152 MODERN FARRIER. 



that runs under ground, and therefore is much fitter 

 for use. Well or pit-water is subject to all the in- 

 conveniences of spring-water, with this additional 

 circumstance, that it is generally hard, and, by stag- 

 nating long in the well, it may there take up from 

 the bed it lies upon such particles as may render it 

 im wholesome ; therefore the goodness of all well or 

 pit water is to be doubted, and particularly that 

 Avhich is taken from very deep wells. Pond-water 

 (under which head may be included all stagnant 

 w^aters which generally proceed from rain), if lying 

 on a clean or clayey bottom, and fresh, answers very 

 well for cattle of all kinds ; but in warm weather it 

 is apt to corrupt and. ferment, which renders it un- 

 wholesome, and the most uncleanly and disagreeable 

 of any. 



' To correct the hardness of pit- water, and render 

 it more salutary for horses to drink, it should be 

 pumped into a large trough, and exposed to the 

 open air for some time before it is used, or if a cart- 

 load or two of clay or chalk were thown into the 

 Vv ell, it would greatly improve the water. It has 

 likewise been found that breaking down a piece of 

 clay, about the size of an apple, in a pailful of hard 

 water before it is given to a horse to drink, morning 

 and evening, has produced a considerable and fa- 

 vourable change on the coats of horses. 



' Indeed, it will be found where horses are obliged 

 to drink hard water, they are for the most part, 

 rough haired, and at the same time have a great 

 deal of dusty matter at the roots of their coats, even 

 though they are well curried and brushed every 

 day, which plainly shows that there is some obstruc- 

 tion in the pores of the skin, which prevents the 

 natural perspiration, and of course that shining ap- 

 pearance of the hair which is observable in all horses 

 that perspire freely. Hence it w^ould appear that 

 this cutaneous obstruction proceeds from the con- 

 stant drinking of water of a bad quality. 



