HORSES; THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



The amount of food, and nature of this, must to some 

 extent be regulated by the work to be performed. Many horse- 

 keepers feed their horses four times per diem, as fohows : — 

 Early morning, 6 a.m. ; noon, 12 o'clock ; afternoon, 4 o'clock ; 

 evening, 6 o'clock ; but it is better to have a more equable 

 dix'ision of time, so that the hours of 6, 10, 2 and 6 are better, 

 though perhaps not so convenient. 



A very important matter in connection with feeding is that 

 of allowing about one hour or so to elapse, after feeding, before 

 working the animal. It is a very pernicious custom to feed 

 horses whilst on the road, unless sufficient time be allowed 

 afterwards. The nose-bag system of feeding is pernicious. It 

 can claim neither economy nor utility. 



Baiting horses is quite a different matter, and may have a 

 twofold purpose, viz., the animal gets a rest and a restorative, 

 whilst the driver has a refresher — a mutual advantage. Three 

 times a day is often enough to feed a horse performing ordinary 

 duties — morning, midday and evening. Never feed immediately 

 after work, but allow time for the horse to cool down a bit, and 

 then water to the extent of two or three quarts. 



When there is hay in the rack, and the food is put in the 

 manger, the latter will receive first attention, and then the hay. 

 Preferably half an hour should elapse between the cereals and 

 the hay. It is a common custom to rack up with hay at the 

 same time, and leave for the night. 



Most horsekeepers — at any rate the wiser ones — make a 

 practice of looking at the stud before retiring to rest. This is a 

 most commendable practice, and one that should always be done 

 whenever circumstances permit. 



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