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THE ABC OF
THE HORSE

THE ABC OF
THE HORSE
HO IV TO BUY, HOW TO TELL AGE,
MANAGEMENT, FRAUDULENT PRACTICES,
AILMENTS, TREATMENT, Etc., Etc.

HAROLD TREMAYNE
AUTHOR OF
KEMINISCENCES OF A GENTLEMAN HOUSE DEALER," ETC., ETC.

LONDON

HENRY
(

*
J.

1^

DRANE

YE OLDE ST. BRIDE'S PRESSE)

SALISBURY HOUSE
SALISBURY SQUARE ^ *

if

lik

Itk

FLEET STREET, E.G.

Printed by

Henry

J.

Drane,

Ye Okie

Presse, Salisbury Square,

Saint Bride's

London, E.G.

CONTENTS
PAGE

PREFACE

CHAPTER

Different Breeds of Horses

Difficulty of Selection
.

The
n

CHAPTER H

Fraudulent
to Buy a PIorse
Practices to be Guarded Against

How

36

64

CHAPTER HI
How

TO Tell the Age of the Horse

CHAPTER
Management

General
Stabling Feeding

IV

Grooming

7o

CHAPTER V
Minor Accidents and Ailments, and
their Treatment
.

96

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW
ABOUT THE DOG

ABC
How

Choose a Dog.

to

DOG
How

of the

and theif Treatment*

How

Buy

Train

to

The Ailments

a Dog.

Dog
to

a Dog, etc, etc*

BY

HAROLD TREMAYNE
Price
Shilling

Price

One Shilling

One

London

HENRY
"Ye

J.

DRANE,

Olde Saint Bride's Presse,"

Salisbury House, Salisbury Square, E.G.

/y you have any

difficulty in obtaining the above Book, the

Publisher will be pleased to /br^vard, post free, on
receipt of published price.

PREFACE
The

little

book, which

now makes

its

bow

public, has not any pretentious aims.

to the

It is

not

intended as a competitor with the large and

serious works which have of late years placed

such a fund of valuable information at the

The
disposal of the lover of the equine race.

ABC of

Horse merely seeks to render

man who keeps one, or, it
may be two horses for pleasure, and who

little

whilst

the

help to the

desirous

animals, has
inclination,

to

the

for

not

time,

the

merely to
learning

ignorance

new

in

and

large

do not for one

profess to say anything

his

of

perhaps the

or

through

wade

technical volume.

well-being

moment

the book, but

give the owner an opportunity of

sufficient

in

to

prevent

the presence of

employs, the dealer he

9

a
the

display

of

groom he

may be buying

from,

PREFACE

16
or

the

" horsey

showing

over

"

learnt

but

little

same modest under-

capability to realise their presence

and appreciated, then there

With

this

explanation
the

pen, feeling that

tentiousness

of

the

volume

kindly consideration of the

I

will

be

danger of the graver troubles being

overlooked.

down my

veterinary

Simple ailments are only dealt with,

for if the
is

may be

he

The

stable.

section also asks for the

standing.

whom

friend

his

will

critics,

earn

put

the

and that

may have perhaps done a little

whom no man hath

the animal for

very unpre-

to

help

greater

love than has

HAROLD TREMAYNE.

The

ABC

of

Horse

the

CHAPTER

DIFFERENT BREEDS OF HORSES THE

DIFFICULTY OF SELECTION
In an elementary work, such as
only professes to be,

it

is

this

impossible

to deal

at

length with the numerous

breeds

of

horses

found

in

the

which

British

are

Isles,

necessity for such a course

is

to

be

and the
nullified

by the knowledge that the reader of

II

A B C OF THE HORSE

12

this

book

purchaser
of a

is

hardly

of other

" light

likely

than a specimen

Then

breed."

be a

to

again,

it

is

impossible in the space at disposal to

deal with the history of those breeds,
or to trace, say, the effect which the

introduction

James

I.

of

Arabian

and Charles

it

is

would be out of place

with present-day

has had upon

Such information,

the thoroughbred.

valuable although

I.

by

blood

to the student,
here, for

requirements

it

is

rather

than the particulars furnished by that

valuable work, the Stud Book, which

we have

When

to consider.

the tyro decides that he will

"

A B C OF THE HORSE
find

an occupant for his stable, he

confronted
sort
is

with the question

of animal

should

say,

travel,

the

shortest

mile and

space

possible

morning

every

station

keep?"

is

"What

man who

obvious that the

to

13

It

wishes
half to

the

in

of time, will

choose a different class of animal to

him who

desires

something which

make envious neighbours

of

ment, and

declare

the

What

The horse which

which

is

page,

must

wanted

"

What

a splendid

magnificent
is

the

Command-

Tenth

injunction

animal

forget

will

action

intended for show,

for

necessarily

stylish

be

equitrifle

"

14

A B C OF THE HORSE

"above

itself"

and

though pace

and

condition,

in

by no

are

action

al-

means incompatible, experience goes

show that

to

continually driven
variably

loses

action.

This fact

to the

showyards.

turn

which

animal

the

at

is

pace in-

a fast

great

deal

of

proved by a

The

is

its

visit

horses which

up again and again as winners

are those which are in high condition,

and

it

will

be noticed that they are

always driven
"
is

in

a collected

manner.

Pace brings down the knee action

an old stable saying, which, unlike

some
same

emanating

sayings
quarter,

is

from

perfectly true.

the

"

ABC
The

he

put

himself

to

otherwise

be

should

question

that

it

is

look for a

is

taken,

more than

likely

will

from

result

what was a wrong move

If

is,

carefully

any step

dissatisfaction

place.

however,

require the animal for

considered before
as

type

undoubtedly

question,

first

should

What do

That

to the novice

is

The

great.

"

15

difficulty of selection of a

of animal

which

OF THE HORSE

the

first

he wants a hack, he

will

different

in

class

of animal

certainly a different type of shoulder

to what he would seek a trapper,
in

whilst

horse

if

he wants

that

is

to

a general

say,

utility

one capable of

i6

EC OF THE HORSE

being ridden or driven

he

will

for the " useful stamp," which,

not likely to

on

once

The

relied

quietly, either

or under saddle,
his

only.

hands
is

is

Between
is

above

parted
utility

upon

to

if

with
horse,

go well

invaluable, although

not be so stylish

kept for one purpose

15.1

hands and

a useful height.
15.3

should,

more favoured brother

as that of his

who

is

inroads

between the shafts

may

appearance

or sister

not

general

which can be

and

balance,

be

secured,

lightly.

although

make such heavy

banker's

his

look

If

15.3

an animal

he requires a large or

high carriage, and of late years fashion

A B C OF THE HORSE

17

has rather favoured the medium-height

trap.

Cobs
"

one

horse

keeper."

"cob"

term

ambiguous,

popular

very

are

is

the

14.1

This

hands.

Although
a

trifle

generally applied to

any animal between

1 5. 1

the

perhaps

is

it

with

hands and

statement

may

perhaps be challenged by the equine

authority,
"

How

14.

who

triumphantly ask,

can a cob be anything between

hands and

polo pony

hands?"

is

15.1

hands, when a

allowed to measure 14.2

This argument can only be

met with the

is

will

reply

that

14.2

hands

the extreme limit of height of the

BC OF THE HORSE

i8

polo pony, and that that limit, although

doubtless fixed

game, certainly

of the

any

of

the best

in

specimen

of

the

in

past

exceeds that

mountain

the

which

breeds of ponies to

interests

we have
our

best

of recent years

come

looked

for

specimens.

The pony has

in

for

favour,

wonderful

and when

all

the circumstances

are considered, the fact

ing.

This animal

enormous
short

is

is

not surpris-

capable of an

amount of work on very

Although he shows

commons.

the benefit

of

good

the

food,

of popular

share

plentiful

pony

supply of

can rub along

ABC
where many

OF THE HORSE
specimens

19

of the large

He

race would soon go to the wall.

is

hardy and strong.

also wonderfully

Long journeys seem

his

rough
"

and

constitution,

of no

is

it

one-horse,"

owner,"

shown

by

commands.
is

money

in

one-pony

man employed about

of the

increased

Every

increasing,

"

other work beside

The value
the

to

value to the

little

finds

the stable for the

the place.

with

capacity

his

rather,

or,

who

agree

to

the

year

fact

pony

prices

is

he

the supply

that

there

is

pony breeding being more

and more recognised, but nevertheless

prices

show an upward tendency, and

A B C OF THE HORSE

20

when

really

good specimen comes

under the hammer, the heads of pro-

nod

buyers

spective

The

regularity.

14

all

right,

must not

pony

hands

makes an excellent hack

is

prompt

with

if

the action

but the prospective buyer

fail

weight

which

called

upon to

rides,

say,

would

in

to

in

animal

the
carry.

fifteen

all

bear

or

mind the

may

be

The man who

sixteen

stone,

probability do better to

choose a stout general

utility

cob of

14.3 hands.

These points must be

in

carefully borne

mind before the purchase

What

is

the

animal

is

wanted

made.
for?

A BC OF THE HORSE
What

and type of carriage

size

required to draw?

