134 HOW TO fp:ed a horse. 



Fourtlily, the want of shade and shelter on most horse 

 pastures. Fifthly, the plague of flies and mosquitoes, 

 which are almost sufficient to torture a thin-skinned ani- 

 mal out of his life ; and sixthly and lastly, the result of 

 the whole is, nine times out of ten, that the animal comes 

 up poorer th^n he was when he went out, sun-bleached, 

 thm, and dry in his coat; his hair staring; his ribs bare; 

 in all respects a failure, unimproved if not actually deteri- 

 orated by his summer's run at grass. 



For this, it has been lately attempted, we may say now 

 established, with perfect success, to keep the horse par- 

 tially up, in a large, loose box, if possible, adjoining and 

 opening to a soft, moist, well-sheltered paddock ; to take 

 off his shoes, stuff his feet with a cooling paste of tar, 

 tallow, clay, and cow-dung ; to reduce his sj^stem, by ad- 

 ministering two or three mild doses of medicine, not to 

 exceed four drachms each of Barbadoes aloes, the animal 

 having been well prepared for them by assiduous mashing ; 

 and then to feed him regularly and plentifully with rich, 

 moist, succulent, green meat, cut for him fresh every day, 

 not forgetting a dessert of carrots, and a standing dish of 

 at least six quarts of oats jper diem^ administered at two 

 feeds. If the horse have the advantage of a good pad- 

 dock, wherein he can run, he will not so much need 

 other exercise; but, at all events, he will be better for 

 being walked out, or trotted gently, daily, on soft ground. 

 If there be no paddock or natural exercising ground, the 

 walking exercise will be absolutely necessary, and it may 

 be extended advantageously to four hours a day, in two 

 instalments of two hours each, during one of which he 

 should be walked only, and in the other trotted to a little 

 livelier and faster motion. 



The advantage of this method is manifold. The animal 

 is not so wholly depleted and reduced ; he is not exposed 



