CHAPTER XII. 



SOME RANDOM WRINKLES. 

 '"' Full of wise saws and modern instances." 



Feeding. 



Pluck, or courage, is derived from breeding ; stre?igfli is 

 the outcome of food and a good digestion. 



Regular feeding is essential ; long fasts weaken the diges- 

 tive organs. 



The horse's digestion, when properly carried on, is 

 marvellously rapid and effective, therefore he should have 

 little food at a time. He does not ruminate like the cow. 

 Properly speaking, four hours is the outside time that a 

 horse should work without feeding, though, of course, 

 numerous occasions present themselves when he must go 

 foodless for much longer periods. The horse, it will be 

 noticed, never sleeps long together, and during the night 

 is frequently up and feeding. His last feed at night, there- 

 fore, should be the largest over which he may dwell. After 

 all other feeds there should be " a clean manger." 



A hard-w^orked horse should have every facility offered 

 him to feed during the night. 



Cooked food should never be given to riding-horses, 

 except in the shape of an occasional mash. It is swallowed 

 rapidly, little or no insalivation takes place, the stomach is 

 distended and weakened, and colic results. Insalivation, 

 or the secretion of saliva, is absolutely necessary, owing to 

 its solvent powders by which the masticated food is chemi- 

 cally altered and assimilated. 



