THEIR FEED AND THEIR FEET. 19 



evil results of quick fattening, called " softness," will 

 only follow fast work. A severe pull — even a single 

 effort, if severe — will cause as vigorous spasmodic 

 efforts of the heart as though the animal had been 

 hard driven under the lash." 



This palpitation and sweating, easily and quickly, 

 are indications of weakness, though the horse may be 

 a very spirited and " strong-going " one. This is espe- 

 cially true of a class of horses termed " pullers " when 

 they are not given much work, as in the case cited 

 further on. There are few trotting horses but suffer 

 more or less during portions of the year from this 

 disease, viz. : degeneration of the muscular system — 

 of the entire organism, in fact. This fully accounts 

 for so many fine horses " going lame " suddenly. The 

 cause may be truly enough said to be a sprain ; but 

 why the sprain? Simply because the muscles and 

 tendons, instead of being tough, clean, and sound, are 

 degenerated from lack of suf^cient use. Instead of 

 keeping his muscular system firm and sound, his ap- 

 pearance of condition is maintained by feed alone ; 

 and when taken out for a little speeding, he strains 

 himself a little, snap go a few strands of a muscle, 

 and he has to be hauled off and " doctored " at a 

 great loss to his owner. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF AVORK 



in putting a horse in condition is not fully appreci- 

 ated ; but it can never be done, never has been done, 

 without. Many a valuable animal maintains a fine 



