JOHNA.SEAVERNS 
 
¥ifebster Family Library of Veterrnary Medicine 
 
 Cummings School of • terinary Medicine at 
 
 Tufts Ufji versify 
 
 200 Westboro Road 
 
 North Grafton, MA 01535 
 
THE 
 
 NEW SYSTEM 
 
 OF 
 
 EDUCATING HORSES 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 IN-STRTJCTIONB ON FEEDING, 
 
 WATERING, STABLING, SHOEING, ETC. 
 
 WITH 
 
 niACTlCAL TREATMENT FOR DISEASES. 
 I LLU STRATED. 
 
 INCLUDING A 
 
 LARGE NUMBER OF VALUABLE RECIPES 
 
 NOT I5EF0RK PUBLISHED. 
 
 BY D. MAGNER, 
 
 Author of the New System. 
 ELEVENTH EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED. 
 
 WITH AN APPENDIX. 
 
 ROUSES POINT, N. Y.: 
 
 LOVELL PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO., Printers. 
 
 1876. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1871, 
 
 By D. MAGNER, 
 
 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 jKI* Inquiries for this book, or concerning other business, addressed to Prof 
 D. Magner, BufFalo, N. Y., will receive prompt attention. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 Since publishing my first book in 1864, comprising only 64 pages, I 
 have made many important improvements, until it is now conceded that 
 my system of Educating Horses, is the simplest and most practical in 
 the world. To harmonize with my work, I have found it necessary to 
 repeatedly revise and enlarge it, making it comprise many times the 
 ; mount of matter contained in the first. 
 
 My principles of subduing vicious horses constitute an entirely new 
 feature of my success, wholly superseding the throwing-down prmcipie, 
 found to be so valuable by myself and others. 
 
 Included also will be found the most reliable and practical treatment 
 for the care and cure of sick and lame horses, &c. I have expended 
 over ^5,000 in the study of Veterinary Practice alone. 
 
 My unquestioned experience and success, in addition to the value of 
 my equipments, comprising the most beautiful and valuable troupe of 
 Educated Horses in the world, is a guarantee of qualification and res- 
 ponsibility that entitles me to a confidence that cannot be accorded to 
 those who, without reputation or experience, may engage in the busi 
 ness from motives of policy. 
 
 I introduce simple common sense principles that make the successful 
 control of even the wildest and most vicious horses, not only possible, 
 but easy for any one of ordinary strength and intelligence to do, which 
 are as humane as they are effective and valuable. 
 
 D. MAGNER. 
 
PROF. MAGNER'S EDUCATED HORSES. 
 
 The portraits of my horses and ponies, on the opposite 
 page, all stallions, which was cut from a painting of them, 
 made from life, by one of the most eminent artists in the 
 country, and is a perfect representation of them, will give a 
 better idea of their beauty and value than any worded des- 
 cription I could give. They are conceded by all who have 
 witnessed their performances, to be the finest, most beauti- 
 ful, best educated, and most valuable troupe of horses ever 
 owned, for the purpose of giving free exhibitions by which 
 to amuse and interest horse men and others in my efforts ; 
 and never before, perhaps, was there so fine and valuable 
 an equipment used in illustrating and teaching the science 
 of educating horses. 
 
 These horses are not only of the most varied character, 
 but their performances are unquestionably the most exci- 
 ting and interesting ever exhibited in this country, showing 
 all the peculiarities of driving without reins or bits, and 
 show a sagacity and intelligence in the ring that is conceded 
 to be most wonderful. 
 
 TuRCO, the farthest on the right, is a black stallion of 
 Duroc-Morgan blood. He is nearly fourteen years old, of 
 beautiful form. He was, when a colt, remarkably vicious; 
 at four years old, having resisted all efforts to break him, he 
 was purchased by me of Esq. Cole, of Smithville, Jeffer- 
 son county, N. Y., in June, 1861. He was trained by me 
 in Smithville, and among the most interesting features of 
 his training was that of driving to carriage without bridle 
 or reins. The performances of this horse excited the great- 
 est attention in all the principal towns and cities of the 
 north and east. I trained several horses to drive with him, 
 and he has been driven and exhibited, double and single, 
 by me, through the principal towns of twenty-three states. 
 
PROF. MAGNER*S EDUCATED HORSES. 
 
 This ceasing to be. a novelty, by the number of horses 
 soon after so trained by others, who assuming the most ex- 
 travagant pretensions, made it no better than a burlesque, I 
 superseded it with other and more interesting features ol 
 performance under canvas, as now exhibited by me daily. 
 
 This fine horse has shown some peculiar features of saga- 
 city. He will not allow a stranger to loaf around him, will 
 allow any one to approach, feed, water and clean him, but 
 curiosity seekers who may show any timidity in going near 
 him, are soon reminded that he is not to be trifled with, 
 but is perfectly docile. 
 
 GUI' :P ODE«.I>, 
 
 GiFFORD, the black horse on the near side, is of Mor 
 gan blood, ten years old, and is one of the most beautifully 
 modeled, as well as one of the finest performing horses in 
 the country. Have owned and exhibited him for nearly 
 five years, both north and south. Among his most remark- 
 able feats is that of acting vicious or gentle at will. He 
 will play sick in the most natural and wonderful manner, 
 even groaning from apparent intense pain. 
 
 :^XjX3Vi:> ^xxjXj-s*. 
 
 Next on the off side, to the left, is represented Blind 
 Billy, which is acknowledged by all witnessing his per- 
 formances, to be not only the finest modeled pony, but the 
 most wonderful performing blind horse in the world. 
 Billy is now nine years old, mahogany bay color, fourteen 
 hands high, and weighs nearly 900 pounds. H^ is as above 
 stated, totally blind, and has been so for four years. He 
 does everything by word of command only, and not the 
 least interesting peculiarity of his performance is the atten- 
 tion with which he waits for and promptly obeys every 
 command. He will run the ring, turning right or left, 
 go lame, walk on his knees, kick on his knees, look for and 
 find a handkerchief, jump clear of the ground and kick, 
 walk on his hind feet around the ring, or turn right and 
 left in circles while standing erect on his hind feet. He 
 will sit down like a dog, turn right or left while sitting on 
 his haunches. All this, and much more, he does in the 
 promptest manner, at the word of command. He is 
 acknowledged not only to excel all other horses, blind or 
 
PROF. MAGNER S EDUCATED HORSES. 
 
 iiot, by the difficulty and variety of his performances, but 
 surpasses as well all horses known, by his wonderful perform- 
 ances of squealing and laughing, at the word of command. 
 The sum of Seven Thousand Dollars has been offered and 
 refused for this beautiful and wonderful animal. He is un- 
 questionably, the rarest, finest, and most valuable perform- 
 ing pony in this country, if not in the world ; and the 
 
 witnessing of his performances the 
 interesting novelties of the day. 
 
 most instructive and 
 
 The best Trick Pony in the Worid. 
 
 The nearest on the left is the Spotted Pony, Tommy. 
 As his appearance shows, he is the smallest and most cun- 
 ning of the group. He is eleven years old, weighs 720 
 pounds, bright bay color with white spots, extending back 
 on each side of his body, and is a perfect model in form. 
 Tommy is the clown of the lot. He is in himself a whole 
 show, and the amusement he excites by his unique per- 
 formances is really side-splitting; it is not so much what he 
 
8 PROF, magner's educated horses. 
 
 does as the way he acts out his performance that so 
 intensely amuses. He is as apparently innocent and gentle 
 as can be; even allowing a child to go under, around, or 
 over him. Should a rider even fall under his feet, he will 
 either carefully step over him or stand still until the rider 
 gets up; yet in an instant by the merest signal, his whole 
 nature seems to be changed to the character of a vicious, 
 dangerous stallion, with ears back, mouth open, eyes flash- 
 ing fire, and every hair on his body on end, he will clear 
 the ring of all intruders. At such a time there are but few 
 of the most courageous who will dare to enter the ring, so 
 apparently dangerous does he appear; yet as quickly at 
 command will he assume his former gentle appearance, and 
 play with any one or go around the ring for presents. The 
 sagacity he exhibits even in this is almost wonderful, for 
 if given no attention he will pass by without apparently 
 noticing a person, going directly to those of the sunniest 
 nature by whom he delights being caressed, always showing 
 preference for well dressed and good looking ladies, for 
 whom he seems to have a great fondness, acknowledging a 
 caress or a present with the politeness of a courtier, by 
 a bow of the head. 
 
 It is, however, in his great contests with riders that he 
 shows the most wonderful sagacity and power, throwing or 
 not a little boy easily and quietly as commanded, but send- 
 ing the smartest and best riders flying at will from his back. 
 It is in his great performance of ^^ throwing the boys'' that 
 he brings down the house with almost insane applause. I 
 have seen at such times the most habitually grave men and 
 women laugh and scream with delight, until the tears 
 coursed down their cheeks, and in many instances of per- 
 sons lying down upon the seats, or rolling upon the 
 ground, yielding in their paroxysm of excitement to the 
 uncontrollable impulses which seized them. When the elo- 
 quent preacher and senator from Ohio, Mr. Garfield, who, 
 with his friends and faculties of the Hiram College, 
 attended one of my exhibitions in that place; so great was 
 his pleasure while witnessing this great performance of 
 Tommy's, that he rolled, clapped his hands, and shouted 
 with delight. 
 
 The following from the Cleveland Leader, in speaking of 
 Tommy's performance during one of my exhibitions in that 
 
PROF. MAGNER S EDUCATED HORSES. 9 
 
 city, will better illustrate the excitement and interest which 
 his performance excites : 
 
 "But the most laughable scene took place when the spot- 
 ted wild horse, Tommy, was introduced. He presented 
 every appearance of a wild steed, and ran restively about 
 with distended nostrils and fiery eye, his mane bristling 
 like the quills of a fretful porcupine, but at the approach of 
 his master he became as tame as a lamb. Every one was 
 invited to try their equestrian skill on Tommy, and all who 
 tried were thrown to the ground, tenderly, but in the 
 twinkling of an eye. Mr. Magner offered $500 to any one 
 who would ride Tommy one minute. Several tried, but 
 
 Tommy, in his famous act of tlirowing the Boys. 
 
 none were rewarded with success. One ambitious gentle- 
 man threw off hat, coat and vest, and said he ' would be 
 d — d if he didn't ride him.' Tommy was too much for 
 him. He was thrown several times, and finally concluded 
 that he had better let Tommy have his own way. ' ' 
 
 Thus it is seen I not only give the most interesting exlii- 
 bitions free under canvas, but being the author of my own 
 work, and handling and controlling the wildest and most 
 vicious horses daily in illustrating my system, and devoting 
 too, my whole attention to this end, that I am inaugurating 
 an era of interest in the study and kind treatment of the 
 horse, which is in the extreme, commendable and valuable. 
 
THE NEW SYSTEM OF EDUCATING HORSES, 
 
 There are so many who claim precedence as authors of 
 the New System, etc., and that, too, in increased propor- 
 tion to the ignorance and inexperience of those engaging 
 in the business as a matter of speculation, that a few words 
 of explanation, in relation to the part I have taken and of 
 my success in this field, becomes necessary as a matter of 
 duty and justice to myself and public. 
 
 I have now been before the public over eleven years, 
 constantly employed in imparting a knowledge of such 
 principles of educating and managing horses as I found 
 to be most simple and practical. I claimed and adver- 
 tised a NEW SYSTEM from the start. In the winter of 
 1863-4 I wrote and published in Utica, N. Y., at the 
 Herald office, an exposition of my treatment called *^The 
 New System," copyrighting the same under that title. 
 
 Sometime afterwards I sold to Mr, A. H. Rockwell, for 
 three hundred dollars, the right to republish this work under 
 his own name, a copy of the contract of sale of which I have 
 still in my possession. 
 
 Mr. R. very unjustly, in the revision of this book, implies 
 having taught me, of having trained the horse Turco I then 
 owned, etc.; when the -fact was, I was over a year on the 
 road before I met or heard of him, I had trained and 
 exhibited this horse nearly two years before he saw him. To 
 Mr. Rockwell undoubtedly belongs the merit of giving pub- 
 lic exhibitions of the feature of driving a horse in the street 
 without reins with a whip. But Mr. Bunnell, of Wellsboro, 
 Tioga county, Pa., emphatically claims that his wife trained 
 this horse to be guided and controlled by motions of a whip, 
 and repeatedly exhibited him at County Fairs before selling 
 him, and before being purchased by Mr. R. This is not, 
 however, any discredit to Mr. Rockwell, being too simple a 
 feature of training to be regarded as much of an achieve- 
 ment; and besides, he has proved himself a gentleman of 
 
NOTICES OF THE PRESS AND PEOPLE. 11 
 
 too much skill and merit to have the admission now of this 
 fact injure his standing or character. 
 
 I also gave a gentleman named R. P. Hamilton, the 
 privilege of republishing one of the earlier editions of my 
 book, which he did under his own name, a copy of which 
 edition I have in my possession. 
 
 [I met and cultivated the acquaintance of Prof. Hamilton in Ohio, 
 in the winter of 1866. Between this gentleman and myself, there had 
 during our acquaintance been maintained the warmest feelings of 
 friendship, contributing to a more than ordinary interest in each other's 
 success and welfare.} 
 
 In March, 1868, I started a resident of Batavia, N. Y., 
 named O. S. Pratt, in the business, selling him two trained 
 horses, one of them a gray trick pony called Billy, and 
 a fancy advertising wagon. At the same time I sold 
 another gray trick pony, named Tommy, to a gentle- 
 man named Graves, a resident of Lockport, N. Y. This 
 pony was afterwards purchased of Mr. Graves by the said 
 Pratt, and are the same he still uses in his business. 
 
 Mr. Pratt, who makes some pretentions to character, I 
 learn, advertises himself as author of the New System, etc. 
 He certainly was not identified as a horse man before the 
 above date, having kept a grocery in Batavia previous to 
 the above time, which he sold for the express purpose of 
 buying his outfit, as stated, and engaged in the business as 
 a mere matter of speculation. 
 
 I am known in the principal portions of twenty-three 
 states, extending from Maine to Mississippi, including New 
 Brunswick. I am the author of my own work, have 
 
 TRAINED AND OWNED, AND DO OWN THE FINEST AND MOST 
 VALUABLE StUD OF HORSES IN AMERICA. 
 
 To illustrate and prove the interest I excited by my suc- 
 cess in this field, years ago, I will insert here a few sam- 
 ples of the many flattering notices I received from the 
 people and press of that period : 
 
 From the Utica Morning Herald, Jan. 23, 1863. 
 
 Horse Training. — In the afternoon Mr. Magner gave a few persons 
 an opportunity to witness his process of training horses, at the barn of 
 Mr. Roberts, near the cemetery, Mr, R.'s stallion, Ethan Allen, which 
 is known as the most vicious horse, in this part of the State, was taken 
 in hand, and in 20 minutes, Mr. M. had him completely under control 
 so that he could handle him precisely where and as he pleased, and 
 manage him without bridle or halter. Among other apparently very 
 
12 NEW SYSTEM OF EDUCATING HORSES. 
 
 hazardous things, he passed beneath the horse between both fore and 
 hind legs. An unbroken colt was also operated with, and was brought 
 under complete subjection in considerably less time than the stallion. 
 A committee of competent judges present, expressed great satisfaction 
 with the result, Mr. Magner has a system of his own, which he con- 
 fidently thinks to be superior to any other known. He guarantees that 
 he will subdue any horse, however vicious, and break them of'all such 
 bad tricks as balkiness, kicking, biting and running away. He is 
 quite a young man, has a good address, and seems to possess much 
 more than ordinary intelligence. We think he is likely to become 
 famous in his profession. Of course we would not be justified in giving 
 the details of his system. 
 
 The above mentioned horse had bit and struck Mr. Roberts six months 
 before, so severely and so desperate was his fury, that it was with the 
 greatest difficulty two men drove him off with rails, but not until Mr. 
 Roberts had an arm lacerated and oroken, and was insensible from his 
 injuries, from which he had not yet recovered. The hoi'se ran loose in 
 a building, being fed and watered through a window, and so vicious 
 that he had not been taken out or handled, nor could his owner or any 
 one go into his room with safety. Indeed I was entreated by the 
 committee comprising Mr. Butterfield, (now Genl. Butterfield or his 
 brother,; Mr. Golden, (Merchant,) Editor of Herald and others, not to 
 go near him — that they would do all they could, to interest the public 
 in my favor, if I would not. But the success above stated, will show 
 with what ease and quickness I made him obedient to my will. He 
 was used and driven afterwards perfectly gentle, by his owner. The 
 Utica Herald, Mr. Roberts, or other gentlemen named, can be referred 
 to, for proof of this statement. 
 
 From the Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Me , Feb., 1864. 
 
 Mr. Magner, the author of this philosophy, and who proves himself 
 to be one of the most expert and scientific horse tamers and trainers in 
 the world, has, during the past week, delighted and astonished the 
 good people of Augusta and vicinity by the admirable and perfectly 
 successful demonstration of his system in subduing and controlling some 
 of the most vicious and ungovernable specimens of the horse fraternity 
 that could be found among us. The manifest and acknowledged im- 
 portance of this art, and the desire of the public to understand and 
 witness the results of its application, induced a crowded attendance of 
 all classes on Mr. Magner's practical illustrations of his theory. All 
 who attended came away fully convinced of, and perfectly satisfied with 
 the correctness of the principles and workings of this new system. Even 
 the meml)ers of the Senate and House of Kepresentaiiv."-, and the mem- 
 bers of the Executive Council took a leisure hour, laid by the affairs ot 
 State, forgot their parliamentary squabbles, and found both amusement 
 and instruction in witnessing the skill and consummate tact with which 
 Mr. Magner handled ihe hitherto incorrigible subjects brought forward 
 to test his new doctrine. Crowds of our most intelligent citizens were 
 also in attendance, and became decidedly and thorougly satisfied that 
 
NOTICES OF THE PRESS AND PEOPLE. 13 
 
 Mr. Magner's system is all that he claims for it, and when applied, will 
 be effectual in bringing the wildest and most stubborn horse into com- 
 plete subjection and docility. A large class of pupils united in order 
 to profit by Mr. Magner's instruction, and learn the best modes of 
 applying his theory to practice, and as a matter of course, the hardest 
 and most vicious horses that could be found in the neighborhood were 
 brought in for him to subdue; all of which were completely tamed and 
 brought into such a state of docility as to astonish those who saw it. 
 So satisfactor}'^ and perfectly successful were his instructions and experi- 
 ments to every one who attended, and so efficient and useful did his 
 principles and modes of procedure prove themselves to be in training 
 and subduing horses, that the officers of the Second Maine Cavalry were 
 influced to invite him to give a course of instruction to those of the 
 regiment who could be spared from duty to attend. In this, too, he 
 was perfectly successful, as in all other instances. The most dangerous 
 of vicious horses are those frisky, nervous, touchy kickers, whose heels 
 are always ready to greet you whenever you approach or attempt to 
 harness them. One of this class was brought forward, of so desperate 
 a character that her owner cautioned Mr. Magner that he would expose 
 himself to danger and probable injury if he was too familiar with her. 
 In a very short time he had her so effectually subdued and conquered 
 that he could do anything he pleased with her — ^jump upon her back, 
 slide off behind her heels, handle her feet, and place himself in any 
 position he pleased around her without her offering the least opposition 
 or showing the least disposition to bite or practice her old tricks. 
 
 It may be thought that the practice of this mode would require great 
 strength and size of body. On the contrary, Mr. Magner is a young 
 man hardly of medium size, and of a very modest demeanor. But he is 
 coQipact of form and muscle, resolute, prompt and decided, though 
 kind and patient in action — requisites more essential in dealing with 
 the many crabbed and cross grained brutes that are often brought for 
 him to tame, than herculean strength or size of limb and body. He 
 was strongly urged to stay longer in the city and repeat his course to 
 another and larger class, but his prior engagements prevented a com- 
 pliance with the request. 
 
 In his tours through the country in the fulfillment of his mis- 
 sion of good to so useful an animal, we commend him to the friendly 
 attention of farmers and horsemen, who will find his principles of great 
 value, in this necessary art. We look upon this mode of horse training 
 as an art wonderful for the sure and infallible results which follows its 
 appliance. 
 
 Maine Farmer, Feb. 24, 1834. 
 
 His practice is guided and aided by common sense applications of 
 most simple mechanical means and new principle of control, as will 
 convince the most stubborn and willful horse that there is a power 
 above him to which he is soon glad to submit. It is all done quietly, 
 no whipping nor thrashing ; no mauling, bawling nor swearing, as has 
 too often heretofore been the custom in such cases. Herein is one of 
 the great and invaluable improvements which Mr. Magner introduces 
 
14 NEW SYSTEM OF EDUCATING HORSES. 
 
 in the art of bringing the horse under complete control of man. We 
 make the remarks for the purpose of calling the attention of our 
 farmers and owners of horses of Maine, to these new improvements of 
 such vital importance to their interests. We have taken pains to give 
 them a personal investigation. You will find Mr. Magner a modest, 
 unassuming young man, and no humbug, and we cordially advise every 
 one who can, to obtain his lectures. 
 
 Portland (Me.) Transcript— 1864. 
 
 Mr. Magner, the Horse Tamer and Trainer, has been in Portland 
 during the past week, and has created a great stir among our horsemen. 
 So great was the interest excited, that Mr. Magtier formed a school, 
 which was largely attended by those interested in such matters, includ- 
 ing many of our best citizens who have fine horses, and seems to have 
 been altogether satisfactory. Such success in so brief a period is quite 
 unusual. His exhibitions have been very interesting and have satisfac- 
 torily demonstrated his ability to bring the most unmanageable horses 
 entirely under his control. An innocent colt, fresh from the country, 
 was introduced, and in a few minutes acted the part of a well trained 
 horse; then came a spirited mare, whose stubbornness was not so readily 
 but no less surely overcome; an old stager, which had for years defied 
 every farrier in the county, but after five minutes training stood quietly 
 as a lamb while his feet were handled and hammered in true black- 
 smith style; a splendid animal, whose principal fault seemed to be 
 unusual fright at the sight of an umbrella, in a very short space of time 
 stood unmoved as one of those articles was placed before him and 
 moved about his body, and when at last it was held above and dropped 
 upon his head, he appeared to regard it with far more of complacency 
 than fear; a puller on the bit was beaten at his own game and yielded 
 handsomely. Whatever the tricks and eccentricities of which the ani- 
 mals brought forward were guilty, they found more than their match in 
 the horse tamer, who did not in a single instance let a horse pass out of 
 his hands till he could truthfully say, "I have you, sir." He was asked 
 to test his skill still further on a vicious mule which was brought in and 
 turned loose in the ring; he was indeed a villainous fellow, and not at 
 all agreeable in his manners, refusing to be bridled or handled, and 
 meeting every one who approached him with an undesirable display of 
 his heels — but in less than fifteen minutes his whole demeanor was 
 changed, and he i-emained perfectly quiet while he was again and again 
 naltered, mounted on all sides, and handled from head to foot, and 
 finally was led out perfectly submissive. The change was wonderful 
 and called forth great applause. — These exhibitions are, as we learn, 
 foreign to Mr. Magner's custom and general purpose, which is, not to 
 exhibit <^eats in horsesmanship, but to make the people practically 
 acquainted with his system, and thereby create increased interest in 
 raising and managing horses. He is soon to start out into the towns 
 of this State, and we hope farmers and horsemen will give him all the 
 f'ttention which his theory and his success merit. 
 
NOTICES OF THE PRESS AND PEOPLE. 15 
 
 Mr. Magner is about thirty years of age, is rather below the ordinary 
 height, has a stout, muscular body, a sprightly piercing eye, and speaks 
 with a clear voice and convincing manner, and in deportment and ap- 
 pearance is altogether a gentleman; and it is only just to say in his 
 behalf, that in Portland, as well as in several towns which he has 
 visited, he has won for himself and his method of managing horses 
 great favor, and many are now carrying out successfuly the instructions 
 which they have received from him. 
 
 Portland ( Me.) Advertiser— 1864. 
 
 Rarey Nowhere. — Mr. Magner, whose equestrian feats have excited 
 the wonder of our citizens, has left the city in order to fulfill numerous 
 engagements in the country. It is yery fortunate for him that this is 
 not an age when men are executed for witchcraft. Had he lived in 
 Salem in 1692, and exhibited, as he has here, his power over refractory 
 horses, he would have been hung, as sure as fate, for a wizard. In- 
 deed, we are not certain that he does not practice some sort of witchery 
 in his management of horses. No one can form an idea of his won- 
 derful power over them until he witnesses proof of it. To see a horse 
 furious, stubborn, defiant, with a very devil in his eye, in a few 
 moments, by some mysterious power, calmed down, rendered docile, 
 patiently submissive, and allowing every liberty to be taken with him — 
 in a word, the evil spirit which had possessed the animal, completely 
 exorcised — you can hardly credit, although the marvelous transforma- 
 tion takes place under your naked eye. A knowledge of Mr. Magner's 
 theory of subduing the horse must be invaluable to all owners of the 
 animal. The horse has been the gentleman's special study. He has 
 made himself acquainted with all his characteristics. He has but to 
 look upon the animal to discover his faults, and straightAvay, by a 
 miracle, as it were, he corrects them. It seems almost too much to 
 believe, and people will not believe it until they see for themselves 
 proof of the gentleman's success. 
 
 I WOULD MOST RESPECTFULLY REMIND, that whatever my 
 success a few years ago, I have since then introduced new 
 principles, and made improvements which enable me to 
 produce results now in the education and reformation of 
 horses, in many instances in a few minutes, which it would 
 have been most difficult, if not wholly impossible for me to 
 have done a year or two ago, the proper application of 
 which will enable results in the reformation of vicious hor- 
 ses, that is even now wonderful and almost beyond belief. 
 I have, during the past summer and fall, taken horses in 
 hand, in Ohio and Michigan, that had resisted all efforts of 
 the best horsemen, who practiced the treatment of all oth- 
 ers who have traveled in the business, as well as that I used 
 
16 NEW SYSTEM OF EDUCATING HORSES. 
 
 years ago, and in every case controlled and drove them 
 easily and safely in less than an hour. I have now a 
 conception of this great and important science, which long 
 experience and careful study only will enable, the value of 
 which I prove by the successful results exhibited, and the 
 high appreciation of my instructions by all giving me 
 attention. 
 
 I have devoted the best part of my life exclusively to the 
 development of this science, besides expending a large 
 amount of money in the study of veterinary practice, under 
 one of the ablest Veterinary Surgeons in America, Dr. 
 Wm. Somerville, of Buffalo, N. Y., whose certificate will be 
 found below ; thus insuring the undisputed reliability of 
 my efforts and of making my work of great practical value 
 for reference. 
 
 From Dr. "Wm. Somerville, Proprietor of the Buffalo, N. Y., 
 Horse Infirmary. 
 
 "This is to certify, that D. Magner, Esq., served un- 
 der me nearly two years, during 1868 and 1869, as an 
 apprentice to learn and be instructed in the Veterinary 
 Profession. I consider him well qualified to treat success- 
 fully all Diseases in Horses, and able to practice as a skill- 
 ful and competent Veterinary Surgeon. 
 
 WM. SOMERVILLE, 
 
 Vet. Surgeon, Member of two Veterinary 
 Colleges, and of 2i^ years practice, 
 Buffalo Horse Infirmary, 
 127 Erie St., Aug. i, 1869." 
 
 No one desires more earnestly than I do, the success 
 and encouragement of any one who may prove, even to a 
 limited degree competent to teach reform in the treatment 
 and care of horses. There is need enough of wholesome 
 practical effort in this direction, and after the prolonged 
 and arduous struggle which I have maintained during the 
 best part of my life, in this trying field of professional enter- 
 prise, I feel more like retiring to the quietness and pleasure 
 of private life than continuing in it longer. Hence I am 
 above any feelings of envy. I have felt compelled, in 
 this edition of my book, to make these explanations, but 
 
NOTICES OF THE PRESS AND PEOPLE, 17 
 
 more for the satisfaction of those who have and may give 
 me attention, than for the gratification of my feeliigs. 
 
 The few following notices from a large number of a 
 recent date, will show the appreciation of my system of 
 treatment by the most critical horsemen in the country. 
 From people too, who have given attention to all those who 
 have traveled in the business, from Mr. Rarey, down to 
 the present time, showing the great appreciation of my ef- 
 forts over that of all others, proving that my principles 
 of treatment are most effective and practical yet brought 
 into use. 
 
 From the Michigan Horse Breeders' Association of Jackson, 
 Mich., May 6, 1871. 
 
 We, the undersigned officers and members of the Michigan Horse 
 Breeders' Association, and citizens of Jackson, have attended Prof. 
 Magner's lectures on the education of horses while in this city, and 
 endorse him to the people of the State as a reformer of great merit. 
 
 His treatment reduces the education of horses to a definite and fixed 
 science, ensuring not only the most humane, but the most wonderful 
 results in the control of wild and vicious horses. We have witnessed 
 the effect of his treatment in the control of a large number of vicious 
 horses, and have no hesitation in saying his system is the best in the 
 world. 
 
 S. S. VAUGHN, President. 
 
 J. A. ROBINSON, Secretary. 
 
 GEO. SHERWOOD, Treasurer. 
 
 DAN. B. HIBBERD, 
 
 C. C. TURNER. 
 
 Endorsed by the following eminent citizens of Jackson. 
 
 A.' j"^'pA?rrL?NE, } P^"oP"^t0rs of Hibbard House. 
 M. KNAPP, Livery and Horse Dealer. 
 
 B. J. JOHNSON, Member of City Council. 
 CHAS. MESEROLL, City Marshal. 
 
 W. L. SEATON, Postmaster and Member of City Council. 
 ROBT. KNOWLES, County Clerk. 
 JESSE HURD. Proprietor of Track. 
 JOHN GOODYEAR, Livery and Sale Stable. 
 
 C. C. POND, Broker, and 50 others. 
 
 From the Jackson, MiCh., Patriot. 
 
 Prof. Magner gave his last exhibition and lecture in this city on 
 Saturday afternoon last, and as usual, a large number were in attendance 
 
 2 
 
18 NEW SYSTEM OF EDUCATING HORSES. 
 
 at the opening exhibition, and at least two hundred members of his 
 class were present to listen to the closing lecture, and witness some of 
 his wonderful feats of subduing and managing horses. At the close of 
 the lecture, one of the members of the class offered the following reso- 
 lution, which was received with applause, and adopted without a 
 dissenting voice : 
 
 Resolved, That we, the members of Prof. Magner's class, hereby ex 
 press to him our high appreciation of his instructions in his system for 
 the reform and elevation of horses, which, in our estimation, is incom- 
 parably superior to any system ever brought before the public. By this 
 system, the management of the horse is reduced to a definite and exact 
 science, and we desire most heartily to commend Prof Magner to the 
 confidence of the public, and to express to him personally our thanks 
 for his patience, his thoroughness, and his gentlemanly bearing, while 
 engaged in his profession in this city. 
 
 From the Adrian Weekly Times, April 13, 1871. 
 
 During the present week. Prof Magner, the celebrated horse tamer 
 and educator, has conducted his classes in this city. He has created a 
 genuine furore among all interested in horses in this city, and his 
 reputation has extended to a circuit of country, and persons have 
 attended his classes from over twenty miles distant. He has succeeded 
 in subduing and rendering perfectly tractable some horses who have 
 resisted all previous efforts of horse-breakers and others to reduce them 
 to submission, and his wonderful power over horses excites the most 
 astonishment from those best posted in equine care and treatment, and 
 the exhibitions of the trained stud of horses which he owns and carries 
 with him, are superior in interest to the choicest features of the best 
 circus traveling. In every place he has been, the professor has received 
 the most emphatic and cordial endorsements. 
 
 From the Toledo Blade. 
 
 As a practitioner and teacher of the science and art of training 
 horses, the professor is without a rival, and has won the confidence 
 and admiration of the public wherever he has been. No one can 
 understand the seemingly magical power which this man seems to pos- 
 sess over the horse kingdom, until he witnesses one of his exhibitions, 
 and we are free to say that a knowledge of Mr. Magner's theory of 
 training horses will be invaluable to every owner of the animal. 
 Wherever he goes, his lectures should be heard and his experiments 
 seen. While in Toledo he had for his classes many of our best citi- 
 zens, and all feel not only fully satisfied, but endorsed him, as will be 
 seen, in the strongest manner. 
 
 Happening into the tent one day, we saw the Professor training a 
 noble, but desperately stubborn horse, owned by Mr. R. Mott. After 
 operating with the animal but a brief time, his very nature seemed 
 
NOTICES OF THE PRESS AND PEOPLE. 19 
 
 changed, and on being driven by his master, was kind and obedient as 
 the best of horses. 
 
 The readers of the Blade can rely upon the fact that the Professor is 
 an upright, honorable gentleman, possessing all the wonderful skill he 
 claims. 
 
 From the Toledo Commercial. 
 
 Monday, the last lesson of Prof. Magner to his class in Toledo, was 
 given. His success here has been unprecedented, and his teachings 
 unparalleled in their line. What the members of the class have learned 
 could not be bought of them for ten times the sum paid by them for the 
 instruction. He goes to Adrian, Michigan, from here, and we bespeak 
 for him there a hearty welcome and the usual success attending his 
 efforts. The professor is a man of his word, professing no more than 
 he performs, and doing good wherever he goes. In his teachings he 
 not only learns his scholars, but benefits the horses, by introducing a 
 more humane and gentle course of treatment, and therefore merits the 
 name of benefactor to the brute race, or a niche beside the renowned 
 Bergh. We congratulate the Adrianites on their acquisition. 
 
 From the Cleveland Leader, Feb., 1870. 
 
 After the exhibition, the regular lesson and illustrations began by a 
 lecture of about twenty minutes duration, wherein the professor 
 explained the cause, symptoms and cure of many of the diseases to 
 which the horse is peculiarly liable, and set forth the matter in so clear, 
 forcible and simple a manner as to disarm any prejudice or want of 
 confidence in the man, if any such prejudices had been previously 
 formed. But the great sensation of the evening was yet to come, for 
 which all were anxious, as many present knew the vicious nature of the 
 beast to be subdued — in fact there were one or two present who had 
 had good cause to ever remember the great runaway and kicker known 
 as the " Malone Horse." He is a gray gelding, perhaps sixteen hands 
 high, of great beauty and strength, and a will and determination rarely 
 found in the purely American breed of horses. The horse was brought 
 into the enclosure, and caused general comment by his magnificent 
 style and grace of movement. His owner was present, and after look- 
 ing at the animal for a few moments, and dreading to see him pass into 
 other hands to manage, hesitated at the last moment to give his consent 
 to the application of the system. Mr. Magner, determined to have a 
 subject for his class, asked the price of the horse, which was announced 
 to be $500. " I'll take him," said the professor, and at once handed 
 over the amount. This movement on the part of Mr. Magner was un- 
 expected, as most "horsemen" who have visited us generally preferred 
 to "work up" other people's horses, rather than their own. But Mr, 
 Magner knew the value of the animal before him, and knew the value 
 of his system, and was further aware that ^1,000 was ready for tht 
 horse the moment that he could be driven safely before a trotting 
 wagon. 
 
20 NEW SYSTEM OF EDUCATING HORSES. 
 
 At this stage of the proceedings the excitement was intense, and 
 many speculations were indulged in as to who would prove the victor, 
 the man or the horse. In less than twenty minutes from the time that 
 Professor Magner laid his hands upon his subject, the horse was as gen- 
 tle as a lamb, and as easily controlled as the most reliable family horse. 
 Among other efforts to prove that the gray gelding was completely 
 broken, the professor, without reins in hand, mounted the wagon, and 
 catching the animal by the tail drove him around the ring at a fearful 
 pace, drawing the wagon upon the heels of the horse in such a way as 
 to strike them with a force that could be heard at the farthest end of the 
 room. The class was astonished, declaring that they had already 
 received more than the value in useful knowledge of the price of their 
 admission. 
 
 From the Cleveland Herald of Feb. 26, 1870. 
 
 Professor Magner last night gave an exhibition at his hippotheatvon, 
 which was in every respect a success. A success in giving complete 
 satisfaction to the large audience attracted, and in realizing a good sum 
 for the Dorcas Society, a benevolent institution for the benefit of which 
 the entertainment was given. This is the second donation the profes- 
 sor has made to charitable institutions of our city. When he leaves us 
 his visit will not only be remembered on account of the skillful 
 methods of training horses, which he has imparted to a large class of 
 students, but also for deeds of charity done in our midst, which will 
 make his name ever associated with pleasant recollections. 
 
 At the close of the last lecture of his course in Cleveland, the 
 following resolution was moved by Hon, Silas Merchant, (President of 
 City Council,) Avhich was carried by acclamation of the entire class : 
 
 Resolved, That we, as members of Prof. Magner's class in this city, 
 deem it but a just recognition of his skill and success in teaching us his 
 system of educating horses, which we regard as the best ever shown us; 
 and for his gentlemanly demeanor, that we are fully satisfied with his 
 instructions, hereby endorse him and his system of educating and treat- 
 ing horses, to our friends and the public. 
 
 The following well known gentlemen and citizens of Cleveland, 
 endorse Prof. Magner and his system, and can be referred to: 
 J. P. ROSS, Proprietor of American House. 
 H. NOTTINGHAM, Esq. 
 W. W. CRAWFORD, 51 Euclid Avenue. 
 GEN. J. W. FITCH, Kennard House. 
 J. D. KEEGAN, Druggist, 3 Euclid Avenue. 
 R. P. WATERBURY, Akron Stove Co. 
 H. W. LUETKEMEYER, 150 Superior street. 
 J. SCHRIBER, Tobaaionist, 113 Water street. 
 GEO. E. ARMSTRONG, of Alcott & Horton, Wholesale Dry Goods, 
 
 149 Water street. 
 E. N. KEYES, Real Estate Agent, 1 Rouse's Block. 
 
• NOTICES OF THE PRESS AND PEOPLE. 21 
 
 SILAS MERCHANT, Iron Founder, River street. 
 
 L. B. FRENCH, of French & Keith, Wholesale Dry Goods, Water st. 
 
 S. S. COE, Secretary of Cleveland Insurance Co., corner Water and 
 
 Superior streets. 
 W. P. HORTON, of Alcott & Horton, Wholesale Dry Goods, Water st. 
 A. S. ROBBINS, Wholesale dealer in Photographic Stock, corner Su 
 
 perior and Seneca streets. 
 GEO. H. BURRITT, Collector of Customs, Custom House. 
 
 E. THOMPSON, Wholesale Grocer, Bank street. 
 
 JAS. BENNETT, Liveiv and Boarding Stable, Champlain street. 
 
 W. D. GUSHING, Agt.'Erie R. R., 131 Superior street. 
 
 WM. EDWARDS, Wholesale Grocer, Water street. 
 
 AMOS TOWNSEND, Wholesale Grocer and President of City Council, 
 
 City Hall. 
 H. COLLINS, Proprietor of Weddell House. 
 H. HURD, Wholesale Grocer, Water street. 
 GEN. D. T. CASEMENT. 
 O. STONE, Esq., Scovill Avenue. 
 
 F. W. BELL, Wholesale Lumber Merchant. 
 
 C. W. COE, Proprietor of Cleveland Mills, 268 Scovill Avenue. 
 
 T. ELWOOD, Livery Stable, St. Clair street. 
 
 H. P. WEDDELL, Esq. , Banker, Bank street, and 500 others. 
 
 Buffalo Commercial Advertiser. 
 
 Horse that Kii.led One Man and Injured Several Others. — 
 We yesterday afternoon visited the amphitheatre of Prof. Magner, the 
 noted horse tamer, on Carroll street. We found there a large number 
 of our most prominent citizens and horse owners, and all manifested the 
 greatest interest in the doings of the professor. By way of blending 
 amusement with instruction. Prof. Magner exhibits before his class and 
 visitors, his educated horses and ponies, who seem to possess a degree 
 of intelligence absolutely marvelous. 
 
 After the exhibition of these animals, interpersed with remarks of an 
 instructive character from the professor, a horse belonging to the Omni- 
 bus Company — a most vicious brute, with a disagreealjle habit of biting, 
 and striking with his fore feet; from which those in charge have not 
 been able to remove the collar or bridle for over three months — was 
 brought for treatment. We understand, by the way, that this horse (a 
 large and powerful bay) once killed a man, by biting and trampling 
 him under foot, and recently bit the hand almost off the person having 
 him in charge. In twenty minutes, in the presence of between two and 
 three hundred persons, Prof. Magner reduced this brute to perfect sub- 
 jection, so that the groom and himself harnessed and unharnessed him, 
 put their hands in his mouth, and handled him in every shape with 
 perfect impunity, the formerly furious beast being as docile as a kitten. 
 It was a wonderful exhibition, as we can bear testimony. 
 
 We can have no hesitation in recommending Prof. Magner and his 
 mode of treatment to all interested in horses, as one who can and does 
 perform all that he pi-omises. 
 
22 NEW SYSTEM OF EDUCATING HORSES. 
 
 The above horse is now gentle, as shown by the following letter : 
 
 Buffalo, Dec. 21, 1869. 
 Prof. Magner : 
 
 Dear Sir: — I consider myself in duty bound to drop you a few lines 
 respecting our once vicious horse, " Man Eater," as we called him. I 
 have often s,iid what a good thing it was we did not shoot him. He 
 was taken out of the stable twice for that purpose, when I, on both oc- 
 casions, interceded in his behalf. He is now one of our best horses, as 
 docile as a lamb, and the drivers all like him. We work him double 
 and single, as required. All this was caused from your few minutes 
 tuition. Vou are aware of his past history. For weeks previous to 
 making your acquaintance we could not get a man to harness him, and 
 two of our drivers were disabled by him. When you visit the city, 
 please give us a call. 
 
 Believe me, yours very truly, 
 
 M. FORDE, Agent, 
 Buffalo Omnibus Company. 
 
 At the close of Prof. Magner's lesson on Thursday last, all present, 
 (nearly fifty,) among whom were the following well known gentlemen : 
 
 RICHARD BULLYMORE, Esq., 
 
 C. L. WHITING, Esq., 
 
 Z. BONNEY, Proprietor of Bonney's Hotel. 
 
 H. COURTER, Courter House, 
 
 W. C. SHERWOOD, Esq., 
 
 E. UPSON, Carriage Manufacturer. 
 DR. GEORGE S. EVARTS, 
 
 J. O. ROBSON, Esq., 
 
 it was unanimously resolved, that " we commend Prof. Magner to our 
 friends as a reformer of more than ordinary usefulness; that his theory 
 of governing and educating horses is the most practical, humane and 
 valuable in its results we have ever witnessed; can be learned and 
 practiced by any one of ordinary intelligence. He tamed a wild mare 
 in our presence in ten minutes, and, among other feats, he made her 
 sit down twice and lie down four times in a minute without touching 
 her." 
 
 In his class on Monday, August 9th, comprising nearly one hundred, 
 among whom were the following well-known citizens : 
 
 GEORGE W. TIFFT, Esq., 
 JUDGE MASTEN, 
 MAJOR DICKEY, 
 C. J. HAMLIN, Esq., 
 
 F. W.TRACY, Esq., 
 
 It was resolved by acclamation, that " we fully endorse Prof. Magner 
 and his system, and believe every one owning or interested in horses 
 
NOTICES OF THE PRESS AND PEOPLE. 23 
 
 will find it to their advantage to learn liis system of treatment. In our 
 presence he put a halter on the most vicious horse in the city without 
 touching him, and, by its use and that of a whip, made the horse lie 
 down and get up three times, then stood off ten feet, and, with his 
 hands in his pockets, laid the same horse down ten times in a minute. 
 In les.; than twenty minutes from the time he commenced his treatment 
 with his hoj^e, he took off and put on repeatedly the collar and bridle, 
 without exciting resistance or any indication of viciousness from the 
 horse. The same was done by the driver, to do which before would 
 have been at the hazard of his life. 
 
PRELIMINARY HINTS-CONDITIONS OF 
 SUCCESS, ETC. 
 
 If horses could be guided and controlled in their educa- 
 tion by the use of a bit and reins, it would not be necessary 
 to resort to any other treatment. 
 
 But as this cannot be done excepting in the training of 
 those of the mildest and most docile disposition, it be- 
 comes essential to success to know what to do to insure the 
 perfect docility and obedience of any and all horses of any 
 extremes of viciousness, in harness or not. 
 
 We see, too, that horses of energy and pluck are often 
 easily spoiled by the most trifling causes exciting their fear 
 and resistance, and that unless subjected to proper treat- 
 ment, they are liable to become unpleasant, dangerous or 
 worthless thereafter, for use. 
 
 Overcoming all those possible difficulties with ease and 
 certainty implies a knoAvledge of those conditions and prin- 
 ciples of education and subjection by which the horse can 
 be easily taught and guided into perfect docility and obedi- 
 ence at will. 
 
 This, it is seen, by the principles taught, and herein 
 explained, can be easily done, and it is for the purpose of 
 directing special attention to some of the more important 
 conditions influencing the application of my treatment that 
 I am induced to write. out such preliminary hints, forming 
 this chapter, as my experience suggests, the careful perusal 
 of which I would urge. 
 
 The Horse by nature is averse to the control of man, and 
 as he cannot know the various ways it is intended he is t« 
 serve the wants of man, he must be taught, and to success 
 fully teach him implies making him passive to contro. 
 without exposing him to injury or abuse, requiring — 
 
 First, That the nervous system is not so disturbed and 
 perverted by fear and excitement as to rouse the fears and 
 vicious part of the nature into controlling action. 
 
EXCESSIVE FEAR MUST BE PREVENTED. ' '2.5 
 
 Second. That there is a clear understanding of such 
 principles of addressing the reason as will convey to it 
 most clearly the idea of what is required to be done. 
 
 Third. That there is a knowledge of such principles of 
 subjection as will enable guiding and controlling the ani- 
 mal in such ways and to such extremes as may be desired 
 in his education. 
 
 In a word, the superior strength of the horse must be 
 fully and unconditionally held or made passive to control, 
 any excessiveness of the fears and passions prevented, while 
 the reason is addressed and won to a perfect understand 
 ing of what is required to be done. Experience proves 
 that horses resist control to the degree they learn it possible 
 to do so. 
 
 EXCESSIVE FEAR MUST BE PREVENTED. 
 
 That excessive fear, even, of a few moments' time, from 
 any cause, may so derange and excite the mind as to spoil 
 and pervert the character for life. That the excitement of 
 the passions only stimulates resistance and confuses the un- 
 derstanding. That almost any horse can be taught and 
 made to do anything of which he is capable, if properly 
 shown and treated kindly and patiently. On the contrary, 
 if excited and abused, his whole nature is stimulated to 
 resistance. Hence, if we would not excite resistance or 
 excessive fear, of objects or other causes, we must bring 
 them to notice in such a manner as to both prevent excit- 
 ing the fears and convince the horse of their harmless 
 character until fully reconciled to their presence. 
 
 Fourth. The inability of the horse to understand articu- 
 lated language, implies the necessity of conveying to the 
 mind clearly the idea of what is required to be done. 
 
 Fifth. That the great strength of the horse is so neutral- 
 ized znd controlled at will, as to make prompt submission 
 to man a necessity. 
 
 Now while my principles as I have illustrated and proved 
 will enable avoiding all those supposed great difficulties in 
 training and handling horses, and cause results that in 
 many instances appear wonderful, it must be evident they 
 are, as well as all other principles, only rules, by the use of 
 which certain results are to be secured, and their chief 
 value in practice must depend upon the judgment used in 
 
26 FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE STRONGEST. 
 
 applying them. But if as I have shown, and as the ordi- 
 nary observation of daily experience clearly proves, fear is 
 excited and the will aroused in securing obedience, the 
 resistance of the animal is stimulated, the legitimate 
 authority and control of the trainer or driver weakened or 
 neutralized, and the necessity for force greatly increased, 
 to a degree very often that wholly spoils the animal. 
 
 FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE STRONGEST. 
 
 The first impressions made upon the mind or nervou.5 
 system of the colt, are the strongest and most lasting, rs. 
 colt or horse of even a good disposition, it is seen, may be 
 made a reckless, foolish, kicking maniac, by being greatly 
 frightened, from some cause in itself, perhaps trifling, but 
 forced to notice in such a way as to excite and derange the 
 nervous system. And when it is seen that even the life of 
 a sensitive horse may be destroyed by being gi eatly fright- 
 ened, we can see to what a degree the nervous system can 
 be deranged at times by causes which, if the animal were 
 subjected to the precautionary treatment shown, would 
 excite no fear, and hence no resistance, thereby preventing 
 as well as overcoming easily, what would appear to be an 
 almost insurmountable difficulty. 
 
 Equine nature is so constituted that it will submit pas- 
 sively to conditions of resistance or restraint, it cannot suc- 
 cessfully resist or overcome, or by producmg such impres- 
 sions upon the mind as will prevent an inclination to resist. 
 
 This is the law of natural government or supremacy to 
 which all the lower animals yield, the smaller and weaker 
 submitting to the stronger, and indeed, this is the funda- 
 mental basis of successful human government. Hence, the 
 reborts of military power or studied scientific application of 
 destructive force as shown in war and its penalties, and 
 hence the effort to attain a knowledge of more destructive 
 means to repel or overcome resistance. 
 
 HORSES SHOULD BE EDUCATED— NOT BROKEN. 
 
 But we see, as in the successful education of the horse, 
 this principle must be so modified, that he will not be inju- 
 red or abused, not even excited to any extreme, as this 
 
HORSES SHOULD BE EDUCATED NOT BROKEN. 27 
 
 would neutralize and destroy the very object of our efforts 
 to make a strong, gentle, submissive servant to our wants, 
 which is our real object to attain. 
 
 But the common plan of doing this by attempting to hold 
 and force a horse m harness, and whipping if there is re- 
 sistance, is from the nature of things, inadequate, defective 
 and cruel, since there is not necessary physical power to do 
 this with any degree of certainty, and the aggravation of 
 the whip, in conjunction with the natural fear of the 
 animal, stimulates resistance, and thus without adequate 
 precaution or power, the difficulty to be overcome is so 
 greatly increased as to cause failure and trouble, the cause 
 of which is usually attributed to a bad disposition. But if 
 the animal is first made passive to restraint by proper treat- 
 ment, control becomes simple and easy, since the mind can 
 now be easily won and guided without fear or resistance 
 into such habits as may be desired without exciting resist- 
 ance or subjecting the animal to injury. 
 
 Now this is exactly what my system enables doing, de- 
 veloping to a practical basis those principles of necessary 
 power, while there is a clear understanding of what is re- 
 quired to be done impressed upon the mind, which is at the 
 same time aided and encouraged by the most powerful 
 appeals to the better part of the nature, until prompt will- 
 ing obedience is secured and fully established. This has 
 been the object of Schristian, Offutt, Rarey, and others, 
 to accomplish, but in vain, as shown by the simple method 
 of throwing shown by all those including Rarey, by redu- 
 cing vitality, as shown by South Americans, the Indians on 
 our western plains, and the Chilians. Of course, very 
 remarkable and satisfactory results were and can be often 
 shown by these methods of subjection, but from necessity, 
 coming far short of those essential points aimed at, and so 
 necessary to that perfect success, which we are able to do 
 by my treatment, which enable results in many cases in 
 less than an hour, entirely impossible to accomplish by such 
 or any other treatment heretofore in use. 
 
 SUBJECTION— OLD METHODS OF. 
 
 The rudest and most injurious methods of subduing hor- 
 ses are those which tend directly to lower the strength or 
 
28 SUBJECTION — OIX) METHODS OF. 
 
 destroy life. Hence the different methods of taming or 
 breaking horses in general use from time immemorial. The 
 first account we have of any horse being subdued was that 
 of Bucephalus, in the time of Alexander the Great, about 
 300 years before Christ. A subject, we are told, presented 
 this horse to the Emperor as a gift, but he (the horse) show- 
 ing a very vicious disposition, Alexander ordered him to be 
 taken away, when young Alexander stated what a pity to 
 lose so fine an animal for the want of a little address, 
 adroitly mounted him and rode him off at the top of his 
 speed. The greatest alarm was manifested for the safety of 
 the Prince, and the joy of all was great when he returned, 
 the horse perfectly gentle, and he safe. This horse became 
 famous for his wonderful sagacity. We are told that when 
 he died he was buried with honors, and a city was given 
 his name. The same principle of subjection, with slight 
 variations, is still practiced on the pampas of South Amer- . 
 ica, and on our western plains. They catch the horse with 
 a lasso, throw him to the ground, saddle and bridle him, 
 and ride him with whip and spur, until completely ex- 
 hausted and perfectly submissive. South Americans square 
 off the ends of the hair of the tail, after the horse submits, 
 to indicate that he is broken and again turn him loose. 
 The same principle is in use among the Indians on our 
 western plains, and with equal success. The Chilians tie a 
 refractory horse in the stable and whip him until he lies 
 down or falls down, usually requiring about forty-eight 
 hours. He is then tried, and if refractory the process is 
 ( ontinued until he becomes gentle. 
 
 Bleeding, physicking, want of sleep, starving, want of 
 water, intense pain, choking, &c., &c., will enable this 
 end; but, as will be seen, this treatment is not only dan- 
 gerous but injurious, often breaking down the animal to 
 such a degree as to become comparatively worthless, or 
 made so treacherous as to require being broken over again 
 almost every time used. There is a belief among many, 
 even of intelligence, that a certain peculiar something in 
 the way of medicine, will make a horse gentle, following a 
 man anywhere. Catlin, an Indian traveler, states with 
 gravity, in his account of Indian customs, &c., that after 
 an Indian breathes into the nostrils of a horse, he becomes 
 his slave, following him' like a dog, &c. I have handled 
 
KINDNESS — ITS IMPORTANCE. - 29 
 
 all sorts of horses, and have shown results in the way of 
 successful control of mustangs, mules and vicious horses, 
 which I defy the ability in any one to produce by any such 
 treatment. My experience tells me that breathing into 
 the nostrils or giving any medicine of which we have any 
 knowledge, will fail to make the mind of a wild or vicious 
 horse passive to control, to any marked degree. The oslets 
 which grow upon the inside of horses' legs, ground and 
 blown into the nostrils in connection with oil of Cumin, 
 Rhodium, Anise, either or all, constitute this great secret ; 
 but as good an effect can be produced by giving apples, 
 sugar and salt in equal proportions, oats, or in fact anything 
 of which the horse is fond. This is however only in part 
 an illustration of the value of some of our most essential 
 treatment in the successful management of certain peculiari- 
 ties of disposition. 
 
 KINDNESS— ITS IMPORTANCE. 
 
 I will call more special attention in another part of this 
 chapter, to the importance of kindness as an essential to 
 true success in making horses of a natuially wild and ner- 
 vous disposition safe and gentle. We see that a horse of a 
 sensitive, plucky nature, may be excited and roused into 
 the most determined resistance or viciousness by a little 
 exciting abusive treatment. That the more the bad part of 
 the nature is excited, the more determined and reckless the 
 resistance. Excitement heats the blood, blunts the under- 
 standing and stimulates the passions, and as a consequence, 
 increased nervousness and resistance is the result. 
 ^ Under such circumstances a horse will go beyond his 
 natural strength in resistance. Hence, the mustang, or 
 other horse, broken by exciting, exhausting force, such as 
 running, extreme whipping, &c., is not only liable to be 
 seriously injured constitutionally, but soured in temper. 
 Good illustrations of this are shown in high strung mares 
 and horses, which may be whipped severely for kicking. 
 Though perhaps weak and broken down from abuse, they 
 will squeal and kick with the true recklessness of malignant 
 hate. The very expression of the eyes shows kick. So with 
 the balker ; the whole nature is intensified in rebellion. 
 But how different if the better part of the nature is won by 
 
30 PECULIARITIES AND EXTREMES OF DISPOSITION. 
 
 kindness. The expression is softened, there is a natural 
 wilhngness excited to do whatever is properly and carefully 
 shown; but if in addition to this the mind can be held and 
 controlled at M^ill, thus lessening the confidence and pow- 
 ers of resistance, obedience can be secured and won with a 
 quickness and ease that is surprising. 
 
