ON PHYSIC. 149 



case, tlierefore there may not be quite so many of these 

 delicate horses in training now as formerly; yet as 

 there may be a few of tliem now and then put in 

 training, it is necessary that I should make a few re- 

 marks on the physicking of such horses. As they are 

 invariably very delicate horses, they are seldom or ever 

 engaged to run but in short races, consequently they 

 require but little work in training; and as there is not 

 much waste or spare to come off them, they are gene- 

 rally better without either sweating or physicking. 

 Grooms were formerly very much inclined to physic 

 all descriptions of horses placed under their care ; and 

 I myself was much addicted to this practice when a 

 groom. If grooms are still inclined to purge horses 

 of this description, I should advise its being done by 

 giving the horse small portions of aloes — say a drachm 

 morning and evening. A delicate horse will seldom 

 take more than three or four drachms at most, before 

 his bowels will have become affected. The medicine 

 should then be discontinued. There will be no neces- 

 sity for giving mashes to a horse, by way of preparing 

 him previously to administering small balls of aloes ; 

 and during the period of his taking them, he may go 

 to exercise every day. This will assist the action of 

 the medicine, which may, in that case, be given in a 

 less quantity. This is an advantage ; for the less medi- 

 cine such horses take, the better, provided they are in 

 health. When any groom is desirous of giving a second 

 or third course of these balls, he should observe, that 

 the same time should be allowed to the horse to recover 



