THE FEET PHYSIC. 89 



a little also on return from his walk in the evening. 

 This simple treatment will benefit him greatly ; and 

 when the ribs are well covered, the flesh on the quar- 

 ter, and. the belly of moderate size, he may be called 

 in condition externally a sort of dealers' condition, 

 having an appearance ready for sale, though, of course, 

 not ready to be violently galloped one, however, 

 which undoubtedly is far preferable when making a 

 purchase, to taking a skeleton, inasmuch as some few 

 horses really do exist that never can be made fat, and 

 you would be so far certain you had not got hold of one 

 of these ; besides, it is half the way to real condition, 

 and is a state you should always advance your horse 

 to before you attempt to put him in condition inter- 

 nally ; for, by commencing work too quickly before 

 you have ascertained whether there is any latent ail- 

 ing about him requiring a different course to be pur- 

 sued, you may be thrown back three or four months. 



HOURS OF FEEDING AND WATERING. 



The usual feeding hours in India are morning, 

 noon, and evening ; and as that is a good system by 

 which horses get even quantities at regular hours, and 

 go out with their stomachs empty, (riding times be- 

 ing morning and evening,) it cannot be advantageous- 

 ly altered : for noon, however, substitute one. The 

 hours of nine, one, and seven are a better division 

 than nine, twelve, and seven ; and do not allow him 

 to eat grass at nine and one for more than an hour 

 and a half after each feed, when it should be invaria- 

 bly all swept away. The use of salt for preserving 

 health ; two or three drachms in each feed is granted, 

 and should therefore continually be given. If the 

 black salt is used, a smaller quantity -will suffice. 



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