WORK. 103 



are objections ; in the first place, sufficient time is not allowed, 

 especially if the groom is not an early riser ; in the second 

 place, cleaning out the stable is not thoroughly done before 

 starting ; in the third place, in winter the mornings are cold 

 and dark ; and in the fourth place, the horse may not have 

 had time to consume his morning feed before he is taken out. 



For these reasons, it is preferable to have the horse exercised 

 after breakfast. 



The amount of exercise must depend upon the condition 

 of the horse, upon the kind of work he has to perform, and 

 other circumstances. Walking is, perhaps, better than any 

 other exercise for the majority of horses, and two hours a day 

 should be the 'minimum allowed. If the weather is cold, or 

 if the horses are in gross condition, clothing should be worn. 



WORK. 



No definite rules can be laid down for the amount of work 

 horses should be called upon to perform, so much will depend 

 upon the character of the work, their age, quality, condition, 

 season, the nature of the country, food, and general manage- 

 ment. Nothing requires more careful watching. If unaccus- 

 tomed to the work, or not in condition, then the horses should 

 be gradually inured to it, to prevent injurious fatigue or 

 breaking down. "Work is sometimes estimated by the number 

 of hours employed, by the distance travelled, by the weight 

 carried or drawn, and by the resistance overcome; but the 

 circumstances which lead to variations in the results of horse 

 labour are so numerous that it is impossible to deal with them 

 separately, and they must be met by the experience of the 

 owner as they arise. The old aphorism, that " it's the pace 

 that kills," is applicable to the hunter and racehorse as well 

 as to the draught horse ; and it must be remembered that in 

 proportion as the pace is increased, so must the duration of 

 labour, as well as the weight to be moved, be diminished. 



