PASTURING. 269 



out when they can be kept in. If they must go, they should 

 be watched, lest they die of want. 



EXPOSURE TO THE WEATHER. Wet cold weather always 

 produces emaciation and a long coat. If the horse be put out 

 without preparation, he is apt to have an attack of inflamed 

 lungs, a sore throat, or a common cold, with discharge from 

 the nose. He may sicken and die. Many people seem to 

 think no usage too bad for the horse, if it do not immediately 

 produce some deadly disease ; that is to say, they do not care 

 for consequences, unless they are sure their interest will be 

 materially affected. A fool will often sacrifice his interest to 

 a certain extent, rather than be guilty of kindness to his hoise, 

 or give himself any trouble. He may know that cold will 

 make the beast lean for certain, and that it will cost so much 

 grain to restore his flesh ; and he may know that sickness may 

 arise from sudden exposure ; but that is only probable, and he 

 incurs the risk rather than take the trouble of putting his horse 

 under cover when a wet night or a cold day comes. Early 

 in spring, or late in autumn, he is turned out of a warm com- 

 fortable stable, and left to battle with the weather as he best 

 can. He crouches to the side of a hedge, shivering and 

 neglected, as if he had no friend in -the world ; and of all 

 who pass him, no one seems to think he is suffering any hard- 

 ship, while those who have imbibed the " manly bravery of 

 British subjects" consider him a fair mark for a stone or a 

 jest. 



In time, the horse becomes inured to the weather, if he do 

 not sink under it. But sometimes he comes home with dis- 

 eased lungs, and very often with a cough which never leaves 

 him, and which produces broken wind. 



SHELTER is too much neglected, especially in winter pas- 

 tures. It is easily provided, at the cost of a few rude boards. 

 A hovel, covered on three sides, the fourth open to the south, 

 and just high enough to admit the horse, will answer the 

 purpose. The bottom should be sloping, elevated, and quite 

 dry. When litter can be afforded, it will tempt the horse out 

 of the blast. There may be hay-racks and mangers, strong, 

 though of rude construction. In summer the horse can re- 

 tire here during the heat of the day, and in winter he can 

 avoid the storm of suow or rain. 



Exposure to hot weather is not so pernicious, yet it always 

 produces pain, if the horse be turned out in the middle of sum- 

 mer. For a while he is fevered all day and loses flesh ; but 

 he soon recovers. The parts that arc most apt to suffer are 



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