The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-06
Watering Horses.

One of the best agents in keeping the
horse in condition is water. 1t Is too
commonly the practice to feed a thirsty
horse first. watering him afterwards.
The stupid groom has learned that
horses will usually drink more freely
after feeding than before, hence he rea-
sons that the horse should have water
given him at the period when he will
take the most. 1t saves trouble, too, if
water is given at the time when most
will be taken, for if n horse requires
two pailfulS in day, and will take this
amount at one drink, the attendant rea-
sons that he may rs well take IT at once
and have it over with. While it Is
proper 10 give the horse access to water
while at his meal, upon plan we will
refer to farther on, still, permitting a
gorge of cold water to be taken into the
stomach upon 4 full ration of grain and
hav. in a measure interrupts digestion,
bv distending and chilling the stomach,
diluting the gastric juice in too great a
degree nj the same time.
Cold water taken before eating acts
as tonic, in the same manner that go
ing from Il warm room into frosty at
mosphere acts As an invigorator upon
the whole system of man and beast
alike. 1t is well known that hot water
applied to the surface relaXes the It's
sues, while cold water used in the same
manner conStringes, braces up and
gives tone. Hence it will be readily
seen, that as the effect is quite alike
upon all the tissues, the drinking of
large amount of warm water before a
meal would relax the coats of the
stomach, rendering its coats tiabby,
hence in a condition the opposite of that
likely to give rise to an appetite for
food. Therefore it is correct to give
the horse cool water before feeding
him. 1t is a better plan TO keep water
within reach of the horse at all times.
By adopting this rule the animal will
at NO time take enough to chill the
stomach, so to speak, but will, while
eating his grain and hay, take just
enough to moisten the dry food, greatly
promoting digestion thereby.
A regular and continuous supply OF
water is required, that the stomach and
small intestineS be not required to
throw out too abundantly of fluids to
counteract the binding nature of a large
ration o. uTN lieu ltASil cuOOChiN INV
the system This is also required so
that the refuse portions of food taken
NAV pass more readily along the
alimentary canal, the water keeping the
feces in duly softened condition. thus
aiding in counteracting a tendency TO
hardened faces, and consequent con-
stipation, well known to be damaging
to the spirits, and to the energy, as
well as to the enduring qualities of the
horse When large amount OF water
is taken after eating full meal. digeS-
ton is in a great measure suspended
until the bulk of this water is disposed
of, which is done mainly through a
slow process called endoSmose, which,
plainly rendered. means the passage
of the superabundant water directly
through the coats CT the stomach,
which are, very fortunately for such
emergencies, to degree porous.
What of the excess does not escape in
this way is hurried out by the route
which the food takes in advance of the
latter. 1t is true of the digestion of
food as of the maceratiOn and dissolv-
inc of substances outside of the diges-
tive organs and of the body, that
warmth favors, and a cold solvent
agent retards the process.in either case.
National Lire Stock Journal.