 This is the true principle, as I have shown, as it enables 
 addressing and winning the full cooperation of the under- 
 standing and better nature, without exciting resistance, or 
 to so limited a degree as to be easily overcome, and really 
 implies teaching the horse m a reasonable practicable man- 
 ner in accordance with the laws of his nature. 
 
 PECULIARITIES AND EXTREMES OF DISPOSITION. 
 
 The extremes of intelligence, temper, size and texture of 
 body demands attention, when attempting to train or sub- 
 due a horse. And here this apparently threadbare subject 
 reveals an apparently new and most interesting field for the 
 careful student. 
 
 We are told in Genesis, that after all the lower animals 
 were created they were brought before Adam to receive their 
 names; and whatsoever he called any animal, whether beast, 
 bird, fish or reptile, that was the name thereof. In a word, 
 all representing the different stratas or modifications and 
 extremes of his own higher or lower nature. Hence, in 
 understanding his own nature, he could readily comprehend 
 that of theirs. There are not only classes but modifications 
 in each family, each representing some type or modification 
 of others becoming clearer to the observation in the do- 
 mestic animals. For though each family, in a general 
 sense, preserves its own peculiarity of identity in size, color, 
 disposition, &c., yet no two of any family are exactly alike, 
 each showing some peculiar phase of distinction. Hence, 
 one ox, cow, dog, or other animal, is seen to be more 
 vicious, wild, or difficult to manage than others of the 
 same family, and vice versa. The horse shows these peculi- 
 arities of extreme sometimes to a most marked degree. 
 Hence we see there are horses so docile, fearless and man- 
 ageable that they can hardly be made to do anything mean, 
 submitting to being handled or driven in harness from the 
 start without trouble, while others are so flighty, foolish or 
 
PECULIARITIES AND EXTREMES OF DISPOSITION. 
 
 3] 
 
 vicious as to be scarcely manageable by the most skillful 
 prudence and effort. 
 
 Now if you will, look closely, for example, at the head 
 and eyes of any horse showing a marked trait, you will 
 find, confining your observation to even the eye alone, a 
 corresponding peculiarity of it to that of the animal the 
 horse most similates in character or disposition. To illus- 
 trate — a large brown eye 
 rather flat set well out in 
 the head, eyelids thin, ex- 
 pression mild, but sensitive, 
 which is peculiar only to 
 the naturally gentle horse, 
 you have the counterpart of 
 the sheep or gazelle, the 
 most innocent and gentle 
 of all the domestic animals. 
 The same is noticeable in 
 the dog of mild, gentle 
 character, as well as other 
 animals. A small, round, 
 clear eye, set well into the 
 liead, or eyelids heavy, ex- 
 pression stolid or learish, 
 you have indicated a sulky, 
 unreliable, mulish or bull-dog disposition. Notice the 
 head of such. You will usually find it rather narrow 
 between the eyes, long from eyes to ears, ears inclining 
 to lop back, head rather low between the ears, and nose 
 rounding. Rouse this temper and the sulky unrelent- 
 ing pluck of the bull-dog, hog or bear is shown, which they 
 most similate in form and expression. The first, though 
 greatly excited, remains plastic, yielding readily to control, 
 hardly resisting the most severe abuse by attempting to do 
 more than try to get away. Whereas the second becomes 
 so stubborn, as the Wood becomes warmed, as to stand sto- 
 lidly in defiance of the most severe whipping, or plunges 
 Tnadly forward, regardless of consequences. As kickers or 
 ' -alkers they will contest every point stubbornly if warmed 
 up and excited, though submitting readily to restraint if the 
 blood is permitted to become cool, and the better part of 
 the nature is appealed to. 
 
 Naturally Intelligent and Gentle. 
 
S2 
 
 PECULIARITIES AND EXTREMES OF DISPOSITION. 
 
 Dull and Treacherous. 
 
 When the eye is 
 
 large, et^en, full, but 
 
 clear or dark in color, 
 
 restless and sensitive 
 
 in action, a flighty 
 
 unreliable character 
 
 will be exhibited — Is 
 
 a free driver if a bright 
 
 bay or sorrel, liable to 
 
 pull hard on the bit 
 
 as the blood becomes 
 
 warmed by exercise 
 
 and excitement. 
 If the eye is good, 
 
 round and clear, scin- 
 tillating as if it were 
 
 fire, the eyelids drawn 
 
 down, or the eyes partly closed, a kind of listless expression 
 
 of the head, you have the unusual but possible temper of 
 
 the tiger or feline character, the temper of which if you 
 
 rouse and excite, 
 above all others, will 
 be the one which 
 will almost set at 
 defiance your most 
 persevering efforts. 
 You can throw him 
 a hundred times, he 
 will lie down easily 
 but jump up prompt- 
 ly ; he will barely 
 yield to the next 
 principle of subjec- 
 tion, which is by far 
 the most simple and 
 powerful, but in de- 
 fiance of all you can 
 
 do, when a little rested, he will perhaps kick or run 
 
 away as recklessly and determined as ever, all the whipping 
 
 and pounding your temper, if aroused, may cause you to 
 
 inflict will do no good, and only make the matter worse. 
 I would here say that as soon as you discover this dispo- 
 
 Sensitive and Flighty. 
 
PECULIARITIES AND EXTREMES OF DISPOSITION. 33 
 
 sition, stop exciting coercive treatment, subject at once to 
 passive treatment. As soon as there is submission, work 
 slowly and quietly, and the difficulty you were by the pre- 
 vious treatment only intensifying, you will soon find to 
 disappear, and the animal become perfectly gentle, but 
 must not be whipped. [See cuts of illustrating natural 
 extremes of disposition.] 
 
 Note. — I have had many illustrations of the wonderful resistaHce 
 that may be excited in horses of this disposition by treatment that will 
 heat the blood and rouse the temper, and showing the value of treatment 
 that is wholly passive in their management. A few of the most marked 
 cases I will refer to in tliis connection : An eight-year-old bay pony, by bad 
 treatment made to kick, resisted all efforts to break, and was an incor- 
 rigible reckless kicker; was entirely passive, but if touched around the 
 flanks or hind parts, would squeal and kick most desperately. As a 
 means of illustration, subjected to first and second methods of subjec- 
 tion. Quickly throwing would do no good, and as predicted, only 
 roused resistance. She yielded readily to the second method, submit- 
 ting to being touched around with a pole in any manner, and I pro- 
 ceeded at once to carry out control by restraint upon the mouth, and 
 drove her successfully, preventing her kicking. But as soon as she got 
 over the surprise and effect of this treatment, she resented all effort to 
 control i:er, kicking in the most desperate manner. I knew that while 
 irritated and excited she would resist all effort to subdue, and bought 
 her to make a satisfactory experiment. I subjected her the next day, 
 privately, to the same treatment in the most careful and thorough man- 
 ner, but all to no purpose. She proved incorrigible, the most despe- 
 rate animal I ever saw. 
 
 I worked this mare with great care and thoroughness, as a matter of 
 trial, but all to no purpose. Never before did I see such reckless de- 
 termined resistance. I carried coercive treatment to its utmost limit, 
 and for the first time in all my experience, found a horse -that by sheer 
 pluck would resist it ; yet yielded readily to the milder and more flat- 
 tering course, which though working slow, made a radical reformation. 
 The whole aspect of her nature became changed as the blood became 
 cool, and ulitmately proved one of the most docile, manageable ponies 
 in the country. 
 
 Seconjl> Case. — A four-year-old colt, a natural kicker ; would kick 
 any body or any thing. Had resisted all efforts to break her, and was 
 worthless ; was brought twenty miles for me to handle ; would kick 
 and balk, and was one of the worst I ever saw — an interesting case. — 
 She resisted the usual regular treatment, resisting all effort, compelling 
 finally, a resort to the slower and less exciting course, and as she be- 
 came cool grew out of all resistance, becoming a safe and gentle mare. 
 
 Both of these cases resisted so determinedly in illustrating my regu- 
 lar treatment, that I purchased them to enable me to handle them in 
 private, with the results above stated. Have had many cases of this 
 temperament that were regarded as invincible, having resisted all 
 
 a 
 
34 PECULIARITIES AND EXTREMES OF DISPOSITION. 
 
 The milder and more sensitive, the less abuse and excite- 
 ment will be borne. The more stubborn and combative 
 nature, the more force, and even abuse will be borne, but 
 mingled with the wild character, force that will heat the 
 blood, will excite resistance. Hence, a mild, sensitive dog 
 or horse can be managed best by gentle flattering treat- 
 ment. The bull dog, mule or stubborn cart horse will take 
 the whip and care bnt little about it. But a little excite- 
 ment and punishment would only rouse to aggression the 
 bear or hog, and animals showing the intense courage and 
 pluck common to the more untamable nature will resist all 
 but the most intense means of pain. Hence we see that 
 gentleness and kindness is the course, and the only course 
 advisable with the horse, dog, or other sensitive animal. 
 Those of a more positive disposition call for both force and 
 encouragement, while the lion, tiger, elephant, &c., must 
 be made to feel the most intense means of pain. Hence, 
 those of the wild class, such as tigers, &c., are subdued by 
 burning and pounding with red hot rods. The elephant is 
 subjected by having spears stuck into his body, and hooks 
 stuck into the ears, &c. But it is seen the effect of care- 
 fully encouraging or kindly treating is, with rare exceptions, 
 very marked, and is only to be superseded when force be- 
 comes necessary. 
 
 As a rule, the larger and finer the brain is in texture, the 
 more docility and intelligence will be exhibited; and the 
 smaller the brain the less the intelligence, and the more 
 determined the resistance to control. In proportion as 
 there is predominance of the lower and more savage charac- 
 teristics of animal nature, there is more natural resistance 
 and difficulty to subdue, but proportionately more vitality 
 and powers of endurance may be anticipated. To the de- 
 gree that the animal intelligence and sensibility are in 
 excess of the coarse and stubborn traits, there will be propor- 
 tionately more tractableness and docility, though, perhaps, 
 the hardiness and vitality may be somewhat less. The sheep 
 and llama, for example, having but little of this coarse, 
 combative nature, will not bear abuse. We are told the 
 
 others, but in every instance have succeeded by the usual course of 
 disconcerting oi passive treatment. All these bad cases require the 
 most gentle and encouraging after treatment, to fully wear out of the 
 mind all impulse of resentment and enmity previously excited. 
 
IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING FEAR. 35- 
 
 llama, if overloaded, will lie down discouraged and die, not 
 resenting the cruelty in the least. The camel, of a less 
 sensitive nature, will toil patiently under the heaviest bur- 
 then, submitting meekly to almost any extreme of abuse; 
 while the ass, mule and mustang, having a larger share of 
 the combative disposition, are more obstinate and willful, 
 and are usually more difficult to subdue and manage, and 
 always call for more force in their subjection than is called 
 for in the control of those of a mild, sensitive disposition 
 More vitality and endurance may, however, be always an 
 ticipated in proportion to the predominance of the wild, 
 combative disposition. They are the horses, above all 
 others, that call for great skill in their early training es})e 
 cially, and any imprudence or abuse by which the fears and 
 passions are much excited, is almost sure to excite a pro- 
 portionate degree of resistance and trouble. 
 
 IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING FEAR AND 
 RESISTANCE. 
 
 One of the essentials of true success is that of vigilance 
 in guarding against accidents or preventing resistance. A 
 little carelessness or imprudence under favorable circum- 
 stances is liable to precipitate a degree of resistance, or a 
 calamity it is often difficult if not impossible to prevent or 
 overcome after being excited. The dropping of a lighted 
 match carelessly in a heap of shavings, led to the burning 
 of the city of Portland, a few years ago. The burning of 
 a little straw in a cow stable, caused, it is supposed, by the 
 upsetting of a lamp, led to the burning of Chicago. Nearly 
 every great and lamentable accident involving great destruc- 
 tion of property and loss of life, is usually traceable to 
 some minor defect or carelessness. 
 
 That delicacy of judgment which detects danger and 
 takes measures to prevent accident, gives a great advantage 
 in attaining success, but when this is combined with skill 
 which enables overcoming the difficulty easily and effect- 
 ually, the most perfect success must result with anything 
 'ike ordinary effort. 
 
36 HORSES SHOULD BE PROVED BEFORE USING. 
 
 HORSES SHOULD BE PJROVED BEFORE USING. 
 
 Hence, if a colt is wild or vicious, or learned to run 
 away and kick, making control hazardous and doubtful, it 
 is essential to true success to subject him to such necessary 
 treatment as will assure of his perfect docility and safety in 
 handling or driving under the most exciting and dangerous 
 circumstances, as it is then that perfect docility becomes 
 most valuable, and is as much a true necessity in guarding 
 against accident, as the making of steam boilers so strong 
 and testing them by such increased pressure as will insure 
 against the possibility of exploding under the pressure ne- 
 cessary in use. It is no excuse to claim that the horse got 
 suddenly frightened, kicked, and ran away, making control 
 impossible. Such a possibility should be guarded against 
 by subjecting the horse to treatment which will both pre- 
 vent and overcome such a possibility, which can be easily 
 done by the ordinary course of subjection. Hence, when 
 a horse is impulsive and dangerous, liable to kick or run 
 away, or is at all doubtful, he should not be driven until 
 subjected to this necessary precautionary treatment, and is 
 not to be hazarded until made thus safe. There is no more 
 necessity or sense in hazarding an accident by the use of 
 horses that are so unsafe that they will not submit to the 
 most ordinary causes of excitement, such, for example, as 
 being touched by the wagon or cross-piece of shafts, fear of 
 top umbrella, refusing to be obedient to the most ordinary 
 restraint and guidance of the bit when pulled upon, no 
 matter how excited, than there is in hazarding a boiler 
 known to be so weak as to give way under any greater pres- 
 sure than is barely necessary for ordinary use. 
 
 But in tracing back causes of unusual derangement, we 
 should look back, too, to those of a constitutional charac- 
 ter, inherited from the sire or sires by causes which excite 
 or derange the mind or nervous system, as the condition 
 of the mind at the time the sires were brought together, 
 must largely influence in forming the character of the colt. 
 Hence the stallion, though of a gentle character, if excited 
 and maddened at the time of so using, will almost with 
 certainty cause the colt to be naturally vicious. So in rela- 
 tion to the mare; if subjected to exciting, abusive treatment, 
 the disposition of the colt must be affected by it. Many 
 
REMARKABLE ADAPTATION OF HORSES. 37 
 
 interesting statements of facts, proving the truth of these 
 assertions, have been made to me by farmers and breeders 
 at different times, after attending my lectures, to such 
 causes of possible derangement, and which it is essential to 
 guard against. 
 
 KEMARKABLE ADAPTATION OP HORSES FOR 
 DIFFERENT USES. 
 
 Marked extremes and modifications of size, disposition 
 and character, show fixed laws of adaptation. We see this 
 is not only true in the adaptation of different classes of 
 domestic animals for special uses, but even in those of the 
 same family. Thus 
 
 THE ESQUIMAUX 
 
 have not only a dog, but a dog of peculiar nature, exactly 
 adapted to their wants. No other domestic animal could 
 endure the intense cold of that region, or could live so far 
 North with man, and this dog must and does perform the 
 different duties of guard, assistant, hunter, fisherman, etc., 
 and, in extremity, supplies, both by his body and his skin, 
 both food and raiment for his master. 
 
 THE LAPLANDERS 
 
 have the reindeer, which is also singularly adapted to their 
 wants, the most reliable and only beast of burthen capable 
 of enduring the rigors of so cold a latitude, supplying them 
 with milk, butter and cheese, their flesh making the best of 
 food, and their skiii the best o^ clothing. 
 
 THE PERUVIANS 
 
 have the llama, or alpaca, which is accustomed to climb the 
 mountains, carries heavy burthens over the Andes, and fur- 
 nishes them with milk for their children, wool for clothing, 
 but best of all, meat for food. The 
 
 INHABITANTS OF THE DESERT 
 
 have the camel, or dromedary, for crossing the arid, sandy 
 plains, carrying heavy burthens, and bearing within them- 
 selves a supply of water to last them for a week. They 
 have also the horse, lithe, active and enduring, capable of 
 traveling with great fleetness for days, on the most scanty 
 fare. 
 
S8 NATURAL ADAPTATION REGARDED. 
 
 NATUKAL ADAPTATION KBGABDED, 
 
 This remarkable adaptation to climate and condition, 
 as seen not only in the animals named, to the wants of the 
 people among whom we find them, is also wonderfully 
 exemplified in the horse, showing great size, weight and 
 strength, mild, docile and patient disposition, exactly 
 idapted for the slow, slavish drudgery of the plow or cart. 
 His anatomical structure and coarse, heavy muscle show 
 him to be fitted for and adapted only for strong but slow 
 action. The fiery, quick, active horse, on the contrary, has 
 not only a form adapted for speed and great endurance; he 
 has a more oblique and thinner shoulder, longer arm and 
 hip, and more lung power. His whole structure is of a 
 finer, lighter and stronger character. He does not put on 
 fat easily, and is more sensitive, intelligent and active, simu- 
 lating the grey-hound in appearance and action, compared 
 to the heavy, slow Newfoundland dog of an entirely con- 
 trary conformation. From these extremes there is an endless 
 variety of modifications, showing not only marked traces 
 of distinction of family, for strength, activity, endurance 
 and action, but in disposition, ranging from the smallest 
 Shetlander to the large Norman or Flemish horses, in size, 
 intelligence, temper and density of texture from that of 
 the quick, fiery barb, to the slow, dull, sluggish cart horse. 
 Hence the necessity of selecting the larger, slower and more 
 patient character for slow, heavy, slavish work, and the 
 light, active, hardy, enduring character for great fleetness 
 and endurance, as, for example, shown in the use of light, 
 hardy, lithe, active horses used on the desert or plains of 
 our own country, for speed and endurance, and the large, 
 slow, Norman or Flemish horse for slow, heavy work. In 
 a word, anything of an ordinary discrimination should 
 designate the necessity of selecting horses for the work they 
 are by nature best adapted. Want of regard to this law is 
 the cause of not only much annoyance, but of great loss to 
 farmers and others. 
 
 This is not only true in the selection and use of light 
 boned, sensitive, delicate constitutioned horses for slow, 
 heavy work, or subjecting high-strung, nervous-tempered 
 ones for such a purpose, when slower, stronger and more 
 patient animals should be used. So, in relation to using 
 
NOT BEING AFRAID OF HORSES. 39 
 
 slow, heavy horses for fast driving or riding, and so, also, 
 the greatest and most unpardonable want of judgment and 
 prudence is shown by gentlemen in the selection of horses 
 of the most unreliable character, for a purpose requiring the 
 greatest docility and perfection of character. 
 
 The most lamentable and common causes of accident and 
 loss, result from the want of exercising proper descrimina- 
 tion and judgment in the selection of horses more especially 
 adapted by nature for their use. 
 
 Thus, if a horse is not or cannot be made perfectly reli- 
 able for carriage or family use, or for any purpose involving 
 much danger to life and property, he should be discarded 
 or changed for one that is safe and reliable. But as these 
 naturally excitable, hardy, plucky horses are really the best 
 and most valuable horses when properly educated, the great 
 value of my treatment can be appreciated, as I conclusively 
 prove. I can even reform and make perfectly gentle the 
 wildest and most vicious horses that can be found ; and that 
 it must be the fault of the reader if he cannot be equally 
 successful. I see and handle horses almost daily, that are 
 used for carriage driving, so unreliable and dangerous in 
 character, that it would be true economy to shoot or give 
 them away, rather than hazard accident by their use. 
 
 NOT B£3ING AFKAID OF HORSES. 
 
 This is a common expression, and is most always 
 prompted by fool hardy ignorance. A wild mustang or 
 mule would strike or kick without regard to being firm and 
 courageous in manner or not. A determined horse that 
 has learned to kick and run away, can do so in defiance of 
 any control that can be exerted upon the mouth by the 
 strongest of men with reins. If there is danger of a horse 
 kicking or resisting control from excessive fear or other 
 cause of resistance, being recklessly venturesome, without 
 having taken adequate precautionary measures to prevent or 
 overcome such viciousness, is only incurring risk; it is the 
 part of true success to guard against or break up, before 
 taking any doubtful chances which can be easily done by 
 my treatment. It is assuming too much for any man to 
 attempt driving and controlling a wild, reckless, kicking, 
 runaway horse, by the control of reins and bit, as a strongs 
 
40 NOT BEING AFRAID OF HOI^SES. 
 
 determined, runaway horse can run away in defiance of the 
 power of several men by pulling on reins with any bit 
 m use. I could refer, if necessary, to hundreds of horses 
 of so bad a character as to resist all control in double or 
 single harness, by any means that could be used, to two of 
 the worst cases of which I will refer to here, out of a large 
 number I have handled, even during the past season. 
 
 An eight year old bay horse, owned by Mr. Gates, a 
 livery keeper of Garrettsville, Ohio. This horse was raised 
 by Mr. Gates, had a right to trot fast, but in defiance of all 
 that he could do up to the time handled by me, he could 
 no be controlled in harness. The united strength of ten 
 men, the owner stated, could not hold him if in the least 
 excited or touched with a whip; yet in twenty minutes was 
 driven by me gently, and so thoroughly gentle and man- 
 ageable as to stand by word of command, regardless of any 
 excitement, even whipping, and has been driven in double 
 and single harness by Mr. Gates and others for nearly a 
 year, (Nov., 1871,) and drives safe and gentle. One of the 
 most remarkable however, was a six year old colt, owned by 
 J. P. Collins, Esq., proprietor of track in Toledo, Ohio. 
 This colt resisted all control in harness, pulling so recklessly 
 against the bit, that control was out of the question ; yet 
 was driven perfectly gentle by me in forty minutes, and 
 remains so. These horses could run away with any horse 
 hitched with them in double harness; it was considered as 
 impossible by any means to drive them in single or double 
 harness without running away ; yet the once handling to 
 which each was subjected by me, proved sufficient to make 
 them quiet in single or double harness. 
 
 I stand ready to handle and drive horses of the wildest 
 and most desperate character, and take such in hand almost 
 daily in illustrating my lectures, yet I never have an acci- 
 dent or get run away with. Now, although I do this as a 
 matter of business in the pursuit of which I take in hand 
 some of the most desperately reckless horses in the country, 
 I would not think of hitching up and driving a horse of 
 even ordinary bad character as is usually done, knowing 
 my control to be too doubtful and limited to do so safely. 
 This is the prudence I would urge upon you to exercise when 
 necessary, as it is one of the essential points of true suc- 
 cess as well as in guarding against and preventing accident 
 
GREAT THOROUGHNESS NECESSARY. 41 
 
 Of course there are circumstances, and they are ahuost of 
 constant occurrence, that call for courage and firmness of 
 the highest order, to divert the attention, and hold a dis- 
 position to aggression in check. Horses of courage and 
 intelligence are sometimes wonderfully acute in their per- 
 ceptions, and the least expression of weakness or want of 
 confidence would encourage them to resistance if not 
 dangerous aggression. This is seen most clearly in 
 stallions. 
 
 The horse always reveals his intentions by the actions 
 of the ears and muzzle, and the expression of the eyes, as 
 plainly as could be done by words. If they are thrown 
 back, the lips curl, eye half closes and glisfening with an 
 expression of defiance, there is danger. In approaching 
 such a horse, the better way is to stand still just beyond 
 the reach of the animal, looking straight at the eye, show- 
 ing undoubted confidence and power in the actions and 
 expression of the features and language, authoritatively 
 commanding to get round or take care. The degree of 
 attention and submission to command, will enable deter- 
 mining with great certainty, how far it is safe to venture, 
 but under any circumstances is the eye, in such a^ case, to 
 be taken off that of the horse. The firmness and delicacy of 
 judgment often necessary in approaching and handling some 
 horses, must necessarily be of a high order to prevent resist- 
 ance, if not aggression and injury. 
 
 GREAT THOROUGHNESS NECESSARY. 
 
 An important requisition is being thorough in what is 
 attempted to be done, and never to feel that there cannot 
 be success. The worse the horse, the more careful and 
 thorough must be the efforts. Want of reasonable perse- 
 verance will, I imagine, be the principle cause of failure it 
 there is failure. 
 
 Fifteen out of every twenty men, who may attend my 
 lectures, would toil arduously and patiently for days and 
 even weeks for the pittance of a dollar or two a day, who 
 would scarcely submit to the patience and effort necessary 
 to break or reform a valuable horse, for example, of balking 
 or kicking, if it required a half day's continuous effort, 
 though the effort would enable increasing value of the ani- 
 mal from one-fourth to one-half. 
 
42 GREAT THOROUGHNESS NECESSARY. 
 
 There are also many who are disposed to sneer and find 
 fault with the writer, should they fail to even a limited 
 degree in accomplishing those marked results illustrated, 
 and which have been shown to be so easily accomplished by 
 his treatment as to be beyond comparison with any other 
 treatment in simplicity and effectiveness. 
 
 The consideration of an hour or two's time and a few 
 dollars' cost, seems to be an equivalent that demands such 
 effectiveness in the treatment given, as to scarcely require 
 an effort to reform horses of the most vicious character. 
 Like the conceited, ignorant, laboring Irishman, who man- 
 aged by years of the most severe labor and rigid economy 
 to save enough to take him to America, had such a hallu- 
 cination impressed upon his mind of the ease and luxurious 
 plenty to be found in this great, free country, that after 
 landing in New York he would not deign to pick up a five 
 dollar gold piece which happened in his way in the street. 
 It was not worth stooping for. Be Gorra, he would go to 
 the whole heap which he imagined somewhere beyond, and 
 when he found it necessary to work at fourteen shillings a 
 day, which was just twelve times more than he ever received 
 for a day's labor in Ireland, he cursed the freedom and 
 sneered at the privation, suffering and loss by which this 
 grand, free country, with its illimitable resources, were won 
 and given for the use and benefit of the poor and industrious 
 of all nations, for little more than the cost of coming to it. 
 So many ignorant, conceited men who have not the expe- 
 rience, discrimination or judgment to appreciate and use 
 with becoming patience and effort, the knowledge which I 
 have made available to them for virtually almost nothing, 
 which has cost me the best part of my life to develope, at 
 a cost of labor, anxiety, danger and money, that with rea- 
 son would appal those of the most stern resolution, energy 
 and strength, and but few, indeed, who would have the 
 courage even to attempt, would succeed in passing through 
 without failing. The truth is, more or less failure and dif- 
 ficulty is necessary to become skilled and successful in the 
 performance of any important duty, and the same is, to 
 some extent, true in the application of my system. When 
 I tell the reader that the ability to write these pages, and 
 whatever of skill and success I have attained, has been 
 grown into me by the hard, stern attritioa of an unaided 
 
MORAL BEARING. 43 
 
 floating life among strangers, almost continually subj^t to 
 those perverting influences which are its natural concomi 
 tants. And yet I am made only the more mindful by ex- 
 perience that I am wholly indebted to those necessities of 
 my condition, which seemed to call continually for the 
 exercise of my greatest energies, not so much to attain suc- 
 ces as to prevent and overcome the trials and failures to 
 which I was almost constantly liable. This is the lesson 
 which true success in any channel must teach, and in no 
 direction is it taught more forcibly than in the proper exer- 
 cise of this great and important duty. 
 
 Human nature is so constituted that it calls for great 
 trials to develope its great and profound resources. Every 
 difficulty, rightly considered, only stirs into still greater 
 action its latent powers. Every act of dissimulation and 
 dishonesty discovered leads to a closer perception of the 
 actions and intentions animating others under like circum- 
 stances, but they are rightly considered only the elements 
 necessary to brighten and strengthen the mind to steadier, 
 stronger, more uniform and successful action. As the 
 steady wielding of the hammer by the blacksmith developes 
 more size and strength in his arm, and proportionately more 
 strength and powers of endurance. 
 
 MORAL BEARING. 
 
 In its true significance, this duty is really one of the most 
 interesting and instructive we are called upon to perform, 
 constantly revealing to the mind the true latitude of its 
 powers and responsibility. In studying the instincts and 
 habits of the horse, we are reminded of many of the laws, 
 aptitudes and peculiarities of our own nature; for, while 
 we are trying to control and regulate the actions of the 
 horse, we are bringing into play certain principles of order, 
 command and control in our own minds. 
 
 The more we observe this the more true and important it 
 will be made to appear to us. We soon find that we first 
 need to control ourselves to be able to control the horse, 
 and we see, too, that the more perfect and reasonable the 
 control which we are capable of exercising over ourselves 
 is, the more perfect and reasonable the control we are capa- 
 ble of exercising over the horse. Hence we see that the 
 
44 MORAL BEARING. 
 
 scierrtific study and training of the horse is ahnost continu- 
 ally leading the mind to an insight of the most striking 
 laws of our own minds. - 
 
 Now, when we proceed on fixed laws, this exercise begins, 
 and the more we see and understand that skill is involved, 
 the more we feel that real responsibility and skill are de- 
 manded to insure success. We see* that certain elements 
 are necessary: i^oolness, firmness, steadiness of purpose, 
 energy, perseverance. We have brought all these qualities 
 into exercise; we have cultivated and strengthened them 
 in ourselves; we have seen the importance of not showing 
 fear, the impropriety of exhibiting anger, hastiness, re- 
 venge, etc., and the importance of keeping uppermost 
 feelings of kindness, forbearance, etc. Thus, when we 
 proceed on right principles and according to the real laws 
 of the case, we are all the time cultivating the better side, 
 and restraining the worst side of our own nature. 
 
 View the subject as we will, it excites strong incentives 
 to self-improvement, offering the most frequent suggestions, 
 and presenting a repetition of motives for the cultivation 
 of all our highest and best powers. 
 
THE WILD COLT. 
 
 When we remember that the first impressions on the 
 mind of the colt are the strongest and most lasting; that 
 his resistance is prompted by fear and an ignorance of what 
 he is required to do, we see that the first point to be ac- 
 complished, is to make him so gentle that he will not try to 
 resist being handled without frightening or abusing him. 
 Imagine yourself in place of the colt; a timid, innocent, sus- 
 picious child, and realize what the treatment of any one 
 should be to enlist your confidence and obedience, and you 
 will see that gentleness, kindness and prudence in not 
 exciting the fears are paramount considerations. If the 
 colt is afraid of you and resists your control, it is because 
 he apprehends danger from you. Now the quicker you 
 force him the more you must abuse and excite him, hence 
 you must make up your mind to be patient — take your time, 
 following up carefully, one point after another, until there is 
 entire docility, allowing being touched or handled behind 
 as may be desired without exciting fear or resistance. 
 
 If possible, have a room or yard, about twenty-five or 
 thirty feet square, or even larger. See that all causes of in- 
 jury are removed, and get the colt into this enclosure very 
 quietly; if he is wild and nervous, see that no hens, dogs, 
 etc., are in the room. Say to your friends, it is necessary 
 to your success, and is a condition of your instruction, that 
 you must be alone. 
 
 Of course the colt must first be haltered. If not very 
 wild, this will not be difficult to do. But if very wild or 
 vicious, this may be difficult and perhaps dangerous, and 
 you should always carefully guard against injury to yourself 
 as well as your horse, and at the same time you may 
 accomplish your object just as surely, if not as easily. Take 
 a light pole ten or twelve feet in length, or as much longer 
 as you can use to advantage, if the colt is very wild or 
 
46 HALTERING THE COLT. 
 
 dangerous, and drive two nails into it, about eight inches 
 apart, the first about an inch from the end, with the heads 
 bent a little outward from each other. Take a common 
 
 Haltering the Colt. 
 
 rope halter with a running noose, pull the part which slips 
 through the noose back about two feet, and hang the part 
 that goes over the head upon the nails on the end of your 
 pole nicely, keeping hold of the hitching part, which must 
 be as long as your pole. Your halter is now so spread and 
 hung upon the stick as to be easily put on to the head. If 
 the colt is not excited or frightened, as you extend the hal- 
 ter towards him he will reach out his nose to smell and 
 examine it, and while he is gratifying his curiosity in this 
 way, you can bring the slack part under his jaw and raise 
 the pole high enough to bring the halter over and back of 
 the ears, when, by turning the stick half way round, the 
 halter will drop from it upon the head. This will frighten 
 the colt a little and cause him to run from you, but this will 
 only cause the slack part passing back of the jaw to be 
 pulled up, and the halter will be securely adjusted. 
 
 Being haltered, the colt must be taught to submit to its 
 restraints and control. Take a position at the side on a 
 line with the shoulder, and give a quick, strong pull towards 
 you, instantly letting loose on the halter until you get the 
 same position again. You have the greatest advantage from 
 
HITCHING. 4^ 
 
 this position, and by adroitly repeating the pulls as he will 
 bear, until he will come without being pulled upon. Should 
 you pull slow and steady, he will resist and pull against 
 you, and may even attempt to throw himself down; this 
 you will avoid by giving a quick pull, and letting loose in- 
 stantly. As soon as he will yield and come round promptly, 
 get on the other side and repeat in the same manner, until 
 he will follow you readily on either side without pulling. 
 Be careful not to pull ahead until there is prompt submis- 
 sion sidewise. You can then gradually pull a little more on 
 a line with the body until I he colt will come promptly in 
 any direction, to the slightest pull upon the halter. If the 
 colt is of a quick, gentle disposition, he will soon learn this 
 lesson thoroughly; but if very young, or of a slow, sulky 
 disposition, great resistance is likely to be shown for some 
 time. If the resistance is very obstinate or reckless in 
 character, you may resort to the simple course of subjection, 
 which will soon compel obedience. This you have been 
 taught how to do ; if there is not prompt obedience to the 
 second method, (being careful not to tie too short,) resort to 
 the first, then again to the secoftd, until submissive. 
 
 When there is submission you should encourage by ap- 
 pealing to the affections. Rub the head and neck, and give 
 presents of something of which fond, until all excitement 
 and irritation subside. The eye will gradually grow mild 
 in expression, and there will be an apparent indifference to 
 being handled. A coarse, harsh or loud voice is terribly 
 irritating to a sensitive or spirited horse or colt, and must 
 by all means be held in check. Speak in a gentle natural 
 tone, softened by kind expression, which will do much 
 toward securing the confidence of the animal and repressing 
 his fear. With some colts it will be necessary to repeat the 
 lesson in leading two or three times, to ensure prompt 
 obedience. 
 
 HITCHING. 
 
 When the colt will lead kindly and promptly, he may 
 next be taught to stand hitched. To prevent his learning 
 to pull at the halter, take a piece of strong cord, about a 
 third of an inch in diameter, twenty-two feet long ; double 
 it, and place the centre under the tail; bring both ends 
 
48 
 
 BITTING. 
 
 forward, cross and twist them three or four times over the 
 back, knot them in front of the breast, and pass them 
 
 Hitching. 
 
 through the ring of the halter and tie to the manger or post. 
 Hitch in this way until the colt refuses to pull back, even 
 if frightened a little ; after learning to submit in this manner, 
 which he will soon learn to do, he will stand hitched by 
 the common form of halter. 
 
 BITTING 
 
 Is the next step in educating the colt, and implies teaching 
 the colt to submit to the restraint and control of the bit, 
 giving as much style to the carriage of the head and neck 
 as the form and temper of the animal will bear. Put on a 
 common bridle with a smooth snaffle bit, without reins, and 
 allow him to. go as he pleases, in a yard or field, for half an 
 hour or more, which may be repeated once or twice, to 
 make the mouth accustomed to and hardened to the bit. 
 Next jjut on a surcingle with check and side reins, buckling 
 the reins at first so long as to bring but little restraint upon 
 the mouth. After being on thirty or forty minutes, take it 
 off. At each repetition buckle the reins a little shorter, 
 until the head is submitted up and back freely to the check. 
 It seems needless to introduce details of a bitting harness. 
 Any simple construction of the ordinary kind will answer 
 very well, and the style is so generallv understood that a 
 
BITTING THE COLT. 
 
 49 
 
 description here is unnecessary. The object being to bring 
 such restraint upon the bit that the head will be held up 
 and back most natural and easily, without giving freedom 
 to the head except in the direction of the reins. Care 
 should be taken to have the throat latch so loose, that there 
 will be no pressure of it upon the throat when checked up. 
 
 Bitting the Colt. 
 
 The gag-runners should be well up near the ears. Care 
 must be taken not to bring too much restraint upon the bit 
 by buckling the reins so short at first, as to endanger causing 
 the colt to throw himself over backwards and break his 
 neck. It is bad policy to keep a colt checked up too long 
 at a time, as it becomes tiresome, which would cause a 
 resting of the head upon the bit and thus form the disagree- 
 able habit of lugging. If, however, the colt should fight the 
 restraint of the bit or check, it should be left on till the fit 
 exhausts itself and he shows a disposition to submit to its 
 restraint. 
 
 Short lessons at first, and gradually keeping on longer as 
 the mouth becomes hardened by the bit and the colt will 
 bear it without fatigue, is the best course. 
 
 After the usual course of checking up in this manner, 
 
 4 
 
50 DRIVING IN HARNESS. 
 
 take a piece of cord about eight or ten feet in length, of the 
 common sash or clothes line size, as strong and pliable as 
 you can find. Tie a large hard knot in one end, and about 
 twenty inches from this knot make another tie, passing the 
 knot end around the neck as near the shoulder as possible. 
 Pass the other end of the cord through both rings of the 
 bit, back of the jaw and back through the loop around the 
 neck, and draw up the slack. Now stand in front of the 
 head, holding the cord tightly with both hands; give a 
 quick, short pull down and back, which will cause the head 
 to be thrown up and back. Repeat, until the head is given 
 up and back freely at the slightest pull. Now, when the 
 reins are attached to the bit' and pulled upon, the restraint 
 is precisely the same as before; and after repeating this 
 lesson a few times, the head will be freely submitted to the 
 control of the bit, and a beautiful carriage of the head 
 secured, even without a check. 
 
 DRIVING IN HARNESS. 
 
 I would say here in this connection, that there is an 
 almost unaccountable stupidity exhibited in the usual 
 method of training colts. There is the greatest care taken 
 not to frighten by having the heels touched for fear of ex- 
 citing resistance ; whereas, this is the very point that should 
 be accomplished most thoroughly in the first place. The 
 hinder parts should be broken, as it is term, until there is no 
 fear of being touched by anything. This is the first point 
 I look to and accomplish most perfectly, safely and quickly 
 by my second course of subjection, and which is one of the 
 real secrets of my success in driving wild or kicking colts 
 so quickly to shafts without breeching. Look to this point 
 in the first place, then teach the colt to summit to the gui- 
 dance and control of tbe bit, and you accomplish by two 
 movements, quicker and better, what it takes so long, and 
 is done so unreliable by the usual course of treatment. 
 
 When the colt is gentle and taught to submit the head to 
 the bit, the next step should be to teach submission to the 
 guidance and control of the bit with reins. I would state 
 here that if the colt is well bitted, submitting the head to 
 being checked high, there will not be much inclination to 
 kick or resist, hence, the custom of putting on a bitting 
 
HITCHING THE COLT TO POLES. 51 
 
 harness on a wild colt, checking the head up tightly. This 
 treatment will work well in most cases; being a powerful 
 means of subjection, the majority of colts or those not very 
 bad, will work to harness quite well by checking up tightly 
 for a. while. Colts of a sulky, plucky nature are liable to 
 resist it, and throw themselves over backwards. If the 
 back part of the head should strike the ground heavy in 
 thus falling, there is great danger of the animal being 
 killed, as the back part of the head under where the bridle 
 and halter comes, is where the first bone of the cervical 
 vertebrae (atlas) unites to the head or oxipital ; an appa- 
 rently very slight concussion or injury at this point will 
 break the neck and destroy life. This must not be 
 hazarded, and besides it is needlessly cruel. The course I 
 advise in the first place, enables making the colt perfectly 
 gentle with perfect safety in a few minutes, enabling, if even 
 desired, putting the colt in harness and driving with perfect 
 safety, especially if the precaution is taken of driving 
 around a few minuutes in harness before attaching to 
 wagon; but if the greatest certainty is desired at the 
 expense of a little patient care, subject to the mild course 
 of bitting in addition, but little more is necessary to do 
 than drive him in harness a few minutes, turning right and 
 left, and stopping until obedient, when he can be easily 
 driven to shafts. 
 
 The proper course is to put on the harness with smooth 
 snaffle bit in bridle, tie the tugs into the breeching, run the 
 reins through the shaft lugs instead of the terrets, now get- 
 ting directly behind the colt you can easily rein and keep 
 him before you in driving until obedient and gentle to 
 'reins. Of course there must be patience and care in pro- 
 portion to the temper and natural resistance shown until 
 successful. 
 
 HITCHING THE COLT TO POLES. 
 
 If the colt is at all uncertain, it will be policy to work 
 slowly and carefully, as one mismove while attached to a 
 wagon might cause damage to wagon and injury to the colt. 
 The simplest, cheapest and surest plan of teaching the colt to 
 become safe in shafts, is to drive first in poles. Get three 
 SLENDER POLES, two^of them about twelve feet long each, 
 the third about seven feet in length. Lay down the poles 
 
52 HITCHING THE COLT TO POLES. 
 
 small ends forward in the .form of shafts, about twenty 
 inches spart, the back ends about six feet apart. Lay the 
 short piece across about six feet six inches to seven feet 
 from the forward ends, and tie on with pieces of cord. 
 Hitch the colt into these poles, attaching the tugs to the 
 cross piece by tying with cord, and drive around until there 
 is perfect submission to them, guiding promptly to the reins 
 and submitting to the poles striking the flanks or heels 
 without exciting the least fear. But in the early driving of 
 colts, great care must be used not to force too freely to 
 back, as this may cause the habit of backing too freely, 
 turning around and running back from the slightest causes 
 of fear of anything in advance, in driving to wagon or 
 sulky. Great care should be taken not to drive the colt 
 too much at first, and at no time sufficient to produce 
 exhaustion. Neither should his strength be taxed too much 
 by drawing heavy loads, until he has become accustomed 
 to the noise and restraint of the wagon and learned to use 
 his strength as required. Let his drives be moderate at first, 
 both in gait and distance ; gradually increasing the distance 
 as he will bear without fatigue. After learning to walk well, 
 let him trot a little, gradually letting him out faster and a 
 little farther, as smooth pieces of road give opportunity; 
 restrict these little outbursts of speed at first to the limits 
 of a few rods. Let him dash out a short distance, then 
 gradully slacken to a walk, speaking kindly and en- 
 couragingly. After a while, let him out again, pushing, 
 perhaps, a little faster and farther, being careful not to 
 crowd to breaking. It must not be expected because your 
 colt is perhaps a good mover, that he will be a fast trotter. 
 But if he does show a loose open gait, do not by any means 
 spoil him by attempting too much at first. There is usually 
 too much anxiety to try a colt's speed and bottom, and he 
 is often pushed, overdone, and spoiled perhaps, before his 
 powers are half developed. 
 
 A colt must not be crowded too much in educating to 
 harness. He cannot be expected to submit quietly to the 
 irritation and excitement of harness and wagon, or drive 
 like an old horse, without experience and practice. He 
 must grow into the position as it is were, and a reasonable 
 patience and effort is necessary to ensure this. The great 
 trouble witli most people in training colts is, they attempt 
 
DOUBLE DRIVING BACKING RIDING. 53 
 
 too much, and thus make haste slowly. The quickest and 
 surest course is that I give. It will always enable working 
 a colt safely at most in a few hours. 
 
 DOUBLE DRIVING. 
 
 It is generally the custom to drive the colt at first in 
 double harness by the side of a gentle horse aecustomed to 
 harness; the colt should be put on the off side. The whip 
 should be held over the old horse, to keep him up to the 
 movements of the colt in starting, but the gait should be 
 kept moderate. 
 
 After driving well on the off side, he should be reversed 
 to the near side, there being less danger of becoming 
 frightened from getting into or out of the wagon, or of 
 seeing things while being passed to or from the wagon, by 
 being more from view on the off side, therefore to lessen 
 the probabilities of being frightened, it is preferable at first. 
 
 Let the driving be moderate, and the load light, and, by 
 all means, if the colt is of a sensitive or nervous tempera- 
 ment, the greatest mildness must be observed. Loud 
 ''yelling" or cracking of the whip should not be permitted. 
 A little imprudence of this kind is often the cause of very 
 serious mischief with timid, young horses. 
 
 BACKING. 
 
 x\fter learning to drive well, teach the idea of backing by 
 pulling on the reins steadily, and saying "back." If there 
 is resistance give a quick, sharp, raking pull, which will move 
 the colt by the pain and force of the bit backward, repeat- 
 ing until there is prompt obedience. If there is much 
 resistance put on breaking bit, which will soon secure 
 obedience, but under any curcumstances do not make the 
 colt back too freely, especially if the mouth is sensitive. 
 
 RIDING. 
 
 If the colt is not of a very bad character there will be no 
 resistance to being rode after the first lesson of subjection. 
 If there is, attach a short strap or a piece of rope to the off 
 fore foot, throwing the othet end over the back. Take a 
 
54 RIDING. 
 
 short hold of this strap with the right hand, while the left 
 grasps the near rein of the bridle firmly. As the head is 
 pulled around, the horse is made to step sidewise, and the 
 instant the foot is relaxed it is held up by the restraint of 
 the right hand on the strap, which is instantly drawn upon. 
 The colt is now on three legs, 
 and unable to resist. Jump 
 lightly on the back, press the 
 feet against the belly and flanks. 
 As there is submission release 
 the foot, taking a firm hold of 
 the reins, which should be held 
 short. Move the colt forward, 
 and as there is an indication of 
 resistance pull upon the strap 
 and reins, which will disable and 
 disconcert the horse from further (Mounting the Coit.) 
 
 opposition to being rode. If the colt will not move for- 
 ward, request an assistant to lead him by the head for a 
 short time. So long as there is any indication of resistance, 
 keep on the strap. One thorough lesson is usually suffi- 
 cient, though some colts may require a repetition of the 
 lesson. 
 
 When it is desired to mount, let the left hand rest lightly 
 on the mane, a little forward of the withers, holding the 
 reins between the thumb and fingers. Throw the right 
 hand lightly on the back, the body close to the horse. 
 Now spring lightly upward and forward. The instant of 
 doing so, let the right hand glide forward until the elbow 
 strikes the back bone, when the weight of the body is to be 
 instantly balanced upon the right arm, which will enable 
 sufficient strength to make the spring continuous, and the 
 body is easily brought into a sitting posture. This is slight 
 undertaking, and a little practice will give the ability to 
 mount the highest horses with apparently wonderful ease. 
 To mount on a saddle, stand by the side, a little back of 
 the stirrup, the face towards the horse's head. Take a short 
 hold of the reins between the fingers, grasping into the 
 mane at the same time, put the left foot into the stirrup, 
 throw the right hand over the saddle and press it against 
 the off side, throwing the weight of the body on the left 
 foot, and you can lift yourself into the saddle easily. 
 
HANDLING THE COLT's FEET. 55 
 
 HANDLING THE COLT'S FEET. 
 
 If the colt is of an ordinary good disposition this can be 
 done without resorting to special means. Stand well up to 
 the shoulder, put the left hand on the shoulder, pressing 
 forward gently, which will relax the muscles controlling the 
 leg, with the right hand, instantly grasp the foot below the 
 fetlock and lift it up, removing the left hand and bring 
 under the foot to aid the right hand. To handle the hind 
 feet, let the right hand glide gently from the shoulders back 
 to the hip. At the instant it passes the point of the hip, 
 bring the left forward upon the hip. While doing this, the 
 right hand is being glided down the leg gently, until it 
 strikes the fetlock, when the left hand should be pressed 
 firmly against the body at the point stated, which will relax 
 the limb, and the foot can be easily brought up by the right, 
 the left is lowered and passed down the limb on the back 
 part of the fetlock. Or the foot can be raised and lowered 
 a few times with the right hand, while the left balances the 
 body by pressing against the hip until there is perfect 
 submission. 
 
 If there is resistance, take up the fore foot, request an 
 assistant to hold it up for you, while he at the same time 
 holds the colt by the halter or bridle. Tie the end of a 
 rope or strap around the hind foot, above the fetlock, at the 
 instant of doing which let the hand glide along to the oppo- 
 site part, until six or eight feet from the foot. At the same 
 time request the forward foot to be let loose, the assistant 
 holding by the halter. Now pull upon the strap, which 
 will bring the foot forward, and at the instant of attempting 
 to kick, let go, and so repeat until the foot is submitted to 
 the restraint of strap. Then slip behind and pull the foot 
 back, and as before yielding at each effort to kick, let go, 
 until the foot is submitted freely. Now take the foot from 
 the control of the strap to the hand and handle gently. 
 
 If there is very determined resistance, tie the end of your 
 long strap around the neck, near the shoulders, pass the 
 other end back between the fore legs, around the hind foot, 
 but under the strap around the neck, and draw up on it, at 
 the same time holding him by the bridle or halter. The 
 colt may be frightened and jump to get clear of the res- 
 traint. Should he act very much frightened, slack up on 
 
56 HANDLING THE COLT S lEET. 
 
 the Strap until the foot is almost back to its natural posi- 
 tion. Then as he will bear, again pull a little shorter, at 
 the same time pulling him round in a circle by the head, 
 until he ceases struggling to get the foot loose. You may 
 now pull the foot farther forward, and hold it as before, 
 until he will stand quietly. Now step back a little and pass 
 the hand down the hind leg. Slap the hand upon the leg 
 a little until there is no resistance, then take it in the hands. 
 If there is no resistance, undo the end of the strap and 
 allow the foot a little more freedom; at the same time while 
 holding the foot by the strap, pass the hand from the hip 
 down the leg quietly, rubbing and caressing until able to 
 take it in the hands. 
 
 Handle the opposite leg in the same manner, until there 
 is perfect submission. Should the colt resist having the 
 feet handled with much determination, or prove very 
 vicious, the regular subjective treatment will be necessary. 
 Those of a wildish mustang disposition are the most obsti- 
 nate; there is once in a while one of this class that will call 
 for pretty thorough and patient treatment to make gentle. 
 They are not only so plucky, but so strong and enduring 
 that they are disposed to resist control of the feet at all 
 hazards. It is of great importance that colts are treated 
 with great kindness; giving apples, a little oats, etc., after 
 submitting the feet or being otherwise handled, as the real 
 cause of trouble is fear, and winning the confidence by a 
 little flattery in this way has a powerful effect in disconcert 
 ing the attention and winning the confidence, and thus of 
 teaching obedience. All this is now so easily done when 
 necessary by the ordinary subjective course, that it seems 
 needless to dwell on minor conditions and details ; you 
 must bear in mind that bad cases call for a little work and 
 patience, and that you must be not only thorough, but pru- 
 dent, to be successful. 
 
EXCESSIVE TEAR-CAUSES AND TREAT- 
 MENT OF. 
 
 "^^^■'W^^ 
 
 ...^^-^^^(i^^ 
 
 Fear requires raore than a passing notice. It is the cause, 
 or principle one, of the most dangerous and difficult habits 
 to break up, showing a disease of the mind, or mania, and 
 as such its consideration is at the foundation of the princi- 
 pal bad habits to which horses are subject. Fear causes the 
 colt to resist control, to kick, run away, resist an umbrella, 
 robe, cars, and all unusual objects and sounds. These 
 marked derangements are often the result of causes in 
 themselves of a trifling character. 
 
 Thus, a colt is suddenly excited by the appearance of an 
 umbrella, and it is afterwards an object of terror to him. A 
 horse may be driven for months, or even years, but at some 
 unlooked-for moment the breeching perhaps breaks, allowing 
 the shafts or cross-pieces to strike the heels, perhaps causing 
 the unsuspecting animal to spring, kick and run away. 
 The impression by this one act makes a wagon an object of 
 terror, and he refuses contact with it afterwards, and thus 
 3* 
 
66 EXCESSIVE FEAR. 
 
 through all the ramifications of character, the same in- 
 tensity of fear and resistance is shown to a greater or less 
 degree, in proportion to the sensibility of the animal and 
 the intensity of impression made upon the mind. ' The in- 
 tensity of the impression may be even so great as to destroy 
 life. Several instances of such a fatal result have been 
 brought to my notice. In Ligonier, Ind., a few years ago, 
 a fine horse dropped dead from excessive fear of the cars. 
 Such an occurrence took place in Chicago a few years since, 
 and during the burning of that city one such instance has 
 been authenticated. 
 
 All impressions, it is supposed, are made upon a series of 
 concentric nerves in a certain location of the brain, called 
 ganglige, which retain and throw them off by reflex action 
 under like circumstances. Being of a primary character, 
 when excessive in strength, they subvert and control the 
 reason, and thus the character is strongly marked, if not 
 controlled by them. 
 
 Hence the many instances of insane fear and resistance 
 resulting from being once frightened. 
 
 I could refer to many instances of such insanity coming 
 under my own observation. A bay mare, owned in Green 
 Castle, Pa., in 1865, was entirely fearless of all objects but 
 a robe, the appearance of which would make her furious. 
 When seen at a distance of thirty feet, she became so reck- 
 less as to break away from all restraint, plunged against a 
 heavy door, breaking it down, and ran away. When brought 
 back, I took her in hand. When shown even a corner of 
 the robe at a distance of twenty feet, she would plunge, 
 squeal, strike and kick in the most reckless manner. The 
 shock to her nervous system was so great that I feared she 
 would not bear it, and it was only by the most careful treat- 
 ment I was able in forty minutes to bring it near and throw it 
 upon her, and ultimately she did not care anything about it. 
 When in Cleveland, an interesting case of this character, 
 owned by Dr. Keegan, was brought me. Many years before, 
 when standing in the street, the wind blew a blanket from 
 the horse's back, falling under him, and it so frightened him 
 that ever afterwards a blanket could not be brought near 
 him. This horse was entirely fearless of all other objects, 
 could be driven up to cars, but a blanket was to him an 
 object of the greatest terror, iresisting its appearance by 
 
EXCESSIVE FEAR. 59 
 
 kicking, striking and even squealing, in his phrenzy to get 
 away from it. With a little care I succeeded in breaking 
 up the impression so effectually, that he allowed a blanket 
 on him afterwards. We see, in all cases, that excessive 
 feat is excited by forcing or bringing the object to notice 
 too quickly or unexpectedly, causing so intense an excite- 
 ment of the fears as to derange the understanding. If, in 
 the first place, these derangements are the result of shocking 
 the nervous system by the suddenness and violence of the 
 impression, the prevention of such derangements can be 
 secured by bringing objects and sounds liable to excite, to 
 notice slowly; and, second, in overcoming them, that 
 there is power to control physical resistance at will, to 
 enable convincing the reason of the harmless character of 
 the object or sound. The feelings become blunted by the 
 presence or repeated contact with the object or sound. The 
 greatest causes of danger cease to attract notice by familiar- 
 ity with them. The family living on a by-road in the 
 country, who would notice every one going by in their 
 isolated position, in a city where people pass almost con- 
 stantly, would soon become unmindful of even greater 
 causes of excitement. The principle is the same with 
 horses. Hence, omnibus, hack or other horses that are 
 almost constantly in the vicinity of the cars soon become 
 unmindful of them, the exception being those of a very 
 sensitive character, or by being greatly frightened at first. 
 Hence, military horses that are forced to submit to the 
 firing of small arms, cannons, drums, etc., soon become 
 regardless of such excessive noises and excitement, and 
 soon become perfectly gentle and obedient to control 
 under such circumstances. It is common, too, for horses 
 that are very sensitive in the country when subjected to the 
 constant bewildering excitement of a city to become as un- 
 mindful of what is passing around them, as others accus- 
 tomed to use in such a locality. The change of character, 
 too, that may be produced by proper subjective treatment, is 
 remarkable, many marked proofs of which I have illustrated 
 in my own practice. To one marked case I will here refer : 
 In October, 1868, a six year old horse, owned by A. 
 Smawley, of Petroleum Centre, Pa., was brought to me for 
 treatment. This horse was of so remarkably wild and des- 
 perate a character that he was known by the name of 
 
6U TREATMENT OF FEAR. 
 