Who

be the drivers

the

those drivers
or

nervous

the

steed

who

and

the

of

quiet

with

one

pursue

the

much work
is

with

is

the reins,

which

very

To

another person.

the

owner wishes to

pace

however

travel

at
?

is

or a spice

behave

required

tells

man, may,

spirits

questions,

be

not

quickly

holding

mischievousness,

differently

What

naust

it

pony

excessive

Are

inexperienced

or

horse

it

are Hkely to

intuition
is

is

riders?

riders

for

that

through

or

or

forgotten

perfectly

21

to

How

be done?

which

And

the

lastly,

22

BC OF THE HORSE
What

but perhaps by no means

least,

amount of

proposed to

attention

is

it

bestow on the animal?

must

be

not

This question

taken

do with but

that certain animals can

little

attention.

suggesting

as

Such an idea

mind

is

very

far

from

No

horse or pony can thrive, or do

its

owner

the

or

itself

of

justice,

neglected,

for

its

sequently,

its

physical

bound

suffer,

to

the

on the
is

do

half

miles

six

requires
attention

somewhat
to

his

in

it

be

con-

capacity,

hand, the horse which

its

if

and,

health,

but,

writer.

is

other

required to

different

brother

an

hour

food and

who

is

A B C OF THE HORSE
taken

from

in

comfortably

paddock

the
a

trot

23

to

distance

similar

double the time.

in

In concluding this chapter perhaps

the

best

thing

to

do would

be

to

give a few particulars of the leading

breeds and the types they represent.

The

Cob,

As

previously mentioned

the cob has of late years been taken

wonderfully into popular favour.

variation

Animals

in

price

possessing

is

The

remarkable.

excellent

points

can frequently be picked up for twenty

pounds or twenty-five pounds,

the

other

hand, a

Park cob, that

is,

really

whilst,

on

first-class

an animal which

24

BC OF THE HORSE

has good all-round

action

an animal which

or

a trap,

in

perfect in

is

its

pacos and quiet for the most nervous

old gentleman to ride, will
a

very

big

have

should
quarters,

and

neck

and

well-sloping

graceful line

and

good

should
the

be

hocks

without

typical

cob

barrel

and

muscular,

short,

and muscular,
to

round

The

limbs.

figure.

command

should

be

with

which denotes
breeding.

should

coarseness.

short

should be joined

shoulders,

broad

flat

and

that

strength

The

knees

flat,

whilst

denote

strength

The hind

legs

should not be set on too far behind, so

A
as to be

what

then

for

power

BC OF THE HORSE
is

there

and

known

be

will

an

as "

25

camped,"

loss

unpleasantness

of
of

action.

The Hackney.
is

the

Probably the Hackney

most popular of

breeds, and the

seek.

years

reason

Wealthy men

now been

the light

all
is

have

lavishing

not far to

many

for

money on

him, until they have produced as fine

specimens
could

by

desire

to

admirers

Hackney
and

horse

of

that

is

he

see.

of
a

the

general

cannot

as

flesh
It

is

breed

claimed
that

utility

be

man

put

horse,
in

place where he will not acquit himself

A B C OF THE HORSE

26

well.

The

however, dares to

writer,

Although an

hold a different view.

ardent admirer of the

harness horse,

my own

chosen

not the best that can

is

when

of the action

of

must

him

rider,

hasten

merits
typical

striking

venture to state that

for

saddle

horse

is

The very magnificence

also required.

against

as a

experience goes to show that

that animal

be

Hackney

of the
as

Hackney makes

a comfortable carrier

but
to

having said
urge

harness

Hackney

his

this

enormous

purposes.

The

possesses a face of
full,

kind

eye at once arresting attention.

The

intelligence,

the

A B C OF THE HORSE

be deep and wide, the

chest should

body

short,

27

sprung, the

the ribs well

loins powerful, whilst the limbs should

display

strength

Strong

arguments

Hackney

without

coarseness.

of the

favour

in

are that he generally possesses

plenty of courage, good temper, and

excellent

feet

and

tempered Hackney

legs.

is

bad-

a rara avis, and

although detractors of the breed have

often

urged the

charge of
experience

of constitution,"

show that the Hackney

is

Prices

showing
vary

the

softness

goes

to

capable of

doing an enormous amount

without

"

of

effects

considerably.

work
of

it.

Prize

DC OF THE HORSE

28

winners fetch

large

anything

well-known
but

prices,

is

it

a very fair animal

possible to obtain
for

by

mares

or

winners,

from

pounds

forty-five

to eighty pounds.
Tlie

Hunter.

During

thoroughbred

the

years

recent

become

has

the

popular mount in the grass counties

Northamptonshire,

of

Leicestershire,

etc.,

the reason being that the increased

pace

at

which

days makes
to be

it

able to

tremendous

hounds

nowa-

travel

necessary for a horse

gallop and

rate.

It

is

jump

for

any

and

frequently

affirmed that the thoroughbred

horse

at

every

is

the

county

but, as

BC OF THE HORSE

matter

county, that

ploughed

of fact, in

where

is,

and

land,

the

are smaller,

there

the

should be absolutely

close

is

more

enclosures

half-bred

generally preferred.

29

hunter

is

typical hunter

sound

wind

in

and eyesight.

The

head

and the

neck

moderately long.

lean

Good

oblique

strong

withers,

well

shoulders,

sprung

ribs,

back
wide

should

be

prominent

and

loins,

and

hips,

muscular thighs, should top powerful

legs

and

should

sound

be

upon them

feet.

particularly
is

The

hocks

strong,

for

thrown the chief portion

of the work whenever a leap

is

under-

30

ABC

taken.

In fact, a hunter should

power

all

is

breeding.
the price

without

over,

which

ness

OF THE HORSE

It

sign

that

coarse-

of

inferior

name

impossible to

is

paid for a hunter.

usually

great deal depends on the weight

of the rider, and also upon

with
is

show

to

can,

about,

fill

"

bred
a

skill

light-weight,

that

man who can

say, a

stone,

see

animals.

his

if

his

weeds,"

he

stable

of sport,

pounds or forty pounds

the

man who

stone

may

ten

way

his

with thorough-

upon which

deal

great

knows

ride

he
for

may
thirty

apiece, whilst

rides sixteen or seventeen

find

it

difficult

to

satisfy

A BC OF THE HORSE
his

requirements

31

than

ten

tribute of praise

was

for

less

times those sums.

The Pony.
paid

pony

the

to

of

portion

Forest, the Shetland,

and the Welsh ponies.

too

little

breeds

Unfortunately,

attention was

for

many

years,

paid to these

consequently

the result of neglect in mating

but too apparent.

best

the Dartmoor, the

are

New

Exmoor, the

earh'er

The

chapter.

this

known breeds

an

in

There

is

now

has, however,

recently been a change for the better

societies

for

their

preservation

and

improvement have sprung into existence,

and

it

is

to be

hoped that

in the

near

A BC OF THE HORSE

32

future the

many

too

good points which have

cases been

in

allowed to dis-

appear, will be resuscitated, and that

specimens of the breeds

true

placed on

the

market

prohibitive to the

The

income.

pony
for

the

necessarily renders

regard

to

all

features,

it

children,

not

Shetland
unsuitable

but with

the other breeds, although

possess certain
it

prices

be

with a limited

of

size

any but small

they

man

at

will

distinguishing

naturally follows that ponies

must necessarily possess certain points

of similarity in common.

should be similar
the

cob

in

fact,

in

The pony

conformation to

he

should

be

A B C OF THE HORSE
"miniature cob."

be usually

will

It

33

found that the legs and feet of the

mountain-bred pony are good, the very

nature of his early existence making
for

surefootedness and

vary

prices

the

five
"

Dartmoor

considerably.

be purchased as yearlings

ponies can
for

The

strength.

pounds or six pounds, whilst

made

article," that

is,

the five-year

old pony, quiet to ride and drive, will

its

appear-

General

Utility

fetch anything, according to

ance and action.

Roadster

The
Horse

may

horse at

all,

crossed.

It

or

consist

of

any breed

of

any of the breeds

or of

would be waste of space

c

A B C OF THE HORSE

34

to

attempt to

points which should be looked

question,

course,

the

animal

wanted for?"

the

here

recapitulate

as of

for,

"What

is

must play the

leading part in the decision arrived

Taken

the

generally, however, the

at.

man who

buys a half-bred, and who bears

in his

mind's eye the description given of a

cob

and a hackney,

wrong.

will

not go far

In the roadster, soundness and

strength of limbs and feet should be a

sine

qua non,

for

the horse which does

not possess these essentials,

damage himself and

down

the

utility

first hill

is

likely to

his driver or rider

he goes.

The

general

horse can be bought for any-

ABC
thing

from

OF THE HORSE

thirty

pounds

pounds, although perhaps

safe to say

it

that the average

about forty-five pounds.

