Great Falls weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1894-1???, 1895-02-15
FEEDING A SICK HORSE.
What Are the best Articles of Diet to Give
Him?

to the chicago flro department., commn'
nicatns all interesting article on the
treatment of sick horses. After specify
ing the principal substances from which
to select articles of diet for tho sick
horse, such as bran, carrots, oatmeal,
linseod, etc, the writer continues:
"Bran stands decidedly foremost as
the food mos generally in use for the
invalid horse. 1t acts as a laxative, is
frequently tempting to the appetite and
easy Of digestion. There is no part of
the general treatment more universal
than Offering this substance as a change
Of food. Is tho horse very weary and
his powers weakened in consequence?
We induce him to take a warm bran
mash, which comfortably distends the
stomach and satisfies any craving for
food, thereby enabling him to lie down
and rest his onfeebled system until re-
pose restores its wonted vigor. Does he
show slight symptoms Of cold or fever?
A warm bran mash is a convenient plan
of steaming and consequently Of sooth-
ing tho irritable mucous membranes Of
the air passages. 1t is a substitute for
the more stimulating diet he is accus-
toned to and gently promotes the activ-
ity of the digestive apparatus; it is also
a convenient medium for tho %partaking
of ceruain simple remedies. A lower
diet than that with which he is INDUCED
when in full work is judicious and bran
is selected.
"Is it necessary to administer purga-
tive medicine? A bran mash renders tho
bowels more susceptible of it's action,
and a smaller portion Of the drug is
therefore required to produce tho de-
sired effect, and thoro is, at the sam
time, less risk of painful spasms accom-
panying its operation. Bran mashes may
be given hot or cold-cold are perhaps
quite as grateful to the horse-but the
nibbling of the hot mash i'll catarrhal
affections is particularly beneficial, from
the necessary inhalation of the steam.
"Of all the roots with which horses
are tempted. tho carrot, as a rule, is tho
favorite and perhaps tho most benefi-
| cial. 1t is said to be somewhat diuretic
in it's effects and to exercise a salubrl-
GUS influence on the skin. Certain it is
that a sick horse may be coaxed into
eating carrots when disinclined to par
| take of other nOurishment, with The
greatest beneficial results. For the ailing
horse, then, carrots are most valuable
az an article of diet, and a few may be
given with advantage to a horse in a
healthy condition.
"Oatmeal is extremely nutritious, and
as a food for the convalescent horse is
grain has undergone breaks the husk
and renders it moro easily acted upon by
the digestive organs. 1t is usually given
in tho form Of Cruel, and in that form
it is one of tho most essential articles OF
diet for the infirmary. 1t is also a ready
mode of supplying tho tired, thirsty
horse with llourishment after exertlon,
when he returns to the stable.
"Linsecd is decidedly to be included
in tho sick diet roll. 1t is nutritious,
and from it's oleaginous nature sooth'
ing to the frequently irritable mucous
membrane of the a%limentary canal, and
hence is particularly to be recommended
in the treatment of sore threats. Nor il
its bland effect local only. Its more gen.
eral influence is particularly observable
in affections Of the kidneys. 1t may
either be boiled, SO as to form when COO.
"a gelatinous mass, and then mixed witt
bran, or the liquid, after boiling, may
be offered as "a drink.
Grass, hay tea, etc, arc also very
useful in the treatment of disease ant
should be used in connection with Other
remedies