450 THE HOESE, 



motion again immediately after taking them ; unless he be 

 exhausted, and in a state of collapse, when cold water is almost 

 certainly fatal ; and when that which he requires is a drench 

 of sherry, or of ale with a dash of spirits in it. 



Once in ten or twelve miles, a horse travelling fast, say from 

 eight to twelve miles an hour, ought to be watered, with from 

 one to two quarts of water. And it is an excellent plan to put 

 in a couple of stable spoonsful of salt and a handful of oatmeal 

 or Indian meal. . If very thirsty, any horse will readily drink 

 this ; but it is highly advisable to accustom them to it, as they 

 will soon come to drink it in the form of thick gruel ; by doing 

 which, while apparently quenching their thirst only, they will 

 take in a very considerable supply of nutriment, enabling them 

 in some measure to dispense with a portion of their solid sus- 

 tenance. 



As the time of the mid-day halt, at which it is intended to 

 feed, approaches, it is highly desirable to slacken and moderate 

 the pace, when the latter end of the last stage is attained, so as 

 to bring the team in reasonably cool, or, at all events, not 

 reeking with sweat. Should the latter be their condition, it is 

 absolutely and invariably necessary — in any case it is particu- 

 larly advisable — to remove the harness at once, and to cause the 

 horse or horses to be walked to and fro gently in the shade, 

 where there may happen to be some slight motion of the air ; 

 but any place in which there is a thorough draft, or a strong 

 cold breeze blowing, is to be avoided as actually dangerous. It 

 is hardly necessary, I presume, to add, that the practice, too 

 often resorted to by ignorant hostlers and helpers, in country 

 tavern stables especially, of riding hot and weary horses, just as 

 they come off a stage or journey, into a cold pond or river, up 

 to their bellies, under the impression that they are washing off 

 the dirt and sweat, is, in the last degree, prejudicial and dan- 

 gerous. 



When the horses are cool, they may be moderately watered, 

 and led into the stable ; where, if dry already, they should be 

 currycombed and nicely wisped, and their legs brushed and 

 hand-rubbed. If still wet, they should be rubbed till perfectly 

 dry, and then, being slightly dressed, should be clothed accord- 

 ing to the season, and fed according to their habit and capacity. 



