CARE OF STALLIONS. 257 



valuable adjunct, thus should always form a part of the 

 grain ration. It is one of the cheapest, safest and best reg- 

 ulators for the bowels, and it is also especially rich in pro- 

 tein and ash, two important constituents from a nutrition 

 standpoint. For roughness, good, pure hay, timothy, timothy 

 and clover, or bright clover, or good, pure corn fodder, all 

 answer an excellent purpose. It should be clean and free 

 from mould and should not be fed in large quantities. Some 

 roots, especially carrots, can be fed to good advantage 

 twice or three times per week. The quantity of feed 

 will be governed by the animal and the amount of exer- 

 cise given. The number of times to feed also varies. Some 

 good horsemen recommend three and others four times per 

 day. In either case no more should be given than will be 

 promptly eaten up clean. Just feed what the horse will eat 

 up clean with relish. This, with plenty of exercise, will 

 usually keep the horse in good condition. 



Water should always be given before feeding, and none 

 for a couple of hours afterwards. The stomach of the horse 

 is small (holding about sixteen quarts) and a pailful or more 

 of cold water will arrest the action of digestion, instead of 

 aiding it, thus the advisability of always watering before 

 feeding. The stallion should be watered often, and given 

 but a little at a time. Salt should be kept before him at all 

 times. Either rock or granular salt may be used. 



The question of exercise is a most important one. The 

 amount of exercise to be given will vary somewhat with the 

 condition and habit of the horse. If he be in thin flesh and 

 it is desired to fatten him up, the exercise should be lighter 

 than it otherwise would be. On the other hand, if he be- 

 comes too fat, this may be remedied by increasing the 

 amount of exercise. The walk is the natural gait of the draft 

 horse and he should not be driven or led at a faster gait. 



For roadster, coach, or running horses, a moderate "jog" 

 will not hurt them, but prove beneficial. The light horse will 

 also require much more exercise than the draft horse. It is 

 very difficult to have this exercising done properly. Most 

 grooms and stable hands are too lazy to do this work in a 

 right manner. The stallion should not be walked or jogged 

 long enough to become tired, but they should have enough 

 of it daily to keep the muscles firm, the appetite good, and 

 to prevent the laying on of an undue amount of fat. Most 



