HORSES. 



99 



increased, and oats or other grain should be fed lightly, 

 at first. They should be put into a cool stable, and have 

 a plenty of walking exercise, or light labor. These pre- 

 cautions will save medicine and horses. 



As horses for labor are to be kept only in condition, 

 not fattened for slaughter, they should always have 

 moderate exercise, and food should not be kept con- 

 stantly before them; but there should be intervals 

 of three or four hours between each meal, that they may 

 rest, and regain their appetites ; and that one meal may 

 be well digested, before another is taken into the stom- 

 ach, to over-tax the digestive organs with a double task 

 at once. Some animals have no discretion, and some 

 keepers of stock exercise no more judgment, but keep 

 horses always eating, causing a burthen of fat and 

 disease, in horses not exercised. 



WATER. 



Pond, river, or brook water, if it be pure and sweet, 

 agrees well with horses. Hard \vater is said to be irn- 

 proved by throwing in chalk or clay, and exposing it in 

 cisterns to the open air. Sometimes hard water at first 

 relaxes the bowels, and affects the skin, causing the coat 

 to staer. When water is taken from cold fountains, in 

 hot weather, it should stand an hour or two before used ; 

 or add warm water or meal. Cold water is refreshing 

 to a thirsty, heated horse ; and, if allowed, he would 

 drink to his own destruction. After he has stopped tw^o 

 or three minutes, to recover his wind, he may drink a 

 little cold water, and travel on immediately, to keep 

 up the temperature of the system. In winter, guard 

 against extremely cold water, by ice or snow in it, or by 

 exposure to the freezing atmosphere. 



CARE OF HORSES IN TRAVELLING. 



Take particular care of your horse at every stopping- 

 place, and see yourself that he is properly treated. 

 Sometimes the hay at taverns is poor; in that case, 

 your horse must have more grain. If you feed freely 



