grooming, and exercise, are the circumstances to be particularly attended to. Physicing is also a usual and necessary appendage to the other parts of the treatment. Dieting. It would be most imprudent to take a horse from so moist a food as grass and at once to place before him hay and corn without caution or limitation. Coming from a straw-yard this restraint is not so imperative; yet even in this case little corn should be given at first, but following the removal from grass, both corn and hay should be allowed but sparingly, particularly the former. The hay given for the first two or three days should likewise be moistened by sprinkling it with water; the corn allowed should also be mixed with bran, by which the dangers of constipation and repletion may be avoided. : The constipating effects of the removal from a moist to a dry course of feeding may be further obviated by a nightly bran-mash. The bran mashing may likewise be extended to twice a day, or until the bowels be somewhat relaxed if the horse be very full in flesh, or have his skin at all tight or irruptive, or if the legs be inclined to swell, in all which cases it likewise tends to shorten the process, and prevent that almost irrecoverable hide-binding which often follows these appearances, if succulent food, particularly carrots, be mixed with, or even wholly substituted, for hay. The privation of renders it prudent that water should at first be given in sufficient quantity: it is often withheld with a view to harden the flesh and get up the belly; but this treatment at first is erroneous, and by exciting heat, thirst and indigestion, frustrates its own intention. The temperature into which the newly-stabled horse is removed should not at first be much increased beyond that to which he has been so long accustomed or the grass sudden change may operate unfavourably on his lungs, and if it does not produce inflammation it may at least occasion roaring or broken-wind. The most prudent plan is first to place the horse in an airy box, which will not only prevent too great heat, but also obviate the danger of swelled legs and heated feet. By degrees so much increase of temperature may be kept up as will promote the fall of long hair, or the retention or renewal of the short, and in the degree to which the artificial coating is wished to be carried, to that degree should an ardent or temperate climate be imitated. The clothing and grooming should, like the other parts of the conditioning-treatment, be at first very moderate; the one produces extra heat, the other extra irritation, but by degrees both may be increased according to the views of the owner or the purposes of the horse. Physicing is found to assist the condition of horses, for by emptying the bowels thoroughly absorption of the extraneous fluids is promoted. One, two, or three doses, according to the extent to which the condition is intended to be carried, are usually given to every horse where this process is conducted on the usual principles, and are certainly necessary wherever a continued and accelerated exertion is required. Exercising a conditioning horse, like the other aids, must be done with a due regard to circumstances, at first walking alone best answers the purpose, and twice a day is better than once; the duration of each walk must be regulated by the age, the fulness of habit, &c. &c. As the condition improves, trotting and galloping may be employed to benefit the wind, draw up the carcass, and accustom the horse to full work. It may be here remarked that I have seen all attempts to promote condition fail in a horse removed from an old companion, or when stabled alone. Horses are gre garious, and often bare secregation badly; such a case can only be treated by association. DIRECTIONS TO TRAVELLERS ON HORSES. DURING a journey, it is always difficult to avoid accident in one way or another, especially if the distance be far; and consequently it is the wisest plan always to be in some manner armed for their reception: for at times it may be out of our power to obtain those remedies and that assistance which may be necessary on those occasions. The following directions for the traveller may therefore be found very useful if attended to: WHEN A SHOE IS LOST The horse ought not to be urged on at an immoderate pace, but gently walked or trotted until some smith's forge is found where the loss may be repaired; and if the feet be filled with gravel, &c., they should then be cleaned out. If the foot be recently and slightly wounded, a little oil of turpentine poured upon the part and set fire to with a hot poker is commonly a present cure without any other application. INJURY OF THE COFFIN-BONE. The Coffin-Bone may chance to be affected, then apply: Of the following mixed oils, one ounce and a half— These inserted into a gallipot, which may perhaps contain three or four times the quantity required, add Mix these together with the two first articles, by a little at a time, and immediately add— Spirits of Wine 8 ounces. Mix the whole carefully together, and put them in a bottle for occasional use. GREASE IN THE HEELS. As horses are subject to greasy heels, the rider on a journey should have the following ointments : Common Turpentine Melt it over a slow fire, and add— Bole Armenic, (in powder), Mix the whole together till cold, and when to be used spread it on strong brown paper, apply it over the part that greases, and bandage it on with listing. Once dressing is, in general, sufficient to perform a cure, if not, repeat it when occasion requires. |