346 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



the following remarks, which convey all we can say upon 

 this point : — 



"It has frequently been observed, and not easily ac- 

 counted for, that horses do not thrive on changing from one 

 part of the country to another, although their treatment in 

 every respect be the same, difference of water excepted. 

 This perhaps may, in a great measure, be owing to the 

 quality of the water they drink, and which may be pos- 

 sessed of different chemical properties from that to which 

 they had before been accustomed. 



" This is particularly observed in those places where the 

 stable-yards are supplied from pit-wells, some of which are 

 very deep, and the water very hard, which occasions that 

 chilliness, trembling, and shaking which is frequently ob- 

 served in horses when they drink it immediately after it is 

 new pumped, and which causes their coats to stare and 

 stand on end for a considerable time, and sometimes they 

 are griped, and much out of order. Spring-water is liable 

 to partake of all the metallic or mineral properties of the 

 strata through which it passes ; hence it becomes noxious 

 or salutary according to the nature of those substances with 

 which it has been in contact. River-water has, likewise, its 

 different qualities, from the various soils through which it 

 travels ; but, in general, it is much softer than water that 

 runs underground. Pond-water, (under which head may 

 be included all stagnant water, which generally proceeds 

 from rain,) if lying on a clear and clayey bottom, and fresh, 

 answers well for cattle of all kinds ; but in warm weather it 

 is apt to corrupt and ferment, which renders it unwhole- 

 some and unlit for use." 



To correct the hardness of pit-water, and render it more 

 salutary for horses to drink, it should be pumped into a 

 large trough, and exposed to the open air for some time 



