Page:Australian enquiry book of household and general information.djvu/276



The following recipe was sent me by one who says he has seen it used in South America. As I have no means of testing it I merely give it for what it is worth:—

Take some finely grated horse castor oils, rhodium and cummin, keep these in separate bottles well corked. Rub some of the cummin on your hand and approach the horse on the windy side. When he comes up to you, as he will, rub a little on his nose and offer him some of the castor, and while doing so try to get a few drops of the oil of rodium [sic] into his mouth, you can then get him to do anything you like. Kindness and attention will do the rest. With regard to the above as I mention, it has been sent to me for insertion in this book. My reason for including it among all these tried recipes is that I know for a fact that many tiger tamers, snake charmers, &c., &c., do use these oils for the purpose of taming, and also calming their charges when frightened or excited. I have seen something of the kind (the man would not tell me what, though I feel certain it was one of these oils) used upon snakes brought straight from the bush, and which perfectly tamed them, so I argue that it may be the same with horses.

Horses that have plenty of fast and laborious work should be given as much food as they will eat with an appetite at each meal, and hard food in a condensed form is best, and given at regular times. Idle horses, or those not doing hard work, should not be given so much each feed. Increase the supply of hay, and give bran mashes and green food only occasionally. If turned on to the grass at once from regular food they will fall away, and it will take a long time to get their condition up again when required.

Always make the horse's food a little damp, to prevent the dust getting into his nose, eyes, &c., &c.

For horses that roar or are short-winded, give two to three tablespoonsful of cold drawn linseed oil in the food every night for a fortnight.

When a horse has been ridden or driven hard he should not be fed at once, but he can be allowed a few swallows of water (not a long drink). If obliged to be fed at once, as in case of continuing a long journey, allow him only two to three quarts of water but if he can stand half an hour first, then let him have as much as he likes, but never give a horse a long drink directly before feeding