8 



especially when fed on dry meat, is subject to 

 costiveness — this should be guarded against by 

 gentle laxatives — A mess of potatoes every day, 

 or a mash of bran, or boiled rye, will generally 

 keep the bowels loose, and secure your horse 

 from those complaints, which counterfeit the bots, 

 or anodicr disorder which is called the dry belly- 

 ache. Oats, the common provender for horses 

 in our country, contain a latent spirit which sup- 

 ports the beast under great fiitigue, and encour- 

 ages them to the most sevile employment with 

 the greatest freedom ; yet if a small portion of 

 corn should be added to every feed of oats, they 

 would probably be broken much finer, and con- 

 sequently be more nutritious. Barley is also 

 very grateful to horses, but much the best ground. 

 In feeding your horses, whether you serve up the 

 hay in a manger or rack, be careful to give no 

 more than your horse will eat with a good appe- 

 tite ; lest suffering to breathe upon, and spoil the 

 sweetness of his hay, you imagine him sick, and 

 either send him to the Farrier, or take some meth- 

 od with him, that will make him truly sick. Give 

 your horse therefore often, and but little at a time ; 

 let his water also be given him when he craves ; 

 some horses are more thirsty than others, and un- 

 less indulged with water, will refuse the choicest 

 hay. There is likewise a great choice in water. 

 Those waters that readily mix with alkaline sub- 

 stances and common soap, are best suited to di- 

 lute the food, and promote the secretions of an 

 animal body. 



ON EXERCISE. 



A HORSE that hath been used to labour, or 

 suffered to roam abroad, is an unsuitable subject 

 for confinement, especially if his manner of living 



