284 STABLE ECONOMY. 



horse should never be permitted to take so much as he 

 pleases at one draught. A little, given at intervals of fifteen 

 or twenty minutes, till his thirst is quenched, will prevent all 

 danger, and the horse will take less upon the whole than he 

 would take at first in one draught. I do not approve of 

 chilled water for constant use. It makes the horse so tender 

 that a very little cold water has a great effect upon him. It 

 does no other harm. It need not, however, be given as it is 

 taken from a deep well, or from a frozen pond. As a gen- 

 eral rule, the temperature of the water should not be much 

 above nor much below that of the air which the horse is 

 breathing. 



The Quantity of Water which a horse will consume 

 in twenty-four hours, is quite uncertain. It varies so much, 

 that one will drink as much as other two or three. It is in- 

 fluenced by the food, the work, the weather, and the number 

 of services. While getting grass or soft food, the horse 

 drinks less than wile his food is all dry ; those that eat much 

 hay need more than those that eat little. The demand in- 

 creases with the perspiration ; horses at fast work, and kept 

 in hot stables, need a large allowance, which must be still 

 larger in hot weather. When water is given only twice a 

 day, more is taken, or would be taken, than if it were given 

 three or four times. Horses of slow, or not very fast work, 

 may be permitted to take what quantity they please, provided 

 always that it be given before the horse becomes very thirsty. 

 For other horses, those of very fast work, occasional restric- 

 tion is necessary ; and many of these are subject to habitual 

 restriction. 



Occasional Restriction is necessary. When the horse is 

 very thirsty, he will take more than he needs, and more than 

 is safe. This I have already explained. Restriction is also 

 necessary before fast work. In coaching stables the horses 

 are watered about an hour before going to work. Should 

 they be disposed to drink a great deal at this time, they are 

 not permitted ; half an ordinary pailful ought to suffice. 

 Twice as much might do harm. It might impede the breath- 

 ing, and produce purgation ; yet, very often, it does neither. 

 Given, however, immediately before starting, it is almost sure 

 to do both. When the horse purges, his breathing becomes 

 freer as he gets quit of the water. But especially on a long 

 stage, the purging is very debilitating, and it makes the horse 

 very lean in two or three journeys. Racers, it appears, re- 

 ceive no water on running days till their work is over, and 



