WORK. 37 



of exercise, as before remarked, while liis handling of 

 the horse would decidedly be enlivened by the change. 



Signals of Distress on increased pace. — Prominently 

 may be mentioned a horse becoming winded, or, as 

 sportsmen call it, having "bellows to mend," which in 

 proper hands ought seldom to occur, even in the hunt- 

 ing-field, as there are tokens which precede it — such 

 as the creature hanging on his work, poking his head 

 backwards and forwards, describing a sort of semicircle 

 with his nose, gaping, the ears lopping, &c. 



Some horsemen are in the habit of giving ale or 

 porter (from a pint to a quart of either) to their horses 

 during severe work. This is not at all a bad plan, if 

 the beast will take it ; and as many masters are fond 

 of petting their animals with biscuit or bread, a piece 

 of either being occasionally soaked in one of the above 

 liquids when given, will accustom the creature so trained 

 to the taste of them. 



After the work is ^ver a little well-made gruel is a 

 great restorative; and when a long journey is com- 

 pleted, a bran-mash might be given, as mentioned under 

 the head of "Feeding," page 22. 



One of the worst results to be dreaded from a horse 

 going long journeys daily, is fever in the feet (page 

 123), which may be obviated by stopping the fore feet 

 directly they are picked and washed out at the end of 

 each day's journey. — See page 13. 



After a long journey, it would be desirable to have 

 the animal's fore shoes at least removed. 



The saddle ought not to be taken off for some time 

 after work ; the longer it has been under the rider, and 

 the more severe the work, the longer, comparatively, 

 it should remain on after use, in order to avoid that 



