September , 1963
I GOOFED ; MY TETANUS GOT ANTHRAX
BY DR . M . E . ENSMINGER Clovis , California
Thanks readers and editors ! Indeed . Anthrax and Tetanus are two separate and distinct diseases . In my recent column ( that appeared in the July Voice ) the symptoms given were correct and applicable to Tetanus ( lock jaw ), but not to Anthrax ( despite the heading and the use of the word Anthrax ). I prepared two separate discussions on each disease , but decided to use only one . In working and reworking the column , in some unknown manner the names got interchanged before they went out . Since I am of sober habits , let ’ s just say I goofed . My face is red , but I ’ m very grateful to those readers who called my attention to the error .
Of course , horses do have Anthrax too ; but cattle are more susceptible to it than equines . Anthrax was one of the first scourges to be described in ancient and Biblical literature ; also , it marked the beginning of modern bacteriology , being described by Koch in 1876 ; and it was the first disease in which immunization was affected by means of an attenuated culture , the great Pasteur having immunized animals against Anthrax in 1881 .
I ’ ll be happy to provide a complete and accurate report on Anthrax and Tetanus in horses on request .
Horse-Grooming Essential
Proper grooming makes the horse more attractive and assists in maintaining good health and condition . All stabled horses should be groomed daily ; those that are worked or exercised should be groomed both before and after work ; horses on pasture should be brushed occasionally .
Grooming equipment .— The following articles will be adequate : curry comb , body brush , dandy brush , mane and tail comb , sweat scraper , hoof pick or hoof , and grooming cloth .
Grooming procedure and method .— Heated animals should be ( 1 ) unsaddled ( or unharnessed ) expeditiously ; ( 2 ) dried by applying the sweat scraper , followed by use of the grooming cloth ; and ( 3 ) blanketed and walked until cool , giving a couple of swallows of water every few minutes .
How to Groom The following grooming procedure is recommended :
1 . Clean out the feet .— Use the hoof pick and work from heel to toe . Simultaneously , inspect for thrush and loose shoes .
2 . Groom the body .— Curry and brush the left side of the horse , with the curry comb held in the right hand and the brush in the left hand . Begin at the neck and work back . Use the brush below the knees and hocks only .
After grooming the left side , proceed to the right side ; but transfer the brush to the right hand and the curry comb to the left hand at this time .
Curry gently , but brush vigorously . At frequent intervals , clean the dust and hair from the brush with the curry comb and strike the edge of the curry comb against your heel or the back of the brush to free it from dirt .
3 . Brush the head ; comb and brush the mane and tail .— The body brush had best be used in brushing the head . The mane and tail can be combed and brushed with either brush . Wash the tail with water and soap occasionally . Where a full , flowing tail is desired , separate the tail hairs with the fingers in order to retain all possible long hairs .
4 . Wipe with grooming cloth .— Lastly , use the grooming cloth to wipe about the ears , face , eyes , nostrils , lips , sheath , and dock ; and to give a final polish to the coat ’.
5 . Check the grooming . — Check the grooming by moving the fingertips against the natural lay of the hair ; dirty fingers and gray lines on the coat give evidence that grooming has not been thorough .
6 . Wash and disinfect grooming equipment . — Grooming equipment should be washed with soap and water at such intervals as necessary to keep it clean , and it should be disinfected when necessary to prevent the spread of skin diseases . Care of the Feet A horse must be able to move correctly — hence the truism , “ no feet , no horse ”. The important points in the care of the horses ’ s feet are : Keep them clean , prevent them from drying out , and trim them so that they retain proper shape and length .
Each day , clean the feet of horses that are shod , stabled , or used , and inspect for loose shoes or thrush . Then give attention to the following points :
Dry hoofs .— Dry , brittle hoofs split and produce lameness . In time , the frog loses its elasticity and shrinks in size , and the heel contracts . To prevent dry hoofs , stable on clay floors and keep the ground wet around the watering tank . If the hoofs do become too dry ( 1 ) pack them in wet clay once or twice a week ; or ( 2 ) wrap sack material about them and keep the burlap moistened , and after sufficient moisture has been absorbed apply a suitable hoof dressing .
15 Year Old Amateur Proves Determination Counts In Show Ring
Every Tennessee Walking Horse season brings a brand new bevy of “ great girl riders ” and they really put the pressure on the best men performers in the Walking Horse business . Of course the judges are chosen to judge horses and not people — except in equitation — but the way these teen age girls “ sit their horses ” often seems to make the horses look better in action — at least from a spectators viewpoint .
One of the “ truly great discoveries ” among teen age girl riders of 1963 is Ray Graham — a Meridian , Mississippi girl with a boy ’ s name . Often times as she has ridden up for the blue or red ribbon at horse shows in Mississippi , Alabama and Tennessee this season — the announcers have been aback to see this lovely girl in a white coat answer to the name “ Ray ”
In her greatest achievement to date ... this 15 year-old new-comer , in the first Celebration ride of her life placed 7th in a class of 45 seasoned Amateur- Owner Stallion entrees . Ray was on her favorite , PHIL ’ S GO BOY — sired by the great MERRY GO BOY out of BILLIES GRACIE ALLEN .
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