a44 Food. 



Ifj hbwever, there should exist insuperable impedimentsv or pre*- 

 judiceSj against giving Cooked provender to such Horses as perforfia 

 rapid work^ yet^ enough, I should hope^ has been advanced to shew 

 the policy and economy of bruising their oats, and cutting tbeir hay 

 and straw. 1 deem it u necessary to lay down any rules, respecting 

 the periods of feeding Horses, as the nature of their employments, 

 and the experience of proprietors, will generally regulate this poini 

 properly. But, there is one erroneous practice, which prevails with 

 regard ta feeding Horses, that travel fast on journics, which is pro* 

 ductive of infinite mischief, and cannot be too much reprobated. 

 I mean* the'custom of giving them corn, just before they are put 

 into rapid motion. ' 



For, it frequently happens in this case, not only that the corn does 

 them no good, but that it is productive of much mischief, a» 

 .violent exercise is known to arrest or suspend the process of digestion. 

 This fact was proved several years ago, by Professor Harwood, of 

 Cambridge, who having kept two pointers without food for a conside- 

 rable s^pacel of time, gave each of them a full meal, and immediately 

 afterwards took one of them out into the fields, with his gun, 

 and kept him out several hours. The other dog was left at 

 home, and, being confined, was observed to lie down and sleep. On 

 his return, both dogs were killed, and on examining each, it was 

 found that the food in the stomach of the dog which remained at 

 home, was completely altered in appearance, being nearly converted 

 into chyme ; whilst that in the stomach of the dog exposed to sever© 

 exercise, had undergone little or no change! -'(if 



Now, in the instance of a Horse performing a long journey 

 >yith ra|)idity, when the digesti^^ .procesa is arrested by excessivt 