35

to

sixty

would be
price

is

CHAPTER

II

HOW TO BUY A HORSE FRAUDULENT

PRACTICES TO BE GUARDED
AGAINST
It

is

one

perhaps

of

things in the world to

tell

he should buy a horse.

fill

man how
easy to

It is

pages of a book with good advice

as to

what

faults should

be looked

what good points should be

but

hardest

the

even

carried

all

if

the

subject to the

essential,

prospective

the

text-books

for,

buyer

on

the

place where he was to

see the animal under consideration,

36

and

ABC
even

if

OF THE HORSE

37

he read every word of that

advice, glancing the while at the steed,

if

the text-book student had not had

previous experience,

if

he had not a

natural gift for finding and appreciating

good

the

in

some
has

horse

difficult as

it

is

detail.

little

been
the

although this
true,

points,

then

the

would be that he would

probabilities
err

bad

or

declared

Buying a
to

be

as

choice of a wife, and

may

in

some degree be

perfectly certain that whilst

the dissatisfied

purchaser can

always

send the horse to the nearest repository,

the dissatisfied husband

must but why

pursue the subject further

BC OF THE HORSE

3^

There

are, of course,

of purchasing a horse.

attend a local

fair,

numerous ways

The buyer may

and relying upon

his

own judgment choose an animal which

seems to meet
is

difficult

experienced

task
to

for

even the most

to fairs

some

This

taken

in

find

their

which reduces

especially those
are

perfectly

sound

worth the money paid

but

in

general

way

it

be

Scores

sent

well

their

statement must not

too sweeping a sense.

of horses,
Ireland,

large

do so because they have

fault or vice

value.

undertake.

number of the horses which

way

This

his requirements.

for

from

and
them,

may be

A B C OF THE HORSE
safely

39

assumed that the animals which

are at

all

worth the money asked are

quickly snapped up by the dealers and

Usually the

their representatives.

fairs

are the resort of either young, partially

broken

which

horses,

are

excellent
to

work

upon, or else of aged horses for

whom

find a market.

The

material

it

is

for

difficult

"experience"

to

very excitement of a

fair is

a cloak to

the faults which are not easily discernible.

In fact,

it

may

be safely assumed

that for a novice to purchase a horse of

his

own

selection

at

fair,

or

in

one of the repositories which abound

in all the big towns,

is

like putting the

A BC OF THE HORSE

40

hand

where the blanks

into a lucky dip

considerably exceed the prizes.

purchaser be determined to

If the

buy
have

of these places he should

in either

his

for

companion a veterinary

surgeon or a friend upon whose judg-

ment he can

possibilities of a

no

means

Even then the

rely.

bad bargain are by

remote.

surgeon can, of course,

has

any

physical

The

veterinary

tell if

the animal

but

defect,

it

is

impossible in a short examination

to

prophesy

what

behaviour

between

saddle.

appears

will

Frequently
in

be

the
or

shafts

under

statement

the

catalogue

horse's

"

Has been

A BC OF THE HORSE
ridden and driven by a lady," or

been ridden by a child."

this information
for

all

been

Has

sufficient

men who have

trade will not hesitate to

say that there are plenty of

can and do

"

the novice

would seem

purposes, but

in the

To

4t

ride

and

women who

drive animals

which a great many men would hesitate

to tackle, whilst the writer has a little
friend, a

boy of eleven years

therefore

well within the description "

ridden by a child"

who

Has been

will sit

any-

thing pretty well that has ever been

foaled.

Not so very long ago

this

young hopeful had a twenty-minutes'

tussle with as

bad tempered a thorough-

A D C OF THE HORSE

42

bred as any
his

stable,

man would

desire to see in

when the plunging,

and

mass of

kicking, bucking

vitality

had

exhausted his energies, the perspiring

youngster
ing, "

that

slid

out of the saddle, remark-

have ridden quieter horses than

one, father."

This illustration

is

furnished in order to demonstrate the

necessity for a certain

amount of reserva-

tion in the acceptance of catalogue descriptions.

if

Of course, it may be said

an animal does not come up to the

warranty

it

can be returned.

what warranty
"

that

Has been

is

True

But

there in the statement

ridden by a child,"

or, "

been ridden and driven by a lady

" ?

Has

A B C OF THE HORSE

43

There are two ways of purchasing

animals which seem to reduce the risk
to a

minimum.

The

first is

a reputable dealer, and

buying from

the second

is

entering into negotiations with a bonafide advertiser in one of the high-class

agricultural

In

journals.

cases the purchaser has

consider

which

man

is

is

and

anxious to

frequently allow
trial,

especially

ample time to

weigh the

offered him.

information

When

a gentle-

sell

a horse, he will

to

go on a week's

it

if

both these

the prospective pur-

sum

chaser agrees to pay a small

deal

is

not effected.

large

if

number

of dealers will also allow an animal to

ABC

44

go on
fair

trial for

payment

OF THE HORSE
a

week or a

fortnight, if

for hire, in the event of its

The

return, be guaranteed.

horse which

the dealer would not allow to leave his

stable on these terms should be viewed

with

This

certain

may sound

amount of

suspicion,

a sweeping statement,

and undoubtedly there are many dealers

who do

not like the

" trial

system," but

as a rule a dealer will give

is in

rather

Of course, when

than lose a customer.

the horse

way

your own

stable,

and away

from the eye which jealously guards him

from the danger of obviously betraying

any

little

amounting

failing,

which,

to a defect

whilst

not

may, nevertheless,

ABC OF

THE HORSE

45

militate against the chances of a deal,

your

opportunity

for

prolonged examination

is

careful
all

that

and

you

could possibly desire.

Take advantage

of that opportunity, for

it

the dealer
trial

to

who has

go back

is

not

fair

on

given you a week's

to

him a month

later

and complain about some defect which

should have been obvious long before.

We

will

suppose, however, that the

prospective buyer

is

visiting a dealer's

stable for the purpose of purchasing a

horse,
far

as

and he

is

shown

general build

one, which, as

goes,

meets his

requirements.

Now

the process of careful examina-

ABC

46

OF THE HORSE

tion should be

This

proceeded with.

can be done by the novice himself, even

if

he has the assistance, which, of course,

he should have, of a veterinary surgeon

or an experienced

adage

one"

"Two
is

friend, for the

heads

better

to horse

applicable

Whilst the horse

are

is

in

old

than

buying.

the stable his

general behaviour should be carefully

watched.
officious

On

no account should an

groom be allowed

head with an exhortation

for the natural

the

first

to
to "

go to

its

Get up,"

pose should be one of

things to be observed.

The

front legs should be looked at to see if

the animal " points

"

or not.

"

Pointing,"

ABC
as

it

is

standing

Horses

OF THE HORSE

known

in

stable

with

the

lame

with

slight

47

parlance,
leg

is

flexed.

lameness

will

when they have

frequently point, or

incipient trouble with the feet or legs,

the

first

indication

Such

afflicted limb.

biting, weaving,
ing, scraping,

is

and resting one hind

cerned when the

perfectly quiet.

whilst the horse

feet are clean, to

most

animal

easily
is

It is as well,
is

foot
dis-

standing
perhaps,

in the stable,

and

go up alongside of

and examine them.

is

stable vices as crib-

wind sucking, shiver-

upon the other are

of each foot

a flexing of the

its
it

See that the frog

perfectly clean

and sound,

A B C OF THE HORSE

48

and that

does not smell.

it

If there

is

any unpleasant smell arising from the

sole

it

animal

may
is

be safely assumed that the

suffering from thrush,

which

is

a difficult disease to cure, and which,

if

not taken in time, soon plays havoc

with the

foot.

The

heels

should be

open, and in no ways contracted.

also for sandcrack, but perhaps

it

Look
would

be as well to reserve a more detailed

examination of the foot
is

until the

animal

outside in the broad glare of daylight.

When

the horse has been taken out-

side the stable, let

upon

hard

it

ground.

be slowly trotted

Lameness,

present, will then be apparent

if

and as a

BC OF THE HORSE
when an animal

general rule

behind, the disease

when

front

in

is

in

49

lame

is

in the hock,

and

suspensory

the

ligaments of those horses used for fast

work.

In

his

interesting

Veterinary Notes, Captain

"

When

without

work.

Hayes says

a horse goes lame on a fore leg

any

perceptible

and

cause,

may

wears away the toe of the shoe, we

suspect that foot of navicular disease.

But

if

bability

'seedy

he goes on the heel, the prois

that he has either laminitis,

toe,'

or incipient ring bone.

If

the lameness be behind, and the toe of

the

shoe

becomes

generally find that

it

worn,
is

we

shall

due to spavin.

A BC OF THE HORSE

50

Side-bones are almost peculiar to cart

horses,

sore shins to

navicular

disease

to

race-horses,
riding,

and

cab and

Navicular disease and

carrias^e horses.

occult spavin are hardly ever found in

horses under seven years of age."

Intermittent lameness

by rheumatism, whilst
in

mind the

lameness

The

may

well to bear

it is

many

fact that in

disappears

be caused

with

cases

exercise.

prospective buyer should therefore

watch very carefully the animal's move-

ments from the time that

stable, for the
its

exercise

more

the

it

less

leaves the

it

gets

warmed by

likely

chances of detecting defects.

are

the

A B C OF THE HORSE
Having

51

himself as to the

satisfied

soundness of the action of the animal,

buyer

the

should

examination

in

conformation

proceed

The

detail.

should

be

from the front

studied

with

so

his

general
carefully

that

any

wasting at the shoulder, narrowness of

the chest, or turning in or out of the

be

could

toes

observed.

around to the near

Coming

the general

side,

shape of the body, and the position of

the fore and

hind

limbs,

should

be

noted.

do

food justice, whilst unless the

its

flat-sided

legs are set

itself or

its

animal

on properly

it

rider safely.

will

never

cannot carry

Horses with

ABC

52

twisted

OF THE HORSE

fore-legs

are apt

to

inside of the

fetlock joint,

the knee

well.

observer
the

as

now

hit

the

and under

Moving

on,

the

takes his stand behind

animal, and

he

should

carefully

note the space between the hocks, and

also the general shape of those joints.

