All these practices are alike attended with destruction to Horses; as also are the many extravagances that prevail in the same contradictory extremes, with regard to Coverings. But in answer to all these foolish systems, reason plainly suggests to us, that proper wholesome Food, a well tempered circulation of sweet Air, moderate and constant Exercise, with due care and suitable clothing, as weather and occasions may require, will never fail to preserve Horses sound and in health.
No Vulgar Error is more common, than that Horses cannot continue well, unless they are periodically Bled, Purged, and crammed with Cordial Balls, &c.
After a very Hard day’s Work, give him a couple of Gallons of Gruel, made by putting a Quart of Oatmeal into a pail, stir it together with a little cold water, then add the proper quantity of boiling water, half a Gallon of good Strong Ale, and two Wine-glasses of Brandy: this the old Fox-hunter will tell you is better than all the Cordial Balls that were ever composed. In cases of Emergency, when a Horse is distressed, a Quart of Mulled Beer; or, in an extreme Case, a Bottle of Wine, will refresh him like a charm.
The following is Squire Tallyho’s advice respecting Physic:—
The Day after a hard Run, on inquiring how his Horses were, his Groom replied, “They are pretty well; but I think, Sir, that a little Physic would do them good.”—“Why,” said the Squire, “would you give them Physic? Do they Eat well, and Drink Well, and Sleep well?”—“Yes, Sir.”—“Well then, what good do you expect to do by giving them Physic? You don’t take Physic yourself when you are Well, do you, Tom?”—“No, Sir.”—“Then why give it to a Horse?”
To prevent Diseases and preserve the Health of Horses, there is seldom occasion for Bleeding, Purging, or any other Physicking, &c., if a proper attention be paid to procure them,
1st. Sufficiently spacious and well-aired Stables: at the bottom of each Stall there should be, rather beyond the centre, a Grating, so that the Stable may always be dry; the Litter will last longer, and the Stable be sweet and wholesome.
“In Russia, and other Northern Countries, Horses lie on boards without inconvenience, from which it would appear a great saving might be made if our own stalls were provided with frames for Horses to lie on without a litter. They may be constructed in the following manner:—Suppose the stall to be 6 feet wide and 9 feet long, then eight deal boards eight inches wide, nailed one inch apart to three or more ledges about two or three inches deep should be prepared for each stall. The Horse will lie dry, what falls must be swept off, and the frame turned up by day. Thus all the litter will be saved, and the straw, reed, or fern, be given for food. The frame will, probably, not cost more than the straw used for litter in a season. The boards will be very little injured, and may afterwards be applied to common purposes.
“Henry Penneck, M.D. A.L.S.
“Penzance, July 30, 1826.”
(From the Dublin Courier.)
Cleanliness in a Stable is extremely important: let the Mangers be well washed once a Week, and wipe down the Stalls, and whitewash it once a year.