THE CARE OF HORSES. 299 
in the case both of runners and trotters. If possible, 
let the horse graze in the early morning, while the 
blades are still wet. The grass is sweeter and more 
juicy at this time, and the dew is an excellent med- 
icine for the feet. 
When horses have their shoes removed and are 
turned out to pasture, care should be taken not to 
make the change too sudden. Many a fine animal has 
been killed by direct transition from a warm stable 
and blankets to the open air and cold ground. Let 
the blankets be taken off while the horse is still kept 
under cover; and turn him out at night for the first 
time. If he is turned out in the morning, he will 
feed all day, and at night-time lie down, and, very 
likely, catch cold; but if he is turned out hungry at 
night, he will keep on his feet all or nearly all the 
time till morning; and the first night is of course the 
dangerous one. Another good plan is to take the 
horse in the first night just before you go to bed; and 
finally, it is practicable to turn a horse out blanketed. 
A second surcingle sewed to the blanket and passing 
around the flanks can be used. A horse in active 
service can thus be given a night out with safety. 
Now, however, as I observe that the reader is be- 
coming bored, we will move on to the grooming-room ; 
but as we pass by the hay-mows I cannot refrain from 
this remark: the popular notion that horses lke 
coarse hay best, and thrive best upon it, is a huge 
mistake. The second or third quality of hay as it 
would be deemed in respect to coarseness is the best. 
Nine city horsemen out of ten, I am aware, would 
deny this proposition; but the tenth is the man who 
has tried the experiment. 
