128 THE FAMILY HOESE. 



should not be too cold in winter. Owing to the small size of the 

 horse's stomach, he should not be allowed too much water at any 

 one time, especially when warm or after a feed of grain. The old 

 saying, that "a horse has more sense than a man," and that he will 

 not drink too much, is a great mistake. He will drink too much 

 when heated and the stomach is empty ; he will also drink too 

 much when the first heat caused by digestion commences. With a 

 little at a time and often no danger is likely to result. 



The use of a certain amount of common salt is necessary in 

 many ways to the animal system. This need is increased since 

 many of our domestic animals are stall-fed. 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT. 



In many respects the horse's constitution is as tender as a man's. 

 Cold storms exhaust its vitality, and in proportion as this exhaus- 

 tion takes place, an increased consumption of heat-producing food 

 occurs. Hence, during cold and stormy weather, he should be kept 

 in a comfortable stable. In seasons of extreme heat, the horse needs 

 protection from the direct rays of the sun as much as he needs pro- 

 tection from winter storms. Medical men say that men and horses 

 are the only animals that sweat. They perspire through the skin, 

 the pores of which become opened and enlarged, and it is while in 

 this condition that both are exceedingly liable to be injured by 

 overheating. 



We are all somewhat familiar with the care that is given to 

 trotting horses. And what is the object of all this care ? The pur- 

 pose is the preservation of health and perfect condition. It is not 

 necessary to give the family horse as much attention as the trotter 

 receives, but it ought to be sufficient to give the animal good treat- 

 ment, and to insure its comfort to the utmost practical hmit. He 

 should be well groomed, for the curry-comb is to the horse what 

 a bath is to man. The prime importance of grooming him thor- 

 oughly rests upon the fact, that his health is essentially dependent 

 upon the cleanliness of his hide. The glands must be kept open to 

 allow the dead matters to be cast out of the body. When allowed 

 to do their work, they throw off more deleterious matter than the 

 limgs or kidneys. The curry-comb should be used lightly, however, 

 as it is a source of pain when used roughly. It should be followed 

 by the brush and cloth, to remove the dust that escapes the comb. 



Attention to the care of the feet and legs is of great importance. 

 They require more care than the body, and are more liable to injury. 

 When a horse has been driven during the day, he should not be 

 allowed to spend the night without being cleaned, and his limbs 



