesting against the old method of giving advice to the effect that when a horse was or had been diseased, to trade him off, or sell him as .quick as possible. My advice to the owners of such animals would be to first cure them of any and all diseases that they may have, which can be done, and then do as they please about parting with them. Or, if they sell them, sell them for what they are worth, as they are, hiding nothing. I was astonished to-day on taking up the New York Tribune (February 20th, 1858), to see that the editor of that valuable paper should, after giving his patrons some wholesome advice as to the treatment of several diseases of the horse, wind up the thread of his discourse by fol- lowing this old method of advice in these words: "And now, one word to the owner of a horse that has had one bad attack of inflammation, either of the lungs or of the bowels — get rid of him as soon as possible." Now what one man would gain by following such advice as that, another must certainly lose, and, be- 325 sides this, look at the amount of litigation it has cost (if not perjury) in the world. Therefore, I say, when a man has a diseased horse, he should set himself to work studying into the nature of the disease, and apply those harmless remedies that nature has provided for all, until he effects a cure, or place him in the hands of a compe- tent person for this purpose, but not trade him off as sound because he does not know how to make him such. In human life there is a constant change of fortune, and it would be unreasonable to expect exemption from the common fate of mankind. Life itself decays, and all things are daily changing, yet I hope and trust that you will endeavor with me to use the things of this world so as not to abuse them. Do right and fear not, is the motto, for fear and ignorance are the parents of cruelty. Well, as I happen to live in the days of fast men and fast horses, I must pen a few more lines and then I am done. The time has been when any improvement in horses, was by many almost despaired of; and even rail roads, as well as the maich of other improvements, if not impeded, have been objected to and opposed on the ground that horses would be thrown out of employ; that there would be no market for them, consequently the farmer could not get pay for raising them, but the result has proved the reverse of this. The fact in this case is, the horse is an adjunct of civili- zation, and can never be dispensed with. The further- ance of other improvements, only serve to his advance- ment, and to increase his demand, for the supply of good 28 326 horses was never yet equal to the demand. And every one knows that the ability of a horse is the measure of his worth, for a horse that will go a mile in three minutes, is worth more to the physician or business man than one that only goes a mile in ten minutes. And we all like to see smart men and smart horses, for the facul- ties of both were given them for use. And we like to see the horse brought into the fullest exercise by judicious breeding and training, which tests the capability of matter. A greater interest needs to be awakened in the public mind, by diffusing useful knowledge in the way to improve these animals, to have this desideratum accomplished, and which is measurably being done by the encouragement given by our legislatures, the organ- ization of our national fairs, &c. There is as much philanthropy in making animal matter subservient to mind, as there is in improving and cultivating the mind itself, as the one helps to accomplish the other. And it always affords pleasure, to see a fast horse and a handsome gait, and one that never refuses to pull, and can back as much as he can draw. The best of horses are none too good, for the best of men — neither are perfect yet. There is a right and a wrong principle existing which is manifest to every one, and men are influenced more or less by the one or the other; but that the one of doing wrong is necessarily exercised in trading or dealing in horses, any more than in any other commodity, I deny. And that anything which I have said in the foregoing pages, should have a tendency to sap the virtues, or avery's own farrier. 