The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2) / Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field

by William Taplin

OVER-DONE

.—A horse is said to be over-done, when both his FRAME and SPIRITS are so exhausted with fatigue and excessive labour, that he sinks down in his stall almost immediately after reaching the stable; where he extends himself at every extremity, giving evident proof of the struggles nature has to encounter, by the bodily disquietude under which he continues distressed for many hours, and sometimes DAYS, before he becomes perfectly recovered. When a horse is reduced to this state, by a too long continuance at slow or steady work, no doubt of recovery need be entertained with a few days nursing; but if it has been occasioned by a continued and persevering speed with hounds, and a long journey home, danger may be apprehended: instances are infinite, where internal inflammations have arisen, by which existence has soon been destroyed.