'(f 

 MODERN FARRIER. 151 



78. Drink. 



There is seldom proper attention paid to the qua- 

 lity of the water which horses drink, although it be 

 an object of the greatest importance. Water be- 

 comes the vehicle of all nourishment to the animal ; 

 and as it partakes of the quality of those bodies 

 through which it passes, we cannot be too particular 

 about its choice. It is the best diluter of fluids in 

 the stomach, and it is essential to the healthiness of 

 the fluids of the body. The following sensible ob- 

 servations on the subject are from the pen of Mr. 

 R. Lawrence. 



' It has frequently been observed and not easily 

 accounted for, that horses do not thrive on changing 

 from one part of the country to another, although 

 their treatment in every respect be the same, dif- 

 ference of water excepted. This perhaps may, in a 

 great measure, be owing to the quality of the water 

 they drink, and which may be possessed of different 

 qualities from that to which they had before been 

 accustomed. 



' This is particularly observed in those places 

 where the stable-yards are supplied from pit-wells, 

 some of which are very deep, and the water very 

 hard, which occasions that chilliness, trembling, and 

 shaking, which is frequently observed in horses, 

 when they drink it immediately after it is new 

 pumped, and which causes their coats to stare and 

 stand on end for a considerable time, and sometimes 

 they are griped and seem considerably out of order. 

 Spring-water is liable to partake of all the metalline 

 or mineral strata through which is passes. Hence 

 it becomes noxious or salutary according to the na- 

 ture of those substances with which it has been in 

 contact. Hiver-water has, likewise, its different 

 qualities, from the various soils through which it 

 travels ; but, in general, it is much softer than water 



