154^ STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



injurious to the horse. Moderate feeds at the different 

 stages, and an ample one at the last, are most beneficial ; a 

 quartern of oats, with a handful or two of beans, are suffi- 

 cient quantities during the day ; at night, half a peck of 

 oats and a few handfuls of beans ; so that a hack upon a 

 journey of considerable length may be allowed from a peck 

 and a quarter to a peck and a half of oats. Hasty travellers 

 will find an advantage in starting at a very moderate pace, 

 and in finishing tlie last three miles of a stage, especially in 

 hot weather, as leisurely as their haste will admit ; since by 

 such means they will save time, as their horses, on reaching 

 the inn, will be the sooner dry and ready to feed. On the 

 road, the horse may be indulged every eight or ten miles, if 

 he require it, with a few go-downs of water ; and in hot 

 weather, over hard roads, and with fast travelling, when the 

 shoes acquire a burning heat, it is most refreshing to the 

 horse to ride him over his pasterns, momentarily, through 

 any water that may be accessible. But a caution of much 

 moment must have place here : be the weather hot or cold, 

 a horse in a state of perspiration should never be kept 

 standing any length of time in water. 



In fast travelling, every horseman of common sense will 

 ease his hack up the hills ; in going down also, if he values 

 his own neck and his horse's knees, he will do the same. 



When a hack of willing disposition and quiet temper does 

 not start readily, or stops on the road, the rider may safely 

 conclude that he is suffering from some bodily affection, or 

 something galling or misplaced in his furniture. Let him 

 dismount instanter and examine him carefully. It may 

 be colic, it may be strangury, and if so, urging him onward 

 is as barbarous as it is useless. Should his nostrils become 

 dilated, his ears sweat at the roots, and his flanks stare, 

 with an attitude as though attempting to stale, the case is 

 clear. Lead him about gently, and the strangury will 

 probably cease, and urination will follow. 



At the risk of a few repetitions, we will append the 

 " treatment of a horse on a journey " as given by the author 

 of the clever little volume entitled " How to buy a Horse " : 



" As I have promised, I will add a few words respecting 

 the treatment of a horse on a journey. Ihe main points 

 for consideration are : What is the distance you have to go, 

 and the time in which you are to accomplish it ? Pre- 

 suminof that vou are one of those who will rather * take 



