302 TflE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



constantly surrounded by the vapour arising from his 

 own body; whereas, in the latter case, the wind 

 meeting him drives it away, and with a quickness pro- 

 portioned to the velocity with which he is going. 

 Hence a horse is always more fatigued and ex- 

 hausted when he goes with the wind, than when he 

 goes against it." 



It would certainly be highly improper to start a horse 

 with a full belly ; still it is also improper to keep him 

 for several hours on the muzzle before he starts. 

 Long fasting naturally produces faintness. A mo- 

 derate meal might be given with advantage about four 

 hours before starting. 



It is, as before noticed, very improper to water a 

 horse on the training ground, and immediately after to 

 set off on a canter or hand-gallop. 



Such treatment is apt to produce spasms, with all 

 their fatal consequences. Should a mare, while train- 

 ing, show a desire for the horse, it will be necessary to 

 give bran-mashes, and occasionally Epsom salts ; 

 though under such circumstances it would be better, 

 if convenient for the owner, to decline running. 



The violent labour of the race-horse certainly re- 

 quires some preparation, in order to divest the body 

 of all superfluous fats and fluids, as well as to improve 

 the breathing ; but purging and sweating ought to be 

 carefully and judiciously used, and a proper regard 

 paid to the constitution of the animal. 



" We have happily got quit," says Mr. Scott, in his 

 British Field Sports, " of much of the stoving in hot 

 and suffocating stables, and of the excessive and debi- 

 litating purgation of former days. Even the malig- 

 nant and bewitching humours, always supposed to be 

 resident in the body of the horse, have been nearly 

 laughed and exorcised out of it, since the salutary 



