506 THE MANAGEMENT OF FARM HORSES 



day ; but it requires to be chaffed like straw, or thoroughly 

 bruised between rollers. 



In the South of England work-horses often go loose in 

 open yards with shelter-sheds during winter. They are 

 thus put in the way of getting gentle exercise and plenty 

 of fresh air to keep them healthy. 



Treatment during Summer. If horses are too highly 

 fed while not doing full work, they are much more difficult 

 to maintain in good working form in winter than when they 

 are kept in an ordinary way. Along with green food in its 

 season, 7 Ibs. of oats, in two feeds per day, is generally 

 enough for a horse. When at hard work this amount may 

 be doubled. Some horses do not eat corn freely when on 

 grass; the teeth seem to be "set on edge," like those of a 

 human being by eating unripe apples. 



There are two common systems of feeding during 

 summer : First, " soiling," involving the cutting and carry- 

 ing of green forage to horses turned loose when not at work 

 in a large open yard with shelter-sheds. Clover, grass, 

 vetches, and cabbages are all useful foods in their season. 

 This is an economical plan if food be not plentiful, but it 

 requires additional labour to that necessary when horses are 

 grazed. The second system involves the easier and more 

 common practice of turning horses out to grass over night and 

 at other times while not at work. The disadvantage of this 

 method of treatment consists in horses, especially if young, 

 galloping and cutting up the pasture, casting their shoes, 

 breaking their hoofs, and rubbing down fences and gates ; 

 besides the risk of catching cold or contracting founder in 

 the feet if they are carelessly turned out after being heated 

 before they have properly cooled. 



Alterative Medicines. Two drams of desiccated and 

 powdered sulphate of iron, mixed in a full feed of corn once 

 or twice a day, is a good tonic for a horse, and is frequently 

 required along with careful feeding in the " fall," after he 

 goes into the stable. The physical system of the horse 

 seems to go down at this season, probably with the change 

 of coat. It is owing to this peculiar condition that roadsters 

 at this time often become weak, fall on and injure their 

 knees. Tonics are better than physic in the correction of 

 ordinary derangements, unless parasitic worms have to be 