Capped hocks can be observed from

this position.

They

are unsightly,

are frequently caused

they

very

Passing

seldom

around

to

by kicking, but
cause

the

lameness.

off-side,

observer pursues his examination.

this

of

though
vendor

course takes time, which

perhaps
is

not

and

irritating

without

use

to

to

the
All
al-

the
the

ABC

OF THE HORSE

The manner

purchaser.

in

which the

animal submits to the ordeal

guide as to

little

its

animal lashes

legs,

as

is

some

temperament.

If,

behind

for instance, whilst standing

the

53

out with

it,

hind

its

have seen horses do more

than once, then the examination can

be promptly concluded, for

ment

is

its

tempera-

hardly likely to suit the

"

one-

horse" owner.

Having concluded the ocular inspection

the horse should

order

to

find

any

which

may

not be

naked

eye.

The

examined

for

of

be handled
those

signs

of

defects
to

the

should

be

apparent
teeth

in

crib-biting

54

A BC OF THE HORSE

disease,

and fraudulent practices

are dealt with later on

the

which

nostrils for

the general tone of health, the eyes for

cataract or other disease, and the poll
for

what

known

is

" poll-evil."

as

Then, moving around to the near or

left

side

made
see

if

an

examination

should be

of the jugular groove, in order to

there are

any

scars

fairly sure

signs that the horse has been bled.

may

It

be mentioned here that those scars

are not so frequently

met with nowa-

days as they were thirty years

when bleeding was

"

the rage."

the collar presses should

examined

for

signs

of

ago,

Where

be carefully
galling,

and

A B C OF THE HORSE
whilst referring to that matter,

55

it

would

be perhaps as well to point out the

necessity of examining the withers for
fistula,

and the "saddle-bed"

for galls.

If old

marks only are found

it

is

per-

haps well not to pay too much attention

to them, as they are generally caused

by an

ill-fitting

we presume
would

not

saddle, a thing which

the reader of this

tolerate

for

work

one moment.

Having concluded the examination of

the

shoulders and

should be run
for

the

withers,

down

purpose

the hand

the near fore-leg

of

detecting

blemish or any bony deposit

as a splint

between

any

known

the knee and the

A B C OF THE HORSE

56

any thickening of the

fetlock, or

flexor

tendons or of the suspensory ligament.

The

of

position

importance.

If

it

likely to involve

splint

decides

be near a

joint,

a joint, then

it

is

its

or

grave defect, but otherwise veterinary

surgeons do not attach

ance to

it.

On

much

import-

the other hand, any

thickening of the flexor tendons and of

the suspensory ligament

is

very serious,

and should ensure the rejection of the

animal.
see

that

Having examined the

the

operation

leg to

known

as

"neurotomy" has not been performed,

the

knee or fetlock joints should be

flexed, as

any

stiffness

about either of

ABC
these joints

OF THE HORSE

is

57

very objectionable.

further examination of the foot should

then be

made

in

order to see

are any laminitic rings

wall,

upon the hoof

any be present the animal

flinch

and exhibit other signs of

The near hind

comes

examination.

in for

muscles over the

looked
tion

for

If

uneasiness.

the

there

and the hoof should be tapped

corns.
will

if

for,

of

and then a

the

hock

next

Wasting of

stifle

careful

should

leg

should be

examinabe

made.

Stiffness of the joint can be discovered

by

flexing

it,

whilst an examination

by

the hand, and comparison between the

two hocks, should help the observer

in

A B C OF THE HORSE

58

arriving at a decision as to their condition.

If

the

slightest

difference

in

appearance be noted, the reason should

be

searched

carefully

Spavins,

for.

which are somevi^hat similar to

except

that

they occur

in

splints,

the hock

only, shov^ themselves on the inner side

of

that

Spavin
animal

joint,
is

first

below

just

evident

very
leaves

its

the

when

bend.
the

stable.

Curbs occur a few inches below the

point of the hock, and

although they

frequently do not cause lameness, they

undoubtedly

constitute

unsoundness.

Having run the hand down the cannon

bone, and found

it

clean and cool to

BC OF THE HORSE

59

the touch, the hoof and sole are care-

Then

examined.

fully

the observer

passes around to the offside, and repeats on the off fore and hind legs the

task
fore

he has performed

and hind

on

the

near

This being con-

legs.

cluded, the only thing which remains

to

be done

This

is

is

to test the animal's wind.

best done

on

galloped

by having
and,

soft,

it

if

smartly
possible,

heavy piece of ground, or by having

it

put in a carriage,

and driven
steep

hill.

the wind

is

rapidly

if

a harness horse,

up a moderately

Another method of testing

to place the animal against

a wall and suddenly raise the

hand as

A DC OF THE HORSE

6o

if

to

strike

it.

sound the

suspicions

liveliest

be aroused, and

ceeded with.

emits a grunting

If it

As

further

should

test

pro-

previously stated, the

above directions

the examination

for

of a horse are merely intended for the

The

amateur.

such

an

"expert,"

amateur

should

by

whom

always

be

accompanied, would probably make a

much more

detailed

examination, but

such details would be

for the

far too technical

compass of the present work.

Fraudulent Practices,

Unfortunately,

horse-dealing lends itself more, perhaps,

than most other callings to fraudulent

practices.

Why

this

should

be so

it

A B C OF THE HORSE
is

to

difficult

say,

but

When

the fact exists.

6i

nevertheless

the skin of the

has been blemished or galled,

horse

different

coloured hair makes

its

ap-

pearance on the seat of the injury, and

it is

no uncommon thing

for the " horse-

coper" to dye the offending hairs so

as to enable

them

Such a fraud

is

to escape detection.

a course easily dis-

covered by the experienced man, but

it is

apparent to the

not so

Then,

again,

stopped with
the coper

sand cracks

often

gutta-percha, although

more

frequently relies

carefully plastered-in

frauds can

are

novice.

mud.

be detected

if

on

Both these
the hoof

is

A BC OF THE HORSE

62

thoroughly cleaned with a brush and

Bishoping, so

water.

man named

called

who

Bishop,

formed the nefarious

youthful.
tion

aged

Some

first

operation,

tampering with the teeth

make an

after

horse

in

peris

order to

more

appear

years ago this opera-

was very popular with a certain

of

class

migratory

dealer,

but

strong arm of the law has done

to put a stop to

it,

Tar

is

the

much

sometimes

given to broken-winded horses in order

to

keep quiet the secret-telling cough.

There are scores of such

to the
are

stable

also

tricks

known

hanger-on, but as they

known

to

the

expert they

A BC OF THE HORSE
do not often accomplish

They
at

63

their purpose.

are for the most part attempted

fairs,

where

safety on
chaser,

the vendor relies

the innocence of the

and upon

his

own

for

pur-

capacity to

make

a speedy departure before the

fraud

is

if

discovered.

Needless to say,

attempted and discovered, the

seller

can promptly receive the attention of

the

police.

repositories,

It

is

only

fair

to

the

where so much business

done nowadays,

is

to say that these frauds

are but seldom attempted there, for

if

the auctioneer had his suspicions aroused,

he would,

for his

own

reputation's sake

promptly inquire into the matter.

CHAPTER

III

HOW TO TELL THE AGE OF THE HORSE

The

teeth

are

the

means by which

the age of the horse can be told, and

many

although there have been

cases in

which they have misled the examiner,

it

may be

that

stated

safely

cases out of 1000, the

in

teeth are

999

up

to eight years of age a sure indication

of the age of the horse.

In his highly

interesting work, The Veterinary

for Horse

Owners^
64

Mr

F.

Manual

T. Barton,

ABC

OF THE HORSE
"The

M.R.C.V.S. says:

and

'

third

'

temporary,
"

On

first/

'

'

65

second/

molars (grinders) are but

i.e.,

never replaced.

the other hand,

all

the incisor

(nipping) teeth are 'temporary/ and

is

their replacement, etc.,

(aided

which affords

by an inspection

part

in

it

of

molars) such reliable evidence of

the

the

horse's

age,

eight or ten years.

becomes

opinion

When

the

foal

is

at

least,

to

After this time an

more

speculative.

one year old the

permanent molar

'fourth'

up

is

up,

but

not worn, and at the age of two years

the
"

'

fifth

The

'

'

permanent molar

sixth

'

is

up.

permanent molar
E

is

not

'

ABC

66

OF THE HORSE

cut until the horse arrives at three and

a half years.

