ISO BREEDING. 



only to be accounted for by that opinion which justly states grass to be 

 a poor and innutritions sustenance. 



The distinction which divides the two kinds of provender is, perhaps, 

 best shown by the condition which each produces. The horse supported by 

 the concentrated nourishment of the stable is commonly, while the natural 

 powers are uninjured, characterized by energy, by firmness of body, and by 

 fineness of limb. Whereas the quadruped is seldom long an inhabitant of 

 the field ere it becomes windy, loose, flabby, dropsical ; the walls of the ab- 

 domen are unnaturally distended ; the digestive canal grows thin and pal- 

 lid ; the belly becomes pendulous with fluid ; while worms crowd the intes- 

 tines and bots cover the lining membrane of the stomach. All this takes 

 place as the consequences which generally follow the act of turning out to 

 grass. The animal in the field commonly performs no work ; but when 

 within the stable is rarely idle. Stables are badly victualed, badly ven- 

 tilated, and almost slaughter-housea to the majority of steeds. Yet in 

 the cold and humid climate of England horses cannot thrive upon ex- 

 posure. Some few may thus exist in an approach to the wild condi- 

 tion; but these rapidly diminish in stature and soon become very 

 shaggy coated. The sheltered horse, when driven forth, grows dull and 



BLOOD MARE AND FOAL. 



ragged; its coat stares; the spirit droops; the eye loses luster; the 

 carriage grows mean; the legs fill; and the outcast often experiences 