 *'Wild Pete." He would scringe and jump at the least 
 touch or appearance of anything strange; he would not 
 stand to be cleaned, could not be harnessed, and to attempt 
 putting him in shafts would excite the utmost desperation, 
 jumping and kicking clear of restraint at all hazards. He 
 was one of the most desperate acting horses of the kind I 
 ever saw. Indeed, anything touching him behind, even a 
 touch of a whip, would make him jump and kick regardless 
 of consequences. Yet, after subjecting him to two ener- 
 getic lessons of less than an hour each, I could drive him 
 to my buggy with perfect safety, and he could not be made 
 to kick or resist control. So perfectly docile did he 
 become, that he was let for driving in the livery, and has 
 proved a very superior and safe carriage horse. As a rule, 
 however, constitutionally timid horses yield slowly, and 
 require careful as well as thorough treatment. I could refer 
 to many interesting illustrations of this character did space 
 permit, 
 
 The rule should be, not to excite the mind excessively 
 from any cause, and to gradually, as the animal will bear, 
 bring the object to notice, at the same time associating with 
 such causes of fear the greatest kindness by giving presents 
 of anything of which fond. 
 
 If there is much resistance or danger, physical control is 
 to be made undoubtedly by the course of subjection, hold 
 ing your point until perfectly successful, repeating the 
 treatment until all resistance ceases. The better to give a 
 practical understanding of details, I will include in this 
 connection the treatment in accustoming to a few of the 
 most common objects of fear, which will enable an under- 
 standing of the treatment necessary for anything else. 
 
 A ROBE. 
 
 While held under careful restraint, let the robe be brought 
 up gently to the colt's nose. After smelling and feeling ot 
 it in his own way until satisfied, rub it gently against the 
 head, neck and body, the way the hair lies, as he will bear. 
 Then stand off a little and throw it across the back, over 
 t]ie neck and head, gradually stepping farther, until you can 
 throw the robe upon him as you please. Repeat the lesson 
 several times. 
 
TREATMENT OF FEAR. 61 
 
 AN UMBRELLA OR PARASOL. 
 
 While holding the colt by the halter or bridle, as may be 
 necessary, bring the umbrella to his nose gently, rub it 
 against the head, neck and body, as he will bear, spreading 
 it a little, repeating the process of rubbing, and so continue 
 gaining little by little, until you can raise the umbrella over 
 the head, and pass it around the animal as you please, 
 without exciting fear or resistance. 
 
 SOUND OF A GUN. 
 
 First, commence by snapping caps a short distance from 
 the horse, gradually, as he will bear, approachmg nearer, 
 until you can snap caps while the gun is resting upon the 
 back, over the head, etc. Then put in a little powder, and 
 at each repetition increase the charge until you can fire oif 
 a heavy load without exciting fear. 
 
 RAILROAD CARS. 
 
 Let the animal see them at rest, then gradually lead or 
 drive him up to them, even to smelling them with his nose. 
 Now, as you have *an opportunity, drive the horse around 
 while they are moving, working up nearer as you can, and 
 at the same time turning him around so that he can see and 
 hear them from different directions. This lesson should be 
 often repeated, being careful not to crowd beyond what the 
 colt will easily bear, until they cease to attract his serious 
 attention. 
 
 OBJECTS EXCITING FEAR WHILE RIDING 
 OR DRIVING. 
 
 Should the horse show fear of a stone or stump, or any- 
 thing of the kind, he will naturally stop and stare at the 
 object in an excited manner. Should the cause of fear be 
 great and sudden, he may attempt to turn round and run 
 away. This is to be guarded against, by sitting well for- 
 ward on the seat, and taking a short hold of the reins, at 
 the same time speaking calmly and encouragingly to the 
 horse. Bear in mind the horse has a great advantage over 
 you, that his excitement is liable to precipitate his whole 
 
62 TREATMENT OF FEAR. 
 
 Strength against you at the least sense of freedom, or addi- 
 tional cause of excitement ; that once resisting control in 
 this position, he will try to do so again at all hazards, under 
 like circumstances. 
 
 Speak encouragingly to the horse, but keep a close watch 
 upon his actions. In a short time the extent of his alarm 
 will not only be perceptibly lessened, but he will become 
 calmer, and almost disregard the object. Then drive nearer 
 as he will bear, exercising the same patience and care. At 
 each effort to get nearer, the horse will become apparently 
 as much frightened as at first. Keep pushing a little at a 
 time in this way, as the horse will bear, until you can drive 
 up to the object, or by it, and you not only leave no bad 
 irrtpression upon the mind, but gradually overcome the dis- 
 position to become frightened. 
 
 Sometimes a horse will dislike a wheelbarrow, baby wa- 
 gon, turkeys, etc., but the treatment is the same. When 
 the excitement is not so great as to endanger successful 
 resistance, and the horse is disposed to "play off, or sol- 
 dier," it may be advisable to apply the whip a little sharply, 
 but this is to be avoided when it is seen the resistance is 
 wholly induced by fear, and the animal is not lazy. 
 
 Some horses while driven to carriages, will not bear the 
 noise and excitement of other horses being driven up be- 
 hind. This is principally on account of the horse's inability 
 to see and understand the cause of the excitement, or it 
 may be owing to the fault of the driver. Some one drives 
 up rapidly behind, perhaps wishes to ''go by," to prevent 
 which the colt is hallooed at and whipped up to prevent 
 such a result. This may be repeated a few times, and the 
 consequence is, if a spirited horse, the habit is acquired of 
 rushing ahead to avoid the punishment expected under such 
 circumstances, and very often, too, a horse is forced into 
 this habit by being run into from behind. 
 
 USING BLINDERS. 
 
 It must be remembered that the blinders in general use 
 so cover up the eyes as to make it impossible for the horse 
 to see things plainly sidewise, or at all from behind, which 
 tends to increase the fear, as we are convinced, when we 
 see that to overcome the animal's fear of any object, the 
 
TREATMENT OF FEAR. 63 
 
 first and most obvious point is to give him an understand- 
 ing of its appearance and character. Blinders are admissible 
 only when there is a desire to conceal the defects of a large 
 head, and to cause a naturally lazy horse to drive steadily, 
 by preventing him from seeing when the whip is about to 
 be applied. 
 
 MUST SEE THE OBJECT FROM DIFFERENT 
 POSITIONS. 
 
 It is one of the peculiarities of the horse to understand 
 and be reconciled to an object or cause of excitement only 
 from its position and circumstances as brought to his 
 notice. This seems to be on account of the horse's rea- 
 soning powers being so limited as to be unable to retain 
 the same understanding of the object beyond the position 
 from which it is brought to notice. 
 
 Every progressive change of position requires almost the 
 same care and patience as that preceding. For example, 
 if in teaching a horse to submit to an umbrella, if it were 
 shown only from the near side, upon carrying it to the off 
 side, would inspire nearly as much fear as at first from the 
 near side, or there may be an aversion to some particular 
 object, or resistance may be inspired only under certain 
 circumstances. You may succeed in getting a colt gentle 
 to be rode from the near ride, but an attempt to mount him 
 from the off side, would in all probability be resisted. 
 
 If a horse is afraid of an umbrella while in harness, he 
 may be taught to care nothing about it out of harness, but 
 if not taught to feel and understand its character in harness, 
 would be apt to be as much frightened at it in that position, 
 as if he knew nothing about it. 
 
 This seems to puzzle many well-meaning men, and is 
 often the cause of much disappointment. 
 
 A horse that is afraid of an umbrella, is brought forward 
 to illustrate the management of such habits. In a short 
 time the horse will bear the umbrella over and around him 
 in any manner, without seeming to care anything about it. 
 The owner is pleased with the belief that his horse is bro- 
 ken, when in harness at some future time, he raises an 
 umbrella behind the animal, and is astonished to find him 
 almost as bad as ever, and he is disappointed. But when 
 
C4 TREATMENT OF FEAR. 
 
 It is seen in' the first place that it is often necessary to 
 repeat the treatment, that expecting the animal to be broken 
 of the habit by a single indirect lesson, only tends to defeat 
 success. For without ability to control the horse, every 
 attempt to force upon him the object of aversion only 
 inspires greater resistance, because taught to a still greater 
 degree to resist control, and a sense of freedom always tends 
 to increase the animal's fear of the object. Now the efforts 
 of the owner to control the horse directly in a position of 
 so great disadvantage, may produce exactly this result, and 
 then from an ignorance of the cause of failure, believes it is 
 impossible to overcome the habit. 
 
 The lesson must be repeated, as long as may be necessary 
 to the end of perfect success, or the horse once excited is 
 liable to drift back to being almost as bad as before. 
 
SUBJECTION. 
 
 Educating horses successfully, implies showing and teach 
 ing what is required to be done in such a plain, practica- 
 manner, that the horse is made to understand clearly what 
 to do. This implies showing by actions, when he does 
 right or wrong, restraining or reproving for resistance or 
 doing wrong, and caressing and rewarding for doing right, 
 repeating with patience until the animal can understand the 
 meaning and object of his restraint, that he is not to be 
 hurt and only required to do what he is commanded. This 
 is an absolutely necessary condition, as horses do not 
 understand articulated language, and cannot understand 
 what to do unless shown. Hence, we caress and reward 
 by giving something to eat of which the animal is fond, 
 learning him to associate kindness and freedom from pain, 
 by yielding obedient to demands made upon him. But it 
 is seen all horses are not gentle enough to be approached 
 and handled to enable doing this. That a man has not 
 strength enough to control or restrain a wild or vicious 
 horse with any degree of safety or certainty. To make 
 such so gentle and submissive to control, that they can be 
 safely and easily handled and educated, constitutes the 
 science of subjection. 
 
 EXCITEMENT NOT ADMISSIBLE. 
 
 There is one law in the subjection of horses requiring 
 special attention, and that is, that the more excitement 
 caused in forcing obedience, the greater and more persis- 
 tent must be the resistance. The object being now to fix 
 upon the mind such an impression of power as to make the 
 animal passive to control; at the same time not only 
 intensifying the impression by such treatment as will cause 
 the most pain, in exact proportion to the resistance made 
 but appealing to the reason and better part of the nature as 
 directly and forcibly by acts of kindness ; but if in doing 
 this the passions are excited, proportionate resistance must 
 result, which may, in the mo-e plucky peculiarities of 
 
66 SUBJECTION. 
 
 disposition, endanger breaking down the animal to over- 
 come ; and even though there is submission to force, there 
 is likely to be renewed resistance after the exhaustion, or 
 the animal becomes cool, unless the better nature is imme- 
 diately won into cooperation of the efforts by kind encour- 
 aging treatment. Hence, when it is desired to bring all 
 the powers of the animal into play, we see the blood is 
 warmed up either by stimulants or exercise. 
 
 Trotting horses are exercised before racing j if animals 
 desired to fight are not in the mood, they are provoked 
 until excited; men who are under the influence of liquor, 
 or from any cause are excited, would fight with a reckless- 
 ness they could not be induced to do when sober and the 
 blood cool, consequently there must and will be increased 
 resistance to the degree, the bad part of the nature is 
 excited. 
 
 This is what Rarey and others tried to accomplish and 
 evade by the different methods introduced, of controlling 
 horses such as lever bits, checking the head high, tying up 
 one or both legs and throwing the horse down. That 
 shown by Rarey (disabling and throwing) being the simplest 
 and valued most highly, the object being to exhibit physical 
 power to the mind, but if the horse happened to be of a 
 sulky, stubborn disposition, passively submitting to the 
 force to which subjected, the impression of power would 
 not be adequate, and if very vicious could not be made 
 sufficiently positive to ensure anything like uniform success, 
 especially in the breaking up of such habits as balking, 
 kicking, running away, etc. 
 
 Were it admissible to subdue horses by lowering their 
 strength, success would be easy, as this can be and often is 
 done by any of the following means, such as bleeding, phy- 
 sicking, want of sleep, violent exercise, pain, starving, want 
 of water, etc., that will lower the strength and depress the 
 energies, will accomplish the same end. 
 
 CHIIiIAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN METHODS. 
 
 It is on this principle that the people of South America 
 break horses; they catch the wild horse with the lasso, 
 throw him to the ground, saddle and bridle him, then ride 
 tlie animal with whip and spur until exhausted and submis- 
 
CHILIAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN METHODS. 67 
 
 sive, they then square off the ends of the hair of the tail to 
 indicate that the horse is broken, and again turn him loose. 
 The Indians on our western plains practice the same plan. 
 The Chilians tie the refractory horse in the stall and apply 
 the whip right and left until he lies down or falls down 
 from weakness; the horse is then tried, and if refractory 
 the process is continued until he becomes gentle. The 
 same process is practiced by certain traveling horsemen in 
 this country; turning the wild or green colt loose in a small 
 enclosure and applying the whip until submissive. Ot 
 course a horse must be whipped terribly to force obedience 
 in this way, and in the treatment of some is liable to sour 
 and spoil the temper. The farmer has learned that if he 
 can tire and exhaust a colt he is much less sensitive, not 
 likely to kick or attempt resisting control. Horses that are 
 worked hard or after a hard journey are much less sensitive 
 or excitable than after being idle for some time. The 
 exceptions being (for there are exceptions) those of pecu- 
 liarly excitable, hardy nature, that seem to increase in 
 energy as they are warmed up. 
 
 The usual course in this country is to put the harness on 
 the green colt, after perhaps being bitted by checking up 
 tightly, which is repeated a few times. The colt is 
 attached by the side of a gentle horse, allowed to go and 
 wear in to becoming accustomed to the harness and obe- 
 dient to the control of the bit. The excitement and 
 possible resistance induced by this course without adequate 
 ability to control by the reins or bit, leads to the many 
 habits of balking, kicking, running away, fear, etc., in har- 
 ness. Should the animal become frightened or resist 
 violently without adequate precaution or power to prevent 
 resistance, some one of the many bad habits to which 
 horses are subject is produced. These results, it is seen, I 
 can easily prevent and overcome by my treatment, ■v^iiiich 
 enables accomplishing the end desired in the simplest, most 
 practical and humane manner, thereby enabling me to con- 
 trol even almost at will, horses of the most vicious and des- 
 perate character 
 
68 SUBJECTION. 
 
 IMPRESSION UPON THE BRAIN. 
 
 As it is the impression that is made directly upon the 
 mind that controls and moves the animal; it is not only 
 necessary to control the animal at will, showing exactly 
 what is required to be done, but that the cooperation of 
 the better part of the nature is won by the kindest and 
 most encouraging treatment, and which constitutes the 
 next most powerful lever of making horses docile and man- 
 ageable. Indeed, a proper application of the efforts with 
 the advantage only of kind, encouraging treatment will 
 enable of itself to show very successful results, and is abso- 
 lutely indispensable in the treatment of sensitive or 
 naturally wild horses. I show not only just how to 
 guide and control the horse to any extreme desired, but 
 hold this control with scarcely an effort, by encouraging 
 obedience through the feelings in the most powerful 
 manner. Now throwing or any of the treatment in gen- 
 eral use will not enable this with any certainty; but throw- 
 ing is a valuable auxiliary, and properly done, enables 
 creating a very strong impression upon the mind of some 
 horses. I will here give the details of the proper method of 
 doing it. 
 
 First, have made a strong leather surcingle, long enough 
 to go around the body of the horse, to which have attached 
 a strong back strap and crouper. On the off side of the 
 surcingle, about eight inches from the back, have a two- 
 inch ring; from this ring to the back strap at the hip have 
 a strong double strap extend. Now put on this harness, 
 which will be like a bitting harness. 
 
 Next take a common hame strap, pass around the near 
 fore leg and over the surcingle, buckling only short enough 
 to allow the foot to come in a horizontal position, or the 
 strap can be tied around the arm and foot. . This done, 
 take a cord eighteen or twenty feet long, of the strongest 
 kind you can get, about ^ inch in size, if strong enough; 
 tie the end into a knot ; about twenty inches from this end 
 make another simple knot, but do not draw it tight. Now 
 pass this end over the neck, put the end knot through the 
 tie, or other knot, and draw close. The ol^ect is to have 
 the cord fit around the neck some distance from the head. 
 Pass the other end of the cord through the ring in the side 
 
WORST HORSES. 
 
 69 
 
 of the surcingle ; at the same time let the cord at the othei 
 end extend through the mouth. When the cord is now 
 drawn tight it will be seen to pass from the neck through 
 the mouth back through the ring, and by pulling on the end 
 held in the hand the head will be drawn to the side. The 
 leg on the opposite side being tied up, when the cord is 
 pulled upon the horse must roll over on his side. This plan 
 will enable throwing a horse very easily, and will enable 
 doing all that is possible to do by this principle of sub- 
 jection. 
 
 This principle of subjection does not work well in the 
 control of horses of a naturally sulky, mulish disposition. 
 Hence it will be found, balkers, very determined kickers, 
 and especially those showing the positive reckless temper 
 of the mustang nature, will resist it, and constitutes only 
 one good step in exhibiting physical control, though not 
 so reliable or effective as the other treatment (shown and 
 illustrated in my lecture.) 
 
 W^ORST HOUSES. 
 
 The dull gray, bright 
 sorrel, and nervous 
 tempered black, and 
 sometimes a bay, if 
 showing much of the 
 wild nature, will ex- 
 hibit the most plucky 
 resistance. If the 
 eyes are small, set 
 well into the head, 
 ears long, inclined to 
 lop back, head flat or 
 nearly so between the 
 ears, head rather nar- 
 row and long, you will 
 find if wild or vicious, 
 the most determined 
 resistance, usually acting very sulky and indifferent to the 
 whip or other means of pain, as the blood becomes 
 warmed up. 
 
 The second course of subjection works best in the control 
 
 Bad Disposition. 
 
70 
 
 SUBJECTION. 
 
 of this temperament. The first may be tried, but in the 
 event of great resistance and the animal becoming very- 
 warm, give sufficient rest to permit the blood to become 
 cool, when you will easily succeed by working carefully aijd 
 thoroughly, encouraging obedience by kindness. 
 
 The naturally sulky, wild, desperate disposition, very 
 rare, but always shown by a middling large eye, well formed 
 nead and countenance; the ears are thrown back, the eye 
 
 sullen, requires the 
 most care and thor- 
 oughness, and must 
 not be hurried too 
 much, and not at all 
 if greatly warmed 
 up, as such, under 
 such circumstances, 
 become intensely 
 reckless. If kickers 
 or balkers, perplex- 
 ingly sullen and de- 
 termined, passive 
 treatment will en- 
 able controlling such 
 easily, always en- 
 couraging all you 
 can for obedience by caressing and giving presents of 
 apples, oats, &c., &c., and above all, you are not on any 
 condition, to stop as soon as the animal submits. Keep at 
 work now, treating in the kindest manner until the nervous 
 system becomes cool, and the horse is fully reconciled to 
 your control. 
 
 You are not to consider a horse broken because submis- 
 sive to control after being handled once. Test carefully 
 after getting cool, and if necessary, repeating until certain 
 of success. 
 
 Let me impress upon you here the necessity of being 
 thorough. It is not by any means safe to be otherwise. 
 Make it your business to do well what you attempt to do. 
 A man of much less than ordinary ability can accomplish 
 almost wonders by trying and being thorough. The man 
 who will not try, and not only try, but be persevering, is 
 not worthy of success. 
 
 Sensitive and Flighty. 
 
WORST HORSES. 71 
 
 The greatest cause of failure, will be want of care and 
 patient perseverance. If we can force and win the obe- 
 dience of a horse in a given time, that is the treatment 
 to pursue to insure perfect success in the reformation of that 
 animal. Like the doing of anything else, work enough 
 must be done to secure the end aimed at with certainty. 
 A horse may submit to control in the most perfect manner 
 after a course of treatment, yet not be half broken. More 
 or less repetition of the treatment, with careful, prudent, 
 encouraging management will be necessary to insure that 
 uniform success in the performance of this great duty, 
 which its delicacy and importance demands. 
 
BREAKING HORSES, ETC. 
 
 RUNNING A^W^AY. 
 
 This habit may be induced by a great variety of causes — 
 principally by becoming frightened in some way, though 
 often by the horse learning to pull against the bit so hard as 
 to defy control, and therefore at the least cause of irritation 
 disposed to pull ahead and run away. When actuated by 
 fear, the resistance is usually so sudden and violent as to 
 induce a degree of resistance to the restraint of the bit we 
 (lave not power to prevent or control. Some-times, too, 
 the horse will spring sidewise, or turn around in doing this, 
 and will so learn the trick that at the least excitement he 
 will spring into a sharp run. All this resistance, it is seen, 
 results from defective training of the mouth, and is virtu- 
 ally surmounted when able to force so great a degree of 
 control by the bit as to break up all disposition to resist 
 restraint when excited. 
 
 Running away is a very serious and dangerous habit, and 
 all such predisposition should be thoroughly broken up 
 when manifested. If very bad, tone down resistance by 
 subjecting the animal to a course of subjection; after which 
 put on the breaking bit and force the most thorough sub- 
 mission to the slightest restraint of the reins. 
 
 Let this be very thoroughly done. Then hitch to wagon, 
 making the horse stop whenever called upon or pulled upon 
 by the reins, until there is no disposition •to resist, though 
 subjected to the greatest excitement, as there is once in a 
 while a horse that will try with all the courage and pluck of 
 desperation to run away after once learning the habit, and 
 it is so important that the greatest docility and submission 
 of the animal is in this position secured by the control of 
 the bit. I will allude more especially to the details neces- 
 sary to success. After the animal submits to the primary 
 course of subjection and control by the bit is attempted, 
 
TURNING AROUND. 73 
 
 T^ork slow. Let the horse move on a slow walk at first. 
 Call whoa sharply and instantly after surge with the quick- 
 ness and energy of the crack of a whip, with the reins upon 
 the mouth; repeating and increasing the speed of the ani- 
 mal as there is submission, making one point after another, 
 until the animal can be put on a run and will stop instantly 
 at command. Even then you are not to feel too sure of 
 having accomplished your purpose. Test carefully when 
 cool, and assure yourself of the most perfect submission and 
 docility before incurring any risk. This is really the 
 important point in assuring of success, not only in the 
 breaking of horses of this character but in all others of a 
 bad character. Some horses subject to this habit will yield 
 readily to the use of the four ring bit. The foot-strap is 
 also a valuable auxiliary, but the breaking bit is in advance 
 of anything else in doing this. 
 
 TURNING AROUND. 
 
 If the horse turns around, drive first with harness, whip 
 up sharply, then make him stop, always pulling in the 
 opposite direction from that the horse usually turns, until 
 there is not only the most prompt obedience to the com- 
 mands in going ahead, but ready submission to control, 
 right or left, or in stopping, as may be required. Some- 
 times the habit is contracted of pulling so hard on the bit 
 as to resist control. In this case all that is necessary to do 
 is to train the mouth once or twice with breaking bit, or 
 use the four ring bit, and the habit will be broken up. If 
 one rein is pulled upon, pull sharply on the opposite rein, 
 and repeating at each indication of such a purpose until the 
 head is yielded freely and evenly. 
 
 In reviewing the common causes of this habit, we see 
 that two objects must govern the efforts. First : To over- 
 come or neutralize the exciting cause of resistance — usually 
 some cause of fear. Second : To make the mouth perfectly 
 submissive to the most delicate restraint of the bit ; it being 
 essential that the exciting cause should be removed, while 
 the power to control resistance must be increased. 
 
 I will in this connection add, that there is no part of the 
 training of horses which should be done more thoroughly, 
 or tested moi^ carefully, than this of teaching proper 
 
74 RUNNING BACK. 
 
 submission of the mouth to the bit. Yet I will venture to 
 assert none is more imperfectly or ignorantly attempted ; 
 and that the more experienced and intelligent horsemen 
 should regard doing this difficult, when there is so much to 
 indicate to the most ordinary observer the method of doing 
 it with ease and certainty, seems strange. And yet, per- 
 haps, this is not so strange, since it has been very much of 
 a puzzle to do this at all, and really in its true aspect shows 
 more real science than can be illustrated by any other fea- 
 ture of my treatment, since upon this must depend ulti- 
 mately the readiness and success with which horses can be 
 guided and controlled in harness. 
 
 It is essential in training a horse well to the bit, that the 
 idea is given correctly of submitting the head up and back 
 when pulled upon. Also, that the horse should be made to 
 understand exactly the meaning of every signal of guidance 
 and restraint. In training the mouth, the exact idea can 
 be conveyed by being particular in repeating the same kind 
 of reproof, by pulling sharply whenever there is an attempt 
 at pulling hard. There is soon not only prompt obedience 
 to restraint of the bit, but there is no disposition or confi- 
 dence to resist control. Remember a horse cannot under- 
 stand the object of such restraint, if there is not uniformity 
 of action and language. Yet most people talk to their 
 horses in the most careless manner. If there is an intention 
 of approaching a horse, the usual word is "whoa! " In 
 driving, when it is desired to make the horse go slow, 
 **whoa" is the usual word, and the consequence is the 
 animal does not know what is meant by "whoa." Every 
 action and word should have a special meaning, and they 
 should never conflict, that the understanding may not be 
 confused. "Whoa" should be an imperative command to 
 stop. To go slower requires the use of some other word. 
 Even every motion of the whip should have a special mean- 
 ing. If the horse is managed with care in this way, he 
 becomes almost a machine, that yields submission to the 
 slightest touch or word of command. 
 
 KUNNINQ BACK. 
 
 To break up this habit, there must be established a tho- 
 rough fear of the whip, so as to induce going ahead when 
 
KICKING IN HARNESS. 76 
 
 commanded. Put on harness, and tie the tugs into the 
 rings of the breeching rather short. Drive around with the 
 reins, giving a short cut with a good bow whip around the 
 legs once in a while, if not prompt. As the horse learns to 
 spring ahead when commanded, pull a little on the lines, 
 gradually repeating until he will pull quite hard on the bit 
 to go ahead. Make this as thorough as possible. In 
 driving repeat and carry out this, going ahead promptly, 
 whipping up sharply once in a while if necessary. 
 
 The main point to make with horses of this character, is 
 to create a thorough fear of the whip. To do this well while 
 driving with harness, whip around the hind legs sharply, 
 until the horse will start ahead promptly when commanded. 
 Now, attach to wagon and gradually work up with whip 
 until there is prompt obedience. The foot strap may be 
 put on if there is any possible danger of the horse running 
 back when hitched. 
 
 KICKING IN HARNESS. 
 
 This is apparently the most dangerous and difficult habit 
 to overcome, to which horses are subject ; yet it is a habit 
 that yields readily to my treatment, but requires care and 
 thoroughness and a large share of common sense in deter- 
 mining how much must be done and when to stop. This 
 cannot be learned by any fixed rule, since there is such a 
 great difference of extremes shown in this habit that it is 
 not safe to venture a limit of what and how much must be 
 done. I have often broken horses of kicking, of apparently 
 the worst character, in twenty or thirty minutes. Then 
 again, one scarcely confirmed in the habit may require very 
 much more time ; and a few extreme cases, of apparently a 
 mild character when not excited, would call out all my 
 resources for hours, to make the subject yield safely to con- 
 trol. I broke a horse in Maine of the worst character, of 
 kicking, by a few pulls upon the war bridle. At all events, 
 the owner informed me, months afterwards, that the animal 
 remained perfectly docile. This horse would kick at any 
 body or anything. 
 
 But I found a horse in Mississippi, which was perfectly 
 gentle to ride or handle, would only kick when to wagon, yet 
 he was the most terribly persistent kicker when in harness 
 
76 KICKING IN HARNESS. 
 
 I ever saw, or ever expect to see. All ordinary treatment 
 was only as play to this horse. Circumstances made 
 it necessary to break up the habit, and I felt compelled to 
 do so, and succeeded only after three lessons. Never did 
 a horse resist more bravely, but I succeeded in making the 
 animal so gentle as to submit the wagon against the heels 
 going down hill, and he was driven by me a week after 
 being broken, in the presence of a large concourse of peo- 
 ple, proving safe and gentle afterwards. 
 
 Breaking of kicking, as with most other habits, requires 
 thoroughness in what is attempted. If there is more fear 
 than willfulness, the fear must be thoroughly overcome. If 
 based upon willfulness, that must be mastered at any 
 hazard. In either case, put through a careful but thorough 
 course of subjection, exciting resistance by rubbing a stick 
 of some kind against and between the legs until there is no 
 resistance; now put on harness and breaking bit, and com- 
 pel perfect submission to its restraint. Let the hind legs 
 be touched as before, and at each indication of resistance, 
 punish sharply; with the reins back the animal against a rail 
 fence or anything convenient. If there is perfect submis- 
 sion, back into the shafts of the wagon, or bring the shafts 
 over the back gently. This is a step requiring much cau- 
 tion and firmness. Stand at the left shoulder, grasping the 
 rein near the bit firmly, and as the shafts are brought for- 
 ward, and the cross-piece comes in contact with the legs, if 
 there is much sensitiveness shown, give him a sharp, quick 
 jerk upon the reins, which will at once disconcert the 
 horse, and at the same time throw the head so high as to 
 make it difficult for him to kick. Force this point well, 
 until the contact of the wagon is borne, when the harness 
 may be attached. Now drive around gently, stopping and 
 starting repeatedly, carefully observing how much forcing 
 the horse will bear. If there is no indication of serious 
 resistance, follow up by driving around, until there is per- 
 fect submission. At each repetition of being hitched to a 
 wagon for a few days, let the horse be backed against the 
 cross-piece several times until it is borne without flinching. 
 
 This precaution of testing repeatedly is absolutely essen- 
 tial to prevent and overcome any growing sensibility or 
 confidence of ability to kick when driven, until there is not 
 discovered any disposition to indulge in the habit. 
 
KICKING IN HARNESS. 
 
 77 
 
 If this will not do, repeat the lesson of subjection which 
 the reader has been shown, and if there is any doubt about 
 submitting to the shafts without danger of an accident, get 
 TWO POLES about twelve feet each in length ; lay them 
 down on the ground so that the small ends will be about 
 twenty-two inches apart, and the large ends are six or seven 
 feet apart. Next get a piece of pole of the same size, lay 
 across and tie firmly to the side poles just far enough from 
 the forward ends so when the horse is hitched in the tugs 
 are tied to this crosspiece with pieces of cord. Hitch to 
 this without holdbacks, and drive around, repeatedly stop- 
 ping and backing the horse against the cross-piece until 
 there is perfect submission. This driving in poles may be 
 repeated if thought necessary, remembering that it is ab- 
 solutely necessary to make every step sure before the next 
 is attempted. 
 
 A great advantage of repeating the lesson is, that the 
 sensibility of the mouth is so greatly increased that the most 
 plucky horse will scarcely dare resist the bit after being 
 severely punished a few times. If the horse yields, but is 
 doubtful or appears touchy and sensitive once in a while, 
 you may be able to make your point by putting on the foot 
 STRAP, which is an excellent means of controlling a doubt- 
 ful horse, in making this step. 
 
 This is simply disabling 
 and controlling one of the 
 fore feet, by a strap 
 which is passed over the 
 belly-band and back to 
 the wagon as a third rein. 
 Simply pulling upon this 
 at the instant there is an 
 attempt to kick, throws 
 the horse off his balance 
 and disables him from 
 doing so. It must be 
 borne in mind that much 
 depends in making sub- 
 jection thorough; no mat- 
 ter how good or proper the treatment, the horse must 
 be made to yield unconditionally, or failure is not only 
 probable but almost certain. 
 
78 
 
 KICKING STRAPS. 
 
 Kicking straps if properly put on, are powC-rful means of 
 reproof upon the kicker. I have had excellent success with 
 this means years ago. They will not work well on a slow 
 determined horse, and in any event should be kept on until 
 all desposition to resist is overcome. 
 
 KICKING STBAPS. 
 
 Have made four straps, like common hame straps; two 
 long enough to buckle around the hind legs above the 
 gambrels, and two a little shorter, so as to be in proportion, 
 to buckle around just below 
 the gambrel. The straps 
 should be an inch and a 
 quarter wide, good thick 
 leather, and the buckles 
 should be heavy. Now have 
 made two D's, just twice as 
 long as the straps are wide. 
 This D should have the 
 straight part a little round- 
 ing, and the corners not 
 quite to a sharp point. Put 
 
 a long and short strap on each D, and buckle them around 
 the hind legs of the horse; the long strap above and the 
 short one below the gambrel, bringing the D in front of the 
 leg. These we designate kicking straps. 
 
 Put a strong well-fitting rope halter on the head, tie a 
 strong two-inch ring on the end of the hitching part, which 
 should be of a length to extend between the fore-legs, over 
 md just back of the belly band. Then take a piece of 
 strong manilla rope, long enough to extend from the ring 
 on the end of the halter back to each hind leg. Pass the 
 end of this through the ring to the center, and tie each end 
 carefully into the D's on the straps, the whole so arranged 
 in length that the horse can travel easily and naturally. 
 Now as soon as the horse kicks, the most severe punishment 
 must result upon the nose. If the horse is sulky the con- 
 nection may be made direct to the bit; there is however 
 danger if the horse kicks recklessly, if so attached, of greatly 
 bruising the mouth, or of even breaking the jaw; have 
 known too such results from this cause, hence I have dis 
 
KICKING STRAPS. 79 
 
 carded it. No quarter is to be given until there is perfect 
 submission. The harness may be put on after the horse 
 ceases kicking, and drive around as before. These straps 
 should be kept on until there is no disposition to kick. 
 
 If the mouth is hard, use breaking bit and force as before, 
 with the reins, until there is perfect submission. The horse 
 is to be treated with the utmost kindness when he yields. 
 Bear in mind this rule must not be disregarded, of addressing 
 and winning the cooperation of the affections as soon as 
 there is submission. The foot strap may be used as a pre- 
 caution when hitched to wagon, until submission is made 
 sure. 
 
 If the mouth is naturally sensitive, and the horse is docile 
 but quick and irritable, a different policy must be adopted, 
 as the horse may drive gently for hours, or even days, and 
 yet may kick at a real or fancied cause of annoyance. This 
 mode of treatment would not work well with such, as they 
 soon become cautious by throwing the head down when 
 there is such an intention, and there is not persistence 
 enough to make reproof sufficiently positive to cure the 
 habit. 
 
 The OVERDRAW CHECK will now work well. But care 
 must be taken to apply it right, or there will be cause 
 for disappointment in its use. The object is now to simply 
 disable the horse from his purpose at the least attempt to 
 kick, which we can easily do, especially while in single 
 harness. Probably the best way to do this is as follows : 
 
 Get a small steel bit and hang it loosely above the driving 
 bit in the bridle. Put the bridle on the head \ now provide 
 yourself with a fine, strong piece of hemp or cotton cord, 
 about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and sixteen feet 
 in length. That kept at hardware stores for hanging win- 
 dows, will do. Put the center of this cord back of the ears, 
 run the ends back through the rings of the small bit and 
 through the gag runners, which should be close up to the 
 ears. (See cut.) Pass them now through the terrets and 
 back through a ring, which must be attached as far back 
 upon the crouper as possible, and, attach the ends to the 
 shafts on each side of the hips. At first this check should 
 be drawn short, to bring the head as high as the horse can 
 bear. The head is now not only high, but the least effort 
 to kick will thwart itself by drawing the check tighter, 
 
80 KICKING STRAPS. 
 
 thereby preventing the horse from doing any mischief. As 
 there is manifested less disposition to kick, give more free- 
 
 Over draw Check for Kickers. 
 
 dom to the head. When the animal proves safe, change 
 and use the common check rein, at first rather short. A 
 nicely rounded strap may be used instead of the cord. It 
 requires very careful and thorough treatment to reform a 
 slow, reckless kicker, especially if the nervous system is 
 much weakened in fhis direction. I have the best success 
 by th^ second and third methods of subjection in conjunction 
 with the control of the mouth, and unless you cannot make 
 your point by this treatment, your success will be doubtful. 
 Old squealers of this character are to be discarded. 1 
 know there are so few who will be necessarily thorough in 
 carrying out obedience, and treating afterwards with pru- 
 dence and kindness requisite, that I do not wish to encourage 
 success in making such safe and gentle. It is seen I can 
 drive any such in a few minutes. The same treatment will 
 enable breaking up the habit if applied with care and 
 thoroughness. 
 
 Look first for the cau^e of resistance, second for the type 
 of disposition, and try to make the treatment such as will 
 prevent and overcome the habit in the most direct and posi- 
 tive manner, always striving to be cool and careful. Treat 
 the horse kindly , as soon as there is submission. 
 
KICKING WHILE HARNESSING. 81 
 
 KICKING WHILE HARNESSING. 
 
 Put on the war bridle (small loop,) and work up with it 
 sharply right and left a few times, then pull down tight, 
 and tie into a half hitch. While holding the cord in tne left 
 hand, step back and pass the hand from the shoulders to the 
 hind parts gently. If this is borne, take the harness in the 
 right hand and work it back gently over the back. As this 
 is borne, untie the cord and tie down, so as to give the 
 mouth a little more freedom. Now go back and handle as 
 before, being careful to be gentle; if there is resistance, 
 punish sharply, tie down short again, and put the harness 
 on. When there is submission, untie, then work back as 
 before ; at the least indication of resistance, tremble on the 
 cord until the horse will bear the harness while free from 
 restraint. 
 
 KICKING WHILE GROOMING. 
 
 Some horses are so thin skinned that they can scarcely 
 bear a currycomb on the flanks or legs, and when excited by 
 rough treatment and too severe use of the currycomb, are 
 easily made vicious to handle or groom. Put on the war 
 bridle, and after working up with it, hold tightly, and with 
 the left hand use the currycomb on the back, gradually 
 working to the sensitive part; as there is submission, give 
 a little more freedom to the mouth, and work back lightly. 
 If the horse seems unable to bear the currycomb, use the 
 brush instead, and that, if necessary, lightly. Work lightly 
 and indirectly to the sensitive part, at the same time speak- 
 ing gently. It is almost impossible to overcome this habit 
 if there is not gentleness and kind treatment. 
 
 The currycomb is used too much by most grooms. A 
 sharp toothed, brass currycomb, musf not be used on a thin 
 skinned horse ; use a brush. I should want a horse to kick 
 a man out of the stall who would use a currycomb with 
 needless severity, or be otherwise needlessly harsh. 
 
 KICKING W^HILE SHOEING. 
 
 Some horses have a peculiar aversion to having their feet 
 handled, and if once aroused to resistance, from any cause, 
 are apt to become pretty determined in the habit. If the 
 
 6 
 
82 KICKING WHILE SHOEING. 
 
 foot is pulled away when taken up, or the horse is excited 
 and injured in some way while the foot is held, fear of 
 injury is produced and associated with the requirement, 
 which, by the usual pulling,- hauling and kicking practices 
 of the shop, makes the horse worse. The least indication 
 of ability to resist control of the foot, inspires to greater 
 resistance, hence, the horse by persistence in such a course is 
 confirmed in the habit. If only a little irritable and restless 
 at being shod, put on the war bridle, draw tight, and tie in 
 a half hitch. The foot can now be handled. Untie in a 
 few minutes, and let the cord be pulled upon a little when 
 disposed to resist, which will distract the attention and 
 cause submission. If the resistance is determined, take up 
 the fore foot and have it held by an assistant; tie the end 
 of the long web around the hind foot above the fetlock. 
 This done, request the assistant to let go the foot and hold 
 by the head; while standing opposite the shoulder, pull 
 upon the strap until the foot is brought well forward, giving 
 loose the instant there is an effort to jerk or kick. Repeat 
 pulling and letting go, until submitted freely. Now step 
 directly behind and pull back, giving, as before, until sub- 
 missive; then bring the web over the back around across 
 the breast, pulling short enough to bring the foot well for- 
 ward ; pass the end back under the part over the back, and 
 pull tight. 
 
 Let the assistant now grasp the web, holding firmly a.s 
 ever, with the left hand holding the head by the bridle. 
 This brings the leg forward, where it can be handled at 
 will. If this will not do, tie the end of the web or rope 
 around the neck, near the shoulders, in the form of a run- 
 ning noose ; pass the other end back between the fore legs, 
 around the hind leg, below the fetlock and back through 
 the loop, around the neck, drawing it through short enough 
 to bring the foot well forward. Pass the end back under to 
 prevent sliding, and retain in the hand. The horse will 
 now be very likely to struggle to get the foot loose. Should 
 his resistance be so great as to endanger injury, you can 
 give loose on the end of the rope. When the horse ceases 
 trying to get the foot loose, rest the left hand upon the hip, 
 with the right pull upon the foot forward and outward. If 
 there is great resistance, pull around by the head, which 
 will enable you to keep him in such limits as you wish. 
 
KICKING WHILE SHOEING. 88 
 
 When the struggle ceases, go back and handle as before. 
 When the foot is submitted to the hand, while held to the 
 restraint of the rope, put the cord well back upon the neck, 
 draw it down tightly, and tie it into a half hitch. Then 
 pull upon the foot with the hand as before. If not resisted, 
 untie the strap and take the foot in hand gently. Put it 
 down and take it up, rubbing and handling until there is 
 entire submission. Then carry it back with the right hand, 
 keeping well forward out of danger, by resting the left hand 
 upon the hip, and pulling and yielding to the foot until 
 manageable. Now pass the left hand down the inside of 
 the leg, take it from the right and carry it back gently ; put 
 it down and take it up once or twice. Hammer upon it 
 lightly, gradually increasing, until the foot is submitted as 
 required. Now untie the cord and tie it a little longer; go 
 back and handle the foot as before. If submitted, untie 
 the cord, holding the end in the left hand, and handle as 
 before. If there is an intimation of resistance, tremble on 
 the cord, which will keep attention on the mouth, and 
 remind of the previous control until the foot is submitted 
 without restraint. Manage the other hind foot in the same 
 manner, if necessary. If the horse is very bad to shoe he 
 must be subjected to the regular treatment for direct sub- 
 jection, and the smith shop is no place for this. Such 
 horses should be first handled at home until thoroughly sub- 
 missive, when simple treatment will enable easily forcing 
 the animal to stand quietly to be shod. Horses of this 
 class, rank with the very worst, and should be at once sub- 
 jected to the most positive means of subjection. Passive 
 treatment will enable control very easily, but must be used 
 with care. The feet of such horses should be taken up and 
 pounded upon repeatedly in the stable, until submission 
 becomes habitual. When taken to the shop, if necessary, 
 simply remind that submission must be yielded, and treat 
 gently — caressing and rubbing head and neck the way the 
 hair lies. Colts should not be taken to a shop to be shod 
 until accustomed to have the feet handled. 
 
84 BALKING. 
 
 BALKING. 
 
 This habit is usually caused by confusing and overload- 
 ing, or trying to force too much by whipping when 
 exhausted, or when the draught from some cause becomes 
 too great for the horse to manage, thereby exciting and dis- 
 couraging the horse before able to settle down to a steady, 
 determined pull. When a horse, and especially a young 
 one, becomes mad, and will not pull when commanded, 
 there should not be a word or an action that would betray 
 an understanding of the resistance. Change position — take 
 up time in some way by fixing the harness or walking 
 around, whistling or singing, if in the mood. There must 
 not be any appearance of anger. Give the horse time to 
 get over the irritation and become willing to use his strength 
 against the collar. Any characteristic of willfulness denotes 
 spirit and sensibility, consequently not disposed to submit 
 to being rudely and injudiciously forced in harness. If 
 double, get both horses to start evenly. This can be done 
 best, and greatly lessen the weight of the load in starting, 
 by standing directly in front of both horses, catching the 
 bits with the hands. Now move the horses gently to the 
 right or left, until the wheel almost strikes the side of the 
 wagon — giving them time to become steady. When you see 
 they are ready, speak with cheerful, encouraging voice, 
 *'come boys." If this precaution is taken, there will be no 
 further trouble ; but bear in mind that the horses must not 
 now be permitted to go to the limit of their strength. 
 When they are still pulling with energy, at the first favora- 
 ble place stop them. After ample time to recuperate, speak 
 to them gently to go. It seems to be natural for a horse to 
 go ahead and draw all he can, and it is only when confused, 
 excited and abused in the most unreasonable and imprudent 
 manner, that the disposition is ^excited to balk. When 
 once the habit is acquired, it is liable at any moment to be 
 persisted in if excited or much force is used. 
 
 If there is any treatment to which horses are subject in 
 educating to harness that is unreasonable and needlessly 
 harsh, and should be corrected, it is that of pounding or 
 whipping to make them go, when perhaps the animals are 
 confused and discouraged, and not in a condition to make 
 much of an effort. 
 
BALKING. 85 
 
 The principal cause of this habit is harnessing horses and 
 attempting to drive them, and make them draw heavy loads, 
 before they can know what is required of them, or learn to 
 use their strength in pulling. 
 
 The whip is too irritating, without giving sufficient power 
 to force obedience, and as the will is stimulated to increased 
 positiveness and sensibility is blunted in proportion to the 
 degree the blood is warmed, this advantage of force by the 
 whip decreases, while the resistance is increased, and hence 
 is often a direct cause of failure. 
 
 If the whip is to be depended upon, the horse should be 
 driven around in harness only, when it should be made to 
 crack keenly around the hind legs the instant after "get 
 up " is spoken, until the horse learns to spring ahead when 
 commanded. When there is perfect obedience, attach to 
 the wagon and move gently, stopping and starting often, 
 until obedience becomes habitual. To prevent this habit 
 the colt should be driven around in harness, touching up 
 with the whip, until the idea of starting at the touch of the 
 whip, and guiding and submitting to the bit, becomes 
 prompt and habitual. Then drive slowly and gently for 
 some time after being attached to the wagon. 
 
 If the habit is formed, and especially in single harness, it 
 is usually more from resistance to the bit than collar, and if 
 the horse is young he will yield readily to simple treatment. 
 Put through the second course of subjection. Then put on 
 harness. Drive around, whipping sharply the instant the 
 horse does not start when commanded, guiding right and 
 left, and stopping at the control of the bit. If there is a 
 habit of LUNGING ahead, regardless of the bit, or of not 
 standing as desired when hitched, be positive and thorough 
 in requiring instant obedience to the command whoa, which 
 can be easily done with breaking bit. Drive around until 
 there is perfect obedience. Then hitch to wagon, gently 
 start and stop the horse repeatedly, until the obedience is 
 made certain. The lesson of driving to harness should be 
 repeated, if there is any disposition to resist. The war 
 bridle will enable working an ordinary balker very easily 
 First, make follow promptly with harness on, when the 
 horse will soon yield to it in harness. There must be 
 kindness and flattery for every act of obedience. Talk 
 kindly, give apples, oats, or anything the horse likes. 
 
8G EFFECT OF KINDNESS. 
 
 EFFECT OF KINDNESS. 
 
 The impression of kind treatment, gradually showing and 
 encouraging the animal to yield obedience, is certainly very 
 effective, when carried out well in practice. During my 
 early experience I traded horses very often. In this way I 
 became the owner of a pony mare, eight years old. She 
 proved balky, and on inquiry I learned that she had been 
 traded round for years, and had been owned by nearly all 
 the sharp jockeys in the country, being entirely unmanagea- 
 ble. She would neither go down hill or move on a level in 
 harness. Neighbors advised me to prosecute for being im- 
 posed upon with such a good-for-nothing animal. Making 
 it a rule not to find fault if cheated, I declared myself 
 satisfied, and concluded to try what I could do with her. I 
 first filled my pockets with apples, led the mare to a secluded 
 piece of smooth, slightly descending road, hauling the 
 buggy by hand ; hitched her to the buggy, but did not urge 
 her to go ; read a paper the better to show indifference. 
 
 After a while she started on a run. To try to make her 
 go slow by pulling, would be equivalent to making her stop, 
 and so let her go until she wore off the sharp edge of her 
 ambition. I now gradually pulled her back, as I could see 
 she would bear, when I reached a descending piece of 
 ground, made her stop, got out of the wagon, talked gently, 
 gave her an apple, then moved forward a little, saying 
 ''come Jennie," (her name,) gave her another apple, rub- 
 bing her head, as before, and so repeated, for about half an 
 hour. Then would get into the buggy and make her start ; 
 after going a few feet or rods making her stop, but always 
 getting out and rewarding her with an apple. The result 
 was, that Jennie soon not only would start and stop when 
 commanded, but became anxious to obey me. Drove her 
 home; treated her with the utmost kindness; next day 
 hitched her up gently ; made her start and stop a few times 
 before getting into the buggy; got into the buggy; soon 
 made her stop, but rewarded her as before. The result was 
 that I soon could depend upon her starting and stopping 
 when commanded. Of course I carried this treatment from 
 a descending to an ascending grade, teaching the mare 
 gradually to use her strength. The result was that she be 
 rame one of the most willing and pleasant little working 
 
EFFECT Oi KINDNESS. 87 
 
 animals I ever owned. Sold her in a few weeks. She be- 
 came the property of a rough, bad man to horses, who, by 
 needless abuse, made her balk on his way home, and she 
 became spoiled. This mare was of a sanguine nervous 
 temperament, naturally willing to do all she could when 
 shown and treated kindly, but would not bear whipping 
 and abuse. Her will was so strong that she would stand 
 bravely, regardless of the most severe whipping. I struck 
 her with the whip but once, when she threw herself down 
 in the harness. There cannot be too much care and pa- 
 tience with young horses that are learning to drive. If a 
 little stubborn, putting through a short course of subjection 
 and teaching to move forward, as before explained, will 
 soon produce perfect submission. If, however, the habit is 
 thoroughly formed, it must be counteracted by direct 
 means. To do this best, hitch the balker by the side of a 
 gentle horse. Attach a strong piece of cord in the form of 
 a crouper, under the tail of the balker, bring forward 
 through the terret and tie to the hame ring of the gentle 
 horse, just short enough to give freedom so long as the hor- 
 ses are even, but the instant there is a disposition to refuse, 
 the whole power of the gentle horse is brought to bear upon 
 the tail, which will cause the horse to jump forward instant- 
 ly. Stop and start repeatedly, until there is no disposition 
 to refuse moving forward when commanded. Should pull- 
 ing on the tail irritate and cause kicking, at once remove 
 the cord; tie the end of the hair into a knot; tie the cord 
 to the hair by this knot ; bring forward between the legs 
 and attach the cord to the hame ring or collar of the gentle 
 horse, as before. The restraint is now on the tail length- 
 wise, which has a remarkably disconcerting influence, with 
 great power to force the horse forward when the gentle 
 horse starts. If this should fail, there is but one resource 
 left, which I can here describe, but which is very effective 
 and valuable if properly applied. 
 
 Put the war bridle on ; bring the part over the neck for- 
 ward to the ears; now jerk sidewise and ahead, and finally 
 ahead as there is submission, until there is prompt obedience 
 in coming ahead when pulled upon. Hitch to wagon by 
 the side of a true horse. Have prepared a smooth stiff pole 
 about the length of the wagon tongue. Bore a hole a few 
 inches from the large end, and about a foot or more for- 
 
88 EFFECT OF KINDNESS. 
 
 ward of the head bore another. Lay this pole over that of 
 the wagon, the end uver that of the true horse's whiffletree, 
 and tie firmly on top with a piece of cord. Now step for- 
 
 Pole applied to Balker, 
 
 fard and tie a piece of small rope from one hame ring to 
 the other of the horses, under the pole, so as to be just taut 
 when in position. Pass another piece of the same sized 
 cord around the pole and tie it into the true horse's hame 
 ring short enough to hold the pole in the center. Tie the 
 cord on the head now to the pole through the hole, just 
 long enough to give freedom, so long as the horses keep 
 even ; but as soon as there is refusal to go, the strength of 
 the true horse is brought by the pole on the head, which 
 will compel going ahead, (see cut.) Start and stop the 
 horses often, until obedience is secured. This pole may be 
 used so long as there is any disposition to balk. 
 
 The horse should not be required at first to use much 
 strength in drawing. Let this be required gradually, as 
 there is obedience and willingness inspired to work. It is 
 a grave fault to try to make the horse work immediately. 
 This must not be attempted. First, create a willingness to 
 start when commanded, then gradually increase the load 
 until it becomes habitual to draw when commanded. I am 
 aware very many will have much trouble, and may wholly 
 fail with horses of this character. It is presumed that there 
 is tact and intelligence enough to appreciate and understand 
 the necessity of being patient, prudent and thorough in 
 adapting the efforts skillfully. Those who will not have or 
 have not mind enough to feel the responsibility and value 
 
KICKING IN THE STALL. 89 
 
 of being governed by reason in the treatment of habits, 
 not only of this type but of any other, must expect a possi- 
 bility of failure with some very bad horses. 
 
 A very good way to work a single balker is to drive first 
 by the side of a gentle horse with the pole, then hitch to 
 single wagon, using two small poles instead of reins to the 
 bit. Now, if the horse does not move promptly when com- 
 manded, a little push on the poles will cause him to start, 
 and soon cause prompt obedience. But I would remind 
 again that patience, delicacy and skill in carrying out the 
 principles taught, are the primary and grand essentials to 
 insure success. I would therefore remind, that great firm- 
 ness, skill and patience should be used in directing and 
 controlling the efforts, since without a judicious application 
 of the efforts the advantages may be so far neutralized as to 
 prevent or greatly diminish success. 
 
 KlICKINQ IN THE STALL. 
 
 This is one of those habits that require great caution, 
 judgment and care in guarding against danger. Let the 
 horse know by some signal or command, of your presence 
 and intention to approach. Many horses of the gentlest 
 character would kitfk if approached suddenly and unexpect- 
 edly ; and again, many horses that are gentle but a little 
 peevish, will not bear being approached without a little care 
 in attracting attention. The motion of the ears and lips, 
 and expression of the eye, will always notify of danger. 
 And here let me warn the reader that however careful he 
 may be in not going too near the horse, there must not be 
 a semblance of fear shown in language or actions. The 
 commands must be low and positive, indicating power. If 
 the horse will not move round and seem to be distracted 
 from a positive intention, stand still, and if the animal does 
 not yield, walk off, carelessly whistling, in such a way that 
 the horse does not see that you feel defeated. 
 
 If you have his attention, repeat the words '*get around, 
 or over," with a positiveness that must be obeyed, looking 
 at the eye as if you could and would overcome all opposi- 
 tion. When you see the horse shrink from your gaze, glide 
 up to the shoulder, before the mind can be made to act, and 
 the next instant let the left hand be passed along the neck 
 
90 KICKING IN THE STALL. 
 
 and down the head to the nose piece of the halter, and you 
 are safe, as the horse cannot now kick, strike or bite you. 
 I have repeatedly got tc the shoulder of horses in this way 
 that would kick and strike the stall just after I passed, yet 
 not be struck ; it is a feat, however, that must not be at- 
 tempted unless necessary. In going out, the rule is the 
 same — pull the head towards you, looking at the eye stern- 
 ly ; this will throw the quarters fror«i you, and at the instant 
 you let go, glide out and you are safe. 
 
 If the horse is very dangerous, the best and safest course 
 is subjective treatment, following up witl the war bridle, 
 sharply until mindful of your commands, or if you wish to 
 work dead sure, leave the war bridle on. Lead the animal 
 into the stall, then step back opposite the *hips and say, 
 *'get around." If there is not prompt obedience, give a 
 sharp jerk, which will throw the hind part from you. Re- 
 peat this, and in a short time the horse will learn to step 
 around promptly when cojnmanded, and allow being ap- 
 proached. If the horse is persistent, leave the cord on, the 
 small loop being left larger and passed through the rings of 
 the halter. As you now step out, retain the cord in the 
 hand and hang or tie the end to a nail on the post, leaving 
 sufficient length to permit the horse entire freedom to the 
 halter. Now when you desire to go into the stall, if the 
 horse does not step around when commanded, untie or un- 
 hook the end of the cord and give a jerk upon it, which 
 will bring the animal to his senses. Leaving this on a few 
 days, caressing and giving presents of sugar, apples, or 
 anything of which the horse is fond, will soon not only 
 break up the confidence, but so enlist the attention that 
 your approach will be looked for, and eagerly invited to him 
 by stepping around, and endeavoring to reach toward you 
 for the present. 
 
