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CHAPTER IV. 

 Treatment during the hot weather. 



IN India, the hot weather stops racing in the same 

 manner as the winter does in England. During the 

 months of April, May, and June, in fact until the rains 

 commence, the trainer if he be in the plains should 

 not think of working his horses, beyond giving them 

 healthy exercise, for the climate itself will produce a 

 considerable strain on their systems. 



Through these slack months, any injuries that the 

 horses' feet and legs may have sustained during the pre- 

 vious season should be carefully treated. On this sub- 

 ject it is sufficient to remark, that time and rest are the 

 only true means to obtain repair of injured structures ; 

 and I would earnestly advise my readers to avoid heroic 

 methods of treatment, such as blistering, firing, bleeding, 

 and giving strong purgatives. 



During the hot weather, horses should get a less 

 quantity of food than when in training, though they 

 should on no account be kept low, for if they be not 

 liberally fed, their systems will be unable to resist the 

 debilitating effects of the climate. It is not from theory, 

 but from what I have seen in practice, that I speak 

 positively on this subject. An Arab may get eight, and 

 a Waler ten pounds of corn three parts oats, one part 

 gram with a couple of pounds of bran ; and twice a 



