CONDITION OF HORSES. 53 



shivering bodj^ Then there are the flies to be taken into 

 the account ; yet, not to mention these pests, there is the 

 diet ; the horse in the stable eats only hay and oats ; a com- 

 paratively small portion of which suffice for his sustenance ; 

 when turned to grass he is taken away from such stimu- 

 lating diet, and compelled to march many a mile before he 

 can collect enough of watery herbage to satisfy the cravings 

 of nature. 



Let no man who has an animal that is worth stable pro- 

 vender turn such a horse out to grass. It is an old and 

 unfounded notion that grass is the natural food of the horse. 

 We know nothing of the wild animal, and therefore cannot 

 say what it did or did not eat ; it is certain many horses 

 can exist upon the growth of the field, but then very many 

 cannot ; and how is the master to decide which will and 

 that which is unable. 



The loss of a horse is a serious sacrifice, not to mention 

 the disappointment when the mind was fixed on its improve- 

 ment. Any change is inimical to condition ; an increase or 

 change of food ; mowburnt or musty hay ; kiln-dried or new 

 oats ; any alteration in the water the horse is accustomed 

 to drink ; scarcity of, or too much water ; excess of warmth 

 in the stable, and too much clothing : excessive exertion or 

 want of exercise ; cramming upon or after a journey ; too 

 hard a burst or too long a check ; in short, any thing what- 

 ever which -endangers the high state of excitability to which 

 the animal has been brought will throw the animal out of 

 condition, as it is termed. To keep up perfect condition is 

 a most difficult task : it requires all the master's and the 

 groom's utmost attention ; and when maintained for any 

 period, as a general rule, it certainly tends to shorten life. 



MORBID CONDITION. 



This simply means that the horse is suffering from some 

 immediate disease, or that he is the victim of the lingering 

 effects of a disorder, the active symptoms of which have 

 subsided. In such a case no rule of treatment can with 

 propriety be laid down, but the animal must be subjected to 

 those measures that apply to his peculiar state ; ample direc- 

 tions for which will be given hereafter. 