 I would here observe that there are very many men who 
 are not fit to have anything to do with a sensitive, well-bred 
 horse. They are either so coarse and harsh as to excite 
 resentment, and hate, or so dull and ignorant that they 
 cannot or will not see that they must both conceal fear and 
 avoid danger. They will not do either. They abuse and 
 show so much fear as both to excite and encourage resist- 
 ance, and 'Without the genius or tact to correct the cause 
 of mischief they attribute all the trouble to the natural 
 viciousness of the animal. 
 
PULLING ON THE HALTER. 91 
 
 Sensitive horses should not be teased in the stall, or 
 while cleaning, by pinching, pricking or whipping, to 
 "show off," as the term is. Gentlemen who own fine 
 horses should be very particular about this, and a man who 
 would in any way persist in such treatment, should be 
 kicked out the stable. 
 
 PULLING ON THE HALTER. 
 
 It is the disposition of the horse to persist in what he 
 learns, and this is remarkably so where the habit is one of 
 resistance to the restraint of the halter or bit. If the halter 
 strap is broken once or twice, there is a determined purpose 
 to pull loose at all hazards when hitched. This is some- 
 times only in the place the habit has been learned. Thus 
 a horse learns to pull loose in the stall — he will resist being 
 hitched in stall, but will submit to be hitched anywhere 
 else; or tl>e horse has learned to pull loose in the street 
 and resists there, but will submit and not pull in the stall. 
 This habit is taught either by being tied by the halter before 
 knowing or being taught to submit to being tied, or acci- 
 dentally breaking the tying strap. If from the first cause 
 the animal becomes frightened, pulls, and if successful in 
 breaking loose, the habit is established ; or the halter strap 
 is so weak that the least jerk upon it causes it to break, the 
 habit becomes fixed. 
 
 Put on the war bridle, and trair* the horse about until he 
 will come to you readily. Now brii^g the part over the neck 
 forward to the ears, and pull more on a line with the body, 
 repeating until there is prompt obedience to the least pull 
 forward. Wind the cord once around a post, keeping the 
 end in the hand, so as to let it loose a little if necessary. 
 Excite the horse to pull a little, which he will soon fear to 
 do, as there is great pain induced by the purchase of the 
 war bridle in this way. Repeat until he will stand, and let 
 the whip or any other means of excitement be used, without 
 trying to pull. 
 
 Should this fail, try the following method : 
 
 Get a strong half-inch cord twenty-two feet in length; 
 put the center under the tail like a crouper; twist them a 
 few times as you bring them forward over the back; pass 
 forward on each sic'e of the body, knot them across the 
 
92 BITING AND STRIKING 
 
 breast, then pass them forward through the halter below the 
 jaw. Tie firmly as you would a halter, to manger or post ; 
 excite by any means that will make the horse pull until the 
 
 Treating a Halter Puller. 
 
 habit is overcome. I whip across the nose keenly, until there 
 is perfect submission, when I can soon make even a bad one 
 stand up without attempting to pull. To insure safety, 
 would hitch so for a few days, or so long as there is any 
 predisposition to pull on the halter. Same treatment for 
 pulling on the bridle, 
 
 BITING AND STKIKINQ. 
 
 There are many habits which to break up successfully re- 
 quire not only good judgment but the highest order of 
 nerve, and this is not only one of that class, but one that 
 requires perseverance and caution. The least want of 
 watchfulness will encourage this propensity; and however 
 thorough the training, if there is not this care, the horse 
 will be encouraged to become aggressive, and once allowed 
 to do so successfully the point gained is lost. Hence the 
 necessity of being able to see the intention at a glance, and 
 disconcert the mind from its purpose before being fully 
 developed. The horse must be made to yield the most 
 perfect submission, (by the first or second methods of 
 subjection.) If a stallion this is an absolute necessity. Fol- 
 low up with the war bridle, punishing sharply. In ap- 
 
BITING AND STRIKING. 93 
 
 preaching afterwards, speak sharply "get round !" or any 
 signal that will attract attention. Let the left hand be put 
 on the shoulder, (near side,) glide it up the neck to the 
 head, then down to the nose piece of the halter. If there 
 is an attempt to bite now, the hand is carried up before the 
 head and held out of reach, while you can keep the head 
 from you with the greatest ease. 
 
 An old horse subject to this habit must be watched 
 closely. So long as there is disposition to bite, the horse 
 must not be regarded safe. Carelessness and timidity, 
 especially if subjected to harsh treatment, may be regarded 
 as the primary cause. I have known horses to become 
 inveterate biters by being whipped once or twice. 
 
 A gentleman informed me lately that a horse he formerly 
 owned became terribly vicious by being struck once with 
 whip in stall. He was, up to that time, as gentle as any 
 horse could be. Mr. Roberts' horse, a notice of which I 
 include in referring to my treatment in the first chapter 
 from the Utica Herald. This horse had been of a very 
 docile character. A rough, drunken groom, who was em- 
 ployed to take care of him, by irritating and abusing the 
 horse got him vicious. Mr. Roberts now took him in hand ; 
 one day while in harness the horse acted a little stubborn 
 and vicious ; Mr. Roberts struck him with the whip, when 
 instantly the horse struck and bit him, knocking him sense- 
 less under his feet, and would have killed him if not driven 
 off by two men, who happened at the time close by. He 
 had run in his stall seven months, and would jump at any 
 one with the ferocity of a desperate dog. As was stated, I 
 took him in hand and made him gentle in less than twenty 
 minutes, and he remained of a good character afterwards. 
 If the horse is young and thoroughly treated, there will be 
 but little trouble in reforming the animal. If old and bad 
 there is no hope of success, unless there is unusual nerve, 
 and genius to make every move just right, and follow up 
 the treatment until the mind relaxes from the purpose, and 
 the affections are won. The habit is clearly a mania when 
 once thoroughly formed. 
 
 If the horse is allowed to bite without instant and posi- 
 tive reproof, after training, no matter how thoroughly the 
 training, the predisposition will be again so strongly devel- 
 oped as to make the animal watch for an opportunity to 
 
94 CRIBBING. 
 
 bite. After forcing obedience, encourage every act of do- 
 cility. Be continually on the watch for danger and punish 
 energetically for aggression, but immediately encourage 
 obedience by kind, affectionate treatment. 
 
 CBIBBING. 
 
 Cribbing, so far as we are able to learn or judge, is a 
 habit. There may be constitutionally predisposing causes, 
 but it is certain, whatever the pretentions of any one, I 
 have never been given any proof of ability to break up the 
 habit with medicine. Horses will not crib on anything 
 that is lower than the knees. Hence the treatment of 
 tearing away the manger and feeding on the floor, or in a 
 basket. Sometimes sawing between the teeth will stop the 
 habit. 
 
 There is but one practical plan of breaking up this habit, 
 and the success of that will depend very much upon the 
 skill displayed in making the adjustment. 
 
 The act of cribbing induces considerable contraction of 
 the muscles of the neck, and the larynx is forced down 
 much beyond its natural position. This then is the key 
 through which we must act. Have the throat-latch of the hal- 
 ter hang on a line with the top of the head to the junction of 
 the neck with the head. Take a piece of strap, (good firm 
 leather,) about five inches in length, and as wide as the 
 throat-latch. .Drive ten ounce tacks in a row along the, 
 center of this strap, three-eighths of an inch apart. File 
 the points sharp and of an equal length. Lay this strap on 
 the inside of the throat-latch where it crosses the larynx, 
 wind a piece of waxed thread around both, at the center 
 and ends of the short strap. Buckle the throat-latch just 
 long enough so that it will not touch the neck when eating 
 or drinking, but will press sharply at the least attempt to 
 crib. The result is that at every attempt to crib the tacks 
 will stick into the neck, which will hurt and disconcert the 
 horse from doing so. 
 
 The point of success will really depend upon the perfec- 
 tion and care with which this is kept adjusted. If there is 
 large muscular development on the neck or thick necked, 
 the strap must be buckled shorter than when the neck is 
 well cut out, as it is termed. Make the reproof severe at 
 
PUTTING THE TONGUE OUT OF THE MOUTH. 
 
 95 
 
 first. Then keep it so as to touch sharply when a repetition 
 IS attempted. If the throat -latch is not on a line with the 
 top of the head, the tacks will rest against and cut the jaw, 
 a little below the junction of the head with the neck. If 
 this is kept on a few days or weeks, and then put on care- 
 lessly or taken off, there is likely to be failure; for if the 
 horse finds he can crib once after this is put on without 
 hurting himself, he will try to repeat the effort at all 
 hazards, and will punish himself severely to do so. But if 
 punished at first and this kept where it will sting at the 
 least attempt, it will be likely to cure the habit. It is to be 
 kept on from a few weeks to as many months, according to 
 the age and persistence of the habit. 
 
 GETTING CAST IN STALIi. 
 
 Drive a staple into a beam, or the floor directly over the 
 horse's head, as he stands in the stall, to which attach a 
 strap or piece of small rope of sufficient length to extend 
 within fifteen inches of the floor. Before retiring for the 
 night, attach the other end of the cord or strap to the top 
 of the halter, making it just long enough to allow the horse 
 to put his nose to the floor. Being now unable to get the 
 top of his head to the floor, he is prevented from rolling. 
 
 PUTTING THE TONGUE OUT OF THE MOUTH, 
 
 Have fittted a piece of thin sheet iron, about two and a 
 half inches wide, and five inches long, with the «nds made 
 
96 
 
 JUMPING OVER FENCES. 
 
 rounding, and the edges filed smooth. Drill two small 
 holes about half an inch apart, near each edge at the cen- 
 ter. Fasten it through these holes on top of the bit with a 
 piece of small annealed wire. Shorten the cheek pieces of 
 the bridle, so that the bit is drawn well up in the mouth. 
 This piece of iron is now over the tongue, making it im- 
 possible for the horse to get the tongue over the bit. Keep 
 this on the bit for two or three weeks, when the horse will 
 become habituated to carrying the tongue under the bit and 
 keeping it in the mouth. The tongue is sometimes, but not 
 often put out under the bit, which indicates a confirmed 
 persistence in the habit, and is sometimes impossible to 
 prevent. The following treatment will work admirably in 
 most cases, and is the only treatment worth explaining: 
 
 Get three middling sized bullets and hammer them out to 
 about an inch and a half in length. Drill a little hole 
 through the end of each. Tie one to the center of the bit 
 by a little piece of wire through the joint. Attach the 
 others to the bit about an inch from the center, (one on 
 each side,) so as to play loosely. (See cut.) 
 
 When this bit is now in the mouth, these extra arrange- 
 ments will so disconcert the horse that in his struggles to 
 get them out of the way, he will forgot to put the tongue 
 out. 
 
 JUMPING OVER FENCES. 
 
 Many farmers assert that this alone is worth the entire 
 expense of the lesson. Certainly if this will prove so valiia- 
 
JUMPING OVER FENCES. 
 
 97 
 
 The Jumper before 
 adjusting. 
 
 ble, the instruction on Taming and Changing Habits rrust 
 be invaluable. If a horse or mule, put on a halter that fits 
 well to the head — a five ring halter is best. 
 Next find a piece of thin leather, (an old 
 boot-leg will do,) about as long as the 
 head, and from four to five inches wider 
 than the head is at the eyes. Form it same 
 as cut, with a string attached at each 
 corner. Attach the upper corners by the 
 strings to the halter where the brow-piece 
 is attached to the cheek-piece. Tie the 
 cords attached to the lower corners back of 
 the jaw (being careful to leave just freedom 
 enough to masticate easily.) ^Let the ends 
 now pass over the throat-latch, and make 
 fast. The horse is simply disabled from 
 looking ahead. He can look side wise and 
 back, but cannot look ahead or over the 
 nose forward, which will disconcert suffi- 
 ciently to prevent the animal not only jumping, but throw- 
 ing the fence down. If an ox or cow, attach the upper 
 corners to the horns, and pass the strings around the neck 
 instead of over the throat-latch. I find that cows will not 
 attempt to jump after this has been used two or three 
 weeks. Horses and mules a much longer time, and in some 
 cases must be used for months. Of course farmers should 
 keep fences in good repair to keep 
 stock from being tempted to jump 
 them. It is fallacy to suppose that 
 means, however valuable, can be 
 wholly relied upon for success, so 
 long as the cause is permitted to 
 continue. The leather should be 
 at least four inches wider than the 
 head at the eyes, but five or more 
 will be much better. This will 
 bring the leather outside of the eyes 
 when on, from two to three inches, 
 and around the side of the face to prevent working over the 
 nose. There may be failure with this, but if properly ap- 
 plied exceptions will be rare, as it has proved so far almost 
 infallible. 
 
 The Jumper Adjusted. 
 
98 PAWING IN THE STALL. 
 
 PAWING IN THE STALL. 
 
 Get a piece of chain about ten inches in length — run a 
 short strap through one of the end links, and buckle it 
 around the foot above the fetlock; or a piece of light chain 
 can be fastened to a small block, and attach it to the foot 
 in the same manner. When the horse attempts to paw, the 
 clog or chain rattles against the foot, and prevents a repe 
 tition of the practice. 
 
 KICKING THE STALL. 
 
 The same treatment used for preventing pawing may be 
 used ; or a piece of plank may be attached across the stall 
 over the hips about an inch higher than the hips. At each 
 effort to kick now, the hind part will strike this plank and 
 prevent ability to do so. If the kicking is with one foot 
 against side of stall, attach some brush to the side of the 
 stall, or hang down loosely over the part kicked at. 
 
 Pulling too Hard .on Bit, Turning Around while 
 Driving, or Running Back, were sufficiently explained in 
 the article on Running Away ; which, with the illustration 
 given in teaching, will give sufficient knowledge of the 
 treatment necessary for these and other habits not specially 
 mentioned. 
 
 KICKING COWS. 
 
 Put on the war bridle, (small loop,) and pull a few times, 
 right and left, then go back gently and attempt to milk. 
 On the least resistance, hold with the bridle and punish 
 sharply, so repeating as may be necessary until the cow 
 learns to stand quietly and becomes afraid to kick. Effec- 
 tual in every instance. 
 
 Of course due attention must be given to the condition 
 of the animal. Sometimes the teats are sore, and the pain 
 caused by milking is very severe. Scolding, kicking, or 
 pounding with the stool should not be permitted, as it only 
 increases the mischief it is desired to avert. One or two 
 lessons have proved effectual in every instance used. 
 
THE WAR BRIDLE. 
 THE 'WAR BBIDIiE. 
 
 99 
 
 This is simply a cord of the best material, twisted hard, 
 of about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and twelve 
 or fourteen feet long. Tie each end into a hard knot, just 
 as you would do to prevent its raveling, with the difference 
 of putting the end through the tie twice. Then pull down 
 tight and hard close to the end. Now tie another knot 
 about twelve inches from the end, but before drawing it 
 tight, put the end through. (See cut.) This will make a 
 loop that will not slip or draw through. The great simpli- 
 city of this form of knot, and the ease with which it can be 
 untied, gives it preference to me over all other forms of 
 knot I have ever used, and is, in my judgment, the best 
 form of knot, all things considered, to be recommended for 
 general use. The peculiar power given by this means upon 
 the mouth is liable to cause accident, when used upon a 
 quick, sensitive horse or green colt, with too much energy 
 in such a manner as to bring the restraint directly back 
 upon the mouth, which would in many cases cause the horse 
 to rear up and possibly fall over backward upon the head. 
 Of course a horse is liable to get killed by such an accident, 
 and it must and should be guarded against. This loop 
 should be just large enough to go over the lower jaw, back 
 of the bridle teeth of the horse it is intended to be used 
 upon. The other end can now be formed into another loop 
 in the same manner, with the difference of being large 
 enough to go over the head and fit tightly around the neck 
 well back to the shoulder. 
 
 APPLYING THE ^WAR BBIDLB. 
 
 There are two ways of applying and using the war bridle: 
 
 ist. While standing forward of the shoulders on the near 
 
 side of the horse, throw the small loop over the neck and 
 
100 FOUR RING BIT. 
 
 take in the left hand. Then with the right put the large 
 loop through from the top side. Now pass the left hand 
 forward to the mouth, adroitly spreading the loop in the 
 same position over the thumb, second, third and fourth 
 fingers, at the same time the right hand is to be passed under 
 the neck, around the head, upon the nose, which is to be 
 grasped gently but firmly, while the loop is put over the jaw 
 back of the bridle teeth with the left. 
 
 By standing near the shoulder and giving a sharp pull, 
 you will find the horse will come to you easily, by repeating 
 which he will soon learn to follow. This is a powerful 
 means of controlling by the head; is particularly valuable 
 in teaching to lead, controlling the head in bridling, har- 
 nessing, grooming, or even in shoeing, if simply a little 
 irritable. Drawing down tightly and tying into a half 
 hitch, will sometimes have a powerful effect. This is the 
 most powerful and valuable means ever discovered of teach- 
 ing colts to lead, and will enable handling even very bad 
 horses easily. It is not, however, suitable or powerful 
 enough to control horses of a decidedly bad or stubborn 
 character. 
 
 id. Take the large loop between both hands, and while 
 standing directly in front of the horse, slide it over his head 
 well back upon the neck, about where the collar rests. The 
 loop should be made in size to fit tightly around this part of 
 the neck. Now put the other end down between the loop 
 and neck. Put the loop this forms into his mouth back of 
 the bridle teeth, then draw down upon the end until the 
 slack is taken up. This method of using the war bridle, 
 enables more power sidewise than the first, but does not like 
 the first give power to pull ahead. 
 
 FOUR RING BIT. 
 
 This peculiar form of bit will work in the control of 
 oome pullers with great success. It is made and used as 
 follows : 
 
 Take an ordinary short steel snaffle bit, heat and bend in 
 the form of a link one of the rings, now slip over this ring 
 two one inch rings, when the ring previously bent is to be 
 straightened out as before. You have now a snaffle bit, 
 with two rings on the mouthpiece. (See cut.) Buckle into 
 
FOOT STRAP. 
 
 101 
 
 a common bridle. Get 
 made next two straps, 
 one two feet in length 
 and three-quarters of an 
 inch wide, made like a hame strap ; the other about three 
 feet in length, narrower and lighter. Run the short strap 
 through both rings and buckle double, in the form of a 
 nose-piece, buckling just long enough to fit around the nose 
 closely. Bring the long strap around the short one at the 
 center, pass up and through a little loop left in the bridle 
 between the ears and buckle, just short enough to let the 
 nose-piece come straight across the nose. It will now be 
 found by standing in front of the horse, putting both 
 thumbs through the rings and giving a little jerk down and 
 backwards, that the head will be thrown up and back easily. 
 The strap across the nose will act as a fulcrum when the 
 rings on the end of the bit are pulled upon, the two inside 
 rings slide towards the center, forcing the joint upwards 
 against the roof of the mouth, which causes so much pain 
 that the horse will not try to resist after being pulled upon 
 a few times. As a driving bit this is very powerful. After 
 being pulled upon a few times, there are but few horses that 
 will try to resist it. It overcomes pulling on one rein or 
 throwing the nose upon the breast. The effect of this bit 
 on some horses is very great. It does not cut or make the 
 mouth sore like other bits, and would be especially valuable 
 on horses that pull hard and get the mouth sore, as it does 
 not touch the lower jaw, yet forces perfect submission. 
 
 FOOT STBAP, 
 
 Any piece of strap 
 or rope of about twelve 
 or fourteen feet in 
 length, simply tied 
 around the fore foot in 
 most any manner, will" 
 answer on an emer- 
 gency. But simply 
 tying or knotting 
 around the foot is ob- 
 jectionable on account 
 of the danger of chafing 
 
102 TROTTING. 
 
 and preventing circulation, or possibly untying at some 
 critical moment. When necessary to use a foot-strap 
 much, it should be specially adapted for the purpose by 
 making as follows: Have a smooth strap made, about 
 twelve inches long and an inch wide, with a buckle on 
 one end and buckle holes punched in the other. About 
 one inch from the buckle should be fitted, under the lap 
 passing around the buckle, a ring or D stitched in nicely. 
 The edges of this strap should be dressed down smooth ; or 
 much better, cover the part coming in contact with the foot 
 with a piece of soft leather. This strap is intended to buckle 
 around the foot below the fetlock. Into the ring fasten the 
 end of a strap or web fourteen feet long and an inch and a 
 half wide. 
 
 Buckle the short strap around the near fore foot below the 
 fetlock, then pass the long strap over the belly-band on the 
 near side back to the wagon, and hold as a rein. This gives 
 control of the foot at will, by which the horse can be dis- 
 abled and disconcerted instantly, while driving. If the horse 
 attempts to kick, simply pulling the foot up throws him off 
 his balance. He can neither kick or run back, and if he 
 attempts to go ahead it must be on three legs, in a manner 
 that makes resistance quite limited. It is especially valuable 
 when training colts to drive, by neutralizing the animal's 
 power to resist should he become frightened and attempt to 
 kick or back. The foot-strap is also valuable as a means of 
 enabling control of horses that will not submit to being 
 rode, and is very effective. 
 
 TROTTING. 
 
 A good walking gait should be the foundation of the 
 training. Continue this walking lesson until the colt is 
 thoroughly gentle and submissive, and has learned to walk 
 with energy. Now gradually let out on a moderate trot, 
 holding up often, gradually letting out a little faster, as the 
 strength and education will bear, but never so as to cause 
 fatigue. Those muscles that are brought most into use are 
 most largely developed, and bear in mind also that a coll 
 has neither the strength or bottom of an old horse, to beai 
 either much exertion, or to be pushed in his gait, and can 
 not at once act the part of a fast going well trained horse. 
 
TROTTING. 103 
 
 Let this jogging be continued, gradually as there is ambi- 
 tion and the road is smooth and descending; but let out 
 only so fast, or to the point that the gait is held even and 
 square ; and at first should be pushed only a short distance, 
 after which pull back to a walk and speak encouragingly. 
 This is to be repeated, gradually going a little faster, but 
 never to the point of exhaustion, always encouraging with 
 a kind word or two after doing well. I would here caution 
 against hitching the colt to a heavy wagon or sulky. The 
 weight must be reduced as much as possible, and the better 
 to facilitate the object, always let the bursts of speed be on 
 a smooth, slightly descending piece of road. By this pre- 
 caution you will remove all drag, and the horse is able to 
 use all his powers to the best possible advantage. 
 
 This careful driving and gradually teaching the animal to 
 push forward when commanded is to be continued, hut 
 however promising, the risk should not be hazarded of 
 trotting a race, or a long distance, before the system is 
 thoroughly matured and hardened to bear prolonged exer- 
 tion. The gait of many fine trotters is ruined by too much 
 haste and harshness in training. A horse has not his growth 
 until five years old, and should not be put to severe work 
 before six or seven years old. It is proved by experience 
 that much greater age is necessary to attain great speed. 
 Flora Temple made her fastest time of two minutes nineteen 
 and three-quarter seconds, when she was fifteen years old, 
 at Kalamazoo. Dexter is constantly increasing his speed, 
 we are informed, by age and practice; and so it will be 
 found with all the best trotters. They were grown into 
 great speed by careful, persevering work, by which the 
 system is highly developed, the muscles are strengthened 
 and hardened, and useless foul matter that would obstruct 
 the free action of the heart and lungs, and increase the 
 weight, is removed. 
 
 Should the horse break when pushed in his gait, he should 
 not be pulled up too suddenly, which would slacken his 
 speed. Rather encourage him to go faster, and by gently 
 and firmly pulling right and left bring him to the trot. The 
 horse has now no disposition to resist control, and he must 
 be taught to rely upon with confidence, as well as yield 
 submission to the control and restraint of the bit. 
 
104 
 
 TO FORCE ON THE TROT. 
 
 TO FORCE ON THE TROT. 
 
 There are many promising steppers that will break and 
 run, and will not come down to work again, when much 
 excited ; and unless there is power to prevent such a habit 
 and force on the trot, the horse cannot be relied upon in a 
 race, at perhaps the very instant pushing is necessary. 
 There is not power to do this by the bit, and consequently 
 horses that step freely in private become foolish and unre- 
 liable when urged in company with other horses. There is 
 but one way of overcoming this trouble, and that is by the 
 use of the following means, the conception of which has 
 been original with myself, and brought to the notice of 
 trainers by me for several years, and has proved in skillful 
 hands a valuable adjunct, to the end of making flighty, ner- 
 yous horses come down to fast, reliable going. 
 
 Have made first four straps 
 long enough to go around the 
 hind legs above the hocks, 
 and from three quarters to an 
 inch wide. Obtain next two 
 D's or rings, in size to admit 
 two each of these straps 
 to be run through. Step 
 in front of each hind leg and 
 buckle these straps around 
 the leg, one above and one 
 below the gambrel, the ring 
 
 Cure for Breaking. 
 
 or D in front, bringing the straps to an acute angle. Put 
 on the head a light well-fitting halter. Attach a strap to 
 this, which must be in part double to regulate the angle, 
 and must be long enough to extend from the head to the 
 back edge of the girt. On the end is to be attached a 
 small, nice, easy running pulley, fitted to run a half-inch 
 cord. The strap is to pass back from the halter, between 
 the legs, over the belly-band, just back of which must come 
 this pulley. Take next a piece of firm, hard cotton or hemp 
 cord, from three-eighths to half an inch in size. Run it 
 through the pulley to the center, and tie the ends into the 
 D's or rings attached to the hind legs; the whole to be so 
 regulated in length that the horse can walk or trot easily. 
 This is similar to the kicking straps described on page 78. 
 
TO FORCE ON THE TROT. 105 
 
 (See cut.) One leg going forward to the degree that the 
 opposite one goes back, brings no restraint on the cord or 
 head, but the instant both feet go back as in the act of 
 running, the cord is shortened, the head is drawn back, and 
 the horse is taught that he is helpless. He soon learns this 
 and becomes afraid to break, though subjected to any rea- 
 sonable excitement. With this "rig" on, move the horse 
 on a walk until accustomed to it, which will usually require 
 but a very short time. Then let out on a moderate trot, 
 and when thoroughly accustomed to it pushing to a fast 
 gait. This must be repeated. In fact this arrangement 
 should be kept on until the horse is made reliable. Should 
 be driven and thoroughly practiced with other horses, and 
 excitement made as if in a race. Of course all this requires 
 ingenuity, patience and care. 
 
 This will work best on some horses by attaching to the 
 collar, or around the neck. The restraint is simply more 
 positive by this change. 
 
 One gentleman in Ohio, two years since, came one 
 hundred and fifty miles to get this treatment of me, and in 
 three months afterwards he informed me that he had since 
 sold a mare for fifteen hundred dollars which he had bought 
 for three hundred and seventy-five dollars. She would 
 break when in the least excited, and could be made nothing 
 of, though a fast stepper. He bought her, made the experi- 
 ment, and in less than a month had her down fine, and 
 could hold her under the whip regardless of yelling and the 
 excitement of competing horses. This gentleman informed 
 me he then had a horse that promised equally good results 
 by this treatment. 
 
106 
 
 BREEDING. 
 
 BREEDINQ. 
 
 Intelligent and Gentle. 
 
 One of the primary points 
 of success is to start right, 
 and in no respect is this 
 more essential than in breed- 
 ing. The law of like pro- 
 ducing like is inexorable ; 
 consequently it is seen that 
 to raise good horses, good 
 horses must be bred from. 
 Many farmers who are other- 
 wise keenly alive to their 
 interest, are singularly 
 thoughtless and imprudent 
 in this. If a mare is broken 
 down and unfit for labor, no 
 matter how coarse, badly 
 formed, or what the evidence 
 of constitutional unsoundness, she is reserved to breed from. 
 Again the cheapest horse, no matter how coarse if sleek 
 and fat, is selected and employed to breed from. The most 
 ignorant farmer is particular to select the largest and soun- 
 dest potatoes, the cleanest wheat and oats, for seed, etc. 
 He has learned this is 
 true economy. Yet 
 there seems to be the 
 most utter disregard 
 of this law of pru- 
 dence in the breed- 
 ing of horses and 
 farm stock in general. 
 During my long ex- 
 perience before the 
 public, I have en- 
 deavored to impress 
 upon farmers, when 
 I could, that this sort 
 of economy is like 
 paying a quarter for a 
 
 chicken, and giving a duU and TreacheroM. 
 
 dollar to have it taken home. 
 
BREEDING. 
 
 107 
 
 It costs just as much to raise a poor, coarse blooded colt, 
 as a fine blooded one. The cost of feeding and care is 
 really the same, the only difference in cost being in that of 
 the use of the horse. The first will possibly sell when five 
 years old and trained to harness, for from a hundred 
 to a hundred and fifty dollars. The other is worth 
 from three hundred to a thousand, and possibly more. 
 The first will scarcely sell for the cost of feeding and 
 care. The second ensures a large profit, and this for 
 a little additional first cost. And then the satisfaction of 
 having fine valuable animals, that can go along if necessary, 
 
 able to do any kind 
 of work easily, and 
 saleable for a larger 
 price, is a source of 
 no ordinary pleasure 
 and encouragement, 
 if from no other 
 feeling than that of 
 contributing so 
 largely to increased 
 economy and wealth. 
 The fact is, breeding 
 from poor, unsound 
 horses is so much a 
 detriment, that it 
 would be a damage 
 to any one to be 
 compelled to breed from such stock, if given for the purpose. 
 
 Naturally Sensitive and Shy, 
 
 IN RUSSIA, PRUSSIA AND AUSTRIA, 
 
 the breeding of horses is controlled by the governments, 
 each one having large breeding establishments, where those 
 wishing, can procure sound stallions, devoid of all heredi- 
 tary diseases. Each stallion is furnished with a certificate 
 from the government. No other stallions are allowed to 
 serve mares, under a penalty. The result is, that you will 
 scarcely find an unsound horse, except by accidents, etc. 
 Hereditary diseases, such as ophthalma, roaring, rupture, 
 spavin, ringbone, curby hock, spongy feet, etc., scarcely 
 known. It would be a source of undoubted economy and 
 benefit to the breeders, if the legislature of each State would 
 
108 BREEDING. 
 
 enact such laws, by appointing competent inspectors to 
 grant licenses to those free from blemish or hereditary dis- 
 eases or unsoundness. 
 
 A few years' breeding, under such restrictions, would 
 materially increase the value of horses in each State, and 
 thus be a real blessing to owners and the country. 
 
 In selecting a stallion, look first carefully at his head. The 
 nostrils should be large and well defined; eyes, that they 
 are full, bright, and clear ; good breadth between the eyes ; 
 the ears lively and rather short and tapering, and the head 
 high between the ears; next, that the throat shows no en- 
 largements of the glands, showing a disposition to be a 
 whistler or roarer; next, the slioulder should be oblique, 
 strong and high; then the fore leg, see that it is not tied in 
 (as it is termed) under the knee, for such are liable to 
 spring; then the feet should be of good size, sufficient 
 depth to be strong in the quarters; spongy and flat feet 
 should be rejected; next, the loin should be strong, the 
 back should be well coupled, quarters broad from point to 
 point of hips, and running nearly straight out to root of 
 tail ; stifle should stand low and well out ; hocks broad and 
 strong; no puffs or wind galls, as it indicates weakness. 
 As a colt from such a horse at an early age, may show indi- 
 cations of blood spavin or thorough pin, look at the inside 
 of the hock, an enlargement at the point of what is called 
 a jack spavin or curb, enlargement on the back of the leg ; 
 next, at the foot, that there is no enlargement at the edge 
 of the hoof, known as ringbone; weak eyes, or blindness, 
 poll evil, fistula of withers, or in fact any cause of unsound- 
 ness should discard a stallion. I need not remind that the 
 mare should be selected with the same care. Heaves, 
 broken wind, and marked contraction of the feet should 
 discard a horse, and I would by all means discard a bad 
 tempered one. The horse should be in good health or con- 
 dition. This implies that he has been subjected to moder- 
 ate but regular exercise during the season. A horse that is 
 driven hard and hurried from place to place, perhaps over- 
 heated and made to cover from two to four or five mares a 
 day, should be regarded as unsafe, and the colt liable to 
 lack vitality. 
 
 To be successful in breeding any particular variety of 
 horses requires first decision as to the purpose for which 
 
THE MARE. 109 
 
 intended. To be particular requires first, intention as to 
 purpose for which intended. If heavy draft horses, evenly- 
 trotting roadsters, or ponies are required, select both dam 
 and sire with special reference to the kind of stock wanted. 
 If the mare is light boned or defective, select a heavier 
 boned horse, one that possesses the contrast of greater 
 strength or better points in that respect. But to ensure 
 much certainty of what you would have, the mare and 
 horse should be as nearly the type desired as possible, 
 though not related. I would be very particular about dis- 
 position and intelligence. The head should be broad 
 between the eyes, muzzle small, short or middling short 
 from eyes to ears. The smaller and rounder the eyes, the 
 more positive will be the temper. (See cuts.) To have a 
 horse sensitive, intelligent, courageous, and naturally docile, 
 there must be large brain, the eye must be large, standing 
 well out, and mild in expression. 
 
 Of course it is understood that bad treatment will 
 
 SPOIL THE BEST TEMPERED HORSES, AND GOOD TREATMENT 
 WILL MAKE GOOD SAFE ANIMALS OF THE WORST. 
 
 THE MARE. 
 
 The mare is said to go with foal eleven months or three 
 hundred days; but it is not uncommon for mares to have 
 fully developed foals in much less time, and in many 
 instances mares have been known to go four or five weeks 
 beyond this time. Time should be so arranged in putting 
 mares, that the colts will come at a time when there is some 
 grass, as the mare will do better not to be confined to dry 
 feed. The virgin mare, or one that has not had a colt, for 
 one season, must be put when she is found in season. The 
 mare that has had a colt will be found in season, and should 
 be put on the eighth or ninth day after foaling; some prefer 
 the eighth, others the eleventh. Good judges claim that it 
 is dangerous to go beyond the tenth, as the mare is apt to 
 come off her heat soon after, and if allowed to go to a later 
 period, the sucking of the colt is likely to reduce the mare 
 too much to allow conception to take place, and thus a 
 year's service of the breeder is lost. 
 
 After putting a mare, the days for trial are the ninth after 
 service, the seventh after this, the fifth after this again. 
 
110 STABLING. 
 
 Some commence again, commencing with the ninth day 
 and follow up as before, making forty-two days. Twenty- 
 one days being the period elapsing between a mare's going 
 out of heat, and coming in again, making her periodical 
 term thirty days. Twenty-one days is claimed to be suffi- 
 cient to prove a mare. 
 
 The mare and colt should be well fed, and protected 
 from storms. The theory of working a mare hard, and 
 half starving the colt, is the poorest kind of economy, 
 since the mare needs generous feed and rest, to renew her 
 strength and make her milk, by which of course the colt is 
 nourished and made to grow. When size and strength will 
 indicate that it is time to wean, which is usually in five or 
 six months, put the colt in a quiet pasture, away from the 
 mare, where it should be closely looked after. A little 
 oats, (better if bruised,) should be given daily. 
 
 The conclusion of careful breeders is, that it is much 
 better for a colt to run in pasture, than to be confined in a 
 stable. If the colt is intended for farm use, castration may 
 be performed when six months old ; if, however, the withers 
 are light, it should be postponed until the head and neck 
 fills up to the degree required, and this may require from 
 one to two years, or even more. If the head is large and 
 heavy, early castration is advisable. Colts should be gen^ 
 erously fed, and protected from the inclemency of the 
 weather in winter. They should be treated gently. May 
 be broken early to harness, if treated gently and with care. 
 This, however, is hazardous, as there is danger of over- 
 driving young colts if they are driven at all. Many seem 
 to take pride in trials to which they subject two or three 
 year old colts. It is not what they can do, but what they 
 ought to be required to do. 
 
 STABLING. 
 
 Pure air is not only an absolute essential in securing and 
 retaining the perfect health of horses, but is the cheapest 
 and most easily available. The stable should be so located 
 and constructed as to enable this most perfectly, as well as 
 afford the greatest convenience and comfort, thus ensuring 
 health and economy. It should be built on a dry, airy 
 location, facing the south, large enough to give ample 
 
STABLING. 1 1 1 
 
 lOom, warm and well lighted, yet well ventilated. The 
 stalls should be at least five feet wide for work horses, and 
 if fine horses that are worked but little, they should be 
 large enough to enable stepping around freely. If there is 
 room, a box stall is the best, but it should not be close. 
 The door, at least, should be made of slats, and a window 
 above the head, so arranged that it can be thrown qpen to 
 give light and ventilation. The door should be large, to 
 preclude injury by striking the sides or hips against the 
 posts, and there should be a reasonably large yard, which 
 should be well fenced. If a manger and rack of the com- 
 mon form across the stall is used, I would suggest an im- 
 provement upon that in general use. 
 
 First. It should be so constructed that the horse cannot 
 waste the feed while eating, yet should not be very high — 
 the top about three and a half feet from the floor. 
 
 The rack, instead of sloping out over the head of the 
 horse, should stand straight, or perpendicular, which will 
 prevent hay seed and dust from falling upon the horse's 
 head, and enable catching and pulling the hay more easily 
 from the rack, and the back so inclined forward that the 
 hay will all the time be in the horse's reach. The bottom 
 should be open like the front, so that the dust can drop 
 through to the floor. 
 
 The best form of manger I have seen, both for conve- 
 nience, safety and health, is that so constructed that there 
 is an alley in front of the head. The place for hay is a 
 sort of box, on one side of which is a feed box, which 
 should be large enough to prevent throwing the feed out 
 while eating. The hitching ring should be on the off or 
 farther side, to prevent the strap being caught by the foot. 
 The manger should be about on a level with the shoulders. 
 The nearer the horse is made to imitate his position when 
 eating in the field the better. But this is not admissible in 
 the construction of the manger, since the horse would 
 waste the feed. This form of feeding box and manger is 
 cleaner. There is not that temptation to give more hay at 
 a time than the horse may need. The manger can be 
 reached easily and safely; in feeding the hay is easily 
 thrown upon the floor, where it can be easily shaken up 
 and thrown fresh and palatable to the horse. It obviates 
 the usual temptation of a receptacle under the manger, in 
 
112 STABLING. 
 
 which to pack, during the day, a lot of poisonous bedding, 
 and finally there is the best of ventilation, as the air can 
 freely circulate in front of the manger. Every stable should 
 have a sort of chimney, or opening at the top, to allow of 
 the bad air to pass out freely. The windows should be so 
 placed as to admit light enough that the ordinary work of 
 the stable can be done without opening the doors, which 
 should have shutters to enable darkening the stable if ne- 
 cessary, when flies are troublesome, or to permit sleep in 
 the day time, which is often necessary. The walls, if any, 
 in front should not be whitewashed, as is often done, as 
 pure white would .injure the eyes. The color should be 
 made neutral by adding some brown or other coloring mat- 
 ter. A cellar stable, unless so constructed as to enable at 
 all times the most perfect ventilation, is dangerous; yet one 
 of the best stables I have seen was what would be termed a 
 cellar stable, which was simply a series of box mangers 
 running across the whole size of the building, with a pas- 
 sage-way running lengthwise through the centre, thus giving 
 free access to each range from the end, from which was a 
 run-way to the floor above ; but there was a series of little 
 open grates around the entire room near the ceiling, which 
 gave perfect ventilation. A special point I would call at- 
 tention to, viz. : not having, on any condion, a stall so 
 constructed as to have a stone or brick wall on one side, or 
 have the naked wall form one side of a stall. The temper- 
 ature of one side is so much lower than that of the other, 
 that derangement of the circulation must result, causing 
 cold and injury that is often the cause of spoiling a vamable 
 horse. If a stall is so located, line the wall with plank. 
 The construction of farmer's stables is generally bad, the 
 stalls being too narrow and short, the hay rack too high, 
 and the top part standing too far forward over the head. 
 In many cases they are but little better than a close, dark 
 box, without any adequate means of ventilation wtien the 
 doors are closed, and if they are open there is iisuaity so 
 much draft of air as to cause cold, just as those ocniinying 
 a close, warm room are made to feel keenly anv sudden 
 current of cold air that may be admitted into the room by 
 too suddenly throwing the doors open while warm The 
 sudden influx of cold air would check perspiration and rlose 
 the pores of the skin, thereby endangering some acutf* **Q»ra 
 of inflammation. 
 
FEEDING. ]13 
 
 Again, the stables are usually built over a cellar, which is 
 perhaps half filled with water and manure that throws up- 
 ward through the floor a deadly miasma that lays the found- 
 ation of disease. The rack is crammed with hay, the dust 
 and dirt of which is forced against the horse's nose. The 
 manger is half filled with filth and trash. The bedding, 
 thoroughly impregnated with ammonia, is rolled under 
 the manger in the morning, to saturate and poison the hay 
 above it in the rack, or such other food as may be given the 
 animal. The usual bad ventilation and high temperature 
 of cellar stables make too great and violent a change in the 
 temperature when taken in or out, and the consequence will 
 be cold cough, with great disposition to attacks of pneu- 
 monia, or lung fever. Humanity and true self interest 
 should prompt to looking to these errors being corrected in 
 the construction of the horse's places of living, and as these 
 ends can be attained without any extra expense worthy of 
 consideration that is necessary for the construction of a 
 poor one, it is a duty which is a really suicidal policy to 
 neglect. 
 
 I would suggest, in conclusion, that the flooring of stalls 
 or a stable should never be made of hard wood, such as 
 oak, ash, chestnut, etc., as it wears smooth and endangers 
 slipping and injury of the horse in getting up. The best 
 wood for flooring is elm, spruce, hard pine, hemlock, or 
 any wood that will wear rough and prevent slipping. 
 
 FEEDING. 
 
 Hay, corn fodder, oats and corn, constitute the principal 
 food of horses in this country. Hay and oats in the North- 
 ern States, fodder and corn in the South. The food should 
 be in quality and quantity to impart strength, vitality and 
 elasticity, and this requires some discrimination and care, 
 as the food should be harmonized both to the condition, 
 and the severity of the labor to which the horse is sub- 
 jected. As a rule, the stomach should not be distended 
 with food when prolonged, energetic effort is desired, as the 
 heart and lungs would thereby be much impeded in their 
 action, and congestion and rupturing of or enlarging of the 
 air cells of the lungs may result. This is to be especially 
 guarded against in the feeding of hay. Greedy eaters can 
 
 8 
 
114 FEEDING. 
 
 and will gorge themselves by eating so much hay as to be 
 unfit for active labor, and is usually shown to result in 
 heaves or broken wind. Heaves are always found in the 
 teamsters' or carters' stables, where there is no care in feed- 
 mg. This disease is always found among horses of the 
 above class, but never found among racing horses, from the 
 fact that the utmost prudence and care is used in selecting 
 the food, and feeding in smaller quantities, or in adapting 
 the food more perfectly to the wants of the system. 
 
 It has been demonstrated beyond doubt that the reason 
 horses improve so much in wind by eating prairie hay is, 
 that it is so coarse that horses cannot eat it fast enough to 
 overload the stomach. The quantity of hay should be 
 carefully regulated, and never as much given as the horse 
 will eat if at all voracious. The majority of owners pack a 
 large rack full, allowing either liberty to eat too much, or 
 making it unpalatable and unhealthy, by being breathed 
 upon. From eight to ten pounds is about the average 
 quantity for an ordinary roadster to be allowed in twenty- 
 four hours, more or less, according to size, the kind of 
 work, and the quantity of grain given. Dusty or mouldy 
 hay should not be fed, as it is liable to produce various forms 
 of disease. 
 
 All food should be clean, and in quality perfect. Hay is 
 most perfect when it is about a year old. Horses would 
 perhaps prefer earlier, but it is neither so wholesome nor so 
 nutritious, and may purge. When it is a year old it should 
 retain much of its green color and agreeable smell.* The 
 blades of corn pulled and cured in the summer are unques- 
 tionably much better than hay. I should certainly prefer 
 this kind of fodder to any kind of hay, for fine horses. It 
 is strange that it is not prized more highly in the North. 
 
 Oats make more muscle than corn. Corn makes fat and 
 warmth. Hence, the cplder the weather, the more corn 
 may be given, and the harder the work, the more oats. 
 Oats should be a year old, heavy, dry and sweet. New 
 oats will weigh from ten to fifteen per cent, more than old 
 ones; but the difference is principally water. New oats are 
 said to be more difiicu't to digest, and when in considerable 
 
 =' Note 1.— In packing or stacking hay. salt should be slightly sprinkled 
 through it so as to detroy insects. It also aids in preserving it bright, and makaa 
 it more palatable and healthy for the horse. 
 
FEEDING. 115 
 
 quantity are apt to cause flatulency and derangement of the 
 stomach and bowels. The same may be said of corn. If not 
 sound and dry, it may be regarded even much more dan- 
 gerous than oats, and should not be fed. Doing so will be 
 at the hazard of the consequences above mentioned. 
 
 The quantity of oats given daily may vary from eight to 
 sixteen quarts. If the horse is large, and the work is severe, 
 a little more may be given. Corn should be fed in the ear, 
 and like oats must be regulated in quantity to the size and 
 labor of the animal ; from five to twelve good sized ears are 
 a feed. I give a larger proportion of feed at night, and less 
 in the morning and noon. There is ample time for diges- 
 tion during the night. There is not during the day, if the 
 labor is severe. Experience proves that some mildly cooling 
 laxative food should be occasionally given. A bran mash, 
 made by pouring boiling water on eight or ten quarts of 
 wheat bran, covered over until cool and fed at night, from 
 once to three times a week, is the finest and best. 
 
 Carrots are a good laxative and alterative before frost, 
 but are too cold and constipating during cold weather. They 
 may be fed in October, November and December, but in 
 the Northern States not later. (I am governed by the 
 judgment of one of the best veterinary surgeons in the 
 United States, based upon careful and critical observation 
 of effects on a large number of horses, on this point.) I 
 feed Irish potatoes, from one to three quarts, with the usual 
 quantity of grain, from two to three or four times a week, 
 and would recommend their use. Think their value cannot 
 be over-estimated. Feeding a small quantity of roots and 
 giving bran mashes, keeps the bowels open and the system 
 in a uniform, healthy condition. Without them constipa- 
 tion is probable, and this is one of the primary causes of 
 diarrhoea, colic, or inflammation of the bowels. If it is 
 desired to make a horse fat in a short time, feed corn meal 
 and shorts, with cut straw, to which add a pint of cheap 
 molasses. Nothing like this for recruiting and filling up a 
 horse that is out of sorts or poor. If the horse eats too fast, 
 put a few round stones in the feed box. He must now pick 
 the food from among the stones, and thus he is compelled 
 to eat slowly. 
 
 If the horse is exhausted, or when sufficient time cannot 
 be allowed for him to eat and partially digest a full meal. 
 
116 WATERING. 
 
 he may be greatly refreshed by a draught of warm gruel, or 
 in summer, of cold water containing a small quantity of 
 meal. To give some idea of the routine of feeding and 
 watering when great care is necessary, I include the system 
 of feeding and watering Mr. Bonner's famous trotting horse, 
 Dexter: 
 
 '* At six every morning, Dexter has all the water he wants, 
 and two quarts of oats. After eating, he is ' walked ' for 
 half an hour or more, then cleaned off, and at nine has two 
 quarts more of oats. If no drive is on the card for after- 
 noon, he is given a half to three-quarters of an hour of 
 gentle exercise. At one o'clock he has oats again, as before, 
 limited to two quarts. 
 
 '' From three to four, he is driven twelve to fifteen miles; 
 after which he is cleaned off and rubbed thoroughly dry. 
 
 ' ' He has a bare swallow of water on returning from the 
 drive, but is allowed free access to his only feed of hay, of 
 which he consumes from five to six pounds. 
 
 ''If the drive has been a particularly sharp one, he is 
 treated as soon as he gets in, to a quart or two of oat meal 
 gruel; and when thoroughly cooled, has half a pail of 
 water and three quarts of oats, with two quarts of bran 
 moistened with hot water. 
 
 ''Before any specially hard day's work or trial of his 
 speed, his allowance of water is still more reduced." 
 
 WATEBING. 
 
 If a large quantity of cold water is taken into the stomach 
 while the system is agitated and sensitive, by the circulation 
 being so increased as to open the pores of the skin freely, 
 it is liable to so chill the stomach as to derange the circula- 
 tion and close the pores of the skin, and thus excite some 
 one of the common alimentary derangements of colic or 
 inflammation of the bowels. Hard water, especially cold 
 well water, is more liable to cause mischief in this way than 
 soft water. Hard water will derange some horses, so much 
 as to show an almost immediate effect of causing the hair to 
 look rough or stare, the appetite deranged, if not indeed 
 preceded by colic or inflammation of the bowels; also, 
 horses that are raised and worked in the country, where the 
 water is strongly impregnated with lime, are troubled a 
 
WATERING. 117 
 
 good deal with intestinal calculi, /. e.y stone in the bladder. 
 Hence soft water should be given, if convenient; and if 
 well water, especially while warm, it should either have the 
 chill taken off or be given very sparingly. 
 
 The best time to water is about half an hour before feed- 
 ing. While driving, the rule should be little and often. 
 None, or only a swallow or two, should be given at the 
 close of a drive, until cool. If very warm, the horse should 
 be walked moderately where there is not a current of air to 
 strike him, from ten to thirty minutes, as may be found 
 necessary. If, then, any danger is apprehended, the chill 
 should be taken off the water if very cold and given sparingly 
 a few swallows at a time. The common custom is to give 
 about a half bucket of water. The safest course would be 
 to give less and repeat. The rule should be, for ordinary 
 use, to give small quantities often during the day, and the 
 animal to pursue his journey or labor immediately after. If 
 allowed to stand, the system may be chilled. The absor- 
 bents are closed, which is the common cause of Laminitis 
 or Founder, although this disease may not develop itself 
 until twelve or twenty-four hours afterwards, and any cause 
 which will chill the system — either cold winds or cold 
 water — while the animal is warm, will be almost sure to 
 produce the above disease. 
 
TEACHING TRICKS. 
 
 Do not hurry a horse too fast in his training. If you 
 undertake to teach too much, or too fast in the start, or 
 indeed at any time, you only confuse or discourage. Do 
 only s(^ much as the horse can comprehend, and make daily 
 progress. 
 
 TEACHING TO FOLLO^TV. 
 
 If it is desired to simply teach the horse to follow prompt- 
 ly with halter or bridle on, apply the war bridle (small 
 loop); when he comes round promptly, stand off a short 
 distance and say, " Come here, sir." If he d 2s not come 
 to you, give a sharp pull, gradually changing positions and 
 going a little farther. If he comes to you promptly, caress 
 him; if not, pull sharply, repeating in this way until you 
 can make him come to you promptly, in any direction, at 
 the word. 
 
 TO MAKE FOLLOW TVITH THE WHIP. 
 
 The simplest and easiest way of doing this, is to work up 
 sharply with the war bridle, and when the horse comes to 
 you promptly, take a short, blunt whip, step up to the 
 shoulder, and while holding the bridle loosely in the left 
 hand, pass the whip gently over the shoulder, and tap 
 lightly with the end on the off side of the head. This will 
 annoy the horse and cause him to move the head a little 
 from it, toward you; instantly stop and caress, then repeat 
 the tapping again; should he attempt to run from you, 
 hold him by the bridle. Repeat in this way until the horse 
 will step toward you promptly. Then touch the whip over 
 the hips and say, " Come, sir." If he comes up to you, or 
 shows the least disposition to do so, caress, and so continue 
 until he will come up promptly. Now step a little sidewise 
 and ahead and say, '' Come, sir." If he should step after 
 
TEACHING TRICKS. 119 
 
 you, caress, if not, touch the lash over the hips. In a short 
 time the horse will learn to step to you, and follow promptly 
 When he will do this, stand him in a corner of the room, 
 stand a little in front of him and touch him lightly with the 
 whip on the fore-legs and say, " Come here, sir." At the 
 least intimation of coming, stop and caress. Then repeat, 
 touching with the whip. If he moves to you a little, stop 
 and caress, and in this way repeat until he will come to you 
 promptly. Then get a little farther from him and repeat in 
 the same manner until he will learn to hurry up to you, to 
 get away from the whip. Should he bolt away, put on the 
 bridle, and hold the end in the left hand. You can now 
 hold him by the bridle when he attempts to run, until he 
 finds he cannot get away, and will come up promptly. 
 
 This lesson should be made very thorough before there is 
 an attempt to take the horse out of doors, and then in a 
 small yard. If this is not convenient, put on the bridle, 
 having good length of cord, and hold in the left hand 
 loosely. 
 
 If the horse is of a bad character, the following method 
 may be used : Turn the horse into a room or small yard well 
 enclosed. Provide yourself with a good bow whip. The 
 horse will feel uneasy and look around at you, and then 
 perhaps for some place by which to escape. Walk up to 
 him, and as he runs into a corner apply the lash sharply 
 under his flanks, following him up, making the whip sting 
 keenly around the hind legs. When he stops or turns his 
 head toward you, stop instantly, reach out the hand, at the 
 same time approaching gently. Should he run or turn 
 around to kick, whip instantly as before, and so continue 
 until you can approach and caress the head and neck a little. 
 Then say, *'Come, sir," at the same time touching the 
 whip lightly over the hips. If he comes, or shows the least 
 disposition to do so, caress and speak encouragingly. If 
 he runs, whip as before, and so repeat until the horse will 
 come up promptly when touched by the whip. 
 
 As the object is to make the horse honest in following, 
 it is necessary to make him feel that you whip him only for 
 resistance, encouraging and flattering for every intimation 
 of obedience, until he realizes his safety from the whip to 
 be in coming to you. 
 
120 TEACHING TRICKS. 
 
 TO LIB DOAVN. 
 
 Tie the bridle reins into a knot back of the neck. Throw 
 your strap over the back, under the body, and tie to the 
 near foot, below the fetlock. Now pass the right hand well 
 over the back and take a short hold of the strap. Cause 
 the horse to step toward you and pull the foot up. Then 
 pass the left hand around the reins and pull back and down 
 upon them in such a manner as to turn the head a little to 
 the off-side, at the same time pulling down steadily but 
 firmly on the strap '"over the back with the right hand. As 
 the horse goes down, gradually pull the near rein, so as to 
 bring the head to the left, at the same time pressing down 
 and from you firmly with the right, until the horse will lie 
 down. Pass the end of the strap now through the ring ,of 
 the bit and draw through gently, step over the neck, and as 
 the horse attempts to get up, pull him back, until he lies 
 quiet. Rub and caress him, and after lying a few minutes, 
 say, *' Get up, sir." Repeat in this way for a few times 
 until the horse will lie down readily. Then while holding 
 him on or near the knee with the strap, hit him on the skin 
 of the other with a little whip, until he will bring it under 
 and lie down. After awhile he can be made to come on 
 his knees and lie down by simply pulling the head down a 
 little and hitting the skins with the whip, at the same time 
 saying, "Lie down, sir," repeating until the horse will lie 
 down to the motion of the whip. This is about the easiest 
 and most practical way of teaching a horse to lie down. 
 
 TO SIT UP. 
 
 When the horse will lie down promptly, put on him a 
 common collar, and while being down take two pieces of 
 rope, or anything suitable, about ten feet each in length. 
 Tie the ends around the hind feet, carry them forward be- 
 tween the fore legs and bring them once around the collar. 
 
 Now step on his tail, take the bridle reins in the right 
 hand, while you hold the ends of the ropes firmly in the 
 left. Give a little jerk on the reins and say, *' Get up, sir." 
 When the horse throws out the forward feet and springs to 
 raise himself on the hind feet, he finds himself unable to 
 complete the effort, on account of the hind feet being tied 
 
TEACHING TRICKS. 121 
 
 forward under him, and so he brings himself in a sitting 
 position. Instantly step forward, holding the ropes firmly, 
 rub and caress the head and neck a little for a few seconds, 
 then as you see the effort to keep up becoming tiresome, let 
 loose and say, '^ Get up, sir." By repeating in this way a 
 few times the horse will soon learn to sit up when com- 
 manded without being tied. 
 
 TO MAKE A BOW. 
 
 Take a pin in your right hand, between the thumb and 
 fore-finger, stand before, but a little to the left, of your 
 horse, and prick him on the breast lightly. This produces 
 the sensation of a fly biting, to relieve which he will bring 
 down his head, which you will accept as yes, and reward 
 for by caressing and feeding as before. Then repeat, and 
 so continue until he will bring his head down the moment 
 he sees the least motion of the hand toward his breast, or 
 you can substitute some signal which he will understand 
 readily. 
 
