34 CHAPTER 5. 



back and slack in the loin and light in the barrel, are predisposed to this 

 affection. 



66. Delicate Feeders. 



Both care and skill are needed in regulating the diet and tempting the 

 appetite of delicate feeders. Some will reject their food altogether if it 

 is given them in large quantities ; whilst they will eat it if only a small 

 quantity is offered at a time. Others again will not feed, unless they are 

 allowed frequently to moisten their mouths with water whilst eating. 

 Water should be kept constantly before such animals. Others again, 

 apparently of a nervous or timid disposition, will not feed unless there is 

 a spare stall between them and the next horse. Many horses feed very 

 slowly, and are consequently robbed of half the food by their more vora- 

 cious neighbours. The remedy is, if possible, to allow a spare stall, or to 

 rack up the neighbouring quick feeder as soon as he has finished his own 

 portion. A little linseed boiled to a jelly and mixed with the corn will 

 induce others to eat more freely. Hay slightly damp and sprinkled with 

 salt is palatable to some horses, who will reject it when dry. A pretty 

 frequent change of food is acceptable to some delicate feeders. A small 

 quantity of beans, for instance, may be added to the oats, which may be 

 given crushed. When the animal has lost its relish for these, barley or 

 pale malt may tempt the palate for a time. A little wet bran with the 

 oats is grateful for a time to some horses. For others carrots or green 

 forage may be substituted for hay, or mixed with the hay. 



Delicate feeders will often eat freely during the night, when all is quiet 

 around. Again a very common cause of apparent loss of appetite is some 

 irregularity in the molar teeth, which hinders due mastication. In all 

 cases, therefore, a careful examination of the state of the teeth should 

 be made. In many cases it will be found that the edges of these teeth 

 have become as sharp as razors. The remedy is to file the edges down 

 level. 



A good servant will always watch the peculiarities of the appetite 

 of the horse under his charge, and will generally be able to adjust the 

 feeding and tempt the appetite, so as to make the animal carry flesh. 



Tonics no doubt increase the appetite, but no servant should be 

 allowed on any pretence whatever to administer them at his own dis- 

 cretion. 



CHAPTER 5. 

 FORAGE. 



67. Chemical analysis of food. 67a. Division of foods. 68. Oats. 69. 

 Characteristics of good oats. 70. Weight of good and bad oats. 71. Mode 

 of weighing a bushel. 72. Various defects in oats. Kiln drying. Foxy 



