The farmers' practical horse farriery

Front matter

1857 METHODIST ALMANAC. 47

HOME SHOULD BE A HAPPY PLACE.

Nothing in the wide world is so pleasant to behold as a loving family. This was intended to be the happiest place on earth. When Our first parents were formed, it was to make each other happy; and when children were given to them, it was to increase their happiness by sharing it with others who were bone of their bone and flesh of their flesh. God has chosen the family relation to represent his kingdom. He speaks of himself as our jfather ; and tells us, when we pray to him, to say, " Our Father which art in heaven 1" iHe speaks of those who love and obey him as his children— his sons and daughters— adopted into his family, and made his heirs. He teaches us to regard our fellow-men as larethren, and heaven as our final and happy home. In all these descriptions, however, it must be that a peaceful as well as a happy home is meant. We have seen houses or rooms in which a father, and mother, and brothers, and sisters lived, whose temper and conduct toward each other would lead us to think of anything rather than happiness. Loud and harsh, and sometimes profane words; sullen looks, selfish and cruel acts, cries and blows; these and other things like them, remind us of that dreadful place to which all the wicked will go at last, and where no kind word, or look, or thought, will ever enter ! Is your home as happy as you wish it to be, young friend ? If not, can you not do something to make it happier?

Preface

The title of this work will in some degree indicate our purpose in presenting it to the public ; a few remarks, however, may be appropriate.

The conviction that the works on Horse Farriery, at the present day, as a general thing, are not written so much to instruct and benefit the horse owner and breeder, as the veterinary surgeon, that they confuse rather than instruct the common reader, that they are too scientific, technical, minute and elaborate, to meet the wants and demands of our agriculturists, who, from the scarcity of competent veterinary surgeons and frequent impositions, are compelled to treat their own horses, are among the prominent reasons that have induced us to present these pages to the farming community. We do not claim to have presented much that is new, but as usefulness rather than originality was the object kept constantly in view, we feel but little regret on this point.

We have consulted the best American and English authorities on the veterinary art, and skillful practitioners, the experience of many intelligent and practical farmers who have communicated their views and experience in such papers as the Veterinary Journal, Cultivator, Agriculturist, Rural New Yorker, Boston Cultivator, Vermont Stock Grower, N. Y. Tribune, &c, for years past, and have obtained from these many valuable prescriptions and suggestions. Availing ourselves of these sources, we have collected a vast amount of valuable material on the subject of the work. This we have examined, sifted, arranged, digested, and reduced, by excluding words, retaining ideas, facts and opinions, so as to present the substance and cream of the whole in a clear, simple style, within the comprehension of every one of common capacity. We have submitted the matter, previous to publishing, to one of the most noied stock breeders in the U. S. ; and the symptoms and treatments iv Preface

of diseases, to one whose experience and ability has eminently qualified him. To these gentlemen we are under special obligations.

This work is not only adapted to the wants of the farmer, but it should be in the hands of every person who owns a horse, for every one who keeps a horse should not only learn to keep him in health, for pecuniary gain, but as a matter of humanity and benevolence.

We have aimed to be practical and definite on all points. We regret that we have felt compelled to be so brief on many important matters, and indeed several articles have been thrown out entirely, for the want of room. If the reader will reflect that a large volume has been written on the horse foot alone, he will easily conceive our confined, embarrassed, and cramped situation ; having to treat on so many different points and subjects within the scope of 200 pages, we have omitted illustrations, reasons, arguments, &c, and presented the naked facts. To those who may wish for a more extended description and treatment of diseases, we most cheerfully commend tyr. Dadd's Modern Horse Doctor, or Youatt on the Horse.

More space is given to the method of training and breaking horses, in view of the interest that has been elicited on the subject, than would have been, under other circumstances.

The method of treatment of Mr. Davis, found in this book, we will guarantee is fully equal if not superior to any of the so called Patent Rights, and we have our serious doubts, from all the evidence we have been able to gather, that there is any Patent Right, Copy Right, or any other right about them, but what the public have just as good a right to as they have to the President's Message. The use that has been made of this so called Right, and the manner in which it has been conducted of selling it as a Patent Right, and a little 6 cent pamphlet for $10, binding the purchaser under $300 bonds never to disclose it, and selling County rights for $1000, and the like, we think is one of the greatest impositions that has ever been passed upon the American People.

