CAUSES OF INDIGESTION 107 



A feed that an animal can take with impunity 

 and possibly with benefit under some circum- 

 stances, may prove an exciting cause of that very 

 serious trouble in horses, acute indigestion, under 

 other conditions. Take, for instance, a horse that 

 is to be called on to do an unusually long and 

 hard day's work. The anxious, over-zealous and 

 well-meaning driver will, in some instances, give 

 an extra-sized morning meal, with the idea of 

 buoying the horse up for the ordeal of the day. 

 As soon as the horse has had time to consume it, 

 he starts on his journey; it may be to pull a heavy 

 load, or for faster work. The more violent the 

 work, the more will the digestive process be in- 

 terfered with. As soon as the course of diges- 

 tion is arrested, fermentation begins and it may 

 go on to such a degree that the horse soon begins 

 to show signs of something being amiss. He 

 most likely came out of the stable showing life 

 and energy, and went at his work with spirit, 

 but after going a few miles, however, he begins 

 to sweat more than he should, to lag, to drop his 

 head and to bloat. As soon as he is allowed to 

 stand he shows restlessness and becomes demon- 

 strative in his exhibition of pain. He has acute 

 indigestion, due to mistaken kindness on the part 

 of his attendant. Instead of having been given 

 a full feed or rather more than usual, he should 