327 encourage a spirit of evil-doing in any one, is far from the motive of your friend and would-be benefactor. Let truth ever be the pole star to guide us to the temple of fame, which will enable us to behold the wisdom and goodness of God as it shines through his love, as we see his bow through the rain drop. 328 ADVERTISEMENT. Aristotle the great and ancient philosopher could des~ cribe (in his way and time) the use of each genital organ in the reproductive instinct, while there w T ere other things he frankly acknowledged he knew T nothing of. Dr. Franklin had not then invited the lightning from the clouds to prove that his theory was correct; nor had a Fulton lived to see his powerful agent (steam) harnessed for man to drive around the world. Could they be brought back, with what wonder and astonish- ment would they view the improvements of the nine- teenth century, and which are, in great part, the result of their discoveries. After making various experiments, through years of study, I make a Pill to give the horse, that is of great importance to showmen, sportsmen, and all friends of choice horses, which I call the Quaint. The modus operandi of this Pill is, first, to invigorate the internal organs, causing the animal to appear more spirited, and increase his speed to such an extent as to satisfy the salesman of its utility. Secondly, while it does this, it contains properties that act as a preventive against inflammation or stiffness of any kind that might otherwise be caused by the extra speed it creates, and which can not fail to be appreciated by the sportsman, either in health or disease. Motion of the animal body can not be effected without the expenditure of force. The voluntary movement of an organ creats a want of moving power, by exhausting 329 the conditions upon which motion is dependent. Hence this want amounts to the same thing as an actual demand on the fountain of life; the supply of this demand is a continual stimulus to the vital forces. Electricity, too (strange as it may appear to some), enters into every part of animal life, or, in one sense, is life itself, as it is this that gives life to all animated beings. And if may appear stranger still, when I assert that life can be pro- duced by Art, which is in perfect harmony with the laws of Nature. Not that I would take the work of Deity in my own hands; but it is now being understood that life from embryo is developed by electric action — by an analagous process. And by charging the system to a certain degree with electricity, or adding to life for the time being by strengthening and invigorating the vital forces, we increase the speed and velocity of the animal. Some physiologists have given it as their opinion, that the spleen of the human body serves as a reservoir for the superabundance of blood in the system, to be dis- tributed again to such parts which, from some cause, are suffering from a deficiency of that circulating fluid; or, in other words, to preserve the equilibrium should it be- come deranged. As with the spleen, so are there substances in nature surcharged with electric fluid. When the bodies, of which thtse substances are mere appendages, have at- tracted a larger amount of electricity than is necessary for their growth and health, these appendages receive this excess, to be returned again when the requirements of the bodies need it. These facts, together with many others of a con- 330 vincing nature, have led me to analyze and experiment, until at length I discovered, under many phases of dis- couragement, a medicine, combining many peculiar pro- perties of a subtle and mysterious character. Its effects are so striking, I might add, startling, that I have been induced to lay it before those who look upon the horse as an animal worthy the esteem and friendship of man. To such I offer it, and not to those who consider him a drudge, a fit subject for kicks and blows, and who even deny him a sufficiency of daily food as a compensation for the hard labor he performs. It is generally known that racers fitted for the course, are subjected to a rigid course of diet, calculated to pro- mote strength and elasticity of muscle. Arterial stimu- lants are also employed from time to time, but more especially so when the speed and endurance of the horse are being put to the test. Thus far, these stimulants alone have been employed by sportsmen. The recipe mentioned below contains several articles which, when combined, exert a general electrical in- fluence, not only over the circulation, but also over the nerves and muscles. The horse, under the harmless but reviving effect of this medicine, will astonish those who know his capabilities, by his marvelous feats of fleetness and endurance. Unlike alcoholic stimulants, whose in- fluence is ephemeral, it supplies a natural demand, and is as necessary to the full development of the animal spirits, as food is to the sustenance of the body. This medicine is not calculated for general use; for this reason I did not place it in the body of this work. avery's own farrier. 