330 STABLE ECONOMY. 



Idleness, whether absolute or comparative, is injurious to 

 working condition. When the horse obtains more rest than 

 his work requires, he is idle. 



Absolute Idleness is that in which the horse suffers close 

 confinement in the stable or loose box. He soon becomes 

 weak, fat, short-winded, and stiff. If well fed, he may retain 

 health and spirit for two or three months ; but in this time he 

 almost loses the use of his legs, and his skin becomes foul 

 and itchy. Horses that have been long, perhaps several 

 years, in work, with short or no interruptions, become very 

 stiff. 



I am unable to say how soon absolute repose will entirely 

 destroy working condition. The time must vary with the 

 horse's employment, and the manner in which he is fed. 

 Those of slow work may suffer confinement for six or eight 

 weeks before they become as feeble as idleness can make 

 them. If half starved, or fed so poorly that the horse loses 

 flesh, less than a month will produce the effect. If fully fed, 

 he accumulates a load of fat, which makes him weaker than 

 idleness with moderate feeding would make him. Fast-work- 

 ers lose their condition much sooner ; one week of superflu- 

 ous rest sensibly impairs the condition of a hunter ; he loses 

 wind, but he is still able for much work. To destroy his 

 condition entirely, he would, in most cases, require about four 

 weeks of close confinement, some would need less, and some 

 would perhaps retain a portion of their condition nearly eight 

 weeks. A great eater degenerates fastest. 



Comparative Idlenesses that in which the horse gets exercise, 

 or perhaps some work, yet not sufficient to maintain his con- 

 dition. The owner may not use him oftener than once or 

 twice a fortnight, and he receives exercise from the groom in 

 he intervals. Horses kept for work of this kind rarely have 

 good grooms to look after them. They are generally in the 

 charge of men who seem to think that exercise is of no use 

 but to keep the horse in health. A daily walk, with a smart 

 trot, will keep the horse in condition for moderate work ; but 

 if the owner ride or drive fast and far, and at irregular inter- 

 vals, as much exercise as keeps the horse in health is not 

 sufficient. Every second, third, or fourth day, the exercise 

 should resemble the work. The horse should go nearly or 

 quite as far and as fast as the owner usually rides him. It 

 may be too much to do every day, or every second day ; but 

 keeping always within safe bounds, the horse should have 

 work, or exercise equal to his work, at regular intervals. 



