THEIR FEED AND THEIR FEET, 



79 



whether in man or beast, disturb the functions, dimin- 

 ish the proportion of red globules in the blood, render 

 the muscular fibers flabby, that they tire soon on ex- 

 ertion, overstimulate the kidneys and skin, because 

 these emunctories are called upon to release from the 

 system an excess of fluid, green grass being largely 

 made up of water. This excessive action impairs, lets 

 down below the healthy standard, and it takes time, 

 feed, and care to replace wasted tissues and restore 

 lost tone. 



But it is not alone the sudden change referred to 

 which causes risk. The horse accustomed to a dry 

 stable, protected from wet above and beneath, is 

 poorly prepared to stay out in the cold rains of 

 autumn, much less to lie in the wet. This exposure 

 makes a greater impression than it otherwise would 

 because of the change from grain to grass, the power 

 of resistance being lessened in proportion as the 

 blood has parted with its globules. Loss of condi- 

 tion and a staring coat come from this exposure, and 

 if the horse be at all susceptible to lung trouble he 

 may contract this. Hence, for these reasons, the 

 idea of turning a horse out to get him into condition 

 is a very erroneous one. 



If, for any reason — and this should not be an imag- 

 inary one — the horse is thought- to require green 

 food, or a change, for a time, from the habitual dry 

 grain, then give him bran mashes and roots. But 

 the moment this course is entered upon the system 

 is weakened, the effect being precisely upon the mus- 

 cles of the horse as upon the steel spring when the 