Conscious of its imperfection, but trusting that it will in some degree meet the wants of the farmers, in adding to the comforts, improving the condition, relieving pain, removing disease, and sometimes saving the life of the noble and most useful animal, the horse, the author now lays it Hopefully before the public.

Chapter I. Uistoey, Breeds And Yabieties Of Hoeses In The United States

Origin and value ot tne horse — The Arabian horse— The Morgan horse — The raoe horse— The Canadian horse — The Norman horse— The Cleveland bay— The American trotting horse— Dray or draft horse Page 13-28.

Chapter II. Breeding And Management Of Colts

Laws of breeding — like begets like — exceptions — illustrations — object of breeding— breeding — Temperament — Errors in breeding — Size-^Condition — Exam pie — Selections of mares— Stallion— Disposition— After management of mares — Breeding fancy colors — Rearing and management of colts— Breaking— Castration—How to tame wild horses 23-43.

Chapter III

B. F. DAVIS1 NEW METHOD OF TAMING WILD HORSES.

Three fundamental principles — How to succeed in getting the colt from pasture. How to stable a colt without trouble — The kind of halter — Remarks or the hors''— Experiment with the robe — Sense of smelling— Powel's system— To govern horses of any kind — If of a stubborn disposition — How to baiter and lead — Side of a broke horse — nitch without having him pull on the hither — Kind of bit, how to accustom a horse to it — To stable a colt — To mount the colt— To ride a colt — To drive a horse that is very wild and has any vicious habits — On balking — To break a horse to harness — How to hitch a horse in a sulky — To make a horse lie down — To make a horse follow you — To make a horse stand without holding 48-90.

vi Contents.

chapter IV. GENERAL MANAGEMENT, ETC., OF THE nORSE

Stabling— Air and litter— Grooming— Dressing vicious horses— Exercise— Food- Age — To save horses from fire — Method of administering medicines— Scalded Shorts — Judging the character of horses by their color — Warrantees — Snow bells on horses' feet— To manage a horse whenfallen down 90-111.

CHAPTER "v.

THE VICES AND DISAGREABLE OR DANGEROUS nABITS OF THE HORSE.

Siting— Kicking— Running away— Crib-biting— Wind-sucking — Cutting — Not lying down— To prevent rolling in the stall— Overreaching the clinking— Pawing—Shying— Slipping the halter— Tripping— Horses jumping fences.. 111-121.

Chapter VI. Operation, Etc., Etc

Setons— Bleeding— The pulse— Clysters— Tracheotomy— Physicking— Docking —Nicking— Blaze or star— To spot a black horse with black spots— Description of a skeleton of a horse— Getting the check of the bit into the mouth— Colts chewing halters 121-134.

Chapter VII. Diseases Of The Brain, Respiratory Organs And Air Passages

Staggers — Megrims — Apoplexy — Phrintis or inflammation of the brain — Hydrophobia or madness — Influenza or horse-ail — Spasms of the larynx and laryngitis— Pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs -Pleurisy — consumption — Strangles or horse distemper— Bronchitis— Catarrh— Nasal gleet— Roaring — Common cough — Chronic cough — Thick wind— Heaves or broken wind- Blistering 134-155

Chapter VIII. Diseases Of The Urinary Organs, Digestive Cavity, And Eye

Inflammation of the kidneys— Inflammation of the bladder— Inflammation of the stomach and bowels— Bots— Colic— Scours and constipation in young colts — Diarrhoea— Indigestion — inflammation of the eye— Locked jaw or tetanus- Fever— Putrid fever— Hysteria in mares— Slobbering 155-172.

Chapter IX. Lamf.sess, Disease Of The Mouth, Skiv, Hoof, Generalities, &0

Spavin— Witidgalls— Ringbone— Founder or acute rheumatism—Chronic founder— Cramp— Splent— Lameness— Elbow joint lameness— Toe crack— Swelled legs— Scratches— Poultry lousiness— Hide bound— Glanders— Farcy— Poll evil and Fistula Withers— List of Medicines— Receipts Tablo of Doses. 172-198.

Chapter I. History, Breeds And Varieties Of Horses In The United States

ORIGIN AND VALUE OF THE HORSE.

