24 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



litter and dung, with a smoking dung-hill at some 

 part of" it, so that the Horse literally breathes 

 only air strongly impregnated with the evapo- 

 ration of dung. I think, frequently, it is sur- 

 prising they are so well as they are. The 

 disorders it brings on them are principally 

 cough, not improperly called a stable cough, 

 also weakness in the legs, so that they fre- 

 quently make a drop, as it is termed ; various 

 humorial diseases, such as swelled legs, grease, 

 farcy, and, in all probability, inflamed lungs 

 and glanders. At their best, when they look 

 plump and well to the eye, they are faint, and 

 what is termed foggy, and unable to perform 

 more than would be common exercise for 

 Horses in condition. 



Since, therefore, exercise and air are so 

 beneficial, let us consider in what manner 

 exercise should be given, this is to be regu- 

 lated according: to circumstances. Where 

 Horses work two or three days in the week, 

 the resting days require no more than airing 

 exercise, for every Horse should have at least 

 two days in the week, such work or exercise 

 that will give him a good sweating ; this 

 throws out through the pores of the skin, 

 what might lodge in the system and create 

 diseases ; it likewise frees the Horse of the 

 scurf, adhering to the skin, and occasions the 

 coat to look fine ; those days, therefore, that 

 the Horse is not wanted for work, he must be 

 exercised for the fresh air, which is bracing 

 and strengthening to his limbs, refreshes the 

 body, and creates appetite ; and the early 

 part of the day is preferable for this, but in 

 wet weather you must embrace the best 

 opportunity you can. 



It but one Horse be kept by a gentleman, 

 crUer his groom, as soon as the stable has 

 t'eeo cleaned out in the morning, which is 



while the Horse is eating his first {eed, brush 

 him over, and put on his exercising saddle 

 and bridle ; in cold weather, if you only 

 intend walking him, you may keep the cloth 

 or sheet on him under the saddle ; in warm 

 weather I do not recommend it, for, though a 

 Horse's coat may be something the finer by 

 being kept warm, yet he is certainly the 

 more liable to take cold when he is necessarily 

 deprived of it. The most open and airy 

 places should be taken for exercise, and this 

 is the most favoui'able opportunity to improve 

 a Horse's walk, for when he has only walking 

 exercise, you should at least walk him two 

 hours, which will be sufficient ; and by aiming 

 to extend his walk, you may greatly improve 

 it ; thus, you exercise the Horse and improve 

 him at the same time. At your return 

 thoroughly clean him, give him his feed, &c. 

 If you had convenience, or opportunity, while 

 you were out, you might give him his water. 

 If a Horse is hearty, and inclined to flesh, J 

 would rather recommend the like exercise in 

 the afternoon, where persons have time and 

 convenience, than to shorten his feed for that 

 purpose, it would be much better for the 

 Horse ; but every one cannot allow the time 

 to be so taken up, for it would be nearly equal 

 to training, and may not be thought necessary ; 

 it is more than the generality of Horses 

 require, and many inferior-bred Horses, who 

 look well to the eye, cannot for a continuance 

 stand the ordinary work that a Horse has in 

 training ; such is the amazing difference of 

 Horses : if you enquire of training grooms, 

 concerning some high bred colt or other^ why 

 he is not brought out, they will answer " he 

 would not stand his training ;' though, I think, 

 in a great many ciises, training is screwed 

 up to too tight a pitch in the present day. 



