MODERN FARRIER, 133 



Very bard water may be improved by throwing a 

 quantity of clay into it ; and impure stagnant water 

 may be improved by throwing into the well a few 

 shovelfuls of burnt lime. 



Horses may be permitted to wash their mouths 

 and throats by a fev/ swallows of water after any 

 severe exercise : but while heated, they should never 

 he allowed to drink freely of cold water, nor before 

 performing any active exercise, 



79. Exercise. 



In order to preserve the health of horses, it is ne- 

 cessary that they be regularly exercised. Without 

 exercise the circulation of the blood becomes slow 

 and languid, the sheath and legs swell, glandular 

 obstructions are formed, and many obstinate dis- 

 orders take place ; whereas health, firmness, and 

 strength are greatly promoted by proper exercise. 



The transition from idleness to exercise, or from 

 exercise to idleness, should be gradual, or much mis- 

 chief may ensue. Where possible the periods of ex- 

 ercise should also be so regulated as not to interfere 

 with the usual course of feeding and cleaning. In 

 all cases where it can be avoided, it is improper to 

 take out horses to exercise in wet or stormy wea- 

 ther. Fat horses that have become delicate from 

 long confinement, under such circumstances, often 

 die suddenly, or are attacked by the disease called 

 the molten grease. 



Horses that are very fat, and have been kept idle 

 for some time, should be prepared for work or exer- 

 cise by undergoing a regular course of purging me- 

 ^dicine, and a good deal of walking exercise. AVhile 

 enforcing the utility of exercise, it is scarcely neces- 

 sary to observe, that violent and long-continued ex- 

 ercise is, on the other hand, attended with danger. 



