EXERCISE FOR HORSES 95 



ly given is very apt to be followed by a relapse 

 after the weakening effects of illness and the con- 

 sequent inactivity. 



Plenty of walking exercise during convales- 

 cence from affections of the breathing organs is 

 the only course likely to ward off defective wind, 

 which so frequently occurs as a sequel to these 

 affections. One often hears it advised to turn a 

 horse out for a few weeks after attacks such as 

 referred to. This means a run at grass in the 

 summer, and in the winter turning in to a box 

 stall. In either case too much bulky food is apt 

 to be consumed to be favorable to good wind, and 

 systematic exercise is not given. Of the two 

 courses, turning out to grass is the better, as the 

 food is of a laxative character, and the animal 

 takes some exercise. But the best of all is to keep 

 the horse up so that the amount and character 

 of the food can be regulated and a definite 

 amount of exercise given. Walking exercise dur- 

 ing convalescence from acute affections of the 

 breathing organs brings these organs gently into 

 play, rouses mildly their functional activity, and 

 is the only safe way to tone them up, and prepare 

 them by degrees for more violent exertion, which 

 they can then perform without showing any un- 

 soundness of wind. 



Swelling of the legs occurring from any cause 

 ' — for instance, as a sequel to pink-eye — can be 



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