"When
six

the animal

months the

'

two years and

is

first

'

and

'

second

temporary molars are replaced, and the

'third' one at three
"

the

Up

to

nipping (incisor)

central

four

years.

two years or thereabout

temporary nature.

at

and a half

permanent
years

same, and at

the
five

teeth

At

all

of a

are

three years the

incisors

are

middle

level,

pair

years the

are on a level with the others.

the

corners

Many

horses bred in the North of Scotland

are frequently several

getting their teeth.

months

later in

BC OF THE HORSE

A
*'

When

years

corner

the

confined

to

a horse

in
"

horse

the

front

five

six

at

show wear,

teeth

their

at

arrives

67

edge,

absent

years.

Seven and eight years afford the

cheating

horse

the

dealer

greatest

delight.
"

To many

of these gentlemen

all

the horses they have for disposal are

either

instance

and

in

one

we remember examining

the

seven

or

eight,

teeth of a pony, said to be seven, yet

it

proved to be thirty years old at

"

At

seven

elongated,

and

hinder edge.

years
it

is

the

very

'

least.

Mark
near

'

is

the

'

A BC OF THE HORSE

68

Look

"

the

'

Mark

'

nearly

runs

length

the

of the tooth, but in a horse at

it

very

is

much

applies to the
"

At

which

at the corner teeth, in

smaller.

'

eight

This also

other incisors.

ten years a groove starts upon

the outer

face

of the

upper

corner

incisor.

"In

all

cases

is

it

the rule to refer

to the lower incisor teeth only, unless

the

mouth be kept

The

very

directions

these

forces

closed."

simplicity

the

of

writer to

make

extracts.

Sometimes when the mouth

the

these

is

closed

upper teeth project, overhanging

A B C OF THE HORSE

69

the lower teeth, and this constitutes a

" parrot

mouth."

defect

is

siderable

horse with such a

naturally

placed

disadvantage when

Horses, like

human

con-

at

feeding.

beings, frequently

suffer

from diseases of the

in the

majority of cases these troubles

teeth,

but

only arise during the early stage of

their

careers,

creeping on.

or

The

when

old

age

is

veterinary surgeon

of to-day combines the duty of dentist

with his other professional qualifications,

and

it

is

no uncommon thing

for

an

animal to have the troublesome tooth

extracted, or a surface filed down.

CHAPTER

IV

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

GROOMING

STABLING FEEDING
The
a

man

work
to

only

to be

occupy

for

working

his

in the

chief

coachman

the

fills

in the

house or

requisites

there-

odd hours by
in

the garden.

for a

successful

are steadiness, sobriety,

temper, and a love of animals.

man who

is

the

sufficient

He

whole time.

keeps
as

stable,

done would not be

fore generally

The

owner seldom

one-horse

good

The

hasty or brutal will soon

70

A B C OF THE HORSE

71

ruin the best-tempered horse that ever

No man

ate out of a manger.

should

be expected to look after more than

two horses and a

carriage,

One

go out with them.

if

he has to

of the dis-

advantages of keeping only one servant

is

that on wet days,

if

the

mud

cleaned off the carriage before

on,

it

not

is

dries

it

takes longer to clean, and the

paint and varnish suffer, whilst

carriage receives the

first

if

the

attention the

horse or horses run a risk of catching

cold and developing that bane of the

stablecracked

An

heels.

excellent motto to be placed in

every stable

would be

"

Groom

well

A BC OF THE HORSE

72

and

Lack

often."

bound

mean

to

Without

it

grooming

of

is

of good health.

lack

a sleek coat

is

impossible,

and the respiratory system cannot be

properly

Perspiration

stimulated.

prevents the pores of the skin getting

choked, but the

fluid

apt to con-

is

solidate again at the roots of the hair

if it is

for

not removed, hence the necessity

men know

groom
would

the

well

be

estimate.
is

But how many

good grooming.

way

to

To

probably
It is

or

anyrate do

say one in

five

high

an

too

the curry

comb which

so popular with the strapper, and

when, by the aid of

its

sharp teeth,

ABC

OF THE HORSE
has

been

cause

it

animal

the

to

irritated

stand

to

refuse

brought into use.

with which

it

If

sufficiently

to

absolutely

brush

the

still,

73

only the vigour

applied could

is

is

bear

favourable comparison with that shown

by the

average

of hissing,

should
throat,

for

find
it

its

fear

is

all

Hard
soft

way

speck of dust
his

right,

own

but un-

He

not the case.

vigorously, brushes

functory way, the animal

dition,

the

in

way down

would be

fortunately such
hisses

groom

per-

loses

con-

in

and the master wonders why.

brushes

are

not

necessary

brush applied with pressure being

A BC OF THE HORSE

74

quite as efficacious
to

the

skin

with

less

In

his

and

less

irritating

one

than a hard

used

pressure.

and

interesting

exhaustive

work, The Practical Horse Keeper^

George
"

Next

water

Fleming,

food

to

in stable-kept horses is

There

can

artificial

no

he

state

says:

F.R.C.V.S.,

importance

in

in

and

grooming.

doubt that

which

Dr

horses

the
are

kept renders cleanliness of the skin a

necessity,

and

it

is

universally

re-

cognised that the beauty, health, and

vigour of the horse

pendent

upon the

integument.

are

largely

condition

of

dehis

A BC OF THE HORSE
"

The

function of the skin

portant,

and

function

is

75

very im-

is

just in proportion as that

maintained

will the health

activity, so

in

To

be improved.

clean

the skin thoroughly, a brush

is,

perhaps,

though

in

Eastern

the best appliance

countries,

where the horses have very

thin, sensitive skins

well

as with

...

may cause
It

coats, as

fine

some horses

country, a brush
irritation.

and

in

our

own

considerable

must, however, be re-

garded as essential to proper manage-

ment

that under no pretext

to be left for the night until

is

all his

have been thoroughly dried.

this precept

very

difficult

a horse
legs

Nor

is

of execution

A BC OF THE HORSE

76

wood sawdust

a handful or two of light

rubbed

few minutes well into the

for a

hair will absorb all moisture from the

most hirsute

legs, affording

not only a

sense of comfort to the animal,

those

preventing

undesirable

but

conse-

quences engendered by continued apof cold and wet to the ex-

plication

The

tremities.

iron curry

comb should

never, as a rule, be applied to the skin

of

nothing
brush
dirt

is

to
for

bristle

this

For

horses.

better than a

remove

be

rough

suffices,

coats

good dandy

dandriff,

finer-coated

brush

may

long,

dust,

horses

and

a good

and the use of

advantageously

supple-

ABC

OF THE HORSE

yy

mented by the wisp and rubber; indeed,

some extremely thin-skinned,

for

coated

horses,

the

two

fine-

are

latter

generally found sufficient, provided the

groom

efficiently.

or

is

them energetically and

applies
.

If the horse

is

wet from perspiration or

heated,
rain,

he

should on no account be allowed to

remain undried
but

if

for

any length of time

he cannot be attended to immedi-

ately in a proper manner, he

may

either

receive a temporary wisping of the

and

legs,

these,

or

or

clothing and

leaving

on

the

body

bandaging
saddle

or

harness until an opportunity arrives for

grooming him

or, better still,

he

may

A B C OF THE HORSE

78

be exercised

for a short time, so as to

prevent what

is

he can be attended
be

first

When

called a chill.
to,

the legs should

well dried, and then bandaged,

a blanket being thrown over the body

meanwhile

when

all

the

may

been so treated, the body

groomed,

and

when

be removed from the

brushed

bandages

legs,

out.

have

then be

has

this

finished, \i necessary, the

thoroughly

legs

been

may

and these
It

is

very

dangerous to allow the skin to dry by

simple evaporation, and especially in a
cold or draughty stable
bronchitis,

and

as

inflammation

pleurisy,

of

the

lungs or intestines are very often the

A BC OF THE HORSE
To groom

result.

horse properly

amount of

requires a considerable

and much

and exertion

skill

79

therefore necessary, unless

time,
it

is

grooms are

very trustworthy, that owners of horses

should

know when

their

horses

are

groomed, and should also see that

is

done thoroughly.

it

well-groomed

horse gives evidence of the fact in the

clean, shining,

and healthy appearance

of the coat, and

if

against the hairs

them.
is

If,

the hand be rubbed

it

is

not soiled

by

on the contrary, the horse

not well-groomed, the coat will be

dull,

staring,
dirt

and unsightly, and patches of

may

be seen upon

it,

while

if

the

A BC OF THE HORSE

8o

hand

is

pushed up through

it, it

covered with a white greasy

if

will

be

and

film,

the animal has perspired, scurf and

be observed where the saddle

dirt will

or harness has been

tion

of the

points

while on examinaof

and

hips

the

shoulders, the sides and points of the

hocks, the

mane,

tail,

roots

and

further evidence.

of

the hairs of the

forelock

When

will

yield

the legs must

be washed, which sometimes happens,

as

when very muddy,

grey-legged

horses,

or with white

and

should

be

they

thoroughly dried immediately

wrapped

in

and

bandages.

Some

in favour of

washing

flannel

grooms are greatly

after,

A B C OF THE HORSE
the

body and

cases

as

but unless in special

legs,

when the

greasy or dirty

mended.

