HORSES. 101 



unnecessary weight. Some make it a ule to bait every 

 ten miles, which is very inconsistent, z s in some tases, 

 with a fleet animal, good road, favorable weather and 

 load, this distance may be travelled in one third the 

 time that it can under unfavorable circumstances as to 

 speed. It would be better to regulate the feeding by 

 time rather than distance. 



Mr. S. B. Buckley, who made a botanical tour among 

 the Cumberland Mountains, says, in the Albany Culti- 

 vator, "Four young men came in, travellers on horse- 

 back, who, according to the southern custom, ride all 

 day, without stopping to dine or feed their horses. 

 Horses will do well and keep in good condition under 

 such treatment, as I can testify from experience." 



Horses should be well fed in the evening, and not 

 stuffed too full in the morning, and the travelling should 

 be moderate on starting, with a horse having a full 

 stomach. If a horse starts in good condition, and trav- 

 els rather quick, he can go twenty or twenty-five miles 

 without baiting ; this is evident, when we consider the 

 time necessary to accomplish this space with tolerable 

 speed; as it will require only three or four hours. On 

 :he contrary, with a heavy load and bad road, a horse 

 would only go eight or ten miles in that time. Why 

 cannot horses travel half a day, or four hours, without 

 eating, as well as to work that time on a farm ? If there 

 be more exertion on the road, it is a reason against fre- 

 quent feeding at that time. 



GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 



We make a few remarks on subjects not considered 

 elsewhere. The whip or spur she aid never be used, for 

 any fault but dulness and obstina y ; and the latter can 

 be cured better by gentleness. With kind treatment, 

 the horse is generally gentle and tractable. 



Washing horses, or allowing them to swim immedi- 

 ately after hard work, or when heated, produces colds 

 fevers, colics, and fatal chronic complaints. Even the 

 partial application of cold water to the legs, head, oi 

 back, when the horse is heated, should be avoided. 

 9* 



