FEEDING 313 



inflammation of the eyelids and of the ball of the 

 eye. 



Horses that have been fed all winter on dry food 

 will receive much benefit by being turned out in the 

 spring, when the grass has become luxuriant ; or when 

 this is inconvenient, cut grass may be given to him in 

 the stable. The use of green tares will also be found 

 very beneficial. Green food is certain to purge the 

 animal, and that in a moderate degree, which carries 

 off all the evil effects of constant feeding on hard 

 meat. 



Wheat is too expensive to be used as food for horses 

 in Great Britain, and it is only when damaged that 

 farmers think of applying it for this purpose. Although 

 wheat contains a large portion of nutrition, it is not 

 by any means desirable as food for a horse, as it has 

 a tendency to form obstructions in the bowels by 

 becoming caked ; and besides, it is difficult of digestion. 

 This has been found to be especially the case when 

 they are watered soon after feeding ; for the water, 

 flowing quickly through the stomach and small in- 

 testines in its passage to the caecum, or blind-gut, 

 carries off with it all the gelatinous substance of the 

 grain, and leaves the more indissoluble mass behind, 

 and the masses thereby formed have often caused the 

 death of the horse. A small portion of hay should be 

 given along with wheat. 



Beans are an excellent and nutritious food, but 

 should never be given whole when dried, as their skin 

 being so very hard the horse swallows many of them 

 whole, or drops others. 



Pease are still more nutritive than beans ; but 

 should never be given unbruised, being difficult to 

 grind by the horse, in consequence of their round form. 

 They are frequently swallowed quite whole by the 



