In such cases the horseman is occasionally more or less successful in producing an artificial star. One plan suggested is to cut a boiling hot potato in two and instantly apply the cut surface to the skin of the forehead. The scalding removes the hair and it comes in white, but a careful examination of such an artificial scar often will disclose a small pink, hairless spot in the center of the mark. The same tell-tale spot is seen where the artificial star has been produced by cauterizing with a red-hot iron or scalding with boiling water. The discovery of an artificial star on the forehead of a stallion or mare sold as pure-bred and registered is sufficient reason for making a careful investigation as to the identity of the animal and the integrity of the seller.
An old book gives the following plan of making an artificial star: Take a piece of coarse tow-linen, the size of the wished-for star. Spread on it warm pitch, and apply it to the shaved spot; leave it on for two or three days, then wash with a smart water, or elixir of vitriol, two or three times a day until well. When the hair grows it will be white.
Black Spots on a White Horse.
An old veterinary book says: Take of powdered quicklime half a pound, and litharge four ounces. Beat well the litharge with the lime. The above is to be put into a vessel and a sharp lye is to be poured over it. This is the coloring matter which must be applied to such parts of the animal as you wish to have dyed black.
Broken Crest or Wrong Lying Mane.
In certain gross, coarse-necked, heavy-maned, plethoric draft stallions advancing in age it is not uncommon to find the crest broken over under the weight of the mane. Attempts are sometimes made by the owner or seller to offset this objectionable condition by braiding the mane and causing it to lie upon the side of the neck opposite the break by weighting with flat strips of lead attached to the hair. If the crest breaks over to either side the mane may be roached. Weights may also be used in similar fashion to shed the mane of one horse of a pair so that it will lie on the proper side of the neck to make the team well matched and dressed. A broken crest is objectionable in a stallion as it indicates coarseness and grossness, a tendency to which is likely to be transmitted. The term broken crest is sometimes applied in the market to a horse affected with fistulous withers or scarred therefrom.
Concealing Discharging Sinuses.
It is not uncommon for a horse to have a fistula (opening or sinus) of a salivary duct. Where this is so there will be a discharge of saliva which appears as a limpid, transparent liquid oozing out or flowing in a stream. It is most profuse when the animal is eating and at that time may escape in jets.
Such fistulæ commonly involve Stenon’s duct and are located on the side of the face or jaw. They are difficult to remedy, and the dealer resorts to the use of strong astringents and then plugs the openings tightly with cotton to temporarily prevent escape of saliva until a sale has been effected.