26 THE COMPLETE ART OF FARRIERY. 



siird idea that he should be restrained from takini; 

 water ; it is equally injudicious to give too much as to 

 abstain from giving altogether. If he be allowed to 

 drink freely, he should not be gallopped hard for some 

 time, as in such cases his wind might be affected in- 

 curably ; but when none is allowed, loss of appetite 

 will ensue, nor will he exhibit the same spirit and 

 bearing. It is also a bad practice to give water before 

 feeding ; although after hard work, or on a journey, as 

 the probability is that the animal will be thirsty, two 

 or three quarts may be allowed beforehand, and some 

 more may be offered afterwards. 



At all times regularity in feeding is necessary, as 

 disease will often accrue from suffering the horse to 

 go too long without his small stomach (which soon 

 becomes empty), being filled. Staggers often arise 

 from this irregularity, which causes the animal to dis- 

 tend his stomach beyond ordinary, from the avidity 

 and voracity with which^ he eats his food not allowing 

 time to chew it. 



EXERCISE. 



This is one of the most essential points to be con- 

 sidered in the stable-management of horses, as, like 

 food, it tends considerably towards the health and 

 strength of the animal. In the former case they 

 usually have daily employment, such as will maintain 

 their health without distressing or injuring them. Not 

 so the gentleman's horse, the racer and hunter ; there- 

 fore it must be for these that this article treats. That 

 daily exercise is necessary to all horses, is sufficiently 



