EXERCISE. 81 



138. Amount of exercise needed. 



Having laid down the general principles on which we think the amount 

 of exercise ought to be regulated, we shall now endeavour to apply those 

 principles to the various classes of horses. 



139. Grass-fed colts. 



All exercise for a young horse must at first be gentle, and the increase 

 must be gradual. For horses of three or four years old just taken up 

 from grass half an hour's walking exercise is sufficient. In the second 

 month the time may be increased to an hour, and the horse may carry a 

 saddle, and during one fourth of the time he may be quietly lounged. 



From the beginning of the third month most young horses may be 

 ridden quietly for an hour, and perhaps trotted with a light weight on 

 them during half that time. From the fourth to the sixth month one 

 hour and a half's ordinary work in the manege may not be too much. 



By the end of six months the great majority of young horses, thus 

 gradually and systematically got into condition, should be fit for ordinary 

 work. A few of the weaker and those reduced by strangles or other 

 sickness will require further time and care. 



140. Corn-fed colts.} 



Corn-fed colts may be brought into work earlier and quicker than those 

 which have been fed on grass only. High feeding forces and develops 

 the frame and strength, and consequently corn-fed colts are generally as 

 much developed as grass-fed animals a year or two older. Race horses, 

 for instance, are run at very early ages. Thorough-bred animals are sup- 

 posed to come to maturity sooner than other breeds ; but this earlier 

 development is, we believe, merely the result of the high feeding, of 

 which well-bred animals generally have the advantage. 



141. Irish colts. 



In Ireland it is not uncommon to see four and even three year old 

 grass-fed colts in the hunting field. It is impossible that the muscles, 

 tendons, and bones at that early age, except where the system has been 

 forced by high feeding almost from birth, can be sufficiently developed to 

 stand the amount of wear and strain incidental to such violent exercise. 

 It is in fact no rare thing to find horses, which have been so used or 

 rather abused, broken down at five years old. The same unfortunate 

 results are also common enough in England. 



[ 142.JjHV>rse from dealers' stdblts. 



Horses from dealers' stables generally require special care and attention 

 to bring successfully into work. They should, indeed, be treated almost 

 with the precautions recommended above for young horses. They are 



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