THE <;KAIN, UR.VSS, AND WATEK. '1-9 



rather lax, as well as others ; or it can be given for 

 the one o'clock feed ; and again at half-past eight 

 o'clock feed ; this, with the cordial ball, will gene- 

 rally keep the dung of a proper consistence, if there 

 as no over-feeding. The dung, towards the later 

 periods of training, is occasionally found, not only ;a 

 great deal too soft, but slate-coloured, and so slimy 

 .and agglutinated, that when lifted up with a cane it 

 will hang on either side without breaking ; hence the 

 horse grows stale : this proceeds from bad stable man- 

 agement in various ways, irregularity, or over-feeding, 

 particularly on gram, over-sweating, or over-work. 

 The cure is bran mashes for two whole days, with 

 four drachms of gum arabic in each mash ; and a little 

 green food in lieu of the dry grass : then the drench 

 of physic, p. 73 ; and this, followed by a few carrots, 

 and the beer tonic, p. 109, daily : boiled sago should 

 also IOQ frequently given afterwards with the last half 

 <of every feed, and a little linseed meal mixed in the 

 first half, with the gram and barley. 



The quality of the water requires as much care as 

 the grain. A change to softer water may not hurt, 

 but from soft to hard infallibly will, and 'that often 

 too evidently. When it cannot be avoided, three 

 gallons of liot water should be poured on three maps 

 >f bran, and strained off when cold ; or a quarter of a 

 map of linseed, and a small lump of ghoor, may be 

 <boiled in a gallon of water, and then more cold water 

 added ; either will, in some degree, correct the change ; 

 or a little chalk and clay may be added to the water, 

 letting it stand for an hour in the sun. As to train- 

 ing on actual hard water, you might as well try:to 

 train on bricks ; a horse will not keep in condition 



upon it. River water should generally be chosen in 



17 