331 But all who have an interest in good horses, and wish to show them up to their utmost capabilities, and wit- ness a continuance of action without fatigue seldom met with, can, for their own use, avail themselves of the benefit of this discovery (which alone will be satisfac- tory evidence of its properties), by remitting Ten Dollars current money to the subscriber, on the receipt of which he will transmit, by return mail, the recipe, with full directions, &c, &c. Hear the horse; Give me a ball of Avery's Quaint, And on the course I'll never faint, The lungs and muscles all tuned right, I'll trot or run, with great delight. JAMES AVERY, Salisbury Centre, Herkimer County, N. Y. INDEX. Page. A cold, 45 A curb or corb, 118 A tribute to the horse, 126 A good horse, 189 A good liniment, 246 A salve, 240 Anthelmintics, 242 Astringents, 244 A drench to increase the appetite, &c, . . , 246 Alterative powder, 247 Astringent drench, 248 Anodyne ball, 248 A mercurial blister, - . 252 Antidotes for poison, 238 A mash, 253 Adhesive, or sticking plaster, 254 Brief history, and anecdotes of the horse, 31 Bots and worms, 56 Breach, 156 Blinders or blinkers 232 Burns, 63 Blind staggers, or apoplexy, 70 Black tongue, 72 Bilious, or inflamatory colic, 99 Blood spavin, 109 334 INDEX. * ♦ Page. Bone spavin, • 113 Bitting the horse, 210 Bleeding, 91 Blistering ointment, 252 Breeding, 167 Catarrh, asthma and cough, 47 Cribbing, 80 Choking, 80 Criterion of age, &c, 143 Castration of colts, 158 Comparisons, 191 Condition powders, how made, .... , 239 Composition powders for colds, 247 Cordial, or invigorating ball, 248 Cheap liniment for hoofs, * . . 249 Closing remarks, 323 Cheap and reliable astringent drench, 249 Cure for mallenders and sallenders (gout), 250 Clyster for gripes, , ' 252 diseases and injuries of the eye, 82 Derangement of the stomach and bowels, , 97 Diseases of the skin, 104 Docking, pricking and nicking, 161 Dropsy, 108 Disinfectants, deodizers and fertilizers, 132 Deafness, 150 Distempers contracted by marketing, . . . e 184 Death, beginning at the lungs, * 237 Death, beginning at the brain, 238 Death, beginning at the heart, 238 Death, by the effect upon the system generally 238 Diuretics, , 241 Diaphoretics, «... 241 Demulcents, 242 Diarrhea, dysentery, or scouring, 102 Driving, . * 266 Dog'soil, 245 INDEX. 335 Explanation, ; 1 Expectorants, • • « . 241 Erhines, 244 Egg shells, 245 Embrocation for strains, &c, 250 Elder, its use, 253 Founder, , 54 Feeding and medicating, 274 For weakness across the loins, and urinary difficulties, 75 For sprains, bites, and swellings on the legs, 68 Fever, 94 For stopping joint lee, 117 Fistula on the withers, 154 Fever ball and powder, 248 Firing and blistering, . 251 Glanders and farcy cured, . w . 134 General remarks on disease, with recipes, &c, 271 How to improve the condition of the horse, 42 Heaves, - • • 51 Harnessing, • • • • 230 Horse distemper, 71 Hints to purchasers, 320 Heave powder, 240 Hot drops, 246 Hoof liquid, 249,252 Introductory remarks, ^5 Lung fever, 54 Liniment for bruises, sprains, and ulcers, • • • • • 60 Loss of appetite, • °9 Lameness in the stifle joint, 117 Liquid opodeldoc, Lithontriptics, 243 Lotion for strains and tumors, 250 Laxative clyster, 252 2^0 Mange ointment, Mild liquid or sweating blister, . 252 Mode of giving balls and drinks, 254 336 INDEX. Page. Nutricious clyster, , 252 Nicking, 163 On training and educating the horse, » 194 On the subjugation of the horse without medicating, 218 Opodeldoc, 249 Oil of spike, 249 Pharmacopcea, or second part, 234 Poll evil, 152 Poisons, 238 Physic Ball for horses, 247 Pricking, 161 Ringbone, , 116 Recipes, &c, 280 Refrigerents, 242 Rowels, &c.,. 255 Riding, , 254 Remarks on gathering and preserving vegetables for medicine, . 279 Slobbering, 60 Scratches, 61 Swellings and inflammation, 62 Stiff joints and callouses, 63 Sumach, , . . 249 Sweeny, 81 Spasmodic colic, 100 Strangles, 122 Sprung knees, and string halt, 124 Star or blaze, 125 Swelled legs, 127 Stable management, 128 Scalded or galled breast, 151 Surgery, 156 Strong liquid blister, 252 Shoeing, 67 The feet, 64 Treatment of cords and muscles, 155 To destroy lice on colts, 70 The abuse of the horse, with blankets, 74 INDEX. 