THE HORSE. 37 



to theii' whim or laziness. A pail is allowed for 

 each, but these buckets vary in size, containing from 

 four to eight quarts ; yet a pail is a pail, whether it 

 be larger or smaller ; to that quantity is the animal 

 restricted each time. These men may well be called 

 hydrophobiacs. 



To move unusually fast, with a gieat quantity of 

 water in the horse's stomach, is bad. But give him 

 as much as he will drink, yet he will not be over- 

 charged with the fluid. The plan adopted in racing 

 stables is to give the horses water so frequently, that 

 they will drink no more than six quarts at a time ; 

 but what would be still better, where practicable, 

 would be to keep a pail of water standing by the 

 horse, so that he might drink whenever he chose. 

 A horse not put to the extent of his speed, can never 

 be inconvenienced by being allowed the same quan- 

 tity of water as the racer. Neither need any appre- 

 hension be entertained of impairing the condition 

 of a roadster for work, when it is remembered that the 

 racer is required to be in harder and firmer, there- 

 fore better, condition, than any to which it is possi- 

 ble to bring the former. When a horse is very 

 warm, and has to stand in that state, if the water 

 be pump or well water, it would be better chilled, 

 but not warmed. Although, however, chilled water 

 may be recommended occasionally, it should only 

 be given when positively necessary. Warm water 

 should never be given but to sick horses. Should a 

 horse have drank water not agreeing with him, which 

 will be soon seen, by his shivering and setting up 

 his coat, and sometimes by being a little griped, the 

 ostler should be made to put a piece of ginger under 

 the tail. This is called figging, and will remove the 

 evil almost immediately. 



It may not be here misplaced, if we venture an 

 allusion to a work published some time since on the 

 present subject. The author of that work has made 



4 



