CHANGE NECESSARY. 119 



by sudden changes of diet and atmosphere, which are 

 the most prolific causes of inflammatory attacks at all 

 seasons of the year. 



The sure signs of a horse requiring rest or summering 

 are these : loss of appetite, dullness of the eyes, a sort 

 of nettle-rash all over the body and legs, cracked heels, 

 falling away of the crest, harshness of the skin accom- 

 panied by a hitching cough, excrements most frequently 

 hard and voided with difficulty, with ears wet and cold 

 after exercise. When any or all of these symptoms 

 present themselves all work should cease immediately, 

 and entire rest, with mild alteratives, given, if the future 

 of the horse be in any way regarded. 



If work be continued only for a fortnight after such 

 symptoms have set in, so much injury will have been 

 wrought on the constitution that it will take at least 

 four or five months of absolute rest before the vigour 

 of the constitution will be restored ; but if taken at 

 once, before a morbid condition has taken hold of the 

 system, a month or six weeks' rest, with change of food, 

 will be found amply sufficient. 



Should this morbid condition of body show itself 

 during the winter or early in the spring, when no green 

 food is obtainable, the food should be changed by giving 

 swedes, peas, Indian corn, oilcake, &c, in the place of 

 oats and beans, with newer hay than that to which he 

 has been accustomed, and if carrots can be procured so 

 much the better. Some change of food and rest must, 

 under all circumstances, be resorted to. 



This condition of body is generally produced by 