It is

8i

skin

is

extremely

this

cannot be recom-

much

better to wisp or

scrape well, or both, and then clothe

and bandage,

if

body

the

is

wet, leaving

the thorough cleaning to be carried out

when
More

circumstances

favourable.

especially should this procedure

be observed

what

are

is

perfect

in winter, in

known

as

'

order to avoid

mud

fever.'

If

drying could be ensured im-

mediately after

harm would
always be

washing, perhaps

result
relied

no

but as this cannot

upon, washing had

better be dispensed with."

ABC

82

OF THE HORSE

Before leaving the subject of grooming,

two pieces of advice

When

to the novice

your horse has been finished

off

for the day, occasionally visit the stable

and pass your hand under the chest

between the

forelegs,

and

feel for hair

If

you

you

find

it

a second time, dismiss the man.

As

good housewife searches the corners

matted with dry perspiration.

find

it

once, forgive

it,

but

if

of her house for dirt and dust, so the

good horse owner

nises that he

who do

his

the man who recog-

owes a duty to the animals

work

for

him

examine those portions of

which do not

should

their bodies

at the first glance attract


A B C OF THE HORSE
The second

attention.
is,

piece of advice

occasionally run your fingers through

mane

the

see that

and turn

not knotted

is

it

make

over in order to

it

that the roots are not

is

83

full

sure

of dust.

It

another of those hidden corners which

require the master's eye to investigate.

Stabling.

the necessity

and

well

questions

and

easy to hold forth on

of properly constructed
ventilated

as

locality

It is

to

decision

keeper

he be

if

house he
in

his

own

come within the

of

the

occupies.

place he

but

conformation

site,

hardly

power or

stables,

the

one-horse

tenant
If

may

of

man

the
lives

be tempted

84

to

BC OF THE HORSE

spend money on

it,

but

if

he

is

only

the tenant he generally feels that he

must make the best of what the landBut everyone can have

lord provides.

a well-regulated stable.

Nothing can

be worse than

horse to

the

for

be

exposed to a keen wind or a crossdraught when

stall.

Grooms

he

is

are

generally inclined,

standing in his

however, to go to the other extreme,

Ex-

and to block up every aperture.

cessive

heat

is

animal than

owner

excessive cold, and the

should

thermometer,
find a

almost worse for the

place in

watch
which

carefully

the

should

always

every stable.

When

A BC OF THE HORSE
the doors are thrown

open

85

the

first

thing in the morning, the nostrils are

often

by

assailed

generated by stale
proper

ventilation.

odour

strong

litter,

and lack of

How

any

can

animal, coming out of such a place, be

expected to be refreshed by

The horse wants pure

rest?

much

as

that,

whilst

all

are stopped

up,

tions

its

The owner

man.

for

ventilation

causes

effect

as

should see

draughts

of

the ordinary precau-

are

preserved.

urge this point too strongly, for

ing

air

maintenance of proper

the

often seen in

night's

young animals the

that

foetid

cannot
I

have

vitiat-

atmosphere

BC OF THE HORSE

86

has had.

It

same

not the

is

evacuations which do so

much

as those of previous days.

night's

mischief

In too many-

stables the upper surface of the litter

kept

all right,

but

is

the foundation of

it is

the bed which reeks of ammonia, which

sends up
nostrils

and

fumes into the animal's

its

and

eyes,

disease.

and

sets

up

irritation

Occasionally take a fork

and turn over the bed, and see that

its

foundation

to

do;

one

is

clean.

turn

It is

with

sufficient to get a general

not

the

of

probably, from

fork

is

impression,

and the groom seeing you do

will

much

it

once

mere expectancy

your renewing your investigations.

A B C OF THE HORSE
the

see that

bed

There are some

insist

of

kept

back

equally

hygienic

on

so

against

as

their stables

the score

doors thrown

neatness, but

open

always

when the horses

closed

They do

out.

right.

all

who

people

upon the doors of

being
are

kept

is

87

the

and

neat,

point of

wall

better

wide

are

from a

because

view,

stable can thus be thoroughly aired

sun's rays
their

way

the

have then a chance of finding

into

the

little

corners which are such

grounds

for

all

Light

the

enemy

is

the

and therefore

let

nooks and

happy hunting

forms
of

of

bacteria.

the

microbe,

there be light.

A B C OF THE HORSE

88

Cleanliness

ance

in

any

is

of the utmost innport-

stable,

and with cleanliness

naturally goes attention to

of

Do

drainage.

dung-heap

the stable door.

the

made

be

to

not

all

matters

allow

the

outside

just

throw

It is easier to

used-up straw there, but

it

will

also be in just the position to pollute

the atmosphere, and to cause the smells

arising from

it,

when

the wind

is

in

certain direction, to flow back into the

stable.

what

it

Be the system

of

may, the owner can

drainage

at anyrate

see that the drains are not allowed to

collect

that

and stagnate

in

any

may

in

the

there

be

little

floor,

holes

and

A BC OF THE HORSE

89

has been

passed

the brush

that after

along the back of the horses'

disinfecting fluid, or, better

little

powder,
things

the

stalls,

is

thrown down.

require

still,

these

a master's eye.

It

is

of stable

management

for success,

and however

little details

which make

All

keen a groom

may

be, the

knowledge

that the "guv'ner takes a pride in his

horses " should always be behind him.

Feeding,

of as

The

much

the matter of diet as a

to

food

this
realise.

is

attention

human

give

to

in

being,

what too many men

They

is

The

great importance as any.

horse requires as

and

of

question

fail

an animal

A BC OF THE HORSE

90

his proportion

and then they

of food,

think they have done their duty.

such

not

is

the

are as fastidious

want

to

Some

horses

any man.

They

case.

as

be tempted to

mess which

is

and the

eat,

thrown into

their stall

does not induce an appetite.

are at

all

But

they

If

of a nervous temperament

can they be expected to go on with

repast

their

whilst

man

hissing

is

around them with a sharp curry-comb,

and

because

yells, "

them

is

animal

venture

Get up, you brute

up

build

they

is

strength,
false

and

economy.

"

to

move

Good

oats

not

to

The

well-fed

give

capable of doing better work

A BC OF THE HORSE

91

and the extra cost of the oats con-

sumed

The

is

repaid by

the

done.

horse looks for his food at certain

He knows

stated times.

any human
arrive,

being when

and

he

if

as

well

as

those times

disappointed his

is

He

stomach gets weak.

it,

work

cannot

tell

and man should therefore remember

it

Neither

him.

for

can

the horse

by allowing the

crav-

ings of hunger to go unsatisfied,

when

protest, except

his

manger

food.

is

full

clean

and

manger tempts the

food

is

with

refuse

easily

of

from

sweet

appetite,

spoilt

or dusty

stale

by

smelling

and good

mixing

previous

it

meal.

A BC OF THE HORSE

92

Bran mashes should be given regularly

once a week, and
inclined

made

if

harshness,

to

hot

into

This

unless

the

hot,

he

not

good

than

is

more

likely

allowed to

horse

is

permitted

is

to

linseed

will

have a

for

are

supply of

the

great

mistake, as

comes

home very

likely

to

is

far

himself

if

not

his

do so

more

drink

He

him.

injure

quench
to

some

mash

fond of limiting

water.

at all

is

Some stablemen

beneficial effect.

very

the coat

or

if

after

thirst,

freely

lengthy and enforced abstinence.

In his highly interesting and valuable

work, Horses and Stables, Lieutenant-

A
General
says:

BC OF THE HORSE

"Of

the

Bart,

Fitzwygram,

F.

Sir

93

quantity of water to

be given at one time, the horse himself

is

few cases, such as where the horse

in a
is

Excepting

in general the best judge.

excessively hot or exhausted, or has

from

any

cause

without

kept

been

water for an undue length of time, or

where there
or

is

diuresis,

a tendency to purgation

the horse

allowed to drink as
It is

may

much

safely

be

as he likes.

a cardinal rule in stable manage-

ment that horses should be watered

before being fed.
is

The contrary

exceedingly likely

otherwise

called

to

gripes.

practice

cause

...

It

colic,
is

A BC OF THE HORSE

94

somewhat singular

may

be

watered

immediatety

that

horses

safety

almost

fact

with

after

work, even though somewhat

Probably the

friction

which

place

takes

from

return

their

heated.

from grooming,

about

same

the

time, prevents the occurrence of a

Many

regiments water their horses on

way home from

their

chill.

river or troughs

certain that

are

field

handy, and

no mischief

the practice.

day,

Probably

it

a
is

from

results
in

if

case

this

the further slight exercise in returning

home
risk

prevents mischief.

There

is

less

of chill from drinking cold water

when the body

is

still

actively

warm

A B C OF THE HORSE

95

than when the system has begun to

flag.

however, the horse

If,

and

is

thor-

oughly

tired

should

be made slightly tepid, or a

bucket of
instead.

warm

fagged,

gruel

the

may

In such cases there

water

be given

may

not

be sufficient vitality to raise a large

quantity of cold water to the temperature of the

body

may become
stare, his

and hence the animal

chilled,

bowels

and

his

coat will

may become deranged

and further serious consequences may

result."

