THE GRAIN, GRASS, AND WATER. 175 



if there is no over-feeding. The dung, towards 

 the later periods of training, is occasionally found, 

 not only a great deal too soft, but slate-coloured, 

 and so slimy and agglutinated, that when lifted 

 up with a cane it will hang on either side without 

 breaking ; hence the horse grows stale : this 

 proceeds from bad stable management in various 

 ways, irregularity, or over-feeding, particularly on 

 gram, over-sweating, or over-work. The cure is 

 bran mashes for two whole days, with four 

 drachms of gum arabic in each mash ; and a little 

 green food in lieu of the dry grass : then the 

 drench of physic, p. 100 ; and this, followed by 

 a few carrots, and the beer tonic, p. 148, daily : 

 boiled sago should also be frequently given after- 

 wards with the last half of every feed, and a little 

 linseed meal mixed in the first half, with the 

 gram and barley. 



The quality of the water requires as much care 

 as the grain. A change to softer water may not 

 hurt, but from soft to hard infallibly will, and 

 that often too evidently. When it cannot be 

 avoided, three gallons of hot water should be 

 poured on three maps of bran, and strained off 

 when cold ; or a quarter of a map of linseed, and 

 a small lump of ghoor, may be boiled in a gal- 

 lon of water, and then more cold water added ; 

 either will, in some degree, correct the change ; 



