EXERCISE FOR HORSES 93 



If the muscular tissue of the heart is weak, that 

 organ lacks the power under severe exertion to 

 force the blood through the lungs, when stagna- 

 tion and congestion follow. 



Horses in the condition just described, if given 

 a long, quick journey on a hard road, are apt to 

 develop founder or inflammation of the quick of 

 the feet in its most intense form. The circula- 

 tion being weak, the concussion resulting from 

 the pounding on the hard road interferes with it, 

 and congestion and inflammation are apt to re- 

 sult. 



The amount and the character of exercise to 

 be given during convalescence is an important 

 point in influencing the hastening of that pro- 

 cess, as well as in determining the completeness 

 of the recovery and the prevention of untoward 

 sequels. Even during siclcness the restricted and 

 gentle movements possible in a box stall of fair 

 size not only contribute to the patient's comfort 

 by admitting of freedom and comfortable atti- 

 tudes, but the slight exercise has a beneficial ef- 

 fect upon the circulation, particularly that of 

 the legs. 



After attacks of influenza, strangles, larjnagitis 

 or pneumonia, and as soon as the temperature 

 has regained its normal condition, the question 

 of exercise should be considered, and judgment 

 should be used in determining how soon the 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



