I04 Management and Feeding of Heavy Horses 



Horses also appreciate a few roots; a mangel or two, or a 

 swede or two may be given daily. Condiments, spices, and con- 

 dition powders are not necessary for a healthy horse; these articles 

 are of more profit to the maker, seller, and advertiser than they are 

 to the buyer or user, and often do harm to the stock. All aphro- 

 disiac agents should be strictly prohibited ; some grooms are 

 addicted to the administering of these noxious, exciting drugs, 

 especially if they think the horse a bit slow at work. To produce 

 healthy condition, regular exercise is an absolute necessity. The 

 stallion should be walked out for at least two hours daily, not with 

 a slouching, easygoing step, but at a brisk pace as if being shown 

 off to a customer. The daily exercise helps his appetite, keeps his 

 digestive organs healthy, keeps legs, joints, and feet all in working 

 order, and gives a splendid opportunity for training a horse to his 

 proper step. Stylish action and good manners are most important 

 if we wish to sell, to hire out, to exhibit, or even to travel the 

 district with the horse. It is wonderful how the eye of a judge, or 

 the eye of the public, is attracted by a bit of style and movement. 

 So many of our heavy horses are deficient in these qualities that a 

 horse which excels in action gains rapidly in popularity. This is 

 also one of the attributes of the horse which may be improved 

 greatly by practice and training. Some horses, of course, have it 

 naturally by inheritance, and are much more amenable to training 

 than are others, but it is in the drill and instruction of the horse 

 that the aptitude, tact, patience, skill, and perseverance of the man 

 are brought into prominence. As the soldier has to be drilled into 

 the proper step and movement, so must the horse, and it is only by 

 persevering in daily training that the horse is brought to his proper 

 paces and behaviour. Some, of course, require much more time, 

 patience, and perseverance than others do, but the hours of exercise 

 give just the proper opportunity for applying the drill instruction. 

 The man must imagine that he is in the show ring, and should put 

 the horse through his paces each day as if the eyes of the public 

 and the judges were on him — walking, trotting, turning round, and 

 making him stand out in the best position as if for inspection, 

 and checking all tendency to erratic action or to sluggishness. If 

 intended for exhibition, this daily role must be carried on for some 

 considerable time so that the horse may acquire perfection in his 

 manners ; it does not do to leave the training to the last day or two 

 before the show. Some animals may require a long course; but 

 when they do acquire the education it is not readily forgotten. 

 Great patience and perseverance will effect a wonderful improve- 

 ment in time. Very excitable horses are apt to forget themselves 