CHAPTER V
MINOR ACCIDENTS AND AILMENTS,
AND THEIR TREATMENT
In

chapter merely a few of the

this

minor accidents

ailments which

and

occur to the horse are dealt with, for

it

at

the

would be impossible
disposal
subject.

Whenever

found to be really
is

to

at

surgeon.
for

once
It is

lengthily

deal

to

ill,

in

call

not

the owner to

ing, for there are

with

horse

is

the best plan

veterinary

the animal

amateur doctor-

many
96

fair to

try

the space

in

diseases which

A BC OF THE HORSE
to

the inexperienced

97

eye present the

same symptoms, although the methods

of successful

be

treatment are bound to

different.

Bleeding {See Haemorrhage).

Blood Spavin.
expression,
really

for

This
vein,

what

to

refers

it

varicose

an ignorant

is

as

it

is

passes

over the front of the hock.

Broken
difficulty

Wind

displayed

is

of breathing.

tion of the flank will

An

by

examina-

show a hesitancy

during the expulsion of each breath

although
with
is

inspiration

steadiness.

is

performed

permanent

impossible, although careful

cure
atten-

ABC

98

OF THE HORSE

tion to feeding will bring about

alleviation

of the trouble.

water frequently and

is

in

some

Feed and

small quantities

sound advice.
Bruises,

The limbs of the

most frequently bruised.

tions followed

horse are

Hot fomenta-

by a cooling

lotion will

have a soothing and beneficial

Canker.
thrush,

effect.

Really an advanced stage of

and

is

management.

due to improper stable

Violent inflammation

is

always present, and the odour emitted

is

overpowering.

skilled

aid

When

suspected,

should at once be called

in.

Capped Elbow.

Generally caused

by

ABC
the

animal

OF THE HORSE

striking

down, the

lying

that

99

when

joint

continual

irritation

eventually producing a tumour.

Capped Hock.
given to

it

which are

kicking frequently get their

hocks capped.
date

Animals

will

the trouble

is

of recent

be shown by increased heat

in the part.

Catarrh or Cold.

Discharge

disease.

organs
fever

is

avoided,

required.

although

plenty of fresh
little

is

from

air.

common

the

usually accompanied

and cough.

chiefly

This

nasal

by some

Careful nursing

Draughts
there

is

must be

should

be

Laxative food and

nitrate of potass in

the water

A B C OF THE HORSE

loo

will usually effect a cure.

Should the

symptoms become grave then

aid should be at once called
Corns.
is

skilled

in.

The inner quarter of the sole

the seat of a corn, and the fore limbs

are those usually affected.

the

result

of

the

They

are

unnatural pressure

thrown upon the part by the use of the

shoe.

The remedy

is

to be found in

removing the pressure by paring away

the horn covering the seat of the corn,

and

preventing

thus

touching

the

shoe

from

it.

Cracked Heels,

Easily recognised by

the swelling-up of the legs, and

amount of heat

in the

the

neighbourhood of

ABC

The

the heels.
red,

OF THE HORSE

and

skin

fissures

The treatment

is

loi

hard, glossy and

and discharge

follow.

consists of fomentations

of hot water and the application

made of

poultices

parts of linseed

linseed, or of equal

and bran.

Later on,

when

all

ment

consisting of powdered

common
Curb,
of,

and

of

heat has disappeared, an oint-

alum and

lard should be rubbed

An

in.

enlargement at the back

just below, the point of the hock.

Sickle-shaped

hocks

are

predisposed

towards curbs.

Eczema

is

a skin disease which

often hard to cure.

be obtained.

it

is

Skilled aid should

A B C OF THE HORSE

102

Elephantiasis.

A permanent thicken-

ing of the skin and underlying tissues,

causing a permanent enlargement of the

part

Attacks

affected.

vulgarly

known

Disease," bring

as "
it

of

main

in

in

the

is

Monday Morning

on.

That disease

most frequently met with

employed

what

in

is

animals

slow work, and v/ho

re-

stable from Saturday to

Monday.
Flat Feet are highly objectionable as

they are a sign of weakness.

Fistulous Withers.
to cure.

It is

difficult disease

highly dangerous to work

a horse suffering from them, as sudden

pressure

on

the

part affected

might

A B C OF THE HORSE
cause

it

to bolt or

103

become unmanage-

able.

Glanders.

This

terrible

disease

is

almost entirely confined to the large

Scientific research has

towns.

some

light

fortunately

upon
its

thrown

ravages, but un-

its

cure up to the present

seems hopeless, whilst

the infectious

powers of glanders are known too

Human

being and

endangered
glandered

Captain
"is

by

in

"

are

alike

presence

the

animal.

Hayes

animal

well.

Glanders,"

of

says

Vetennary Notes^

most readily communicated by

in-

oculation with the diseased discharge

from the

nostrils, the

mere contact of

ABC

I04

OF THE HORSE

whichwith any of the mucous membranes

is

sufficient to give rise to the disease.

Hence

it is

advisable,

when examining

a suspected horse, to be very careful

to avoid the possibility of his sneezing

we may

or coughing in one's face, which

do by using the

special face-guards that

are manufactured

ment makers

by veterinary

for

the

persons examining

protection

glandered

Bab^s has proved that the

bacillus

may

instru-

of

horses.

glanders

penetrate into the skin,

without the aid of any existing wound,

by gaining entrance
hair

follicles,

where

into
it

some of the

will

multiply,

cause ulceration of the skin, and thus

ABC
infect

the

animal.
Inoculation

obvious.

tainted

OF THE HORSE

105

The

moral

with

glanders-

blood has been found to

more often than

it

mitting the disease.

is

fail

succeeds in trans.

This power

of infecting the atmosphere of a stable

seems to be

possessed by glandered

show

no

outward

animals

which

symptom

of the disease, as well as those

which have a running from the nose.

fact

it

In

has not infrequently happened

that such horses have, without contact,

infected

healthy

animals,

into

whose

near vicinity they have been brought, so

virulently that the latter have died in a

short time

from glanders, though the

ABC

io6

OF THE HORSE

former continued
Describing

apparent health."

in

symptoms

the

of

acute

glanders, a form of the disease which

is

of course the most easily diagnosed,

Hayes says

Captain

persistent shivering
(often of

"

fits

More

or less

marked

rise

or 8 Fahr.) in the internal

temperature of the body (normal, about

99 Fahr.), and, consequently,
less fever

coat

is

frequent

more or

usher in the attack.

dry

and

weak

and

hurried and painful

loses condition

staring

the

the

The
pulse

breathing

the animal rapidly

and the mucous mem-

branes of the nose become

filled

with

nodules and ulcers which run together

ABC

OF THE HORSE
Symptoms

and discharge pus.

107

of farcy,

diarrhoea and swellings of the limbs and

The premonitory

head may appear."

shivering

fits

and

rise

of temperature

should, however, at an early period of

the disease serve as a warning to the

amateur of the necessity of

at

once

obtaining professional aid.

Grease. i:\i\?>
of sore heels.

is

an aggravated form

If not

taken in time the

disease extends above the fetlock-joints,

and there

is

considerable swelling, with

cracks and ulcers in the skin, and a dis-

charge of offensive matter.

is

The

disease

frequently the result of overcrowding

and injudicious feeding.

It is

admitted

ABC

io8

OF THE HORSM

always to be the result of improper

stable

management.

Fomentations and

poultices should be the

first

treatment

adopted.
Gripes.
for colic,

This

and may

of causes.
denly, the

from a number

arise

The pain comes on

horse paws, strikes

belly, lies

down,

rolls,

stretched.

The

attacks

sharp.

name

the popular

is

Turpentine

sudat

its

or remains outare short

and

in linseed oil is

an

old-fashioned and popular remedy, but

most grooms have

their

own

favourite

medicine for the disease.

Some

are very subject to colic,

and

found

a veterinary

to

be

the

case

horses

if this

is

ABC

OF THE HORSE

109

surgeon should be consulted as to the

may

probable cause, which

be found to

be indigestion.
or

Hcemorrkage
pressure

times

Bleeding.

will

Some-

stop

this,

plugging the wound with tow.

water

will

heated
applied

to
is

130

in

Fahr.

if

Water

continually

a safe remedy, but failing

success a styptic
this

Cold

frequently stop bleeding

only small vessels are involved.

or

must be used.

becomes necessary

it is

When

well to call

a veterinary surgeon, as extensive

bleeding necessarily denotes injury to

one of the larger

ion.

vessels.

This

state

may

of

A BC OF THE HORSE

no

course be set up in any portion of the

body.

It

is

by increase

denoted

temperature, or by heat of the part,

it

be a local

tion of

affection.

any

When

aid

if

inflamma-

of the internal organs

suspected, skilled

in

is

should at once

be requisitioned, as the progress of such

diseases as inflammation of the
or bowels

is

lungs

rapid and needs prompt and

skilful treatment.

Influenza.

The remarks

with regard

to inflammation are especially applic-

able

to

influenza,

with a shivering

fit,

which

commences

and

neglected

if

succeeded by symptoms of high

The progress

of the disease

is

is

fever.

very rapid.

A B C OF THE HORSE
Laniinitis

is

chiefly confined to the

The hoofs

sensitive laminae.
hot,

and

pain

is

if

in

tapped with a

The

intensified.

get very

hammer

the

horse adopts a

cramped attitude whilst standing, and

the

bodily

health

soon

is

affected.

