…and on the eighth day God created the horse in perfect image, to romp, graze, gallop, play, and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.
Folks, I pulled this from my library, my own personal copy of D. Magner’s horse training and cures for horse illnesses, a book from 1872, that includes, “…instructions of feeding, watering, stabling, shoeing, ETC, with practical treatment for diseases. Illustrated. Including a large number of valuable recipes not before published.” {sic} (1)
The book is an original copy and is falling apart now, since it is bound with real textile cloth threads and real hide glue, i.e. horses.
Just a peek into yesteryear from another century, some quotes and recipes from the book; these are meant as amusement and entertainment, do not try them on any animal.
First, some accolades:
“From the Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine, 1864:
“Mr. Magner, the author of this philosophy, and who proves himself to be one of the most expert and scientific horse tamers and trainers in the world, has, during the past week, delighted and astonished the good people of Augusta and vicinity by the admirable and perfectly successful demonstration of his system in subduing and controlling some of the most vicious and ungovernable specimens of the horse fraternity that could be found among us. The manifest and acknowledged importance of this art, and the desire of the public to understand and witness the results of its application, induced a crowded attendance of all classes on Mr. Magner’s practical illustrations of his theory…. (2)
“…Even the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the members of the Executive Council took a leisure hour, laid-by the affairs of State, forgot the parliamentary squabbles, and found both amusement and instruction in witnessing the skill and consummate tact with which Mr. Magner handled the hitherto incorrigible subjects brought forward to test his new doctrine… (3)
“…So satisfactory and perfectly successful were his instructions and experiments to everyone who attended, and so efficient and useful did his principles, and modes of procedure prove themselves to be in training and subduing horses, that the officers of the Second Maine Cavalry were influced {sic} to invite him to give a course of instruction to those of the regiment who could be spared from duty to attend. In this, too, he was perfectly successful, as in all other instances. The most dangerous of vicious horses are those frisky, nervous, touchy kickers, whose heels are always ready to greet you whenever you approach of attempt to harness them…” (4)
“Subjection: Old Methods (of training a horse): “ …The first account we have of any horse being subdued was that of Bucephalus, in the time of Alexander the Great, about 300 years before Christ. A subject, we are told, presented this horse to the Emperor as a gift, but he (the horse) {sic}, showing a very vicious disposition, Alexander ordered him to be taken away, (but) young Alexander stated what a pity to lose so fine an animal for the want of a little address, adroitly mounted him and rode him off at the top of his speed. The greatest alarm was manifested for the safety of the Prince, and the joy of all was great when he returned, the horse perfectly gentle, and he safe. This horse became famous for his wonderful sagacity. * We are told that when he died he was buried with honors, and a city was given his name.” (5)
The following recipes (for disaster) should be read with humor, and definitely not tried at home; all are written and copied as-is, from the book:
“Valuable Miscellaneous Receipts:
“The following remedies will be found excellent:
“Drench for Diarrhea: Opium, 1 dram; prepared chalk, 1 oz.; compound powder of tragacanth, 1 oz.; mint water, 1 pint.” {sic} (6)
And there are the following: “Mixed Balls, Cordial Astringent Balls: Catechu, 1 dram; opium, 10 grains. TO WASH HORSES BEFORE OR AFTER A JOURNEY” {sic} (7)
There are also: “Balls for Farcy and Glanders: Sulphate of copper, 1 dram; calomel, 20 grains; common turpentine, 3 drams; licorice powder and syrup to form a ball.”
Also for Farcy and Glanders: “Sulphate of iron, 2 drams; iodide of potassium, 10 gr.; gentian, 2 drams; ginger, 1 dram, and treacle to form a ball.” (8)
For:
“GRAIN FOUNDER—CURE OF:
“Take three pints of vinegar, into which put six (hot) red pepper pods, and boil until reduced to one quart. When cool, give as a drench. Blanket the horse warmly. This will put the horse in a profuse perspiration, and perform a perfect cure. The gentleman of whom I got this, cured a valuable horse that got into his granary and ate so much grain that he was in the morning perfectly stiff. One dose made a perfect cure. He said he would not be without it for one hundred dollars.” {sic} (9)
Once again, the operation was a success, but the patient died.
The use of the word “anodyne,” or pain killer, is often used in the book, and Opium frequently prescribed for the animals. Blue vitriol is prescribed for Poll Evil, and is also known as copper sulphate.
“Farcy” and “Glanders” are similar to disease found in cattle, an inflammation of Lymph vessels, causing nodules to appear; Farcy buds or Farcy nodules. (10)
A Cough Powder for the horse is as follows: “Fenugreek, ginger, licorice and bloodroot, equal parts. Half proportion lobelia and camphor may be added. Dose, tablespoonful twice a day. For heaves, add more camphor.” {sic} (11)
That one doesn’t sound too bad, and with some of the virile bronchitis that is going around lately in the human population, what do you have to lose if you sampled some yourself? I know people who eat Bute.
I remember one time one of my boarders at the barn made some homemade fly spray with Pennyroyal, vinegar, and what-have-you. It smelled like salad dressing and was actually attracting the flies. I couldn’t help but laugh.
Thankfully our western medicine has progressed beyond the use of the ingredients and methods found in D. Magner’s book. He even prescribes “Bleeding,” or blood-letting by cutting the horse’s neck. Vampires, all.
Interestingly enough, nowhere in the book is it stated what the “D” stands for in respect to the author’s name, not even on the publisher’s page.
At the beginning of the book, D. Magner speaks of his own horses, “Turco,” “Gifford,” “Blind Billy,” and “Tommy.” They are listed as “ Prof. Magner’s Favorite Horses,” under the lithograph illustration.
Again, the aforementioned article with recipes is meant as entertainment and not actual Veterinary medicine. Community News not responsible should some idiot actually try one of these old-timey cures. Please call your Vet if you think your horse has Farcy or Glanders.
More next week.
Once again, leaving you with the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, “Happy Trails to You.
1-9, 11: “New System of Educating Horses,” by D. Magner; Tenth Edition, Revised and Enlarged; Warren, Johnson & Co., Printers, Buffalo, NY, 1872
10: Internet/Wikipedia
*Your word for the day: "Sagacity": Wisdom, Intelligence, Sharpness