78 HORSES: 



sudden change from dry, nutritious food to which 

 the system had become accustomed, and has done 

 well on, to a surfeit of grass, which distends the di- 

 gestive organs, ferments, unduly loosening the bowels, 

 and taking off firm flesh which cart hardly be restored 

 under a month or two of careful feeding and exer- 

 cising. 



Changes in the food given to farm animals, with 

 proper restrictions, are proper to be made, but such 

 as are made through recommendations by ignorant 

 persons, no sound reasons existing for them, are not 

 likely to prove beneficial. A horse is frequently 

 turned out for the purpose, in the language of the 

 groom, of " taking the fever out of him," while, if he 

 has been properly cared for, and driven with discre- 

 tion, he will have no fever in him. If he exhibits 

 feverish symptoms, a day's fast, or a little less food 

 and more fresh air, with more exercise in many cases, 

 and less work in others, will very speedily restore the 

 balance. But to administer physic, change his feed, 

 or turn him out to grass, on the assumption that it is 

 good for the animal to be occasionally " loosened 

 up," is wrong. 



The horse-owner himself would not be likely, when 

 in the best possible state of health — the digestion 

 good and the muscles firm— to listen to a suggestion 

 that he leave off his bread, meat, potatoes, and con- 

 fine himself to greens and water for a month or two. 

 This might do very well in midsummer, as a measure 

 for counteracting the mischief of enforced and abso- 

 lute idleness or lack of exercise ; but all such changes, 



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