TREATMENT AFTER A HARD RUN 189 



we must remember, can never be radical, but it may 

 be palliative ; and therefore we should try all means 

 in our power to promote it. 



It is, I know, generally supposed that the horse is, 

 by nature, a voracious animal, and will not endure 

 long abstinence ; but I think experience teaches to 

 the contrary, and we have it on authorities not to be 

 disputed. Travellers inform us that the inhabitants 

 of Eastern countries ride their horses for two or three 

 days together at a slow pace — only giving them a 

 handful of herbage every eight hours, and they only 

 drink once in twenty-four. We know the power of 

 education in creating the disposition and temperament 

 of animals, and therefore I see no reason to doubt the 

 fact. 



The size of a horse's stomach when compared with 

 animals of his bulk is small ; and could hunters live 

 entirely on corn, I have no hesitation in saying they 

 could do their work better without eating any hay ; 

 but this they cannot do. I have, however, in more 

 than one case, debarred a horse from eating any long 

 hay — only giving him a sieve full of cut hay (saint-foin, 

 if it could be procured) in each feed of oats, and have 

 found the best effects from it, when the pipes have not 

 been so clear as I could wish. 



When on the subject of hay it may not be amiss to 

 state what I found to be the best sort for horses that 

 follow hounds. It should be grown on sound land, 

 be full of flowers, of colour approaching to green ; 

 not dusty, or showing signs of being what is called 

 " mow-burnt," and it should feel hard in the hand. 



