The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2) / Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field

by William Taplin

RAKING

—is the old and ridiculous (or rather unnatural) custom of oiling the hand, and introducing it at the SPHINCTER of the ANUS, to extract the indurated dung, when the horse labours under severe inflammatory cholic, arising from previous constipation. The only reason adduced to justify the practice is, its being one means of obtaining immediate relief; and if that relief could be readily obtained to a certainty, the adoption could not with propriety be so totally condemned. The fact is, that this custom, like many others in the old code of VETERINARY LAW, is only a powerful shield for the protection of indolence; for one glyster would do more in liquifying and bringing away the hardened fæces, than back-raking (as it is called) would effect in an hour: but one makes the show of business, which is what the lower class of SMITHS and FARRIERS prefer in general, to the most useful and expeditious execution.