The history of the Horse, intimately interwoven as it is with that of man, can hardly fail to interest the most careless. From the earliest ages, he has been man's faithful ally and willing slave. In war, he not only moves all the machinery of the field and camp, but shares with his rider, all the fatigue and danger of the battle. In peace, how various and invaluable are his services. Every branch of industry owes much to his patient toil. lie plows the soil, sows the seed, reaps the harvest, and transports it to market. He has been admired, cherished and loved equally by the most enlightened and most barbarous races of man, and almost invariably considered the most useful and manageable of all our domestic animals.

The earliest record we have of the horse traces him to Egypt. He was domesticated in the days of Moses, and was not known on any part of the American continent until introduced by Europeans. The wild Horse of South America descended from two stallions and four mares which the Spanish adventurers left there.

The principal breeds and varieties which now prevail in the United States, are the common horse, descended from the common horses originally introduced by the English colonists, and mixed, more or less, with varieties of later introduction : the Arabian ; the Morgan ; the thorough-bred or Race-Horse ; the Canadian ; the Norman ; the Cleveland Bay ; and the American Trotting-Horse.

The mongrel known as the " common horse,*' is too various in blood, and too multiform in his characteristics, to admit of any particular description.

THE ARABIAN HORSE.

This Horse deservedly occupies the highest rank. As late as the seventh century, the Arabs had no horse of value. The horses they obtained from Capadocia, and other horses that were obtained from their neighbors, were preserved with so much care, and so uniformly propagated from the finest animals, that in the thirteenth century they had obtained a just and unrivaled celebrity.

The Arabs divide their horses into three classes, the Attechi, or inferior bred, which are of little value ; the JSadischi, or mixed breed ; and the Koehlani, or thorough-bred, whose genealogy, according to the Arabian account, is known for two thousand years.

The Arabian Horse would not be acknowledged by everv judge to possess a perfect form. His head, how-

The Arabian Horse. 15

ever, is inimitable. This is universally acknowledged to be unsurpassed in any other breed. In the formation of his shoulders, next to that of his head, the Arabian is superior to any other breed. The withers are high, and the shoulder-blade inclines backward, and so nearly adjusted, that in descending a hill, the point or edge of the hame never ruffles the skin.

The muscles of the thigh and fore-arm are strikingly developed, and assure us of his ability to perform many of the feats of strength and endurance related of him. The Arabian is as celebrated for his docility and good temper as for his speed and courage. It is to the Arabian that the English are chiefly indebted for their unrivalled breed of horses for the turf and chase.

Lavard, the explorer of Nineveh, who is as familiar with Arabs as he is with antiquities, gives some curious details respecting the true horse of the desert. Contrary to the popular notion, the real Arabian is celebrated less for unrivalled swiftness than for extraordinary powers of endurance. Only when pursued, does a Bedouin put his mare to full speed. It is the distance they will travel, in emergency, the weight they will carry, and the comparative trifle of food they require, which render the Arabian horses so valuable. Layard says that he knew of a celebrated mare, which carried two men in chain armor beyond the reach of some Aneyza pursuers. This mare rarely had more than twelve handsful of barley in twenty-four hours, except during the spring, when the pastures were green, and it is only the mares of the wealthy Bedouins that can get even this allowance. They are never placed imder cover during the summer, nor protected from the biting winds of the desert in winter. The paddle is rarelytaken from their backs. Cleaning and grooming are strangers to them. They sometimes reach fifteen hands in height, and never fall below fourteen. In disposition, they are as docile as lambs, requiring no guide but a halter ; yet in the flight or pursuit their nostrils become blood red, their eyes glitter with fire, the neck is arched, and the main and tail are raised and spread to the wind ; the whole animal becomes transformed. Their value is so great, that a thorough-bred mare is generally owned by ten, or even more persons, aitd one can rarely be obtained, except by fraud and excessive bribery. A stallion may be obtained, though at a great price. The reason is, that on account of its fieetness and power of endurance, it is invaluable to the Bedouin, who, once on his back, can defy any pursuer. An American racer, or even an English hunter, would break down, in those pathless deserts, almost before an Arabian became warmed up to its work. Layard thinks that no Arabian of the best blood has been seen in England. If this is so, we can scarcely suppose that any have come to America, but must believe the socalled Arabians, given to our government at various times, to be of inferior breeds. Rarely, indeed, are the thorough* breeds found beyond the desert. It will be a subject of regret, to those who admire fine horses, to learu that the Arabian is considered to be degenerating; the consequence of the subjugation of Arabia, and the decline of the Bedouin tribes.

