304 THE HORSE 



The third object op physic is that which is superseded by the use of 

 the Turkish bath, with much less injury to the system. Both act by 

 removing superfluous fluids from the body, through the agency of the blood- 

 vessels, absorbents, and secreting organs ; all of which must co-operate in 

 either case. The fluids lie stored up in the meshes of the cellular mem- 

 brane, either in the shape of oily or watery matters. To remove them, the 

 blood in circulation must first be called upon to part with some of its 

 corresponding materials, which it does either through the mucous membrane 

 of the bowels, when physic is given, or by means of the skin, when sweat- 

 ing is adopted. This sudden drain from the blood is then made up from 

 the store which has been previously taken from it, and laid by in case of 

 such an emergency ; and thus, though the external means employed are 

 very different, the real effect is the same. Both drain the blood of large 

 quantities of water, containing certain soluble matters ; and this sudden 

 call upon the vital fluid compels its vessels to fall back upon the stored-up 

 materials which a,re lodged around the heart and other internal organs, and 

 which it is the grand object of the training-groom to remove. 



But the effects of physic are not always so simple and innocent as 

 those to which I have alluded. A strong horse is sometimes over-purged 

 by a very mild dose, and a weak one will occasionally die from this cause. 

 Hence, this agent should not be idly used ; and not only is it actually 

 dangerous to life in some few cases, but it weakens the tone of the stomach 

 in many more. Still, in the majority of horses, a well-mixed physic-ball, 

 carefully given, and followed by proper management, will freshen the 

 digestive organs rather than weaken them, and may be regarded as a most 

 valuable addition to the resources of the groom. 



FINAL PREPARATION 



To nET A hunter thoroughly fit, he must not only have gone through 

 the preparatory work which I have described, but he must undergo a 

 further winding up, according to the old-established rule on the subject. 

 Having had a gentle dose of physic at the end of his first preparation, he is 

 proceeded with as follows : — Every day he is walked out for three or four 

 hours, either at one or two periods of the day. If he is thorough-bred,- he 

 will bear some brisk gallops and one or two sweats, with or without cloth- 

 ing, every week ; but half-breds do not stand much fast work, and are 

 better confined to walking and trotting exercise, with an occasional spirt of 

 half-a-mile. These low-bi'ed animals cannot bear any liberties to be taken 

 with their systems ; and I am told that with them the Turkish bath is far 

 more effectual than with the horse of pure Eastern blood. I can easily 

 imagine this, as I know how badly the former class bear reduction, and yet 

 how important it is to clear their wind. The feeding should be confined to 

 oats and hay, with a bran-mash on Saturday night. About five quarterns 

 of oats will, on the average, suflice ; but no rule can be laid down, nor can 

 it be positively asserted that no beans should be given. In some cases the 

 appetite is so bad, that without them enough corn will not be taken ; and 

 this is especially true with reference to those old horses which have been 

 accustomed to beans for many years. When the feet and legs, as well as the 



