Horse-Chestnut Soap
It is not generally known that the horse-chestnut contains a soapy juice, not only useful in bleaching, but in washing linens and stuffs. The nuts must be peeled and ground, and the meal of twenty of them will be sufficient to mix with ten quarts of hot water, with which the clothes may be washed without soap; the clothes should then be rinsed in spring-water. The same meal being steeped in hot water, and mixed with an equal quantity of bran, will make a nutritious food for poultry.
Source: Recipes for the Million
Unfailing Cure for Colic in Horses
Take one dessert-spoon of copperas, put it in a piece of paper, tie on a stick and put down the horse’s throat, punching until the paper breaks. It will give relief in a few minutes.
Source: 76: A Cook Book
To Prevent Horses being Teased by Flies
Boil three or four handfuls of walnut leaves in a gallon of water, and before the horse goes out in the morning, bathe with it.
Source: Valuable Receipts, J.M. Prescott
For Sprains or Bruises
Take one pint of lard-oil; half a pound of stone-pitch; half a pound of resin; half a pound of beeswax, and half a pound of beef-tallow. Boil together for half an hour, skim off the scum, pour the liquid into cups. When needed, it must be spread upon coarse cotton cloth, or kid (the latter is best), and applied to the sprain or bruise. It will give quick relief, as it entirely excludes the air. One or two plasters of it will cure the worst case. It acts like splints on a sprained ankle or wrist. It is also good for cattle, horses, or dogs in all cases of injury.
Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts
To Prevent Horses’ Feet from Scalding or Cracking
Coat the hoofs once a week with an ointment consisting of equal parts of soap fat, yellow wax, linseed oil, Venice turpentine, and Norway tar; melt the wax separately before mixing.
Source: The Unrivalled Cook-Book and Housekeeper’s Guide, Mrs Washington