32 HOUSE POKTKAITURE. 



* 



Should all the exercise be at a fast pace, the machine 

 would soon fly to pieces. There can be no rule laid down 

 to say how much of this exercise must be given ; as the 

 requirements for different constitutions will vary more 

 than is generally thought. The practice most followed 

 is to send the horses all out at once, and bring them in at 

 the same time, which is certainly erroneous. I have often 

 asked trainers, why they walked their horses ; and nine 

 out of ten could give no reasons, only that such had been 

 the custom. The walk, if not carried too far, gives sup- 

 pleness to the muscles, increases the appetite by giving 

 tone to the stomach, furnishes pure air to the lungs, so 

 that the blood is thoroughly oxygenated and the nerve 

 force augmented in a way that I cannot explain, but which 

 is evident in the general increase of health. If the exer- 

 cise is too much prolonged, the ligaments are strained and 

 lose their elasticity. The sensitive membrane is inflamed 

 that covers them, and the joints are injured by the con- 

 tinual strain. The monotony of the walk must be over- 

 come by changing the ground so often that the horses 

 may be relieved by seeing different objects to attract their 

 attention. The custom of clothing a horse heavily during 

 these diurnal rounds I also think is wrong, and in my 

 practice I have discontinued it. I cannot understand why 

 it should be beneficial, and have often asked those who 

 follow it to explain the advantages. This has never been 

 done satisfactorily to me. Some say that it hardens the 

 flesh. This is much better done by exercise. Others, that 

 the horse must be protected from taking cold. If it is 

 necessary to wear a heavy blanket, thick kersey cover and 

 hood to do this, I am much mistaken, and think the fan- 

 cied prevention only causes the animal to become more 

 delicate. Men who clothe in the stable according to the 

 exigencies of the weather never think of changing the 

 walking garments so long as perspiration is not induced. 



