Cause.—Hard work on uneven ground, or the rider punishing a horse with the snaffle and the spurs.
Symptoms.—The animal goes oddly, not lame. The defective action will disappear upon rest, but stiffness is aggravated by subsequent labor. Any attempt to work the horse sound induces incurable lameness or contraction of the tendons.
Treatment.—Allow several hours to elapse before any attempt is made to discover the disease. A small swelling, hot, soft, and sensitive, may then appear. Bind round it a linen bandage, and keep it wet with cold water. Have men to sit up bathing this for the three first nights; afterward apply moisture only by day. Throw up the horse. Give four drachms of aloes. Do not turn out, but allow two feeds of corn each day. Keep in a stall, and do not put to work till more than recovered.
STRANGLES.
Cause.—Something requiring to be cast from the system, so as to suit the young body to a sudden change.
Symptoms.—A slight general disturbance, which, however, remains. The colt continues sickly. After a day or two, the neck becomes stiff, and a swelling appears between the jaws. The enlargement at first is hard, hot, and tender. A discharge from the nose comes on. The symptoms increase; the throat becomes sore. Breathing is oppressed; coat stares; appetite is lost; tumor softens, and, being opened, the animal speedily recovers.
Treatment.—Neither purge nor bleed. Give all the nourishment that can be swallowed. If all food is rejected, whiten the water, and a little cut grass may tempt the colt. Corn, ground and scalded, may be offered, a little at a time from the hand. No grooming; light clothing; ample bed; door and window of loose box should be open. Gently stimulate the throat with the following: Spirits of turpentine, two parts; laudanum, one part; spirits of camphor, one part. Apply with a paste-brush morning, noon, and night, until the throat is sore. After every application, take three pieces of flannel, place these over the part, and bind on with an eight-tailed bandage. So soon as the tumor points, apply the twitch, and have one fore leg held up. Then open the swelling with an abscess knife. It may be necessary to make another incision. There are other occasional varieties of strangles, for which consult the substance of the work, pages 272, 273.
STRINGHALT.
Cause.—Over-exertion.