^tl KEEPING. 



too much belly. A horse never should be drawn 

 suddenly, as nothing is more weakening. 



The best medicine on earth, that can be employed 

 in keeping of a horse, to give him wind and bottom, as 

 the grooms term it, is good and sweet food. A greater 

 proportion of old oats, hay, or hommony, opens the 

 bowels ; and a large proportion of fodder and oats, 

 when prepared in the way directed, has the reverse 

 effect; so that by using food tliat actually contains 

 nourishment, and will certainly benefit your horse, you 

 may place him in whatever kind of order you think 

 proper, without using those medicines which have a 

 certain tendency to weaken and relax him. About 

 two mashes during the time of keeping, is very bene- 

 ficial ; the first as soon as you commence ; the second, 

 about eight days previous to his running; composed 

 of one gallon of bran, one table spoonful of flour of 

 sulphur, and one tea spoonful of saltpetre. Most 

 grooms are in the habit of giving one, two, or three 

 sweats, during the time of keeping ; which method of 

 hardening the flesh I am much opposed to. If ahorse 

 is too gross, gradually increase his exercise, which will 

 have the desired effect. Whenever a horse has to 

 undergo one of those sweats, he is so much weakened 

 and relaxed, as to require at least one w^eek to recovei 

 his strength. Should a horse, in keeping, lose his 

 appetite, it can readily be restored, by a single inno- 

 cent drench, composed of a quarter of an ounce of 

 asafcetida, one table spoonful of salt^ and one quart of 

 sassafras tea. Good food, regular feeding, moderate 

 exercise, and strict attention to rubbing, are of much 

 more importance and benefit to a horse in keeping, 

 than the administering of large doses of physic, which 

 iiis nature does not require. 



When a horse is well kept, he will not appear very 



