96 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



that have weak stomachs, and are shy feeders, take a long 

 time before they will eat a sufficient quantity of food to 

 keep them in condition, and if a large mess of hay and 

 corn be placed before them will take a few mouthfuls, 

 perhaps, and blow upon the rest, until they take a disgust 

 to it, and refuse it altogether. 



'Water. — Soft water in all cases is better for horses than 

 hard ; home water from a brook or pond is preferable to 

 that raised from a well by pump or bucket. Valuable 

 horses, who are apt to be heated, should not, however, be 

 allowed to slake their thirst at pond or brook, but have 

 water given them but little below the temperature of their 

 stable, say 65'' to 70°, and this may be done by mixing a 

 little hot water with the cold. Observe, extremely cold 

 water will often produce staring of the coat, colic, and 

 rheumatism. It is by no means an uncommon notion that 

 if horses are to be got into condition for work, they should 

 be allowed to drink but a very small quantity of water. 

 On what physiological basis this opinion is founded is a 

 mystery. Nevertheless, as many persons adopt this treat- 

 ment it is fitting to notice it. It is a bad plan to stint a 

 horse in his water. Of course it is not asserted that when 

 a horse comes in healed from exercise he should be suffered 

 to drink, or should have a bellyful of water just prior to 

 being ridden ; but, if a horse be watered ad lib. in the 

 morning, he will not require to drink again for some hours, 

 and should never be allowed to do so then unless perfectly 

 cool. 



Times of Feeding. — What is said with respect to^ giving 

 a horse water while he is hot applies equally to his food. 

 Never suffer a horse to feed until he is cool. After fatigue 

 of body, the stomach, of all other parts, is perhaps the least 

 capable of exertion ; and although in some cases of ^ severe 

 exertion a slight degree of sustenance may be requisite to 

 support the strength and stamina of every living animal, it 

 should always be administered in moderation ; and for this 

 purpose there is nothing better than the gruel already 

 recommended. It is a light species of diet when not given 

 too abundantly, against which the stomach will seldom 

 rebel, and it is always proper that this organ, like any 

 other, should be in good tone before its work — that of 

 digestion — be required of it; and as when a horse is 

 violently heated the blood is propelled by the heart in a 