 TO SAY NO. 
 
 Stand near the left shoulder, holding the pin in your 
 hand, with which prick him lightly on the withers, which 
 will cause him to shake his head. You then caress as 
 before, and So repeating, until he will shake his head at the 
 least indication of touching him with the pin ; you can 
 train your horse so nicely in this way in a short time as to 
 cause him to shake his head or bow by merely turning the 
 hand a little, or moving it slightly toward him. 
 
 TO KISS YOU. 
 
 Teach him first to take a piece of apple out of your 
 hand. Then gradually raise the hand nearer your mouth, 
 at each repetition, until you require him to take it from 
 your mouth, holding it with the hand, telling him at the 
 same time to kiss you. He will soon learn to reach his nose 
 up to your mouth ; first to get the apple, but finally, because 
 commanded to do so. Simply repeat until the horse under- 
 stands the trick thoroughly. 
 
122 TEACHING TRICKS. 
 
 TEACHING- A HORSE TO DANCE. 
 
 Put on the war bridle ; hold the cord some four or five 
 feet from the horse's head, and with a whalebone whip tap 
 liim on the shin or ankle until he lifts his foot, then caress 
 liim, and do the same with the other, making him raise 
 lirst one foot, then the other, then stop and caress. Next, 
 make him raise them several times, until he moves his 
 whole body by the motion of the whip to the time of 
 music. Caress and encourage frequently. 
 
 TEACHING A HORSE TO WALTZ. 
 
 After he has learned to dance, put a surcingle around his 
 chest and fasten the bridle-reins to it, the left rein much 
 the tightest, bringing his head well around to the left side. 
 Then make him move forward, when he follows his head, 
 and every time as he is turning his head from you give him 
 a sharp cut with the whip, which will make him jump round 
 quickly until his head comes around to you again. Then 
 you should caress and encourage him by talking kindly, pat- 
 ting and feeding him. He will then be slower to move his 
 head from you, but you must continue with the whip every 
 time the horse's hind parts are toward you and his head 
 from you, caressing every few minutes until he understands 
 to move at the motion of the whip. Patient and careful 
 practice in this way will make your horse prompt and grace- 
 ful in his movements. 
 
SHOEING 
 
 The hoof of the horse, in a state of nature, is adapted 
 only to a grassy surface. Here the natural wear and tear of 
 the hoof is just compensated by its growth. When the 
 wear is made greater than this, by driving on hard roads, 
 the horn is worn down so rapidly that the vascular part of 
 the foot would soon be exposed, and the horse would in 
 consequence become lame. 
 
 Shoeing includes, first, the duty of preparing the feet for 
 the shoes ; second, forming the shoes to the feet, so as to be 
 most exact in size, weight and fitting to that part of the 
 hoof, and that only, that is shown by experience to be best 
 able to bear the pressure and strain of the shoe without in- 
 jury, and preserve its form and bearing best; and, third, 
 that when injury and lameness result, the cause, at least, 
 should be removed, and a reasonable effort made to restore 
 the parts to a state of health. 
 
 That part of the foot which is visible, and to which the 
 shoe is fastened, is called the hoof. It is simply a thin 
 covering of horn to the delicate but powerful mechanism 
 of the internal structure of the foot, and for convenience of 
 description is divided into three parts, the wall, sole and frog. 
 
 THE FOOT. 
 
 There are other minor points, a full description of which 
 is not essential to our object here, such as the toe, heels, 
 bars, commissures, etc. The outer crust, or wall, is a sim- 
 ple piece of horn, of from a quarter to three-eighths of an 
 inch in thickness, increasing in thickness from the quarters 
 to the toe, where it is thickest and grows fastest, in order to 
 bear the increased wear upon this part. If this horn were 
 cut into and examined withp, microscope, it would be found 
 to be made up of a large number of little tubes, or hairs, 
 cemented together; that they can be split apart like the 
 fibers of wood, and that the horn increases in hardness and 
 density from the inner surface to that of the outer, the inner 
 
124 
 
 STRUCTURE OF THE FOOT. 
 
 (No. 1.) (No. 2.) 
 
 a The external crust seen at the quarter. a a The frog. 
 
 6 The coronary ring, c The little horny plates 6 The sole, 
 
 lining the crust, d The same continued over c c The bars, 
 
 the bars, e e The two concave surfaces of the d d The crust. 
 
 inside of the horny frog. / That which ex- 
 ternally is the cleft of the frog, g The bars. 
 h The rounded part of the heels, belonging to 
 the frog. 
 
 surface being quite soft, while the outer surface is hard and 
 smooth. 
 
 If we now look at the sole, we will find it from one-eighth 
 to three-sixteenths of an inch thick, a little arched, of a 
 dense yielding texture, joined firmly to the lower and inner 
 
 (No. 3.) Interior of a Healthy Foot, 
 
 (No. 4.) Sole of Hind Foot. 
 
 edge of the wall. At the center, occupying the space be- 
 tween the heels, and extending well forward to a point 
 towards the toe, is a softer an^ thicker formation of horn, 
 admitting of great elasticity, which is the frog. (See cut 
 No. 2.) Between the frog and its connection, with the sole, 
 on each side, is a little strip of hard horn, extending from 
 the heels forward, called bars, which are a continution of 
 
STRUCTURE OF THE FOOT. 
 
 125 
 
 (No. 5.) 
 
 a Coronet. 
 
 b Sensible lamellae. 
 
 the outer wall. From the outside 
 there seems to be a deep notch, on 
 each side, cut down between the 
 bars and frog, which are called com- 
 missures, the whole showing the 
 most admirable arrangement for 
 strength and elasticity. The frog, 
 being of a soft, elastic nature, acts 
 as a cushion in protecting the sensi- 
 tive parts over it from being bruised 
 or injured, while the direction of the 
 bars make them braces for keeping 
 the heels in place. Connecting the 
 internal parts of the foot with the 
 hoof, is a strong muscular structure, 
 arranged so as to afford great expansion, as well as 
 strength. That connecting with the wall of the hoof is 
 named sensible laminae, and that between the coffin bone 
 and sole sensible sole and frog. This mus- 
 cular structure has mingled 
 through it a complete net- 
 work of nerves and blood- 
 vessels. Hence we see that 
 in any way producing pressure 
 or restraint upon the wall or 
 sole, so as to bruise this soft 
 structure, will cause inflam- 
 mation, and result in soreness, 
 change of structure and lame- 
 ness, to a greater or less 
 extent, in proportion to the 
 extent of the injury. 
 
 The healthy foot is the best 
 model for guidance, and the 
 object should be m preparing 
 the foot for the shoe, to sim- 
 ply bring it back to its natural 
 form and bearing. If the toe is too long, 
 or the heels too high, or there is an unusual 
 accumulation of old horn on the sole, re- 
 move so much as will restore the foot to its 
 natural proportions and bearing. 
 
 If the shoes have been on a month, cut 
 
 (No. 6.) 
 
 View of the veins 
 of the Frog and 
 Sole, injected. 
 
 (No. 7.) 
 
 View of arteries of 
 
 the Foot. 
 
 1. Vein. 
 
 2. Plantar artery. 
 
 3. Branches to the 
 coronary substauce 
 and laminae. 
 
 4. Posterior divi- 
 sion of plantur ar- 
 tery. 
 
 5. Perpendicular 
 branch. 
 
126 STRUCTURE OF THE FOOT. 
 
 away the horn grown more or less, according to the 
 length of time the shoes have been on and the quantity 
 of horn grown. If the foot is in a healthy condition, 
 It is seldom necessary to interfere with the sole and frog. 
 The sole and frog throw off horn by a natural process of 
 expoliation ; but sometimes the shoe extends so close and 
 so far over the sole as to prevent this old horn from either 
 wearing or scaling off. When this is the case, it should be 
 dressed out, particularly at the heels, at the angles formed 
 between the bars and crust. The buttress is usually so large 
 and square edged as to make it unsuitable for doing this. 
 Even with the greatest care, it is difficult, with such an in- 
 strument, to prevent cutting away too 
 much at some points, while there 
 cannot be enough cut away at others. 
 An English shave, with the end turned 
 back, like that of an instrument with 
 which to mark boards, is just the thing 
 for this purpose. While the object, 
 in the first place, should be to reduce 
 the hoof to its natural size, care should 
 be used not to cut away too much of 
 the wall; for, bear in mind, cutting 
 away too much must bring the shoe 
 
 against the sole, and forces driving the a Sound Fore-foot, preparer 
 
 nails too deep into the wall of the for the shoe, 
 
 hoof, if not into the vascular part in- a The heel of the crust, h 
 
 .J 1 . 1 u , 1 The toe cut out to receive the 
 
 side, which would not only cause clip, c c The quarters of the 
 
 lameness, but be liable to induce the ^Cm t^SrwUh thV?u^^ 
 
 secretion of matter, and very serious frog between them, e e The 
 
 consequences would follow. (See Sgrwhlrrco?*fppSr'// 
 
 Causes of Lameness.) And besides. The concave surface of the 
 
 r • ^^ ' ^ ^^ • J.^ • toe. go The bulbous heels. 
 
 forcing SO many nails into this thin a The cleft. 
 
 horn weakens it so much that by a few 
 
 repetitions of such shoeing it becomes difficult to nail on 
 
 shoes with any certainty of being held to the foot very long, 
 
 and, of course, the more re-nailing the more the mischief is 
 
 increased. 
 
 The bearing surface should be leveled down carefully and 
 left a little higher than the sole, so that there can be no 
 bearing of the sole upon the shoe. If the foot is flat and 
 will not bear this, then the shoe must be lowered inside oi 
 
HINTS ON SHOEING. 127 
 
 the part coming under the wall, so that the sole will not 
 touch it. No definite rule can be given by which to explain 
 just how much to cut away, or the limit. If the heels are 
 strong and upright, they should be cut down so that the 
 bearing will be level and the hoof appear natural. (See 
 cut 8.) 
 
 The next aim is to form and fit the shoe so as to approxi- 
 mate it to the size and bearing of the foot and work of the 
 horse. If the hoof is thin shelled and the horse is not 
 worked much, the shoe should be light; but if the work is 
 hard, more weight will be necessary. No general rule will 
 apply here. The shoer is to understand that if the foot is 
 properly prepared as directed, the shoe must be made big 
 enough to just come out even with the edge of the hoof from 
 the toe to the turn of the heels, becoming a little wider at 
 the extremity of the heels, for as the foot enlarges by growth, 
 the shoe is brought forward under the heels until it loses its 
 original proportion and becomes too short and narrow, to 
 allow for which the shoe should be as much wider and lon- 
 ger than the foot at the heels (about a quarter of an inch) 
 as it is supposed the foot will grow in the time it is inten- 
 ded to keep the shoes on before being re-set. The bearing 
 surface of the shoe should be perfectly level, and only so 
 much of the shoe as comes under the 
 wall uf the hoof should touch the foot. 
 Either the foot must be prepared so 
 that the shoe cannot come down to the 
 sole, or that part of the shoe coming 
 inside the wall of the hoof must be so 
 hammered down that the sole cannot 
 possibly touch the shoe. (See cuts 
 8 and 9.) 
 
 This requires being exact, no guess- 
 (No. 9.) Shoe, inner sur- ing or comiug *' pretty near " the thing 
 ?ontacT^tL'oVo"?o^^^^ and nailing on. The shoe should be 
 so fitted that when laid on a level sur- 
 face every part of the bearing surface would touch, and it 
 should fit equally well to the foot. 
 
128 
 
 SHOES ARE MADE CONCAVE. 
 
 SHOES ARE MADE CONCAVE. 
 
 If the shoe as usually fitted is examined, the bearing sur- 
 face at the heels will be found concave or the inner edge 
 of each heel much the lowest ; not only this, but often the 
 heels are carried back too far, or the shoe is so wide that 
 the heels rest on the seating inside of where fitted to sup- 
 port the heels. 
 
 It is evident that if the bearing surface at the heels is 
 concave, there is a natural tendency as weight is thrown 
 upon the foot to have the heels crowded together. 
 
 (No. 10.) Shoe Properly Fitted. 
 
 With the foot properly prepared and the shoe properly 
 fitted to it, the next important consideration is nailing it to 
 the hoof. As the hoof is continually growing and becom- 
 ing proportionately larger than the shoe, this must be done 
 if possible so as not to bring lateral restrain^ •j.pon the quar- 
 ters, and this implies attention to the location of the nail 
 holes. If the smith were to examine the thickness of the 
 hoof of an ordinary well-bred horse, he would perhaps be 
 surprised at its thinness, and he would see the importance, 
 in the first place, of making the holes near the edge well 
 forward in the toe, and of not putting the shoe so far under 
 the shell as to compel his driving the nails too deeply 
 into it, or of having the nails so large as to split and shatter 
 the hoof. If the nail holes are made well into the shoe, 
 and the shoe should be a little narrow or short, and be set 
 
SHOES ARE MADE CONCAVE. 129 
 
 well under the hoof, the nails must be driven very near, or 
 into the quick, which must result in serious lameness or in- 
 jury. Two points, therefore, must be kept in view by the 
 
 (No. 11.) Bearing Surface Level. 
 
 smith in punching the nail holes. First, making them so 
 far forward in the toe as to prevent needless restraint upon 
 the quarters. Second, so near the edge of the shoe as not 
 to endanger driving the nails too deep in the crust. The 
 nails should not be large, nor a greater number driven than 
 is barely necessary to retain the shoe. 
 
 It must be remembered that, at best, the hoof is greatly 
 shattered by the nails ; that the horn is thickest at the toe, 
 and the nailing well back to the quarters not only exposes 
 to greater danger of pricking, but causes an injurious pres- 
 sure upon the heels. If the horse is not used much, and 
 the heels are rather square and upright, the quarters must be 
 kept free. Have the nail holes made well forward on both 
 sides, three on the inner and four on the outer side, or 
 nail well back on the outside quarter, but well forward in 
 
 9 
 
130 EXCESSIVE RASPING BAD. 
 
 the toe inside. As the foot now grows, the shoe will be 
 carried to that side and forward, leaving the inside quarter 
 free, thereby making both quarters as independent of the 
 
 (No, 12.) Ground Surface— Position of Nails. 
 
 restraint of the shoe as it is possible to do. Any increase 
 in the number of nails to retain the shoe more firmly must 
 not imply freedom to drive them back in the quarters. Let 
 the holes be punched closer together in the toe. 
 
 EXCESSIVE RASPING BAD. 
 
 Care should be used not to file too deeply under the 
 clinches, as is common; and in finishing off, the file should 
 not be touched above the clinches, and below only enough 
 to round the toe a little. There is a penchant in most 
 smiths to improve the shape of the foot by rasping and fil- 
 ing the whole surface to the hair. The outside of the hoof 
 is much more dense and hard than the inside; the small 
 spaces between the fibres of the horn are filled with a soft 
 
EXCESSIVE RASPING BAD. 
 
 131 
 
 substance — the better to prevent a too rapid evaporation of 
 moisture. If the whole surface of the hoof is rasped, the 
 best part is not only likely to be cut away, but too rapid 
 evaporation takes place, and the hoof is not only thereby 
 weakened, but becomes dry, hard and contracted. If the 
 horse is not used much, and stands on dry plank, this con- 
 dition must be produced. 
 
 (No. 13.) 
 
 (No. 14.) 
 
 Foot Properly shod, and a foot that has been rasped down too much, in order to 
 fit the shoe, which is too small for it. 
 
 There is a very grave fault in the fitting and nailing of 
 shoes, namely: if they happen to be too short, of setting 
 them well back from the toe, which not only necessitates 
 driving the nails so deep into the hoof as to prick and lame 
 the animal, but also destroys the proportion of the foot by 
 cutting down the toe too much. (See cuts 13 and 14.) 
 Smiths seem to think it necessary to cut the hoof down to 
 the shoe, no matter how far under the shell it may be. 
 This is wrong, as the shoe is now pressing upon and nailed 
 to the inside or soft part of the shell, which of itself leads 
 to soreness and derangement. (See cuts 9 and 10.) In 
 the first place the hoof should not be cut away too much in 
 preparing for the shoe, but should leave plenty of strong, 
 hard horn, through which to nail. In the second place, the 
 shoe should come out even with the hoof; and third, the 
 nails should be driven deep enough to hold firmly. Some 
 shoers have a faculty of going from one extreme to the 
 other by driving the nails so near the outer edge of the 
 crust that there is almost certainty of breaking through. 
 (See cuts 15 and 16.) Illustrative of this see cut 15 ; the 
 hold- of the nail is not deep enough; whereas in 16 the nail 
 is started deep and comes out low, getting a good, strong 
 
132 
 
 CONTRACTION OF THE FEET. 
 
 hold, and not endangering driving into the quick. There 
 should be no effort to cut down the hoof in any away that 
 would weaken it, or destroy its natural appearance and 
 bearing 
 
 (No. 15.) 
 Nails driven too straight. 
 
 (No. 16.) 
 How to nail the Shoe. 
 
 CONTKACTION OP THE FEET. 
 
 If we examine the foot in its natural, healthy state, it will 
 be found almost round, and very elastic at the heel. The 
 frog broad, plump, and of a soft, yielding character. The 
 commissures open and well defined, and the sole concave. 
 The outside of the crust, from the heel to the toe, increased 
 from a slight bevel to an angle of about forty-five degrees. 
 In a state of contraction the heels are narrow and high, the 
 commissures closed and the frog small, and from bad shoe- 
 ing a marked change in size and form. Corns, or bruising 
 of the sole at the heels, or any difficulty causing lameness, 
 is induced by inflammation. Now, any cause by which the 
 sensible sole or muscular structure uniting the coffin-bone to 
 the wall of the hoof is bruised and inflamed, leads to either 
 decomposition and the formation of matter, thickening of 
 cartilage, or growth of bony formation. 
 
 The most common cause of inflammation, producing 
 change of structure and lameness, is contraction. It is 
 evident that the more horn is grown the wider and longer 
 the foot becomes, and the more cut away the narrower and 
 shorter it is made. If a shoe be fitted accurately to a foot 
 after being trimmed and prepared carefully, it would be 
 found in a few weeks to be much too short and narrow or 
 too small for the same foot. 
 
 The foot is continually growing and losing its original 
 
SHOES CONCAVE INJURIOUS. 133 
 
 proportions with the shoe, which, in four or five weeks, 
 becomes at least a quarter of an inch wider and longer than 
 it was when dressed. Now there must be not only special 
 provision made in nailing for this increased enlargement, 
 but the greatest care should be used not to permit any 
 lateral, mechanical pressure upon the quarters that would 
 restrict their freedom. 
 
 It must be observed that shoeing first raises the frog from 
 contact with the ground, which, of itself, removes an im- 
 portant auxiliary to health in the foot; second, that nailing 
 the shoe to the sides of the hoof brings direct restraint 
 upon the quarters with increased force, and to the degree 
 that this nailing is extended to the heels and the foot 
 increases in size by growth, is the foot contracted by the 
 restraint thus unavoidably produced. 
 
 SHOES CONCAVE INJUKIOUS. 
 
 There is also another cause oi derangement requiring 
 special notice, namely : the bearing surface at the heels is 
 usually inclined inward, ,or the inside edge is much lower 
 than the outer edge, often quite or more than a sixteenth 
 of an inch, which alone is sufficient to cause serious con- 
 traction. In addition to which the increased absorption of 
 moisture, induced both by inflammation and by keeping the 
 feet dry, tends directly to this end, since the dryer and 
 harder horn becomes, the more lessened in size. Of course, 
 if direct pressure is brought upon the foot, by which the 
 vascular structure beneath the shell is bruised and inflamed, 
 lameness and ultimate change of structure must ensue, 
 which, if permitted, may cause serious or even incurable 
 lameness. 
 
 There is one peculiarity about contraction that seems to 
 puzzle even good practitioners, which is the increased 
 growth of the heels. The heels grow down rapidly, and 
 the shell becomes very thick, while the frog becomes small 
 and hard. If cut No. i6 is examined, the sole will be seen 
 to be arched. Now it is evident if the quarters are pressed 
 together, this bending of the sole upward is increased, 
 bringing increased pressure upon the suspensory ligaments 
 and coffin-joint, and force the coffin-joint upward and for- 
 ward against the hoof at its upper edge. 
 
134 SHOES CONCAVE INJURIOUS. 
 
 Now if you look at cut No. 7, you will discover an artery 
 passing down each side of the leg, which divides above the 
 hoof into two branches, one forward around the edge of 
 the hoof, and* another back to the heel, which again throw 
 off innumerable branches. The office of these arteries is 
 to supply material for the growth of horn. Now the pres- 
 sure induced upon the cofftn-bone by the pressing of the 
 sole against it as before explained, forces the coffin-bone 
 against the upper edge of the hoof, and thus presses directly 
 upon this artery, thereby obstructing the flow of blood to 
 this part, and forcing it back into those supplying horn at 
 the heels. Hence the forward part of the hoof grows 
 slowly and becomes thin, while the heels grow down rapidly, 
 becoming high and thick. 
 
 The first and important object in curing disease is, to 
 remove the cause. We must do more than this in the cure 
 of contraction by removing the surplus horn accumulated 
 and applying mechanical pressure in such a way as to gradu- 
 ally spread the foot back to its natural form, so far as it will 
 bear. 
 
 To do this we must first thoroughly soften the feet by 
 poulticing. Next cut down the heels to within an eighth 
 of an inch or more of the sole. Cut down carefully be- 
 tween the bars and frog. If not careful, you will cut 
 through and bring blood at the extreme of the heel, while 
 you have not cut deep enough farther forward. Follow the 
 curve of the sole, aiming to cut out an average depth until 
 the heels will yield easily to a little pressure. 
 
 The next object is to gradually force the heels outward. 
 There are three ways of doing this : 
 
 First, (this is the treatment, I am informed, used by Mi. 
 Robert Bonner of the New York Ledger, who is undoubt- 
 ly one of the most careful students of the foot, and of the 
 conditions necessary in shoeing to keep it in a healthy con- 
 dition, in this country,) form the shoe of an equal thickness 
 all the way round, with nail holes punched well back in the 
 heels, and fit accurately to the foot, so that it will come out 
 even with the edge of the hoof. Now drive the nails care- 
 fully, so that they will be deep enough into the horn to hold 
 firmly without endangering pricking, leaving the points 
 stick down straight After all are driven down, pull them 
 out again. Heat the shoe and spread it about one-eighth 
 
SHOES CONCAVE INJURIOUS. 
 
 135 
 
 ol ui inch, more or less according to what the foot will 
 beai, and put on again. Now, drive the nails again, each 
 a little at each time until driven home, and clinch firmly. 
 It is seen that the shoe must now exert an outward pressure 
 upon the heels equal to the increased breadth of the shoe. 
 Keep the foot reasonably soft. In a few days or a week the 
 clinches can be carefully drawn, the nails pulled out, the 
 shoe made wider and nailed as before, which can be 
 repeated so long as the nails will hold well. 
 
 A simpler method is that of the convex shoe, (cut 17.) 
 The foot is prepared as before, with the difference of not 
 cutting away the bearing surface so much at the heels. The 
 shoe, instead of having the bearing surface level, should be 
 made convex, the outer edge from an eighth to one-fourth, 
 or even more, of an inch lower than the inner edge, running 
 out at the toe. This surface should be filed down carefully, 
 and so fitted to the foot that the heels will rest on these in- 
 clined surfaces, the shoe being a little wider than the heels, 
 
 and nail on. Now there 
 is a continued slipping 
 outward of the heels when 
 weight is thrown upon the 
 foot. Remember one 
 point here. Do not com- 
 mit the error of cutting 
 down the heels very close. 
 You must have horn 
 enough to keep the shoe 
 from coming in contact 
 with the sole. If it does, 
 the inner edge pressing 
 upon the sole forms a 
 shoulder which will not 
 only prevent expansion, 
 but bring pressure upon 
 the sole, bruising it, and 
 thus be the cause of injury and lameness. 
 
 The third, is that of Tyrrel's patent shoe, (cut 18.) By 
 this shoe, if properly fitted and applied, the foot can be 
 expanded as little or as much as may be desired. It will 
 also enable expanding one or both heels as may be 
 desired, and is the best form of shoe I have seen 
 
 ( No. 17.) Convex Shoe for the cure of 
 Contraction. 
 
136 
 
 CORNS. 
 
 'No. 18.) Tyrrel's Patent Shoe 
 tor the cure of Contraction. 
 
 for the cure of contraction. The 
 only difference there is in this 
 shoe from the common form is : 
 first, the inside edges of the heels 
 are turned up into little clips; 
 second, the shoe is so cut out at 
 each side of the toe as to enable 
 bending the quarters outward, by 
 putting the tongs or a screw be- 
 tween the heels and pressing them 
 outward. The clips at the heels 
 extending up inside of the bars at 
 the extreme of the heels press 
 the heels outward just so much 
 as the shoe is spread, which can be done every few 
 days at will until the foot is expanded as much as may be 
 desired. This is the great consideration in the cure of con- 
 tractions so far as mechanical pressure is concerned. • It 
 requires nice mechanical judgment and skill to fit and put 
 on any form of shoe, both in preventing contraction and 
 for its cure, and especially so in my judgment in the use of 
 this. As before explained, the foot should be carefully 
 dressed down to its natural form. The excessive horn pre- 
 venting expansion of the heels cut away, implying 
 especially the thinning out well of the part between the frog 
 and bar?. The foot should be softened by poulticing pre- 
 viously The shoe should then be carefully fitted, the 
 clips resting accurately against the bar inside. The shoe 
 should never be spread enough at a time to cause inflamma- 
 tion and soarness. If this is carefully persisted in, so far 
 as the contraction, cure must be certain. This shoe of Mr. 
 Tyrrel's has been used with great success for this purpose. 
 The right to use it with special directions for its use can be 
 obtained by addressing H. B. Fern, Batavia, N. Y. 
 
 CORNS 
 
 Appear in the angle of the hoof near the heel. They are 
 generally caused by the shoe being worn too long, causing 
 the shell of the hoof to grow over the shoe, which throws 
 the weight upon the sole, or the angles between the bar and 
 crust are not properly dressed out. If the descending heel 
 
CORNS. 
 
 i3l 
 
 of the coffin bone meets with too much resistance by want 
 of elasticity in the sole at this place, the sensitive sole is 
 liable to be so bruised and injured as to produce corns, 
 which are simply a contused wound of the sensitive sole. 
 Contraction is also an actively exciting cause of corns which 
 should be overcome by expansion shoes. If of an ordinary 
 character, upon cutting away the horn, there will be found 
 a red spot ; if very bad, the color will be a dark purple and 
 deeper seated. 
 
 If in this condition it is neglected, matter may be formed, 
 or the inflammation may 
 cause the lateral cartilages 
 which are attached to the 
 heels of the coffin bone to 
 become ossified, or even the 
 accumulation of large, bony 
 deposits, which would des- 
 troy the mobility of the foot 
 and cause considerable de- 
 formity. 
 
 All pressure must be re- 
 move^ from the part. First, 
 
 dress down the part bruised until quite thin. Put a little 
 sulphur on, and burn in pretty well with a hot iron, or put 
 on butter of antimony, which will stimulate a healthy growth 
 of horn. 
 
 (No. 19.) 
 New Corn. 
 
 (No. 20.) 
 
 Situation and appear- 
 ance of an old corn. 
 
 (No, 21.) 
 Testing for Corn. 
 
 ^ A 
 
 (No. 22.) 
 
 Bar Shoe for Corns. 
 
 If there is much inflammation, poultice; and if then is 
 a cavity or the sensible sole is exposed, put on a little p ch 
 and tallow, over which spread a little tow. Put on the shoe 
 
1 38 INTERFERING. 
 
 SO fitted there will be no pressure on the part. To do this 
 a bar shoe will often be nece^ary. (See cut No. 22.) The 
 shoe should be le-set frequently until cured. 
 
 QUARTEK CKACK. 
 
 When the hoof is dry and hard it is easily split. A piece 
 of glue when very dry splits and breaks very easily if 
 pounded upon, out if softened by moisture would only bend 
 and be bruised. The hoof partakes of the character of glue. 
 If very dry the hbres become dense and hard. If while the 
 feet are in this condition the horse is driven fast on hard 
 roads, the hoot is hable to burst. If the hoof is thin and 
 contracted, there is great danger of the inside quarters 
 splitting. 
 
 Cut down the hoof back of the crack, so that there is no 
 pressure of that part of the bearing surface upon the shoe, 
 put on a bar shoe, cut across the split deeply at the edge 
 of the hair with a hring iron. Next cut down the edges of 
 the hoof so far as split extends, to the quick. Then soften 
 and grow down the hoof rapidly by applying any good, 
 stimulating ointment. A mixture of equal portions of tar, 
 lard and turpentine, is excellent for this purpose? The 
 fitting of the shoe should be carefully attended to, the hoof 
 grown down as rapidly as it is safe to do, and the part kept 
 clean by covering it with a little tar, or a mixture of resin 
 and tallow. There will not be a cure until a new hoof is 
 grown down, which will take about six or eight months. 
 
 INTERFERING. 
 
 Some horses travel so close that the least neglect of hav- 
 ing the shoe well under the quarter, and the part nicely 
 dressed down, would cause a bruising and cutting of the 
 
 opposite ankle. The shoe 
 should be so formed and 
 fitted as to come well under 
 the hoof. To do this well, 
 that side of the shoe should 
 be made rather straight, 
 (No. 23.) with the web narrow, and 
 
 Interfering Shoe. the nail-holes well forward 
 
WEAK HEELS. 
 
 139 
 
 in the toe; at all events there must be no nails driven 
 into that part of the hoof- that strikes, as the clinches 
 will be likely to cut. If the toe cork is set well round, 
 on the inside of the toe, and the foot is so pared, or 
 the shoe is so formed that the bearing of the inside 
 of the foot is raised somewhat, there will be a tending 
 in the ankle to be thrown out when borne upon. But the 
 great object is to have the shoe fitted and filed smoothly, 
 and set well under the part hitting, so that after the hoof i« 
 rasped off all it is prudent to do, and rounded down care- 
 fully, the shoe sets far enough under not to endanger its 
 cutting, yet supports the hoof, and gives a natural bearing 
 
 to the foot. The chief 
 
 danger will be that some 
 
 portion of this part of the 
 
 shoe, will be made to extend 
 
 beyond the hoof, and the 
 
 shoe be fitted and put on 
 
 so roughly that it can 
 
 scarcely be said to be fitted 
 
 any smoother or better than 
 
 is usually done, without re- 
 gard to such a purpose. It 
 
 is always best to keep the 
 
 bearing natural by trimming 
 the foot level, and making the shoe of an even thickness, 
 but set it under and file smoothly. If this will not do, raise 
 the inside a little. Driving young horses to sulky will 
 often cause interfering; getting a horse in good condition 
 will often overcome the difficulty. If the ankles are cut or 
 sore, they should be protected with pads until well. If the 
 owner values the animal highly, he should give such shoeing 
 his personal attention. 
 
 (No. 24.) 
 Interfering Pad. 
 
 (No. 25.) 
 
 A Leather Boot to 
 protect the Ankle. 
 
 "WEAK HEELS. 
 
 Cutting down too close and fitting the shoes roughly, so 
 that the horse wears and breaks down the heels, will cause 
 them to be low and sensitive. Such feet should be simply 
 leveled down with the rasp carefully, and the shoe fitted to 
 touch every part of the bearing surface at the heels. 
 
140 SHOES. 
 
 SHOES. 
 
 It should be borne in mind that that form of shoe which 
 accords with the foot in making the bearing natural, pre- 
 serves its elasticity and protects it from 
 injury, is best. If we examine the foot 
 it will be found concave. This is the 
 best form to enable a fulcrum that will 
 prevent slipping. If we would imi- 
 tate and carry out in the form of the 
 shoe, that of the foot, it should be also 
 concave, or thick at the outer edge and 
 beveled upward to the inner edge on 
 the ground surface. Such a shoe will 
 not ball, prevents slipping, is lighter, 
 (No. 28.) ' ^^^ would certainly enable more speed 
 
 on a track if at all wet. Amateurs 
 who have an opportunity should see my models of shoes of 
 different patterns. 
 
 Shoes for summer wear should be level, of an equal thick- 
 ness from toe to heel. If the roads are soft, this is certainly 
 advisable, to give the frog pressure. If shoes are made with 
 corks, the inside ones should be rounded, so as not to cut 
 the feet. The outside ones will prevent slipping. My 
 *' Maine Snow Shoe" is undoubtedly the best for winter 
 use; will not ball, and prevents the feet most effectually 
 from being bruised or injured. 
 
 The bearing surface of all shoes should be level, and 
 come exactly under the wall of the hoof all the way round. 
 The nails should be as small, and as few, and as far forward 
 in the toe as will retain the shoe safely, the object being to 
 protect the foot and keep it healthy. When, from any 
 cause, there is an undue absorption of moisture, making the 
 frog and hoof dry and hard, either from inactivity by stand- 
 ing on a dry floor, or driving on dry hard roads, or both, 
 it must be supplied by artificial means. Stuff or fill the 
 feet with flax-seed meal, to which has been added a little 
 wood ashes mixed with water. It will stick. Or wet cloths 
 may be tied around the hoof. 
 
 If there is soreness of the feet, put them in water as hot 
 as can be borne, to which should be added a handful of 
 salt, for an hour each day, for one or two weeks, or blister 
 mildly around the coronet, repeated two or three times. 
 
RE-SETTING OF SHOES. 141 
 
 If there is a dry, hard condition of the feet, apply mois- 
 \ ire around the coronet by tying wet cloths around the 
 hoof, or poulticing, stopping the feet with flaxseed meal, as 
 before explained ; after which, apply some of the prepara- 
 tion for softening the feet and stimulating the growth of 
 horn. 
 
 The usual palliative means of rubber cushions and such 
 means, put between the hoof, to cure soreness and lame- 
 ness, are of no account, since they do not reach the cause 
 of difficulty. The nailing of the shoe must necessarily be 
 so tight as to press out all the elasticity there is, and, in 
 addition, the heels cut through such means so quickly that 
 they will not prove of any real value. 
 
 RE-SETTING OF SHOES. 
 
 Shoes should be re-set once in from four to six weeks. 
 For light, occasional use, not more than seven nails should 
 be driven — four on the outside and three on the inside — 
 well forward. The shoe should come well out under the 
 toe, so that there is no necessity for more than touching the 
 edge a little to reach the shoe, and by all means do not 
 allow that reckless rasping of the outside of the hoof so 
 general with shoers. If the shoe is short it should not be a 
 reason that the hoof must be cut down to it. Even rasping 
 under the clinches should not be permitted. A thin shell 
 can be easily ruined in this way; besides, this rasping of 
 the whole surface of the hoof not only removes the strong- 
 est and hardest part, but permits too rapid an evaporation, 
 which causes the horn to become hard and brittle. It is 
 much better, easier and cheaper to keep the feet healthy 
 than to cure them. It is wise in shoers to be patient and do 
 the work well, and owners should remember that extra care 
 and skill deserves extra compensation. It is hoped that the 
 few explanations given will aid in a better understanding of 
 this duty. 
 
 If the horse shows sudden lameness in the foot, especially 
 after being shod, examine it carefully; strike the hoof 
 lightly with a small hammer ; put the hand first on one foot 
 and then on the other, that you may discover any increased 
 heat. If a nail has been driven too deep, remove the shoe. 
 If much inflammation, poultice — usually necessary for 
 
142 RE-SETTING OF SHOES. 
 
 twenty-four hours or more — when cover the part with tow 
 and a preparation of tar and resin, or pitch and common 
 grease. If a nail has been driven into the foot, get the 
 horse to the stable as quick as you can, take off the shoe, 
 poultice the foot, and give a sharp dose of physic, and let 
 the animal stand quietly. The object is to keep down 
 inflammation. No hot oils or anything stimulating is to be 
 applied. 
 
 A little of the digestive ointment may be used after the 
 inflammation goes down to excite a healthy granulating pro- 
 cess, or any cooling astringent. There is liable to be ten- 
 derness if the sole should strike the ground afterwards, as 
 there may be inflammation of the periosteum, to relieve 
 which, put on a high-heeled shoe and blister around the 
 coronet. The sole is sometimes bruised by the shoe press- 
 ing upon it, causing much inflammation and lameness. 
 Take off the shoe, poultice for twenty-four hours or more ; 
 fit the shoe so as to remove all pressure from the sole; if 
 sore yet, continue the poultice ; if matter is formed, treat as 
 you would any such ulcer, with a healing astringent. Sev- 
 eral good preparations are given in another part of this 
 work. 
 
 The difficulty of getting sketches made of the illustrations 
 needed in this and other articles, induced the necessity of 
 copying many of them from Mayhew and others. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 The treatment and remedies here given will be found 
 very valuable. I have, at great loss of time and money, 
 subjected myself to a practical course of study under one 
 of the best educated and successful English veterinary sur- 
 geons in this country, (Dr. William Somerville, of Buffalo, 
 N. Y.,) whose certificate will be found below, and aim to 
 give such practical treatment as 1 know to be most reliable 
 and practical. Many of the remedies included have been 
 obtained by me at much trouble and great cost, and are 
 worth much more than the cost of this book and my in- 
 structions. I have no desire but to benefit my patrons, and 
 the utmost assurance may be felt that the greatest care has 
 been used in discarding remedies not known to be reliable 
 and valuable. 
 
 DR. WILLIAM SOMERVILLE's CERTIFICATE. 
 
 *'This is to certify that D. Magner, Esq., served under 
 me nearly two years, during 1868 and 1869, as an appren- 
 tice, to learn and be instructed in the veterinary profession. 
 I consider him well qualified to treat successfully all diseases 
 in horses, and able to practice as a skillful and competent 
 veterinary surgeon. 
 
 ''WM. SOMERVILLE, 
 
 " Veterinary Surgeon. 
 "A member of two Veterinary Colleges^ 
 " and thirty-six years' practice. 
 ** Buffalo Horse Infirmary, 127 Erie St., 
 "August 1st, 1869." 
 
 I would urge the necessity, at least, of ordinary prudence 
 in preventing colds and sickness by guarding against un- 
 necessary exposure, or mercilessly driving until in a profuse 
 perspiration, and then leaving the horse m some cold, bleak 
 place without more, perhaps, than a poor blanket, and that 
 
144 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 thrown on carelessly, while the driver is perhaps enjoying 
 himself with his friends in some drinking saloon, toasting 
 his shins while the poor animal stands shivering at the door. 
 The effect of such bad treatment will not then have time to 
 develope itself, but will be seen in a few hours, or at farthest 
 on the following day. This is the common cause of acute 
 laminitis (founder) and of pleuro-pneumonia (pleurisy). 
 The three principal points in the health of a horse are feed- 
 ing, air and exercise. In the first place, irregularity of 
 feeding will certainly produce disease. (See article on 
 feeding.) Ventilation — the stable should be neither too 
 hot nor too cold. The animal will show the effect in a few 
 days by coughing or having slight irritation of the mucous 
 membrane of the throat. 
 
 A horse can take cold as easily by going out of a cold 
 air into a hot stable, as he can by going from a hot stable 
 into cold air, and vice versa. It is the sudden change of 
 temperature which produces the change on the mucous coat 
 of the larynx and throat. 
 
 The clothing of the horse in the stable should be neither 
 too hot nor cold. But if kept too warm, he will be more 
 likely to take cold when he goes out to exercise on a cold 
 or chilly day. The stable should be well ventilated with 
 pure air at all times, and all poisonous air and gases, par- 
 ticularly the ammonia, which is formed from the urine, 
 should be allowed free egress from the stable, as the animal 
 cannot be expected to keep in good health while compelled 
 to inhale such malaria. 
 
 Let me tell you, one of the great points in keeping horses 
 in good health and condition, is regular feeding and good 
 care, being careful, after a sharp, hard drive, especially if 
 there has been exposure to wet and cold, to blanket warmly 
 — anticipate and look for a chill, or being off of food. If 
 so, a little fever medicine and a warm bran mash should be 
 given at once, and a serious attack of pneumonia may be 
 thus averted. Men who talk and slash horses around reck- 
 lessly, I have a low opinion of as horsemen. To keep 
 horses doing well, even though worked hard, requires at- 
 tention to little things. If the road is heavy or up-hill, 
 and the horse shows fatigue or is warming up excessively, 
 hold up and shove; if necessary, on good road and down 
 grade, aiding and nursing along by watering often but not 
 much at a time. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 145 
 
 A very little driving withc^t regard to this prudence will 
 soon get even a good, hardy horse off his food, if not cause 
 sickness, and then Providence, or Something else, is the 
 supposed cause. Use all the care and prudence you can in 
 guarding against and preventing sickness ; it is your safest 
 and best rule. I give the very best treatment in the follow- 
 ing pages you can use with most success. The medicine is 
 easily obtained and administered. Indeed there are single 
 remedies in this book I would not be without for one thou- 
 sand dollars. 
 
 SPASMODIC OOLIC. 
 
 Colic is one of the most common as well as most danger- 
 ous diseases to which the horse is subject. There are two 
 forms of this disease, namely. Spasmodic and Flatulent 
 Colic. 
 
 The first is wholly of a spasmodic nature, and if not re- 
 lieved, will, in severe cases, run into inflammation of the 
 bowels, causing speedy death. 
 
 The second, while exhibiting the same general symptoms, 
 shows marked enlargement of the belly, from, generation of 
 gas, which, if not checked and neutralized, results fatally 
 by rupturing the diaphragm, causing suffocation and death. 
 
 The common causes of colic are, application of cold 
 water to the body, drinking cold water when in a heated 
 condition, costiveness, unwholesome food, etc. 
 
 Premonitory symptoms, are sudden. The animal paws 
 violently, showing evidences of great distress, shifting his 
 position almost constantly, and manifesting a desire to lie 
 down. In a few minutes these symptoms disappear, and 
 the horse is easy.* But the same uneasiness soon returns, 
 increasing in severity until the animal cannot be kept upon 
 his feet; the pulse is full, scarcely altered from its normal 
 condition ; a cold sweat breaks out over the body ; temper- 
 ature of legs and ears natural. As the disease advances the 
 
 * Note. — He may also aot as if he wanted to make water, which he cannot do, 
 there being a spasmodic contraction of the urethra. Hence the desire to give 
 diuretic medicine. Straining in this way is usually prompted by a desire to re- 
 lieve the muscles of the belly. No diuretic medicine should be given as the horse 
 cannot pass urine until the attack of colic ceases, or it is taken from him with a 
 catheter. 
 
 It is very seldom, even necessary to use a catheter. In fact, it is not necessary 
 to pay any attention to this symptom. As soon as relieved of the colic, the hont 
 will paaa water freely. 
 
 10 
 
146 
 
 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 symptoms become 
 more severe, the ani- 
 mal at times throwing 
 himself down with 
 force, regardless of 
 consequences, looks 
 anxiously at the sides, 
 sometimes snapping 
 with the teeth at the 
 sides, looking anxious- 
 ly at the belly, and 
 striking upward with 
 
 the hind feet, showing 
 First Stage of Spasmodic Colic. ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^_ 
 
 toms as in inflammation of the bowels. There are, 
 however, strongly marked characteristics peculiar to each. 
 The better to point them out, I will tabulate them, by which 
 the difference and peculiarities of each can be easily deter- 
 mined. 
 
 COLIC. 
 Sudden in its attacks. 
 
 Pulse, in the early stage of the 
 disease, not much quickened or 
 altered in its character. 
 
 Legs and ears of a natural tem- 
 perature. 
 
 Rubbing the belly gives relief. 
 
 Relief obtained from motion. 
 Intervals of rest. 
 Strength scarcely affected. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF BOWELS. 
 
 Gradual in its approach, with 
 previous indications of fever. 
 
 Pu/se much quickened, small, 
 and often scarcely to be felt. 
 
 Legs and ears cold. 
 
 Belly very tender and painful 
 to the touch. 
 
 Motion increases pain. 
 
 Constant pain. 
 
 Rapid and great weakness. 
 
 This disease being wholly of a spasmodic nature, it mus 
 be counteracted by antispasmodic treatment ; and laudanum 
 being the most powerful and reliable antispasmodic it is 
 here indicated. 
 
 Treatment. — Give from two to three ounces of laudanum 
 and a pint of raw linseed oil. If not better in an hour, 
 give two ounces of laudanum and the same quantity of oil. 
 
 If there is not relief in a reasonable time after the second 
 dose is given, take from six to twelve quarts of blood from 
 the neck vein, according to the size of the horse and the 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 147 
 
 severity of the attack. Always in bleeding make the ori- 
 fice large, and extract the blood as quickly as possible. As 
 
 Second Stage of Spasmodic Colic. 
 
 Third Stage of Spasmodic Colic. 
 
 bleeding is the most powerful and reliable means of relax- 
 ing the system, it can be always relied upon in the cure of 
 this form of colic. There will be no relapse after bleeding. 
 
 The following remedy given me by Dr. T. Burton of Fultonville, N. 
 Y., is one of the best, if not the very best in use for the cure of either 
 form of ^olic. The Doctor assured me he never knew it to fail if given 
 in a reasonable time. In every case it has been used under my own 
 observation and by myself it has given prompt relief: 
 
 FOR COLIC IN HORSES— DR. BURTON'S REMfJDY. 
 
 Sulph. ether i pint, aromatic spirits ammonia i pint, 
 sweet spirits nitre 2 pints, opium ^ lb., asafoetida (pure) 
 ^ lb., camphor ^ lb. Put it in a large bottle, let it stand 
 fourteen days, with frequent shaking, and it will be fit to 
 use. Dose: One ounce, more or less, according to the 
 severity of the case; once in from thirty minutes to an 
 hour. Should be given in a little water.* 
 
 I could give a great variety of remedies for this difficulty, 
 but the more I would include, the more confusion to the 
 reader. The first remedy in connection with bleeding can 
 be relied upon as one of the very best. Bleeding alone will 
 give sure relief, but sticking a knife into the mouth is not 
 the way to do this. A little blood from the mouth may 
 seem a large quantity. There is liability to cut the palate 
 artery and have trouble. Should you be so imprudent, and 
 
 * Note.— The same proportion of tincture may be substituted for the gum which 
 wiU enable its immediate use. 
 
148 
 
 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 cannot stop the bleeding, touch the artery with a hot iron, or 
 hold a sponge filled with cold water between the ears. An 
 ordinary styptic will not do. Always bleed from the neck 
 vein, (directions for which are given under that head,) 
 which is one of the simplest and safest of operations. 
 
 FLATULENT COLIC, (TYMPANITES.; 
 
 Symptoms same as spasmodic colic, with the difference 
 of there being so great an accumulation of gas in the 
 stomach and intestines that the belly is swelled. This dis- 
 ease will often prove fatal in from one to three hours. It is 
 generally very sudden 
 in its attack, often oc- 
 curring while the ani- 
 mal is at work, particu- 
 larly during warm 
 weather or changeable 
 weather from cold to 
 heat; but is generally 
 caused by indigestion, 
 producing gases in the 
 bowels or stomach.* 
 
 If to terminate fatally 
 it will become weaker and slower until it is almost imper- 
 ceptible. If the animal is allowed to fall down suddenly 
 while pressure of the gas upon the walls of the stomach is 
 very great, there is probability of rupturing of the dia- 
 phragm, which would cause almost instant death from 
 suffocation. 
 
 Treatment. — In the first place do not commit the error of 
 bleeding for this form of colic, as it would be almost sure 
 death. Second, keep up evaporation of the body as much 
 as possible by sweating with blankets. What would be still 
 better, if available, would be a hot bath. If you have any 
 of the remedy comprising ether, ammonia, asafoetida, etc.. 
 
 First Stage of Flatulent Colic. 
 
 * Note.— There are two locations for this disease, but in either it requires the 
 same treatment, as it is generally produced by the same causes— the stomach, colon 
 and ccecum. When in the stomach it will be distinguished by eructations or belch- 
 ings of gas through the esophagus or gullet. If froiu the ccecum or colon, the 
 horse is violently swollen along the belly, flanks and sides generally. Pulse is 
 rarely disturbed until the disease advances, when it will become quickened, rua- 
 ning to its height quickly, and receding as rapidly, if fatal. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 149 
 
 given for spasmodic colic, give it at once as directed. If 
 this is not available, give a drench of the following : 
 
 Peppermint, 2 oz.; sulph. ether, 2 oz.; laudanum, i oz.; 
 soft water, i pint. 
 
 Be particular to keep the composition in motion while 
 administering; to be repeated in half or three-quarters of 
 an hour if not better. There is great danger of this dis- 
 ease ending fatally by rupturing of the diaphragm, through 
 the great distention of the intestines, and contrary to the 
 regular rule of scientific veterinary surgeons' practice. To 
 prevent these violent falls and rolling in the stall, to keep 
 the animal on his feet as much as possible, and to avoid all 
 irritation or action of the bowels, it would be advised that 
 he be walked as slowly as possible, led by the head to prevent 
 falling or rolling, until such time as the treatment has had 
 the desired effect.* 
 
 PLEURISY— INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNOS— 
 CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS. 
 
 All these diseases are only extremes or modifications of 
 one disease. I will include their treatment under one head, 
 first describing the symptoms peculiar to each. 
 
 \_An diseases of the chest take the scientific na^ne " Pneu- 
 monia,^^ and are called Pleurisy, or Pleuro-Pneumonia ; 
 Typhoid inflammation of the Lungs — Typhoid P?ieumonia ; 
 Congestion of the Lungs, or Congestive Pneiwionia ; and 
 lastly, a disease known as Dropsy of the Chest — {Hydrotho- 
 rax) — which last is generally the result of the fortner disease. 
 When the word Congestion is spoken of, it means in common 
 phrase, that one or the other {right or left lobe) of the lungs, 
 are so engorged with blood forced into them that they are 
 either unable to receive or discharge any blood, become hard, 
 and almost black i7i color. When in this stage the disease 
 is called Congestion, and often terminates at this period in 
 death.'] 
 
 * Note.— The ether disturbs the breathing, making the horse apparently dis- 
 tressed, breathes laboriously, which will pass off again in a few hours. I could 
 give more of a variety of treatment for this form of colic, but all things consid- 
 ered, I think this is the safest and best, if not the most reliable for use by those 
 not skilled in practice. 
 
 It is well to bear in mind also, that if the horse is small and the case not severe, 
 less is to be given, while if very large and the attack severe, even more may be 
 given. 
 
150 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 The most common causes of lung fever, as it is termed, 
 ' are, exposing the animal while warm to a cold wind, or 
 becoming chilled from driving fast against a cold wind, 
 washing with cold water immediately after exercise, changes 
 irom heat to cold, or from cold to heat, removing from a 
 warm to a cold, or from a cold to a warm stable, or cold 
 applied to the surface of a heated animal, by which the 
 blood is driven from the skin and extremities to the internal 
 organs, or any cause by which the circulation is obstructed 
 and deranged, may excite any of these forms of inflamma- 
 tion and congestion. 
 
 When the pleuro — (a watery or fine membrane covering 
 the external surface of the lungs, and lining membrane of 
 the cavity of the chest) — is inflamed, the disease is called 
 pleurisy. 
 
 When the inflammation is located in the lungs, it is called 
 pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs. When the ac- 
 tion of the capillaries is greatly lessened from their being 
 weakened, or the blood being so forced through them that 
 they are obstructed and clogged, the difficulty is called con- 
 gestion of the lungs. 
 
 There cannot be inflammation of a part without there 
 being more or less inflammation of the other parts surround- 
 ing, and there cannot be inflammation without congestion, 
 as there is always more or less obstruction of the circulation 
 where there is inflammation. 
 
 PLEURISY 
 
 may be sudden or gradual in its attack, the horse showing 
 indisposition sometimes for days previous. The horse will 
 be dull and heavy in action for a day or two, unwilling to 
 lie down, pulse not much disturbed, or there is a chill, or 
 slavering fit, which lasts from one to three hours, when 
 fever sets in ; breathing at flanks a little accelerated, coun- 
 tenance is anxious, the head is sometimes turned towards 
 the side, does not lie down. As the disease advances the 
 symptoms become more marked. The ears and legs become 
 cold; the pulse, from being a little accelerated, grows 
 quicker, hard and full; the head is hung forward, stands 
 up persistently, breathing hurried, the membrane of the 
 nose and eyes red. Turning the horse round, or hitting 
 against the chest, back of the shoulder, will cause a kind 
 of grunt. 
 
DISEASES AND THE.R TREATMENT. 
 
 151 
 
 The Commencement of Inflammation of the Lungs. 
 
 CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS 
 
 is first noticeable by the horse having a severe chill or 
 shivering fit. He refuses his food, hangs his head between 
 
 the fore legs or up- 
 on the manger, will 
 not move or lie 
 down, breathing 
 quick and short, 
 panting like. The 
 nostrils are expand- 
 ed, the head thrown 
 forward ; the coun- 
 tenance expresses 
 pain and great pros- 
 tration. (See cut.) 
 The pulse is some- 
 times full and quick, but generally quick and weak, scarcely 
 perceptible; the membrane of the nose and eyes bright 
 red, tending to purple; ears and legs very cold; with a 
 cold clammy sweat at the extremities. 
 
 In this case the inability of the horse to take air into the 
 lungs causes great and rapid prostration, (and will often, 
 from extreme pain, lie down and get up, resembling colic, 
 but the coldness of extremities, prostration and condition 
 of pulse will, if carefully examined, enable an understand- 
 ing of tlie real cause,) 
 a choking noise some- 
 times coming from the 
 throat. In some cases 
 a little blood may be 
 thrown from one or 
 both nostrils. Extreme 
 prostration and labo- 
 rious breathing and 
 bleeding from the nos- 
 trils shows severe con- 
 gestion of the lungs. second staee of Inflammation of the Lunga. 
 
 TYPHOID PNEUMONIA. 
 
 First symptoms. — The horse is off his feed, disinclination 
 to move, appetite gone, pulse weak and low — will some- 
 
152 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 times eat a little, will 
 not lie down, not 
 much cough, rarely 
 any discoloration of 
 the membrane of the 
 nose or eyes — urine 
 scanty and high col- 
 ored — faeces hard and 
 coated. After two or 
 three days the mem 
 brane of the nose and 
 
 Third stage of luflammation of the Lunga. ^Y^^ ^ ^^^^^^ discolored 
 
 or red, pulse quicker, 
 65 or 70, breathes quicker. About the fourth or fifth day 
 there is usually a discharge from the nostrils, of a blackish 
 brandy color cerumen. 
 
 Treatfiient. — Experience proves that sedative treatment 
 is the most effective for cure of inflammation of the lungs, 
 which is greatly assisted by counter irritation. The seda- 
 tives proved to be most effective and reliable are aconite, 
 veratrum and belladonna. Veratrum exhibits great power 
 in lowering the action of the heart, while aconite is not 
 only a powerful sedative, but seems to act as a stimulant to 
 the capillaries, thereby causing profuse perspiration. 
 
 There is so little judgment or attention given to condi- 
 tion in giving medicine and its effects upon the system, 
 that I shall be compelled to limit myself to the most effect- 
 ive simple treatment. There are but few who seem to know 
 anything about the pulse ; this of course should be under- 
 stood, directions in relation to which, find in anothei 
 chapter. 
 
 Take of tincture (radi) aconite i oz.; veratrum y^ oz.; 
 soft water 4 oz. Dose from 15 to 30 drops on the tongue, 
 every thirty or forty minutes, more or less, and at longer or 
 shorter intervals, according to the severity of the case. In 
 ordinary cases the veratrum may be omitted. If the case is 
 found to be obstinate the veratrum may be added or given 
 separately in about the same proportion. 
 
 FOR AN ATTACK OF PLEURISY. 
 
