296 HORSE AND MAN. 



such prejudice exists. As might naturally be sup- 

 posed, the deprivation of water conduces to the 

 very evil which it was intended to prevent. When 

 the thirsty animal does get at the water, it drinks 

 eagerly and rapidly, just as a thirsty man would 

 do, and. so causes the stomach to be abnormally 

 distended. 



The Americans seem to have taken a leaf out of 

 the Turk's book, as far as the giving of water is con- 

 cerned. 



' While on the subject of horses, let me say a few 

 words upon their management by the Turks. 



' First of all, a Turk never is wantonly cruel to 

 any beast. He never strikes nor spurs a horse in a 

 rage, and his movements are so quiet and collected, 

 that a horse soon forgets all fear with him, and to 

 find a restive horse is rare indeed. 



' Whenever a Turk passes water, winter or sum- 

 mer, he lets his horse drink as much as it wants ; but 

 when he has done so, he rides it on fast at once, and 

 never lets it stand still after drinking. If possible, 

 he gives it its fill of water half an hour before the 

 end of its journey. Directly he dismounts, he loosens 

 the girths, and then leads the horse about till it is 

 quite cool. It is then put in the stable with the 

 saddle on, and this is not taken off for an hour or 

 more. When this is done, and when he has had 



