DISEASES OF HORSES. • ] 99 



dnnalural heat, deprivation of light, stimulating food, restraint 

 from water, and excessive clothing, are best calculated to promote 

 it, admits of much doubt ; and it is to be observed that the dawn 

 of reason and science appears to be shining through the crevices of 

 these darkened casements; for even at Newmarket the, sj^^stem has 

 lately much relaxed from its ortificial rigor. 



3. To bring a horse into condition, not only should the purposes 

 e is intended for be taken into account', but also his previous 



state. If he be taken up from prass with much flesh on him, it i? 

 evident that what is required is to remove the soft instertitial mat- 

 ter it may be supposed he has gained by green food, and to replace 

 it by hard flesh ; and also to produce a sleekness of coat and beauty 

 of appearance. To accomplish these ends, the horse should be 

 accustomed to clothing and the full heat of the stable by degrees 

 only ; and also by degrees only to the meditated change of food ; 

 which is best done by mashes. In two or three days a mild dose 

 of physic may be given, during all which moderate exercise only 

 should be allowed, as walking, but which may be continued two 

 hours at a time. After the physic has set, begin to dress his coat, 

 increase his exercise and his food, and accustom him to an increase 

 of warmth. In four or five days time again mash him for two days 

 and give a second dose of pliysic, a little stronger than the first. 

 (123) After this still further increase his warmth, his exercise, 

 and his food, by which his belly will be taken up, liis flesh will 

 harden and his coat begin to fall. A third dose of physic or urme 

 balls, &c. are only necessary in tlie training of hunters, &lc. and 

 even in these, a gradual increase of exercise, rather long continued 

 ttian violent, with proper food, will efi'ect the end, if not so quickly, 

 more beneficially to the animal. To bring a lean liorse into condi. 

 lion, a somewhat different plan should be pursued. If from jjrass, 

 still mash him for a day or two, by no means stint him in his water, 

 and with his mash let oats be also soaked. If oats be speared or 

 malted, it will produce flesh sooner. But even here, give the horse 

 moderate walking exercise, and if he be not too much reduced, add 

 a mild dose of physic to prevent his heels flying, or his getting 

 hide-bound by the increased food ; but if great emaciation forbid 

 the physic, give him nightly an alterative. (Vet. Pharni. 129, No. \.\ 

 As his appearance improves, gradually harden his food and increase 

 his exercise. 



4. Diseased condition of horses. What has been already said 

 ^•"lat«'i to that alteration from one state to another, neither being an 



IS* 