 Blanket warmly, and put in a comfortable stall, where 
 there will be pure air, and give of the above fever medicine 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 153 
 
 from 15 to 30 drops every twenty or thirty minutes, on the 
 tongue. If the case is severe apply some strong stimulant 
 to the legs and on each side of the body and breast, such 
 as mustard made into a paste and rubbed in thoroughly, or 
 a liniment composed of aqua ammonia, reduced one-half 
 with water ; or any strong stimulating liniment should be 
 applied. The legs may also be rubbed and bandaged 
 warmly but not tightly, or some stimulating preparation 
 may be used before bandaging.* 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS OR CONGESTION. 
 
 Treat as for Pleurisy. — If there is much congestion, it 
 is necessary to give prompt relief, which can be done best 
 by taking four to six quarts of blood quickly from the neck 
 vein, stimulate the sides and legs, and give fever medicine 
 as for pleurisy. I wish now to call your attention to what 
 you must not do. First, you must not give physic or oil 
 for any of the forms of inflammation of the lungs. Cathar- 
 tic medicine in any form is poisonous, such as aloes, oils, or 
 tartar emetic. There is so much nausea attending the oper- 
 ation of these medicines and debility from their effect. 
 There being also such powerful sympathy between the bow- 
 els and the lungs, that they hasten the cause of the 
 inflammation of the lungs, often producing death in a few 
 hours after administering them. Second, do not bleed for 
 pleurisy, as so doing would cause debility of the capilla- 
 ries of the part that would induce hydrathorax and death. 
 In a severe attack of congestion, bleeding cannot only be 
 resorted to with safety, but is the quickest and surest treat- 
 ment to give relief, but must not be carried too far, merely 
 to assist the lungs to throw off the load of blood forced 
 upon them, and to give the medicine prescribed a chance 
 to operate. 
 
 TYPHOID PNEUMONIA ^TREATMENT. 
 
 As the word typhoid means low, it is necessary to watch 
 it carefully in that stage, which will last as described in the 
 symptoms, the first four or five days, when in many 
 
 *NoTE. — If you give a few doses of aconite as aboTe prepared, about the time 
 fever sets in, or before, the horse will be relieved next day A few swallows of wa- 
 ter should be given occasionally. Improvement will be denoted by the pulse 
 becoming full and regular, and the expression and actions being lively. 
 
154 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 cases the pulse may run down to thirty. Stimulants 
 should be used at this stage, such as a little brandy and 
 water or whisky and water. A gill or two of liquor to be 
 given as a drench, or what is much better, is, take carbonate 
 of ammonia, from one to two drachms ; powdered ginger 
 root, one to two drachms, made into a ball with honey or 
 molasses and given twice a day. It should be remembered 
 that this treatment alone is intended only for the low stage 
 of the disease. When the pulse seems to rise to fifty or sixty 
 about the fifth or sixth day, the patient should then be 
 treated as for pleurisy, with fever medicine. Under the 
 influence of the latter treatment, the pulse will recede and 
 resume its natural number of beats (forty). In this form 
 of disease it is extremely prostrated at first, the whole sys- 
 tem being inactive. The pulse may run up in time to 
 seventy, or even eighty.* 
 
 The reader may take up veterinary works, and those too 
 by good authority, in which he is told to bleed for pleurisy 
 and lung fever; bleed until the pulse falters. I have only 
 to say that I give you what I know from experience to be 
 safe, reliable treatment, and you are safe in following im- 
 plicity the treatment given. Indeed, for all ordinary cases, 
 a few doses of aconite, to which may be added, if desired, 
 a little belladonna and veratrum in the proportion given, 
 including same proportion of belladonna there is of vera- 
 trum, given promptly, will in almost every instance give 
 relief quickly. 
 
 Dr. Somerville of Buffalo, puts up a preparation for the 
 cure of lung fever, colds and chills, which is specific. It 
 will cure every case of chills or fever. A bottle of which 
 should be kept in every stable. If available at your drug- 
 gist's, get a bottle by all means. It is just the thing, and 
 cheap at any price. 
 
 See also introductory chapter to treatment of diseases 
 before treatment for colic. 
 
 * Note.— In all cases in feeding while the animal is laboring under any of the 
 forms of pneumonia, the animal should be kept moderately warm, have plenty of 
 pure air, cold water in small quantities, a hand full of wet hay, a carrot or two, 
 an apple or a potato or more; anything of an alterative form. Be careAil not to 
 exercise too soon. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 155 
 
 CATARBH, OB COLD. 
 
 Effect of a Cold. 
 
 Cold is of common occurrence, and 
 
 may lead to very serious consequences if 
 
 neglected. If looked to in time, with a 
 
 little rest and nursing, the system will soon 
 
 resume its normal condition. 
 
 The usual symptoms are, a little increase 
 
 of pulse, a slight discharge from the nose 
 
 and eyes, the hair roughed, not much 
 
 appetite, and some cough, which is some- 
 times severe. 
 
 Blanket warmly, give aconite as for 
 
 fever. Nurse by giving bran mashes, etc. 
 If the case is serious it may run into general 
 inflammation of the air passages, as bronchitis 
 or laryngitis. Would aim to keep up the 
 strength, giving fever medicine, alternating 
 with belladonna. Put on a bag, made of 
 coarse, loose cloth, into which put some 
 bran on which throw an ounce or two of 
 turpentine. Hang the bag on the head, same 
 as in cut, being careful not to have it so tight 
 around the nose as to heat or scald and be 
 oppressive. A few repetitions of this will 
 cause the nose to run freely. Rest and care 
 will usually do the rest. 
 
 If there is obstinate inflammation of the 
 throat and air passages, any good liniment 
 
 steaming the Nose 
 of a Horse haTing 
 Cold. 
 
156 
 
 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 'may be applied around the chest and throat and bandaged, 
 as shown in the cut. The object is to stimulate the surface, 
 and this would be an easy, practical way of doing it. 
 
 STKANGLES OR DISTEMPER. 
 
 Severe attack of Distemper. 
 
 This is another form of sore-throat, familiar to every one. 
 Its design seems to be to throw some poisonous matter frorr 
 the system, and the object should be to keep the strength 
 of the animal up and hasten suppuration. 
 
 The horse is out of sorts; the 
 neck becomes sore and stiff; an 
 enlargement appears which is first 
 hard and tender; there is some 
 discharge from the nose. The case 
 usually grows worse, if very severe, 
 often threatening to cause suffoca- 
 tion ; horse unable to eat or drink 
 but little, and strength is lost 
 rapidly. 
 
 Use freely a poultice made of wheat bran and warm 
 vinegar, changing as often as the 
 poultice becomes dry, using the 
 eight-tailed bandage, until the 
 enlargement becomes soft and can 
 be opened, when relief will be 
 prompt. Or the following treat- 
 ment may be adopted, which is 
 similar, and if the alteration is 
 not good, is preferable: Take 
 spirits of turpentine, two parts; 
 spirits of camphor, one part; 
 laudanum, one part. Put this on the neck with a brush, if 
 convenient, or any way to apply it 
 without exciting pain, three or four 
 times a day until soreness is caused. 
 After each application have ready 
 three or four pieces of flannel, 
 which should be a good thick 
 article; put these over the parts 
 
 and bind on with the eight-tailed bandage. When the 
 tumor points, open it, and be sure that the matter has a 
 
 Applying an Eight-Tailed Bandage 
 in Distemper. 
 
 Eight-Tailed Bandage. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATiMENT. 
 
 157 
 
 thorough outlet. Sometimes the inflammation is so deep as 
 to cause serious soreness and swelling of the throat. In this 
 case the horse must be nursed carefully by feeding with 
 
 Opening the Abscess in Distemper. 
 
 warm gruel; the drink should be warm; grass or anything 
 that will tempt the appetite should be given. Simpler 
 treatment would be rubbing on the enlargement an ordinary 
 fly-blister, to bring the enlargement to a head. Physic must 
 not be given. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE BQ^WELS. 
 
 This disease is generally caused by constipation of the 
 bowels, hard driving, over-purging or looseness of bowels, 
 or drinking cold water when warm. Constipation is, how- 
 ever, the principal cause of the disease, and when this is 
 the case, the first and most important condition of relief is 
 to get an action of the bowels. 
 
 Sympto7ns. — For the first 
 few hours the horse is uneasy, 
 paws, looks around at the side, 
 the pulse is slightly accelerated 
 and wiry. As the disease ad- 
 vances the intermissions be- 
 tween the attack become less, 
 pulse quicker, running from 
 sevent) to eighty beats in a 
 minate, ^n some instances even 
 
 Symptoms of Intesi.^al and Abdomi 
 nal 
 
 Irritation, as shown in Inflam- 
 mation of the Bowels. 
 
158 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 faster ; lies down and gets up, shows much pain, no swelhng 
 of sides. Now begins to exhibit fever, bowels constipated, 
 urine highly colored and scanty. 
 
 Remedy. — Give a quart of raw linseed oil. 
 
 Note. — If constipation is very great, add from four to six 
 drops of croton oil. 
 
 If scours or over-purging, give an ounce and a half of the 
 tincture of opium with six ounces of water. But in order 
 to suppress the inflammation it is necessary to bleed imme- 
 diately from the neck vein from six to ten quarts of blood, 
 according to the strength and size of the animal. In 
 extreme cases bleeding may be repeated to the extent of 
 four to six quarts in three or four hours. If much pain 
 exists in constipation, give from one to three ounces 
 tincture asafoetida. Feed lightly for a week at least, giving 
 gruel, roots, grass and bran mashes, and keep quiet. No 
 exercise for several days if there is danger of a relapse. 
 This a dangerous disease and requires prompt treatment. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 
 
 Inflammation of the kidneys is generally caused by hard 
 work, by slipping, throwing the hind parts so suddenly under 
 the belly as to produce undue tension of the lumbar verte- 
 brae, or from sudden colds by being exposed to rain and 
 cold, the eating of musty hay or oats, or unhealthy food of 
 any kind. Too powerful or too 
 often repeated diuretics produce in- 
 flammation of the kidneys, or a 
 degree of irritation and weakness of 
 them that disposes to inflammation, 
 from causes that would otherwise 
 have no injurious effect. 
 
 Symptoms. — Less or more fever 
 of the system generally, and unwil- 
 lingness to move, particularly the 
 hind legs, dung hard and coated, 
 very sensitive to pressure on the 
 spine. The horse looks anxiously 
 
 round at his flanks, stands with his Appearance of a Horse Suffer- 
 
 hind Ipgs wide apart, straddles as urinl'rj'organr'' °^ '^' 
 he walks, shows pain in turning; the 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 159 
 
 Test for Inflammation of 
 the Kidneys. 
 
 urine is voided in small quantities, and is usually high 
 colored, sometimes bloody ; the attempt to urinate becomes 
 more frequent, and the quantity voided smaller, until the 
 animal strains violently, without being able to pass any or 
 but very little urine. The pulse is 
 quick and hard, full in the early 
 stage of the disease, but rapidly be- 
 coming small, though not losing its 
 character of hardness. Introduce 
 the hand into the rectum. If the 
 bladder is found full and hard under 
 the rectum, there is inflammation of 
 the neck of the bladder. If the 
 bladder is empty, yet on the portion 
 of the intestimes immediately over 
 it there is more than natural heat 
 and tenderness, there is inflammation 
 of the body of the bladder. If the 
 bladder is empty and there is no 
 increased tenderness and heat, there 
 is inflammation of the kidneys. 
 
 Treatment. — If the pulse is high, about sixty, take five or 
 six quarts of blood and give a fever ball ; to be repeated in 
 three hours if not better. Fever ball : 4 drams Barbadoes 
 aloes, I dram tartar emetic, 2 drams ginger, calomel about 
 the size of a bean, molasses sufficient to make into a ball. 
 Counter irritation must next be excited over the seat of the 
 disease. The loins should be fomented with hot water or 
 covered with mustard poultice, or, better, heat a peck of 
 salt in an oven, place it in a bag, and put it over the part 
 affected. If the case is severe and protracted, a sharp blister 
 may be used. No diuretics are to be given, as they would 
 simply aggravate, and make the disease worse. After the 
 bowels are open, give aconite, and treat as for fever. After 
 recovery the horse should be kept very quiet for a month, 
 and if in season, turned out to grass. If in winter, feed 
 with light mashy diet; exercise lightly by leading, if the 
 animal be valuable and it is desired to aid recovery by 
 extra care. 
 
160 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDBK. 
 
 Symptoms almost the same as those of inflammation of the 
 kidneys. Frequent voiding of urine in small quantities, 
 quick pulse, looks frequently at flanks, paws violently, ten- 
 der when pressed upon under the flanks. 
 
 Here the principal object is to lower inflammation and 
 relax the muscular contraction of the neck of the bladder. 
 Bleed largely, almost to fainting; give physic as for inflam- 
 mation of the kidneys, or a quart of linseed oil. A dram 
 of powdered opium, made into a ball, or given in drink, 
 every two or three hours, and blister over the loins. Give 
 aconite, as for inflammation of the kidneys.* 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN, OK STAOaERS, 
 
 Is first noticeable by dullness or sleepiness of the eyes, an 
 unwillingness to move, general heaviness of the system. 
 This disease is frequently called 7negrims,fits and mad stag- 
 gers; but in part only one disease, according to the extent 
 of such disease as the animal may be affected with. 
 
 The cause of staggers, is, an undue flow of blood to the 
 brain, which rarely or never occurs in any animals except 
 those in a plethoric (fat) condition. 
 
 Some writers and practitioners assert that there is a 
 disease known as stomach staggers. I have never seen a 
 case where it was necessary to treat the stomach, but always 
 direct attention to the brain, as being the seat of this 
 disease, which may be properly called "^head staggers. (In 
 his lecture on this difficulty, Dr. Somerville was emphatic 
 in this conclusion.) 
 
 In cases of megrims or fits it is merely a lesser attack, or 
 pressure of the blood-vessels on the brain, and mad staggers 
 is a greater pressure of the same vessels on the same part. 
 The brain is divided into two parts, namely, cerebrum and 
 cerebellum, which occupy a horny box in the head. The 
 blood-vessels passing over the brain and coming in contact 
 with the skull, become distended by an increased quantity 
 of blood, and produce the feeling, which is thus exhibited. 
 
 * If possible call a veterinary surgeon who will introduce a catheter which 
 will relieve the animal immediately. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 161 
 
 There is but one cure for this disease, and that is, remove 
 the cause. Bleed largely from the neck — ten, twelve or 
 fourteen quarts, or until the symptoms of fainting. After 
 the horse is convalescent a sharp dose of physic should be 
 given to regulate the bowels. I would advise owners of such 
 horses to dispose of them. Once taken with the disease, 
 they are subject to a repetition of the attack when the blood- 
 vessels become filled again. 
 
 Note. — Small doses of aconite (of the quantity for fever) 
 may be given three or four times a day as a good preventive. 
 Turning horses to pasture that may be liable to this disease 
 will prove both injurious and dangerous. 
 
 FOUNDER, (LAMINITIS.) 
 
 There are two stages of this disease, acute and chronic. 
 The first produces a high state of excitement and inflamma- 
 tion of the sensible laminae of the foot. The second, a 
 morbid or insensible feeling of the parts generally. The 
 first is invariably cured if properly treated. The second is 
 not curable, but may be palliated to a limited extent. 
 Acute founder is easily detected. The^animal invariably 
 extends the fore feet as far forward as he can, and brings 
 the hind ones in the same position under him. There is so 
 much pain in the fore feet that he endeavors to throw his 
 weight on the hind ones. (See cut.) The common causes 
 of founder are exposing the animal when warm to sudden 
 changes, usually produced by the following means, namely : 
 Standing in cold air when warm, after being driven, 
 driving through a river while warm, or giving cold water to 
 drink while warm, washing the feet when warm and neg- 
 lecting to dry them, &c. It is generally supposed that 
 feeding a horse while warm will produce founder. This is 
 an error, unless it is such food as will chill the system, 
 which may be done by giving a large quantity of cold Avet 
 mixed feed, whereby the circulation would be checked, as 
 before explained. 
 
 Founder is simply inflammation in the feet, whatever 
 general disturbance of the system is caused by the pain and 
 soreness in them, and the correct principle of cure is to 
 lower and remove this inflammation before change of struc- 
 ture or sloughing can take place. 
 
 11 
 
162 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 Treatment. — ^As soon as the disease has developed itself, 
 bleed from the neck, according to the size and condition of 
 the animal — from six to twelve quarts. Then give a sharp 
 cathartic ball (7 drams aloes, 4 drams bar soap, i dram gin- 
 ger). Make into a ball and give immediately. After the 
 
 The Horse as h^ Appears when Suffering from Inflammation 
 in the Feet, or Founder. 
 
 fore shoes have been removed, poultice thoroughly with 
 bran wet with cold water. This poultice may, while on the 
 feet, be kept wet by dipping the poulticed foot into a pail 
 of cold water, or pouring some on. This poulticing should 
 be kept up from four to five days, when the shoes may be 
 tacked on, and the animal exercised a little. Cloths wet 
 with cold water should be tied around the coronet and the 
 soles stuffed for a week or two. The horse should have 
 tepid water to drink and warm bran mashes during the 
 operation of the medicine. If the disease should be stub- 
 born, which is rarely the case, a second ball may be given 
 after an interval of five days. 
 
 Nothing can be done for a sub-acute founder, or case 
 badly treated. If the sole is broken down do not pare the 
 sole. Fit the shoe so as not to press on the sole. Stuff 
 the whole bottom with oakum and tar, and apply leather 
 over. Put on the shoe carefully. Cure is impossible. If 
 warm fomentations are used, instead of cold, a relaxation 
 of the sensible laminae on the wall of the foot is liable to 
 take place. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 163 
 
 The great trouble with most farmers and horsemen is, 
 they do not know either how to bleed or give a ball of 
 physic medicine. 
 
 In that case you must do all you can by poulticing the 
 feet and the use of sedatives. Take a large tub or part of 
 a barrel ; put in some blue clay, upon which pour hot water. 
 (The mixture should come half way to the knees when the 
 horse stands in it.) See that it is not hot enough to scald. 
 Stand the horse in for several hours, after which poulticing 
 as before, at the same time give aconite as for fever. You 
 can also give a pint of raw linseed oil. It would be also 
 conducive to success to bleed from the toes, which can be 
 easily done by cutting through the sole at the toe. 
 
 If, however, you can treat as first advised, your success 
 will be certain, as this treatment I know will cure any case 
 of acute founder, or laminitis. 
 
 HEAVES, OR BROKEN "WIND. 
 
 Heaves produces increased action of the flanks. The 
 inspiration is natural, but the expiration requires two mo- 
 tions to expel the air. There is always a short cough, or 
 grunt, and at the same time expels wind while coughing. 
 Heaves are never found in the racing stable, where horses 
 are properly fed. They are always found among cart or 
 team horses, where the owners suppose they must feed a 
 large quantity of coarse food or hay. 
 
 The seat of the disease is located in the air cells of the 
 lungs, causing enlargement and sometimes a rupture of these 
 cells. A result of bronchitis, or inflammation of the small 
 air passages of the lungs, is the lodgment of mucous fluid in 
 those passages of the lungs, causing inability to breathe, 
 (wheeze,) and leads to this result. But in all cases of 
 heaves we find the horse to be a greedy eater, — stuffs the 
 stomach with coarse food, causing the lungs to be greatly 
 restricted in their action, causing an enlargement of or rup- 
 turing of the air cells. 
 
 An important and necessary auxiliary to the successful 
 treatment of heaves is restricting the quantity of coarse 
 food or hay, and increasing that of condensed, nourishing 
 food, thereby giving the lungs increased room to act. 
 Horses fed on chopped stuff", corn fodder, etc., improve, 
 and get worse by being fed on coarse food or hay. 
 
164 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 Heaves disappear by feeding prairie hay or grass, because 
 it is so coarse the horse cannot gorge the stomach with it. 
 Hence there is improvement by feeding corn stalks or fod- 
 der, as they contain more saccharine matter and do not 
 engorge the stomach. I have given the tincture of rosin 
 weed, which is claimed to be the curative principle of 
 prairie hay, without satisfactory results, and can produce 
 equally satisfactory results by other treatment that is claimed 
 for that of feeding prairie hay. 
 
 First give one of the following balls : Ginger, powdered, 
 ^ oz.; capsicum, }l oz. Form a ball. This ball to be 
 given three nights in succession; then omit two or three 
 nights, and one or two balls may be given again in succes- 
 sion. The horse should have regular exercise, be watered 
 often, (small quantities at a time,) and have straw instead 
 of hay to eat, (corn fodder would be much better.) Under 
 this treatment heaves will disappear. 
 
 FAVORITE REMEDIES FOR HEAVES. 
 
 1. Spanish brown, 2 oz.; tartar emetic, 2 oz.; resin, 4 oz., 
 ginger, 2 oz. Mix and give two teaspoonfuls twice a day 
 in the feed. 
 
 2. Vegetable tar, in mass, y^ oz.; gum camphor, y^ oz.; 
 tartar emetic, i dram. Form into a ball, one of which is 
 to be given once a day. 
 
 3. Take indigo, i oz.; saltpeter, i oz.; rain water, i gal- 
 lon ; mix and give a pint twice a day in the feed. 
 
 I could include a great m^xij pretended ^^ sure cures " for 
 heaves. I have used in my practice almost everything for 
 this purpose, comprising sulphuric acid and corrosive sub- 
 limate, etc., as experiments, and find them comparatively 
 or wholly worthless. If the horse shows heaves after a 
 severe cold or inflammation of the lungs, there will be 
 wheezing from a filling of the air passages with mucus. 
 Hence gentle exercise, stimulating medicine to the air pas- 
 sages and lungs, and condensing the food, will give relief, 
 since the lungs are thereby stimulated and freed from 
 mucus, as well as giving freedom to act, and there is, in 
 consequence, relief. 
 
 You will find the above treatment to work splendidly in 
 most cases. They will give relief in all cases with proper 
 attention to feeding, and will in many cases possibly make 
 a cure. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR -TREATMENT. 165 
 
 TO CUKE ROARING, OR WHISTLING. 
 
 The following treatment for the cure of roaring, or whistling, as it is 
 termed, has been used by Mr. E. D. Conklin, and others, in Cleveland, 
 Ohio, and they claim the m. st satisfactory results. Mr. Conklin, who is 
 a large owner of horses, and perfectly reliable, states that he cured one 
 very bad case; could not pull a load two rods up-hill without blowing 
 and choking down ; was completely cured in six weeks. Has tried it 
 in a number of cases, and always with satisfactory results. The treat- 
 ment was introduced by Mr. Johnson, of Cleveland, who claims he can 
 cure any case. As there is no really satisfactory treatment for this dif- 
 ficulty in regular practice that I know of, I give this remedy and state 
 my authority. It can be tried with safety. 
 
 Treatment. — From lo to 20 drops of sponga fosta on the 
 tongue in the morning. At night the same proportion of 
 Fowler's Solution in the same manner, to be repeated 
 alternately for from four to six weeks, giving more or less 
 and for a longer or shorter time, according to the severity 
 of the case, until a cure is effected. 
 
 TETANUS, OR LOCKED JAW 
 
 This disease is wholly of a nervous character. A descrip- 
 tion of the symptoms is scarcely necessary, but in the first 
 stage there is a disinclination to move; then the tail be- 
 comes erect and quivers, the ears set back, and the 
 conjunctiva is thrown over the pupil of the eye, and the 
 head i§ elevated. 
 
 As the disease advances, the muscles all over the neck 
 and body become stiff and rigid, and the legs have the ap- 
 pearance of a four-footed stool. The animal has little or 
 no power to move. 
 
 For the first few days the teeth remain apart, but as the 
 disease advances, the muscles of the jaw become so con- 
 tracted as to bring them close together. Hence the name 
 of locked jaw. 
 
 The causes of this disease are numerous, but it is gener- 
 ally produced from a wounded nerve or bunch of nerves, 
 pricking the tail, and very often from docking, punctured 
 wounds in the feet from glass or nails, and sometimes from 
 severe exposure to cold, and I have known one case to occur 
 from fright. As to the pulse, it is almost normal for the 
 first few days. As the disease advances the pulse quickens. 
 
166 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 and the animal is compelled to stand on his legs until 
 death, if it terminates fatally. If favorably, a relaxation 
 of the muscles begins from the fifth to the seventh day. 
 This disease is more common in the extreme South than in 
 the North. 
 
 Treat?nenf. — First, as the disease is of a nervous charac- 
 ter, quietness is of the greatest importance. The animal 
 should be put into an isolated place or box, by himself, and 
 the cause of the disease found. If from docking, the next 
 joint should be taken off the tail. If from a wound in the 
 foot, the wound should be opened up and made new, and 
 an application of digestive ointment inserted, so as to pro- 
 duce a healthy flow of matter. When the irritation has 
 ceased from the wound, a pail of gruel should be placed 
 before him, in which is mixed half an ounce of tartar 
 emetic. This medicine should be given daily, and the spine 
 rubbed well with a strong liniment, composed of one part 
 of aqua ammonia and two parts of sweet oil. This embro- 
 cation should be employed daily until the back becomes 
 sore. 
 
 Tetanus never arises from a wound until about the period 
 that it may be considered healed. Bleeding about four 
 quarts daily for four or five days has cured several bad 
 cases. Think if the bowels can be regulated, quietness has 
 more to do in producing a cure than all other remedies. 
 
 POIili EVIL AND FISTULA OF THE ^WITHERS. 
 
 These difficulties are of the same character, though in 
 different locations, and the treatment of one will be suffi- 
 cient for both. Poll evil is sometimes caused by striking 
 the poll against a beam or floor, being struck or otherwise 
 injured, or it may be the result of constitutional predisposi- 
 tion. 
 
 When the inflammation and enlargement are first discov- 
 ered, you may be able to disperse it by giving a dose of 
 physic and applying cooling applications to the part. 
 
 If the inflammation does not abate, clip the hair and rub 
 on some blistering ointment. When the swelling enlarges, 
 open and allow the pus' to escape; cut down to the bottom, 
 making a good large orifice. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 1C7 
 
 In treating all ulcers, there is one point that must be kept 
 in mind, and that is to make an opening at the bottom if 
 you can, to let the matter run out, as matter always bur- 
 rows to the bottom. This should be done by running a 
 seaton through, bringing it out a little lower than the bot- 
 tom of the wound, or what is termed a dependent opening. 
 Wash the sore out clean. It is afterwards to be washed 
 clearly with any of the healing preparations for ulcers, given 
 in another page. 
 
 If pipes are formed requiring caustic medicine, you can 
 use either chloride of zinc, corrosive sublimate, or any 
 strong escorotic to destroy such growth, after which treat as 
 before. These are very serious difficulties to treat, requir- 
 ing proper dressing daily. 
 
 Fistula of withers to be treated in the same manner. The 
 principle of treating these difficulties is really the same as 
 that of any ordinary deep seated ulcer, more special direc- 
 tions for the treatment of which will be found under that 
 head. 
 
 S-WEENY. 
 
 « 
 
 Sweeny is really a fictitious disease, discarded by all relia- 
 ble practitioners. They claim, and how justly I am not 
 prepared to say, sweeny is the effect of diseases of the feet, 
 such as corns, navicular diseases, ossification of the lateral 
 cartilage, contraction, etc. , producing atrophy of the mus- 
 cles of the shoulder, and their treatment would be to 
 remove the cause, and the effect would cease. If you wish 
 to pursue a local treatment of sweeny or filling up of the 
 shoulder, you can do it by the application of most any 
 stimulating treatment. One of the simplest and best, which 
 will work in every case, and which most horsemen will 
 regard as of more value than the price of this book, is the 
 application of soft soap. Add a little salt to soft soap and 
 rub on the part thoroughly four or five times in the course 
 of a week. Four applications will fill up the depression of 
 the worst case. The regular treatment would be seatoning 
 and blistering, but this will do all that is required so far as 
 local treatment. 
 
 In addition, by all means, if any difficulty is discovered 
 in the foot, treat it also, as explained in another chapter. 
 
168 
 
 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 SPAVIN AND BINQBONE. 
 
 There are two kinds of bone spavin, namely : Jack and 
 occult, or consolidated joint. The first is located at the 
 upper portion of the metatarsal bone at its juncture with 
 the cuboid bones. The second is usually located higher up 
 and more on the inside of the astragalus bone at its junc- 
 tion with the cuboid bones. 
 
 Spavins of either of the above classes have the same ori- 
 gin and same causes, namely, inflammation of the cartilage 
 of the joint in the first instance, and extending to ulcera- 
 tion of the bone, consequently bony matter is thrown out, 
 uniting more or less of the bone of the hock and excess of 
 matter and ulceration of the bones from the enlargent. 
 
 The causes of spavin are numer- 
 ous, but principally of one class, such 
 as sprains, hard work, blows, and, 
 in fact, any cause exciting inflamma- 
 tion of this part. But a common 
 cause and a great fault lies in the 
 breeders of horses, as very often the 
 colt is bred from spavined sire or 
 dam, or both, and the colt is certain 
 to inherit the same predisposition. 
 The symptoms at the commencement are treacherous. 
 Very often horses are treated for hip lameness before any 
 enlargement makes its appearance. The horse, at first, is 
 very lame while laboring under acute inflamma- 
 tion of the hock joint. He will not wear out or 
 the lameness as he does in the more advanced 
 stage of the disease. The tumor generally 
 makes its appearance from the fifth to the 
 eighth week. Sometimes, however, the lame- 
 ness is very gradual — scarcely perceptible at 
 first — getting worse until there is marked lame- 
 ness at starting, which will soon wear off" as the 
 horse warms up. 
 
 The method of curing is varied, as there are hundreds oi 
 different remedies and applications. Some men go so far 
 as to pretend they can remove spavins. To a skillful practi- 
 tioner this is absurd. It will be seen that if such quacks can 
 remove the external tumor, they cannot separate the bones 
 
 Showing the Changes of Struc 
 ture Caused. 
 
 Bone Spavin. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 169 
 
 Natural Action. 
 
 Effect of bad Spavin 
 — Leg not brought 
 Forward, 
 
 which are united, and 
 horses may be spavined 
 without any visible en- 
 largement. 
 
 I can simplify all this 
 to gentlemen interes- 
 ted, by illustrating with 
 my specimens, the lo- 
 cation, nature, changes 
 of structure, &c., in 
 spavin, a large collec- 
 tion of which I carry 
 for the purpose. Sub- 
 limates, muriatic, sul- 
 phuric, and nitric acids form the basis of the different oint- 
 ments that are applied to remove this formidable disease. 
 They always make a bad sore, and blemish the animal for 
 life. 
 
 The only reasonable treatment for bone spavin is counter 
 irritation and rest. If there is heat during the first few 
 days, apply cooling applications, such as an ounce of sugar 
 of lead to half a pail of ice water. Keep the leg wet for 
 about two weeks, when it may pass off. A dose of physic 
 should be given. If this stage has passed, repeated blister- 
 ing with a preparation of iodine or cantharides will be 
 necessary ; but much better would be the actual cautery in 
 an operator's hands. Clip the hair closely over a large 
 surface four or five inches above and below the enlarge- 
 ment, and then out to the middle of the back and fore- 
 parts of the leg. Any of the stron^j blisters recommended 
 for spavins, for which formulas are given below, are to be 
 used. If a blister, rub it in well with the hand for ten 
 minutes or more. In two days put on some grease. When 
 the inflammation goes down, wash with warm water and 
 castile soap, and when dry put on more blister, and so re- 
 peat, keeping up just as much irritation as you can without 
 destroying the hair. In the meantime, the horse must be 
 kept in a comfortable stall, for one of the conditions of cure 
 is rest. Keep up the inflammation in this way for four or 
 five weeks, after which give a run to grass. It is sometimes 
 necessary to blister lightly, if the lameness does not disap- 
 pear, in six or eight weeks, which may be repeated a few 
 
170 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 times, with iodine ointment in the proportion of one part 
 of iodine to four of lard. 
 
 Work should be light, if any, within 
 three months. This treatment will usually 
 cure without leaving a blemish. 
 
 Treat ringbones on the same principle. 
 Trim off the hair and blister in the same 
 manner, observing the same condition of 
 rest. As regards taking off the enlarge- 
 ment, this treatment is as effectual towards 
 that end as can be used. 
 
 Several of the very best recipes for the 
 cure of spavins and ringbones will be 
 
 Ringbone. fo^Jld below-. , .V ^ 
 
 Bear m mmd, you must always clip the 
 hair off of the part to be blistered, and that the medicine 
 must be rubbed in well with the hand for ten minutes. 
 
 VERY STRONG BLISTER FOR SPAVINS, RINGBONES, CURBS, ETC. 
 
 Finely powdered cantharides, i oz.; powdered euphor- 
 bium, 2 drams; lard i oz.; tar, 2 oz. 
 
 A VERY ACTIVE BLISTER FOR SPAVIN, RINGBONE, ETC. 
 
 Two drams corrosive sublimate, i oz. lard, }4 oz. tar, 2 
 drams cantharides. Rub and mix well together. 
 
 A GOOD BLISTER FOR SPAVIN, RINGBONE, ETC. 
 
 Biniodide of mercury, }^ dram; cantharides, i dram; 
 lard, I oz. 
 
 A fine blister for any purpose requiring counter irritation 
 and absorption, will take off curbs, splints, &c. 
 
 POWERFUL ABSORBING BLISTER FOR SPAVIN AND RINGBONE. 
 
 Equal parts of beniodide of mercury and cantharides, 
 three parts of tar and lard each. Rub in well with the 
 hand for three mornings, and use lard after to soften and 
 take off the scab, when it may be repeated if necessary. 
 
 SWEATING LINIMENT FOR WINDGALLS, ETC. 
 
 Strong mercurial ointment, 2 oz.; camphor, }4 oz.; oil 
 of rosemary, 2 drams ; oil of turpentine, i oz. Mix. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT, 171 
 
 VERY STRONG SWEATING BLISTER, FOR WINDGALLS, CURBS, 
 SPLINTS, ETC. 
 
 Biniodide of mercury, ^ to i dram; powdered arnica 
 leaves, i dram ; soap liniment, 2 oz. Mix. 
 
 A FINE ABSORBENT FOR TAKING DOWN ENLARGEMENTS 
 OF ANY KIND. 
 
 One ounce beniodide of mercury ; from i to 3 ounces of 
 lard, according to the strength desired. 
 
 The following remedy for the cure of spavin and ring- 
 bone is regarded as one of the best used. It is sold in the 
 Mohawk Valley, (where I obtained the prescription,) for 
 $5.00 a box, and Fifty Dollars has been paid for this re- 
 ceipt. It is, I think, the best of this class of prescriptions 
 published. 
 
 FOR SPAVIN AND RINGBONE. 
 
 Five ounce euphorbium, 2 oz. Spanish flies (fine), i oz. 
 iodine, dissolved with alcohol, ^ oz. red precipitate, i oz. 
 corrosive sublimate, ^ oz. quicksilver, 6 oz. hog's lard, 
 6 oz. white turpentine, ^ lb. verdigris. Melt the lard and 
 turpentine together, then while hot add all together. Mix 
 well; when cold it is fit for use. Rub it in thoroughly on 
 the spavin every day for three days ; then wash clean with 
 soap suds ; omit for three days and then repeat for three 
 days again, and so on until a perfect cure is produced. 
 Should it blister, use it more cautiously. 
 
 This medicine will get up as much inflammation as you 
 desire, and must be applied cautiously or it will blemish. 
 
 The following remedy for the cure of ringbone and 
 spavin, and taking off enlargements, has been peddled 
 through the country as a remedy of the greatest value. As 
 high as one hundred dollars has been paid for this receipt. 
 I give it as given me. 
 
 Take alcohol, 14 oz.; iodine, 304 grains; bichloride of 
 mercury, 150 grains. Let stand in a sand bath twenty-two 
 hours, then add 230 drops croton oil; let it stand in sand 
 bath twenty-two hours longer, then bottle for use. 
 
 Next take quicksilver, 14 oz.; nitric acid, 7 oz.; stir one 
 minute; cantharides, 7 drams; stir five minutes; sulphuric 
 
172 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 acid, 7 oz.; stir three minutes; 50 drops of the above lini- 
 ment. Let stand five hours, stir every half hour, then add 
 7 oz. prepared chalk. 
 
 First shave the hair off the ''bunch," then apply the 
 liniment with a lather brush. Sprinkle a little of the pow- 
 der on paper, and rub on, after washing with the liniment. 
 When the bunch is reduced two-thirds, wash with warm 
 water and castile soap. In twenty-four hours grease. 
 
 This is one of the very strongest remedies used for spavin 
 and ringbone, and if not used with great care is pretty sure 
 to blemish. I will here state that educated practitioners 
 use the milder treatment, immediately following the des- 
 cription of spavin. Properly done, the actual cautery or 
 firing is undoubtedly the best and most reliable treatment. 
 This is the treatment I use for these difiiculties. Dr. Wm. 
 Somerville frequently charges ^100 for curing spavins, &c., 
 on valuable horses by firing, guaranteeing not to blemish. 
 While the operation of itself is simple, it is one that requires 
 rare practical skill, and is done successfully only by a few 
 of the best practitioners. 
 
 Youatt, one of the best of the old English authors, says 
 in regard to 
 
 FIRIJMG. 
 
 Whatever seeming cruelty may attend this operation, it is, in many 
 cases, indispensable. The principle on which we have recourse to it 
 is similar to that which justifies the use of a blister; by producing 
 superficial inflammation we may be enabled to remove a deeper-seated 
 one, or we may excite the absorbents to take away any unnatural bony 
 or other tumor: it has also this additional advantage, that, while it 
 raises intenser external inflammation than we can produce by other 
 means, it is the most powerful agent that we have at our disposal. 
 Humanity, however, will dictate, that on account of inflammation which 
 it excites, and the pain which it inflicts, it should only be had recourse 
 to when milder means have failed, except in those cases in which ex- 
 perience has taught us that milder means rarely prove successful. 
 
 The part which is to be submitted to the operation is shaved, or the 
 hair is cut from it as closely as possible with the trimming scissors. 
 This is necessary to bring the iron into immediate contact with the 
 skin, and likewise to prevent the smoke that will arise from the burned 
 hair from obscuring the view of the operator. 
 
 The details of the operation belong to the veterinary surgeon. The 
 grand points to be attended to are to have the edge of the iron round 
 and smooth; the iron itself at, or rather below red head; to pass it 
 more or less rapidly over the skin, and with slighter or greater pressure. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 173 
 
 according to the degree of heat ; to burn into the skin until the line 
 produced by the iron is of a brown colour, rather light than dark, and 
 by all means avoid penetrating the skin. Leaving the additional 
 cruelty of deep firing out of the question, we may depend on it that, if 
 the skin is burned through, inflammation, and ulceration, and sloughing 
 will ensue, which will be with much difficulty combated; which will 
 unavoidably leave unnecessary blemish, and which have destroyed 
 many valuable horses. It may happen, nevertheless, that by a sudden 
 plunge of the animal, the skin will be unavoidably cut through. The 
 act of firing requires much skill and tact, and the practitioner cannot be 
 always on his guard against the struggles of the tortured beast. It will, 
 also, and not unfrequently occur, that the skin, partially divided, will 
 separate in two or three days after the operation. This must not be 
 attributed to any neglect or unskillfulness of the surgeon, and the ulce- 
 ration thus produced will be slight, and easily treated, compared with 
 that caused by the actual burning through of the skin. 
 
 Some practitioners blister immediately after firing. As a general 
 usage, it is highly to be reprobated. It is wanton and useless cruelty; 
 but it may be required in bony tumors of considerable extent, and 
 long standing, and interfering materially with the action of the neigh- 
 boring joint. Spavin, accompanied by much lameness, and ring-bone 
 spreading round the coronet, and involving the side cartilages, or the 
 pastern-joint, may justify it. The inflammation is rendered more in- 
 tense, and of considerably longer duration. In old affections of the 
 round bone it may be admitted, but no excuse can be made for it in 
 slighter cases of sprain, or weakness, or staleness. 
 
 On the day after the operation, it will be prudent gently to rub some 
 neat's-foot oil or lard over the lines. This will soften the skin, and 
 render it less likely to separate or ulcerate; a bandage would add to 
 the irritation of the part. Any cracks of the skin, or ulceration that 
 may ensue, must be treated with the calamine ointment already recom- 
 mended. 
 
 It will be evident that there is an advantage derived from firing to 
 which a blister can have no pretension. The skin, partially destroyed 
 by the iron, is reinstated and healed, not merely by the formation of 
 some new matter filling up the vacuity, but by the gradual drawing to- 
 gether and closing of the separated edges. The skin, therefore is 
 lessened in surface; it is tightened over the part, and it acts as a salutary 
 and permanent bandage. Of the effect of pressure in removing enlarge- 
 ments of every kind, as well as giving strength to the part to which it 
 is applied, we have repeatedly spoken; and it is far from being the 
 least valuable eff'ect of the operation of firing, that by contracting the 
 skin, it affords a salutary, equable, and permanent pressure. It was on 
 this principle, but the practice cannot be defended, that colts which 
 were not very strong on the legs, used to be fired round the fetlock, and 
 along the back sinews, or over the hock, to brace and strengthen the 
 parts. It is on the same principle that a racer or a hunter, that has be- 
 come stale and stiff", is sometimes fired and turned out. For whatever 
 reason the horse is fired, he should, if practicable, be turned out, o' 
 soiled in a loose box, for three or four months at least. The full eflfect 
 
174 
 
 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 intended to result from the external irritation is not soon produced, 
 and the benefit derived from pressure proceeds still more slowly. In 
 the thickened and tender state of the skin, and the substance beneath, 
 for some weeks after firing, a return to hard work would be likely to 
 excite a new inflammation, and cause even worse mischief than that 
 which before existed. 
 
 Some weeks pass before the tumefied parts begin to lessen, and they 
 only who have had experience in these cases would imagine how long, 
 with gentle voluntary exercise, the process of absorption is carried on. 
 He, therefore, who whould expect that much good should accrue from 
 the operation of firing, must be content to give up his horse for three or 
 four months; but if he will use him sooner, and a worse lameness 
 should follow, let him blame his own impatience, and not the inefficiency 
 of the means, or want of skill in the surgeon. 
 
 The firing in every case should be either in longitudinal or parallel 
 lines. On the back sinews, the fetlock, and the coronet, this is 
 peculiarly requisite, for thus only will the skin contract so as to form 
 the greatest and most equable pressure. 
 
 The operation of firing is one that I am thoroughly practiced in, 
 competent to perform in the most successful manner. 
 
 BLOOD SPAVIN, THOROUGH PIN, 
 
 Soft enlargements upon the hock. If not of long standing, 
 the following will be found very 
 effective, though simple : Rub 
 on soft soap, to which has been 
 added a little salt, at night, ard 
 wash off in the morning. Two 
 or three applications will cure, 
 if recently caused. If of long 
 duration, blister two or three 
 times, as for bone spavin. 
 
 Thorough Pin. 
 
 SPLINTS. 
 
 This is an enlargement between 
 the cannon and splint bones, show- 
 ing itself on the inside of the fore 
 leg. The same treatment as for 
 spavin. 
 
 Bog, or Blood 
 Spaviu. 
 
 Changes that may 
 be Produced. 
 
 Splint 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 175 
 
 CURB, 
 
 Clean Hock. 
 
 Curb. 
 
 Curb. 
 
 This is an enlargement of the integument, and in some 
 cases of bony deposit, usually caused by a strain. It is 
 situated on the back part of the hock, just below the cap. 
 Blister with remedy for spavin. 
 
 SPRAIN OF THE BACK SINEWS. 
 
 The animal becomes suddenly lame, and by use grows 
 worse. Pass the fingers down 
 on each of the tendons back 
 of the knee. A little enlarge- 
 ment, if there, with considera- 
 ble inflammation, will be dis- 
 covered. Use cooling astringent 
 liniment until the acute stage 
 passes off. If not better then, 
 blister, observing to give the 
 animal rest. Firing is the most 
 
 reliable treatment. Enlargement caused^by Sprain of the 
 
 COFFIN JOINT LAMENESS 
 
 Is often mistaken by those who are not capable of locat' . <, 
 the diseases of horses' feet to be lameness of the shoulder, 
 from the fact that generally after the shoe is removed, and 
 no external injury is discovered in the foot, some distant 
 part is selected as the location of the disease. ' navicular 
 disease is dangerous and treacherous in its pr.vgress and 
 development. It is commonly caused by viole /i sprains of 
 the navicular joint, although sometimes, and in fact, very 
 often, may be induced by a contusion of .he frog; and 
 
176 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 again, there is a disposition to have this disease from heredi- 
 tary causes. 
 
 The coffin joint is composed of three bones : the os 
 pedis, the navicular and small pastern bones. The navicu- 
 lar bones answer the purpose of a sup- 
 port in allowing great elasticity of mo- 
 tion. The flexor tendon inserts itself 
 into the os pedis, and passes immediate- 
 ly over the navicular bone, so that at 
 each step the navicular bone is thrown 
 upon one part of the os pedis and small 
 pastern at the same time. It will be 
 seen that in all cases of lameness of this 
 joint, as well as in any other joint lame- 
 ness, that the cartilage of the bones is 
 inflamed, and as the disease progresses 
 Section of thn Parts En- ulceration takcs placc, and consequently 
 tering into the compo- ancholosis. It is almost Striving against 
 
 sition of the Foot, and , , , , i • . ,i 
 
 the Fetlock and Pas- hope to be able to cxplam to the gener- 
 
 tern Joints. ^j reader the symptoms to enable ability 
 
 a OS suffraginis b Os ^o locate the disease with any degree of 
 
 coronae. c Os pedis, d ccrtamty. Corns or bruiscs of the sole, 
 
 pe^foran^lnd perforJtus Contraction, or almost any cause exciting 
 
 tendons, g Inferior sesa- inflammation in the foot, may cause simi- 
 
 moideal ligament. h , , , , ,. -^ , 
 
 Cleft of frog, i Side of lar lameucss, and to an ordinary observer 
 c?uV/Vonartsub- there cannot be that fine judgment 
 stance. necessary to trace from certain pecu- 
 
 liarities the location of the trouble. 
 Horses having navicular disease invariably travel more on 
 the toe than on the heel, consequently the shoe is always 
 worn more at the toe than at the heel. The hoof rarely or 
 never is malformed, but the disease commonly occurs in 
 healthy looking feet, contraction of one or both heels, which 
 will in many cases interfere with the outer cartilage of the 
 joint. In the cases of long standing the frog appears to 
 recede, and does not have a natural appearance. If the 
 horse is taken suddenly lame, sometimes scarcely putting 
 the foot down, and only presses upon the toe, feel of the 
 foot carefully. If there is heat around the top of the hoof 
 and tenderness — even a little at the heel — there is probably 
 strain of the coffin joint. In incipent cases (first stages) 
 there is fever and tenderness to motion of the joint, which 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 17V 
 
 is noticeable by catching the foot in one hand, the ankle in 
 the other, and twisting a little. The animal will show pain 
 and resist. 
 
 As to treatment, in the first stage, the shoe should be re- 
 moved, and have the toe of the shoe hammered down. 
 The heels should be raised, and applied again so as to 
 remove all pressure from the frog, and a cloth or rug satur- 
 ated with cold water applied to the coronet. The bottom 
 of the foot should be stuffed with oil meal or some adhesive 
 substance. If this is done for a few days, with rest, the 
 first attack will generally pass off. 
 
 In the more advanced stage of this di ease it will require 
 thorough treatment. The shoe should be formed and ap- 
 plied as before, and a severe blistering applied to the 
 coronet, which should be continued for from one to three 
 weeks, with rest. At a still more advanced stage the frog 
 seaton may be used, but this must be done by an ex- 
 perienced practitioner. 
 
 In all cases of this disease the animal will require con- 
 sideiable rest. 
 
 I would here remark that in an advanced stage of the 
 disease the horse is a little lame, sometimes worse, at others 
 better; rough road and .down hill worse; is no worse to be 
 at work ; usually no apparant change in the hoof; will go 
 better when the heels are raised by using high-heeled shoes; 
 worse by bringing heels to the ground. 
 
 LAMENESS. 
 
 In treating lameness successfully, it is necessary to be 
 able to understand the peculiarities of joint from muscular 
 lameness, — in fact, of the action and movement incidental 
 to each. 
 
 The horse is, for example, lame in the fore foot, and with- 
 out knowing just what the trouble is, something must be 
 done, and the shoulder is furiously attacked, being blistered, 
 seatoned or subjected to some needless form of cruelty 
 which can have no effect whatever on the injured part. 
 
 In the first place, if the shoulder is strained or injured, 
 the horse cannot raise or put the foot forward naturally. 
 He will drag it like, giving it a sort of swinging motion, 
 and does not bring it very far forward. On the other hand, 
 
 12 
 
178 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 if the injury is in the foot, the foot is raised up and put 
 forward easily and naturally, but is put down tenderly. 
 
 Again, a case of muscular lameness, such as shoulder 
 lameness, straining of the back sinews, (suspensatory liga- 
 ments,) the lameness will get worse by use. That of the 
 foot, such as corns, coffin joint lameness, pricking with a 
 nail, etc., remain about the same; besides, if there is much 
 soreness in the foot, from contraction, corns, pricking, 
 strain of the coffin joint, the foot will be put forward or 
 rested upon the toe. This will always be the case if there 
 is much soreness of the heels, as resting upon the toe re- 
 lieves the pressure and pain. Hence it is a marked 
 symptom of coffin joint injury, of corns and thickening of 
 the lateral cartilages. 
 
 Again, if there is much inflammation, increased heat can 
 be felt in the foot. 
 
 FIRST, SHOULDER LAMENESS. 
 
 Symptoms. — The animal drags the leg, with the toe on 
 ground, and cannot raise the foot. 
 
 Treatment. — Local bleeding from the plate vein on the 
 inside of the leg is very effectual, with a purging ball. Fo- 
 menting the shoulder with hot water will be found useful. 
 If, in a few days, fomentations do not succeed, and the case 
 seems obstinate, rub on thoroughly soft soap and salt, which 
 will be found a fine stimulant, and is easily obtained. If 
 any eruption should arise from the application of this dress- 
 ing, apply a little sweet oil or lard, which will remove the 
 scab in a few days. 
 
 PRICKING. 
 
 If the horse becomes lame after being shod, examine the 
 foot carefully. If pricked by driving any of the nails too 
 near the quick, there will be heat and tenderness in the 
 hoof easily discovered. Tap the nails around carefully; 
 when the part injured is struck there will be prompt resist- 
 ance shown. Have the shoe taken off, and cut down to 
 where the nail strikes the quick, enough to make room for 
 any matter that may have formed to escape ; then poultice 
 with flax seed meal until the inflammation is reduced, when 
 a little tar, resin, or tallow, or something of this kind, 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 179 
 
 should be put on, and the opening filled up with a little tow- 
 to prevent gravel or dirt from getting in, and put the shoe 
 on again. 
 
 CORNS. 
 
 Described in the article on Shoeing. The most difficult 
 corns to treat are those in weak, broad heels. If in a high, 
 strong heel, and contracted, all that is necessary to do is to 
 trim out the corn, dress it with a little mild caustic to pro- 
 duce a healthy action, fitting the shoe so as to preclude all 
 pressure upon the part, and the horse will go off all right. 
 There is not horn enough to protect the heel from pressure 
 when the heel is wide and weak, we must now accomplish 
 two ends : remove pressure from the sole, and at the same 
 time m.ake the heels strong by growing strong, healthy horn. 
 Put on a nicely fitting bar shoe, which will protect the heel 
 by bringing pressure upon the frog. 
 
 The usual and scientific treatment is to apply a strong 
 cantharides blister right over the seat of the corn, on the 
 coronet. Stimulants of any kind will increase the action. 
 Many remedies are used for this purpose with varied effects, 
 but regular blistering really stands at the head of all. There 
 is great danger of separation from the continued pressure 
 of the shoe upon the affected part. The blacksmith may 
 tell you it is a gravel, to shield himself from' his inability 
 to fit a shoe that will relieve pressure. In such a case it 
 will be necessary to let the animal lie still and dress the 
 part with an astringent, such as alum and water, sugar of 
 lead and water. After the feet seem healthy, put on a bar 
 shoe as before stated, and put the animal to work. 
 
 The following remedy seems to have a splendid effect in 
 removing soreness and growing the feet. I know of its 
 being sold for ten dollars. It is the best thing for the cure 
 of weak, sore feet I ever saw. It softens the hoof and 
 grows horn rapidly, as well as removes soreness. 
 
 HOOF LINIMENT FOR CONTRACTED OR SORE FEET. 
 
 Venice turpentine, ^ pint; aqua ammonia, 2 oz.; salts 
 of niter, i oz.; benzine, i oz.; alcohol, 3 oz. Apply to the 
 edge of the hair and all over the hoof once a day for a week; 
 after that, for a week or two, three or four times a week, as 
 may be necessary. 
 
180 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 The effect of this preparation on sore, weak feet, and 
 upon contracted feet, in many cases, is wonderful, and is 
 undoubtedly the best preparation for the feet yet published. 
 It is well, however, to bear in mind that the primary con- 
 dition of curing contraction is the use of mechanical means 
 of expansion as given under that head. 
 
 STEPPING ON NAILS, GLASS, OR ANYTHING THAT 
 PUNCTURES THE SOLE OR FROG. 
 
 The first thing to be attended to is to remove the nail, 
 glass, or whatever it is, from the foot, carefully. See that 
 no part remains, and remove a little of the hoof from 
 around the opening. Drop a few drops of Friar's balsam 
 into the orifice, and cover the part with a flax seed poultice. 
 Friar's balsam can be obtained in almost any drug store. 
 If this is not obtainable use the simple digestive ointment, 
 given in another chapter. 
 
 HIP LAMENESS 
 
 Is a formidable disease. Its principal seat is in the whirl- 
 bone joint, and is usually caused by sprains or falls. The 
 animal from this form of lameness will stand on the affected 
 limb, and will not show lameness. The muscles are not 
 called into action in elevating the limb. Then there is a 
 dragging or swaying motion of the limb outwards. By plac- 
 ing the hand on the hip joint, an extra degree of heat will 
 be found to invest this part. 
 
 Treatment. — First, absolute rest; next, same treatment 
 and remedies as given for shoulder lameness. Treatment 
 should be repeated until recovered, which requires from one 
 to two weeks. 
 
 RETENTION OF URINE. 
 
 The most common cause is keeping the animal at work, 
 not giving time to urinate, and a spasm of the neck of the 
 bladder or gravelly concretions; any cause of irritation 
 may cause spasm. Symptoms are the same as m inflamma- 
 tion of the kidneys, except standing very wide behind, and 
 when walking, a straddling gait resembling a cow with a 
 very full bag. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 181 
 
 The most prompt treatment is to use the catheter, and 
 scarcely anything more is necessary. But if one is not ob- 
 tainable, bleed freely and give a strong opiate. 3 oz. tinct. 
 opiurp, in half pint of water. 
 
 SCOURS, OR PURGING. 
 
 This disease is generally produced by two causes : change 
 of food or water, or unhealthy food, and sometimes through 
 nervous excitement. 
 
 Cure. — Neutralize the acids in the bowels by giving an 
 ounce and a half of prepared chalk and a dram and a half 
 of powdered catechu, mixed in a pint of water. Give once 
 or twice a day until purging ceases. Keep the animal with- 
 out exercise, and do not give much water to drink. 
 
 If this disease should arise from nervous excitement, give 
 a dram of powdered opium in the food once a day for three 
 or four days. 
 
 PROFUSE STALING. 
 
 The causes of this disease are, the improper use of diu- 
 retic medicines, as saltpeter, resin, &c. Unwholesome food 
 will sometimes produce it. 
 
 Treatment. — Give one of the following balls every night: 
 Powdered opium, ^ oz. ; powdered kino, i oz. ; prepared 
 chalk, I oz. Mix with molasses, and make six balls. 
 
 Or give the following powder once a day mixed in the 
 food : gentian powdered, sulphate iron, a dram and a half 
 of each. 
 
 BLOODY URINE 
 
 Is generally tlie result of injuries of the loins, unwholesome 
 food, violent exercise, &c. 
 
