234 THE HORSE. 
of thirst. Few horses are alowed as much corn as they will eat, and the 
rattling of the sieve or bin will make every occupant of a stall place 
himself in an attitude of expectation. But if the lifting of a bucket pro- 
duces the same eager look, and especially at any hour but the usual time 
of watering, it may at once be concluded that the horse is not regularly 
and sufficiently supplied with fluid, and it will generally be found that 
his condition suffers accordingly. It is astonishing how Little water will 
suffice if it is given at regular intervals, and it is the neglect of this 
periodical supply which produces the craving that leads to dangerous 
repletion. If it is decided to adopt the tank, provision should also be 
made for emptying it readily, without callmg upon the groom to bale it 
out with a teacup, which I have actually seen done in one particular 
stable, theeowner of which prided himself on the perfection of his arrange- 
ments. If the water only came into contact with the iron, no great harm 
would ensue, because the oxyde formed by the union of the oxygen in 
the water with the metal itself, in the shape of common rust, is by no 
means prejudicial to health. But no iron manger containing water will 
long remain free from decomposing vegetable matter, unless it is regularly 
scrubbed out daily, because the horse, as he holds his head over it during 
his feeding, drops particles of hay, corn, &c. into the water, and this 
being raised in temperature to that of the stable, soon dissolves the starch 
and other ingredients which are prone to decomposition. The conse- 
quence is that the sides of the tank become foul, being covered with a 
thick slime, which not only renders the water nauseous to the horse, but 
also makes it prejudicial to his health. For this reason a waste-pipe and 
stop-cock are absolutely essential, for by their aid alone can the groom be 
expected to do his duty. 
THE QUANTITY OF WATER which will be imbibed by horses varies even 
more than that of their solid food, yet ignorant grooms are too apt to give 
all alike. The most strenuous advocate for the continuous supply would 
doubtless make an exception at those times when horses are just about to 
be severely galloped, as in hunting or racing; and on the other hand, 
almost all grooms who know their business allow their charge to fill 
themselves at night, and also give them a liberal allowance when they 
have done their work and are dressed and cooled down after it. I have 
found in my own stable, in measuring the actual quantity of water drunk 
by the horses, that even among those which are doing the same amount 
of work and eating similar food both in quantity and quality, the water 
will vary from two buckets a day to nearly five. If salt is given, it will 
produce considerable thirst at first, but after a time this effect ceases, and 
J have not found it in the long run make much difference. Green food 
will also make less alteration in the desire for water than might be 
expected, which may be accounted for by the fact that it increases the 
secretions of urine and perspiration, and also acts gently on the bowels ; 
so that, though more fluid is taken into the system with the green food, 
yet a proportionably large quantity passes off. It is, however, necessary 
to be cautious in the allowance of water to horses which have just begun to 
eat grass or vetches, for if given in the usual quantity on a stomach full of 
green food, it will very probably bring on an attack of colic. Asa rule, no 
horse should go to any moderately fast work with more than half a bucket 
of water in him, and that should have been swallowed at least an hour. 
This subject, however, will be better considered under the next head. 
THE QUALITY OF WATER best suited to the horse is one moderately soft, 
but it should not be rain water collected in tanks, which soon becomes 