The Morgan Horse.

GENERAL GIFFORD.

THE MORGAN HORSE.

This breed of American variety of horses is, perhaps, held in higher estimation, and has obtained a greater celebrity than that of any other in the United States, particularly in the Northern and Eastern States ; and, we think, the fact would sustain the assertion, no horse has been so generally admired, and taken the number of first class prizes at our State and other Fairs as the Morgan family.

The original or Justin Morgan is universally admitted to have been the root of this famous race ; there has been some diverse accounts of his origin. The one that is now generally admitted to be most authentic is, that he originated near Springfield, Mass., in 1793 ; was got by a horse called "True Brittain, or Beautiful

Bay." His dam was of the Wild-air blood, a horse celebrated as a valuable stock. The original Justin Morgan is thus described by Linsley, in his "Premium Essay on the Morgan Horse :" "He was fourteen hands hio-h, weighed about 950 lbs. His color was a dark bay, with black legs, mane and tail. Head good, not extremely small, but lean and bony; forehead broad ; ears, small and rather wide apart ; eyes, medium size, dark, and prominent, with a spirited and pleasant expression; his nostrils, very large; muzzle, small; lips, close and firm ; back, short ; shoulder-blades and hip bones, very long and obliqued ; loins, exceedingly broad and muscular. His body is rather long, round and deep, close ribbed up ; chest, deep and wide ; breast, broad, projecting in front ; legs, short, close-jointed, thin, but very wide, hard, and free from meat ; muscles, remarkably large for his size. His hair was short, soft and glossy ; a little long hair about the fetlocks ; feet, small, but well shaped. He was a very fast walker ; in trotting, his gait is low and smooth, his step short and nervous. He was not what is called, in these days, a fast horse, though it is claimed by some that he could trot a mile in three minutes. His proud, bold and fearless style of movement, his vigorous, untiring action have, perhaps, never been surpassed. He was perfectly gentle and kind to handle, loved to be grooifted and caressed, but disliked children about him ; had an inveterate hatred for dogs; if loose, always cl them the instant he saw them ; was an eager and nimble traveler, patient in bad spots, and celebrated for his willingness to do his best, and for his great power

The Morgan Horse. 19

at what is called a 'dead lift.' He died in 1821, at the age of twenty-nine, from the effects of a kick from another horse. Previous to which he was perfectly sound. His appearance was remarkably fresh and youthful. Age had not quenched his spirit, nor dampened the ardor of his temper. His eye was still bright, his step firm and elastic."

All the immediate descendants of this remarkable horse have a striking resemblance in all his leading characteristics. Each exhibit in a high degree those qualities that have given such celebrity to their sire ; all had the compact form, wide bony legs, great energy, vigorous health and iron constitution. The Morgans of the present day possess the spirit, compactness, strength of constitution, power of endurance, general structure of the body of their illustrous ancestor in an eminent degree.

There has been, and are, doubtless, more "fast horses" of the Morgan breed than of any other one variety in the United States. Among them may be named "Fanny Jenks," (who trotted 100 miles in 9 hours 25 minutes;) "Black Hawk," (who trotted 5 miles in 16 minutes ;) the celebrated "Lady Suttin," (who trotted 2 miles in 5 minutes 17 seconds;) "Blue Morgan," "Know Nothing," "Flying Morgan," and a score of others that might be named, all having more or less of the Morgan blood. •

This breed sell at extravagant prices. Linsley says, "The best stallions cannot be purchased for less than from 1,000 to $3,000 ; the best geldings from 200 to $400; and the best mares from 300 to $600; and horses possessing extra value, on account of their speed, are not included in this statement.

