224 THE HORSE 



On return from hunting horses are naturally very thirsty, 

 and should have a bucket of gruel given to them made with 

 linseed, wheat flour, or oatmeal. Animals which are apt to 

 be loose in their bowels need gruel made with wheat flour, 

 which is something of a binding nature ; but as a rule the 

 reverse is the case after severe exertion, and consequently 

 the need for linseed or oatmeal gruel is thereby indicated, 

 preferably the former. Whenever oatmeal is used for gruel 

 care should be taken that it is made from old oats, and par- 

 ticularly that it has been well scalded with boiling water, if 

 there is not time for it to be actually boiled. Neglect of 

 such precaution may set up violent diarrhoea, and for this 

 reason it is always wise to have some wheat flour added to a 

 drink of water, when obtained at a cottage on the road home 

 after a severe run, and eschew oatmeal for the purpose. It 

 may be pointed out that when wheat flour is employed it is 

 necessary to mix it first with a little cold water, and then 

 add hot water afterwards, for if the latter is poured upon 

 the flour it makes it into paste, which will not mix properly 

 or become gruel. 



After the gruel has been given, and whilst the horse is 

 being dressed, a lock of dry hay may be allowed, the mas- 

 tication of which will promote a flow of saliva ; whereas if 

 the hay was given wet, or even damped, it would probably 

 be swallowed after a twist or two with the tongue, and 

 scarcely be chewed at all ; but just one carrot in addition 

 to the hay is very much appreciated, tends to quench any 

 undue thirst, and also has a slight influence on the action 

 of the kidneys. As soon as the body has been dressed a 

 bran mash should be given, the hay placed in the rack, and 

 then the horse should be shut up and left to rest in peace. 



By the term "corn" it is universally understood in the 

 British Islands that reference is made to oats, when the 

 provender of horses is under mention. In other countries 

 this is not necessarily the case, for in the greater part of the 

 world oats, though undoubtedly the best grain for horses, 

 are difficult to obtain, and maize, or barley, gram, or lentils 

 form the corn diet of horses in those regions. Lentils are 

 especially valuable for young growing stock as well as for 



