256 CONFESSIONS OF A HORSE DEALEH. 



surgeon has mostly to be called, and a long bill is the 

 consequence. Some horses are more inclined to consti- 

 pation than others, hence it is that they all require 

 attention to this point ; it is the key to health and 

 condition. 



There are a class of grooms who think themselves 

 extraordinarily clever, and when they take up a horse 

 from grass to put him in condition deprive him of water 

 to the extent of about one half of what Nature requires. 

 They have an idea that by depriving the horse of water 

 they harden his flesh, and get his belly up. Eut 

 this treatment, when first a horse is taken up from 

 grass, is very erroneous, and by exciting heat, thirst, 

 and indigestion, inflammation is likely to ensue. There- 

 fore my tyro should see that his groom allow his horses 

 as much water as they will drink when they are first 

 taken from grass, after which it may be lessened by 

 degrees, but not to the extent that some clever (?) grooms 

 carry it. 



The temperature of the stable in which a horse is 

 placed when first taken from the fields is another 

 important consideration ; it should not at first be much 

 increased beyond that of the open air, or the sudden 

 change will probably affect the lungs, and cause inflam- 

 mation of those organs, or may occasion roaring or 

 broken wind. 



The horse should for the first few days be placed in 

 a barn, or a roomy loose box, well ventilated, which 

 will allow of his exercising himself, and prevent his 



