48 HORSES: 



be borne in mind that the digestive system is a sharer 

 in the hurt, and that rest alone, with the treatment — 

 the " passive exercise " (hand-rubbing) — suggested, 

 or perhaps a very limited diet for one day, will be 

 the best means for restoration. In nine cases in ten, 

 when a horse is taken sick soon after extraordinary 

 work, it is the result of feeding him too soon or too 

 much — before he had become sufficiently rested. 

 Whenever a horse has been pushed to extremes, 

 driven to or nearly to exhaustion, the time allowed 

 for recuperation before feeding, should be correspond- 

 ingly lengthened. For instance, while he may eat 

 his dinner immediately following a leisurely drive, he 

 being free from heat or weariness ; under the pressure 

 of a day's journey which has well-nigh exhausted him, 

 it would be an act of mercy to withhold all food for 

 twelve" hours. In fact, to feed sooner than this con- 

 stitutes, in some instances, " cruelty to animals," and 

 is attended with great risk. In all cases of exhaus- 

 tion from overwork, the best stimulant, the best 

 " tonic," the best nutriment, is — rest. Even an over- 

 dose of this remedy is safer than an underdose, which 

 can be said of no other " medicine." 



CHEST FOUNDER 



often results from a neglect of the above-named pre- 

 caution ; and constant overfeeding is a very prolific 

 source of this disease. The stomach is invariably the 

 seat of the disorder. That is, it originates there, and 

 can never be eradicated while this organ continues 

 diseased. The lungs are often affected both " sym- 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



