ABOUT WATER. 371 



ing. "We will reconsider it previous to going to the stable. 

 The quantity of this fluid should be as closely scrutinized 

 as that of the food we give, and from the very clearest 

 holding matter in solution that is detrimental, there is 

 danger in giving water, containing these properties, even 

 if aware of it, and using something to correct the bad 

 effect. Bain, river and spring water are the kinds in use 

 for horses. The first, if it receives no admixture from the 

 roof that collects, or the receptacle that receives it, is 

 pure. This fact has led many to believe that it is superior 

 to others for horses in training. Without absolutely deny- 

 ing that to be the case, I am led to believe that "harder" 

 water may be equally as good, and perhaps better in some 

 instances. When we find the osseous framework of the 

 horse is composed of material which water sometimes 

 holds in solution, and which the animal has to obtain from 

 the food it gets, may not the structure be easier built, or 

 wants repaired, by a proportion of the necessary material 

 being contained in the drink ? 



I have seen horses in like good condition when trained 

 either on soft or hard water, and more danger arises in a 

 sudden change from the kind accustomed to, if even the 

 change is to that of a better quality, the system having 

 adapted itself to the kind in use. This is so well known 

 that we frequently see a supply of water taken with a 

 horse, when the conveyance has been a good deal of 

 expense and trouble ; and this is often used as a very 

 strong argument in favor of rain water. If cisterns were built 

 by the various tracks, the drink would be identical, and 

 the danger of a change done away with. I have found in 

 my practice that, when circumstances compelled me to a 

 change, all danger was obviated by adding a handful of 

 linseed meal, gradually decreasing it as the use of the 

 new kind was continued. I can hardly give satisfactory 

 reasons why this result should be, only that the mucilage 



