GRAZING. 27 



which he must have been kept, to enable him to meet 

 the requirements of a master of the present day in 

 work. If the change be recommended to restore the 

 feet or legs, this object may be attained, and much 

 better, by keeping the creature in a loose-box without 

 shoes, on a floor covered with sawdust or tan, kept 

 damp as directed (page 10), to counteract whatever 

 slight inflammation may be in the feet and legs, or, 

 best of all, covered with peat-mould, as this does not 

 require to be damped, and the animal can lie down on 

 it; besides, the properties of the peat neutralise the 

 noxious ammonia, and it does not consequently require 

 to be so often renewed. In the loose-box also he can 

 take quite as much exercise as is necessary for an in- 

 valid intended to be laid up, and there he can be 

 supplied with whatever grain, roots, or succulent food 

 may be deemed necessary. 



As for any other advantage to be derived from a run 

 at grass, unless for the purpose of using the herb as an 

 alterative, I never could see it : and even this end, un- 

 less the horse has a paddock to himself, can hardly be 

 gained ; for if there are too many beasts for the produc- 

 tion of the ground, the fare must be scanty, and each 

 animal half starved. 



The disadvantages of changing a horse to grass from 

 the artificial state of condition are the following : — 



1. That condition is sure to be lost (at least as far as 

 it is necessary to fit for work, especially to go across 

 country at a hunting pace, with safety to himself and 

 his rider), and not to be regained for a considerable 

 time, and at great cost. 



2. The horse is exceedingly liable to meet with acci- 

 dent from the playfulness or temper of his companions. 



