Feed and Care of the Horse. 327 



be well to supply a limited quantity after feeding. When the 

 horses come to the stable heated and fatigued, a little fresh water, 

 even if cold, may be given with beneficial effect say eight or ten 

 quarts. Then when cooled off and rested, what they still re- 

 quire should be supplied. When on the road a few quarts of 

 water can be given with safety, no matter how much the horse is 

 heated, but a large quantity should never be supplied at one time. 

 On journeys, water should be given every few miles. 



A theoretical system of feeding would require that the horse 

 be given water first of all, and that this be followed by hay, the 

 grain being withheld until at least some hay had been consumed. 

 While the plan of watering first is easily followed, we cannot and 

 should not make the horse wait for the grain, consuming his hay 

 allowance first, for until the grain is given he is nervous and 

 unsatisfied. In practice the concentrates will usually be supplied 

 before hay is given. A middle ground can be taken by watering 

 first and then feeding ground grain sprinkled upon a small allow- 

 ance of moistened chaffed hay. This will satisfy the desire of 

 the horse by supplying the most palatable portion of his food 

 early, and yet insure the retention of the grain in the stomach for 

 a considerable period, since masticating and swallowing the cut 

 hay with accompanying meal will require some time. 



The small size of the stomach of the horse indicates the impro- 

 priety of long fasting. While it is a fact that horses employed 

 by some establishments go from daylight until dark without food, 

 it seems that where possible these fasts should be broken by a 

 small feed of grain at mid- day. 



Over-feeding with hay is the source of a long list of ills with 

 the horse. Through carelessness or mistaken kindness the mangers 

 are often kept filled with hay, and because of his long hours of 

 idleness in the stable the horse falls into the habit of gorging 

 himself with this provender. Not only is there waste of hay in 

 such cases, but whatever is eaten beyond requirement exhausts 

 the digestive system and weakens its influence upon the other 

 nutrients of the ration. Staring coats, labored breathing and 

 quick tiring are the least serious, though probably the most 

 easily noticeable, results of this common practice. There should 