337 Page. To prevent flies from teasing horses, 75 The horse is of great utility to man. 3-5 To cure warts on horses, , 75 The red colic, ' . . . 101 The lampass, 88 To learn a horse to lie down, 211 The pulse, inflammation, and bleeding, 89, 91 To spot a white or red horse, with black spots, 126 Tetanus, or lock jaw, 152 Time table, running, trotting, and pacing, 181 The stallion, 179 To take off wind galls, , 68 Tonics, . 244 Tobacco, 240 Temporary lifting. 248 •The dead shot, 252 Volatile oils, 235 Wounds and old sores, 63 Treatment of wounds, 120 Wind colic, 98 Wall whoop, » 282 Yellow water, and Jaundice, 149 The following names of plants, and their use in medicine, to- gether with some valuable receipts both for man and horse ; will be found by the following numbers under the head of Wah Whoop: No. 1 . White oak bark and buds 283 2. Snake root, • • » • 283' 3. Indian wormwood, * 283 4. Pepper root, 284 5. Larger Golden thread, . 2S4 6 Horsetail, 2S4 7. Gravel weed, 2S4 8. Hemp, 285 9. Artichokes, 285 10. May weed, 285 29 338 INDEX. Page. 11. Saffron, ,. 2S5 12. Red roses 286 13. Vervine, 2S6 14. Witch hazel, 286 15. Crow foot or Butter cup, 286 16. Summer savory, , 287 17. Currants, 287 18. Sweet fern, 287 ] 9. Plantain, 287 20. Strawberry leaves, 287 21. High Deer weed, 288 22. Eyebright, 288 23. Dog acna, 288 24. Running hemlock, , .-. 289 25. For the bite of a dog, or pricking of a thorn, 289 26. To take a film from the eye, 290 27. For a cough and phthisic, 280 28. For the heart disease, 290 29. For a burn, 290 30. To cure vegetable poison, 290 31. Strengthening plasters, 291 32. For dropsy, 291 33. For weakness, or general debility of the whole system, 291 34. For a cough, 292 35. Cure for the asthma, 292 36. For the same or heaves, 292 37. For a sore throat, 293 38. For stoppage of urine, urinary balls, 293 39. To cure canker in the mouth, 294 40. A plaster to eage the pain of swelling or felon, 294 41. A good salve for bruises, &c, 294 42. To stop blood from a fresh wound, 295 43. To make Casler's linimont, 295 44. To make Guiwitt 1 s liniment, 295 45. Cure for corns, 295 46. Avery's eye wash, 296 47. Stafford's cordial for a weak stomach, &c, 296 INDEX. 339 Page. 48. To make Turner's liniment for breach, 296 49. To make good advice acceptable and useful, 29G 50. For a very weak stomach of long standing, 296 51 . For the dropsy, S 97 52. For a spavin, 297 53. For the rheumatism, 297 54. For thrush and corns in founded feet, &c, 298 55. In order to ascertain the true state of the pulse, 298 56. Renewal of life, 298 57. Lightning liniment, 300 58. Mullen oil, or tinctnre, 300 59. For colt distemper, or strangles, 30 L 60. Composition for ringbone, or spavin, 301 61 . For rheumatic affections &c, 302 62. For bloat in horses or cattle, : 30 2 63. For founder, stiffness, &c, 302 64. A poultice, 303 65. Elecampane, 303 66. To learn a horse to pace, 303 67. Where strong erhines are wanted, 303 68. Wonderful but true, , S04 69. A salve, 304 70. Ox marrow, , 304 71. To cleanse and heal an old sore, &c, fever sore, 304 72. To clean the horse, 305 73. Caution, 305 74. Adhesive or sticking plaster, . * 305 75. Liniment, celebrated, 306 76. A new discovery for a burn, 306 77. To break a horse of kicking, 306 78. Cutting teeth, 307 79. For milk leg sores, 307 50. Another heave ball, , 307 51. A liniment for sprains, bruises, ringboues, spavins anl any lameness, 308 82. A receipt to cure sweeny, 308 83. Disinfecting compound, 308 340 INDEX. Page. 84. An excellent liniment for skin fracfures and blotches, . . 309 85. To clear the eye from dirt, 309 86. Happiness consist in doing right, 309 87. Restoration to health, 310 88. The Non plus, 3L0 89. For a geneial medicine, 310 311 90 . The farmer's medicine chest, 312 91. Another receipt for condition powders, 3X3 92. A restorative or a simple digestive, 313 93. Frog's oil to relax the muscles, #c, 314 94. A good domestic liniment, 315 95. A good horse liniment, 315 96. Cause and effects, 315 97. The study of nature, 316 317 98. The tourniquet. 318 99. Cure for a despairing mind, 319 ERRATA. Pago 62. Swelling and inflammation. This is caused by talcing cold after cas- tration ; should read, That is caused, &c. Page 64, In recipe, should read, dissolve two drachms of sal ammoniac in water. (For it is soluble only in water ) Page 115. The remedy, tartar emetic, is leit out. Should be put on the plaster for bone spavin. Page 126, The word smart, should read asmart, or smart weed. 20 Aug 1860