80 CHAPTER 8. 



138. Regularity of work. 



Regularity of exercise is also an important element in the development 

 of the highest powers of the horse. The horse in regular work will suffer 

 less in his legs than another; for he becomes gradually and thoroughly 

 accustomed to what is required of him. The whole living machine accom- 

 modates itself to the regular demands on it, the body becomes active and 

 well conditioned without superfluous fat, and the muscles and tendons 

 gradually develop. Horses in regular work are also nearly exempt from 

 the many accidents which arise from over-freshness. 



134. Stage-coach horses. 



As a proof of the value of regular exercise we need only refer to the 

 stage-coach horses of former days. Many of these animals, though by 

 no means of the best physical frame, would trot with a heavy load behind 

 them for eight hours at the rate of ten miles an hour without turning a 

 hair; and this work they would continue to do for years without ever 

 being sick or sorry. Few gentlemen can say as much for their carriage 

 horses. No horses, in fact, were in harder condition. 



135. Neglect of exercise. 



On the other hand, if exercise be neglected, even for a few days in a 

 horse in high condition, he will put on fat. He has been making daily 

 the large amount of material needed to sustain the consumption caused 

 by his work. If that work ceases suddenly, nature will, notwithstanding, 

 continue to supply the new material ; and fat, followed by plethora and 

 frequently by disease, will be the speedy consequence. 



136. Age, condition, &c., to be considered in regulating the amount of 



exercise. 



The amount of exercise to be given at any particular time to any par- 

 ticular horse must depend on many considerations, such as his age, feed- 

 ing, condition, constitution, make and shape, on the state of his legs, on 

 the purpose for which he is intended, and in many cases on the amount 

 of time at disposal for preparation. The art of the groom or trainer is 

 to feel his way in each particular animal up to the fullest development of 

 his powers without over-working or over-straining them. 



137. Good feeding necessary. 



All exercise causes an increased consumption of animal material. This 

 consumption or waste must be repaired by good feeding. If the wear 

 and tear of the body is not sufficiently replaced by new supplies intro- 

 duced in the shape of food, the horse will obviously lose flesh ; and under 

 such circumstances additional exercise, far from, producing strength or 

 giving muscle, will cause greater debility. 



