TREATMENT OF HORSES IN SUM3IER. 11 



Feron, In his " Treatise on Farriery," says, " Horses at camp 

 are very apt to eat earth or sand ; " and that he has " opened 

 liorses that have died from this cause, and found nearly two 

 buckets of sand in the large bowels, named colon and caecum." 

 Whenever this propensity is observed in a horse, a small knob 

 of clay should be mixed with his water ; but this will only afford 

 a temporary relief: the propensity can only be cured by a mild 

 dose of physic, and a change of diet. Though horses ai'e often 

 permitted to indulge this propensity because the groom or the 

 proprietor does not perceive any ill effect immediately resulting 

 from it; yet it is always, sooner or later, productive of ill conse- 

 quences. It may, indeed, neutralise some acidity in the stomach 

 and bowels, caused by immoderate or unwholesome feeding, and 

 tiiereby do a little good for some time ; but then it is only pro- 

 tracting a disorder for a short time, which such feeding is sure, 

 sooner or later, to bring on. Disorders of this kind may be veiy 

 slow in their accession and in their progress, and on that account 

 may escape notice for a considerable time, and when they do 

 appear are generally referred to some other cause. The same 

 may be observed of disorders produced by pond water impreg- 

 nated with excrement. 



It is a very common opinion that the water an animal prefers 

 must be the best for him : and were its appetite consulted when 

 in a state of nature, this rule might be safely followed ; but as 

 horses are at present managed, it is generally necessary to choose 

 for them, with regard both to food and water. 



CHAP. III. 



ON THE TREATMENT OF HORSES IN SUJMMER. 



It is too much the practice in turning horses out in summer to 

 choose the richest pjasturcs, as if the intention of giving them 

 this indulgence were to fatten them. Many inconveniences re- 

 sult from this practice, and not unfrequently much injury is 

 done to the animal, and great difficulty found in getting him 

 into working condition when he is taken up. The best time for 

 turning out a horse is the latter end of May, or beginning of 

 June. High land is better than meadows, especially such as 

 adjoin rivers, or are otherwise wet. Short sweet pasture should 

 be chosen ; it is better, indeed, to have it rather bare than abun- 

 dant, and if there should not be sufficient, some hay and oats 

 should be given. If the nights are cold he should be taken up 

 at night, and put into a cool airy box, Avhere he should also be 

 kept during the day, when the weather is very hot and dry. A 



