SCRAPS, SIMPLE AND TRUE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 52, 26 June 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

SCRAPS, SIMPLE AND TRUE.

(From the Yeoman.J The-bully coat on horses’ blood is often taken to be a sign of inflammation ; but as -it is always present on healthy blood, and is, greatly modified ; by the mode of abstraction,' and increased in poverty, it.is not to fao relied upon.- ■ A lame horse always drops or throws his weight on the sound log ; but how often is it mistaken for the lame one. The Color of Ilorscs. —Many persons have a preference for certain colors, as more durable, &c. ; but a deep rich color of any kind is generally good. ■ Grease in Ilorscs.—The best preventive application is the free and regular use of elbow grease. Docking horses’ tails, to strengthen the back, kc., is a theory now exploded, and that noble ani,mal is now more generally allowed to retain his fly-dispersing and no doubt turning capabilities. Two or. three joints moved improve the set of most tails ; but to sec on animal with the fashionable dock grazing during the warm weather, is surely enough to condemn the practice to the minds of rational men. .. The “ sheath,-’ especiallv of coach and carriers’ ■horses, should be ’regularly' washed, as many a horse, is iiyurcd. by neglect of this, resulting in irritation and inflammation of the urinary system.' • • Smell ami Cleanliness.—-The horse has a high sense of smell and cleanliness ; therefore his fccd-ing-box (best if made moveable) should be scalded and washed occasionally. As we would cat out of a clean dish, so would the horse, if he got the chance. No stable should be without a “ foot pick,” and some one that will use it more than is the general colonial rule. If a nugget was to be found imbedded in the sole as often as stones, &c., are, there would be less danger of the feet being neglected. ' Is is, at least, a golden ride. There are many diseases which arc as yet unknown in Victoria, but only require opportunity to bring themselves into play, by being propagated in the hot-beds of badly-ventilated drains and dirty stables, by overwork, deficient and bad food, kc. Just looked at glanders, for instance, which, if once introduced, would be worse than pleuropneumonia. G-. M., T.S.