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 pose that abstinence from water increases' the wind or 

 vigour. Horses should cever be galloped after drink- 

 i^fr — it is the common cause of broken viind ; nor 

 should horses have nmch v/ater given before eating : 

 but on a journey, when the animal is very dry, give 

 two quarts ; then feed ; and when that is done, give 

 the remainder of the quantity intended. 



DRESSING, OR GROOMING. 



There are three intentions answered by dressing 

 horses: it cleans them from dust and dirt; it counter- 

 acts the artificial state of long continued rest and 

 inactivity they are under by their continement, which 

 it does by exciting the circulation; and, lastly, it 

 gives a beauty and sleekness to the coat. Grooms 

 usually consider only the latter intention; and, as 

 dressing requires much labour, they natn.rally resort 

 to such means as produce a sleek smooth coat Vv itli- 

 out the exertion ; and this, experience tells them, is 

 best efFectcd by hot stables. It is idleness, in fact, which 

 has been the origin of this deviation from nature ; 

 but which, to give it a hold on the good opinion of 

 their masters, grooms assert is intended to add to the 

 health and useful qualities of a horse. 



But nothing is so absurd, nothing so unnatural, 

 and nothing, but hard w ork, is j^roductive of so many 

 evils to this valuable class of animals, as hot stables. 

 Let the advocates for them live for a month (con- 

 fined as many hours out of the twenty-four as horses 

 are) in the dressing-room of a warm bath : they may 

 become fine and delicate, but their vigour and dura- 

 bility will be lost. Whenever, therefore, ? line coat 

 is wanted, let it be gained by proper dressing. I shall 

 not here describe the mode used in dressing a horse ; 



