258 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



sudden change may operate unfavourably on his lungs, 

 and if it does not produce inflammation it may at least 

 occasion roaring or broken-wind. The most prudent 

 plan is first to place the horse in an airy box, which 

 will not only prevent too great heat, but also obviate 

 the danger of swelled legs and heated feet. By degrees 

 to much increase of temperature may be kept up as 

 will promote the fall of long hair, or the retention or 

 renewal of the short, and in the degree to which the 

 artificial coating is wished to be carried, to that degree 

 should an ardent or temperate climate be imitated. 

 The clothing and grooming should, like the other parts 

 of the conditioning-treatment, be at first very moderate ; 

 the one produces extra heat, the other extra irritation, 

 but by degrees both may be increased according to the 

 views of the owner or the purposes of the horse. 



Physicing is found to assist the condition of horses, 

 for by emptying the bowels thoroughly absorption 

 of the extraneous fluids is promoted. One, two, or 

 three doses, according to the extent to which the con- 

 dition is intended to be carried, are usually given to 

 every horse where this process is conducted on the 

 usual principles, and are certainly necessary wherever 

 a continued and accelerated exertion is required. 



Exercising a conditioning horse, hke the other aids, 

 must be done with a due regard to circumstances, at 

 first walking alone best answers the purpose, and twice 

 a day is better than once ; the duration of each walk 

 must be regulated by the age, the fulness of habit, &c. 

 &c. As the condition improves, trotting and galloping 

 may be employed to benefit the wind, draw up the 

 carcass, and accustom the horse to full work. It may 

 be here remarked that I have seen all attempts to pro- 

 mote condition fail in a horse removed from an old 

 companion, or when stabled alone. Horses are gre- 



