14 THE ECONOMY OF THE STABLE. 



week, but Avill not be for a quicker pace for a month at least. 

 Daring this time he should have two or three doses of mild 

 physic, and when first taken up, such horses sometimes require 

 to be bled. When a horse is not taken up till the latter end of 

 July or beginning of August, he has often a troublesome cougli, 

 which sometimes proves incurable; and sometimes dropsical 

 swellings of the hind legs, which are not easily removed. Such 

 horses o-ive a iireat deal of trouble, and it is a considerable time 

 before they can be got into condition. It must be obvious, that 

 when a horse is taken in for training, the treatment to be 

 adopted must depend upon the state of the horse's condition at 

 the time, and the manner in which he has been previously 

 kept ; and, whether he is wanted for hunting or racing, the 

 principle to be kept in view during the process is to keep him 

 in a state of health, and gradually raise his muscular power and 

 Avind to that degree which may be necessary for the work he is 

 to be employed in. This can be done only by proper exercise and 

 feeding, giving, however, a little mild physic when necessary. 



[Although there is little mystery required in getting horses 

 into good condition, considerable care and constant attention 

 are necessary. To give bulk and strength to the muscles, a 

 good supply of nutritious food is required ; but in order tliat 

 this should not produce superfluous fat as well as flesh, plenty 

 of exercise and occasional sweating is necessary. 



A fine glossy coat is next essential, which can only be ob- 

 tained by heat, assisted by j)lenty of grooming and hand-rubbing. 

 The stable must be kept moderately warm ; but it must be borne 

 in mind that, though warm air is useful, foul air is injurious : 

 ventilation, therefore, must not be neglected. The necessary 

 heat to produce a fine coat must be principally obtained by an 

 abundance of clothino;. Warm cordials and stinudants will 

 assist in producing a glossy coat, though it is better, if possible, 

 to avoid them : this is owing to the intimate sympathy between 

 the skin and the stomach. 



Since the former editions of this work were published, the 

 practice of clipping and singeing has been introduced, and, it 

 must be confessed, with considerable advantage. Where a fine 

 coat can be obtained by the means before mentioned, clipping is 

 not required ; but many horses will carry a long thick coat in 

 the winter, in spite of all grooming, and in others, it is impos- 

 sible to bestow the necessary attention and expense required. 

 In these cases, by removing the coat with the scissors, the horse 

 that before could not travel a mile without sweating, can per- 

 form a journey without inconvenience or loss of condition ; and 

 when he comes home he can be cleaned in the course of an hour, 

 instead of remaining wet all the nio;ht. Two thino-s, however, 

 must be borne in mind. The horse nmst have additional clothing 



