DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



CHAPTER I. 



FEEDING AND WATERING HORSES. 



How often is the question asked,, "How and when shall we feed 

 and water our horses?" We shall endeavor to give, in as few 

 words as possible, our opinion on this subject, which is endorsed 

 by the best authorities in this country. Our remarks shall be 

 confined to the driving horse, and the work horse and mule, not 

 referring to horses at pasture. Over one-half the diseases of the 

 digestive ofgans are caused by improper feeding and watering; 

 therefore, this is a very important subject for all horse owners 

 to consider. 



The horse, man's most faithful and useful servant, since be- 

 coming domesticated has to depend on man for the feed he eats, 

 the water he drinks, the freedom he gets, the air he breathes, the 

 light he receives, and, in fact, his very existence is at man's will, 

 to properly or improperly care for him. Considering the small 

 size of a horse's stomach, it would lead one to the belief that he 

 should be fed often and a small quantity at a time. Some of the 

 large feeding stables in the North feed their horses grain four 

 times a day, but we think three times is sufficient, but it should 

 be done regularly, and at the same hour each day, if possible. 



Hay, fodder, or whatever roughness is used, should be fed at 

 night, when the racks can be filled up, and let them eat what 

 they want, as they have all night for it to digest. This applies 

 more particularly to driving horses, for if they are fed hay shortly 



