NO WATER FOR HORSES

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1937, Page 8

NO WATER FOR HORSES

AN OLD TURKIS CUSTOM The Turkis, plainsmen of Turkestan, have customs which are a model of inflexibility, writes Major G. V. B. Gillan in the “Cornhill Magazine?’ The fact that a custom is of a proved stupidity does not in any way weaken it. For example, no horse may be allowed, under any circumstances, to drink whilst on a journey or for several hours after completing a day’s journey. It is useless to upbraid the Turki or to argue with him on the subject. “Why. do you do this cruel thing? You yourself don’t go thirsty.” “It is the custom.”

“What is the reason for such a custom?” “If the horse drinks it goes lame at once; the water runs down through its legs, collects round its fetlocks, and makes it lame.”

“How can water run down through its legs? Do you feel it running down through yours?” “I don’t know; it is the custom.”

“Our horses are never allowed to be thirsty. Do they go lame?” “No; they have become accustomed to your custom.” “When I borrowed your horse I insisted on letting him drink. Did he go lame?”

“No.” “Do your horses sometimes die of thirst?” ’ e “Yes.” “Then why not stop being a damned fool and let them drink?" “It is a very strict custom.”