.SERVICE. r 169 



animal, he will certainly be worth this inquiry. Horses that 

 come from a dealer have probably been standing in a warm 

 stable, well-clothed, well-groomed, highly fed, and seldom 

 exercised. They have fine glossy 

 coats, are lusty, and in high- 

 spirits; but 

 their flesh is 

 soft and flabby. 

 They are unfit 

 for fast work ; 

 they are easily 

 heated by exer- 

 tion, and when 

 the least warm, seevice. 



are very apt to take cold. But, wherever the horse comes 

 from, or whatever his condition may be, changes in reference 

 to food, temperature, and work, must be effected by slow 

 degrees. It is absurd and always pernicious to take a horse 

 from the field, and put him in a warm stable, and on rich 

 food all at once ; it is no less erroneous to take him from 

 a warm to a cold stable, or to demand exertion to which he 

 has not been trained. 



When the horse's history cannot be traced, both his work and 

 his diet should at first be moderate. More of either than he 

 has been accustomed to, will do more harm than less of either. 

 It may, however, soon be ascertained by trying him whether he 

 has been doing much work; if fit for work, he may be 'fed in 

 proportion. The temperature of the stable had better be 

 warmer than colder. If too warm, the horse will perspire ; his 

 coat will be wet in different places, especially in the morning 



