TREATMENT AFTER WORK. 335 



cess. From three to six weeks may be required to refresh 

 the horse, but the time varies so much, according to the 

 horse's condition, that it is not possible to state any precise 

 period. 



Excess of Food. — Horses that are doing full work, as 

 much as they are able to do, can hardly have an excess of 

 food. Some kinds of work, such as that given to mail and 

 stage horses, require an unlimited allowance. If the horse 

 have good legs, or legs equal to the pace, distance, and weight, 

 he can not perform all the work of which he is capable, with- 

 out as much grain as he will eat. But there are some kinds 

 of work, such as racing and hunting, and especially steeple- 

 chasing, which are so injurious to the legs, that long intervals 

 of repose are necessary ; sometimes eight to ten days must 

 elapse before the horse can repeat his task. In this time a 

 great eater will become fat and short-winded upon a full al- 

 lowance of food, or his skin will itch and rise in pimples. In 

 such a case, bran-mashes, or a few carrots, should be given 

 now and then instead of grain. Alteratives, diuretics, and 

 such like evacuants may be given ; but, I think, more economy 

 in the distribution of food would render them less necessary. 



Deficiexcy of Food impairs condition much sooner and 

 more certainly than excess. It produces emaciation and stiff- 

 ness, dulness and weakness, in less time than excess of work. 

 The food is deficient when the horse loses flesh, and gets less 

 grain than he would eat. The work is in excess when he 

 loses flesh, and has all the grain he will consume. 



TREATMENT AFTER WORK. 



This section treats of the cares and appliances usually or 

 sometimes bestowed upon a horse after severe work. Some 

 of them refer to ordinary work. All horses require water, 

 food, cleaning, and bedding, at the end of their exertions ; but 

 some, in addition, have need of cordials, fomentations, ban- 

 dages, and nursing. 



Cleaning. — If possible, the horse is to arrive at his stable 

 cool and dry ; when not possible, the first thing to be done is 

 to make him so, and the quicker the better. It is not of im- 

 portance to clean him thoroughly. When made quite dry and 

 cool, further grooming may be put off till the horse has rested 

 a few hours, or till next morning, if he be much fatigued. 

 The feet being examined, clothes applied, water and grain 



