82 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA 



have a moderate amount of water to drink — say, one 

 gallon — and if he be thirsty, another gallon in five or six 

 minutes. 



32. However hot and perspiring a horse may be, he 

 should get this water at once, hefore he cools down ; but if 

 he cannot get it until he is cool, he should be given a 

 smaller amount, and some more at intervals of five 

 minutes or so. 



33. The " chill " need not be taken off water, except 

 when the horse is very thirsty and the water unusually 

 cold. 



34. Soft water is generally considered preferable to 

 hard, although I have never known any bad results accrue 

 to horses in India from the use of well water that was 

 good for human consumption. The hard water of some 

 limestone districts in England, being loaded with mineral 

 matter, is apt to cause colic when taken cold and in 

 large quantities, especially when the stomach is full or 

 weakened by long fasting. I prefer well water in India 

 to that obtained from rivers. Water from swamps or 

 stagnant pools should not be used (see p. 38). 



