SO CHAPTER 4. 



certain salts, it is excreted partly from the lungs in the form of aqueous 

 vapour, partly from the skin in the form of perspiration, and in larger 

 and more notable quantities it is discharged from the body as urine 

 through the medium of the kidneys. 



55. Small size of the stomach. 



The capacity of the horse's stomach is small in comparison to his 

 frame. He therefore requires to be fed frequently. In a state of nature 

 the horse is almost constantly browsing, and yet it is rarely so full as to 

 be unable to exert his power of flight. Convenience, however, of servants, 

 and the hour at which we require the domesticated animal for work, 

 must in some degree modify our times of feeding. 



56. How often is it necessary to feed ? 



Experience has shown that it is sufficient to feed the horse three times 

 a day. Less frequent feeding is decidedly objectionable. The corn 

 should be divided into three portions, and the hay into two. It is best 

 not to give any hay at the feed preceding the time at which the animal 

 is likely to be required for work. He will do his work easier if his 

 stomach is somewhat empty than if it is distended with hay. Hence, if 

 a horse is used in the morning, the portion of hay should be omitted at 

 the early feed, and reserved for midday and evening. If, on the other 

 hand, he is required for work in the afternoon, he should get his hay in 

 the morning and evening. Hunters, however, whose work occurs about 

 the middle of the day, may with advantage, in the author's opinion, 

 though he is aware it is not the usual practice, be allowed half their usual 

 portion of hay along with their morning feed of corn. The same remark 

 applies to troop horses, whose work generally does not begin before 9 

 a.m. "Cart horses, whose work is always slow, should be fed with hay 

 three times a day. 



57. Best times for feeding. 



Horses should not be fed, when heated, immediately after work. The 

 stomach is not then in a good state for the proper digestion of the food. 

 If the horse is exhausted, as may often occur with hunters after a long 

 day's abstinence, a bucket of warm gruel, which is very easy of digestion, 

 should be given at once ; but the corn should be withheld until the 

 animal is cool and has been dressed. By that time, under the influence 

 of the gruel and of the rest, the stomach will probably have recovered 

 its tone. 



The best time for feeding as a general rule is at the close of each 

 stable hour. The horse will then feed more quietly, comfortably, and 

 more at his leisure than when servants are bustling about. Besides 

 which many horses, if disturbed whilst feeding, are apt to knock about 

 and spill their corn. 



