PREPAEATIOX OF FOOD. 331 



mon sense. How he should be watered is a different thing. 

 It may be given not quite cold, and in but a sup or two at a 

 time, the horse being somewhat rested before giving it. I 

 speak of the hackney and carriiige-horse, leaving the watering 

 of the racer and sporting-horse to sporting men. The principal 

 w^aterings should be before feeding, as much or more than half 

 an hour. Neither man nor horse should drink cold water 

 until satisfied when parched with thirst. It should be taken 

 with the chill off and in small quantities, repeated at inter- 

 vals, or not taken at all until the feverishness of thirst has 

 subsided. It might be proper to remark that by habit the 

 horse may learn to pass the hot days of summer on but a few 

 draughts of water. It is not so important to the horse of slow 

 work not to drink largely, provided his system is in proper 

 condition not to have inflammation brought on by drinking. 

 ]S'othing is more injurious to the horse than the want of suf- 

 ficient water. If the horse has fresh water constantly in reach, 

 I think he will never be found to be injured by it. It cools the 

 undue heat of the system, and rapidly dilutes the blood. It is 

 nature's febrifuge — the best fever medicine in the world. 

 The horse should be slightly exercised after drinking, to pre- 

 vent the water from chilling the bowels. 



The evil effects which result from drinking cold water when 

 the horse is hot are spasmodic colic, founder, rheumatism, 

 and indigestion. These effects are more likely to follow if the 

 horse is getting cool when the water is given, than if given 

 when he is at high heat. If the horse is briskly exercised as 

 soon as done drinking, these effects will be avoided. If after 

 drinking the horse is observed to shiver and the coat stare, or 

 the sweat rapidly dry up, evil may be expected. A table-spoon- 

 ful of ginger, a tea-spoonful of saltpeter, and a little whisky 

 may be given to prevent the threatened attack. 



