THE CARE OF HORSES. 2\ »9 



in the case both of runners and trotters. If possible, 

 let the horse graze in the early morning, while the 

 blades are still wet. The grass is sweeter and more 

 juicy at this time, and the dew is an excellent med- 

 icine for the feet. 



When horses have their shoes removed and are 

 turned out to pasture, care should be taken not to 

 make the change too sudden. Many a fine animal has 

 been killed by direct transition from a warm stable 

 and blankets to the open air and cold ground. Let 

 the blankets be taken off while the horse is still kept 

 under cover ; and turn him out at night for the first 

 time. If he is turned out in the morning, he will 

 feed all day, and at night-time lie down, and, very 

 likely, catch cold ; but if he is turned out hungry at 

 night, he will keep on his feet all or nearly all the 

 time till morning ; and the first night is of course the 

 dangerous one. Another good plan is to take the 

 horse in the first night just before you go to bed ; and 

 finally, it is practicable to turn a horse out blanketed. 

 A second surcingle sewed to the blanket and passing 

 around the flanks can be used. A horse in active 

 service can thus be given a night out with safety. 



Xow, however, as I observe that the reader is be- 

 coming bored, we will move on to the grooming-room ; 

 but as we pass by the hay-mows I cannot refrain from 

 this remark : the popular notion that horses like 

 coarse hay best, and thrive best upon it, is a huge 

 mistake. The second or third quality of hay as it 

 would be deemed in respect to coarseness is the best. 

 Nine city horsemen out of ten, I am aware, would 

 deny this proposition ; but the tenth is the man who 

 has tried the experiment. 