The editor of the Albany Cultivator, Louisville Journal, Farmer's Encyclopedia, Maine Farmer, N. Y. Herald, R. L. Allen, of New York, various Committees at Agricultural Fairs, and many others, consisting of men of eminence, and supposed to be good judges of horses, have spoken in the highest terms of the Morgan breed. But it is no more than just to say there are some, and, perhaps many, who do not place the value and esteem as highly as expressed in the foregoing sketch. " Black Hawk Hero," (a portrait of which is given in the front of this book, is a fine specimen of this breed,) the property of Mr. Thomas Gould, of Aurora, Cayuga Co., N. Y. He was awarded the first premium as a foreign two year old stallion, at the New York State Fair in 1853, also a premium in 1855.

THE RACE-HORSE.

Mr. Youatt says : " There is much dispute with regard to the origin of the thorough-bred horse. By some he is traced through both sire and dam to Eastern parentage ; others believe him to be the native horse, improved and perfected by judicious crossing with the Barb, the Turk, or the Arabian." But it cannot admit of a doubt, that the English trained horse is more beautiful, and far swifter than the justly famed horse of the desert. He has invariably beaten every antagonist on his native soil. The racer is generally distinguished by his beautiful Arabian head ; his fine and finely-set-on-neck; his oblique, lengthened shoulders; well-bent hinder legs ; his ample, muscular quarters ;

The Bace Horse.

FLYING CHILDERS his flat legs, rather short from the knee downward, although not always so deep as they should be ; and his long and classic paster. The Darley Arabian was the parent of our best racing stock. The descendants of this valuable horse were the Flying Childers, and Bartlett's Childers, from them descended another Childers, Blaze, Snap, Sampsofl, Eclipse, Consternation, and a host of excellent horses.

Eclipse and Consternation have justly gamed a great celebrity in some portions of this country. Of Consternation, Mr. Randall says : " We believe that it is by a judicious cross with the thorough-bred horse, that the greatest improvement is to be made with a class of our common mares, in breeding animals with style, speed, and, above all, bottom, for the carriage, the buggy and the saddle ; and because, we believe, on the principle that like produces like, Consternation promises better for such a cross than any other blood stallion of which we have any knowledge."

The progeny of the race-horse is very numerous. In most of the States the majority of the horses in ordinary use possess traces of racing blood.

THE CANADIAN HORSE,

Says Randall, "is found in the Canadian Provinces, and somewhat in the Northern United States. He is mainly of French descent — though many, so called, and doubtless some of the fleetest ones, are the produce of a cross between the Canadian and the English thorough-bred stallion. They are a long-lived, easily kept, and exceedingly hardy race, making good farm and draft horses, when sufficiently large. In form, many of them display, in a marked manner, the characteristics of the Norman — so, too, iu their general qualities — but they are usually considerably smaller. Stallions of this breed have, in various instances, of late, been introduced into New York and other northern States, to cross with our common mares. The result has been decidedly satisfactory, particularly in giving compactness and vigor of constitution, where the dam does not excel in those particulars.

A black stallion, imported from Canada, a few years since, by Mr. John Legg, of Skaneateles, N. Y., has got several hundred colts, which, when broken, have averaged, in value, considerably above the average prices of horses in the country. They are almost in-

The Norman Horse. 23

variably fair roadsters, and excellent farm-horses. This cross is more and more finding favor among our farmers. {

THE NORMAN HORSE.

The origin of the most esteemed variety of the Norman horse, is said to have been a cross between the Andalusian stock of Spain, (which were derived from a cross of the Arabian or Barb,) and the old Norman draught horse. They are remarkable for their strength, good wind, and great power of endurance. It is said, " with their necks cut to the bone, they flinch not ; they put forth all their efforts at the voice of the driver, or at the dreaded sound of his whip ; they keep their condition when other horses would die of neglect and hard treatment A better cross for some of our horses of a certain description, cannot be imagined, if we wish to produce, in any reasonable time, a most invaluable race of horses for the farm and the road, than to breed from the full-sized Norman horse." They are so hardy that there is but little risk in raising them. They are very gentle and docile, free from vicious habits, and at the same time, lively. They break-in without any difficulty. They cannot be called a fast horse, though there are many smart ones among the ordinary road horses. The postmen and stage proprietors in France use them exclusively. They drive them before the mail coaches at the rate of eight miles au hour, including stops. They are generally about 15 hands high, and weigh 1,100 lbs.

the cleveland bay.

