A change of lodging, or of diet, is often a cause of disease. When a fresh horse is procured, it is well to know how he has been treated during the previous month. If a valuable animal, he will be worth this inquiry; if low-priced he may not. Horses that come from a dealer have probably been standing in a warm stable, well-clothed, well-groomed, highly fed, and seldom exercised. They have fine glossy coats, they are in high spirits, they are lusty; but their flesh is soft and flabby. They are unfit for fast work. They are easily heated by exertion, and when the least warm they are very apt to catch cold. But wherever the horse come from, or whatever be his condition, changes in reference to food, temperature, and work, must be effected by slow degrees. It is absurd and always pernicious to take a horse from the fields, or a straw-yard, and put him in a warm stable, and on rich food all at once; it is not less erroneous to take him from a warm to a cold stable, or to demand exertion to which he has not been trained.

When the horse's history can not be traced, both his work and his diet should at first be moderate. More of either than he has been accustomed to, will do more harm than less of either. It may, however, be soon known whether he has been doing much work. It is ascertained by trying him. If fit for work, he may be fed in proportion. The temperature of the stable had better be warmer than colder. If too warm, the horse will perspire; his coat here and there will be damp or wet, especially in the morning when the stables are first opened. If it be too cold, the coat will stare and become dim; and the horse will catch cold. He will cough.