TREATMENT OF THE SICK HORSE.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 3, 25 April 1911, Page 4

TREATMENT OF THE SICK HORSE.

While few are justified in attempting to treat a horse that is really sick, yet every farmer ought to be able to do something for a sick animal till professional help can be obtained. Improper feeding produces much digestive sickness in horses.

Horses seffer more from pulmonary diseases in the winter than in the summer, because the stables are not in many cases ventilated sufficiently. Poor ventilation predisposes to lung trouble, and many a simple cough or cold develops into inflammation of the lungs just because the afflicted animal is standing in a poorly ventilated stable. The average case of influenza or even colt distemper will not need very much medicinal attention if the patient is allowed an abundant supply of fresh air. Keep the body warm by plenty of clothing, stimulate the circulation on the extremities by handrubbing the legs, keep the bowels relaxed by the use of succulent food. If the breathing is laboured apply a hot poultice to the throat and chest, and you will have gone a long way toward preventing any complications from setting in. FRESH AIR IS VITAL.

If a plentiful supply of fresh air is necessary to maintain a horse in good health it will be understood how necessary it must be to an animal which is suffering from auy respiratory trouble. Fresh air is of the utmost importance in such cases. The most skilful medical treatment will be useless without it.

The horse should have good, pure water to drink, and if his stomach is deranged it is best not to allow him to drink a very large quantity at one time. Allow him to drink, about half the amount you think he would take when in health, then wait awhile and give more. A large quantity of water at one time is apt to do more harm than good. If the end sought is apt to be realised cleanliness is a feature of very much importance. Keep the stables clean at all times, and be careful not to give any feed that is mouldy, dusty, or in any way unfit for the animal to eat. Keep everything clean. Filth is one of the greatest disease promoters we have, not only with dumb brutes, but humans as well. —"Agricultural Gazette."