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ed without exercise, be a fit subject for travel- 

 ling. A horse, therefore, rather meager than fat, 

 used to active exercise, whose flesh is firm from 

 good living and labour, is the most likely to an- 

 swer your expectation. Some days before your 

 journey, have him shod, lest being pricked with 

 a nail, he fail you on the road. Look well to his 

 saddle, and see it fits with ease, and does not 

 hurt his back ; and while upon the road exam- 

 ing it daily, and repair it as needed. 



Before your horse eats in the morning, give 

 him a little w^ater, that he may eat the better ; 

 but do not lead him to the trough or brook till 

 you take him out for riding ; the water now ta- 

 ken into the stomach, will better dilute the food; 

 and by washing" his mouth, prevent any sudden 

 thirst on the road. Ride moderately while your 

 horse's belly is full, for he will mend his pace as 

 this fullness goes off. 



Before you make a stage, restrain your horse, 

 and take him in cool ; let him eat a little hay be- 

 fore he is watered, if hot ; and thus conduct at 

 all your stages. At night, after your horse is 

 cooled, wash his legs with water, (warm water is 

 best) for it promotes perspiration, cleanses away 

 the sand, and prevents his legs from swelling. 

 His back should likewise be washed, to prevent 

 those little saddle boils which the friction of the 

 saddle often produces. In the middle of the day, 

 I should prefer a bating of hay to any grain ; 

 but let it be sprinkled, in warm weather, with 

 water. New oats are not good for a horse on 

 a journey ; they make him faint, and often bring 

 on a diarkea. If old oats cannot be had, (as is 

 sometimes the case at harvest) feed him with In- 

 dian meal, or oat meal. Horses on a journey, 

 from their increased perspiration, and constant 



