114 ON THE ECONOMY OF THE STABLE. 



as of health, to ftanding unexercifed, and ufe- 

 lefs in the liable : the only queftion is, how to 

 carry this meafure into effe6t, with judge- 

 ment. 



Small indeed is the advantage in any point 

 of view, of the common (hilling and eighteen 

 penny methods, of turning a horfe off to ftarve 

 all the winter upon draw; for the benefit 

 •which may be fuppofed to be derived to his 

 limbs, will perhaps be fully counter-balanced 

 by the impoverifhment of his blood, and the 

 confequent ruin of his condition ; and when 

 taken up with his diftended carcafe, long coat, 

 and bare bones, half a fummer had need be 

 fpent in bringing him to decent order, either 

 for ufe or fale : the fpring grafs is the beft 

 remedy to repair the wafte of a winter fo 

 fpent, and even then his flefh will melt in 

 work like butter. To be wintered abroad to 

 any falutary purpofe, a horfe muft have plenty 

 of good hay, and fufficient fhelter by night or 

 day, againll the inclement extremes of the fea- 

 fon, in a dry hovel, or warm ftraw-yard ; but 

 if to this fhould be fuperadded a moderate 

 daily allowance of corn, fuch a method would 

 be the moft powerful reftorative, of which the 

 nature of the horfe is fufceptible. Certain of 

 the hardy, common-bred, thick-hided horfes, 

 will endure the utmoft rigours of the winter 

 unfheltered, and make a tolerable fubfiftence 



upon 



