Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Horse-balls

Horse-balls, among farriers, are given only for the purpose of conveying into the stomach of that nice and noble animal, the more disagreeable drugs which it would not swallow in drenches. Hence these balls should not exceed the size of a pullet's egg, and be dipped in sweet oil previous to their administration, that they may pass down the throat with greater facility. But as some horses have a straight gullet, and are remarkably averse to this method of taking medicine, it would be preferable to give them drenches, or mixtures with bran, or other mashes.—See Farriery.