314 STABLE ECONOMY. 



and other horses, get two courses every year as regularly as 

 the seasons come round ; the racer in autumn after his sum- 

 mer running is over, and in spring after he has lain idle all 

 winter ; the hunter in spring when he goes to grass or loose- 

 house, and in autumn when in preparation for his winter's 

 work. Carriage, and suchlike horses, have their two courses, 

 simply because spring and autumn are spring and autumn. 

 This, in reference to ordinary horses, is going much out of 

 fashion. A few venerable adherents to the old school, still 

 remain, but their example is not very pernicious ; it is little 

 followed. 



There is no season of the year at which physic is more 

 necessary than at another. Horses, indeed, are moulting in 

 spring and in autumn ; but so long as they are in health this 

 process is not beneficially influenced by physic. With hun- 

 ters, the change of food and work alters the case. They may 

 need one dose, or three, or more than three, or none. The 

 practice of giving a full course to all, without discrimination, 

 as if there were some magical property in the number three, 

 is too absurd to merit notice. Physic is not one of those 

 simples in which quackery deals. Its power to do evil is at 

 least as great as its power to do good. 



Composition of Physic. There are many articles which 

 purge the horse ; but, upon almost every occasion, Barbadoes 

 aloes is preferred. It is easily given, and the proper dose is 

 well known or easily regulated. It purges with more certain- 

 ty, and with less danger, than any of the articles which are 

 sometimes used in its place. The aloes are powdered, and 

 formed into a tough, solid mass, soft enough to swallow. Com- 

 mon or Castile soap is generally used for this purpose. One 

 of soap, to two of aloes, is about the proportion. Other in- 

 gredients are sometimes added ; but, to produce purgation, 

 nothing is wanted but the aloes. On hunting and racing es- 

 tablishments, the head groom usually compounds the physic 

 himself. It may be procured ready made, in any strength, 

 from the veterinarian or the druggist. A full dose varies from 

 four drachms to nine Yearling colts require about 4 ; ponies 

 from 5 to 6 ; saddle, hunting, and draught horses from 7 to 8 ; 

 thoroughbreds from 6 to 9. These last when well prepared 

 may be purged by six drachms ; but when in work they may 

 require nine. Horses of narrow chest and light carcass, re- 

 quire less than those of round barrel. 



Giving a Ball. A dose of medicine, whether purgative 

 cordial, diuretic, or any other kind, when given in a solid form, 



