98 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



or when first unbridled in the stable, will lick every particle 

 of it off their feet ; or if they can get at the wall, will lick the 

 whitewash off it. I think all horses should have a lump of 

 rock-salt, and a lump of chalk, in their mangers ; and I very 

 much doubt whether, with this exception, they should in any 

 case have any medicine whatever. Most of their disorders are 

 the results of close confinement in close stables, and are to be 

 prevented or remedied only by proper stable management, 

 plenty of gentle exercise, and air. Their infirmities and un- 

 soundnesses are almost invariably caused by too much work. 

 Do not, on that account, proceed to drug and poison them 

 internally with patent medicines ; or externally to subject their 

 skin and sinews to operations and tortures which would not 

 disgrace the Inquisition. But trust only to a loose place and 

 perfect rest. In the case of wounds, nature, wholly unassisted, 

 will perform cures almost miraculous, if not obstructed by 

 what is called art. 



Shoes are necessary to a horse who works much on hard 



