WaUr. 239 



The most prominent absurdity that commonly prevails, in regard to 

 the manag-ementof >>^ter in stables, is the practice of letting Horses 

 drink only once, or, at most, twice a day. 



Now^ when it is recollected that instinct prompts even such Horses 

 as are kept at grass, to drink frequently, especially in tfie summer- 

 time, how much more necessary must water be to those that are kept 

 entirely on dry food, in the stable? The more we reflect upon the 

 practice, which custom has established, in reg-ard to this branch of 

 stable management, the more, I iliink, its absurdity must become 

 manifest. It is inconceivable indeed, upon what principle, or 

 from what motive, u'lless from the view of saving trouble, this 

 practice of giving water so seldom, to Horses in stables, could have 

 originated. We hear people for ever talk, of taking Nature for 

 their guide, and, yet, see ihem perpetually act in the teeth of 

 her simplest and clearest dictates. For, to eveiy unprejudiced per- 

 son, it must surely be evident, that this practice is not merelv unna- 

 tural and monstrous, but, at the same time, impolitic and cruel. 

 Does any man imagine that a slate of excessive thirst is not as 

 insufferable to a brute animal as to himself r If he has any doubt 

 upon this subject, let him but observe the countenance of a 

 Post-Horse that has been for twelve or fourteen hours without water, 

 and has been subjected, in the mean time, to severe e.vercise in verv 

 hot weather. For. if, under these circumstances, he be broua,ht out 

 of the stable to liie water-trough, a species of temporary delirium 

 may frequently be observed, in the e.xpression of his wistful and 

 anxious eye, while he is taking in the cool and grateful draught, so 

 refreshing to his hot and feverish frame. And if the attendant, 

 under the apprehension that the Horse will drink more than is pro- 