This breed has been considerably spread in the State of New York. They have been exhibited at our State Fairs. They are of an unusual size, though of a good symmetry and respectable action. We have not been able to ascertain whether they spring from the unmixed Cleveland stock of England, which is very scarce there, or not. Mr. Randall says, "The half-bloods, the product of a cross with our common mares, are liked by many of our farmers. They are said to make strong, servicable farm beasts, though rather prone to sulliness of temper.

THE AMERICAN TROTTING HORSE.

These, in reality, do not constitute a breed, or a distinct variety. Mr. Randall says : "There is a family of superior trotters, including several the best our country has ever produced, the descendants of Abdallah and Messenger, and running back through their sire Mambrino, to the thorough-bred horse, old Messenger. But many of our best trotters, including the extraordinary animal, Lady Suffolk, have no known pedigree, and some of them, without doubt, are entirely destitute of the blood of the race-horse. Lady Suffolk is by Engineer, but the blood of Engineer is unknown, (she is a gray mare, fifteen hands and two inches high.) Dutchman has no known pedigree. Other celebrated trotters stand in the same category, though we are inclined to think that a decided majority of the best, especially at long distances, have a greater or less infusion of the blood of the race-horse.

The American Trotting Horse.

LADY SUFFOLK.

The United States has, undoubtedly, produced more superior trotters than any other country in the world, and in no other country has the speed of the best American trotters been equalled. The New York 'Spirit of the Times' — the best authority in our country on this and all kindred topics — thus compares the English and American trotters : c There is no comparison whatever between the trotting-horses of the two countries. Mr. Wheelan, who took Rattler to England last season, and doubly distanced with ease every horse that ventured to start against him, as the record shoics, informs us that there are twenty or more roadsters in common use in this city, that could compete successfully with the fastest trotters on the English turf. They neither understand the art of training, driving, or riding, there.' "

All this is explained in the same way we account for the great number of superb hunters that are admitted to abound in England above all countries. The difference is occasioned by the management, training and attention to this definite object.

DRAY OR DRAFT HORSE.

This breed are generally small headed for their size, short necked, with thick shoulders, standing rather upright to the collar, short in the back, very wide in the breast, deep and round in the body, with broad backs and loins ; the quarters thick, the thighs and fore arms very strong, the legs short, with round hoofs. They possess great strength, and though somewhat slow, they are not deficient in bottom, and from their great weight, as well as muscular power, they go through draft work that could be performed by no other animal.

From what we have seen of this class of horses, we are inclined to the opinion that they possess properties that are well calculated to improve the stock of this country for farming purposes. Several years ago a grey horse called Columbus, was sent into Massachusetts by Gen. John Coffin of the British army — a gentleman who, with Ins brother, Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, expended much money in the purchase of the best cattle and horses in England, which were sent ssprest nts to the Agricultural Society of Massachusetts, their native State. Columbus was kept several years in the

The Draft Horse. 27

different counties of Massachusetts, and his progeny were esteemed as the most powerful draft horses that could be had.

The form and size of this horse indicate prodigious strength, and though a person who was unacquainted with the breed might suppose his motions were sluggish, we are satisfied from having seen him in harness, that his natural walk is faster than that of horses in general, and that he is sufficiently active for the plow or wagon. They will move off with a load that would astonish the driver of a common horse. They are hardy, and are kept fat with only moderate feeding.

The best of the heavy Dutch horses of Pennsylvania, bear a considerable resemblance to the horses above described, and some of them are excellent for draft.

Chapter II. Breeding And Management Of Colts

BREEDING.

That a proper knowledge of the laws of breeding, is a matter of primary and vast importance, is a generallyadmitted fact, and requires no argument to prove, as it is only by this means we can maintain the present qualities of our improved breeds, and prevent the race from degenerating, and correct and improve their imperfections. And it is equally true that there are many erroneous views entertained and practiced by many of our Farmers. No person should attempt breeding, particularly the horse, without first making it a matter of investigation, patient study, and inquiry. The first axiom we would lay down, says Youatt, is, that like will produce like, that the progeny will inherit the general or mingled qualities of the parents. There are but few diseases by which either of the parents are aftected that the foal does not inherit or show a predisposition to. Broken wind, spavins, ring-bones, founders, blindness, roaring and the like, are transmissible, there can be no question not excepting ill-usage and$hard work.