346 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
the following remarks, which convey all we can say upon 
this point:— 
44 It has frequently been observed, and not easily ac¬ 
counted for, that horses do not thrive on changing from one 
part of the country to another, although their treatment in 
every respect be the same, difference of water excepted. 
This perhaps may, in a great measure, be owing to the 
quality of the water they drink, and which may be pos¬ 
sessed of different chemical properties from that to which 
they had before been accustomed. 
44 This is particularly observed in those places where the 
stable-yards are supplied from pit-wells, some of which are 
very deep, and the water very hard, which occasions that 
chilliness, trembling, and shaking which is frequently ob¬ 
served in horses when they drink it immediately after it is 
new pumped, and which causes their coats to stare and 
stand on end for a considerable time, and sometimes they 
are griped, and much out of order. Spring-water is liable 
to partake of all the metallic or mineral properties of the 
strata through which it passes ; hence it becomes noxious 
or salutary according to the nature of those substances with 
which it has been in contact. River-water has, likewise, its 
different qualities, from the various soils through which it 
travels ; but, in general, it is much softer than water that 
runs underground. Pond-water, (under which head may 
be included all stagnant water, which generally proceeds 
from rain,) if lying on a clear and clayey bottom, and fresh, 
answers well for cattle of all kinds; but in warm weather it 
is apt to corrupt and ferment, which renders it unwhole¬ 
some and unfit for use.” 
To correct the hardness of pit-water, and render it more 
salutary for horses to drink, it should be pumped into a 
large trough, and exposed to the open air for some time 
