244 Water. 



possible reasons. Por, fatig^ue and thirst having produced a tempo= 

 rary feverish indisposition, as food under these circumstances, would 

 be rather prejudicial than salutary to the animal, he instinctively 

 refuses to take it. 



The powers and condition of the stomach, necessary to the pro- 

 ees of digestion, being- suspended, the desire for food no longer 

 exists. If there should be any apprehension, however, that water 

 alone, although given in very small quantities, must prove inimical 

 to a Horse, on a journey, if taken frequently; in this case, from one 

 to two pounds of oatmeal, or barleymeal, may be mixed with three 

 or four quarts of water, from which the extreme cold has been pre- 

 viously taken off, and given to the Horse as occasion may require. 

 And, this mixture, a tired thirsty Horse will often be found to drink 

 with avidity, though he refuse to take food in any other shape, so 

 grateful to his parched palate, is the fluid which it contains. Two 

 great ends, therefore, are gained by this plan of treatment. For, 

 not only is the thirst of the animal assuaged, by the effects of the 

 water, but, the state of comminution which the meal is in, renders 

 it easily acted upon by the diminished energy of the stomach, and 

 therefore, the Horse obtains the combined advantages of food and 

 water, by this mode of exhibiting the latter And, it is in some de- 

 gree, upon the same principle, that two or three pints of ale or porter 

 are found to invigorate Horses after excessive fatigue, or rapid exer- 

 -c'lBC, though, no doubt, something must be put down to the cordial 

 effect which fermented liquors have upon the stomach, on account of 

 the ardent spirit which they contain. But, so long as Horses will 

 readily drink a mixture, of meal and water, I consider it to be far 

 preferable to malt liquor^ and much more to spirits, both on account 