 Treatment. —Give plenty linseed tea to drink; if the ani- 
 mal refuses it, drench him. Give internally, once a day, 
 one of the following pills: sugar of lead, i oz.; linseed 
 meal, 2 oz. Mix with molasses and divide into eight parts. 
 
 SPASMODIC ACTION OF THE DIAPHRAGM, 
 
 Commonly called thumps, is caused by severe and long 
 continued driving and hard work. Horses of a nervous 
 
182 
 
 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 temperament having too much cold water given to drink on 
 a cold morning, nervous irritation, severe work or excite- 
 ment from any cause, may excite this trouble. 
 
 Symptoms. — A sudden jerking or twitching of the muscles 
 of the sides and flanks ; pulse wiry, quick and low, more or 
 less fever; extremities natural. 
 
 Cure. — This disease being of a purely spasmodic charac- 
 ter, but in this case wholly of a nervous nature, bleeding 
 must be omitted, and must be treated wholly by giving 
 spasmodic remedies. Give assafoetida, in a dose of from 
 I to 3 ounces of the tincture, mixed in a half pint of wa- 
 ter. Given as a drench will stop it almost instantly. 
 
 If necessary, the medicine may be repeated in two hours. 
 Keep the horse well clothed, and keep all exciting causes 
 away from him. The bowels should be kept loose and regu- 
 lar, by giving bran mashes and moderate exercise. 
 
 WORMS. 
 
 The symptoms of worms are debility, feebleness, slug- 
 gish movements, emaciation, staring coat, hide bound, 
 skin covered with blotches, irregular and capricious appe- 
 tite, tucked up belly, pallid ap- 
 pearance of the lining mem- 
 brane of the lip, badly digested 
 faeces, rubs the tail, and where 
 fundament worms exist a whi- 
 tish substance will be found 
 about the fundament. 
 
 Give of calomel, 3 drams; 
 tartar emetic, i dram. Mix and 
 divide into three powders; one to be given at night for 
 three successive nights. To be followed, in twenty-four 
 hours, with a good purging ball. 
 
 Symptoms of Worms. 
 
 Tenia, or Tape Worm. 
 
 Different Kinds of Wornu*. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 183 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES. 
 
 Symptoms. — A watery discharge from the eye, eyelids 
 partly closed, membrane of lid on under side much red- 
 dened. 
 
 In ordinary cases all that is necessary to do is to keep 
 the horse quiet and bathe the eye with cold water. Either 
 of the following will be found good : 
 
 Laudanum, i oz.; rain water, i pint. Mix. Or, acetate 
 of lead, I dram; sulphate of zinc, ^ dram; rain water, 3 
 pints. Mix for use. 
 
 Either of the above may be applied with a soft sponge 
 two or three times a day. 
 
 Give on the tongue, three or four times a day, three or 
 four drops of belladonna. 
 
 More thorough treatment would be a seaton below the 
 eye, which of itself, will soon, in most cases, effect a cure. 
 
 The following is perhaps one of the very best eye washes 
 used. It is a favorite remedy of great value. I insert it as 
 given me. 
 
 EYE WASH. 
 
 Take three hen's eggs and break them into a quart of 
 clear cold rain water; stir until a thorough mixture is ef- 
 fected ; boil over a slow fire, stirring every few minutes ; 
 add half an ounce of sulphate of zinc, (white vitriol;) con- 
 tinue the boiling a short time, and the compound is ready 
 for use. In this preparation a solid substance, or curd, is 
 precipitated or thrown down, and a liquid solution rests 
 upon the top. This is the best wash for sore eyes of either 
 man or beast that was ever made. The curd applied to the 
 inflamed eye at night will draw the fever and soreness 
 nearly all out by morning. After two or three days the 
 water should be strained from the curd, and put into a 
 bottle for future use. This eye wash is invaluable. When 
 applied to the human eye it should be diluted. 
 
 A gentleman who had a copy of my old edition, having 
 this remedy in it, informed me that he was offered ^10 for 
 the book on account of the value of this receipt, having 
 used it in his neighborhood with great success, and that he 
 would not sell it at any price. 
 
184 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 CUTS OR WOUNDS— REMEDIES FOR. 
 
 If the cut or wound is very bad, trim the hair off closd 
 around the edges, and wash out carefully with warm watei 
 and castile soap. The object next is to produce a granulating 
 process. There is hardly any use in sewing up cuts, as the 
 stitches will sluff out. In treating deep wounds, or cuts or 
 ulcers of any kind, bear in mind that the matter must be 
 sponged or syringed out daily with castile soap and warm 
 water, or what is termed a dependent opening must be made 
 for the matter to run off. Matter alway burrows or pockets. 
 The principle is the same in all cases, — using caustic to cut 
 out fungous or other diseased growths ; using for indolent 
 ulcers proportionately more stimulating preparations than 
 for those in a fresh, healthy condition. 
 
 THE FOLIiOWINQ DIGESTIVE OINTMENT 
 
 is unrivaled for the cure of cuts or fresh wounds on horse- 
 flesh, and is alone worth more than the price of this book 
 to any horseman. 
 
 For a healing ointment the following is unrivaled: 2^ 
 lbs. palm oil, 2 lbs. lard, ^ lb. gum turpentine, ^ lb. 
 beeswax, i lb. calamine. Simmer all together over a slow 
 fire, and it will be fit for use. Put a little in the wound 
 once a day. Wash the wound with warm water and castile 
 soap before applying the ointment. 
 
 A GOOD SIMPLE HEALING PBEPARATION. 
 
 Blue vitriol, in the proportion of two drams to a pint of 
 water is an excellent application for wounds. If a caustic 
 effect is desired, increase the quantity to an ounce or more, 
 and it will be found a fine preparation to rouse old ulcers 
 to a healthy action. Good for poll evil or other ulcers. 
 
 A fine healing lotion is : Tincture myrrh, i oz. ; tincture 
 aloes, 2 oz. ; water, ^ pint. Mix, and apply once a day. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 185 
 
 HEALING OINTMENT FOR CUTS, OALLS, ETC. GOOD. 
 
 Oxide of zinc, pulverized fine, 4 drams; carbolic acid, 6 
 grains; lard, i ounce. Melt the lard and stir in the zinc. 
 Add the carbolic acid and mix thoroughly. Apply once or 
 twice a day to the cut or injury. Will cause a healthy dis- 
 charge from a foul ulcer. 
 
 XINIMENT FOR OPEN ^WOUNDS. A FINE 
 PREPARATION. 
 
 Take sulphate of copper (copperas), i oz.; while vitriol, 
 2 oz.; muriate of soda (salt), 2 oz.; oil linseed, 2 oz.; 
 Orleans molasses, 8 oz. Boil over a slow fire fifteen minutes, 
 in a pint of urine, all of the above ingredients. When 
 nearly cold add i oz. of oil of vitriol and 4 oz. spirits of 
 turpentine, and bottle for use. Apply to the wound with a 
 quill, which will soon set the wound to discharging, and 
 perform a cure in a few days. Be careful to keep the wound 
 covered either with a bandage or a plaster. Should be 
 applied once or twice a day until it discharges freely. 
 
 "WASH FOR FRESH "WOUNDS. A FAVORITE 
 REMEDY OF GREAT VALUE. 
 
 One teaspoonful white vitriol, i teaspoonful copperas, 2 
 teaspoonfuls fine gunpowder; add to i quart of boiling 
 water, and let it stand until cool. If the wound is deep, 
 apply with a syringe. One of the best of remedies for the 
 purpose recommended. 
 
 LINIMENT FOR FOUL ULCERS. GOOD. 
 
 Sulphate of copper, i oz.; nitric acid, ^ oz.; water, 8 
 to 12 oz. 
 
 COOLING LINIMENT FOR EXTERNAL INFLAM- 
 MATION. GOOD. 
 
 Goulard extract, i oz.; vinegar, 2 oz.; spirits of wine, 3 
 oz.; water, i^ pints. Apply with a bandage. 
 
186 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 FOR INFLAMED LEG, GALLED SHOULDEBS OR BACK. 
 A REALLY GOOD THING. 
 
 Sal ammoniac, i oz.; vinegar, 4 oz.; spirits of wine, 2 
 oz.; tincture arnica, 2 drams; water, ^ pint. Mix, and 
 bathe with it often and thoroughly. 
 
 Sutter of antimony. 
 
 For corns, canker, indisposition of the sole to secrete 
 healthy horn, wounds in the foot not attended by healthy 
 action, and for every case where the superficial application 
 of a caustic is needed, the chloride of antimony (butter of 
 antimony) is one of the very best. 
 
 STICKING-PLASTER, FOR CUTS OR "WOUNDS. 
 
 Burgundy pitch, 4 oz.; tallow, 2 oz. Melt the articles 
 together, and spread on linen or cloth while hot. Cut in 
 strips of proper length and width, and draw the wound 
 together; warm the strips and apply them. Clip the hair 
 short where the plaster is to be applied. 
 
 -WASH FOR REDUCING AN INFLAMED AATOUND, 
 
 One oz. sulphate of zinc, i oz. crotus martes, ^ oz. sugar 
 of lead, I pint water. A sore will not smell bad when this 
 wash is used. 
 
 SPRAINS AND BRUISES. 
 
 It must be borne in mind, the first object in treating 
 acute inflammation caused by injury of any kind is to lower 
 the inflammation. Cold water, or one ounce of sugar of 
 lead to a pint of water, would be better, and is a remedy of 
 great value, to be used repeatedly until relief is afforded. 
 
 The following is excellent : Saltpeter, 4 oz.; sugar of lead, 
 I oz.; muriate of ammonia, i oz.; common salt, i pint; 
 cold water, 2 galls. Mix and bathe the parts aff"ected; or 
 keeo constantly wet with the following, which is good: 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 187 
 
 Tincture arnica, 2 oz.; cold water, i quart. This will pre- 
 vent inflammation or swelling following a bruise or sprain. 
 
 ANODYNE STIMULATING LINIMENT. 
 
 Spirits of hartshorn, i^ oz.; sulphuric ether, i^ oz.; 
 spirits of turpentine, ^ oz.; sweet oil, ^ oz.; oil of cloves, 
 ^ oz., chloroform, i oz. Put into a strong 8 ounce bottle 
 and cork tightly; keep in a dark place, or wrap with paper. 
 This liniment relieves pain, and is good for lameness, etc., 
 and for all cases of strains and soreness. To be well 
 rubbed in. 
 
 Oil of turpentine, i oz.; tine, opium, i oz.; soap liniment, 
 
 1 oz.; tine, capsicum, )4 oz. Stimulating liniment; good 
 for rheumatism, sprains, etc. 
 
 MAGIC LINIMENT. 
 
 • Used very generally; good not only for sprains, bruises, 
 etc., after the acute stage, but a fine counter-irritant for 
 pleurisy, inflammation, etc.: Oil of spike, 2 oz.; organum, 
 
 2 oz.; hemlock, 2 oz.; wormwood, 2 oz.; sweet oil, 4 oz.; 
 spirits ammonia, 2 oz.; gum camphor, 2 oz.; spirits turpen- 
 tine, 2 oz.; proof spirits, i quart — 90 per cent. Mix well 
 together, and bottle tight. 
 
 FOB FRESH STRAINS, ETC. 
 
 Carbonate ammonate, 2 ounces; apple vinegar, }4 giU- 
 Rub in well. 
 
 TO ABATE S"WELLING CAUSED BY AN INJURY. 
 
 ^Take common wormwood, 2 oz. ; New England rum, i 
 quart. Steep the wormwood in the liquor and apply thor 
 
 oughly. 
 
 A FINE SIMPLE LINIMENT. 
 
 Two parts ammonia to 4 parts of soft water, good lor 
 strains, etc. 
 
188 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 THRUSH. 
 
 This is a rotting of the frog, with a discharge of matter 
 from the cleft or division of the frog, occasionally producing 
 lameness. The treatment is simple and effectual. Wash the 
 parts well with soap and water, then apply powdered 
 sulphate of copper to the parts, and fill up all the cavities 
 with cotton, packed 'in so as to keep out all dirt. This 
 process should be repeated in a few days if necessary. 
 
 For Thrush or Canker : Burnt alum, 4 oz. ; sulphate of 
 iron, 2 oz.; sulphate of copper, i oz.; camphor, 2 drams. 
 Mix. 
 
 MAGIC HEALING PBEPARATION. 
 
 Burnt alum, ^ oz.; prepared chalk, i oz.; pulverized gum 
 camphor, i dram; calamine, pulverized, 2 drams. Mix. 
 
 Sprinkle on the sore. Its effect will be apparently wonder- 
 ful, healing a simple wound in a few hours. 
 
 If it is desired to cicatrice a wound quickly, this is to b'e 
 used. Good for fresh wounds, galls of collar, saddle, or in 
 fact for any purpose requiring a fine healing astringent. 
 This is the receipt for the wonderful healing powder so 
 much advertised. Its effect will appear wonderful to those 
 not accustomed to its use. It is just the thing for sore or 
 lacerated mouths, or any such difficulty requiring great 
 astringent healing properties. 
 
 TO REDUCE SWELLING OF THE LEGS AND STRENGTH- 
 EN THE TENDONS AFTER HARD DRIVING 
 
 A favorite remedy on Long Island. One pint alcohol, 
 I ordinary sized beef gall, i ounce organum, i ounce oil 
 of spike, I ounce gum myrrh, ^ ounce camphor gum. 
 First wash and rub clean and dry. Then bathe with the 
 liniment and rub dry. Then apply again and bandage the 
 leg, being careful not to bandage too tight. 
 
 This is the best liniment for the purpose recommended I 
 have ever used. It should be kept in every stable. 
 
 This is a splendid remedy for the above purpose. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 189 
 
 TO RECRUIT A HORSE HIDE-BOUND OR OTHERWISE 
 OUT OF SORTS. 
 
 Nitrate potassa (or saltpeter), 4 oz.; crude antimony, 
 I oz.; sulphur, 3 oz. Nitrate of potassa and antimony- 
 should be finely pulverized, then add the sulphur, and mix 
 the whole well together. Dose: A tablespoonful of the 
 mixture in a bran mash daily, for a week or two. 
 
 This will be found an excellent remedy. It was given me 
 ten years ago, by Dr. T. Burton, of Fultonville, N. Y., (one 
 )f the most successful of medical practitioners, and not only 
 one of the best horsemen with whom, in my varied experi- 
 ence, I have become acquainted, but one of the best men I 
 have ever met, and to whose interest and encouragement I 
 am more than to any other single cause indebted for my great 
 success. It was by this gentleman's advice that I made a se- 
 ries of models with which to illustrate the principles of shoe- 
 ing, which have so often since been admired by horsemen. 
 There are a few chance acquaintances I have made during 
 the inception of a checkered career in my profession, the 
 icmembrance of whom becomes at all times only a growing 
 sc-arce of pleasure and encouragement, but chief of them 
 all stands this gentleman, whose encouraging predictions I 
 now lake the liberty of acknowledging in this connection, 
 as an assurance of my continued appreciation of his inter- 
 est so long ago, and that I have done the best I could to 
 prove worthy of his high, flattering assurance of my future 
 success. ) 
 
 CRACKED HEELS. 
 
 Two ounces resin, 2 ounces copperas, 2 ounces alum, 
 I ounce beeswax, i pint tar, size hen's egg of tallow; boil 
 over a slow fire, skim off the filth and add the scrapings of 
 sweet elder a handful ; when cool, fit for use. 
 
 This is the best local application for cracked heels or 
 stuffing of the heels that I have ever used, and is in fact 
 one of the very best of healing preparations. 
 
 Six years ago, in Ohio, Turco had an aggravated crack- 
 ing and stuffing of heels of so bad a character th^t I feared 
 stuffing of the hoofs. In defiance of all the treatment I 
 could then think of for cure, I was compelled to poultice, 
 ai«d did "jo continually, using a variety of preparation.*? 
 
190 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT 
 
 including charcoal and night soil as experiments. Of course, 
 I could now manage such a case easily, but at that time all 
 my efforts were baffled, and there was a strong prospect . <" 
 my favorite horse I then valued at three thousand dollars, 
 being ruined. 
 
 At this time, an old gentleman who claimed some success 
 as a "horse doctor," saw the case, and, against my judg- 
 ment, insisted upon using this remedy, which he said would 
 cure it in two weeks, and, to my surprise and gratification, 
 there was a perfect cure in less than that time. 
 
 There was no internal treatment given. It will be found 
 a remedy possessing great curative virtues for this purpose. 
 
 In treating scratches or grease heel, a local treatment 
 will always be facilitated powerfully, and is almost indis- 
 pensable, by giving a dose of physic. 
 
 GREASE HEELS. 
 
 This is a white, offensive, greasy discharge from the heels 
 of the horse. The skin becomes hot, tender and swollen. 
 The acrid character of the discharge often causes large por- 
 tions of the skin to slough away, leaving an ugly sore 
 behind. ■• 
 
 Treatment. — Open the bowels with the following ball: 
 Barbadoes aloes, i oz.; pulverized gentian root, 2 drams; 
 pulverized ginger, i dram ; water sufficient to make the 
 ball. Wash the parts well, and poultice for two or three 
 days with the following : Flax seed meal mixed with a solu- 
 tion of 2 drams sulphate of zinc to a pint of water, which 
 keep clean, and bathe frequently with glycerine, or the solu- 
 tion of zinc ; or a solution of the chloride of lime may be 
 used ; or the bichloride of mercury may be used in inveter- 
 ate cases with good results, pro\^ded it is not repeated 
 oftener than once a week. 
 
 CURE OF SCRATCHES. 
 
 Four ojmces tincture arnica, 4 ounces glycerine. If 
 heels are cracked badly, add: i ounce iodine, 2 ounces 
 tincture myrrh, ^ ounce gun powder (powdered fine.) 
 Put all into a bottle and shake thoroughly; put on two or 
 three times a day. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 191 
 
 In treating scratches, first give a dose of physic, or a few 
 bran mashes. 
 
 CANKER. 
 
 This is a more aggravated form of thrush, often proving 
 very troublesome to manage. It is a continuation of the 
 thrush between the horny frog and the internal structures of 
 the foot, causing separation between them. 
 
 Treatment. — Cut away all the horn which has been sepa- 
 rated from the soft structures of the foot, and apply the 
 following ointment: Take equal parts r»f pine tar and lard, 
 melt over a slow fire, and add sulphuric acid very slowly 
 until ebullition (boiling) ceases, and apply to the parts. 
 The foot must be protected from dirt by a bandage or a 
 leathern boot. 
 
 QUITTER. 
 
 This is a formation of pus between the hoof and the soft 
 structure within ; a sore at the coronet or upper part of the 
 foot, which at first is a hard, smooth tumor, soon becoming 
 soft, and breaks, discharging quantities of pus. 
 
 Treatment. — Poultice the foot for several days with flax 
 seed meal. As soon as the hoof becomes soft, cut away all 
 loose portions, but no more, and inject with a syringe 
 either of the following once a day: Chloride of zinc, 2 
 drams, dissolved in a pint of water ; or, sulphate of zinc, 
 i^ drams, in a pint of water; or, nitrate of silver, 2 
 drams, in a pint of water; or glycerine may be used with 
 advantage. Before using the wash have the foot well 
 cleaned with entile soap and water. 
 
 MANGE. 
 
 Take the horse in the sun and scrub him thoroughly all 
 over with castile soap and water, then wash him well from 
 head to tail with gas water, in which put 2 drams white hel- 
 lebore to the gallon. He must now be put in another stall, 
 distant from the one in which he has been standing. Thus 
 treated, it rarely requires more than one washing to effect 
 a permanent cure. The harness should be thoroughly 
 scrubbed and put away for six or eight weeks. These pre- 
 cautions are necessary to success in this otherwise trouble- 
 some disease. 
 
192 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 No. 2. — Oil turpentine, 4 oz.; oil tar, 4 oz.; linseed oil, 
 6 oz. Mix. 
 
 PKEPAKATION TO KILL LICE ON HORSES. 
 
 One ounce of arsenic to a pail of soft water. The horse 
 should be washed thoroughly in some warm place. It is 
 not known to many that hen lice and common human body 
 lice grow on horses with great rapidity. This remedy is a 
 sure cure, and is invaluable. 
 
 NASAL GLEET. 
 
 This is a chronic discharge from one or both nostrils, of 
 a whitish, muco-purulent matter, the result usually of neg- 
 lected catarrh. The general health of the animal does not 
 seem to suffer; he looks well, feeds well and works well, 
 yet we have this discharge, which is caused by weakness in 
 the secretory vessels of the lining membrane of the nose. 
 
 The successful treatment in all cases where this disorder 
 has existed has been on tonic principle. Bleeding and 
 purging are positively injurious. Give one of the following 
 powders night and morning: Seaquin-chloride of iron, 2 
 oz.; powdered cinnamon, i oz. Mix and divide into four 
 powders. Or: Carbonate of iron, pulverized gentian and 
 pulverized quassia, of each i oz. Divide into four pow- 
 ders. Or: Nux vomica, pulverized, Vq. oz.; linseed meal, 
 2 oz. Divide into eight powders. Another good prepara- 
 tion is: Muriate of barytes, Y^ oz.; linseed meal, i oz. 
 Divide into eight powders. The last is be#. 
 
 CAUSTICS 
 
 Are substances which burn away the tissues of the body 
 by decomposition of their elements, and are valuable to 
 destroy fungous growth and set up healthy action. 
 
 Corrosive sublimate, in powder, acts energetically. 
 
 Nitrate of silver is excellent to lower granulation. 
 
 Sulphate of copper, not so strong as the above, but good. 
 
 Chloride of zinc is a powerful caustic. It may be used 
 in sinuses, in solution, 7 drams in a pint of water. 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 193 
 
 MIIiDEB CAUSTICS. 
 
 Verdigris, either in powder or mixed with lard, as an 
 ointment, in proportion of one to three. 
 
 If a wound or an ulcer will not heal so long as there is a 
 foreign body, or unhealthy growth in it ; hence, if a wound 
 or puncture from any cause, there must be a removal of 
 hair, pieces of wood, bone, etc. No matter what you do, 
 if any foreign body remains in the wound, it will not heal. 
 This done, wash it or inject with warm water and castile 
 soap, after which the regular digestive ointment can be 
 used, or a mild solution of any of the remedies recom- 
 mended for the purpose. But if fungous growths cannot 
 be removed with the knife, a caustic becomes necessary, a 
 little of which is to be put on the part, or into the sinews. 
 Carrying this treatment to extreme implies using a hot iron. 
 (The actual cautery.) 
 
 PARCr-CUBE OF. 
 
 One-quarter pound sulphur, }i pound saltpeter, i ounce 
 black antimony. If acute, give one tablespoonful twice a 
 day. If sub-acute, once or twice a week. 
 
 The sum of $50 was repeatedly paid for this prescription, 
 and it has made some marked cures. It is regarded as 
 specific for farcy in the portion of Ohio in which I obtained 
 it. In two instances, gentlemen who have used it in the 
 treatment of farcy have informed me it cured, and ex- 
 pressed themselves as valuing it worth ^50. 
 
 The following is my regular treatment for this formidable 
 disease : 
 
 Three drams of powdered sulphate of copper, given every 
 night in the food, until the animal refuses to eat. After a 
 few days repeat, but if the case is bad give the medicine in 
 water as a drench, for ten days, if he will not take it in his 
 food. 
 
 CONDITION POWDERS. 
 
 Take i pound of ginger, i ounce of anise seed, pulver- 
 ized, I ounce of fenugreek seed, 2 ounces of ginseng root, 
 pulverized, i ounce of the seed of sumach berries, pulver- 
 ized, I ounce of antimony; mix it with one pound of 
 
 18 
 
194 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 brown sugar. This is excellent for coughs, colds, or to 
 give a horse an appetite. 
 
 TO CURE COUGH— NO. 2. EXCELIiENT. 
 
 Put all the tar into alcohol it will cut, and add one-third 
 in quantity of tincture belladonna. Dose: From one to 
 two teaspoonfuls once or twice a day. Very good. 
 
 TO CURE COUGH-NO. 3. 
 
 Take tartar emetic, i oz.; resin, 2 oz.; bloodroot, i oz.; 
 salts of tartar, 2 oz.; ginger, 2 oz. Mix, and give a tea- 
 spoonful three times a day, in the feed. 
 
 COUGH POWDER. 
 
 Fenugreek, ginger, licorice and bloodroot, equal parts 
 Half proportion lobelia and camphor may be added. Dose, 
 tablespoonful twice a day. For heaves, add more camphor. 
 
 DIURETIC DROPS 
 
 that are reliable for stoppage of water, foul water, or in- 
 flammation of the kidneys, in all cases : 
 
 Take of sweet spirits of nitre, 4 oz.; balsam copaiba, 
 2 oz.; oil of juniper, 2 oz.; spirits of turpentine, 2 oz.; 
 gum camphor, pulverized, i oz. Mix all together, and 
 shake well, bottle, and it is fit for use for man or beast, 
 tmder all cirumcstances where a diuretic is required. 
 
 Dose : For a horse, i oz. in half a pint of milk once in 
 six hours; for a man, i teaspoonful in a tablespoonful of 
 milk once in six hours. 
 
 Be sure to shake the ingredients up well before turning 
 out for use. 
 
 THE PULSE. 
 
 The beating, as it is termed, of the heart, and that of an 
 artery, tells the exact condition of the circulation and of 
 the health, to the experienced practitioner. 
 
 In a state of health the pulse is from 36 to 40 in a min- 
 ute. It will be felt easiest and best at the lower jaw, a 
 
DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 196 
 
 little behind where the sub-maxiliary artery and vein come 
 from the under jaw. Pass the finger down the jaw, up near 
 the neck on the inner edge, and you will feel a cord-like 
 ridge, and upon quietly but firmly pressing it you will feel 
 it throb or beat. Each contraction of the heart forces a 
 jet of blood through the arteries throughout the system. 
 The arteries are strong elastic tubes, which expand as the 
 blood is forced through them, but contract again as soon 
 as the volume of blood passes, forming a beat which can 
 be plainly felt under the finger at this point. It is highly 
 important to understand the condition of the circulation 
 to treat diseases, especially of an acute character, success- 
 fully. 
 
 Frequent reference is made to the state of the pulse in 
 different diseases, such as colic, pneumonia, laminitis, &c., 
 &c. Hence it should be studied carefully. For example, 
 during the early stage of colic, the pulse will be hardly af- 
 fected, and the ears and legs will be natural in tempera- 
 ture ; while in inflammation of the bowels the pulse will be 
 quick and wiry, ears and legs cold, &c. In fever it is 
 quick, wiry and light, indicating the extreme or not of ob- 
 struction in the circulation. 
 
 BLEEDING-. 
 
 For general bleeding the jugular vein is selected. The 
 horse is blindfolded, or his head turned away; the hair is 
 smoothed along the course of the vein with a moistened 
 
 Raising the Vein. 
 
196 
 
 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 
 
 finger, then with the third and little fingers of the left hand, 
 which holds the fleam, pressure is made on the vein suffi- 
 ciently to bring it into view, but not to swell it too much. 
 The point to be selected is about two inches below the 
 
 Bleeding from the Neck Vein. 
 
 union of the jugular vein at the angle of the jaw. (See cut.; 
 The fleam is put in a direct line with the vein at the center, 
 when it is to be hit sharply with a stick. See 
 that the fleam is large, sharp and clean, for if 
 rusty or dull, inflammation of the vein might 
 result. It is of great importance that the 
 blood be drawn quickly. When sufficient 
 blood has been taken, the edges of the wound 
 should be brought closely together, and kept 
 together by a small sharp pin being passed 
 through them. Around this a little tow or a 
 few hairs from the mane of the horse should 
 be wrapped, so as to cover the whole of the 
 incision, and the head of the horse should be 
 tied up for several hours, to prevent his rub- 
 bing the part against the mang^. When the 
 bleeding is to be repeated, if more than three 
 or four hours have elapsed, it will be more 
 piudent to make a fresh incision, rather than to open the 
 old wound. 
 
 first 
 stuck through 
 the lips of the 
 wound ; a por- 
 tion of tow, 
 thread or hair 
 is then wrap- 
 ped round tlie 
 pin. 
 
 -* ! 
 
VALUABLE MISCELLA^ EOUS RECEIPTS. 197 
 
 PHYSICING. 
 
 It is always best, if possible, to prepare the horse for 
 physic by giving a bran mash twenty-four hours previously, 
 as the medicine will act more favorably and there is less 
 danger of superpurgation. Five drams of aloes (Barbadoes 
 aloes are always used for horses) will act as forcibly after a 
 mash as seven without. Again, the quantity of physic should 
 be adapted to age and size. The rule is to give one dram 
 for each year up to seven. Eight drams is the largest given 
 at one dose. 
 
 Physic Ball: Barbadoes aloes, pulverized, 7 drams; bar 
 soap, 4 drams ; ginger, i dram. The usual way is to mix 
 the ingredients in this proportion, then reduce to the weight 
 intended and give. 
 
 For Alterative Balls simply give from one to two or three 
 ounces of mass, as above prepared, two or three times a 
 week, for a week or two. 
 
 For Worms : Give 4 drams aloes, i dram tartar emetic, 2 
 drams ginger, about the size of a bean of calomel, and 
 molasses enough to make into a ball. To be given every 
 morning for three days. 
 
 VALUABLE MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS. 
 The following remedies will be found excellent: 
 
 DRENCH FOR DIARRHCEA. 
 
 Opium, I dram; prepared chalk, i oz.; compound pow- 
 der of tragacanth, i oz.; mint water, i pint. 
 
 MERCURIAIi ALTERATIVE BALLS. 
 
 Calomel, ^ dram; aloes, i dram; castile soap, 2 drams; 
 oil of juniper, 30 drops ; syrup to form a ball. 
 
 ASTRINGENT BALLS. 
 
 Catechu, Y^ ounce; alum, 3 drams; cascarilla, 2 drams; 
 flour, 2 drams; treacle. 
 
198 VALUABLE MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS. 
 
 DKENCHES TO PROMOTE PARTURITION 
 
 Ergot of rye in fine powder, 2 or 3 drams ; pennyroyal 
 water or infusion of rue, i quart. 
 
 FOR DIABETES. 
 
 Opium, I dram; ginger, 2 drams; oak bark, p. i oz.; 
 decoction of oak bark, i pint. 
 
 CORDIAL AND ANODYNE BAIiL. 
 
 Castile soap, 3 drams ; camphor, 2 drams ; ginger, i ^ 
 dram, and Venice turpentine, 6 drams, made into i ball. 
 
 AROMATIC POWDER. 
 
 Caraway, 6 oz.; pimento, 4 oz.; ginger, 2 oz.; licorice, 
 2 oz. Mix. Dose, 6 to 8 drams. 
 
 COOLING AND DIURETIC DRINK. 
 
 Dissolve I ounce of nitre in a pail of water. 
 
 TONIC BALL (VEGETABLE TONIC). 
 
 Peruvian bark, i ounce; opium, y^ dram; ginger, ij^ 
 dram; oil of caraway, 20 drops. Treacle to form a ball. 
 
 DIURETIC ALTERATIVE BALLS. 
 
 Dried common soda, i oz. ; castile soap, 6 drams ; resin, 
 2 oz.; licorice powder, )^ oz.; Barbadpes tar, to form 6 
 balls. One daily. 
 
 LAXATIVE ALTERATIVE BALLS. 
 
 Aloes, 4 oz. ; soft soap, 4 oz. ; common moss a| 01 
 Mix. Dose i oz. 
 
VALUABLE MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS. 199 
 
 BALLS FOR APPETITE. 
 
 Equal weights of assafoetida, saffron, bay berries, and 
 aloes, made into a mass with extract of gentian. Dose i oz. 
 
 ANODYNE BALL. 
 
 Opium ^ dram to i dram; camphor, i dram; anise 
 seed, yi oz.; soft extract of licorice. 
 
 CORDIAL BALLS. 
 
 Ginger and gentian, equal parts ; treacle to form a mass. 
 Dose, I oz. to 1)4 oz. 
 
 Ginger and caraway, each 4 lbs. ; gentian, i lb. ; palm 
 oil, 4)^2 lbs. Beat together. Dose, i oz. to i^ oz. 
 
 MIXED BALLS, CORDIAL ASTRINGENT BALLS. 
 Catechu, i dram; opium, 10 grains. To wash horses 
 
 BEFORE OR AFTER A JOURNEY. 
 
 DIURETIC BALLS. 
 
 Resm soap and nitre, of each equal parts, beaten together 
 into a mass. Dose, i oz. to i}4 oz. 
 
 White soap, 8 oz. ; nitre, 3 oz. ; 3 resin, oz.; camphor, 
 3 drams ; oil of juniper, 3 drams. For 6 balls, one every 
 morning or every other morning. 
 
 TONIC DIURETIC BALL. 
 
 Gentian, i dram; ginger, j4 dram; salphate of iron, 2 
 drams ; nitre, }4 oz. ; resin, j4 oz. Mix with molasses. 
 
 FEVER BALLS. 
 
 Emetic tartar, j4 dram ; camphor, j4 dram ; nitre, 9 
 drams ; ginger, 3 drams. Mix in ball. 
 
 s 
 
200 VALUABLE MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS. 
 
 Antimonial powder, 2 drams; nitre, 3 drams; cream 
 tartar, 2 drams ; honey to form a ball. In influenza twice 
 a day, after a mild laxative. 
 
 BALLS FOR FARCY AND GLANDERS. 
 
 Sulphate of copper, i dram; calomel, 20 grains; common 
 turpentine, 3 drams; licorice powder and syrup to form a 
 ball. 
 
 Sulphate of iron, 2 drams; iodide of potassium, 10 gr.; 
 gentian, 2 drams; ginger, i dram, and treacle to form a 
 ball. 
 
 COUGH BALLS. 
 
 Emetic tartar, ^^ dram; digitalis, y^ dram; nitre, 1^ 
 dram; tar enough to form a ball. One every night. 
 
 Powdered squills, i dram; gum ammoniac, 3 drams; 
 opium, Yz dram ; syrup to form a ball. 
 
 FOR BLOODY URINE. 
 
 Acetate of lead, 10 gr.; sulphate of zinc, 40 gr.; catechu, 
 4 drams ; conserve of roses to form a ball. One daily. 
 
 FOR DIABETES. 
 
 Catechu, ^ oz.; alum, ^ dram ; sugar of lead, 10 gr.; 
 with conserve of roses to form a ball. 
 
 ANODYNE DRENCHES. 
 
 Opium, I dram, dissolved in warm water, ^ pint ; add 
 I quart of starch gruel. 
 
 Mix tincture of opium, i oz. with sweet spirits of nitre, 
 xyi oz.; ess. peppermint, i dram, and water, i pint. 
 
VALUABLE MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS. 201 
 
 "WORM PO"WDERS 
 
 Sulphur, I oz.; tartar emetic, 4 drams; common salt, 
 8 oz., liver of antimony, i oz. Mix for 6 doses; i daily, 
 in wetted corn. 
 
 TO CUBE AN INDOLENT ULCER. 
 
 Take the green scum that gathers on the water in the 
 frog ponds in the spring and summer ; boil over a slow fire ; 
 then add fresh butter to the consistence of an ointment. 
 This is an Indian remedy; cured an ulcer of seventeen 
 years* standing that had resisted all other treatment. 
 
 The gentleman whom it cured deemed it so valuable, and 
 desiring to benefit those that may be similarly afflicted, re- 
 quested that I would put it in my book. 
 
 For a lacerated wound and bruise, I have found the 
 following so effective a remedy that I insert it. It has a 
 peculiarly soothing, healing effect. I once had one of my 
 big toes crushed by a heavy horse stepping upon it ; under 
 like circumstances, previously found even arnica or lauda- 
 num to afford the desired relief; by pouring some of this 
 on the part, wetting the stocking, in fifteen minutes I had 
 no pain, and had no trouble afterwards : 
 
 Simple tincture of marigold, called callendula, reduced 
 one-third to one-half with soft water. Bathe the part re- 
 peatedly with it. It possesses remarkable healing qualities. 
 
 GRAIN FOUNDER— CURE OF. 
 
 Take three pints of vinegar, into which put six red pep- 
 per pods, and boil until reduced to one quart. When cool, 
 give as a drench. Blanket the horse warmly. This will 
 put the horse in a profuse perspiration, and perform a per- 
 fect cure. The gentleman of whom I got this, cured a 
 valuable horse that got into his granary and ate so much 
 grain that he was in the morning perfectly stiff. One dose 
 made a perfect cure. He said he would not be without it 
 for one hundred dollars. 
 
202 VALUABLE MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS. 
 
 CONDITION POWDEK. 
 
 One-half pound grains paradise, ground; y^, lb. ground 
 ginger; ^ ft), powdered gentian; 6 oz. cumin seed, ground; 
 6 oz. fenugreek, ground; 6 oz. carbonate soda; 6 ft>s. 
 common brown sugar; i^ ft)s. salt. Put in one hundred 
 pounds of meal. Dose: one pint to be given with the 
 usual food. 
 
 This is considered one of the best tonic condition pow- 
 ders ever used. It is sold in the eastern cities at a large 
 price, under the name of Condition Food, and is held as a 
 secret of great value. I have known ^50 to be refused for 
 the receipt. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Read first the chapter " Preliminary Hints, etc.," on page 24 ; next 
 the chapter on " Excessive Fear — the Causes of, etc.," page 57. In 
 the school you were taught principles of subduing or taming horses. 
 To aid still further, I include here a few additional hints. 
 
 The great stumbling-block to horsemen is the difference they say 
 there is in horses. What will break one horse easily, will have scarcely 
 any effect upon another, if not, indeed, make them more vicious and 
 unmanageable. As I have shown, this trouble is the result of thought- 
 lessness or ignorance. This duty, above most all others, demands not 
 only a knowledge of principles, but that, at the foundation of a knowl- 
 edge of these principles, there must be firmness, delicacy and patience 
 in feeling your way, when you are not sure of easy and direct success. 
 And, besides, the instances of horses being very vicious and bad are 
 really almost rare, and it is to the control of such that we must bring 
 to bear the advantage of skill. 
 
 But the well-meaning reader will often ask, won't your system 
 break any horse without so many perplexing conditions? Rr.rey and 
 others claimed they could make any horse gentle, and were very suc- 
 cessful. And what do you mean by so many conditions if your system 
 is an improvement? 
 
 It is easy enough to claim great skill and power in the subjection 
 of horses, but this does not prove real skill. We should go back and 
 examine and compare principles, and judge of their value and points 
 of merit. In the first place, people were not so exacting and critical 
 years ago as now. We are now required to do more, and the results 
 we are able to show are so much greater than could be shown upon 
 horses of the same disposition and habits by any and all old systems, 
 that there is no comparison. The art of controlling and subduing 
 wild or vjcious horses I have shown to have reduced to an exact science, 
 leaving nothing to be desired. But I would remind that we are act- 
 ing upon fixed conditions, that these conditions are unalterable. Some 
 horses are naturally gentle, others vicious. Some are dull and stupid, 
 while others are quick to comprehend, and no matter hov/ perfect the 
 treatment, success must be regulated very much by the character of 
 the subject. But my object is to simplify these difficulties, and to do 
 so would call your attention to what is said about dispositions on page 
 30. But here you are simply reminded of extremes. 
 
204 APPENDIX. 
 
 In the first place, the dispositions of the different classes of domes- 
 tic animals would seem to be, in a greater or less degree, developed 
 in the horse, showing, as it were, peculiarities of strata, and in pro- 
 portion as there is preponderance of any combination or peculi- 
 arity of strata, we have developed what we call disposition. Thus 
 one horse will remind, by his temper, of the hog, the bear or mule, 
 while another wdl show the reverse, of the sheep or gazelle, while 
 another shows the elements of the feline nature. The first, if aroused, 
 is sulky — a stolid, reckless sort of action, that goes headlong, regardless 
 of consequences, or is stupidly sullen. The other is moved wholly by 
 fear, and will not bear excitement or abuse. There is a timidity and 
 fear underlying its actions that points to any sort of punishment or 
 abuse as only increasing the resistance and fears of the animal. 
 While the third would seem to work in nicely by ordinary, careful 
 treatment ; but rouse its temper, the eyes become bloodshot and the 
 whole nature would seem to be excited to fury. And here, we see, 
 are endless modifications of these extremes. But if you will look at 
 the eyes, ears and head carefully, there will be noticeable a singular 
 correspondence of construction and expression to the disposition an<* 
 character. The good disposition — a large brownish eye, the ear is 
 short and tapering and the nostrils large ; the head is broad between 
 the eyes, and short from eyes to ears. 
 
 The sulky, stupid nature — eye medium or small, eyelids heavy, the 
 ears long and flabby; but if other features are even good, excitement 
 will reveal a persistent, willful temper. 
 
 The third — a large and clear eye, eyelids thin, quick to learn but 
 over-sensitive, ears pointed, nostrils open, full brain, texture dense and 
 fine. The fourth has a stolid expression ; no movement of eye or head 
 but ni a suspicious manner, that will not bear any trifling, or resists 
 only when excited. And so I could go on, according to modification, 
 to an endless degree. But these conditions you must study. Move 
 slowly and carefully when you are not sure of what you have ; never take 
 any chances you can avoid. What you do, do well. I mean do not 
 suppose a horse that seems to work gently after a course of subjection, 
 can be always depended upon. Try the animal thoroughly for several 
 days following, if necessary, until you find prompt, sure obedience. 
 
 A horse should be perfectly obedient to the bit, but not too tender. 
 Be careful how you force the mouth much of a horse that will not 
 pull against the bit, and be just as careful to know that you have the 
 most thorough control over the mouth of a courageous, runaway 
 horse. There is the widest latitude in the training necessajry to the 
 mouth. One horse will resist the bit with rare courage, while another 
 will give up in a few minutes. But you should indirectly aim to over- 
 come the cause of the resistance, and then carry out your point with 
 the reins and bit. 
 
 In the training of colts especially you cannot be too thorough in 
 overcoming all sense of fear of anything striking or touching the 
 hind ptirts. If the tail is sensitive, disposed to catch the rein (has 
 been spoiled), make the crouper large, as directed, and wear under 
 
APPENDIX. 205 
 
 the tail for at least a week. But if the colt is over-sensitive and vi- 
 cious, subject carefully to subjective treatment first. Use the mildest 
 treatment you can, and win the better nature by kindness. When 
 the animal submits from necessity, at once give presents of apples, 
 oats or anything else of which the horse is fond. This is a powerful 
 point, especially in the management of those horses that are sensitive, 
 but if excited that are recklessly obstinate. 
 
 TAMING HORSES. 
 
 It is not a little amusing to read the accounts of different writers of 
 the powers exhibited by different persons at different times over vicious 
 horses. Indeed, the simplest exhibitions of control over horses were 
 regarded within the domain of the black art. And it is not a little 
 singular that, in the broad sunlight of the present era of intelligence, 
 there are many who believe that there can be but few in any age who 
 can be gifted with such power. 
 
 Like the soothsayers and doctors of old times, who consulted the 
 horoscope of the stars, or resorted to some complicated, mysterious 
 humbugging, to have revealed the secret and Aeans of cure, there has 
 been an enchantment and mystery about the control of the horse, that 
 has been regarded with open-mouthed wonder. 
 
 In 1825, a man named Bull, who lived in Stanton le Vale, in Lin- 
 colnshire, Eng., was renowned for his exhibitions of power over vicious 
 horses. His art was a secret of the greatest importance. Mr. T. John 
 son, a neighbor, owning a very vicious horse, was induced to take him 
 to Bull to be tamed, and finally induced Bull to teach him (Johnson) 
 the secret, paying therefor a large price. Bull's secret was explained 
 as follows: First catch your horse, then strap the near fore leg up 
 round the arm of the animal ; lead him about on three legs until he 
 becomes tired or weary. He will then allow you to handle him any- 
 where. Then attach a strap with a ring to the off fore fetlock ; to this 
 ring fasten another strap, which, being brought over the horse's back to 
 the near side, is put through the ring on the off fore fetlock. Return 
 the end of the strap to the near side, keeping fast hold, and move the 
 animal on and pull. He will then be thrown upon his knees, when, 
 after struggling some time, by gentle usage, he will lie down. After 
 unloosing the straps again, put him through the same process as be- 
 fore, when the horse will lie down whenever required. Dick Chislian's 
 (also a noted horse-tamer) secret consisted of tying up the near fore 
 foot, and so driving or riding him until entirely manageable. A man 
 named Sullivan, who lived in Mallow, Ireland, in 1820, by some means 
 learned this secret. He pretended his secret was in a peculiar way of 
 whispering into the horse's ear, and the most intelligent people of that 
 town, ev» n the parish priest, regarded his performances with more 
 than wou'^er ; and even yet, in that part of Ireland, Sullivan's exploits 
 are refer; /'d to with a sort of awe, that is as surprising as it is amusing. 
 
 A Di»fl. Offut, who traveled mostly in the south and west, claimed 
 the mos'i wonderful powers over horses. His secret was the same, 
 with slJght variations, as Bull's, and it was claimed by Offut that he 
 
206 APPENDIX. 
 
 gave the secret to John S. Rarey, who afterwards became famous, and 
 who received over $100,000 in England alone, for this secret. 
 
 And now for the great secret medicine which has been sold through 
 the country for large prices, and many a man will still tell you will do 
 it every time. All you have to do is to get it and your success is sure : 
 
 Oil of rhodium, oil of cummin or oil of anise seed. These should be 
 kept in air-tight bottles, ready for use. Next, the wart, or horn castor, 
 as it is called, which grows on the inside of the horse's leg ; dry, and 
 grate it very fine, and keep also in an air-tight bottle. To catch a 
 horse : Smear the hand with a little of the castor and oils, going to the 
 windward, and gradually approach until the nose can be touched, when 
 by fondling and rubbing, putting at the same time some of the ingre- 
 dients into the horse's nose, he will soon become gentle. 
 
 Catlin, the noted traveler among the Indians, states that the Indians 
 breathe into the nostrils of young buffaloes to make them follow. I 
 have heard a great deal said at different times, and by different parties, 
 of the great things they could do with medicine and means, but I never 
 saw any practical proofs that were at all satisfactory. I give above the 
 great secrets of Rarey and others. Now, we see that all this is hardly 
 worth the name of a seSret or system. It is easy to talk about horses 
 not doing anything bad if they were not badly treated, etc. "We might 
 just as well claim we would not be sick if we lived right, and that doc- 
 tors were unnecessary, or that fire-engines would be unnecessary if 
 proper precautions were taken to prevent fires. In one sense this is 
 true, in another it is fallacious reasoning. We do not understand the 
 horse's nature, and probably never will so that it will not be found 
 necessary to resort to scientific principles of control. They are as 
 necessary as the skillful physician's help in emergencies of sickness or 
 accident, and as the well-equipped fire brigade to arrest and put out 
 promptly what might result in fatal destruction. So, in like manner, 
 we must study scientific principles of reaching and mastering the dif- 
 ficulties presented in the control and management of vicious or unman- 
 ageable horses, as modern research, based upon a higher and broader 
 intelligence, has enabled clearer perceptions of principles and the in- 
 troduction of remedies and inventions to more directly, and naturally 
 aid nature when exposed to disease or accident ; and as the difficulties 
 of the firemen, with the old hand-pump and bucket were simplified 
 and superceded by scientific means and the invention of steam-engines, 
 by which the difficulties presented are reached and overcome with ease 
 and power. In like manner we are now able to prevent and overcome 
 the difficulties of educating and making wild and vicious horses gentle 
 with an ease and directness which would be entirely impossible by 
 the principles used formerly by Rarey and others. The feats of control 
 I have shown by my treatment, and I show almost daily in illustrating 
 my system, would be entirely impossible by such treatment. My sys- 
 tem combines all the elements of success demanded, embodying well- 
 defined principles that will make the difficulties presented easily 
 reached and overcome. It demands also in a high degree fine, keen 
 perception and great firmness of purpose, that really but calls out and 
 develops the highest and finest qualities of our nature. 
 
APPENDIX. 207 
 
 HARNESSING. 
 
 Be very particular about the fitting of the harness. It should rest 
 easy on every part, yet fit nicely. The belly-band should not be over- 
 tight ; undue pressure stops the circulation, is uncomfortable and may 
 chafe. Be specially particular about the bridle fitting nicely, not pull- 
 ing the bit across the lips — should rest in the mouth naturally and 
 easily when checked up ; that the throat latch is not too tight. 
 Many a horse is half choked, and often even spoiled, from this cause, 
 without its being suspected. The fitting of the harness should be at- 
 tended to as carefully as the fitting of a suit of clothes — that it is not at 
 least uncomfortably tight anywhere. There are many horses that a little 
 careful, encouraging management would work in so gently that they 
 would not be suspected capable of much resistance or acting badly, 
 that a little harsh, rough treatment will make act very badly. I don't 
 like checking the head up high, especially a colt that don't know what 
 it means. The check at all times should be moderately loose, and if a 
 horse drives well and naturally good action, better be left off, or just 
 enough to keep the head in place. > 
 
 Always work the colt slowly at first, teaching him to go right and 
 left, and ahead, with reins, as directed in driving colts in harness, and 
 if you will give little presents of oats, corn, or anything else of which 
 the horse is fond, it will help your purpose very much and teaches 
 yourself patience. Always be mindful how you would probably act 
 yourself if in the horse's place, if jerked and pulled about, perhaps 
 made to feel the whip keenly, and that it requires a little time for a 
 horse to understand what is wanted to be done. 
 
 People get mixed up in these matters, and ask, how is it then that 
 you drive a horse so quickly, and yet you tell us to work slow and care- 
 ful ; we don't understand this. 
 
 I make a horse or colt, by my process of training, so that he will 
 submit to being harnessed, handled and submit to shafts striking the 
 hind parts very quickly. This is what we term taming a horse. If he 
 happens to work in quickly to the control of the bit, he will drive 
 afterwards gently. But very much of my success in this will depend 
 upon the type of his temperament ; a sulky, surly disposition always 
 working in slowly, yet surely, if only patient. I can make any colt 
 gentle by the simple course of subjection in from ten to twenty min- 
 utes, with very rare exceptions, but it will often require an hour or two 
 to teach a colt to rein easily and nicely, and this comes under the head 
 of details requiring this *' knack " of teaching or winning into doing 
 what is wanted, and is a matter of a little patience in teaching. In 
 breaking COLTS your point should be to make them entirely fearless and 
 gentle, then teach slowly and carefully what to do. In breaking OLD 
 HORSES, or those having bad habits fastened upon them, to overcome 
 in the most thorough manner the weakness of resistance, whatever it 
 is, drill on this one point until sure of success, let it be long or short. 
 If the horse is moved by fear and determined in resistance, work sharp 
 
208 APPENDIX. 
 
 and quick until you make your point, and then all you will have to do 
 will be to hold it until the horse becomes cool and the excitement to 
 the nervous system wears off. There is what may appear to be a 
 curious contradiction, but nevertheless it is true, that those horses most 
 known and noted for their viciousness, that are called the worst horses, 
 are in most instances easiest to break. 
 
 Wild Pete, of Petroleum Center, a nine-year-old horse, so wild and 
 bad that he resisted all efforts to break him to harness, yielded to my 
 treating in one hour, and has been used as a family carriage-horse since 
 (over four years). The Bill Press horse, of Gowanda, N. Y., a wildish, 
 reckless, runaway kicker, spoiled by bad management, resisted all ef- 
 forts to subdue and control him in harness. Press, the owner, was in- 
 credulous when I proposed hitching him in harness in twenty minutes. 
 He said he and four of the best horsemen of his township (Gowanda, 
 which is noted for its sharp, skillful horsemen), worked a half a day 
 with him, and utterly failed ; he said ten men could not put him in 
 shafts. I drove him in fifteen minutes all alone, and in an hour's 
 time broke him thoroughly. The Buffalo Omnibus Co. horse, referred to 
 in paper, was completely subdued and reformed by me in twenty minutes. 
 The famous Malone horse, of Cleveland, was under perfect control in 
 less than an hour. When in Columbus, O., a seven-year-old horse out 
 of Cruiser, that had resisted all efforts to break, and was supposed to 
 be worthless, yielded to my treatment in twenty minutes, and remained 
 perfectly gentle afterwards. A seven-year-old Gold Dust mare, owned 
 by McVay in Mansfield, O., and purchased by him of L. L. Dorsey, the 
 breeder of Kentucky. This mare was a natural kicker, was sold by 
 Dorsey to McVay, when three years old, as an incorrigible kicker. She 
 had resisted the most persistent and skillful efforts to subdue and break 
 her, and was truly a bad mare, all soils of treatment having failed 
 upon her, yet forty minutes' treatment, with careful, gentle handling 
 and driving for a few days, completely reformed her. I could multiply 
 cases of this kind in my long experience by the hundred, to show the 
 curious extremes in horses, and I refer to them here to remind you 
 that you are not to measure your success by the management of such 
 cases. The most skill and the most effort will often be demanded in 
 the management of cases that are not known to be bad or vicious. 
 
 It is the cool, almost calculating fighter — the mare that seems gentle 
 in all places but one, a«d then she is, perhaps, lightning itself in hang- 
 ing on, in contesting the efforts ; perhaps it is the balker, that will re- 
 sist only at one point, at all others a splendid worker. Some minor 
 defect of character in an otherwise gentle, willing worker. One horse 
 will, perhaps, pull on one rein. Another will kick if the rein is 
 caught under the tail, can't be shod, etc. While the average of these 
 minor habits yield readily to treatment — a matter, perhaps, of a few 
 minutes' work — you may find cases that will call for more real skill 
 and effort to break up than is necessary to break horses regarded and 
 known to be very bad. If you find one of these give-and-take treach- 
 erous cases, you must make your point clear and sure; make your 
 fight quick and decisive if you can, and always in the position and 
 
APPENDIX. 209 
 
 place of resistance. The moment you^ake your point, keep to work, 
 requiring the horse to do over and over what is demanded, but re- 
 warding liberally for obedience, with apples or anything of which the 
 horse is fond ; and once making your point, don't flatter yourself, make 
 your success sure. These fellows (horses and mares) are treacherous ; 
 they will or may try you on, when not looking for it, hence make up 
 your mind, if the horse is one of courage and bottom, to try him over 
 and over most thoroughly, and if any inclination of resistance, contest it 
 until the point is made sure ; but once beyond this be the careful, adroit 
 manager, in a measure flattering and winning as you would a child. 
 Now there is often, in horsemen of even much practical experience, 
 manifested great lack of what I would call ordinary good sense or skill in 
 this art of management. If they learn a system, the system must do 
 it all ; break the horse down on the kill or cure principle, without 
 thinking that working along, carefully feeling their way as it were, is 
 indispensable. When a careful engineer lets on steam, he does it at 
 first slowly, that he may gradually get momentum without needless 
 strain. To put on full head of power, because he can and knows how 
 to do it, would be exposing to great hazard of spoiling and breaking 
 down the machinery ; and if the machinery is highly tempered and 
 nicely balanced there is the more danger of this. It is the tact, the 
 gentleness, the firmness, the clear conception of the whole duty and of 
 the possible consequences that makes success here. And so it is as a 
 master of this duty, for no machine was ever made by man more com- 
 plex, more fully and perfectly balanced and more necessary that its 
 laws and principles of government should be regarded in its manage- 
 ment, than that of a finely organized horse, or success in the manage- 
 ment of which more clearly shows the value of skill. 
 
 When about leaving New York, a well known gentleman, a per- 
 sonal friend, requested that I would remain a day and show a horse 
 breaker, a man who attended all the horse-taming schools in that city, 
 a naturally good fellow, but crude in his ideas, how to manage a trot- 
 ting mare he had just purchased. She was high-toned, eager, coura- 
 geous and plucky, and had been subjected to severe treatment, but she 
 would resent the drudgery of any heavy pulling or rough handling, and 
 was acting badly. This man worked her and insisted upon hitching 
 her to a heavy express wagon. That is just what you should not do 
 with this mare, I insisted, and you will only spoil her by persisting in 
 doing so. I obtained a light sulky, walked her gently at first, then 
 let her out on a trot and soon could let her out as I pleased under any 
 excitement without trouble. The mare only needed working up slowly 
 and carefully, and with, perhaps, a few touches at the right time 
 and place, would have worked in nicely ; but worked as she had been, 
 and by such a man, I should regard it almost a miracle to make her 
 work successfully without breaking down her constitution, or spoiling 
 her. 
 
