DISEASES OF HORSES. 199 



Unnatural heat, deprivation of "light, stimulating food, restraint 

 from water, and excessive clothing, are best calculated to promote 

 it, admits of much doubt ; and it is to be observed that the dawn 

 of reason and science appears to be shining through the crevices of 

 these darkened casements ; for even at Newmarket the system has 

 lately much relaxed from its artificial rigor. 



3. To bring a horse into condition, not only should the purposes 

 he is intended for be taken into account, but also his previous* 

 state. If he be taken up from grass with much flesh on him, it i? 

 evident that what is required is to remove the soft instertitlal mat. 

 ter it may be supposed he has gained by green food, and to replacs 

 it by hard flesh ; and also to produce a sleekness of coat and beauty 

 of appearance. To accomplish these ends, the horse should be 

 accustomed to clothing and the full heat of the stable by degrees 

 only ; and also by degrees only to the meditated change of food ; 

 which is best done by mashes. In two or three days a mild dose 

 of physic may be given, during all which moderate exercise only 

 should be allowed, as walking, but which may be continued two 

 hours at a time. After the physic has set, begin to dress his coat, 

 increase his exercise and his food, and accustom him to an increase 

 of warmth. In four or five days time again mash him for two days 

 and give a second dose of physic, a little stronger than the first. 

 (123) After this still further increase his warmth, his exercise, 

 and his food, by which his belly will be taken up, his flesh will 

 harden and his coat begin to fall. A third dose of physic or urine 

 kails, &c. are only necessary in the training of hunters, &/c. and 

 even in these, a gradual increase of exercise, rather long continued 

 than violent, with proper food, will effect the end, if not so quickly, 

 more beneficially to the animal. To bring a lean horse into condi. 

 tion, a somewhat different plan should be pursued. If from grass, 

 still mash him for a day or two, by no means stint him in his water, 

 and with his mash let oats be also soaked. If oats be speared or 

 malted, it will produce flesh sooner. But even here, give the horse 

 moderate walking exercise, and if he be not too much reduced, add 

 a mild dose of physic to prevent his heels flying, or his getting 

 hide-bound by the increased food ; but if great emaciation forbid 

 the physic, give him nightly an alterative. (Vet. Pharm. 129, No. 1.1 

 As his appearance improves, gradually harden his food and increase 

 his exercise. 



4. Diseased condition of horses. What has been already said 

 relates to that alteration from one state to another, neither being an 



18* 



