136 THE HORSE 



in the daytime cannot be too strongly condemned, 

 for when de^Drived of his only protections his exist- 

 ence is merely one of misery and irritation. The 

 torment to which he is subjected by the myriads 

 of flies deprives him of all peace, and he is unable 

 to feed or rest. Under these conditions the prac- 

 tice is simple cruelty. Tlie same mutilated horse 

 can spend the night in comparative comfort, and 

 will gain the full benefit from the changed condi- 

 tions of his existence if taken indoors not later 

 than eight o'clock every mornmg. If a horse has 

 a long mane, tail, and forelock, there is less ob- 

 jection to leaving him out all day, though he will 

 spend all his time in some shady corner and will 

 not get much food or rest. 



Watering 

 Much diversity of opinion exists as to the best 

 methods of watering horses. In a natm^al state 

 the wild Equid^ drink only once or at most twice 

 a day, consequently we might be tempted to pre- 

 sume that our horses are not thirsty animals. We 

 must remember, however, that we feed our stabled 

 animals on food which is entirely lacking in juici- 

 ness and natural moisture, and that therefore they 

 are obliged to acquire this necessary moisture by 