Laminitis frequently leaves permanent

injury

to

common
Lungs.

hoof,

thing for

it

it

being no un-

to

be shed.

{See Inflammation.)

Mange.
ing

the

contagious disease caus-

the hair to

fall

off in

patches,

leaving the skin scaly and rough, and

greasy to the touch.

There are several

excellent specifics on the market.

local

remedy may

consist

The

of sulphur

ABC

112

ointment;
oil

OF THE HORSE

made up

of sulphur and train

equal quantities and applied to

in

the affected parts.

Medicines,
Thein.

and

The

most

medicine

giving

means of a

mouth on the
firmly in the
is

form

horse

the

drawn

off-side

and held there

The

hand.

of the right hand

down

and

is

ball

The tongue

and the

head
is

is

seen

throat
is

held
to

which

thumb

then placed well

the

animal.

medicine

by

of his

out

held between the fingers and

back

is

of

In giving a ball the

is

left

Administer

to

popular

to

ball.

tongue

horse's

How

of

the

then released

up

pass

until

the

down

the

A B C OF THE HORSE
on the

gullet

left

side

of the

neck.

The operation should be performed

quietly as possible, and
at all refractory

the aid

it

if

13

as

the animal

is

better to obtain

is

of a skilled

On no

person.

account should the hold on the tongue

be

retained

animal

the

if

struggles

violently, as otherwise serious injury

likely to result.

is

In giving a drench the

tongue should not be interfered with.

The

horse's

head should be raised so

that the nose

is

horizontal line.

Dr Fleming's
"This

may

quiet,

by an

little

To

higher than the

quote again from

Practical Horse Keeper

be done,

if

assistant;

the horse

is

but

is

if

he

114

A B C OF THE HORSE

restless

it is

necessary to keep the head

elevated by a loop of cord inserted into

the

mouth over the upper

prong of a stable
through

by the

it,

fork

jaw, the

being passed

and the handle steadily held

assistant.

The drink

is

then to

be given by a person standing on the

right side (the assistant being in front

or on the
side

the

of

little

side of the

horse) the

mouth being

pulled out

left

to form a sack or funnel, into

which the medicine

is

poured, a

a time, allowing an interval

now and

again for the horse to swallow.

of

the

(which

fluid
it

is

gets

into

likely to

do

the
if

little at

If

any

windpipe

the head

is

A BC OF THE HORSE
held

too high), coughing will be set

when the head should be

up,

115

instantly

Neither the tongue nor the

lowered.

nostrils should be interfered with.

"

Powders may be given

mash

little

or gruel, well stirred up."

Megrims come on
Heart disease
the

in

chief

congestion
fitting

is

suddenly.

believed to be one of

causes
of

quite

what

of

the

really

is

brain.

tight-

exposure to the

collar or long

rays of a powerful sun contributes

the appearance of the disease.

to

first

attack predisposes to a recurrence.

Mud

Fever.

An

the legs, belly, etc.

eruption

This

is

the

upon

same

ABC

ii6

OF THE HORSE

condition of the skin as cracked heels,

and

is

due

the

to

same

cause

or

causes.

Navicular Disease.
disease

is

The

the back part of the foot,

where the navicular bone

The

seat of this

animal

is

to be found.

goes

affected

downhill

with more difficulty than he goes uphill.

cure

is

impossible.

Nursing during
nursing
ness.

are

is

Fresh
absolute

should be

The

half the
air,

Sickness.

battle during sick-

quiet and cleanliness

essentials.

warm

Careful

The

without being

appetite should

be

stable
stuffy.

tempted

by

continually changing the food offered.

ABC

OF THE HORSE

117

The body should not be overloaded

with heavy clothing.

linseed

made

are

Poultices

bran,

meal, turnips, carrots or char-

They should

coal.

of

some waterproof

encased

be

When

material.

in

they

are to be applied to the feet a poultice-

shoe

is

of advantage.

Quittor.

Frequently

the result of

puncture of the foot when shoeing,

or of a tread

on the

foot.

It

is

difficult disease to cure.

Roaring.
this

An

disease

is

animal suffering from

of

little

value.

It

is

noticeable during inspiration of breath

when the horse

is

in

motion.

A B C OF THE HORSE

ii8

Sanderack.

splitting in

the wall

of the hoof.

Shivering,

An

incurable

shown by a quivering
in

the region

quarters and
Sprains.
is

as

malady

of the muscles

of the shoulders, hind

tail.

In

all

cases

of sprains

it

necessary to keep the affected part

still

as

The preliminary

possible.

treatment should consist of cold-water

Absolute

bandages.

rest

is

an

essential to recovery.

Stringhalt.

ing in

both
ment.

An

involuntary

uplift-

"a jerky manner" of one or

the

hind

limbs

during

move-

A B C OF THE HORSE

119

Thoroughpins are generally seen

in

short fleshy hocks, and are a distention

They

of the back parts of the hocks.

are compressible on both sides of the

hock, and are often the results of hard

work.
Thrush.

Is

an ulceration of the

frog,

causing a secretion of very offensive

The

matter.

on no

should

disease

account be neglected.
Warts.

Appear

of the skin.

by

different

parts

They may be removed

ligature, the

caustics,

by the

on

hot iron

or

knife.

Weaving.
this habit,

There

is

no

cure

which consists of a

for

restless

ABC

I20

OF THE HORSE

moving of the head from

Horses

side to side.

which contract the habit are

usually bad "doers."

" Whistlers."

popular

term

for

an affection of the breathing organs.

constitutes unsoundness.

It

Wind

Galls.

Puffy

swellings in the

neighbourhood of the
are

most

animals

frequently

fetlocks.

met

who have done a

They

with

in

great deal

of work.

Worms.

Several kinds of worms

of the horse, and they

fest the intestines

all

have the

condition.
is

noticed

effect of

When
and

in-

producing loss of

a voracious appetite
harsh, rough

skin,

A BC OF THE HORSE
presence

their

There

many

are

medicines

chemist

on

will

Wounds,

should

the

When

as

suspected.

worm

excellent

market,

and

any

supply one.

bleeding from a

stopped

be

121

there

wound

speedily

is

should be

it

as

extensive

possible,

as

loss of

blood means loss of strength.

In his

Veterinary Manual^

M.R.C.V.S., says:

as

from

it

veins

serious

than

pure blood
Pressure by

were,
is

is

sent out

whereas

in

bleeding

and

less

former, being

im-

'continuous,'

the

Barton,

"If an artery has

been torn, the blood

'jets/

Mr

and of a

purple colour.

the finger can often

be

A BC OF THE HORSE

122

used to control bleeding, a fact to be

remembered

cases

in

of

emergency.

If

the bleeding vessel can be grasped,

it

may be

catgut or silk
use of cold

The

it

water

alum,

purpose

will

free

often stop the

helps to clean

Balsam,
etc.,

The

of

should always be tried

application

Friar's

with a piece

thread, etc.

bleeding and
besides,

off

tied

is

when

the wound.

of tincture of
styptic,

used
the

for

THE END

steel,

collodion,

same

the

bleeding

excessive."

is

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MR JOHN

BURNS, M.P. By G. H. Knott.

" By no means the least interesting of The Uijou Biographies."
Lloyd's.
LORD SALISBURY. By Edward Salmon.
DR W. Q. GRACE. By Acton Wye.

PRICE

Is.

EACH

8.

By
HIS MAJESTY KING EDWARD Vllth.
Harry Whates. Double Volume.
MISS MARIE CORELLl. By Kent Carr. Double

9.

LORD KELVIN.

7.

Volume.

OTHERS

By

IN

J.

Munro.

Double Volume.

PREPARATION

THE GLOBE STAMP ALBUM

Strongly bound in Padded Cloth and well guarded.

Price

pages.

256

3s.

This Album contains spaces for about 6000 stamps, is illustrated throughout with facsimiles of stamps, reproduced by Special Permission, and will be
found thoroughly up-to-date in every respect.

MY BOOK OF
An

CONFESSIONS

Illustrated

Album,

friends, containing

the opinions of
160
up-to-date questions.

collecting

for

many new

pages, 4to.

MY BOOK OF AUTOGRAPHS
An Album

Autographs of friends, etc.,

and containing facsimiles of the Autographs of many
celebrities a Register of " At Home " Days will be found
160 pages, 4to.
at the end of the book.
for collecting the

books are printed on tinted paper and bound in the

foUoiving styles
- 3s.
Gilt Lettered, Gilt Edges, Cloth,
Padded
Paste Grain, Gilt Lettered, Gilt Edges, Round Corners, - 5s.
Paste Grain, Padded Sides, Gilt Lettered, Gilt Edges,

The above two

Round Corners,

A SERIES OF OVER

6s.

50

DIFFERENT

BIRTHDAY BOOKS> AUTOGRAPH

CONFESSION and STAMP ALBUMS,

Stocked

in

ETC.

Cloth and various styles of Leather Binding.

{See separate Catalogue.)

Admitted to be the best value in the market, and to comprise

Supplied on liberal terms.
the most varied assortment.