312 FEEDING AND WATERING. 



and worked in a country where the watef is strongly impregnated 

 with lime, are troubled with intestinal calculi ; *. e., stone in the 

 bladder. Hence soft water should be given, if convenient ; but if 

 well-water be given, especially during warm weather, it should either 

 have the chill taken off or be given very sparingly. 



The best time to water a horse is about half an hour before 

 feeding. While driving, the rule should be, little and often. None, 

 or only a swallow or two, should be given at the close of a drive, 

 until cool. If very warm, the horse should be walked moderately 

 where there is not a current of air to strike him, from ten to thirty 

 minutes. If any danger is then apprehended, the chill' should be 

 taken off the water if very cold, and given sparingly, or only a few 

 swallows at a time. The common custom is to give about a half 

 bucketful. The safer course would be to give less and repeat. 



The rule for ordinary use should be, to give a small quantity 

 often during the day, and let the animal pursue his journey or labor 

 immediately after. If allowed to' stand, the system is liable to be 

 chilled, arid the absorbents closed, which is the common cause of 

 laminitis or founder, although this disease may not develop itself 

 until twelve or twenty-foui* hours afterward. Any cause which will 

 chill the horse — either cold winds or cold water — will be almost 

 sure to produce this disease. > 



