780 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Bran and linseed are used also for special purposes, sometimes as a substitute for regular 

 feed, and sometimes in addition to it. 



Poor hay or damaged corn should never be given to horses. The latter will bring on 

 inflammation of the bowels and skin diseases. Cut hay is much better than that which is not 

 cut. Hay sprinkled with water in which a little salt has been dissolved is much relished by 

 horses. Cut hay moistened with warm water makes a good feed for them. When meal or 

 bran is fed, it is a good plan to mix it with moistened, cut hay. Oats moistened with water 

 are preferred to dry, being more easily masticated and digested. A warm mash is good for 

 horses, especially after a hard day s work, which is made by turning boiling water on bran 

 and stirring it until it is well moistened. 



A horse should not be driven hard or put to hard work for an hour or more after eat 

 ing. The custom of most farmers of taking a horse immediately from his feed to hard work 

 is very injurious. Violent exercise in man or beast should never be taken until digestion has, 

 at least, been partially accomplished. A working horse should also have an hour s rest at 

 noon. A horse designed for rapid work should not be allowed much hay at morning or noon, 

 but grain principally. At night he may be given a larger quantity of hay in connection with 

 grain. 



The evening before a long journey, an extra amount of food should be given. Time 

 will thus be allowed for its digestion and extra nourishment will be obtained for the extra 

 labor to be performed. 



While on the road, it is always well to feed in small quantities and often, rather than to 

 overload the animal s stomach after a long fast, attended with great exertion and weariness, 

 which would be liable to produce staggers, or apoplexy. When a horse refuses food and 

 water, he is in no condition to be driven. Never feed a horse much when he is heated and 

 exhausted. Give him a little wet hay, and a few sips of water, and after he is rubbed down 

 and cooled off, he may have his usual drink and rations. 



Watering. Horses that are allowed free access to water will drink little at a time and 

 often, and where stalls are so arranged that a constant supply of pure water can be had at 

 any time, we believe such horses will be kept in much better condition than those that are 

 watered at long intervals, and frequently stinted in the supply, or drink too large a quantity, 

 from the thirst produced by long abstinence. Where horses are stinted in water, a feverish 

 condition of the system will be liable to be the result, together with a loss of condition. 



Where horses do not have free access to water, they should be watered four times a day. 

 The old idea of stinting horses in water is not only unreasonable and injurious, but cruel; 

 being fed upon dry hay and grain, they require drink often, and in sufficient quantities to 

 quench thirst. The plan of permitting horses to have access to water at all hours in the stall 

 is meeting with much favor at present, and experience thus far proves that it is highly bene 

 ficial, and to be recommended, where practicable. 



Spring or well water is not generally as good for horses as that from ponds and streams, as 

 it is generally hard and cold, they much preferring soft water, and that which is slightly warm. 

 It is not a good plan to allow a horse to become accustomed to drinking very warm water, 

 for if obliged to drink cold water at any time it will be liable to cause colic. Never allow a 

 horse to drink freely when heated. Permit him to take a few sips only to cool his mouth, 

 rub him off until he is dry, first with a wisp of straw, and then with a brush, rubbing his 

 legs also well with the hand. When cool, give him his drink first, and then his food. When 

 on the road, always let him drink whenever he likes. 



The water given horses should always be of the best quality. Horses are peculiarly sen 

 sitive respecting the water they drink, and are easily made sick by impurities. The pail, 

 tank, or other receptacle for the water should always be kept very clean; in fact, the water 

 given horses should be as clean as that used by the household for drinking purposes. They 

 should never be driven hard immediately after eating or drinking freely. 



