2o6 HORSEMANSHIP. 



carrots. To win such a race at the age of twenty-two, 

 towards the close of a laborious career, carrying eleven 

 stone, was no little testimony to the virtue of a mixed diet, 

 in which barley formed the main element. 



Indian-corn or maize. This corn, unless mixed with beans 

 or peas, is of little use where horses are doing fast work. 

 It is too fattening and, as it imparts an unpleasant smell to 

 horses eating it, is not to be recommended. Horses fed on 

 maize may look '' full of flesh," but it is not solid hard- 

 working flesh and muscle, but "stall-fed" blubber. Those 

 of the General and other omnibus companies are mainly 

 fed on this great fat or heat-producer, but they work at a 

 slow pace, eased by frequent stoppages. 



Bran. When not given indiscriminately, bran, in the 

 form of a mash, at the temperature of new milk, is one of 

 the safest, most natural, and acceptable adjuncts to the 

 horse's diet. Given in a judicious manner it acts as a 

 laxative. The impression with many is that it is non- 

 nutritious, whereas, were the flesh-forming principles it 

 contains liberated in the process of digestion, it would be 

 found the equal of either oats or barley. If fresh and 

 perfectly sweet, nothing is more grateful to the horse after 

 a severe day of violent muscular exertion, an over-excite- 

 ment of the circulation of the blood, and debility of the 

 whole system, caused by prolonged effort and abstinence 

 from food. Nothing, in short, is more appetising and 

 soothing when suffering from languor or depression, rest- 

 lessness and fever, no better safeguard against inflammation 

 of the lungs and stomach. It is a sedative and a cooler of 

 the whole system. A bran mash given for two days before 

 physic prepares the horse for its reception, and, if the aloes 

 be good, prevents griping. The usual custom is to give 

 only one mash twelve hours before administering the ball, 