 A three-year-old thorough-bred colt, of a very high-strung, bad dis- 
 position, was presented in New York to be driven in harness. I sub- 
 jected the colt to treatment and soon had her in harness, but knew 
 
 14 
 
210 APPENDIX. 
 
 nothing of the bit or rein, beingj^ overworked and limited in time ; told 
 a man, who had been with me for years and worked well, to hitch up 
 and drive this colt gently, and by all means must not excite her — to 
 take his time, work her slow, that on any account he must not excite 
 her. But treating her as he would a common colt and getting her mad, 
 she resisted the most severe and abusive treatment, which he, by losing 
 his temper, inflicted in his effort to drive her in this way. The conse- 
 quence was the colt was not fit to be seen or handled for two weeks. 
 The owner generously overlooking the matter, and when over the effects 
 of the abuse, in twenty minutes I was able to drive her as I desired 
 gently, and did successfully in the presence of her owner, without the 
 least excitement or abuse. 
 
 I refer to these cases, out of hundreds I could mention, to show that 
 assumed experience and practice is not all that is necessary. Behind 
 all this, firm, sound judgment is necessary, and this is what makes true 
 success in this or any other field of effort. 
 
 This sort of nameless knack or skill, I will call it, is always called 
 for in working in some horses; those, I mean, of a really courageous, 
 determined resistance. But at the foundation of it is being careful 
 and patient. A colt or horse that is sensitive, especially colts, must 
 be worked along slowly, first with the harness only. If the colt will 
 not go straight ahead at first, pull the near rein out of the shaft loop 
 or terret, shorten your hold of it and he will come around you 
 in a circle freely. Reverse this and gradually let out until you can 
 drive on a straight line, but do not go any further until there is prompt, 
 free obedience to the reins. The next step should be driving to 
 poles, as explained on page 51. A little slow, careful work now will 
 lay the foundation of making your after-work easy and sure. Rough, 
 careless work now may start the colt in kicking, balking, resisting 
 in some way that will require very careful, thorough handling to 
 thoroughly overcome. 
 
 Always make the point first of making the colt gentle to be handled 
 and touched all over, behind and before. From this proceed to train 
 as desired. The constantly varying conditions of disposition and habit 
 call for much genius to attain success. It demands, anyhow, strong 
 control of the passions and a firm resolution to be patient, in fact the 
 highest qualities of good sense and manhood are demanded back of 
 all your efforts. There is often required great hazard and great firm- 
 ness and courage. But this does not imply foolhardy rashness. No- 
 thing should be trusted to chance that precautionary measures can 
 prevent. It is no evidence of skill to get hurt, run away with or 
 kicked, or that you had such and such accidents. It is true skill to 
 anticipate such trouble and guard against it, or overcame 't. You 
 should study those causes that are at the foundation in .coiling horses. 
 For example, in exciting undue fear, in making horse , vicious, your 
 lesson and other parts of this work will aid in giving a knowledge of 
 this duty in its complexity of bearing. Following out these analogies, 
 you will notice changes of expression peculiar to disposition and habit. 
 The leerish expression of the kicker, the sulky expression of the 
 
 I 
 
APPENDIX. 211 
 
 balker, the lop ears of the sulker, the prompt, wiry expression and 
 pointed ear of the eager, intelligent, courageous character, and learn 
 to adapt your efforts to the control of each with increased success as 
 you get practice. 
 
 SHOEING. 
 
 In the first place the object of trimming and fitting the foot for the 
 shoe is to bring it back to its natural shape and bearing. If the foot 
 is healthy, the safest course is not to touch the frog or sole, but cut 
 down the wall from the heel to the toe until tlje bearing is natural. 
 The bearing of the shell or hoof should be level. The shoe should be 
 made to fit the foot, only so much longer as the foot will grow in the 
 time it is expected to be on. The bearing surface of the shoe should 
 be level and fit exactly all the way round to the foot. This means just 
 what is said, and the owner should see that the shoe is level at the 
 heels and not beveled in cup shape as shoes will usually be found vvhen 
 ready to be nailed on. Next see that the shoe is as big as the foot. 
 The best way is to sternly object to allowing the foot to be touched 
 with a red hot shoe and never on any conditions to allow the shoe to 
 be burned into the foot to fit it. 
 
 Let the nail holes be as well forward in the toe as possible, at all 
 events do not allow the nails to go into but one heel. 
 
 Do not, under any circumstances, allow any rasping under nail 
 clenches, and none over them ; no filing at all on the outside of the 
 hoof, not even below the clinches, excepting enough down near the 
 shoe to round the edge, but on no account should the hoof be cut down 
 to the shoe, because the shoe happens to be small or short. This sort 
 of work must not be allowed, yet it is just what all country shoers will 
 insist on doing. Simply let the nails be cut off with nippers, clenched 
 down upon the outside of the horn and if there is any soreness or 
 tenderness the hammering should be light, and carefully done. As to 
 corks, &c., their object is to prevent slipping. In a slate of health 
 the nearer the foot is to the ground the better. If the feet are getting 
 dry and hard, you should take measures to keep them damp. Flax 
 seed wet with water, stuffing or buckling a couple of thicknesses of 
 wet blanket around the foot. The simplest way is to throw some 
 water on the bedding under fore feet during the day. 
 
 CONTRACTION. 
 
 If in a state of health, the object should be to keep the feet natural 
 and healthy, the object now should be to bring the foot back to its 
 natural shape. If one heel is drawn in, then, this only heel should be 
 brought back natural. If both heels are drawn in, then both should 
 be spread back. Two conditions now become necessary, first that the 
 foot is prepared properly, and second that we have mechanical means 
 that will enable spreading the heels without injury, yet as desired. 
 The practice of sawing between the heels and frog, and then putting 
 
*il2 APPENDIX. 
 
 on an expansion shoe and spreading the quarters outward violently, is 
 exceedingly cruel and dangerous. In the first place if the object is to 
 weaken the horn between bar and frog it can be done but very im- 
 perfectly with a saw and violently spreading the heels, and thus, in a 
 measure, bursting the shell apart will produce violent inflammation 
 and lameness. Spreading the heels even in some cases a quarter of 
 an inch, but little resistance may be shown, the horse may walk to his 
 stable all right, but in a few hours, if examined, he may be in great 
 pain, possibly in a high state of fever. It is really very doubtful pol- 
 icy for you to intrust a good horse in the hands of doubtful men who 
 travel the country assuming to cure all sorts of lameness by this 
 system of treatment. 
 
 The first thing to be done in the way of curing contraction, is to 
 thoroughly soak the feet, either by poulticing by tying two or three 
 thicknesses of blanket around the feet and keeping wet for 24 hours, or 
 standing the feet in a tub in which is some mud. When the horn is 
 soft, cut down the feet level to the point of removing the superfluous 
 horn ; now, with a knife adapted to the purpose, weaken the horn be- 
 tween the heel and point of the frog, especially back, near and at the 
 point of the heel. This done properly on both sides, fit a shoe of the 
 simple flat kind accurately to the shell. Well back at the turn on each 
 side, cut or file out enough, as shown in the Tyrrell shoe, but further 
 back, so that it will bend as desired, about at the widest part. Now 
 lay on the shoe as intended to be nailed and mark on the outside over 
 the inside of the bar at the point of the heel ; punch or drill two holes 
 through, if you can obliquely the direction of the bar ; make and drive 
 two strong spikes from the ground surface up. Now bend and file 
 these spikes so that they will extend up and back inside the bar at the 
 point of the heels. The shoe must fit all round, there must be special 
 attention to having those spikes fit, resting against the bar, but not so 
 long as to come against the sole above. Nail on now, carefully, do 
 not, by any means, allow the nails to be large, or rasping of the shell 
 outside. This done, spread the shoe not over three-sixteenths of an 
 inch, if shoe is fitted close. The heels, it is seen, are spread so far as 
 the shoe is opened. This spreading should be repeated once every one 
 or two days, but never more than an eighth of an inch at a time, but 
 follow it up until the foot is brought back to its natural shape. 
 
 This is the Tyrrell principle, but it is next to impossible to fit a 
 Tyrrell shoe. If too large or small, in the least, it will not do. The 
 improvement I give makes it simple and entirely practical. Experi- 
 ence teaches the writer that not one horseman in fifty and not one 
 shoer in a hundred can, or will, carry out properly and make a success 
 with the aid and the hints given here and in the chapter on shoeing. 
 
 If the HEELS are w^eak, do not grow horn enough, do not cut away 
 any when paring for the shoe. Simply level the foot, being as careful 
 as you can not to waste by undue cutting where there is none to spare. 
 The shoe should be fitted carefully, and in this case must, in a measure, 
 protect the foot. For where the horn is light at the heel the sole is 
 also usually light and will not bear pressure. 
 
APPENDIX. 213 
 
 If there is a corn, you must protect that part from pressure, and 
 this is done best by bringing pressure on the frog with a bar shoe, but 
 if there is weakness or inflammation in the coffin-joint this is not by 
 any means advisable, as it would aggravate the difficulty ; you must now 
 use an ordinary open shoe with middling high heel-corks, with no toe- 
 cork, on the contrary, you should round the toe to imitate an old shoe, 
 by bending or turning up the toe. If the horse is stiff and sore, in all 
 cases round the toe, so that the foot will naturally roll a little, and thus 
 in a measure relieve the strain upon the machinery of the foot and 
 joint above it. To make the heels stronger, that is, have more horn, 
 stimulate coronary ring at the upper edge of the hoof, using a mild 
 blister, just enough to stimulate sharply, twice a week, or use the Hoof 
 Liniment, but you must grow horn from the top down, and you will 
 not see benefit until you have grown the foot down pretty well. If 
 you have contraction, open the feet as directed, minding to keep the 
 feet stuffed when in stable, at all events the feet must not be allowed 
 to get dry and hard. 
 
 QUARTER CRACK. 
 
 The only practical way to cure quarter crack is to open the heel on 
 that side, between bar and frog, cutting well down but not to bleed, 
 until the quarter will give freely, then put on the shoe for expanding 
 the heels. In this case you are to open or spread only the inner heel. 
 The hoof is simply too small for the foot, and doing this properly 
 reaches the point directly. In addition burn with a firing iron a crease 
 across at the upper edge of the hoof. If this is done properly the 
 hoof will not split any more. You may now grow the hoof more 
 rapidly if you desire, but opening the foot and shoe is the point of 
 success. 
 
 Mr. Bonner is the most profound and practical student of the foot 
 in this or any other country. The writer is indebted to him for many 
 valuable hints on the care and management of the feet, but does not 
 feel at liberty to publish details of his treatment. He is a man of 
 rare, round common sense, in all that he says and does, who goes to 
 the bottom of a thing. His industry and research is in fact wonderful, 
 in all that pertains to the care and management of horses. 
 
 MR. BONNER S SYSTEM OF FEEDING. 
 
 In the morning, at five o'clock in summer, and six o'clock in winter, 
 each horse is given two quarts of oats. At nine o'clock two quarts 
 more are given, and the same quantity is given again at one o'clock. 
 Before feeding, each horse is given all the water he will take, unless he 
 is to be driven, in which case the allowance is cut short a little. At 
 five o'clock in the afternoon the allowance of hay is given, usually 
 about ten pounds to each horse, and none is given at any other time 
 during the twenty-four hours. At nine in the evening, each horse is 
 given a hot supper prepared as follows : For the ten horses twenty 
 quarts of oats are put into a large kettle and boiled after which is 
 
214 APPENDIX. 
 
 added about the same quantity of wheat bran by measurement, with 
 the proportion of a teaspoonful of salt to each horse. The whole is 
 thoroughly mixed, and when sufficiently cool each is given his share. 
 If not driven, each horse is walked from half an hour to an hour daily, 
 and the greatest care is taken not to expose them needlessly for a 
 moment without clothing. 
 
 INGENIOUS ARRANGEMENT 
 
 For sifting, cleansing and measuring the grain for feeding. The 
 grain is conducted from the loft to the feeding floor by a spout in 
 which are two slides. Pulling one of them out a few inches permits 
 the escape of two quarts and the other one four quarts of grain, which 
 is deposited in a drawer beneath, in the bottom of which is a screen 
 with the handle projecting from the side of the spout. Moving this 
 handle right and left a few times removes all dirt and dust, and leaves 
 the grain clean and fresh, ready for use. 
 
 WHERE MEDICINES CALLED FOR IN THIS BOOK CAN BE 
 OBTAINED. 
 
 Anti-Fever Medicine, for Chills and Fevers, or Lung 
 Fevers, called for in this book under that head (page 152), 
 
 This medicine is unequaled for the treatment of inflammation of 
 the lungs, chills or fever of any kind. It is also just the thing for 
 staggers or inflammation of the brain. It has been used with great suc- 
 cess for colic and inflammation of the bowels — lately it is a specially 
 valuable remedy for the cure of inflammatory rheumatism in man. As 
 an external application, the writer has used it with great success in 
 acute inflammation of the eyes. Put 30 to 40 drops in half a tumbler 
 of soft water, and bathe the eye four or five times a day, more or less, 
 according to severity of case. 
 
 Black Ointment, for cure of blood and bone spavin, curb, ringbone, 
 and all external enlargements. 
 
 Address Wm. Somerville, V. S., 127 Erie st., Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 Anti-Fever Medicine, price $8.00 dozen, $5.00 half doz. $1.00 bot- 
 tle. Black Ointment same rates, C. O. D. or cash with order. 
 
 Dr. Somerville is a graduate of two colleges in Europe, 45 years* 
 practice, a scientific practitit>ner of a high order. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS. 
 
 There are chance receipts here that will be found valuable. At all 
 events, I give such plain, practical explanations, and include the best 
 remedies, obtained by me in various ways during my experience, as I 
 believe best and most reliable. Dr. Somerville informs the writer that 
 he is having the best of success lately in treating colic and inflamma- 
 tion of the bowels with the fever medicine. He gives about a tea- 
 spoonful every thirty minutes until there is relief. 
 
 You will, however, find the regular treatment under those special 
 beads, colic, pneumonia, inflammation of bowels, founder, to be, if 
 available, the best the writer has found, and in fact he gives the best 
 treatment he can. Altogether, this edition will be found much better 
 than any former one. 
 
 TO CURE A FISTULA, POLL EVIL OR ANY INDOLENT 
 ULCER. 
 
 Burn corn cobs to ashes, fill the sore to the bottom with the ashes. It 
 may be necessary to repeat two or three times, until a cure is effected. 
 
 A countryman who claimed he could cure any fistula, poll evil, etc., 
 with one or two applications of a certain remedy, brought forward 
 several neighbors who fully endorsed his assertions. One man said he 
 had a horse that had been doctored for fistula for two years without 
 doing any good, and at large expense. He was advised by this man 
 to treat as above directed, and a cure was effected in a few weeks. 
 Others who had used it endorsed the statement in the strongest terms. 
 In the cases referred to there was no effort at dressing the ulcer. The 
 ashes were stuffed to the bottom, when a granulating process set in 
 and gradually healed up. Being simple and safe it is worthy a trial, 
 and persons using it will confer a favor by reporting result to me at 
 Buffalo, N. Y., from which point all mail matter will be received. 
 
 TO CURE WEAK BACK. 
 
 O. J. Madison, livery keeper and large dealer in horses, of Mas- 
 sillon, Ohio, a few years ago, cured several very bad cases. One horse 
 was so weak that he would fall down and could not get up ; said it 
 would cure any case of weak back, and that he never knew it to fail. 
 
216 APPENDIX. 
 
 Give one grain of strychnine night and morning ; next take equal 
 parts of pine tar and pitch, warm until it spreads easily, and spread 
 over the small of the back, from the hip forward ten inches, and 
 across to almost the points of the hips ; then spread on cantharides 
 (should be well pulverized) until the pitch is thoroughly covered ; 
 then cover with two thicknesses of cotton flannel. 
 
 A stiff sticking plaster of this nature is called a charge, and the 
 following is one of the best formulas : 
 
 Burgundy pitch or common pitch, 5 ounces ; tar, 6 ounces : yellow 
 wax, I ounce, melted together, and when they ai-e becoming cool, 
 half a dram of powdered cantharides well stirred in. This must be 
 partially melted afresh when applied, and put on the part with a large 
 spatula as hot as it can be without giving too much pain. Tow or 
 cotton should be scattered over it while it is warm , this forms a thick, 
 adhesive covering, which cannot be separated from the skin for 
 months. This is applied for old sprains of the loins, and also strains 
 of the back sinews. The charge acts in three ways — by the slight 
 stimulating power which it possesses, gradually removes all deep- 
 seated inflammation ; it promotes absorption of any thickening 
 beneath, and gives general strength to the parts. 
 
 DR. SHELDON S TREATMENT FOR WORMS. 
 
 Dr. Sheldon says it never fails to clean the worms out of a horse. 
 
 1st. Bran mash. In 24 hours give i drachm of santonine, which 
 should be dissolved in water ; then 'mix in a quart of starch, and give 
 as a drench ; in 30 minutes give aloes in solution sufficient to move 
 the bowels promptly. The rule, as to the amount of aloes to be 
 given, is explained on page 197, under the head of Physicking. 
 
 The same authority claimed such success in the cure of Tetanus, 
 which is among the most difiicult diseases to control, that I include 
 his treatment. He claimed that it never failed to cure : 
 
 Take a large handful of lobelia (about i lb.) ; steep in a gallon of 
 water ; give one quart of the infusion ; put poultice of same over the 
 back of the head ; same on the cut, or part injured, and continue re- 
 peating, at first in thirty minutes ; repeating at longer intervals, as 
 there is improvement. Blanket warmly and keep in a quiet place. 
 
 Dr. Sheldon practices near Canandaigua, N. Y.; a man of experi- 
 ence He claims the most perfect success by this treatment. He was 
 for several years, Surgeon in charge of 7th Avenue R. R. stables, in 
 New York city. [Regular treatment on page 165.] 
 
 I would remind that the veterinary practice is mixed and doubtful 
 in the treatment of tetanus. Prof. Somerville said, I have tried all 
 kinds of treatment and failed. It is a hard disease to control. 
 
APPENDIX. 217 
 
 STICKING PLASTER THE VERY BEST. — BY AN OLD 
 
 PHYSICIAN. 
 
 Burgundy pitch, I oz. ; dragon's blood, I oz. ; oxcoro, I oz. ; Venice 
 turpentine, I oz. Put in a cup ; melt together. Spread, while warm, 
 on leather or cloth. 
 
 OLD MR. Gould's preparation for putting on the 
 
 CLAMPS FOR castrating HORSES. 
 
 Mr. Gould is a resident near Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y. He is 
 known in that and surrounding counties for his success in castrating 
 horses, claiming to have never lost a case, and but little swelling after 
 the operation. 
 
 The writer took particular pains to see the old man operate, and 
 learn his secret. 
 
 The horse was laid down and tied in the usual manner. He 
 washed the parts thoroughly with warm water, and then greased with 
 lard. The clamps were of the usual kind. It is the preparation he 
 put on the clamps that made his success, he said. 
 
 He put on the clamp, first rye flour paste ; on this sifts on equal 
 portions of red precipitate and corrosive sublimate, mixed together in 
 powder. In 24 hours the clamps were taken off. This method of 
 treatment has been pursued for many years by a friend of the author, 
 and he claims, with unfailing success, by never having lost a case, and 
 is followed by no appreciable swelling. 
 
 WIND-BROKEN, WHEEZING, OR WHISTLING. 
 
 On page 165 is given a remedy for the cure of whistling, and author- 
 ity. This proof, when set up, I was unable to read, but arranged, as I 
 supposed, for its being made according to copy. The printers, how- 
 ever made a bad blunder. Instead of " sponga fosta," it should 
 read " Spongia, and Fowler's " solution, 20 drops each, or 20 drops of 
 one in the morning, and the same of the other on the tongue at night, 
 and so repeating until a cure was effected, requiring from four to six 
 weeks. Mr. Conklin referred to, of 25 Jackson street, of that city, 
 informed the writer recently, after being carefully questioned about it, 
 after an experience of nearly five years, that his success has been en- 
 tirely satisfactory. Instead of dividing and giving alternately night 
 and morning, as before stated, he unites the medicines, and gives of 
 both, so united, 20 drops, night and morning. He said 'further, that 
 filling a sponge with spongia and pushing it up the nostrils of the 
 horse until thoroughly absorbed into the system, would give marked 
 immediate relief to a heavy or wheezy horse ; that he depended upon 
 it for relief to show up a horse well. 
 
 The above medicines are not on sale at the drug stores. Go to a 
 Homoeopathic Repository to get them or you will be annoyed and 
 disappointed. 
 
218 APPENDIX. 
 
 TO CURE WEAKNESS AND WEEPING OF THE EYES THE 
 
 LIDS SWOLLEN AND THE EYES WEAK. — FOR HORSES. 
 
 An old man's Remedy. Claimed that he never failed in curing 
 with it. 
 
 Take saltpetre, i}/^ oz. ; sulphate of zinc, i oz. ; suga-r of lead, i oz. 
 Mix all with a pint of vinegar and a quart of soft water. Take a 
 small sponge ; fill with it and squeeze in the hollow over the eye once 
 a day until a cure is effected. 
 
 Note. — Would bathe not only the part named, but the eye itself, 
 sponging around and into it. 
 
 CURE OF BIG LEG AND BLOOD SPAVIN. 
 
 Mr. James Brown of Troopsville, Cayuga Co., N. Y., cured a Blood 
 Spavin, by rubbing on at night a simple blister (i part Spanish flies 
 to 4 parts lard). 
 
 He put on the blister at night, and washed it off in the morning 
 and applied a liniment of salalmoniac and vinegar (reduced one-half 
 with water), rubbed in thoroughly, using the liniment two days and 
 blister one. It took nearly six weeks to make a cure. 
 
 For Big Leg, this treatment was kept up for eight weeks, to make 
 a cure. 
 
 BRUISE AND CUT ON MAN OR HORSE. 
 
 A favorite prescription of great value. 
 
 Laudanum, i oz.; arnica tine, i oz.; sassafras oil, i oz. Mix, band- 
 age lightly, when possible, and keep wet. Said the gentleman who 
 gave the above prescription, I bruised one of my fingers terribly, liter- 
 ally smashing nail and flesh. I was in the greatest pain. When, 
 after hours of suffering, a gentleman from New York accosted me, and 
 learning my trouble, said for thirty cents I can relieve and cure you. 
 He gave me this prescription. I had it put up, kept my finger wet with 
 it during the night, and next day there was no pain, and in two days 
 my finger was well. It removes all fire and pain and heals by first 
 intention. 
 
 There are two prescriptions in this book that are above all price for 
 cuts and bruises. One is the tincture of marigold, called callendula, 
 described on page 201, and the above. For man or horse they 
 are unrivaled and are worth far more to any family than the cost of this 
 book. One of my horses (Tommy), was kicked and seriously injured, 
 deep holes being made in the shoulder by the corks of the shoe. Se- 
 vere swelling and soreness followed immediately, making the horse 
 seriously lame and sore. Bathing thoroughly during the same evening 
 and night, following with the first-named remedy removed all soreness 
 and he went to work next day apparently as well as ever, and the cuts 
 were healed in two days. 
 
APPENDIX. 219 
 
 Mr. James Bennet, of Cleveland, a gentleman of great skill as a 
 horseman, and of the highest integrity, called my attention to the cal- 
 lendula preparation. Said he, I never saw anything that would take 
 out soreness like it. A stallion bit me on the back. I was in great 
 pain. A gentleman obtained some of it which he poured upon my 
 shirt over the part, and in twenty minutes I was relieved from pain. 
 The writer, in Painesville, Ohio, had a mare offered that pulled, on a 
 walk, six men by the bit around the ring. It was an exhibition of the 
 most desperate pluck imaginable. The result was the animal's tongue 
 was cut fully half off, and the mouth was badly bruised and became 
 terribly swollen in a short time. I had a few ounces of callendula with 
 me, which I had previously obtained to try it, if opportunity presented. 
 I reduced some of it one-third to one-half with water, and bathed the 
 mouth with it thoroughly, repeating at first every hour, and next day 
 every two to three hours. In the course of a few hours the swelling 
 went down and within three days the tongue was healed and the mouth 
 was entirely well. 
 
 You can make callendula by filling a bottle with marigold blows 
 and filling it with good whisky, and let stand until the strength is taken 
 up by the liquor. Reduce this one-third to one-half for use. Or you 
 can get it at a homoeopathic repository. It is not usually kept in 
 ordinary drug stores. 
 
 COUGH DROPS, FOR COLD AND COUGH. 
 
 Fluid extract belladonna, lo to 15 drops in a tablespoonful of water 
 on the tongue three or four times a day. If there is swelling of the 
 glands of the neck, and especially if the attack is acute, apply any 
 stimulating liniment or mild blister — anything that will act well as a 
 counter-irritant. This works splendidly in most cases. In fact you will 
 find it just the thing, as we have found and proved by long experience. 
 
 COUGH POWDERS. 
 
 An excellent remedy. 
 
 Liquorice root powdered, fenugreek, lobelia, blood root, camphor 
 gum, equal parts. Dose — tablespoonful two or three times a day in 
 feed. In all cases of acute or chronic cough, if thickening of glands 
 of neck, stimulate outside neck sharply. 
 
 EYE WASH. 
 
 A remedy of great value for inflammation of the eyes or sores of 
 any kind. 
 
 Orotus martes and white vitriol, equal parts ; dissolve in a half-pint 
 of snow water or pure soft water. Dissolve thoroughly, and when 
 settled pour off and add half as much more water. If too sensitive, 
 or much inflammation, reduce. 
 
 This has cured fever sores when all other treatment failed. Alzerah 
 Williams, Mrs. Waite of Jamestown, N. Y., and John Woodford of 
 West Hickory, Pa., were cured by it. 
 
220 APPENDIX. 
 
 FOR DEEP WOUNDS. 
 
 Prevents inflammation or tendency to sloughing or mortification. 
 
 One lb. saltpetre, i gallon water, I quart best whisky. Inject into 
 the wound with a syringe three times a day until a cure is effected. 
 
 A gun-shot wound, a foot deep, in the thigh of a horse (the ball 
 could not be found, remaining in the leg) was perfectly cured in two 
 weeks by this treatment. 
 
 In treating deep and dangerous wounds, especially if the animal is 
 plethoric or fat, take away the grain, give a dose of physic, feed 
 bran, carrots, etc. If grass is available substitute it for hay. You can 
 also omit physic if grass is given freely. The acid on the grass neu- 
 tralizes physic and makes it unnecessary. 
 
 FOR REMOVING CALLOUSES OR THICKENING, CURBS OR 
 BUNCHES OF ANY KIND. 
 
 Oil origanum, oil spike, oil amber, spirits turpentine ctnd camphor, i 
 ounce each. Rub on thoroughly two or three times a week. 
 
 When in Ohio, the writer bought a fine work hofse very cheap, on 
 account of having a very bad curb on one of his legs, making a very 
 disagreeable blemish. He was purchased late in June and kept con- 
 stantly to the hardest pulling as a wheel horse. A little of the above 
 medicine was rubbed on about once a week, sometimes oftener, and 
 again would frequently neglect doing so for more than that time. By 
 fall the enlargement was all gone, and the leg was as smooth and well 
 as the one opposite. 
 
 SLOW BUT SURE CURE FOR SPAVINS. 
 
 Spirits of turpentine and hog's lard, simmer in the sun three or 
 four days. Apply three or four times a week until well. By this 
 treatment the horse may be kept to his work. 
 
 TO CURE FITS. 
 
 Put as much valerian root, and the castor or wart from a horse's 
 leg, which is to be cleaned and cut into small pieces, as will be di- 
 gested in a pint of whisky. Dose — three teaspoonfuls each day, and 
 repeated until a cure is effected. A son of Mr. Hoyer's, of Shelby, 
 Niagara county, N. Y., twelve years old, was subject to fits terribly, 
 being in a fit sometimes, Mr. Hoyer stated, for two hours. Dr. Fail- 
 ing, of Royalton, next town, obtained the above remedy in Canada, 
 which cured the boy in six months. Mr. Henderson, hotel keeper of 
 Otisco, N. Y., claimed to have been cured by this prescription. 
 
APPENDIX. iJl 
 
 THE CURE OF SPAVINS, RINGBONES, SPLINTS, ETC. 
 
 On page i68, the nature of spavins, ringbone, etc., are explained 
 and the prescriptions for cure are given on pages 170 and 171. Great 
 imposition has been, and is practiced upon the public by extravagant 
 pretensions of ability to take off spavin, etc. Of having just the 
 " secret cure all " that will annihilate spavins, ringbones, etc., as by 
 magic. These pretended great secrets, are no secrets at all, and is 
 the most unblushing quackery to a veterinary surgeon. They are 
 usually combinations of the most powerful medicines modified by 
 others of the ordinary character, that will kill and destroy the skin 
 and subtissue of the part applied to if put on with any freedom, 
 thereby causing a bad sore and blemish. 
 
 The formulas on page 170 have been prepared with special care, 
 and are among the very best. 
 
 The point is, first, with a shears clip the hair from a large surface, 
 not as is generally done from the enlarged part, but considerable sur- 
 face surrounding. Rub the blister in thoroughly with the hand for at 
 least ten minutes. If a blister is not very strong, it can be made to 
 act quite well by rubbing it in well, and if strong it may act well by 
 merely rubbing it a few minutes. The rule should be to rub in well. 
 The lamer the animal, and more serious the spavin or the ringbone, 
 the stronger the remedy, and more thoroughly should it be rubbed in, 
 but not so strong as to dissolve the skin. This is to be avoided and 
 prevented. You can stop the action of a blister by greasing with 
 lard. 
 
 When a blister after two or three days ceases to act, you will be 
 governed in this by the strength of the blister, and the thoroughness 
 with which it has been rubbed in. Grease over with lard next day, or 
 in the course of twenty-four hours, wash with castile soap and 
 water. Rub dry, and put on more blister, and repeat in this way 
 three, four, five or more times, as the severity of the case may require. 
 If you stop short of enabling sufficient action to produce ancholosis, 
 there will be danger of failure. The animal must be kept up while 
 under treatment, and the tail should be so tied that the parts inflamed 
 will not be switched or touched by it. You must always clip off the 
 hair before applying a blister that is at all strong, if not it will be 
 raised and have a blemish. 
 
 The " Sweating Liniment," foot of page 170, the very strong sweat- 
 ing blister, and the one headed " \ Fine Absorbent," on head of page 
 171, are adapted more especially for taking off bunches, such as curb 
 splints, capped hocks, or other enlargements of such character. The 
 two other prescriptions following for spavin, ringbone, etc., are given 
 as good samples of the heroic blistering believed to be among the so- 
 called great secrets. The first, I have the best assurance, has been 
 soLl repeatedly for $50. The second is among the great secrets in 
 Western Pennsylvania and Ohio for the same purpose, and the secret 
 sold repeatedly for $100. 
 
222 APPENDIX. 
 
 A spavined horse will travel better if the inside heel-cork is ham- 
 mered down, or the inside of the shoe is perceptibly thinner, so as to 
 relieve pressure upon the inside of the leg. If ringboned before, 
 hammer, down the toe-cork, and turn the toe up like a well worn 
 down shoe, rounding up like a sled crook with medium crooks be- 
 hind. The object is to enable the foot to roll or turn on the ground 
 easily, and thus bring less strain upon the joint which is sore and 
 sensitive. 
 
 TO CURE CUTS OR BRUISES OF THE CHEEKS. 
 
 Use inside i dram tannin to ^ oz. borax, three or four parts 
 water ; swab once a day inside of wound. For outside dressing, use 
 tincture myrrh and aloes (described on foot page 184). All wounds 
 or injuries before being dressed should be washed or sponged clean 
 with castile soap and tepid water, then dress with medicine. Wounds 
 or sores should not be dressed oftener than once in 24 hours. 
 
 MAGIC LINIMENT. 
 
 Two oz. oil of spike, 2 oz. origanum, 2 oz. hemlock, 2 oz. worm- 
 wood, 4 oz. sweet oil, 2 oz. spirits ammonia, 2 oz. gSm camphor, 2 oz. 
 spirits turpentine, and I quart proof spirits — go per cent. Mix well 
 together, and bottle tight. For sprains, bruises, lameness, etc., in man, 
 this liniment, without turpentine, is unrivaled. 
 
 Note. — This prescription was obtained by the writer twelve years ago, in On 
 ondaga Co., N Y. Much was claimed for it; that it would cure lame back, 
 bruises, sprains, etc., and with the turpentine worked well upon horse flesh. My 
 attention has been particularly called to it during the past two years by parties 
 who used it. In Niagara Co., N. Y., a gentleman, in looking over hi> book after 
 the school, pointed to it, saying : "There is a receipt I would not take $50 for." He 
 said a very fine horse in that neighborhood a few years ago got strained in the 
 back so badly that he could not get up in consequence. A negro from Syracuse, 
 took the horse in charge, made and applied a liniment to the back, bathing it in 
 thoroughly twice daily. 'I'here was rapid improvement ; the animal being soon 
 able to get up, and got entirely well. He offered the negro $10 for the receipt, 
 without avail, that he made the nigger drunk and stole the receipt from him, 
 " and," said he, " that's it exactly." He took down a bottle from a shelf in the 
 sitting-room (in Charlotte, Niagara Co., N. Y.), saying: " Here is some of it ; 
 they could not keep house without it here. For toothache, neuralgic pains, 
 sprains, etc., the landlady said it was indispensable ; that they kept it-alw.ays in 
 the house." This was corroborated by others. 
 
 At Clifton Springs, Ontario Co., N. Y., during my last tour through that sec- 
 tion in 1874, a gentleman pointed out the same prescription taken from my ola 
 book, and said he would not take $100 for it ; that he had cured 40 cases of neu- 
 ralgia with it ; that he put up the medicine as a specialty for that purpose, al 
 $1.00 a bottle ; first making it up for his wife, who was troubled with neuralgia, 
 curing her. It was used by others with the same result. The demand becoming 
 so great that he put it up as a specialty and had thus secured a large local sale of it. 
 
APPENDIX. 223 
 
 TO GROW HAIR. 
 
 Add as much sulphur to sweet oil as will make it thick as cream ; 
 rub thoroughly into the tail or mane twice a week. This will grow 
 hair on a tail rapidly. One of my horses rubbed the hair off his tail 
 so as to spoil it. The skin was smooth and glossy, but no hair would 
 grow there. Some one told me to apply the above ; in a short time a 
 thick heavy growth of hair started and grew to full length. Gifford 
 lost all the hair from his tail, falling out (in 1873), in defiance of all 
 that could be done. The above was rubbed well into the dock twice 
 a week, and a heavy growth of hair soon started, making a fine tail. 
 
 FOR SCRATCHES, SADDLE GALLS, ETC., SORE TEATS, CAKED 
 BAGS, ETC., IN COWS. 
 
 Two oz. Goulard's extract ; 2 oz. sulphate zinc ; 8 oz. lard. 
 
 Dr. D. Van Camp, a resident of Theresa, Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 
 1861, with whom the writer became acquainted at that time, made a 
 sort of specialty of this medicine, to dairymen, claimed that it would 
 cure sore teats, caked bags, etc. Dairymen regarded it through that 
 section with special favor, as the medicine sold readily for such use, 
 and the receipt was sold to quite a number of farmers, after the medi- 
 cine was used by them, for $10 to each. The Doctor gave the receipt 
 to the writer on condition of not giving it to any one in that section. 
 
 SURE CURE FOR NEURALGIA (sELECTEd). 
 
 The Norwalk Gazette says : " A friend of ours who suffered horri- 
 ble pains from neuralgia, hearing of a noted physician in Germany 
 who invariably cured that disease, crossed the ocean and visited Ger- 
 many for treatment. He was permanently cured after a short sojourn, 
 and the doctor freely gave him the simple remedy used, which was 
 nothing but a poultice and tea made from our common field thistle. 
 The leaves are macerated and used on the parts afflicted as a poul- 
 tice, while a small quantity of the leaves are boiled down to the pro- 
 portion of a quart to a pint, and a small wine-glass of the decoction 
 drank before each meal. Our friend says he has never known it to 
 fail of giving relief, while in almost every case it has effected a cure." 
 
 TO STOP HAIR FALLING OUT. 
 
 Fill a bottle with lobelia (roots and stems). Fill the bottle now with 
 whisky; scent with anything desirable; wet the hair, rubl)ing well 
 into the scalp, once a day for a week or two. This is as good as it 
 is simple. The writer's hair was coming out badly ; this was used 
 with perfect success. 
 
224 APPENDIX. 
 
 BOTS. 
 
 There has been and is so much misconception about bots and their 
 destructiveness to horses, that a few words about them seems advisable. 
 All horses that are exposed to the bot-fly, must, as a result, have bots 
 in their stomachs. But the question of interest is, what can you do for 
 the cure of bots. In a report by Dr. Adams, published in the " Med- 
 ical and Agricultural Register," he stated, having made the following 
 experiments at different times on bots three-fourths grown: 
 
 When immersed in rum, they live, 25 hours ; decoction of tobacco, 
 II hours ; strong oil of vitriol, 2 hours, 18 minutes ; essential oil of 
 mint, 2 hours, 5 minutes. Were immersed, without apparent injury, 
 in spirits of camphor 10 hours ; fish oil, 49 hours ; tinct. aloes, 10 
 hours ; in brine, 10 hours ; solution indigo, 10 hours. A number of 
 small bots, with one that was full grown, were immersed in a strong 
 solution of corrosive sublimate, one of the most powerful poisons ; the 
 small ones died in one hour, but the full-grown one was taken out of 
 the solution, six hours after its immersion, apparently unhurt. 
 
 Bots hang to the muscular coating of the stomach, on the upper 
 side. We see very plainly that we cannot put any medicine into the 
 stomach that will affect the bot, that will not destroy the coating of 
 the stomach, and injure or destroy the horse. In the second place, 
 there is no veterinary surgeon of any pretension to skill, or being 
 authority, who can tell the symptoms of bots from colic. No attention 
 in fact is given to the subject of bots in practice. The symptoms 
 usually indicate colic, the case is treated accordingly, and cured, and 
 the presumption of the diagnosis is supposed to be correct. No man 
 can tell the symptoms of bots from colic, and if he could, he could do 
 nothing for Iheir expulsion ; this is the opinion of the best veterinary 
 surgeons jn the country. I have been led to take up time and space 
 with this matter to aid the reader should he have occasion to treat an 
 attack of "bellyache" or colic. The majority of horsemen will doc- 
 tor anyhow for bots without, in fact, knowing but little about the 
 difficulty. Do not be misled ; follow the treatment laid down for 
 colic on pages 146 and 148, and follow it rigidly. Do not be misled by 
 persons who may assume to know just what to " give to cure." The 
 treatment given has been used by the writer in hundreds of cases with 
 success, and it is the standard treatment of one of the best practition- 
 ers in the country. 
 
 A CURE FOR RHEUMATISM. 
 
 The berry of the common scoke-weed, or scoke-root — often called 
 poke root. The berries when ripe should be put into spirits — gin is 
 the best — at the rate of two ounces to the pint. Of the tincture thus 
 made, a tablespoonful is given three times a day. This simple rem- 
 edy, persisted in for a week or more, has effected some remarkable 
 cures. Has been published by the press as a remedy of value and is 
 thrown in. 
 
APPENDIX. 225 
 
 FEVER MEDICINE ON PAGE 152, 
 
 This is all that is given for the cure of Pneumonia, and no other is 
 necessary. It is invaluable not only for acute inflammations in the 
 chest, but it is one of the best of remedies for acute rheumatism. It 
 possesses also some remarkable properties as a local application ex- 
 ternally. 
 
 Twice the writer has been relieved by it when, by exposure and 
 wet, he was entirely disabled by rheumatism, by taking 6 to 8 drops 
 on the tongue three times a day, and in three days each time a cure 
 was effected. When you feel indications of rheumatism, take from 
 6 to 8 drops on the tongue, three times a day until well. 
 
 Years ago, the writer, on two occasions, was kicked on the shin, 
 causing serious ulceration, which was most difficult to cure ; at another 
 time, from the same cause, the skin was barely broken, but in spite of 
 the best medical care, ulceration followed and annoyed for several 
 weeks to cure. In 1873, had the same part of the shin most seriously 
 cut, causing much pain and inflammation. As a mere matter of chance 
 experiment, or want of anything else, about 40 drops of this medicine 
 was put into a half tumbler of soft water, a piece of cotton cloth was 
 saturated with it and tied around the part at 7 P. M. ; at 9 the cloth was 
 again saturated, before going to bed. The inflammation and soreness 
 had about all subsided by morning. But I wet the cloth again when 
 getting up, and again at noon. The inflammation and soreness all 
 disappeared, the injury, in a word, healed by first intention, and had 
 no trouble afterwards. I have used it in acute inflammation of the 
 eye from injury, in several bad cases with the most marked success. 
 The simple facts are stated and the reader is simply offered the bene- 
 fit. Medical men know the great difficulty of controlling inflamma- 
 tion of the periosteum when badly cut or bruised at the point named, 
 and keep on the feet. I had previously used the best cooling astrin- 
 gents without avail, yet in this case, a bad injury at that, the effect was 
 most marked, though on my feet as usual. 
 
 WORTH TRYING. 
 
 An experienced physician, who has himself been afflicted with rheu- 
 matism, informs one of our exchanges that the disease is almost certain 
 to give way to a remedy he has discovered. As it can now not only 
 be procured at the drug store, but in the fields, we give it publicity. 
 It is the berry of the common smoke-weed, or scoke-root — more com- 
 monly called " poke-root." These berries are put into spirits — gin is 
 the best — at the rate of two ounces to the pint. Of the tincture thus 
 made a tablespoonful is given three times a day. We are told that 
 this simple remedy, persisted in for a week or more, has effected some 
 remarkable cures of this common and distressing complaint. This 
 has been extensively published in press, and is included for what it is 
 worth. 
 
 15 
 
226 APPENDIX. 
 
 ITCH OINTMENT (fOR MAn). 
 
 I oz. red precipitate ; i oz. spirits of turpentine ; 2 oz. Buigundj 
 pitch ; ^ lb. fresh butter. Melt the butter and pitch, and add the 
 other ingredients, stirring until cold. 
 
 VEGETABLE CAUSTIC. 
 
 Make a strong lye of hickory or oak ashes, put into an iron kettle, 
 and evaporate to the consistence of thin molasses ; then remove into 
 a sand bath, and continue the evaporation to the consistency of honey. 
 Keep it in a ground stopped glass jar. 
 
 This caustic is very valuable in fistulas, cancers, scrofulas and indo- 
 lent ulcers, particularly v^^here there are sinuses, necrosis (or decay of 
 bone), and in all cases where there is proud flesh ; and also to excite a 
 healthy action of the parts. It removes fungous flesh without exciting 
 inflammation, and acts but little except on spongy or soft flesh. 
 
 A VALUABLE REMEDY (CLIPPED FROM THE PRESS). 
 
 Every family should keep a quantity of chlorate of potash. We 
 have never found anything equal to it for a simple ulcerated sore 
 throat. Dissolve a small teaspoonful of it in a tumbler of water, and 
 then occasionally take a spoonful of the solution so as to gargle the 
 throat. It is nearly tasteless and not at all offensive to take, and is 
 hence well adapted to children. Nothing is better than this for chap- 
 ped or cracked hands. Wash them in a weak solution and they will 
 soon be well. It is also good for a rough, pimply or chapped face. 
 It may be procured at any druggist's. 
 
 SORE MOUTH. 
 
 The lips frequently become sore at the angles of the mouth, from 
 cutting or bruising of the bit. Tincture of myrrh and aloes, equal 
 parts, applied to the sore, will soon cause it to heal. 
 
 A VERY FINE HEALING PREPARATION FOR CUTS. 
 
 Equal parts tine, myrrh and balsam copaiba. To be used once a 
 day. This is the favorite remedy of one of the most successful horse- 
 men, a man of good sense and remarkably successful. It is one of the 
 best of healing remedies. 
 
 TO CURE BOILS. 
 
 Two parts cream tartar, one part sulphur, one pirt whisky. (About 
 four cents' worth of each of the two.) 
 
 Take one tablespoonful three mornings ; then skip three mornings, 
 and so on, for nine mornings. Obtained by an old man, and claimed 
 to be an infallible cure. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 rAGK. 
 
 Adaptation of Horses for different uses 37 
 
 Appliances for Subjection 99 
 
 Applying <War Bridle gg 
 
 Applying Bandage 156 
 
 Absorbing Blister, Powerful 171 
 
 Anodyne Liniment 187 
 
 Astringent Balls ig7 
 
 Aromatic Powder 198 
 
 Anodyne Ball igg 
 
 Anodyne Drenches 200 
 
 Bitting 48 
 
 Bitting Harness 4g 
 
 Backing 53 
 
 Breaking Horses 72 
 
 Breaking Kickers 75 
 
 Balking 83 
 
 Biting and Striking g2 
 
 Breaking the Halter Puller g2 
 
 Breeding 106 
 
 Bonner's Plan of Feeding Dexter 116 
 
 Bar Shoe for Corns 137 
 
 Broken Wind 163 
 
 Bone Spavin 168 
 
 Blisters for Spavin, etc 170 
 
 Blood Spavin 174 
 
 Bog Spavin 174 
 
 Bloody Urine 181 
 
 Butter of Antimony 186 
 
 Bleeding ig5 
 
 Balls for Appetite igg 
 
 Balls for Farcy and Glanders .'. 200 
 
 Conditions of Success 24 
 
 Cause and Treatment of Fear 57 
 
 Chilian and South American Methods 66 
 
 Cure for Balking 84 
 
 Cribbing g4 
 
 Cure a Trotter of Breaking 104 
 
 Cuts, Showing Formation of Foot 124 
 
 Contraction of the Feet 132 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE, 
 
 Convex Shoe for Contracted Feet 135 
 
 Corns 136 and 179 
 
 Certificate from Dr. William Somerville 143 
 
 Colic 146 
 
 Colic and Inflammation of Bowels Contrasted 146 
 
 Congestion of the Lungs 149 
 
 Catarrh or Cold 155 
 
 Cure for Heaves 164 
 
 Cure for Roaring or Whistling 165 
 
 Cure for Spavin and Ringbone 171 
 
 Curbs 175 
 
 Coffin Joint Lameness «... 175 
 
 Cuts and Wounds 104 
 
 Cooling Liniment for External Inflammation 185 
 
 Cracked Heels 189 
 
 Cure of Scratches . . 190 
 
 Canker 191 
 
 Caustics 192 
 
 Condition Powders 193 and 202 
 
 Cure of Farcy 193 
 
 Cough Powder 194 
 
 Cure for Cough, No. 2 and 3 194 
 
 Cordial and Anodyne Ball - 198 
 
 Cooling and Diuretic Drink .... 198 
 
 Cough Balls 200 
 
 Cure for Indolent Ulcers ; 201 
 
 Cure of Grain Founder 201 
 
 Disposition, Peculiarities and Extremes of 30 
 
 Driving in Harness 50 
 
 Double Driving 53 
 
 Diseases and their Treatment 143 
 
 Dr. Burton's Remedy for Colic 147 
 
 Distemper 156 
 
 Digestive Ointment 184 
 
 Diuretic Drops 194 
 
 Drench for Diarrhoea 197 
 
 Drenches to Promote Parturition 198 
 
 Diuretic Alterative Balls 198 
 
 Diuretic BalW 199 
 
 Educated HWrses 5 
 
 Education of Horses, New System of ic 
 
 Excessive Fear must be Prevented 25 
 
 Extreme Cases of P'ear 57 
 
 Excitement not Admissible 65 
 
 Effect of Kindness 86 
 
 Excessive Rasping Bad 130 
 
 Eight-tailed Bandage 152 
 
 Eye Wash, Excellent 183 
 
 First Impressions are Strongest 26 
 
 Fear, Causes and Treatment of . 57 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Fear of a Robe 60 
 
 Fear of Umbrella, or Sound of Gun 61 
 
 Fear of Railroad Cars 61 
 
 Fear of Objects while Driving 61 
 
 Four Ring Bit 100 
 
 Foot Strap 100 
 
 Feeding 113 
 
 Flatulent Colic 148 
 
 For an Attack of Pleurisy 152 
 
 Founder 161 
 
 Favorite Remedies for Heaves 164 
 
 Fistula of the Withers 166 
 
 Firing 172 
 
 Farcy, Cure of 193 
 
 For Diabetes 198 and 200 
 
 Fever Balls 199 
 
 For Bloody Urine 200 
 
 Getting Cast in Stall 95 
 
 Grease Heels 153 
 
 Grain Founder, Cure of 201 
 
 Horses should be Educated, not Broken 26 
 
 Horses should be Proved before Using 36 
 
 Haltering the Colt 46 
 
 Hitching the Colt , 47 
 
 Hitching to Wagon Poles 51 
 
 Handling the Feet 55 
 
 Hints for Watering 116 
 
 Hints on Shoeing 127 
 
 How to Nail a Shoe Properly 131 
 
 Heaves 163 
 
 Hoof Liniment for Contracted or Sore Feet 179 
 
 Hip Lameness 180 
 
 Healing Ointment, for Cuts, Galls, etc 185 
 
 How to Bleed a Horse 196 
 
 Importance of Kindness 29 
 
 Importance of Preventing Fear 35 
 
 Impression upon the Brain 68 
 
 Interfering 138 
 
 Interfering Shoe 138 
 
 Interfering Pad .<||^ 139 
 
 Inflammation of the Lungs 149 
 
 Inflammation of the Bowels 157 
 
 Inflammation of the Kidneys 158 
 
 Inflammation of the Bladder 160 
 
 Inflammation of the Brain 160 
 
 Inflammation of the Eyes 183 
 
 Jumping over Fence 96 
 
 Kindness, Importance of 29 
 
 Kicking in Harness 75 
 
 Kicking Straps 78 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 rAGB. 
 
 Kicking while Harnessing 8l 
 
 Kicking while Grooming 8i 
 
 Kicking while Shoeing 8i 
 
 Kindness, Effect of 86 
 
 Kicking while in the Stall 89 
 
 Kicking against the Stall 98 
 
 Kicking Cows 98 
 
 Laminitis 161 
 
 Locked Jaw, or Tetanus 165 
 
 Lameness 177 
 
 Liniment for Open Wounds 185 
 
 Liniment for Foul Ulcers 185 
 
 Liniment for Galled Shoulders or Back 186 
 
 Liniment for Strains, etc 187 
 
 Laxative Alterative Balls 198 
 
 Moral bearing 43 
 
 Mounting the Colt 54 
 
 Must See Objects from Different Positions 63 
 
 Mare 109 
 
 Make Follow with Whip 118 
 
 Mad Staggers 160 
 
 Magic Liniment 187 
 
 Magic Healing Preparation 188 
 
 Mange 191 
 
 Milder Caustics 193 
 
 Miscellaneous Receipts 197 
 
 Mercurial Alterative Balls 197 
 
 Mixed Balls, Cordial Astringent Balls 199 
 
 New System of Educating Horses 10 
 
 Notices of the Press and People II 
 
 Natural Adaptation Regarded '. . 38 
 
 Not Being Afraid of Horses 39 
 
 Nailing the Shoes 132 
 
 Nasal Gleet 192 
 
 Old Methods of Subjection 27 
 
 Overdraw Check 80 
 
 Oats vs. Corn for Feed 114 
 
 Opening an Abscess 157 
 
 Preface 3 
 
 Prof. Magner's Educated Horses ^. 5 
 
 Preliminary Hints 24 
 
 Peculiarities and Extremes of Disposition 30 
 
 Pole Applied for Balkers 88 
 
 Pulling on the Halter 9I 
 
 Prevent Getting Cast in Stall 95 
 
 Putting Tongue out of Mouth 95 
 
 Prevent Jumping Fences 97 
 
 Pawing in the Stall 98 
 
 Pleurisy 149 
 
 Poll Evil and Fistula of the Withers 166 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGB. 
 
 Powder for Spavin and Ringbone 171 
 
 I'owerful Absorbing Blister 171 
 
 Pricking in Shoeing 177 
 
 Profuse staling 181 
 
 Preparation to Kill Lice on Horses 192 
 
 Pulse 194 
 
 Physicing 197 
 
 Quarter Crack 138 
 
 Quitter 191 
 
 Subjection, Old Methods of 27 
 
 Subjection 65 
 
 Sensitive and Flighty 70 
 
 Stabling no 
 
 Shoeing 123 
 
 Structure of the Foot 124 
 
 Shoes Made Concave 128 
 
 Shoes Concave are Injurious 133 
 
 Shoes 140 
 
 Spasmodic Colic 145 
 
 Symptoms of Colic 146 
 
 Symptoms of Pneumonia 151 
 
 Symptoms of Inflammation of Bowels 157 
 
 Strangles 156 
 
 Staggers 160 
 
 Sweeny 167 
 
 Spavin 168 
 
 Strong Blister for Spavins, Ringbone, etc 170 
 
 Sweating Liniment for Windgalls, etc 170 
 
 Sweating Blister for Curbs, Splints, etc 171 
 
 Splints 174 
 
 Sprain of the Back Sinews ... 175 
 
 Shoulder Strains 178 
 
 Shoulder Lameness 178 
 
 Stepping on Nails, Glass, etc 180 
 
 Scours, or Purging 181 
 
 Spasmodic Action of the Diaphragm 181 
 
 Symptoms of Worms 182 
 
 Sprains and Bruises 186 
 
 Sticking Plaster for Cuts, Wounds, etc 186 
 
 Thoroughness Necessary 41 
 
 The Wild Colt, Training 45 
 
 Treatment of Fear 57 
 
 Turning Around 73 
 
 Test Kickers Repeatedly 76 
 
 To Work a Balker Single 89 
 
 The Jumper oy 
 
 Treating a Halter Puller 92 
 
 Training in the Trot 102 
 
 Trotting 102 
 
 To Force on the Trot io-# 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 The Breeding Mare J09 
 
 Teaching Tricks 118 
 
 Teaching to Follow 118 
 
 To make Follow with Whip 118 
 
 Teaching to Lie Down 120 
 
 Teaching to Sit Up 120 
 
 Teaching to Make a Bow 121 
 
 Teaching to say Yes and No 121 
 
 Teaching to Kiss You 121 
 
 Teaching Horse to Dance 122 
 
 Teaching Horse to Waltz 122 
 
 The Foot 123 
 
 The Hoofs, Cuts of 124 
 
 Tyrrel's Patent Shoe for Contracted Feet 136 
 
 Treatment for Corns 137 
 
 Testing for Corn 137 
 
 Tympanites 148 
 
 Typhoid Pneumonia 151 
 
 Treatment for Inflammation of the Kidneys 159 
 
 Treatment for Founder 162 
 
 Tetanus, or Locked Jaw 165 
 
 Treatment for Bone Spavin 169 
 
 Thoroughpin 1 74 
 
 Treatment for Ringbone 176 
 
 Thumps 181 
 
 Tape Worms 182 
 
 To Abate Swellings from Injuries 187 
 
 Thrush 188 
 
 To Recruit a Horse Hide-bound, etc i8g 
 
 The Pulse 194 
 
 Tonic Ball (Vegetable) 198 
 
 Tonic Diuretic Ball 199 
 
 Using Blinders 62 
 
 Valuable Miscellaneous Receipts 197 
 
 Worst Horses ^9 
 
 War Bridle 99 
 
 Watering "6 
 
 Weak Heels 139 
 
 Whistling, Cure of 165 
 
 Worms 182 
 
 Wash for Fresh Wounds 185 
 
 Wash for Inflamed Wounds 186 
 
 Worm Powders 301 
 
^^Jtebster Famfly Library of Veterinary Medfdnt 
 
 Cummings School of 'terinary Medicine at 
 
 Tuft3 Ufnv/ersity 
 
 200 Westboro Road 
 
 North Grafton, IVIA 01636