278 TRAINERS AND JOCKEYS 



knowledge has advanced with the march of time ! In 

 the olden days it was of the simplest kind, least calcu- 

 lated to repel disease. Oats, hay, and straw, with 

 occasional bran-mashes as a precautionary measure 

 against constipation or inflammation, exhaust the whole 

 catalogue. But we have since learned that change of 

 food is essential to the health of all animals, and 

 especially of those in captivity. We have now a variety 

 of food unknown till lately, a few kinds of which I will 

 venture to enumerate. Linseed is now given, either 

 boiled as a mash with oats or mixed dry with the corn. 

 This has a stimulating effect, and if properly and 

 regularly administered in sufficient quantities will ensure, 

 if nothing else, a glossy coat and round barrel. Wheat, 

 barley, beans and peas, both white and gray, are usually 

 given with oats on account of their strengthening 

 qualities. Vetches, trifolium, lucern, clover, and all the 

 natural grasses, make a nice change, if sparingly adminis- 

 tered, throughout the summer. For the winter, carrots, 

 white and red, mangel- wurzels, and Swedish - turnips 

 form a nutritious food ; whilst for the spring nothing 

 yet has been equal in its beneficial effect to a regular 

 diet of water-cresses. But as for over-worked or 

 delicately constituted horses the restorative qualities of 

 dry food are admittedly unrivalled, various condiments 

 are now pretty generally used in first-class establish- 

 ments, such as ' Thorley's Food for Cattle,' and 

 1 Brownie's Calf Mixture.' As to their beneficial effects 

 in the stable, I need only refer the reader to the beauti- 

 fully coloured works of art to be seen at every railway- 

 station. 



Yet with all that to this point has been achieved, 

 further improvement may be possible. I do not say it 

 is. I have no such presumption. I only point to 



